Hangzhou, China: The 19th edition of the Asian Games, hosted by Hangzhou, China, commenced on September 23, 2023, and is set to culminate on October 8, marking a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India, represented by a formidable 655-member contingent, has commenced its medal quest with an impressive start, securing a total of five medals, comprising three silvers and two bronze.
India is determined to surpass its previous performance at Jakarta 2018, where a 570-strong squad clinched an unprecedented haul of 70 medals, including 16 gold, 23 silver, and 31 bronze. With a larger contingent participating this year, expectations are high for an increased medal tally.
Historically, athletics has been the primary contributor to India’s medal count at the Asian Games, accounting for 254 out of 672 medals won so far. In line with this tradition, India has fielded a robust athletics contingent of 68 athletes, the nation’s largest representation in any sport at Hangzhou 2023.
The Indian athletics squad boasts renowned names like Neeraj Chopra, reigning world, Olympic, and Asian Games champion in men’s javelin throw, Avinash Sable, silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games men’s 3000m steeplechase, and Jyothi Yarraji, a sensation in women’s hurdles.
Furthermore, this edition marks the debut of cricket teams from India at the Asian Games, with both men’s and women’s teams competing. The Indian representation in football and hockey is also complete.
India’s boxing team, led by world champion Nikhat Zareen and Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain, along with the wrestling squad featuring Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and Antim Panghal, are considered strong contenders for medals.
Expectations are equally high for the shooting contingent, which includes talented shooters like Manu Bhaker and Rudrankksh Patil.
The presence of Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting and PV Sindhu in badminton adds further star power to India’s campaign. India is also represented by archery world champions Aditi Gopichand Swami and Ojas Pravin Deotale.
In addition to medals, the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou offer 74 Paris 2024 Olympic quotas across various sports, ranging from archery and artistic swimming to boxing, breaking, hockey, modern pentathlon, sailing, tennis, and water polo.
As of now, India’s medal tally stands at five, consisting of three silvers and two bronze medals.
Indian Medal Winners at Asian Games 2023
1. Shooting – Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team: Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, Ramita – Silver
2. Rowing – Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls*: Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh – Silver
3. Rowing – Men’s Pair: Babu Lal Yadav and Lekh Ram – Bronze
4. Rowing – Men’s Eight: India – Silver
5. Shooting – Women’s 10m Air Rifle*: Ramita – Bronze
Medals Tally by Sport at Asian Games 2023.
– Shooting: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (Total: 2)
– Rowing: 2 Silver, 1 Bronze (Total: 3)
Asian Games 2023 Medals Table
1. China: 9 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze (Total: 9)
2. Hong Kong, China: 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze (Total: 1)
3. India: 0 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze (Total: 5)
4. Uzbekistan: 0 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (Total: 4)
5. Indonesia: 0 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze (Total: 4)
India’s impressive start at the Asian Games 2023 sets the stage for a thrilling competition as the nation aims for a remarkable medal haul in various sports disciplines.
