India creates history in Asian Athletics Championship, wins 29 medals to top the chart

India bagged a total of 29 gold medals in the recently concluded Asian Athletics Championship 2017 in Odisha India won 12 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze medals to stay on the top of the board India's earlier best came way back in Jakarta in 1985 where they had won 22 medals

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.