Asian Games 2018: 5 sports that brought India the most medals
After fighting it out for two weeks, the Indian contingent for the 18th Asian Games can be vastly satisfied as they returned with 69 medals across all sports - their best haul ever in an Asiad. While some medallions pleasantly surprised, there were some events where a rich haul was expected, and the players did not disappoint.
Here are the five sports in which India brought home the most medals.
#1 Athletics (7 Gold, 10 Silver, 2 Bronze)
India are ranked third in the all-time medal tally in athletics in the Asian Games and the rich haul of 19 medals this time around did the ratings no harm. With seven golds, 10 silver and two bronze, the athletics contingent gave the Indian spectators much reason to rejoice.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor opened the gold medal account by finishing first in the Men’s shot put with a score of 20.75 (a Games Record) while India’s flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony Neeraj Chopra brought home the country’s first gold in javelin throw in the history of the Asiad.
Manjit Singh in the Men’s 800m and Arpinder Singh in the triple jump were the other male athletes to win gold while the women impressed in the 4x400m relay, as the team of M.R. Poovamma, Saritaben Gaikwad, Hima Das and Vismaya clocked 3:28:72.
A visibly-in-pain Swapna Barman who has six toes in both her feet fought back toothache to achieve the summit position in the heptathlon event while Jinson Johnson proved her stamina by clinching the 1500m race.
The maverick Dutee Chand who had been ostracized due to high levels of Testosterone staged a remarkable comeback by winning two silvers in the 100m and 200m while Hima returned with an individual medal too as well as one in the mixed 4x400m relay.
All in all, athletics proved to be the high point and the players would hope that they can carry on and maybe return with an Olympics medal as well.