The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced the qualification standards for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, aiming to boost India’s medal tally in athletics.
AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said the early announcement would help athletes plan their season effectively and peak at the right time next year. “The final size of the Indian athletics team will be decided by the selection panel based on performances, with at least two athletes selected per event,” Sumariwalla, also a vice-president of World Athletics, told ANI.
Indian athletes showed encouraging form in 2025, giving the federation confidence ahead of the Games. At the 2022 Asian Games in China, India won 29 athletics medals, including six golds. The AFI expects an improved performance in Japan.
According to Olympics.com, India has won 779 medals at the Asian Games since the inaugural edition in 1951, achieving its best-ever haul of 107 medals, including 28 gold, at Hangzhou.
Sumariwalla added that a sixth-place finish at track and field events from the last Asian Games has been set as the general qualification benchmark. In events such as the 200m, 400m, 800m, and high hurdles, athletes will need to meet a fifth-place standard. The Sports Ministry has been informed of the criteria, ANI reported.
The qualification marks are particularly demanding in some events. Men’s 100m and pole vault athletes will need to break existing national records to qualify. The 100m record of 10.18 seconds, set by Animesh Kujur in 2025, must be bettered to 10.16 seconds, while the pole vault record of 5.40 metres by Dev Meena in 2025 is set at 5.45 metres.
Other events have relatively attainable standards. For instance, the men’s javelin throw qualifying mark is 77.87 metres, while several Indian athletes surpassed the 80m mark last season. The qualification standards for race walk and marathon events will be finalised soon, the AFI release said.
According to the AFI 2026 calendar, the domestic athletics season kicks off with the National Cross-Country Championships on January 24. The National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Bhubaneswar will follow from May 22 to 25, and the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships will take place from July 8 to 12. Both events serve as key platforms for athletes to achieve Asian Games qualifying marks.
Athletes must also compete in state meets and at least two regional competitions to be eligible for national events. Those who skip state meets without permission will not be considered for selection, Sumariwalla said.
The 2026 season will also feature the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2. With limited time between the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, the AFI is considering sending a younger squad to Glasgow so senior athletes can focus on Japan, the Times of India reported.
The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
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