New Delhi, Oct. 5 -- "It feels really great," India men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh said after returning to the national capital with the Asian Games 2026 gold medal, adding that direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics has given the team an opportunity to prepare specifically for the global showpiece.

The Indian men's hockey team received a grand welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday after successfully defending its Asian Games title in Aichi-Nagoya.

"We've come back with the medal and we've qualified directly for LA [Olympics], so I'm just very happy," Harmanpreet told ANI.

India defeated Malaysia 5-1 in the men's hockey final to retain the Asian Games gold, completing a clean sweep for the coun...