India's golden moments at Asian Games

Ahead of the Asian Games 2018, let's take a look at some of India's best moments from the previous editions of the continental multi-sport event.

Published : Aug 14, 2018 20:18 IST

At the Seoul Asian Games in 1986, P.T. Usha won five historic medals - 4 gold and 1 silver - in the track and field events, a record for an Indian athlete at any international meet. "My first Asian Games was in 1982 in New Delhi and the last in 1998 at Bangkok. I remember my races at all those five Games, but, of course, it is the 1986 edition that gave me the greatest joy," Usha, who win gold in the 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400 m, says.

A 17-year-old Jaspal Rana won an Asian Games gold in centre fire pistol in Hiroshima in 1994. "It was a blessing that we had no facilities, no big rewards and no distractions. We only knew hard work. The jubilation back home was unbelievable," says Rana.

Considered one of the best boxers India has produced, Dingko Singh rose to prominence with his boxing(54kg) gold at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. "My name was cleared at the last minute. I was excited with the news even though I did not get the team kit which was given to the other members of the Indian contingent," recollects Singh.

Led by the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, India won a field hockey gold at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, beating South Korea in the final on penalties. "A gold from the hockey stands above other medals won, such is the emotion and prestige. As captain and top-scorer, I had chipped in to make our hockey family happy," reminisces Pillay, who was the top-scorer in the competition with 11 goals.

Geet Sethi (L) and Ashok Shandilya (R) won the gold medal in the English billiards doubles event at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. Sethi also won silver in the English billiards singles. "I was a five-time world billiards champion at the time, but none of those titles meant as much as that winning moment in Bangkok. I have cried only once after a title victory and it was at that victory ceremony in Bangkok," says Sethi.

At the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar won two individual gold medals in the women's 800m and 1500m, and a team silver in women's 4 x 400m relay. "Getting to that level was quite difficult 20 years ago as the facilities were minimal. The athletes today are getting 80 percent more support that what we used to get," she says.

Anju Bobby George won a long jump gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, with a 6.53 metre jump. She became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the event. "When I flew to Busan, my aim was to win the gold. I would not have settled for anything less," she recalls, about her Asian Games triumph.

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At the Seoul Asian Games in 1986, P.T. Usha won five historic medals - 4 gold and 1 silver - in the track and field events, a record for an Indian athlete at any international meet. "My first Asian Games was in 1982 in New Delhi and the last in 1998 at Bangkok. I remember my races at all those five Games, but, of course, it is the 1986 edition that gave me the greatest joy," Usha, who win gold in the 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400 m, says.
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