Highlights Asian Games India
India will make its 18th appearance at the Asian Games in 2018. The games scheduled from 18 August to 2 September are second to only the Olympics in grandeur and prestige. Asian games india
541 Indian competitors will be participating in the Asiads in 34 different sports. They will be carrying the weight of the dreams and aspirations of the entire country.
The Indian contingent will be looking forward to increasing its medal tally. Let us support them by diligently following the games and cheering for them.
The Asian Games is a multi-sport event that takes place every four years. India is one of the founding members of the Asian Games Federation and has participated in every Asiad since 1951. We also share the feat of winning a medal at every Asiad along with Japan. The Asian Games are like a trailer for the Olympic games. It shouldn’t be a surprise then, that the entire nation is excited about the big event.
Did you know?
The Asiads are scheduled from 18 August to 2 September. 541 Indian competitors will head out to fight it out in 34 sports at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. It will be a test of their skills, the hard work they have put in, and the focus they show during the games.
Another privileged meeting with the Hon'ble PM of India @narendramodi sir, who is always there to motivate the athletes representing the country.
He boosted our morale and wished us the best for upcoming #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/2cwix62qxS— Manika Batra (@manikabatra_TT) July 30, 2018
The entire Indian contingent is set for the Jakarta Palembang Asian Games. There are some former medalists, whereas some new faces. However, everyone has just one goal – podium finish! We simply cannot wait to see the Indian medal tally increasing with every passing day. The best way to support our fellow countrymen is by watching the games. Let us all Indians give these dedicated souls a loud cheer, and wish them luck!
India at the Asians Games 2018
Swimming
Virdhawal Khade is confident of a podium finish(Express Achive)
India’s hopes of winning a medal in swimming are pinned on Virdhawal Khade and Sandeep Sejwal. Khade broke the medal drought in swimming by winning a bronze medal in 2010 Asian Games. This time he will be looking to bring the yellow medal home.
Archery
“I’m really proud of this group, they are all world class. I am sure that they will come out with flying colors from the Games,” said Italian star archer Sergio Pagni. Pagni conducted a training camp for the Indian archery team.
The compound archery team is looking very strong and we can definitely expect a podium finish from them.
Athletics
World U-20 Championship gold medalist Hima Das (PTI)
The 53-member athletics team is all set to bring glory to India. The team will try to better the 2014 count of 13 medals. Two out of those were gold medals. There are many strong players in the team like Hima Das, Mohammed Anas, Dutee Chand, Neeraj Chopra, Naveen Kumar, Seema Punia, etc. Of course, there will be some surprises as well! Well, we simply can’t wait to see these rising champions shine at a prestigious platform, can we?
Badminton
Headliners of the Indian badminton squad – PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth,
and Saina Nehwal (Reuters)
With star players like PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, and Saina Nehwal in the squad, Indian fans are expecting a medal in baddy. PV Sindhu is playing exceptionally well but missing out in the finals. This will be an excellent opportunity to finally break the jinx and bring the gold home.
However, badminton stalwart Prakash Padukone cautioned, “It will be tough to win a medal in the Asian Games because most of the top badminton playing nations are in Asia and all of them are preparing very hard for the event.”
Boxing
The Boxing Federation of India has chosen a squad of seven men and three women for the Asian Games. We would definitely place our bets on Vikas Krishnan Yadav, who is competing from the middleweight 75 kg. He has already won a gold and a bronze at the last two editions of the games. We hope he gets his medal hat trick this year. Amit Panghal competing from the light flyweight 49 kg category is also a strong medal contender.
Boxing champion Mary Kom opted out of the Asiads as she is focusing on the World Championship and also wants to give an opportunity to the upcoming youngsters. Sarjubala Devi, Sonia Lather, and Pavitra will represent India in women’s boxing.
Bridge
Age is just a number – 79-year old bridge player,
Rita Choksi(Indian Express)
The recreational game is making its Asiad debut this year and it will be exciting if we get a debut deal as well. The squad has quite a few senior members, with 79-year old Rita Choksi headlining the 24-member team.
Field Hockey
The Indian men’s hockey team will be looking forward to repeating their 2014 gold medal winning feat
Both, men’s and women’s team have been performing well for the last few years and we are sure they’ll continue the medal-winning streak. While the men’s team would like to defend their gold medal, the women’s team is all set to turn their 2014 bronze into gold this year.
Here’s what coach Harinder Singh has to say, “Our skill and speed are on par with international teams. The team is very enthusiastic about winning and securing a qualification for Tokyo in Jakarta.”
Gymnastics
The whole country has high hopes from the golden girl of gymnastics- Dipa Karmakar. She made a stunning comeback after two years by winning the gold at FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Mersin, Turkey. The golden girl had undergone a knee surgery on her right leg in April 2017.
Coach Bishweshwar Nandi is focusing on getting her to the finals. In an interview with the Times of India, he says, “I know that expectations have been heightened after her comeback gold in the Artistics Gymnastics World Challenge Cup. There will be extra pressure and you cannot avoid it. Pressure is on me as her coach, on her and the audience too. Everyone expects Dipa to win a medal whenever she is in action.”
