India has achieved a historic milestone at the Asian Games 2023, surpassing its previous best performance with an impressive tally of 71 medals.
The momentous occasion was sealed by the exceptional performance of archery duo Ojas Pravin and Jyothi Surekha, who secured the gold medal in the mixed team compound final, triumphing over their South Korean counterparts.
The Asian Games 2023 marked a remarkable improvement from India’s previous performance in 2018 when they bagged a total of 16 gold, 23 silver, and 31 bronze medals. This year, the Indian contingent has raised the bar by clinching 16 gold, 26 silver, and 29 bronze medals, with several more podium finishes expected in various events.
In terms of sport-specific medal counts, shooting and archery have emerged as India’s standout events at the Asian Games. India has amassed an impressive 22 medals in shooting, while athletics has contributed significantly with 23 medals and the promise of more to come.
Adding to the glory, Indian race walkers Manju Rani and Ram Baboo secured a bronze medal in the demanding 35km mixed race walk event, thereby ensuring that India’s performance matches that of the 2018 Jakarta Games.
EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN RACE WALK!
Heartfelt congratulations to Ram Baboo and Manju Rani on winning 🥉 in the 35km Race Walk Mixed Team event at the #AsianGames2022 with a combined timing of 5:51:14!
Their incredible display of stamina, endurance and resilience has brought… pic.twitter.com/u1OVEGUnJm
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) October 4, 2023
The icing on the cake was provided by compound archers Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who clinched India’s historic 71st medal by claiming the mixed team gold medal in archery.
RECORD-BREAKING MEDAL FOR INDIA!!
Heartiest congratulations to the dynamic archers, @VJSurekha and Ojas Pravin Deotale, for their spectacular performance and clinching 🥇 in the Compound Mixed Team event at #AsianGames2022 👏
Their outstanding effort, nerves of steel, and… pic.twitter.com/82AWBJWgnF
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) October 4, 2023
Bhupender Singh Bajwa, India’s chef de mission, expressed his delight, stating, “It is with great pleasure that I would like to state that India has forged its impression with the best-ever medal haul in the Asian Games by crossing the 70 mark in the medals tally, and there are more to come.”
India had sent its largest-ever contingent to the Asian Games with the ambitious goal of surpassing the 100-medal mark at this prestigious sporting event. Their catchphrase, “Aab ki Baar, Sau Paar” (translating to “crossing 100 medals this time”), serves as a testament to their determination and ambition to make history in Hangzhou.