Asian Games 2018: 5 sports in which India won medals unexpectedly 

Disappointments and unprecedented surprises are the norms each time a group of athletes from various fields assemble together to play for the country in either the Commonwealth Games, Asia Games or the Olympics.

While the nerves of playing at the grandest stage might affect some of the fiercest competitors, it might push some to give their best in do-or-die clashes.

The Indian contingent too displayed adequate steel in the Asian Games to return with 69 medals from Jakarta - their best haul in the Asiad.

While some familiar names like Dutee Chand, PV Sindhu and Vinesh Phogat continued their fine form to bag medals, there were a few sports where India was hardly given a chance.

The Men’s Doubles Team in tennis were hardly expected to win the Yellow Metal after Leander Paes pulled out in the last moment, but the pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan ensured that his absence was hardly felt.

Aside from tennis, a few other individuals in various events surprised as well.

Here are 5 sports where India beat stiff competition and the underdogs' tag to romp away with a medal.

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#1 Table Tennis

One of the biggest highlights of India’s campaign in the Asian Games was the performance of the Table Tennis teams that bagged its first-ever medal in the history of the Asian Games. The Indian Men’s team had been reaching the quarters in the last few editions but a lapse in the crucial stage often led to their ouster.

However, this time they were prepared.

After emerging second in the group, India faced mighty Japan in the quarters and though the rivals were not fielding their top three players, the stronger skill sets and stamina was always going to be a challenge for the Indians.

As world number 33 Sharath Kamal pulled up his socks to beat Japan’s world number 19 Kenta Matsudaira 11-8, 12-10, 11-8 the momentum had been set and rising star G Sathiyan ensured he did not allow his senior pro’s efforts go waste, winning both his encounters. A 3-1 beating of Japan meant that India walked into the semis for the first time, thus assuring themselves of a medal that would be remembered for a long, long time. Though they did lose to South Korea in the semis, India had proven that they were no longer mere challengers in the sport.

Later, the pair of Manika Batra and Kamal won another bronze in the Mixed Doubles event as well to cap off a memorable campaign.

#2 Wushu

Pratap Singh in action

India had previously won three medals at the Asian Games in wushu and was going into Jakarta with a silver and a bronze won at the Pars Cup Wushu Championships under their belt and hence, a medal was hoped for from the 13-member contingent. But they surprised one and all by returning with four bronze, their best ever showing in the Games.

All four medals were won in the Sanda category, which was played in a knockout format in the 18th Asian Games.

Involving kicking, punching, wrestling, throwing and defensive techniques, each game consists of three bouts.

Santosh Kumar in the 56kg category, Pratap Singh in the 60kg category and Narender Grewal in the 65kg event won medals in the men’s competition while Roshibina Naorem who received a bye in the first round was the sole winner of a medal in the women’s category.

#3 Sepak Takraw

With regular nationals being held as well, the future of the sport does look bright and the medal will only increase the popularity

Yet another unknown sport, yet another medal. The Indian Men’s Regu team returned with a bronze for the first time in four outings after defeating teams like Indonesia and Iran - sides that can not be taken lightly in Sepak Takraw.

They lost 0-2 to Thailand in the semis but the squad can take heart from the way they stuck together to end the campaign with an unexpected and historical medal.

The sport is akin to volleyball, but unlike the sport where players use their hands to hit the ball over the net, Sepak Takraw allows the players to use only their feet or chest to push the plastic ball to the other side.

The sport that was introduced in India only in 1982 when Delhi hosted the Asian Games is widely popular in the north-east, with 14 players from Manipur representing India in the Asiad since 2006.

With regular nationals being held as well, the future of the sport does look bright and the medal will only increase the popularity.

#4 Kurash

Pincky

Balhara after winning silver with her coach

One sport that really stood out from India’s perspective was Kurash, where the women in particular impressed with their strong defence against athletes from Uzbekistan, the powerhouses in the sport.

Pincky Balhara walked away with a silver medal, defeating opponents from Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Uzbekistan en route the finals before she went down fighting in the 52kg category.

Malaprabha Jadhav, fighting in the same category too defeated higher-ranked opponents before she was defeated by Sulaymanova in the semis, the same wrestler who defeated Balhara in the finals.

Kurash, a martial art that aims to throw opponents on their back without grappling below the waist made its debut in the Asian Games. Each bout lasts for four minutes for men and three minutes for women.

Two other Indians, Danish Sharma and Megha Tokas had entered the quarters but were unable to assure themselves of medals, bowing out in the top-eight.

#5 Equestrian

The Indian men’s team of Ashish Malik, Jitender Singh, Mirza and Rakesh Kumar came home with silver after scoring 121.30 in the finals

Fouaad Mirza became the first Indian since 1982 to grab an individual medal in the Asia Games when he finished second in the equestrian event. His score of 26.40 was second best to Japan’s Oiwa Yoshiaki who registered a score of 22.70.

Though India had won 10 medals in the sport, including three gold before, not much was expected from them after infighting within the Equestrian Federation of India meant that the players could reach Jakarta just a few days before the events were to begin.

With the selections being deemed as null and void, the athletes had to face a nightmare before they finally landed in Jakarta.

Other than Mirza’s silver, the Indian men’s team of Ashish Malik, Jitender Singh, Mirza and Rakesh Kumar too came home with silver after scoring 121.30 in the finals.