India’s sporting contingent at Asian Games in China achieved a historic first by crossing the 100-medal tally. The triumph in medals was across sports, the latest being the Indian women’s kabbaddi team defeating Chinese Taipei to add a gold medal.
Living up to the target of ‘Is Baar Sau Paar’, the Indian contingent in the Hangzhou Asian Games Indian sportspersons notched medal after medal in compound archery, kabaddi, badminton, and men’s cricket…Indian women’s table tennis team stunned the mighty Chinese in the women’s table tennis, winning the bronze. The paddlers showed nerves of steel and overcame the Chinese Taipei team who pushed them to the limits.
With the 100-medal markup, India has 25 gold, 35 silver, and 40 bronze medal to the nation’s name. A few more medals are already assured.
In the last edition of the Asian Games in Indonesia, India won 70 medals, where athletes won 16 gold, 23 silver, and 31 bronze medals. At Hangzhou, the 100-plus tally came on the back of a splendid show by the shooters who won 22 medals, and track and field athletes who won 29 medals, contributing 51 medals.
As the Indian tally combined, there were cheers and jubilation across the contingent. Among the sensational triumphs were:
Parul Chaudhary in women’s 5000m event, with her nail-biting quick dash in the last 30 metres, racing past Japan’s Ririka Hironaka to win gold.
Kishore Kumar Jena’s astonishing 86.77m javelin throw, briefly edged past superstar Neeraj Chopra, who won the gold and Jena settled for a silver medal.
In Canoeing, Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam won a historic bronze in the men’s double 1000m. Ram Baboo and Manju Rani secured third place in the mixed 35km race walk. Both showed true grit and were live examples that Indians back home watched with bated breath- of athletes refusing to bow down to the hardships life throws and excelling in sports is possible.
India’s record of 100 plus medals in the Asian Games was greeted with joy back home. Prime Minister Modi called it a ‘remarkable milestone’. The PM also announced that he plans to host the Indian delegation from the Asian Games on October 10.
The historic 100-plus medal tally was greeted with amazement, with those in the sports domain underlining the steady push and greater support over the last decade for sports other than the most popular one of cricket. The support and recognition coming for a range of sporting activities is being recognised as a function of involvement and encouragement from both sports bodies and the government as well as the private corporate sector.
Mihir Kumar Parial, vice-chairman of Eklavya Foundation who has worked with Delhi as a talent spotter and has also seen a rise in sporting talent from his hometown of Car Nicobar, says: The sporting achievements we see also come back of several phases of deepening involvement and encouragement to talent especially in the hinterland and tribal areas of the country. While the SAI (Sports Authority of India) has enlarged its talent spotting and training activities in remote regions decades back, it is now that the talents have truly realised their full potential. They are more aware and display grit that comes from understanding the sport and competition better. The spread of digital media in remotest parts has allowed them access to not just sporting events from across the world, but also helped corporates to deepen their involvement in sports, with awards, honours and academies’.
Patan Shujjath Ali Khan, CEO, Vengeance Technologies says: India’s performance at the Asian Games is not just a display of sporting prowess but a testament to the nation’s determination and talent. It showcases the result of rigorous training, government support, and the relentless spirit of our athletes. Such achievements inspire the youth and promote unity and pride across the country’.
