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

#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.