Indonesian Athletes Intensify Preparations for Nagoya-Aichi 2026 Asian Games
As the 20th Asian Games Nagoya–Aichi 2026 approaches, Indonesian athletes are intensifying their preparations to deliver the best possible results at Asia’s premier multi-sport event.
For the athletes, the road to the Games involves not only physical and technical training, but also overcoming challenges and building the confidence needed to uphold the nation’s pride on the international stage.
Sport climber Veddriq Leonardo said preparations for the Asian Games began in 2024 and are now more than 90 percent complete. He noted that host nation Japan is expected to be among the toughest competitors, alongside China and South Korea.
“For this Asian Games, the host nation will be one of the strongest competitors, alongside China and also South Korea. Hopefully, we can deliver our best performance for Indonesia,” he said.
“For the Indonesian contingent, I hope we can bring home as many gold medals as possible, emerge champions, and deliver our best performance and results. We hope to compete well,” he added.
A similar spirit was expressed by women’s indoor volleyball athletes Maradanti Namira Tegariani and Ersandrina Devega Salsabila. They said preparations began in May through a national training camp, followed by a series of matches and international trial events, including in South Korea.
“We have been preparing since May. We had a tryout in South Korea and also competed in international tournaments abroad,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian soft tennis team has undergone a National Training Center training camp for about six months. Fernando Sanger, Maria Siti Nur Arasy, Alif Nafia, and Rizky Zammy said their preparations were further strengthened by trial programs in South Korea, including participation in two tournaments in Incheon and Sunchang.
“At the previous Asian Games in China, we won a bronze medal. Hopefully, we can achieve an even better results at this Asian Games,” said Fernando Sanger.
Rowing athletes Stevani Maysche Ibo, Dayumin, Sella Monim, and Ramla Baharuddin are also undergoing intensive preparation. Although they have faced several challenges in the lead-up to the Asian Games, these obstacles have not dampened their determination to bring honor to Indonesia on the international stage.
“That is not an obstacle for us because we continue to train. We also trust our coach and the program he has designed to lead us to victory,” said Dayumin.
For the athletes, the send-off ceremony attended directly by President Prabowo Subianto provided additional motivation to pursues their best results. As preparations enter the final stage, they are asking for the public’s prayers and support so that they can perform at their best, compete well, and bring home as many medals as possible.
“To our fellow Indonesians, we ask for your prayers and support for the athletes who will compete and represent Indonesia at the Nagoya–Aichi 2026 Asian Games,” said Veddriq. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/MEP)
