In a surprising show of dominance, India bagged a total of 29 gold medals in the recently concluded Asian Athletics Championship 2017 in Odisha. The four-day event ended on Sunday, July 9, 2017.
India won 12 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze medals to stay on the top of the board, even beating China who is known to produce world-class athletes.
India's earlier best came way back in Jakarta in 1985 where they had won 22 medals (10 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze).
India’s first gold on Sunday came from Swapna Barman in women’s heptathlon. Tamil Nadu lad Govindan Lakshmanan won the 5,000m gold on the opening day and the 10,000m gold on Sunday. He became the first Indian to complete a 5,000-10,000m double at the Asian Championships. Nirmala Sheoran, Muhammad Anas, PU Chitra and Ajay Kumar Saroj were the others who won the gold.
World junior record holder javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold with a final throw of 85.23m.
While India did win most number of medals beating China, many said that it was because China sent their second tier of athletes, keeping their main athletes for the World Championships to be held in London next month.
Congratulatory posts poured in for the Indian athletes on Twitter.
Congratulations to all the Indian athletes for helping India stand first in the #AsianAthleticsChampionships . Super proud ! pic.twitter.com/ilBIbytz0A
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 10, 2017I wud Like 2 congratulate #AsianAthleticsChampionships Who Made Us Proud.I Salute there Hard work and Dedication 🙏🙏
Keep Going.. 🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/l58yY549ui
India tops medal tally for first time in history of #AsianAthleticsChampionships. #AAC2017 pic.twitter.com/sxC4BOrosv
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 9, 2017Historic feat for India as we finished with the highest tally in the #AsianAthleticsChampionships.
Congratulations Team India !!! pic.twitter.com/uGpLGSE6hW