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

The country is one of five founder members of the Asian Games Federation, which was established in 1949 in New Delhi. These countries are the five pioneers of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

Afghanistan was ever-present at the five initial editions of the Asian Games but was 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 Jakarta Palembang 2018, Afghanistan won two bronze medals in wushu and kurash. They ended in joint 35th position on the medal table.

Bangladesh first participated at the Asian Games at Bangkok 1978 and the country was ever-present in the next nine 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.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Bangladesh failed to win a medal.

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

From their nine appearances to date, Bhutan has not managed to win a single medal.

The country sent 24 athletes to Jakarta Palembang 2018, across four sports.

Bhutan competed in six sports at Incheon 2014, its most active edition to date.

Bahrain first participated at the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1982.

The country has since been ever-present.

Bahrain's best performance at an Asian Games arrived last time out at Jakarta Palembang 2018.

They won 10 golds, seven silvers and seven bronze to rank 12th on the medal table.

All of the gold medals came in athletics.

Their previous best was at Incheon 2014, when they collected nine gold, six silver and four bronze medals.

Brunei Darussalam first participated at the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990.

The country has since been ever-present.

Brunei Darussalam has collected four bronze medals from eight appearances, including two from karate at Hiroshima 1994, one from sepak takraw at Bangkok 1998 and another from karate at Busan 2002.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, the country drew a blank.

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

From 12 appearances, Cambodia's best performance arrived at the last edition at Jakarta Palembang 2018.

The country won two gold medals in Indonesia, in ju-jitsu and jet-ski.

This left the nation 24th on the medal table.

At the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, Cambodia claimed its first-ever gold medal courtesy of taekwondo player Sorn Seavmey's success in the women's middleweight category.

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

The country topped the medal table at Jakarta Palembang 2018 with 132 golds, 92 silvers and 66 bronzes.

China has been the dominant force at the Asian Games after early Japanese success, and has topped the medal table at every edition since 1982. 

The country hosted the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010, and is expected to be in pole position again on home soil at Hangzhou 2022.

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

The country has participated in 12 Asian Games, winning 99 gold, 144 silver and 276 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Chinese Taipei ranked seventh after claiming 17 gold, 19 silver and 31 bronzes.

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

Overall, Hong Kong has an impressive medal haul having won 38 gold, 80 silver and 112 bronze medals.

Their best performance came last time at Jakarta Palembang 2018, where they won eight gold medals, 18 silver and 20 bronze.

This was enough for 13th place on the medal table.

Indonesia is one of seven countries that has participated at every edition of the Asian Games.

The others are India, Japan, The Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Indonesia's best performance at an Asian Games was overwhelmingly at the last edition in 2018, which they hosted in Jakarta and Palembang.

The country's athletes won 31 golds, 24 silvers and 43 bronze and finished fourth on the medal table.

Their previous best was the 21 golds they won in 1962, also on home soil in Jakarta.

India has competed at all 18 editions of the Asian Games and has twice hosted the event in New Delhi - the inaugural edition in 1951 and the ninth edition in 1982.

India has made the top 10 in 17 of its 18 appearances, with the one exception coming at Beijing 1990, when they ranked 11th.

At Jakarta Palmebang 2018, India celebrated its best ever Games.

The country won 16 golds, 23 silvers and 31 bronze to finish in eighth place.

Iran has competed at all but three editions of the Asian Games with the country absent at Tokyo 1958, Jakarta 1962 and Bangkok 1978.

In 1974, Iran played host in Tehran and produced their best performance by ranking second behind Japan with 36 gold, 28 silver and 17 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Iran won 20 gold medals, 20 silver and 22 bronze to finish sixth in the standings.

They ended fifth at Incheon 2014.

Iraq first participated at the Asian Games in 1974, when they were held in Tehran.

The country has since been absent from four editions, from Beijing 1990 through to Busan 2002, but has been even-present since Doha 2006.

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

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Iraq ranked 27th with one gold and two silver medals.

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

The country was absent four years later in Beijing, but has been ever-present since the Hiroshima 1994 edition.

From eight appearances at the Asian Games, Jordan's best performance came at Guangzhou 2010 in winning two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Jordan won two golds, one silver and nine bronze medals to finish in 23rd position. 

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

It has 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.

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

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Japan ranked second behind China after securing 75 gold, 57 silver and 73 bronze medals.

