Everything You Need to Know About Asian Games 2026
The 20th Asian Games Aichi Nagoya 2026 officially begin on 19 September in Japan, bringing together athletes from across Asia for 16 days of competition. For Bhutan, this is the country’s 11th participation in the Asian Games. Thirteen Bhutanese athletes will compete across Archery, Athletics, Boxing and Taekwondo, carrying the national flag onto one of the biggest sporting stages in the continent.
But before the competitions begin, here is your complete guide to Team Bhutan and the Asian Games 2026, from the athletes representing Bhutan to the scale, sports, participating countries and key facts you need to know about Aichi Nagoya 2026.
Meet the 13 athletes representing Bhutan
Bhutan will compete in both Recurve and Compound Archery at Aichi Nagoya 2026.
Recurve Archery
Kinley Tshering
Lam Dorji
Sonam Penjor
Head Coach: Yeshi Dema
Compound Archery
Tandin Dorji
Dorji Dolma
Kezang Norbu
Tshetrim Gaytshay
Head Coach: Tashi Tshering
Bhutan’s athletics team will compete in the distance events.
Gawa Zangpo
Event: Men’s 5000m
Sangay
Events: Men’s 5000m and Men’s 10,000m
Head Coach: Varun Krishnan Kumar
Three boxers will represent Bhutan at the Asian Games.
Kinga Wangmo
Event: Women’s 54kg
Migma Dorji
Event: Men’s 55kg
Kinley Phuntsho
Event: Men’s 60kg
Head Coach: Norveis Sanchez Nunez
Dorjee Yangkee
Event: Women’s -67kg
Head Coach: Ju Sang Lee
Team Bhutan at a glance
Asian Games: 20th Asian Games
Edition for Bhutan: 11th participation
Host country: Japan
Host: Aichi Nagoya
Dates: 19 September to 4 October 2026
Team Bhutan athletes: 13
Sports: 4
Team Bhutan will compete in:
🏹 Archery
🏃 Athletics
🥊 Boxing
🥋 Taekwondo
Two athletes will carry the Bhutanese flag
The Opening Ceremony will mark the beginning of the Games, but for two Bhutanese athletes, it will also be a moment they will carry for the rest of their lives.
Kinley Tshering of Recurve Archery and Kinga Wangmo of Boxing have been named Bhutan’s flag bearers for the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Opening Ceremony.
What are the Asian Games?
The Asian Games are Asia’s major multi sport sporting event, bringing together National Olympic Committees from across the continent. The Games are organised under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and are held every four years. The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India, in 1951.
Since then, the Games have grown into one of the world’s largest multi sport events. Aichi Nagoya 2026 is the 20th edition of the Asian Games and marks the third time Japan has hosted the continental Games, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
Why Aichi Nagoya 2026?
The 2026 Asian Games are being hosted in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. The Games begin with the Opening Ceremony on 19 September 2026 and conclude with the Closing Ceremony on 4 October 2026, giving athletes 16 days of competition. For Bhutanese supporters, it means 16 days to follow the athletes, check the schedule, watch the competitions and stand behind Team Bhutan.
How big are the Asian Games 2026?
The scale of Aichi Nagoya 2026 is enormous.
According to the Olympic Council of Asia, the Games will bring together:
- 45 National Olympic Committees
- 11,000+ Athletes
- 6,000 Officials
- 43 Sports
- 71 Disciplines
- 469 Events
- 1,407 Medals
The Games will also be supported by around 10,200 volunteers and covered by approximately 5,300 accredited media representatives. That puts the 13 athletes representing Bhutan on a truly enormous continental stage.
Meet Team Bhutan
Everything you need to know about Team Bhutan at the Asian Games 2026.