AFGHANISTAN

Capital: Kabul

Population: 32,738,376

NOC Recognition Year: 1936

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Afghanistan took part in the Asian Games for the first time at the inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951.

They are one of five initiator nations of the Asian Games Federation, which was established in 1949, the five pioneers of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Afghanistan were ever-present at the five initial editions of the Asian Games but were absent from the sixth, in Bangkok, in 1970.

Of the 18 Asian Games to date, Afghanistan also missed Bangkok 1978, Seoul 1986 and Bangkok 1998.

Afghanistan's best performance at an Asian Games came at Guangzhou 2010 where they achieved two silver medals and one bronze.

At Incheon 2014, Afghanistan won one silver and one bronze medal, and ranked 35th out of the 45 participating countries.

Four years later at Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Afghanistan landed two bronze medals as their hunt for a first-ever gold at the Games continues.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 5 / Bronze 8 / Total 13

BAHRAIN

Capital: Manama

Population: 1,046,814

NOC Recognition Year: 1979

Asian Games Debut: 1974

Bahrain first participated at the Asian Games in Tehran in 1974 and have been ever-present since then.

Ahmed Hamada won Bahrain’s first-ever medal in New Delhi in 1982 when he clinched bronze in the 400 metres hurdles.

Four years later at Seoul 1986, the hurdler made history when he became his country’s first Asian Games gold medallist.

After failing to pick up a single medal at all three Games during the 1990s, Bahrain’s fortunes changed following the turn of the century.

They registered 20 medals at Doha 2006 and 19 at Incheon 2014 before producing their best-ever performance at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Bahrain collected 26 medals, including a record 12 golds, seven silvers and seven bronzes, and were ranked 12th out of the 45 participating countries.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 37 / Silver 25 / Bronze 23 / Total 85

BANGLADESH

Capital: Dhaka

Population: 153,546,901

NOC Recognition Year: 1980

Asian Games Debut: 1978

Bangladesh first participated at the Asian Games at Bangkok 1978 and were ever-present in the next 10 editions.

Their first Asian Games medal arrived at Seoul 1986 thanks to boxer Mosharraf Hossain’s light heavyweight bronze.

The nation’s best performance at an Asian Games arrived at Guangzhou 2010 where they collected one gold, one silver and a bronze medal to rank 27th out of the 45 participating countries.

The men’s cricket team made history that year when they secured Bangladesh’s first-ever gold medal with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the T20 competition.

At Incheon 2014, Bangladesh claimed one silver medal and two bronzes to rank 32nd out of the 45 participating countries.

There was disappointment for Bangladesh at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 as they failed to pick up a single medal having sent 117 athletes.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 1 / Silver 5 / Bronze 6 / Total 12

BHUTAN

Capital: Thimphu

Population: 682,321

NOC Recognition Year: 1984

Asian Games Debut: 1986

Bhutan first participated at an Asian Games in Seoul in 1986.

From their nine appearances to date, Bhutan have not managed to win a single medal, but the size of their delegation continues to increase.

A total of 16 Bhutanese athletes competed in seven sports at Incheon 2014, their most active edition to date.

Four years later at Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Bhutan sent a 24-strong delegation with athletes competing in archery, boxing, golf and taekwondo.

Archery is the national sport in Bhutan but their quest for a first medal at the Games continues.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 0 / Bronze 0 / Total 0

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

Population: 381,371

NOC Recognition Year: 1984

Asian Games Debut: 1990

Brunei Darussalam first competed at the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990 and have not missed an edition since then.

The country has collected four bronze medals from seven appearances with three of those coming in karate.

Their most successful Games came at Hiroshima 1994 when Dayangku Marliza binti Pengiran Omar and Meghan Loo both achieved bronze medals in karate.

The men’s regu sepak takraw team clinched bronze at Bangkok 1998 before Tong Kit Siong won the same colour medal in karate at Busan 2002.

Brunei Darussalam have returned home without a medal from their past four Asian Games.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, the nation sent 16 athletes and competed in seven sports.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 0 / Bronze 4 / Total 4

CAMBODIA

Capital: Phnom Penh

Population: 14,241,640

NOC Recognition Year: 1994

Asian Games Debut: 1954

Cambodia first participated at the Asian Games in Manila in 1954.

After 10 appearances, Cambodia finally struck gold courtesy of taekwondo player Sorn Seavmey’s success in the women’s middleweight category at Incheon 2014.

Four years later at Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Cambodia landed two more gold medals as well as a bronze in their best performance at an Asian Games to date.

