By Prarthana Mitra
The eleventh day of 2018 Asian Games helped India set new records as heptathlete Swapna Barman and jumper Arpinder Singh penned historic victories in their respective events. Sprinter Dutee Chand also clinched a silver medal in women’s 200m event in Jakarta, while the women’s hockey team created history by reaching the finals for the first time in 20 years.
A feat to remember
For Swapna Barman, hailing from West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, the road was beset with several difficulties. She had to deal with her ongoing injury troubles and immense pain to qualify for the Asian Games which she did with flying colours.
On Thursday, she took it home with a strong finish in the 800m, where the 21-year-old also registered her personal best throw in Javelin, sealing it with a close finish in the final race. While her family rejoices in their hometown, Barman’s name will go down in history for becoming the first ever Indian to win an Asiad gold in the heptathlon.
Dutee Chand, who finished in the second spot, was in the running for gold in the first 100m, before the Bahraini Edidiong Odiong pulled away in the last 100m.
Arpinder leaps for gold
The only member of the mens athletics field team to have participated at a prior Asian Games event, Arpinder Singh, won the first triple jump gold at the Asiad in 48 years. Singh sprang into the lead in the mens triple jump final after recording an impressive 16.58m in his second attempt. He was certain to win a gold even before his final jump, especially after he extended his lead with a 16.77m jump in his third attempt.
Ruslan Kurbanov of Uzbekistan took the silver with a best jump of 16.62m while Shuo Cao of China was third with an effort of 16.56m.
Hockey and table tennis report
Table tennis players Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra, lost to Chinas Wang Chuqin/Sun Yingsha in the mixed doubles semi-final, despite an aggressive start.
The women’s team made it to the first hockey final in 20 years, beating three-time champions China 1-0 in a fiercely-contested match. With Gurjit Kaur’s goal from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, they gained a timely lead. India earned their first penalty corner in the eighth minute but Kaurs shot was saved.
All in all, it was certainly a great day at Jakarta for India’s women Asiad contingent.
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius