The Indian contingent recorded its biggest ever medal haul in the history of the Asian Games on Wednesday as it crossed the 70-mark at the event in Hangzhou. While the sporting world praised the Indian athletes in China for their tremendous efforts, many reminded them that the job was not done yet. The target for the Indian contingent is to cross the 100 medal mark at the 2022 Asian Games, and with four days to go before the event ends, there is a good chance that will happen.
Having already won 83 medals, including the gold medal in the women’s archery team and the squash gold in the mixed doubles achieved on Thursday, India needs 17 more medals to reach the 100-medal mark. If everything goes according to plan in the remaining days, the total number of medals would surpass the century mark.
How India can get past 100 medals milestone at Hangzhou Asian Games:
Squash: 1 medal
India won the gold medal in mixed doubles after Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu defeated the Malaysian pair. India is assured of another medal in squash after reaching the men’s singles final.
Wrestling: 6 medals
Freestyle wrestling is where India is strongest in the sport. With the participation of Antim Panghal and Pooja Gehlot, India can hope for two medals in the event.
India will also have Kiran and Bajrang Punia competing in the 65kg and 76kg categories respectively. India can expect medals from both.
Deepak Punia and Sumit also remain two top contenders in the men’s 86kg and 125kg freestyle categories respectively.
Ice hockey: 2 medals
The Indian men’s team has advanced to the final and is assured of a medal. The women’s team is also in the semi-finals, without losing a single match. The expectation is that the team will earn at least one medal. Hopefully the color of those medals is gold.
Archery: 3 medals
In terms of composite events, India was a formidable force at the Asian Games. Jyothi Surekha is expected to lead India to a gold medal in the individual final. Now that she has reached the final, she is already assured of a medal.
In the men’s composite gold medal match, India is assured of two medals with Abhishek Verma and Ojas Pravin in the final.
Cricket: 1 medal
With the Indian women’s cricket team already bagging gold, nothing less than another yellow metal is expected from the men’s cricket team.
Kabaddi: 2 medals
India, in both men’s and women’s categories, is expected to return with Kabaddi gold medals. Although achieving the highest podium position is not a certainty, two medals are very likely between the two teams.
Badminton: 2 medals
HS Prannoy reached the semi-finals in the men’s singles category and assured India of at least bronze in the event. The men’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are also expected to bring India a medal in the sport.
Bridge: 1 medal
India qualified for the final against China in the men’s team event and secured at least a silver medal.
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