Jessa Khan won gold in ju-jitsu while jet skier Saly Ou Moeut came out on top in the men’s ski modified category.

There was also a bronze for Ou Moeut in the runabout 1100 stock event as he helped Cambodia finish 24^th out of 45 participating countries in the medal table.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 3 / Silver 2 / Bronze 4 / Total 9

CHINA

Capital: Beijing

Population: 1,330,044,544

NOC Recognition Year: 1979

Asian Games Debut: 1974

China first participated at the Asian Games in Tehran in 1974.

This came after the Asian Games Federation decided to expel the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, and accept the entry of the People’s Republic of China.

After winning more than 105 medals on their first appearance, China soon became the dominant force at the Asian Games.

China have topped the medal table in every edition since New Delhi 1982 and hosted the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.

Their best showing came in 2010 when they registered 416 medals including 199 golds which remains a Games record.

China continued their dominance at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they collected 132 gold, 92 silver and 66 bronze medals to finish top of the standings.

They are set to stage the Games for the third time with Hangzhou playing host in 2022.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 1,473 / Silver 994 / Bronze 720 / Total 3,187

NORTH KOREA

Capital: Pyongyang

Population: 23,301,725

NOC Recognition Year: 1957

Asian Games Debut: 1974

North Korea first participated at the Asian Games in 1974 in Tehran where they finished fifth in the medal table - one place behind South Korea.

Political tensions resulted in North Korea and nine other communist nations boycotting Seoul 1986.

Eight years later at Hiroshima 1994, North Korea pulled out once again, this time over visa issues.

North Korea ranked among the top five nations at Bangkok 1978, New Delhi 1982 and Beijing 1990 - where they achieved their record tally of 82 medals.

Almost a quarter of North Korea's 433 Asian Games medals have come in shooting while they have also had plenty of success in weightlifting and gymnastics.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, North Korea picked up 12 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals to rank in the top 10.

That edition also saw North and South Korea combine to win a memorable gold in the 500-metre women's dragon boating competition.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 110 / Silver 144 / Bronze 179 / Total 433

HONG KONG

Capital: Hong Kong

Population: 6,985,200

NOC Recognition Year: 1951

Asian Games Debut: 1954

Hong Kong have participated at every Asian Games since Manila 1954, making it 17 appearances in all.

Initially, medals proved hard to come by as Hong Kong came away empty-handed from Bangkok in 1970 and Tehran in 1974.

Their first gold medal came at Seoul 1986 where Catherine Che Kuk-hung won the women’s singles bowling competition.

Since then, Hong Kong’s performances have continued to improve, gaining at least 40 medals from each of the past three editions.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Hong Kong returned their biggest medal haul of 46 - surpassing their previous best of 43 achieved at Incheon 2014.

Hong Kong’s record-breaking collection included eight golds, 18 silvers and 20 bronzes as they finished 13^th in the medal table.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 38 / Silver 79 / Bronze 112 / Total 229

INDONESIA

Capital: Jakarta

Population: 237,512,355

NOC Recognition Year: 1952

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Indonesia is one of only seven countries that have participated at every edition of the Asian Games since its inception in New Delhi in 1951.

With 446 medals to their name, Indonesia are also inside the top 10 on the all-time Asian Games medal table.

Most of their success has come in badminton where they have racked up 99 medals - a record only bettered by China.

No country has won more medals than them in paragliding, pencak silat and sport climbing.

Indonesia’s best performance at an Asian Games came at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they achieved 98 medals including 31 golds, 24 silvers and 43 bronzes to rank fourth on the medal table.

It was the first time they had staged the Games since 1962 when they set their previous best of 51 medals to finish runners-up behind Japan.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 91 / Silver 120 / Bronze 235 / Total 446

INDIA

Capital: New Delhi

Population: 1,147,995,898

NOC Recognition Year: 1927

Asian Games Debut: 1951

India have competed at all 17 editions of the Asian Games and twice hosted the event in New Delhi including the inaugural edition in 1951.

They have made the top 10 in 16 of those appearances with the one exception coming at Beijing 1990, when they ranked 11th.

After notching 51 medals in 1951, it took India until they staged the event again in 1982 to better that haul with 57.

Their medal record for an Asian Games now stands at 70 which they achieved at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

India finished eighth in the standings with 16 gold, 23 silver and 31 bronze medals.

There was disappointment in kabaddi, though, where they missed out on gold in both the men’s and women’s competitions for the first time.

