Nepal’s Asian Games 2026 campaign is complete. At the 20th Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan (19 September – 4 October 2026), Nepal won two bronze medals — karateka Tenzing Sherpa and the women’s kabaddi team — and finished 36th on the medal table, the same position as at Hangzhou 2023. The men’s cricket team topped its group, beating Afghanistan, before its quarter-final against Sri Lanka was washed out. This page is the final record of the Nepali campaign.
Nepal Medal Tracker — Asian Games 2026
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 36 |
| Sport | Athlete / Team | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Karate | Tenzing Sherpa Beat Laos’ Xayasan Vatthana 9-1 in the repechage bronze bout — Nepal’s first medal of the Games | 23 Sep |
| Kabaddi | Nepal women’s team Beat Sri Lanka 34-24 in the quarter-final; lost to eventual champions India in the semi-final | Sep |
Final — Nepal finished 36th of the 40 nations on the medal table. Same rank as Hangzhou 2023.
Nepal at a Glance — Final
| Games | 20th Asian Games, Aichi–Nagoya (Japan) |
| Dates | 19 Sep – 4 Oct 2026 (competition from 10 Sep) |
| Final result | 36th — 2 medals (0 gold, 0 silver, 2 bronze) |
| Hangzhou 2023 | 36th — 2 medals (1 silver in karate, 1 bronze in women’s kabaddi) |
| Medal sports | Karate (bronze), women’s kabaddi (bronze) |
| Cricket | Men’s team topped Group A unbeaten; quarter-final vs Sri Lanka abandoned without a ball bowled |
The Stories of Nepal’s Campaign
Tenzing Sherpa opens the account
Karate delivered again for Nepal. Tenzing Sherpa won Nepal’s first medal of the Games on 23 September, beating Laos’ Xayasan Vatthana 9-1 in the repechage to take bronze. It kept up Nepal’s karate medal streak after the silver at Hangzhou 2023.
Women’s kabaddi back on the podium
Led by captain Manamati Bista, the women’s kabaddi team beat Thailand 46-43 in the group stage, lost to Chinese Taipei, then beat Sri Lanka 34-24 in the quarter-final on 24 September to guarantee a medal. They led 19-13 at half-time against Sri Lanka. In the semi-final they lost to India, who went on to win gold, and took bronze — matching their medal from Hangzhou.
Cricket: unbeaten, but undone by rain
The Rhinos made the best possible start. On 25 September they beat Afghanistan by five wickets, chasing 103 in 17.2 overs after restricting Afghanistan to 102/7. Their second group game against hosts Japan on 26 September was reduced to 15 overs and then washed out. Nepal still finished top of Group A, ahead of Afghanistan on points.
That set up a quarter-final against Sri Lanka on 29 September in Nisshin — but rain won again, and the match was abandoned without a ball bowled. Sri Lanka went through to the semi-finals as the seeded side, where they lost to India. Nepal left the tournament without losing a single match.
Nepal Cricket — Results (Men’s Tournament)
Nepal (the Rhinos) are in Group A alongside Afghanistan and hosts Japan. The men’s tournament runs 24 September – 3 October at Nisshin (Korogi Athletic Park), Aichi. Times below are JST (Japan) with Nepal (NPT) and India (IST) conversions — Japan is 3h15m ahead of Nepal and 3h30m ahead of India.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 25 Sep | Afghanistan vs Nepal | Nepal won by 5 wickets (AFG 102/7; NEP 103/5 in 17.2 overs) |
| Sat, 26 Sep | Japan vs Nepal | No result — rain (reduced to 15 overs, then abandoned) |
| Tue, 29 Sep | Nepal vs Sri Lanka | Abandoned without a ball bowled — Sri Lanka advanced |
Group A — Final Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nepal | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +0.842 |
| 2 | Afghanistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.846 |
| 3 | Japan (hosts) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | −2.400 |
India went on to win the men’s cricket gold, beating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final. Full results on our Asian Games 2026 Cricket page.
Full sport-by-sport dates are on our Asian Games 2026 Schedule page.
How Nepal Compared with Its Neighbours
| Nation | Rank | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 4 | 21 | 27 | 37 | 85 |
| Sri Lanka | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Pakistan | 29 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
| Afghanistan | 32 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Nepal | 36 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Full table for every nation: Asian Games 2026 Final Medal Tally.
Where to Watch Highlights in Nepal
Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV held the broadcast rights for the Indian subcontinent, which covered Nepal. Highlights of Nepal’s matches and medal moments are on Sony LIV, subject to local availability.
What’s Next for Nepal
- Asian Para Games 2026 — 18 to 24 October 2026, also in Aichi-Nagoya.
- Asian Games 2030, Doha (Qatar) — the next chance for the Rhinos to chase a first Asian Games cricket medal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did Nepal win at the Asian Games 2026?
Two bronze medals — Tenzing Sherpa in karate and the women’s kabaddi team — finishing 36th on the medal table.
Who won Nepal’s first medal at the Asian Games 2026?
Karateka Tenzing Sherpa, who won bronze on 23 September by beating Laos’ Xayasan Vatthana 9-1.
How did Nepal do in cricket at the Asian Games 2026?
The men’s team topped Group A after beating Afghanistan by five wickets; their game against Japan was washed out. Their quarter-final against Sri Lanka on 29 September was abandoned without a ball bowled, and Sri Lanka advanced.
How does 2026 compare with Hangzhou 2023?
Nepal again won two medals and finished 36th. In 2023 they won a silver (karate) and a bronze (women’s kabaddi); in 2026 both medals were bronze.
Who won the Asian Games 2026 women’s kabaddi gold?
India, who beat Nepal in the semi-final on their way to the title.
When are the next Asian Games?
Doha, Qatar will host the 21st Asian Games in November 2030.
Final — Nepal’s Asian Games 2026 campaign concluded; Closing Ceremony 4 October 2026. Last updated 5 October 2026 for iSportsLeague.
