The 2018 Asian Games are currently underway (from 18 August to 2 September 2018) at Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia. For the first time ever, these Asian Games will also feature eSports (basically competitive video games) and Canoe Polo (which is exactly what it sounds like, a sport that combines boating and ball handling). We look at the highlights of the Games so far:
Firstly I am ashamed to admit, I did not know that there is such a sport in the world, so I was surprised indeed that India not only has a team that plays it, but also is good enough to win a bronze medal. A sport native to south-east Asia, Sepak Takraw is a form of kick volleyball where two teams play across the net from each other and try to make points by kicking, kneeing or heading the ball.
Ravi Kumar and Apurvi Chandela won the bronze in the 10 m air rifle mixed team event, whereas Abhishek Verma won the bronze in the men's 10 m air pistol event. Divya Karan also won the bronze in the 68 kh freestyle women's wrestling event.
On 20th and 21st August, three of India’s shooters raked in the silvers. Deepak Kumar claimed the second position in the Men's 10 m air rifle event, Lakshay Sheoran secured the silver medal in the Men's trap event while Sanjeev Rajput won silver in the Men's 50m air rifle 3 positions event.
Saurabh Chaudhary won the gold medal in the men’s 10 m air pistol event. At just 16 years of age, the Indian shooter is playing his first big international tournament. He outperformed four time Olympic gold medal winner Jin Jong-oh to win the gold medal.
Once again, Indian wrestlers have done the country proud with their doughty performances. 24 year old Punia defeated his Uzbek, Tajik and Mongolian opponents to get to the gold medal bout. The final against Daichi Takatani was a close fight, but ultimately it went Punia’s way.
She became the first Indian woman to bag a gold medal at wrestling at the Asian Games. She defeated Japan’s Yuki Irie in a decisive 6-2 bout in the 50 kg freestyle event.
Vinesh Phogat belongs to the same family as Geeta and Babita on whose lives the film Dangal was made. Some on Twitter felt that a Dangal sequel is in order. Sounds like a good idea!
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