Athletics is also a traditionally strong event for India at the Asian Games having registered more than 250 medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 155 / Silver 201 / Bronze 316 / Total 672

IRAN

Capital: Tehran

Population: 70,472,846

NOC Recognition: 1947

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Iran have competed at all but three editions of the Asian Games with the country absent at Manila 1954, Jakarta 1962 and Bangkok 1978.

They are ranked fourth in the all-time medal table with only South Korea, Japan and China ahead of them.

In 1974, Iran hosted the Games for the first time and produced their best performance in Tehran by ranking second behind Japan with 36 gold, 28 silver and 17 bronze medals.

Wrestling and weightlifting have been their most successful sports in previous Games, registering 145 and 83 medals respectively.

Weightlifter Mohammad Nassiri has more Asian Games medals than any other Iranian athlete with four golds and one silver.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Iran ranked sixth with 20 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 179 / Silver 181 / Bronze 197 / Total 557

IRAQ

Capital: Baghdad

Population: 29,267,000

NOC Recognition: 1948

Asian Games Debut: 1974

Iraq first participated at the Asian Games in 1974, when they were held in Iranian capital Tehran - the first time the event had been staged in the Middle East.

It proved to be a successful debut for Iraq with Talib Faisal Al Saffar winning their first gold medal with victory in the 400 metres hurdles.

Iraq’s best performance came at Bangkok 1978, where they won two gold, four silver and six bronze medals to rank 10th.

They were suspended for four editions from Beijing 1990 through to Busan 2002 due to the Gulf War but have been ever-present since Doha 2006.

Weightlifter Safaa Rashid Mahmood Al-Jumaili achieved his country’s seventh gold in their history at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 as Iraq finished 27^th in the standings with three medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 7 / Silver 17 / Bronze 23 / Total 47

JORDAN

Capital: Amman

Population: 6,198,677

NOC Recognition Year: 1963

Asian Games Debut: 1986

Jordan competed at the Asian Games for the first time in 1986 in Seoul.

They were absent four years later in Beijing but have been ever-present since Hiroshima 1994.

It took until Doha 2006 before Jordan clinched their first gold medal courtesy of Mohammad Al-Bakhit’s success in taekwondo.

From eight appearances at the Asian Games, Jordan’s best performance came at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they won two gold, one silver and nine bronze medals.

Five of Jordan’s 12 medals came in ju-jitsu with Haidar Al Rasheed winning gold.

Julyana Al-Sadeq also triumphed in taekwondo to help Jordan finish in 23th position in the medal table.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 5 / Silver 16 / Bronze 24 / Total 45

JAPAN

Capital: Tokyo

Population: 127,433,494

NOC Recognition Year: 1912

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Japan is the only country to have won more than 20 gold medals at every edition of the Asian Games.

They have twice played host with Tokyo staging the Games in 1958 and Hiroshima doing so in 1994.

Japan’s best performance came at Bangkok 1966 where they claimed 78 gold, 53 silver and 33 bronze medals.

They topped every medal table from New Delhi 1951 through to Bangkok 1978, but China have achieved that feat since New Delhi 1982.

Swimmer Yoshimi Nishigawa notched 10 golds in 1970 and 1974 and remains the most decorated Japanese athlete at the Games.

No country has won more swimming medals than Japan with 698.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Japan ranked second behind China in the overall medal table with 75 golds, 57 silvers and 73 bronzes.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 1,032/ Silver 1,037 / Bronze 985 / Total 3,054

KAZAKHSTAN

Capital: Nur-Sultan

Population: 15,217,711

NOC Recognition Year: 1990

 Asian Games Debut: 1994

Kazakhstan have participated at every Asian Games since the 1994 edition in Hiroshima, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The country ranked fourth on its Games debut, claiming 25 gold, 26 silver and 26 bronze medals.

Since then, Kazakhstan have established themselves as one of the leading nations at the Asian Games, finishing in the top five for six successive editions.

Only China, Japan, South Korea, Iran and India sit higher than Kazakhstan in the all-time Asian Games medal table.

Their best showing came at Incheon 2014 where they finished fourth in the standings having won 28 gold, 23 silver and 33 bronze medals.

But this was then followed by their worst performance at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 as they slipped to ninth with a 76-medal haul.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 155 / Silver 158 / Bronze 244 / Total 557

KYRGYZSTAN

Capital: Bishkek

Population: 6,389,500

NOC Recognition Year: 1993

Asian Games Debut: 1994

Having gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan competed at the Asian Games for the first time in 1994 in Hiroshima.

They marked their debut by winning four silver and five bronze medals.

Kyrgyzstan’s first Asian Games gold medal arrived at Busan 2002 when Tatyana Efimenko won the women’s high jump.

