The Hangzhou Asian Games marked a historic chapter in Indian sports. Not only did the nation achieve a record-breaking medal count, but it also witnessed athletes breaking new ground in uncharted territories.
Avinash Sable made history in athletics, securing India’s first gold in the 3000m steeplechase with a record-breaking time. Parul Chaudhary triumphed in the women’s 5000m race, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. Annu Rani excelled in women’s javelin throw, securing another gold for India.
In badminton, HS Prannoy and the duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty ended a 41-year medal drought. Table tennis pair Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee clinched a historic bronze.
Shooting saw Manisha Keer, Rajeshwari Kumari, and Preeti Rajak make history with India’s first women’s skeet medal. Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Sift Kaur Samra added more medals.
Canoeing brought a historic bronze courtesy of Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam. Archery teams ended a 13-year medal drought with silver and bronze medals.
Equestrian riders secured India’s first-ever dressage team gold and Anush Agarwalla clinched an individual bronze.
Sailor Vishnu Sarvanan made waves with India’s first-ever dinghy ILCA-7 medal. In sepaktakraw, India secured its first-ever medal. Aditi Ashok achieved a historic silver in golf, a first for Indian women at the Asian Games.
