India’s golden quest in Jakarta
Neeraj Chopra Tejinder Pal Singh Toor Hima Das Women’s Seema Antil Punia Indian compound teams Men’s team Saurav Ghosal Men’s rapid fire pistol Women’s 10m Air Pistol Men’s hockey team Men’s doubles Sonia Lather Vikas Krishan Women’s team PV Sindhu Sushil
FThe 20-year-old is India’s brightest prospect for a gold. His throw of 87.43m at the Diamond League in Doha in May is the best by an Asian this year. He has hit the 85mplus mark five times in 2018. In the 2014 Asian Games, the gold went to Zhao Qinggang with a throw of 89.15m.
Event >> AUGUST 27 His best throw of 20.24m in 2018, at the Federation Cup in Patiala in March, would have fetched him the gold at the 2014 Asian Games. Tejinder is another favourite for India. However, he is expected to face stiff competition from the Iranian and Chinese shot putters. Event >> AUGUST 25 Her U-20 World Championship gold has made the Assam girl the new track star. She will face tough competition from Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser who has clocked sub-50 seconds five times this year. Hima’s best timing this year, in seniors, has been 51.13 seconds which she achieved in June.
Event >> AUGUST 25 India are the defending champions. And the presence of Hima Das will be a boost to the team. She will be anchoring the relay. Event >> AUGUST 29 The reigning Asian Games champion recently won the silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Her selection for the Asian Games squad, despite training on her own, raised a few eyebrows but she can silence her critics with a good show in Jakarta. Seema’s best throw this year has been 61.05m in March. She is expected to face tough competition from Chinese throwers Yang Chen and Bin Feng.
Event >> AUGUST 30 In the 2014 Asian Games, Indian compound archers won four medals (one gold, one silver and two bronze) and they are expected to repeat their show in Jakarta.
The Indian women’s compound team is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and won a silver medal each in the Antalya and Berlin legs of World Cup.
Event >> AUGUST 22 Led by Saurav Ghosal, the men’s team is a gold contender in Jakarta. It won the yellow metal four years back. Though Hong Kong, Malaysia, Kuwait have strong teams, India will fancy their chances to finish on top. Event >> AUGUST 27 At 31, this is probably the last Asian Games for the Kolkata veteran. He is currently the highest ranked player (world No 12) in Asia but an individual gold from the Asian Games is missing from his trophy cabinet. However, the rise of Hong Kong duo of Max Lee (No 19) and Leo Au (No 21) proves that the road will be tough for the Indian racket ace.
Event >> AUGUST 23 At 15, Anish Bhanwala became the youngest Indian to clinch a CWG gold when he won the 25m rapid pistol at Gold Coast. In the absence of veterans Jitu Rai and Gagan Narang, the onus will be on the likes of Anish to lift India’s chances in the range. Event >> AUGUST 24 Manu Bhaker’s stellar show in World Cups and the Commonwealth Games makes her a favourite to win gold. Manu is part of three categories — 10m air pistol mixed, women’s 10m air pistol and women’s 25m pistol. Event >> AUGUST 24 The defending champions will qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo if they win the gold medal. Under Harendra Singh, the men’s hockey team recently finished runner-up in the Champions Troph Apart from Pakistan, Malaysia and Japan have also shown the potenti to stun any big team on their day. The Manpreet Singh-led India will b cautious about them.
Event >> AUGUST 20 Rohan Bopanna (world No 32) and Divij Sharan (world No 38) are a formidable pair and are expected to win gold in the men’s doubles. Both have performed well in the ATP circuit in 2017-18, with different partners. However, how well they gel before the Asian Games will be crucial. India have lost the services of veteran Leander Paes, who has pulled out citing lack of a specialist doubles partner.
His experience will also be missed in the mixed doubles.
Event >> AUGUST 20 She finished with a silver medal at the Asian Championship in 2017 and another at the 2016 World Championship. She did not compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as her weight category was dropped. In Mary Kom’s absence, she is one of India’s brightest hopes for a gold medal.
Event >> AUGUST 26 e has previously won a gold and bronze the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games respecvely. He is one of the nior-most members of e squad and is expected emulate his performce in Jakarta. so, Krishan has ecided to turn pro at e end of the year, so e will be eager to win a edal for India on the big age. vent >>
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5 Athletics, which returned India’s highest number of medals (13) in the last Asian Games in 2014, has the most number of participants (50) and its contingent is the biggest at 75.
HIGH ON HOPE A young breed of athletes may see India exceed expectations in Jakarta and make it a stepping stone for the 2020 Olympics
Events Number of sports India participating in Participating nations The Indian women’s badminton team won the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games. They were the only ones to bring back a medal from the discipline. With experienced campaigners PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Ashwini Ponnappa, India are expected to stand up to the challenge from China, Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.
Event >> AUGUST 19 The tall Hyderabad shuttler’s exploits have been one of the greatest success stories in Indian sports over the past couple of years. She reached the World Championship final this year. However, with the presence of top badminton stars Tai Tzu Ying, Akane Yamaguchi, Nozomi Okuhara, Chen Yufei, Ratchanok Intanon, Sindhu’s task will be very difficult.
Event >> AUGUST 24 He is India’s greatest wrestler ever and Sushil’s track record speaks for himself. He won the gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, amid speculation on his preparation and off-field controversies. However, the level of competition at the Asian Games will be tougher. Also, at 35, Sushil faces competition from younger rivals eager to have a go at the champion. Event >> AUGUST 26 The younger sister of Geeta Phogat and Babita has been among the top women wrestlers in the country for some time now. She is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Four years back she had to be satisfied with a bronze medal in the Incheon Asian Games. She also conceded in the quarterfinals of Rio Olympics after suffering a knee injury. She is now fully fit and raring to go.
Event >> AUGUST 20 The men’s team, with seven successive gold medals, is a favourite again. Since kabaddi was introduced in the Asian Games in 1990, India have ruled. However, the past couple of editions have seen the rise of Iran. In 2014, India’s margin of win was 27-25. India will be wary about Iran’s rising stature. Event >> AUGUST 19 India are also the undisputed champions in women’s kabaddi since its introduction in the Asian Games in 2010. In the women’s section too, India defeated Iran to win the gold medal in 2014.
Event >> AUGUST 19