They also claimed four silver and six bronze medals in what was their best performance until Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Wrestler Aisuluu Tynybekova, ju-jitsu fighter Torokan Bagynbai Uulu and long-distance runner Dayra Maslova all struck gold as Kyrgyzstan smashed their Asian Games record with 20 medals.

Kyrgyzstan finished 22nd out of the 45 participating countries.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 4 / Silver 23 / Bronze 38 / Total 65

SOUTH KOREA

Capital: Seoul

Population: 49,044,790

NOC Recognition Year: 1947

Asian Games Debut: 1954

South Korea have established themselves as one of the powerhouse nations at the Asian Games since making their debut in Manila in 1954.

Ranked third on the all-time medal table with 2,235 medals, South Korea's achievements can only be rivalled by China and Japan.

No country has won more medals than South Korea in archery, baseball, bowling, boxing, football, golf, handball, hockey, modern pentathlon, rugby union, soft tennis and taekwondo.

Swimmer Park Tae-hwan is South Korea's most decorated Asian Games athlete with 17 medals including six golds.

South Korea finished runner-up to China for five successive editions before slipping behind Japan at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

The 18^th edition of the Games saw South Korea achieve 49 gold, 58 silver and 70 bronze medals to rank third.

South Korea have played host on three occasions, staging the Games in 1986 in Seoul, in 2002 in Busan and in 2014 in Incheon.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 745 / Silver 663 / Bronze 827 / Total 2,235

KUWAIT

Capital: Kuwait

Population: 3,399,637

NOC Population Year: 1966

Asian Games Debut: 1974

Kuwait have participated in every edition of the Asian Games since Tehran 1974.

Their first gold medal came at New Delhi 1982 when Nadia Al-Mutawa led a Kuwaiti one-two-three in the individual jumping event in the equestrian.

Kuwait’s best performance arrived at Doha 2006 where they managed to win six gold, five silver and two bronze medals to rank 17th.

At Guangzhou 2010, athletes from Kuwait competed under a neutral flag after being suspended by the International Olympic Committee over Government interference.

The suspension was lifted in 2012 but they received a further ban three years later over a similar dispute.

With two days to go before the start of Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Kuwaiti athletes were told they could participate at the Games under their own flag.

Kuwaiti ranked 21^st with three golds, one silver and two bronze medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 26 / Silver 30 / Bronze 34 / Total 90

LAOS

Capital: Vientiane

Population: 6,677,534

NOC Recognition Year: 1979

Asian Games Debut: 1974

Laos first participated at the Asian Games in 1974 in Tehran.

They missed the Bangkok 1978 and Seoul 1986 editions but have been a consistent presence since Beijing 1990.

That year also saw Laos pick up their first Asian Games medal when boxer Vongkok Chinda won a men’s lightweight bronze.

It was a breakthrough moment for Laos who have come away with at least one medal from every Games since Bangkok 1998.

Their best performance arrived at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they notched five medals to rank 31st in the standings.

Laos earned silver and bronze medals in sepak takraw as well as another silver and two more bronze medals in pencak silat.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 4 / Bronze 11 / Total 15

LEBANON

Capital: Beirut

Population: 4,196,453

NOC Recognition Year: 1947

Asian Games Debut: 1978

Lebanon marked their Asian Games debut in 1978 in Bangkok with two weightlifting medals.

Mohamed Tarabulsi clinched his country's first gold medal with victory in the 75-kilogram category while Raef Ftouni earned silver in the 100kg division.

Since then, Lebanon have been ever-present at the Asian Games although they failed to pick up a single medal from all three editions in the 1990s.

Their best medal return came at Jakarta-Palembang 2018, where they collected four to finish 28^th in the standings.

Shooter Ray Bassil landed two of those as she picked up bronze in the women’s trap and won the mixed trap team gold alongside Alain Moussa.

There was also a silver for wrestler Domenic Abounader and a bronze for taekwondo player Laetitia Aoun.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 5 / Silver 5 / Bronze 8 / Total 18

MACAU

Capital: Macau

Population: 520,400

NOC Recognition Year: 1990

Asian Games Debut: 1990

Macau first participated at the Asian Games in 1990 - a year after the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau was accepted as a member of the Olympic Council of Asia.

At Beijing 1990, Macau also clinched their maiden medal with Wong Tung-Ieong winning bronze in wushu.

Their best performance arrived at Guangzhou 2010 where wushu player Jia Rui made history by becoming his country's first Asian Games champion.

They also won one silver and four bronze medals to rank 26^th in the medal standings.

