Kuala lumpur: The target of six gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, is deemed realistic based on an assessment of the athletes' capabilities and the dedication of sports associations. Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari emphasized that the target was formulated after comprehensive assessments and discussions, considering the athletes' preparations throughout their training period. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Mohammed Taufiq expressed optimism about the contingent's potential, highlighting the commitment of athletes, coaches, and sports associations. He stressed the importance of athletes' mental preparation, noting that it could significantly impact their performance despite extensive training. He remarked, "Mental preparation is very, very important because anything can happen... technical issues and things that affect their mental state can cause changes in terms of performance." He further mentioned that achieving medal-win ning performances is crucial for preparing for larger events like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Dr. Mohammed Taufiq, who will be in Aichi-Nagoya from September 18 to 24, assured that the contingent's welfare is being prioritized, especially considering the current unfavorable weather conditions in Japan. This situation is being closely monitored with the hosts and Malaysian representatives. National contingent chef de mission to the Asian Games, Datuk Sumali Reduan, had earlier stated that the national team aims for six gold, seven silver, and 20 bronze medals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Malaysia plans to send 352 athletes and 185 officials to compete in 30 out of the 43 sports, participating in 156 of the 469 events available. The contingent comprises 15 athletes from the Road to Gold programme, 158 from the podium programme, 14 from the development programme, and 165 under sports association programmes. Notably, 110 athletes below 21 years of age are included in the team. Thirteen sports have been identified as potential medal contributors, including track cycling, badminton, archery, diving, squash, sepak takraw, hockey, athletics, sailing, karate, wushu, e-sports, and shooting.