5 youngsters who excelled at Asian Games 2018
The Indian contingent is enjoying an excellent run at the Asian Games 2018. India have already bagged 54 medals including 11 gold and 20 silver. The most interesting aspect about India's campaign, this term, has been that several youngsters and debutants have delivered amazing performances to clinch medals. Let's look at some of these young athletes, who won our hearts with their impressive outings.
Tejinder Pal Singh- Shot put
Tejinder Pal Singh clinched the gold medal, for India, as he won the shot put event. He notched a stunning 20.75m in his 5th throw to break the Games record, scripted earlier by Saudi Arabia's Abdulmajeed (20.57m). For this event, Tejinder had to leave his ailing father behind, who is battling cancer back at home. He needs to be lauded for his mental strength.
Hima Das- Women's 400m race
After shining at the World U20 Championships in Finland, 18-year-old Hima Das was also on the podium at the Asian Games 2018. Hima bagged a silver in the women's 400m final and broke her own national record. She clocked a timing of 50.79s in the finale. The teenager stood tall at the Games and despite her age, she came out all guns blazing.
Dutee Chand- Women's 100m and 200m race
22-year-old Dutee Chand showed her prowess after battling against all odds to win two silver medals in 100m and 200m events at the Games. Dutee clocked 11.32 seconds to win India's first medal in 20 years in 100m event. Notably, she was suspended by the IAAF in 2014 owing to the hyperandrogenism policy. She challenged the same at the Court of Arbitration and won.
Neeraj Chopra- Javelin
Who would have thought India will bag a gold medal in javelin? Neeraj Chopra scripted history by becoming the first Indian javelin-thrower to win the top prize. The youngster shattered his own national record by clearing a distance of 88.06m. 20-year-old Neeraj is already a Commonwealth Games champion. Given his tremendous calibre and precision, we might have found a future Olympic gold medalist.
Shardul Vihan - men's double trap
India's 15-year-old Shardul Vihan etched his name in Asian Games history after bagging a silver in men's double trap shooting event. Vihan, who hails from Meerut, stunned one and all to claim this feat. He is currently in 9th grade. Given age is on his side, we might see Vihan scripting one record after another. His road to 2020 Olympics looks bright.