Macau came close to bettering that total at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they returned one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 2 / Silver 11 / Bronze 20 / Total 33

MALAYSIA

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Population: 27,496,000

NOC Recognition Year: 1954

Asian Games Debut:1954

Malaysia first participated at the Asian Games in 1954 in Manila.

At that time, Malaysia still bore the name of Malaya and did so until Jakarta 1962.

Mani Jegathesan etched his name in Malaysian sporting folklore when he won their first-ever gold medal at Jakarta 1962 with victory in the men's 200 metres.

That edition also saw Tan Yee Khan and Ng Boon Bee clinch badminton gold in the men's doubles.

Malaysia have won at least 30 medals from their past five appearances at the Asian Games.

Their best showing came at Guangzhou 2010 when they collected nine gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze medals to finish in the top 10.

Eight years later at Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Malaysia picked up seven gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals to rank 14^th for the second successive Games.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 63 / Silver 101 / Bronze 148 / Total 312

MALDIVES

Capital: Malé

Population: 379,174

NOC Recognition Year: 1985

Asian Games Debut: 1982

Since making their debut at New Delhi 1982, the Maldives have been ever-present at the Asian Games.

In total, the Maldives have made 10 appearances but have yet to win a single medal.

Bhutan and Timor-Leste are the only other nations that remain medal-less, although the Maldives have competed at more editions.

Beach volleyball is a popular sport in the Maldives but both Adam-Ahmed and Sajid-Abdul Wahid lost all their matches at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 0 / Bronze 0 / Total 0

MONGOLIA

Capital: Ulaanbaatar

Population: 2,951,786

NOC Recognition Year: 1962

Asian Games Debut: 1974

Mongolia's Asian Games debut came at the 1974 edition in Tehran where they picked up 15 medals including two golds.

Both of those came in freestyle wrestling with Dashdorjiin Tserentogtokh and Khorloogiin Bayanmönkh crowned champions.

Mongolia boycotted Seoul 1986 along with fellow socialist nations Afghanistan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, South Yemen, Syria and Vietnam due to political tensions.

Aside from that edition, Mongolia have been ever-present and have won at least one gold medal at every Asian Games which they have participated.

Mongolia have achieved more than 100 medals across wrestling and judo while they have also proven to be strong in shooting and boxing.

Their best performance came at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they collected five gold, nine silver and 11 bronze medals to rank 16^th.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 25 / Silver 46 / Bronze 91 / Total 162

MYANMAR

Capital: Naypyidaw

Population: 55,390,000

NOC Recognition Year: 1947

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Using the name of Burma until New Delhi 1982, Myanmar have been an almost consistent feature at the Asian Games since its inception in 1951.

The only edition they have missed was at Seoul 1986 which they boycotted along with Afghanistan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, North Korea, South Yemen, Syria and Vietnam due to political tensions.

Their first gold medals came at Manila 1954 where weightlifters Nil Tun Maung and Maung Maung Lwin were crowned champions in the featherweight and heavyweight divisions respectively.

At Incheon 2014, all of Myanmar's medals came in sepak takraw with two golds, one silver and one bronze.

Four years later at Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Myanmar returned two bronze medals with one in sepak takraw and the other in wushu.

Their best performance was at Bangkok 1970 where they won three gold, two silver and seven bronze medals to rank eighth.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 16 / Silver 28 / Bronze 55 / Total 99

NEPAL

Capital: Kathmandu

Population: 29,519,114

NOC Recognition Year: 1963

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Since participating at the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, Nepal have appeared in all but two editions, missing Manila 1954 and Jakarta 1962.

Despite their strong attendance record, Nepal have never won an Asian Games gold medal.

The Nepalese men's cross-country paragliding team came close to ending that drought when they clinched silver at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

That was Nepal's second-ever Asian Games silver medal with the other achieved by taekwondo player Sabita Rajbhandari at Bangkok 1998.

Nepal's best performance at an Asian Games also came that year when they secured one silver and three bronze medals to rank 27^th in the medal table.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 2 / Bronze 22 / Total 24

OMAN

Capital: Muscat

Population: 3,204,897

NOC Recognition Year: 1982

Asian Games Debut: 1982

Oman first participated at the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1982 and have since been ever-present, making 10 appearances in all.

Mohammed Al-Malki won Oman's first medal when he secured bronze in the men's 400 metres at Seoul 1986.

Four years later at Beijing 1990, Al-Malki made more history for his country when he won gold in the same event.

This remains Oman's sole Asian Games gold medal.

Since Al-Malki's triumph, Oman have added two further medals courtesy of the men's 4x100m relay team bronze at Bangkok 1998 and sprinter Barakat Al Harthi's men's 100m bronze at Guangzhou 2010.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Oman sent a team of 47 athletes but failed to win a medal.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 1 / Silver 0 / Bronze 3 / Total 4

PAKISTAN

Capital: Islamabad

Population: 178,800,048

NOC Recognition Year: 1948

Asian Games Debut: 1954

Pakistan first participated at the Asian Games in 1954 in Manila and have since been a constant feature, winning more than 200 medals in 17 appearances.

Wrestler Din Mohammad won the first of those in 1954 - an edition that also saw Abdul Khaliq dubbed as the "Flying Bird of Asia" after clinching gold in the men's 100 metres and 4x100m relay.

Their best performance came at Jakarta 1962 where they picked up 28 medals including eight golds, 11 silvers and nine bronzes.

But Pakistan have struggled in recent editions, failing to register double figures from their past four Asian Games appearances.

Their worst showing was at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they collected just four bronze medals to rank 34^th out of the 45 participating nations.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 44 / Silver 63 / Bronze 97 / Total 204

PALESTINE

Capital: Ramallah/Jerusalem

Population: 7,282,002

NOC Recognition Year: 1995

Asian Games Debut: 1990

Palestine first competed at the Asian Games in 1990 in Beijing.

Since then, they have participated at every edition - even sending just one athlete to compete at Hiroshima 1994.

From eight appearances, Palestine have managed to win one medal thanks to boxer Munir Abu-Keshek's light heavyweight bronze at Busan 2002.

Although medals have been hard to come by, Palestine's delegation continues to grow with 46 athletes competing in 12 sports at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 0 / Bronze 1 / Total 1

PHILIPPINES

Capital: Manila

Population: 92,681,453

NOC Recognition Year: 1929

Asian Games Debut: 1951

As one of the initiators of the Asian Games, the Philippines have never missed an edition since its inception in 1951 in New Delhi.

The Philippines hosted the event in Manila in 1954, when they produced their best return of 14 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze medals to rank second.

They finished in the top three in their first four appearances, earning 43 medals at Tokyo 1958 - just two fewer than their record tally.

With the exception of Tehran 1974, the Philippines have won at least one gold medal at every edition with most of their success coming in swimming, boxing and athletics.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, the Philippines won four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals to rank 19^th.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 67 / Silver 114 / Bronze 230 / Total 411

QATAR

Capital: Doha

Population: 1,450,000

NOC Recognition Year: 1980

Asian Games Debut: 1978

Qatar first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok and have since been ever-present, making eight appearances.

Monassar Mohamed Saleh won Qatar's first-ever Asian Games medal at New Delhi 1982 when he achieved bronze in the decathlon.

Four years later at Seoul 1986, Qatar clinched their first gold courtesy of Talal Mansour's victory in the men's 100 metres.

The country hosted the quadrennial event in 2006, when it was staged in Doha, and is due to play host again in 2030.

Qatar collected nine gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals at Doha 2006 - which remains their biggest medal haul.

At Incheon 2014, Qatar bagged 10 gold and four bronze medals to rank in the top 10 for only the third time in their history.

Qatar achieved six gold, four silver and three bronze medals to finish 15^th at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 43 / Silver 31 / Bronze 56 / Total 130

SAUDI ARABIA

Capital: Riyadh

Population: 28,146,656

NOC Recognition Year: 1965

Asian Games Debut: 1978

Saudi Arabia made their Asian Games debut in 1978 in Bangkok before winning their first medal at New Delhi 1982 when their men's football team won bronze.

Saeed Al-Mutairi made history at Hiroshima 1994 when he clinched Saudi Arabia's first-ever gold medal with victory in the men's skeet shooting competition.

Since making their debut, Saudi Arabia have only missed one edition which came at Bangkok 1998 due to the event clashing with the start of Ramadan.

Saudi Arabia's best performance came at Doha 2006 where they claimed eight gold and six bronze medals.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Saudi Arabia collected one gold, two silver and three bronze medals to rank 25^th in the standings.

The Middle Eastern nation is due to stage the event for the first time in Riyadh in 2034.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 25 / Silver 13 / Bronze 23 / Total 61

SINGAPORE

Capital: Singapore

Population: 4,608,167

NOC Recognition Year: 1948

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Singapore were one of only 11 nations to compete in the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951 and have since participated in every edition.

Singaporean swimmer Neo Chwee Kok is also part of Asian Games history having become the event's first-ever gold medal winner.

He went on to win three more golds in the pool as Singapore collected 14 medals at the inaugural Games.

