By Elton Gomes
India’s gold run at the Asian Games continued as the women’s relay team took top honours. The men’s team, on the other hand, settled for silver. India’s hockey team, who had been enjoying a decent competition so far, crashed out of the games after losing to Malaysia via a penalty shootout. Track and field saw another gold for India after Jinson Johnson won gold in the men’s 1500 metres event. Seema Punia won bronze in the women’s discus throw event.
Jinson Johnson wins gold
Jinson Johnson added another gold to India’s tally after finishing first in the men’s 1500 metres event at the Games. Johnson managed a time of 3:44.72 to clinch gold, while Iran’s Amir Moradi claimed silver with a timing of 3:45.62.
Gold and silver
Indias womens relay team clinched its fifth consecutive gold medal in the 4×400 metres event at the Games. The Indian women’s team of Hima Das, M.R. Poovamma, Saritaben Gayakwad. and Vismaya Velluva Koroth registered a time of 3 minute and 28.72 seconds to claim the gold.
Indias 4x400m mens relay team claimed a silver medal at the Games. The Indian quartet of Kunhu Muhammed, Dharun Ayyasamy, Muhammed Anas, and Arokia Rajiv clocked in a time of 3:01.85 to finish behind Qatar who won the gold medal and created an Asian record time of 3:00.56.
In the women’s relay team, Hima Das was the first lead, and the move paid off as she started off at a blistering pace while her other team members maintained the lead. The Indian men’s team finished second but only marginally – they piped China by just 0.09 seconds.
Malaysia knock out India via penalties
Defending champions India were knocked out of the Asian Games after losing to Malaysia in a penalty shootout. With this loss, India is also denied a direct entry into the 2020 Olympics. Malaysia held their nerves during penalties to defeat India 7-6 in sudden death.
The match went into a shoot-off after India conceded a late goal. In the penalty shootout, Malaysia showed nerves of steel to overcome India and make it to their second final of the Games.
Seema Punia wins bronze
Indian discus thrower Seema Punia won bronze in the women’s discuss throw final. Punia claimed bronze after registering a best throw of 62.26 metres. The attempt was Punia’s best in the past six years. China’s Chen Yang won gold after a winning distance of 65.12, while her compatriot Feng Bin came in second place with a throw of 64.25 metres.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius