Troy Douglas, athletics head coach at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), stated on September 04, 2026, that India can win 32 medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. ^[1] Avinash Sable, a 30-year-old Indian steeplechase runner, said in an interview with PTI facilitated by the Sports Authority of India that his fitness is back to the level he had at the 2022 Asian Games and that he can repeat his performance at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. ^[2] Athletes Rashdeep Kaur and Prachi Choudhary, who compete in the women's 400m and 4x400m relay, were identified by Douglas as having a bright chance of winning medals due to their preparation with the national team. ^[3] India achieved a record 29-medal haul at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, consisting of six gold, 14 silver, and nine bronze medals, which was the best-ever athletics performance since 1951. ^[4] Avinash Sable said he will compete in the Indian Athletics Series Final in New Delhi on September 10, which will be his first steeplechase competition in a year. ^[5] Avinash Sable skipped the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to a knee injury that required surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus. ^[6] Troy Douglas, whose contract with the Inspire Institute of Sport runs until 2028, plans to retire from coaching after 2028 to become a full-time grandfather. ^[7] Since his surgery, Avinash Sable has competed in only one race, the IFAM outdoor World Athletics Continental Tour in Oordegem, Belgium, where he ran the 5000m rather than his usual 3000m steeplechase. ^[8]