From competing for food to a gold medal: the stories behind India’s Asian Games winners

India won 85 medals at the Asian Games in Japan: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. The results drew attention to the country’s range of talent in sports that receive less notice than cricket.

Athletes and their families often faced money shortages, inadequate training facilities and limited institutional backing. Sports broadcaster Siddharth Pandey said visibility can encourage young people to pursue sports outside cricket.

Vithya Ramraj won three medals, including gold in the women’s 4x400m relay. Her father borrowed money to support her and her twin sister’s athletics careers; Ramraj also set a national 400m hurdles record and took bronze.

Lalremsiami Hmarzote scored the only goal in the women’s hockey final against China, earning gold in her 200th international appearance. Growing up in Mizoram, she travelled a long distance to reach a hockey academy and played barefoot on dirt pitches.

Aslam Inamdar helped India win men’s kabaddi gold after working jobs including field labour and cleaning washrooms to support his training. His story, like those of other medalists, shows how celebrating a wider range of athletes may open possibilities for future competitors.