Kuala lumpur: Malaysia are targeting six gold, seven silver, and 20 bronze medals, or 33 medals overall, at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from Sept 19 to Oct 4. Chef de Mission (CDM) Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan stated that the target was realistic, based on the athletes' current form, recent achievements, medal potential, and the strength of competition at the continental level.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Sumali emphasized the realism of the target given the current performances and achievements of the athletes. He noted that the Asian Games present a greater challenge compared to the SEA Games and expressed hope for a bonus beyond the gold-medal target, as they aim for seven silver and 20 bronze medals. This announcement was made following the Jalur Gemilang Handover Ceremony for the Malaysian contingents to the Asian Games and Asian Para Games at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil.
The ceremony also saw national wushu queen Tan Cheong Min being announced as the Malaysian contingent's Jalur Gemilang flag-bearer for the Asian Games, while para long jumper Muhammad Nazmi Nasri was selected as the flag-bearer for the Asian Para Games. Mohd Sumali mentioned that the target was set after detailed discussions considering the athletes' current form and the strength of their opponents.
Thirteen sports have been identified with medal potential, including track cycling, badminton, archery, diving, squash, sepak takraw, hockey, athletics, sailing, karate, wushu, esports, and shooting. The Malaysian contingent comprises 352 athletes and 185 officials, competing in 30 of the 43 sports contested at the Games. Malaysia will participate in 156 of the 469 events on the programme.
Meanwhile, NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin highlighted the participation of national track cycling star Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, expected to compete at the Games and contribute to Malaysia's medal goal. Furthermore, CDM for the Asian Para Games Tan Chee Keong stated that Malaysia is targeting six gold, 10 silver, and 18 bronze medals at the Para Games, scheduled for Oct 18 to 24.