The Asian Games 2022 kicked off on September 23 at Hangzhou in China. The 19th edition of the games was initially scheduled to be held in September 2022 but was postponed owing to the pandemic-induced crisis. China put up an enthralling show, in a display of its pride and might in the post-pandemic era. The more 100-minutes opening ceremony, which was held at the 80,000-capacity Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, or the Big Lotus as it is popularly called, displayed the nation’s vision across a multitude of timelines – right from the traditional ninth century to the current-day sustainable ecosystem, transitioning towards a digital tomorrow. (Image: AFP)
India’s 655-member contingent in the Asian Games 2022 has been already putting up a spectacular show, kicking off on a winning note right from Day 1. Till now, India have clinched 10 medals, signalling a bullish run ahead in the games which conclude on October 10. On September 25, Indian shooters Divyansh Singh Panwar, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Rudrankksh Patil scripted history as the troika smashed a world record in the men’s 10m Air Rifle team event, by claiming the nation’s first gold in the 19th edition of the games. (Image: AFP)
Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar also displayed personal magnificence by bagging a bronze medal in the men’s 10m air rifle final individual event. The 21-year-old edged out Rudrankksh Patil in a close battle, to claim a bronze with a score of 228.8. (Image: AFP)
India’s rowers powered a strong sail at the games, finishing with a total of five medals (two silver and three bronze) across various categories. Rowers Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh opened the medal account, clinching a silver in the men’s lightweight doubles sculls event at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre in Huangzhou on a pleasant September 24 morning. The duo clocked 6:28.18s, closing on behind China’s Junjie Fan and Man Sun, who struck gold with 6:23.16s. (Image: AFP)
In the coxless pair event, rowers Babulal Yadav and Lekh Ram bagged a bronze with a time of 6:50.41 sec, finishing behind gold medallists Hong Kong, China (6:44.20 sec), and Uzbekistan 6:48.11. (Image: AFP)
The power team of rowers Parminder Singh, Sukhmeet Singh, Jakar Khan, and Satnam Singh also claimed a bronze medal, the fifth medal for the Indian rowing contingent, in the men’s quadruple sculls on September 25. India came in behind Uzbekistan, which clinched gold with 6:04.96, China, which bagged silver with 6:10.04, with a timing of 6:10.81. (Image: AFP)
Indian women too have not been left behind, as the shooter trio of Mehuli Ghosh, Ramita Jindal, and Ashi Chouksey shot its way to the second position, a few notches behind China’s 1,896.6, with a combined score of 1,886.0 in the 10m air rifle Team event. (Image: AFP)
Jindal, in the 10m air rifle individual event, put up an exemplary show, topping out fellow shooter Ghosh to clinch the bronze medal. The Haryana girl shot a score of 230.1, including a clutch 10.8, knocking out Ghosh’s 10.7 by a notch. Ghosh settled in at the fourth position with a score of 208.43. (Image: AFP)