Singapore's best performance arrived at Doha 2006, where they claimed eight gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals to rank 12^th in the standings.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Singapore amassed four gold, four silver and 14 bronze medals to finish 18^th.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 41 / Silver 58 / Bronze 114 / Total 213

SRI LANKA

Capital: Colombo

Population: 19,668,000

NOC Recognition Year: 1937

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Sri Lanka have appeared in all 18 editions of the Asian Games since its inception in 1951 in New Delhi.

The country used the name of Ceylon until Bangkok 1970.

MA Akbar secured the nation's first Asian Games medal with a bronze in the men's pole vault at New Delhi 1951 before Nagalingam Ethirveerasingham claimed their first-ever gold with victory in the men's high jump at Tokyo 1958.

Sri Lanka's best performance came at Bangkok 1998 where they picked up three gold and three bronze medals.

But Sri Lanka have failed to win a single medal at four editions of the Asian Games, including two of the last three events.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, 185 Sri Lankan athletes competed in 28 sports but returned empty-handed.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 11 / Silver 10 / Bronze 20 / Total 41

SYRIA

Capital: Damascus

Population: 19,747,586

NOC Recognition Year: 1948

Asian Games Debut: 1978

Syria first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok and marked their debut appearance with a gold medal.

Talal Najar was crowned champion when he won the 110-kilogram weightlifting competition.

Syria joined fellow socialist nations Afghanistan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam in boycotting Seoul 1986 due to political tensions.

But since returning to the Asian Games stage at Beijing 1990, Syria have appeared at every edition.

Their best performance arrived at Doha 2006 where they claimed two gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

After failing to win a single medal at Incheon 2014, Syria returned to the podium at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 courtesy of Majd Eddin Ghazal's bronze in the men's high jump.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 9 / Silver 7 / Bronze 16 / Total 32

CHINESE TAIPEI

Capital: Taipei

Population: 22,749,848

NOC Recognition Year: 1960

Asian Games Debut: 1954

Using the name Republic of China, Chinese Taipei first participated at the Asian Games in 1954 in Manila.

They were then excluded from the Games in 1974 as the People's Republic of China gained entry for the first time.

The name Chinese Taipei was rubber-stamped by the country's Government in 1981 before the nation ended their 20-year hiatus from the Games at Beijing 1990.

Chinese Taipei have competed in 12 Asian Games, including the last eight, with their best performance coming at Bangkok 1998.

A 77-medal haul comprising of 19 golds, 17 silvers and 41 bronzes saw Chinese Taipei finish sixth in the standings.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Chinese Taipei ranked seventh with 17 gold, 19 silver and 31 bronze medals.

Most of their success came in canoeing and karate with Chinese Taipei winning five medals in each.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 99 / Silver 144 / Bronze 276 / Total 519

TAJIKISTAN

Capital: Dushanbe

Population: 7,211,884

NOC Recognition Year: 1993

Asian Games Debut: 1994

Tajikistan first participated at the Asian Games in 1994 in Hiroshima where they picked up two bronze medals.

Their wait for a first gold medal came to an end at Doha 2006 thanks Dilshod Nazarov's men's hammer throw victory and boxer Jahon Qurbonov's triumph in the light heavyweight competition.

There were also bronze medals for judo player Rasul Boqiev and taekwondo fighter Shokirjon Rajabov as Tajikistan produced their best Asian Games performance.

Nazarov went on to win further golds at Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014 before earning a silver at Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Tajikistan ranked 30^th at the 18^th edition of the Asian Games with four silver and three bronze medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 4 / Silver 7 / Bronze 17 / Total 28

THAILAND

Capital: Bangkok

Population: 65,493,298

NOC Recognition Year: 1950

Asian Games Debut: 1951

Thailand have competed at the Asian Games ever since the inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951.

They have also hosted the quadrennial event more than any other country, having done so in Bangkok on four occasions in 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998.

Their best performance arrived in 1998 when the nation claimed 24 gold, 28 silver and 38 bronze medals to rank third.

No country has won more medals in sepak takraw than Thailand who have also got a strong record of success in boxing and sailing.

Thailand's first-ever Asian Games gold came in cycling with Tarwon Jirapan winning the road race at Jakarta 1962 - the same edition where boxer Samphan Payonrathana claimed featherweight gold.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Thailand finished 11^th with 11 gold, 16 silver and 46 bronze medals.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 132 / Silver 175 / Bronze 279 / Total 586

TIMOR LESTE

Capital: Dili

Population: 1,115,000

NOC Recognition Year: 2003

Asian Games Debut: 2002

Just four months after being declared independent from Indonesia in May 2002, Timor Leste entered the Asian Games that year in Busan.

