New Delhi: India enjoyed a memorable day at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Wednesday as Mirabai Chanu finally secured her maiden Asian Games medal, winning silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event. Her podium finish also ended India’s 28 year wait for a weightlifting medal at the Games. Chanu lifted a combined 198kg, finishing behind North Korea’s Ri Song Gum.
Chanu’s medal was one of four added by India during the day. The country’s shooting contingent produced two bronze medals in the team skeet events. The women’s trio of Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan secured bronze, while Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmed Khan and Bhavtegh Singh Gill won bronze in the men’s event. Naruka later finished fourth in the individual final.
Soft tennis also produced a historic moment as Jay Meena became India’s first medallist in the sport at the Asian Games. Meena secured bronze in the men’s singles after an injury forced him to withdraw from his semifinal.
There were also important results in team sports. India’s men’s kabaddi team defeated Bangladesh 48-25 to reach the semifinals and secure a medal. The women’s team also recorded a 37-23 victory over Iran in the group stage.
India’s women’s hockey team continued its strong campaign with a commanding 20-1 win over Thailand, while athletes in rowing and canoe sprint advanced through several heats and qualification rounds.
On the shooting range, Manu Bhaker finished fifth in the women’s 10m air pistol individual final, while the Indian women’s 10m air pistol team featuring Bhaker, Suruchi Inder Singh and Esha Singh finished fourth.
By the latest tally, India had 11 medals, including one gold, five silver and five bronze.
