I am not one to succumb to screen addiction, but when it comes to athletics, particularly the Olympics or Asian Games on the screen, I'd willingly swap my meals for it.
Having represented my school and later my college in various sporting disciplines, I tend to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the sporting event and connect with the athlete's mindset more deeply than the sport itself. This time around, the Asian Games in Hangzhou had me completely enthralled, undoubtedly one of the most colossal sporting extravaganzas I have ever had the privilege of witnessing.
Why Asian Games 2022 and not 2023? Originally scheduled for September 10th to 25th, 2022, the Asian Games in Hangzhou were postponed to 2023 due to pandemic complications. Interestingly, the event retained its 2022 nomenclature, as all preparations, designs, and prints were based on the original year, maintaining a sense of continuity.
Total Events at the Asian Games: This time, the Asian Games featured a staggering 482 events, quite possibly the largest ever in the history of the Asian Games. What made this edition truly captivating was the inclusion of a multitude of unique games. Beyond the traditional events, we witnessed innovations such as mixed relay races in athletics, diverse variations of archery and shooting, and a wide array of field events.
Adding to the excitement were X Games events, chess, bridge, roller skating, trampoline gymnastics, video game competitions, and even breakdancing. The Asian Games never ceased to surprise me, leaving me constantly guessing about what could come next. While China's domination was evident, it was worth every second of watching, as it never failed to captivate our attention.
Total Countries at the Event: A remarkable 45 nations participated in this extraordinary event, which featured one of the most technologically advanced opening ceremonies I've ever witnessed. From the conception of the ceremony to its execution, it was a flawless and miraculous spectacle. The volunteers and the staff committee who organized and managed the events were simply beyond description.
I recall their precise and synchronized handling of tasks, such as placing hurdles on the field for the hurdles race, one at a time, in a certain manner, with impeccable timing. Even the way active events were momentarily paused and everyone stood during the prize ceremonies left me in awe.
India at the Asian Games 2023: Undoubtedly, this marked India's finest showing at the Asian Games. Fielding its largest-ever contingent of 655 members, India achieved its highest-ever medal tally of 107. Trust me, this was no mean feat. The #issbaar100paar mission was celebrated with great fanfare.
While the athletics team and Indian shooters held their heads high, amassing an impressive 29 and 22 medals, respectively, the archery team emerged as the revelation of these games with a total of 9 medals, including five golds.
Highlighting Indian Performance:
The exceptional performances by Indian shooters elevated the country's pride. With a fresh wave of young shooters representing the nation and winning laurels, the future seems incredibly promising, especially with an eye on the Paris 2024 Olympics. If I had to pinpoint athletes to watch out for in the quest for an Olympic medal, I'd direct attention to Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Palak Gulia, and the teenage sensation, Esha Singh.
Indian athletes have come a long way in proving their mettle on the international stage. Some standout moments for me in the athletics events included:
Annu Rani clinching gold in women's javelin, surpassing the reigning Olympic champion with a throw of 62.92 meters.
The men's 4x400 relay team securing gold with an unbeatable margin.
Parul Chaudhary's last-minute sprint to claim the 5000m gold.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor's final throw securing back-to-back golds in the Asian Games.
Avinash Sable's dominating performance in the men's 3000m steeplechase, capturing the gold.
The splendid display of talent with gold and silver in men's javelin by Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena.
Remarkable podium finishes in men's long jump, triple jump, high jump, and decathlon.
The Pinnacle Achievements:
If I were to single out one individual who made the most substantial impact and is poised to continue making India proud in the future, it would unquestionably be Jyoti Surekha Vennam. This 27-year-old talent from Andhra Pradesh remained as composed as a cucumber, clinching three gold medals—the highest tally by any contender in the Indian Asian Games Squad. She is, undeniably, India's golden girl.
The Indian men's hockey team displayed peak form, outclassing every other team in the tournament by significant margins. They are undoubtedly strong contenders for Paris 2024. Both the Indian men's and women's kabaddi teams showcased their dominance, securing well-deserved gold medals.
The historic gold in men's doubles badminton by Satwik and Chirag will be etched in our memories for years to come. Their exuberant celebration, including dancing shirtless and tossing their rackets to the crowd, signified the arrival of a new India.
Rohan Bopanna deserves a standing ovation, securing yet another gold, particularly after coming back from losing a set in the mixed doubles. He has consistently made our nation proud. However, it is disconcerting that there are no outstanding prospects in the younger generation in tennis.
The gold in the equestrian event was an unexpected delight, perhaps the crowning achievement for India in this edition of the Asian Games. This gold medal reinforces the belief that anything is attainable with determination and effort.
The Indian kabaddi team played like champions, securing the cherished gold with immense fanfare. They truly deserved every bit of the acclaim, given the substantial margins by which they defeated every other team in the event.
The Indian squash team performed admirably, clinching two gold medals, although their repeated losses to the young Malaysian team remain a cause for concern. Men's team, spearheaded by Saurav Ghosal, displayed brilliance, especially in their finals against Pakistan.
The Disappointments in this Asian Games:
While we anticipated delights in weightlifting, wrestling, and boxing events, this time they were fraught with disappointments. Starting from Mirabai to Bajrang Punia, they all fell short.
This season of the Asian Games saw many hopefuls in these events still recovering from injuries, casting a shadow of doubt over their participation in the Olympics next year. Personally, I will miss seeing Jeremy Lalrinnunga in action at the Olympics next year.
The only silver lining for me in the Indian table tennis contingent was witnessing Sutirtha and Ayhika overpowering the world's second-ranked Chinese team with their exceptional techniques. However, the rest of the contingents struggled. I hope they rise to the occasion soon, with a particular need for fresh faces, especially in the men's team.
I had hoped to see Lakshya Sen compete for the men's singles title, especially after his epic victory against the world's second-ranked Shi Yuqi. It appears that he failed to qualify for it during the selection trials against Kidambi Srikanth.
Lakshya Sen undeniably represents the future of Indian badminton. Unfortunately, Sindhu was a no-show in this edition of the Asian Games, as were her counterparts on the women's side.
So, Where Does India Stand? This edition of the Indian Games has undoubtedly been India's best performance to date. However, considering that smaller countries like Japan and Korea outperformed us, I feel that we are still falling short of our potential. While we are on the right track, much more needs to be done.
Major achievements in these Asian Games were accomplished by athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Rohan Bopanna, who went to great lengths to improve their performance by investing in high-quality training, often at their own expense or with the support of sponsors. However, this cannot be the case for everyone, particularly in the world's most populous country.
I firmly believe that injuries to athletes and their lack of self-belief play a significant role in their training. The growth of Indian archery, hockey, shooting, equestrian sports, and badminton has undoubtedly reached great heights owing to the involvement of international coaches and international exposure. This approach should be extended to all sports and athletes, especially in a nation as densely populated as ours.
The Future of Indian Sports:
As the curtain falls on the Asian Games, I believe we are heading in the right direction. With the younger generation increasingly passionate about sports and affluent parents who spare no effort in supporting their children's sporting aspirations, India's future shines brightly.
A nation's encouragement of sports indirectly fosters a healthier society and a stronger economy. I am confident that India will soon rise to the challenge of competing for the number one spot in the medal tally, vying with countries like America and China. With the majority of India's population under the age of 25, the only trajectory for Indian sports is upward, and it's soaring high.
