With India winning 5 medals on the first day of the Asian Games 2023, it was nothing short of thrilling for Team India, as athletes showcased their prowess in various disciplines. From medals in shooting and rowing to a nail-biting draw in men's football, the day had it all. Join us as we dive into the highlights of India's performance on this exciting day.
MEDALS
Shooting Brilliance
India started the day with a bang in shooting as the women's 10m air rifle team comprising Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ramita secured India's first medal – a silver just behind the Chinese Team. Ramita didn't stop there, clinching a bronze in the individual event, doubling her medal tally.
Rowing Success
In the rowing arena, Indian athletes excelled with the men’s lightweight double sculls and men’s eight teams winning silver medals, while the men’s pair settled for bronze.
Cricket and Hockey Domination
The Indian women's cricket team made their Asian Games debut memorable by advancing to the final, ensuring at least a silver medal after defeating Bangaladesh. They will now fight Sri Lanka for the Gold Medal match tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Indian men's hockey team made a powerful statement with a resounding 16-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the opener.
Football Drama
Led by Sunil Chhetri, the Indian men's football team advanced to the Round of 16 after a heart-pounding 1-1 draw with Myanmar. Despite the women's team's efforts, they bowed out of the competition after losing to Thailand by 1-0 scoreline.
Boxing Glory
In the boxing ring, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen made a memorable debut by defeating two-time Asian champion Nguyen Thi Tam in the women's 50kg event. Preeti Pawar also joined the medal hunt, storming into the women's 54kg quarter-finals.
Table Tennis and Volleyball Challenges
Unfortunately, both the Indian men's and women's table tennis teams faced defeats in the quarter-finals and pre-quarterfinals, respectively. Men's team lost to South Korea by 3-0. Men's volleyball medal hopes also faded after a loss to eight-time Asian Games champions Japan. However, this was a really memorable tournament for the Indian team as they defeated top ranked teams like South Kore and Chinese Taipei which left everyone shocking.
Tennis Brilliance
Sumit Nagal showcased his prowess in tennis with a commanding performance in his opener. Moreover, Indian duo of Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan easily defeated Nepal’s Abhishek Bastola and Pradip Khadka 6-2, 6-3 in 58 minutes to sail into the round of 16.
Swimming Efforts
Indian swimmers gave their all, with the women's 4x100m freestyle relay team setting a national record despite finishing seventh in the final. Also, Srhiari Natraj finished 6th in the 100 metres backstroke finals.
Esports - FC Online (Former FIFA 4)
Charanjot Singh's journey in the FC Online event came to an end after a tough challenge against Chinese player Jiacheng Liu. Even after losing in the round of 32, he won 3 straight games in the losers bracket before losing to Liu Jiacheng again in the round 4.
India's Schedule For Tomorrow
Stay tuned for live updates on Day 2 of the Asian Games 2023 on Olympics.com as Indian athletes continue to chase glory.
Conclusion
Day 1 of the Asian Games 2023 was a mix of jubilation and challenges for Indian athletes. Medals in shooting and rowing, a dramatic draw in football, and inspiring performances across various sports set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. Stay tuned for more updates as we follow India's journey in this prestigious event.
