India Begins Winning Medals at 19th Asian Games in China

India has commenced its medal-winning journey at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. The country secured silver medals in both shooting and rowing events. In the 10m air rifles category, India’s team comprised of Mehuli Ghosh, Ashi Chouksey, and Ramita, who claimed the silver. Meanwhile, Arjun Lal and Aravind clinched silver in the lightweight sculls category of rowing.

Mehuli Ghosh and Ramita have also advanced to the finals in the shooting competition. Furthermore, India’s women’s cricket team secured a place in the final by defeating Bangladesh. In these events, China took home gold medals in 10m air rifles and rowing.

The 19th Asian Games began in Hangzhou with the participation of notable figures such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach, and Acting President of the Asian Olympic Council, Raja Randhir Singh from India. However, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur boycotted the opening ceremony in protest of China’s denial of visas to three wushu athletes from Arunachal Pradesh.

During the march past at the opening ceremony, the Indian flag was carried by Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the men’s hockey team, and Lovelina Borgo Hein, the Olympic bronze medalist women’s boxer. India boasts its largest-ever contingent of 652 athletes at the Asian Games. The Games torch was digitally lit by eight Chinese Olympians, and the stadiums are set to be fully operational from today.

A total of 45 countries from across Asia are participating in the event, with India fielding 652 athletes among the 12,414 sportspersons in competition. Unfortunately, three wushu players from India couldn’t attend the event due to visa denials by China, making this the Asian Games with the highest Indian athlete participation.