The country, also known as East Timor, sent 15 athletes which was the second smallest delegation behind Laos which had 13 competitors.

This number has increased at every edition since as they travelled with a record 64 athletes to Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

Timor Leste competed in 12 different sports, including football, swimming, weightlifting, karate and shooting.

But the wait for a first medal at the Asian Games continues for Timor Leste.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 0 / Bronze 0 / Total 0

TURKMENISTAN

Capital: Ashgabat

Population: 5,850,901

NOC Recognition Year: 1993

Asian Games Debut: 1994

Turkmenistan made their Asian Games debut in 1994 in Hiroshima where they won the first of their three gold medals.

Altymyrat Orazdurdyyew made history by becoming the first Turkmen to be an Asian Games champion when he won the 76-kilogram weightlifting competition.

There was also success in the following two Games with shooter Igor Pirekeyev winning the 50-metre rifle prone competition at Bangkok 1998 and then the 50m rifle three positions event at Busan 2002.

Since then, Turkmenistan have failed to add to their gold medal tally and did not get on the podium at Guangzhou 2010.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Turkmenistan collected one silver and two bronze medals to rank 32^nd in the standings.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 3 / Silver 8 / Silver 12 / Total 23

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Population: 4,621,399

NOC Recognition Year: 1980

Asian Games Debut: 1978

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok and have since been ever-present.

After four editions without a medal, the UAE finally got on the podium with one silver and three bronze medals at Hiroshima 1994.

The UAE finally struck gold at Doha 2006 with Rashid Al-Maktoum winning the individual and team endurance competitions in the equestrian.

There was also a gold medal for bodybuilder Mohammed Salem Al-Zahmi as the UAE went on to collect 14 medals.

This performance was bettered at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where the UAE collected three gold, six silver and five bronze medals to rank 20^th in the standings.

Nine of those medals came in ju-jitsu with two coming in jet ski and the others arriving in shooting, judo and football.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 7 / Silver 17 / Bronze 17 / Total 41

UZBEKISTAN

Capital: Tashkent

Population: 28,268,440

NOC Recognition Year: 1993

Asian Games Debut: 1994

Like other former Soviet Republics in Central Asia, Uzbekistan first participated at the Asian Games in 1994 in Hiroshima.

It also turned out to be an Asian Games to remember for the country who notched 11 gold, 12 silver and 19 bronze medals to rank fifth.

Thirteen of their 42 medals came in canoeing, as they won at least one medal in every single discipline.

Uzbekistan finished inside the top 10 of the medal table for five of the next six editions.

Their best performance arrived at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they racked up 20 gold, 24 silver and 25 bronze medals.

Five of their gold medals came in boxing with Jasurbek Latipov, Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov, Ikboljon Kholdarov, Bobo-Usmon Baturov and Israil Madrimov all victorious.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 84 / Silver 120 / Bronze 138 / Total 342

VIETMAN

Capital: Hanoi

Population: 86,116,559

NOC Recognition Year: 1979

Asian Games Debut: 1954

Vietnam have competed in the Asian Games on 15 occasions having first done so at Manila 1954.

Since making their debut, Vietnam have only missed the Bangkok 1978 and Seoul 1986 editions.

Competing as South Vietnam at Tokyo 1958, they clinched their first Asian Games gold medals with both coming in table tennis.

Vietnam’s medal return has improved at every edition since leaving Beijing 1990 empty-handed.

Their best showing came at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 where they claimed five gold, 15 silver and 19 bronze medals to rank 16^th in the standings.

Two golds were achieved in both athletics and pencak silat with the other coming in rowing.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 18 / Silver 70 / Bronze 93 / Total 181

YEMEN

Capital: Sanaa

Population: 30,000,000

NOC Recognition Year: 1981

Asian Games Debut: 1982

North and South Yemen made their Asian Games debuts in 1982 in New Delhi as separate teams.

Four years later at Seoul 1986, only North Yemen competed before the two nations united ahead of the Beijing 1990 Asian Games.

Yemen have since been ever-present, earning two bronze medals.

The first of those was achieved by taekwondo player Akram Al-Noor at Busan 2002 before Naji Al-Ashwal clinched bronze in wushu at Doha 2006.

A total of 37 Yemeni athletes - including three women - competed in 10 sports at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 but were unable to pick up a single medal.

Asian Games Medal Tally: Gold 0 / Silver 0 / Bronze 2 / Total 2