Asian Games 2023 Highlights, October 7: India wrap up Asian Games campaign with a historic 107 medals, including a record 28 Gold medals

Asian Games 2023 Highlights, October 7: The Indian contingent completed their Asian Games journey, finishing with 107 medals which included a record 28 Gold medals, with Athletics and Shooting being the biggest contributors. Follow Sportskeeda for Asian Games 2023 live Score updates on October 7.

Iss baar 100 paar ho gaye!

After 20 days of high-intensity, glory-filled action later, the Indian contingent come home with their greatest ever medal haul from the Asian Games. While the 100-mark was something that felt like a pipe dream for plenty (a few of us at Team SK included, admittedly), the 650+ competitors that India sent to Hangzhou for the quadrennial event have come back with more metal than your local hardware store.
There are numbers aplenty to be discussed from across this journey but the one that will forever (for the next four years at least) be imprinted in our minds is 107 - the number of medals that these wonderful sportspersons have brought home. In the end, India finish in fourth place in the overall medal tally with 28 Gold medals, 8 ahead of Uzbekistan in fifth.

But more than the medal count itself though, it is the memories that the Indian sporting fraternity take home that matter most today. From Team India’s first medal in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle team event to the first Gold in the Men’s Air Rifle team event to India’s victory in the Squash final to the Javelin Throw double medal to Parul Choudhary’s incredible come-from-behind win in the Women’s 5000m, there’s plenty for the Indian fans to remember for years to come.

It’s been an absolutely glorious few weeks for India, and for every one of us at Team Sportskeeda, it’s been an honor to bring you all the action from every single athlete through these daily Live Blogs. With just the Closing Ceremony left from an Indian perspective, we bid you goodbye on behalf of the whole team. As they say in China, ‘Zàijiàn’, and take care of yourselves. We’ll see you (or you’ll see us rather) real soon!

CHESS

Round 9 Results:

Men's Team:
India beat Philippines (3.5 - 0.5)
Praggnanandhaa RB tied with P Bersamina (0.5 - 0.5)
Vidit Gujarathi beat JP Gomez (1.0 - 0.0)
AK Erigaisi beat D Laylo (1.0 - 0.0)
HK Pentala beat JE Garcia (1.0 - 0.0)

Men's Team Points Table: (A win gives 1 point, a draw gives 0.5 points and no points for a loss)
1. Iran - 8 (7 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses)
2. India - 7.5 (6 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses)
3. Uzbekistan - 7 (6 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss)

Women's Team:
India beat Republic of Korea (4.0 - 0.0)
Harika Dronavalli beat S Park (1.0 - 0.0)
Vaishali RB beat S Kang (1.0 - 0.0)
Vantika Agrawal beat S Kim (1.0 - 0.0)
SS Baskar beat G You (1.0 - 0.0)

Women's Team Points Table: (A win gives 1 point, a draw gives 0.5 points and no points for a loss)
1. China - 8.5 (8 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses)
2. India - 7.5 (7 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss)
3. Kazakhstan - 6.5 (6 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses)

CHESS

MEDAL ALERT! The Indian Men's Chess Team has won the SILVER MEDAL too! Two Indian campaigns finishing on a high as both Chess teams finish with Silver Medals.

CHESS

MEDAL ALERT! The Women's Chess Team has earned the SILVER MEDAL! We will wait for their results from Round 9 along with how their male counterparts have performed today, which will decide their medal fate.

Right, India's medal tally reads 105 now and only two events are remaining featuring Indian athletes - Men's and Women's Chess teams. Can India bump the tally up to 107? Stay tuned to find out!

WRESTLING - Men's Freestyle 86Kg Final

Deepak Punia (IND) 0 - 10 Hassan Yazdanicharati (Iran) - Win on Technical Superiority

And that will be it! Hassan reverses an attack and pins down Deepak Punia instead to win the match on technical superiority! Hassan has won all his matches in this tournament on technical superiority! Wow that's quite an achievement from the Iranian. Meanwhile, Deepak Punia will settle for a Silver Medal!

WRESTLING - Men's Freestyle 86Kg Final

At the end of Period 1: Deepak Punia (IND) 0 - 8 Hassan Yazdanicharati (Iran)

A push-out from the Iranian first up and Hassan picks up his first point. He follows it up with another push-out and he collects another point. Deepak is warned and has to go in the passive position as Hassan is allowed a gut-wrench hold, which is defended by Deepak. A takedown from Hassan almost immediately and he flips Deepak over too, adding four points to his tally. Another takedown follows and Deepak is looking clueless here. Just when the match could have been over on technical superiority, the buzzer sounds and saves Deepak of another takedown. Can Deepak make a comeback!

There was nearly an hour's break as the Kabaddi Final between India and Iran was suspended. Here's an article explaining in detail what the reason was for this huge hold-up in play 👇

Why was the India vs Iran kabaddi final match at Asian Games 2023 suspended?

