Asian Games 2014 : Medal Prospects for India
Lot of expectations from experienced athletes
Asian games, the second biggest sporting event after Olympics it is a best chance for India to do well and bring glory to country. They will be competing against South Korea, China, Japan and other Asian countries. These Asian games will be tougher as some of ace players like Jwala Gutta, Leander Paes, Rohan Bopanna, Vijender Singh have withdrawn for some reasons from the games but also it gives an opportunity for young Indian players playing for first time participating in this type big event to show the mettle.
Indian medal hopes are from Shooting, Wrestling, Hockey, Kabaddi, Squash, Badminton, Weightlifting, Athletics, Archery and Boxing. Apart from these sports, India can surprise in Basketball, and Volleyball. The pressure will be on Indians to repeat the performances of Commonwealth Games 2014.
In Wrestling, the expectations is on Yogeshwar Dutt, Amit Kumar and other young grapplers as Sushil Kumar is not participating in these games. In the commonwealth games the Indian wrestling team had won 5 gold medals. Traditionally Wrestling is sports which has contributed to the medals in the past in Olympics and commonwealth games.
Shooting gold
Shooting is the other best bet that India can bring medals. India has a mix of experience and young stars which can bring laurels to the country. Abhinav Bindra, Jitu Rai, Gagan Narang, have done well in recent times and it is on their shoulders to carry the expectations of people. Ayonika Paul and Apurva Chandila are bright women shooters who brought two medals in the same event in Glasgow.
Hockey will played under different format which will have 60 minutes divided into four quarters. The men’s toughest opponent will be against Pakistan in the pool stage and may be South Korea or Malaysia in semi final. The biggest bonus will be the winner getting a direct entry into the 2016 Rio Olympic games.
In Squash, India won its first Gold medal in the Commonwealth games 2014, recently. The pair of Deepika Pallikal and Joshanna Chinappa in women’s doubles can get the medal again. The women will get challenge from Malaysia and Egypt. Sourav Ghosal in men’s singles is another hope.
In Badminton, Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu will be the best bet in women’s singles. They have to go through some tough matches against China, Korea, Japan. Sindhu will be high on confidence after winning two medals at the World championship in 2013 and 2014. In men’s singles P Kashyap will be the only bet.
In Boxing, Mary Kom who won Olympic bronze, Sarita Devi who did win a silver in CWG 2014 will be the best bet in women. In men Akhil Kumar and other young boxers will be eager to do well after disappointing CWG 2014 as Vijender Singh will be missed due to injuries. In Archery, all hopes are on Deepika Kumari .It will be a challenge for her to make amends of poor performances in London Olympics.
In Athletics, India has done well in Asian games. Vikas Gowda in discuss throw, Dipti Karmarkar in gymnastics, and 4X400 M relay race in women will be the event where Indian athletes can win medals.
The Indian basketball team beat the Chinese in FIBA Asia Cup 2014 and finished in 7th position. Their ranking is not good enough but they can surprise. The volleyball team which reached the finals in the AVC volleyball Asian championship 2014 was a pleasant surprise.
This Asian games will provide an excellent platform for the Indian stars to compete and make a name for themselves and the country. The Indian contingent finished 5th position in previous Asian games will be difficult to replicate but we can hope for at least 67-75 medals in thise games. All the best to the entire team.