Chennai: The best-ever medal haul at the 2018 Asian Games is a leap forward for India sports after the Commonwealth Games medal spurt.
From teenager Saurabh Chaudhary to 60-year-old Pranab Bardhan, an assortment of athletes combined to produce a top show even as the country endured shocking results in kabaddi and hockey.
With 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze, India’s medal tally stood at 69, a step up from Incheon four years ago when they won 65.
India equalled the 15-gold tally of the 1951 inaugural Games but the country had never won 24 silvers before.
Overall, India maintained its top-10 rank by finishing eighth yet again.
And when we are proud of India’s achievements, the contribution from those who represented the country from Tamilnadu deserves a special mention. Of the 69 medals, over a dozen has been won by those from the southern State of the country.
They set the stage on fire in athletics, rowing, table tennis, squash among others. But the biggest disappointment came from weightlifter Sathish Sivalingam, who could not even qualify for finals in his event.
ATHLETICS
Local boy Dharun Ayyasamy clinched a silver in men’s 400m hurdles in national record time. Ayyasamy clocked 48.96 seconds to shatter his own national record and finish behind Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba who won the gold with a Games record time of 47.66.
His earlier National Record was 49.45, which he had come up with during the Federation Cup in March.
The 21-year-old was fourth till the 300m mark but passed two competitors in the last 100m stretch to cross the finishing line in 48.96, his personal best mark. Dharun Ayyasamy was also part of 4x400m Relay team that won silver. He combined with Kunhu Mohammed, Rajiv Arokia and Muhammed Anas to run his best. Rajiv Arokia from Tamilnadu ran along with Muhammed Anas,
Hima Das, M R Poovamma in the mixed 4 x 400 metres relay to help India win silver.
ROWING
TN lad Rohith Kumar along with Bhagwan Singh ended up winning bronze in men’s Lightweight double sculls. Remember Rohit is keen to be a part of a project with State government and going to work in two Government schools in the State and mentor the kids through various sports based events and connect them through a mentor network.
The group of mentors will consist of college graduates around the city who can relate well with young kids and mentor them.
In Sailing, local girl Varsha Gautham teamed up with Swetha Shrevegar to claim silver in 49er FX women.
SQUASH
Chennai is known as the capital of Squash and the city produced many class players in the recent past. They lived up to expectations to win several medals in the Asian games. Joshna Chinappa – Women’s singles (Bronze), Dipika Pallikal Karthik – Women’s singles (Bronze). Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Joshna Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, Sunayna Kuruvilla – Women’s Team (Silver) have made Chennai proud.
TABLE TENNIS
The trio of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Achanta Sharath Kamal and Anthony Amalraj, who won several national and international tournaments before, helped the nation win bronze in Men’s Team event. And Sharath Kamal teamed up with Manika Batra to secure third place in Mixed doubles.
TENNIS
There was a lot to cheer for Tamilnadu in tennis. Chennai boy Prajnesh Gunneswaran secured bronze in Men’s singles.