Breaching the 100-medal barrier at the Asian Games is a landmark moment for Indian sports. Achieving the 'Is Bar 100 Paar' goal is no mean feat. The haul of 107 medals surpasses by a huge margin the previous highest tally of 70, Jakarta five years ago. Finishing fourth overall, it is India's best performance in 60 years. The previous highest ranking was in 1962, when India finished third. The significance of the march to a century is not limited to numbers. The preparedness of the athletes, their confidence on display augur well for India's sporting ambitions. The players, the coaches, the support staff, and the authorities deserve all the credit.
Two years ago, India has registered its best-ever haul at the Olympics, winning seven medals in Tokyo. The signs of change ate hard to miss. The results of increased funding, focused training and exposure trips abroad are showing. It's a welcome break from the perpetual complaints of lack of infrastructure and support. The central and state governments have done well to back the athletes and invest in sporting infrastructure. It is essential to build on the momentum. The level of competitiveness or the global stage does not allow any room for complacency.
A 650-strong contingent for the Asian Games has sent an encouraging message that every athlete, playing whichever sport, is valued. The decision has been validated by the record number of women podium finishers and medals in disciplines in which India has had little or no presence. Amid the success, it would be prudent to reflect on the inadequacies. At Hangzhou, hosts China bagged 383 medals, including 201 gold. The distance to cover is vast. India has the talent, but the challenge is to tap it. Nurturing a sporting culture requires sustained investment. Let's not lose the opportunity.
There's reason to be happier with Hangzhou, even if ever so slightly, for India's share of the medals has risen-107 out of 1,593, i.e. 6.71%. This is the real measure of India's success; now the most populous nation in Asia, and the world, India's success rate at the Asia has improved from 4.51% to 6.71% in five years. Consequently, India has surged from eighth in 2018 to fourth now on the medals table. India's share of gold medals has gone up to 28, a rise of 75% over the 16 gold won in 2018.
Just for perspective, it would be relevant to examine China's success rate in Jakarta and here. They won 383 out of 1,593 medals available in Hangzhou, a staggering share of 24.04%; five years ago, China had won 289 medals out of the 1,553 available, i.e. 18.60%; in other words, while 40 medals more were available un Hangzhou than in Bangkok, China's medal count has risen by 94! On home turf, China has left everyone else far in its wake.
Finally, India's performance was truly historic. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes, coaches, and support staff. A few key factors contributed to this success.
A fee key factors contributed to this success.
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