Aichi-Nagoya in Japan will host the 2026 Asian Games.

Kazakhstan has 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.

Kazakhstan has never finished outside the top 10 in the medal table in seven appearances.

At Incheon 2014, Kazakhstan ranked fourth having won 28 gold, 23 silver and 33 bronze medals.

This remains as the country's best performance at the Asian Games, after 15 golds, 17 silvers and 44 bronzes at Jakarta Palembang 2018. 

This saw them finish ninth.

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

The country marked its debut by winning four silver and five bronze medals.

Kyrgyzstan's first Asian Games gold arrived at Busan 2002, when they topped two podiums.

Their best performance came last time at Jakarta Palembang 2018, where they won three golds, five silvers and 12 bronze to finish 22nd.

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

Their best performance arrived at Doha 2006, when they managed to win six gold, five silver and two bronze medals to rank 17th.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Kuwaitis won three golds, one silver and two bronze to rank 21st on the medal table.

Kuwait had to compete under a neutral flag in Indonesia as the country was suspended by the International Olympic Committee due to Governmental interference.

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

The country was absent from the Bangkok 1978 edition but competed again at New Delhi 1982.

It has been ever-present since Beijing 1990, and produced its best performance at Jakarta Palembang 2018, winning two silver medals and three bronze in ranking 31st.

Lebanon first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok.

The country has since been ever-present and produced its best performance at Jakarta Palembang 2018, winning one gold medal, one silver and two bronze.

This was enough for 28th place on the medal table.

Macau first participated at the Asian Games in 1990 in Beijing.

This arrived 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 claimed one bronze medal.

The country’s best performance was at Jakarta Palembang 2018, when it secured one gold, two silvers and two bronze medals.

This left them 26th on the medal table.

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 the Jakarta 1962 Games.

It has competed under its present Malaysia name since Bangkok 1966.

From a total of 17 appearances at the Asian Games, Malaysia has collected 63 gold, 101 silver and 148 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Malaysia won seven golds, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals to rank 14th.

The Maldives first participated at the Asian Games in 1982 in New Delhi.

The country has since been ever-present, but has never won a medal.

Mongolia’s Asian Games debut came at the 1974 edition in Tehran.

The country has since been ever-present with the exception of the Seoul 1986 Games, which they boycotted along with nine other nations: Afghanistan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, South Yemen, Syria and Vietnam - due to political tensions.

Mongolia has won at least one gold medal at every edition in which it has participated.

The nation's best performance came at Incheon 2014, when it claimed five gold, four silver and 12 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018 they won four golds, nine silvers and 11 bronze to finish 17th. 

Myanmar has participated at every edition of the Asian Games with the exception of Seoul 1986.

The country bore the name of Burma until New Delhi 1982.

From 17 appearances at the Asian Games, Myanmar has collected 16 gold, 31 silver and 55 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Myanmar claimed two bronze medals to finish 35th.

Nepal first participated at the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951.

The country has since been absent only twice: Manila 1954 and Jakarta 1962.

Nepal has never won an Asian Games gold medal.

The nation’s best performance came at Bangkok 1998, when it secured one silver medal and three bronze.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Nepal won one silver medal to finish 33rd.

Oman first participated at the Asian Games in 1982 in New Delhi, and has since been ever-present.

The country has managed to collect four medals: one gold and three bronze, from its 10 appearances to date.

Its sole gold medal was won by Mohammed Al-Malki, who topped the men’s 400 metres podium at Beijing 1990.

Oman failed to win a medal at Jakarta Palembang 2018. 

Pakistan first participated at the Asian Games in 1954 in Manila and has since been ever-present.

The country has collected 204 medals - 44 gold, 63 silver and 97 bronze - from its 17 appearances.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Pakistan claimed four bronze medals and ranked 34th.

The Philippines' debut at the Asian Games came at the inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951.

As one of the initiators of the quadrennial event, the country has never missed an edition.

The Philippines hosted the event in Manila in 1954, when it produced its best medal tally of 14 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze.

From all 18 appearances, the nation has collected 67 gold, 114 silver and 229 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, The Philippines won four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals and ranked 19th.

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

Since then, the country has been ever-present.

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

They failed to win a medal at Jakarta Palembang 2018.

North Korea first participated at the Asian Games in 1974 in Tehran and has since featured at every edition, barring Seoul 1986 and Hiroshima 1994.

