India won their first gold of the Hangzhou Asian Games on Monday in a category most Indian sports fans have a sentimental spot for – men’s 10m air rifle. A team of Rudrankksh Patil, Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar won the event with an aggregate score 1893.7 to beat shooting powerhouse China and South Korea.
The teenagers were impressive as they shattered the previous world record with a confidence-boosting performance. They overcame a slow start in the qualification round to make a quick impression and ensure a medal in the final. The victory in the team competition is a significant source of pride for India.
Shooters on target
The Indian shooters are set to continue their good run in the men’s 10m air rifle and 25m rapid-fire pistol team events on Monday. Divyansh and Aishwarya will lead them in the former, while Anish, Vijayveer Sidhu, and Adarsh will participate. They all have qualified for the final rounds of the team events.
Aishwarya also aims for a podium finish in the women’s 10m air rifle individual final. At the same time, the trio of Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ramita Jindal secured a bronze in the team event. They all finished in the top eight of the qualification round to book their spots in the final.
Faker in a league of his own
The second day of the Asian Games began with a bang as South Korean esports superstar ‘Faker delighted fans with a debut win. He was in top form as he helped his team to a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the ‘League of Legends match.
It was the first time a game from the esports discipline featured as a medal event at the Asian Games. It was an impressive debut for the sport and a massive boost for esports.
Other day highlights included Bangladesh picking up their first medal since 2014. Shorna Akter first ran through Pakistan’s lower-middle order and then did the needful with the bat as the Tigers romped to a 6-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the women’s cricket match.
Some 12,400 athletes from 45 nations compete for 481 gold medals across a massive program of 40 sports at the Games in the eastern Chinese city, which were delayed by a year due to COVID-19.
The Indian contingent is hunting for multiple medals from the kabaddi, hockey, archery, gymnastics, rowing, and other events. All eyes will be on Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates when they play Sri Lanka in the women’s cricket final later in the day. Follow all the action live here.