Rahi Sarnobat clears air on accommodation row at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Rahi Sarnobat has put the Asian Games 2026 accommodation controversy to rest — she says it was a simple mix-up and she got her room in time. With India's 35-member shooting squad gearing up to defend a 22-medal haul from Hangzhou, the real story in Nagoya is whether the shooters can deliver again.
Key Takeaways
Rahi Sarnobat confirmed she faced no accommodation issues at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya , calling earlier reports a 'confusion with the organisers.' The 35-year-old is part of India's 35-member shooting squad competing at the Asiad.
Sarnobat is a 2018 Asian Games gold medallist in the 25m pistol event and won bronze at the 2014 Incheon Asiad .
India's shooting campaign begins on Sunday ; the squad won 22 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze) at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games .
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat will co-lead India at the opening ceremony on Saturday .
Indian shooter Rahi Sarnobat has dismissed reports of an accommodation crisis at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, saying there was 'no issue at all' and that she received her room well on time. The veteran pistol shooter's clarification on 19 September 2026 comes after earlier reports suggested she had been forced to switch hotels to secure a place to stay ahead of the Games.
What Sarnobat Said
'Actually, there was no issue at all. There was some confusion with the organisers, but I got my room well on time. I am perfectly all right,' Sarnobat said, attributing the episode to a logistical mix-up rather than any systemic failure. The 35-year-old is part of India's 35-member shooting squad that will compete at the Asiad in the Aichi-Nagoya region.
Sarnobat's Shooting Pedigree
Sarnobat is one of India's most decorated pistol shooters. She won gold in the 25m pistol event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and claimed a bronze medal in the team event at the 2014 Incheon Asiad. Her presence in the squad signals India's intent to mount a strong defence of its shooting haul from the previous edition.
India's Shooting Campaign
India's shooting campaign at the Asian Games 2026 gets underway on Sunday. At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, the Indian shooting squad delivered a standout performance, returning with 22 medals — comprising 7 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze. The squad will be eager to replicate or surpass that tally in Aichi-Nagoya.
Manu Bhaker to Lead the Charge
Notably, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will co-lead the Indian contingent at the Games' opening ceremony on Saturday, alongside kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat. Competing at her third Asian Games — having debuted at the 2018 Jakarta edition — Bhaker said the flag-bearer honour brought back memories of her earliest days in the sport. Her journey from a 16-year-old debutant to flag-bearer encapsulates India's shooting renaissance over the past decade.
Point of View
But it briefly drew attention away from India's formidable shooting credentials going into Nagoya. India's 22-medal haul in Hangzhou set a high bar, and any off-field distraction — however quickly resolved — risks disrupting the squad's preparation rhythm. Sarnobat's swift and unequivocal clarification was the right call. The real question now is whether India's shooters can build on Hangzhou, and whether Manu Bhaker's flag-bearer moment translates into on-range inspiration for a squad that has become one of India's most reliable medal factories at the Asian Games.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the accommodation issue involving Rahi Sarnobat at the Asian Games 2026?
Reports had claimed that Rahi Sarnobat faced delays in receiving her hotel room in Japan and had to switch hotels. However, Sarnobat herself clarified on 19 September 2026 that there was 'no issue at all' and that she received her room on time, attributing the episode to a brief organisational confusion.
Who is Rahi Sarnobat and what are her achievements?
Rahi Sarnobat is a 35-year-old Indian pistol shooter who won gold in the 25m pistol event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and bronze in the team event at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. She is part of India's 35-member shooting squad at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.
When does India's shooting campaign begin at the Asian Games 2026?
India's shooting campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya gets underway on Sunday. The squad is looking to match or surpass its 22-medal tally from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Who is carrying the Indian flag at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat will co-lead the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday. Bhaker is competing at her third Asian Games.
How did India perform in shooting at the last Asian Games?
India's shooting squad returned with 22 medals from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games — 7 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze — making it one of the country's most prolific events. The squad in Aichi-Nagoya will aim to replicate or better that performance.