The country ranked among the top five nations at Bangkok 1978, New Delhi 1982 and Beijing 1990.

But it has not managed to achieve the same feat from Bangkok 1998 onwards.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, North Korea finished 10th in claiming 12 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals.

Qatar first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok and has since been ever-present.

The country played host to the quadrennial event in 2006, when it was staged in Doha.

It will play host again in Doha in 2030.

The nation's best performance arrived at Incheon 2014, when it claimed 10 gold and four bronze medals.

They won six golds, four silvers and three bronzes at Jakarta Palembang 2018 to end 15th.

Saudi Arabia first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok.

The country has since only been absent at the 1998 edition, which was also held in Thailand’s capital.

Saudi Arabia’s best performance came at Doha 2006 having claimed eight gold and six bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Saudi Arabia secured one gold medal, two silvers and three bronze.

They ended 25th on the medal table. 

Riyadh in Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 Asian Games.

Singapore is a pioneer of the Asian Games and has been ever-present since the inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951.

The country's best performance arrived at Doha 2006, where it claimed eight gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Singapore amassed four gold, four silver and 14 bronze medals.

They finished 18th on the medal table. 

South Korea has participated at every Asian Games with the exception of the inaugural edition in 1951 in New Delhi.

The country has played host on three occasions, staging the Games in 1986 in Seoul, in 2002 in Busan and in 2014 in Incheon.

South Korea’s achievements at the Asian Games are only rivalled by China and Japan.

Its best performance came at Busan 2002 in winning 96 gold, 80 silver and 84 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, South Korea won 49 gold, 58 silver and 70 bronze medals.

They finished third on the medal table. 

Sri Lanka first participated at the Asian Games in 1951 in New Delhi and has since been ever-present.

The country used the name of Ceylon until the Bangkok 1970 edition.

From its 18 appearances, Sri Lanka has collected 11 gold, 11 silver and 24 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Sri Lanka failed to win a medal.

Syria first participated at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok.

The country has since only been absent on one occasion, at Seoul 1986.

From 10 appearances, Syria has collected nine gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals.

The nation’s best performance arrived at Doha 2006, when it claimed two gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Syria claimed one bronze medal to finish 37th.

Thailand has participated in the Asian Games ever since the inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951.

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

Thailand’s best performance arrived in 1998, when the nation claimed 24 gold, 28 silver and 38 bronze medals.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Thailand won 11 gold, 16 silver and 46 bronze medals.

They finished 12th in the medal table.

Tajikistan first participated at the Asian Games in 1994 in Hiroshima, where it won two bronze medals.

The country's best performance arrived at Doha 2006, when it won two golds and two bronzes.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Tajikistan won four silvers and three bronze medals.

They finished 30th in the standings. 

Turkmenistan first took part at the Asian Games in 1994 in Hiroshima.

The country won one gold medal at each of its opening three appearances, at Hiroshima 1994, Bangkok 1998 and Busan 2002.

It has since failed to top a podium in the four most recent editions.

At Jakarta Palembang 2018, Turkmenistan won one silver medal and two bronzes.

That left them 32nd on the medal table.

Having broken away from Indonesia in May 2002, Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, first participated at the Asian Games in 2006 in Doha.

The country has since been ever-present, but has yet to win a medal.

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

The country’s best performance arrived last time at Jakarta Palembang 2018, when it claimed three gold, six silver and five bronze medals.

This left them 20th on the medal table.

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

From its seven appearances, the country has managed to collect 83 gold, 120 silver and 140 bronze medals.

Uzbekistan’s best performance arrived at Jakarta Palembang 2018, when they won 20 golds, 24 silvers and 25 bronze.

This left them fifth in the medal table. 

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

The country has been absent from three editions: New Delhi 1951, Bangkok 1978 and Seoul 1986.

Its total medal count stands at 18 golds, 70 silvers and 93 bronze.

Vietnam's best performance arrived at Jakarta Palembang 2018, when they won five golds, 15 silvers and 19 bronze.

They finished 16th on the medal table.

Yemen has participated in the Asian Games on eight occasions since making its debut at Beijing 1990.

The country has only managed to win two bronze medals.

These were achieved through taekwondo player Akram Al-Noor, at Busan 2002, and wushu player Naji Al-Ashwal, at Doha 2006.

They drew a blank at Jakarta Palembang 2018.