From the men’s team, Rakesh Patra is a strong medal contender for India. He missed out on a medal at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Mersin as well as at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and will be aiming for nothing but the podium this time.
Kabaddi
Time for a hat trick? Women’s kabaddi team after winning a second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games 2014 (Credit: Kin-Cheung)
The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India has fielded strong teams in both men’s and women’s categories in kabaddi. We are extremely sure that both teams will continue their medal-winning streaks and make us proud! The men’s team will be looking to continue their dominance with their seventh successive gold medal, while the women’s team is aiming for their third gold.
Damayanti Boro is expected to lead the women’s kabaddi team that has some new faces this time. There were some surprises in the men’s team, with big names like Surjeet Singh, Surender Nada, and Manjeet Chhillar being left out. Ajay Thakur is expected to lead the team.
Shooting
Shooter Manu Bhaker will be aiming for the gold
The 28-member Indian shooting squad has some very distinguished names and medal prospects. Notable names like Gagan Narang, Jitu Rai, and Mehuli Ghosh are missing from the team, but shooters like Bhaker, Anish Bhanwala, Apurvi Chandela, and Heena Sindhu are carrying the weight of our hopes.
16-year old Bhaker stunned the entire country with a gold medal in the 10 m air pistol event at her maiden Commonwealth appearance this year. Heena Sindhu is the first Indian pistol shooter to reach the top ranking by International Shooting Sports Federation. Anish Bhanwala is another rising star. The 15-year old became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the commonwealth games this year.
Squash
The men’s squash team is aiming for a repeat of 2014 Asiad gold. Mahesh Mangoankar, part of the winning team then and the squad now, told PTI, “Yes. We are trying to win it (the gold). We never try for (just) a podium finish and we always try to win the gold.” Star players Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal Karthik will be aiming for the gold.
Table Tennis
The women’s team is on a high after winning a gold medal the 21st Commonwealth Games. The team is aiming for a top-four finish at the Asians Games. The men’s team finished 13th at the World Team Table Tennis Championships and will be looking for a podium finish at the Asiads. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Manika Batra will be leading the men’s and women’s teams respectively.
Tennis
Leander Paes (Reuters)
Leander Paes (Reuters)Tennis stalwart Leander Paes is making an Asian Games appearance after 2006 Doha games. The team will like to continue its medal-winning streak at the Jakarta Asiads. The men’s doubles teams had won a silver and a bronze in the last Asian Games. Prarthana Thombare and Rohan Bopanna will be paired for the mixed doubles. Prathana had previously won the bronze at the 2014 Asian Games with Sania Mirza and will be looking to better her performance this year.
Weightlifting
We have high hopes from World Champion Mirabai Chanu , who is competing in the 48 kg category. The year 2018 has started on a good note for her with a gold medal at the CWG. But can’t compete in this Asian Games due to injury. She pulled out recently out of the tournament. Sathish Sivalingam , Vikas Thakur, and Ajay Singh will be lifting India’s hopes in the men’s event.
Sivalingam (77 kg) is on a high after winning the gold in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and will be looking forward to repeating the feat at the Asiads. Vikas Thakur (85 kg) missed out on the gold in the 2014 Asiads and had to settle for a silver. This is a great opportunity for him to win top honours.
Wrestling
Wrestling has always brought a lot of cheer to Indian fans. Even at the Asians Games 2018, the Indian wrestling team is aiming for a lot of podium finishes. We have some big names and sure-shot medal prospects like Sushil Kumar (74kg), Vinesh Phogat (50kg), and Sakshi Malik (62kg).
Wrestling champion Sushil Kumar needs no introduction. He has won top laurels in almost every championship, but the Asiad gold has eluded him. This could be his last chance to add the prestigious medal to his tally. Vinesh Phogat is at the peak of her fitness and riding high on her CWG gold medal. We hope her medal-winning streak continues.
Other Events
India is also participating in other events like aquatics, cycling, golf, judo, martial arts, sport climbing, soft tennis, sailing, rowing, diving, sepak takraw, regu, quadrant, taekwondo, paragliding, roller sports, basketball, bowling, canoeing, handball, equestrian, and fencing.
The Indian Kurash team is pretty strong and a podium finish is expected from them. The team won two bronze medals and one silver medal at the Asian Indoor Games. India seems to have slim chances in Taekwondo and cycling. It will be interesting to see some unknown faces becoming stars and increasing our medal tally.
Obstacles on the Way
There have been some bureaucratic issues during the selection process. Several court cases are going on. The selection processes of certain events are being questioned. Many athletes have to spend money from their own pockets for kits and equipment. It is extremely sad that some talented athletes will end up losing such a prestigious opportunity. A standard procedure and fixed rules are a must. With an event of this grandeur, a country like India cannot be sloppy. However, there is little that can be done now.
The stage is all set and our sportsmen and women are ready to take on their opponents with gusto. All of them are extremely positive and hopeful. This infectious energy has spread among all Indians and we can’t keep calm, because the Asians Games 2018 are on!
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