WRESTLING - Men's Freestyle 86Kg Final

Right, after we've all caught our breaths after all the drama that's unfolded in kabaddi, it's time to turn to another match where India take on Iran, in a similar discipline but in an individual event this time. It is the Men's Freestyle 86Kg Final, where Deepak Punia will be eyeing Gold medal! Can he add another Gold to India's tally?

HOCKEY

India 2 - 1 Japan

India clinch the bronze medal! Another medal added to India's tally as the Women's Hockey team scores a crucial goal in the fourth quarter to win it for the Women in Blue! They would have definitely wanted the Gold but will be pleased that they are not going home medal-less.

For the detailed highlights of how it all unfolded, click here.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

India vs Iran, Gold Medal Match

Full-Time!
India 33 - 29 Iran

Match Summary (2/2)

Iran dominated proceedings for most of the first half, but Sunil Kumar coming in sparked an Indian comeback as they led 17-13 at the break.

However, led by an inspired Shadlou in the raiding department and Amirhossein Bastami in the right corner, Iran hit back in the 2nd half and leveled scores with an all-out at 25-25, post which the teams kept trading blows until the score reached 28-28.

Then came Pawan Sehrawat's controversial raid whose result eventually went India's way after an hour's deliberation, leading to a rather unsavory finish to the game.

However, if we try and look past that, this is a big moment for Indian Kabaddi, as both the men's and the women's teams win Gold after the disappointment of 2018.

Not the way India would've wanted it, but they'll cherish this win for a long time to come!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

Full-Time!
India 33 - 29 Iran

Match Summary (1/2)

The Indian Men's Kabaddi team win India's 28th gold medal of the 2023 Asian Games! The heartbreak of 2018 is in the past and Pawan Sehrawat has led this Indian team to victory, as the celebrations are loud from the Indian contingent.

However, spare a thought for Iran, who were neck and neck with India and fought right till the end, but a controversial (yet ultimately right) decision sees them finish on the losing side. However, lots of credit to the Iranian coach Gholamreza for maintaining his cool throughout the fiasco, something that was lacking from the rest of the court.

CRICKET - Gold Medal Match

While we may have missed this out thanks to all the Kabaddi drama, the cricket final has been abandoned due to rain. What that means is India will come away with the Gold, thanks to their higher ranking. Anti-climactic end to a game that promised to be an exciting one but you'd assume Ruturaj Gaikwad and co won't mind.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 40'
India 33 - 29 Iran

Alireza forced to go for points during his raid, but India don't commit to a tackle and the time runs out and he's tackled!

Naveen Kumar with the final raid and he simply runs down the clock and is pushed over the mid-line as India win 33-29 to clinch the gold medal!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 31 - 29 Iran

We finally have a ruling! 3 points to India, and one to Iran!
The rules of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) is the one used in the Asian Games, and that puts Pawan Sehrawat in the right as India take a 3-point lead into the final 65 seconds.

After nearly an hour's break, play resumes.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 28 - 28 Iran

Match Suspended for now!
We seem to be nowhere close to a decision as the broadcasters finally cut to a break! This could be a long wait, but whatever happens, this gold medal, whichever team it goes to, will be tainted by the memories of this controversy, and that's just a sour way to end what has been such a great Asian Games campaign for India.

HOCKEY

India 1 - 1 Japan

At halftime, both India and Japan have scored one goal each. It is neck-and-neck here as the teams are giving their all as they have their eyes set on the Bronze Medal.

For the detailed coverage of the match, click here.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 28 - 28 Iran

Another revised decision and this is a joke! India awarded three points and Iran one.
Iran has been robbed here, and it's now their turn to protest the call.

The referees have been poor! They've changed their decision three times, and that sets the wrong precedent as both teams now feel they can influence the decision through their actions!

We're at an impasse here and somebody needs to step up and ensure this game reaches a conclusion. Common sense needs to prevail, but right now, both teams convinced they're in the right, and they may be right!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 29 - 29 Iran

Okay, the Competition has been suspended, according to an official display.
But what does that mean for this match?

Fun fact: This is the longest Kabaddi match in the history of this sport.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 29 - 29 Iran

Final decision: A point each to India and Iran, and that's the right decision.

This reflects poorly on the officiating as despite the point being given, coach E Bhaskaran isn't satisfied and the referees are trying to calm him down and provide an explanation.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 28 - 28 Iran

Now, the general consensus seems to be that the decision should be a point each.

However, the on-field referees in a hasty move declared that the review was successful and awarded 3 points to India, and one to Iran, and India are contesting as to how they can go back on that decision!

The players shouldn't get involved in this and leave this decision to the referees and coaches. Ugly, ugly scenes here as this delay extends to nearly 30 minutes!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 28 - 28 Iran

No decision yet! And this match going beyond the scope of the on-field referees and the Secretary General of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India getting involved here!

The decision appears to be 1 point each, but India is still protesting, and the weak position of the on-field referees is causing a really long delay here. Controversy of the highest order this!

Yellow cards make an appearance as the Indian coach E Bhaskaran gets into it as well! Normally a calm and composed individual, he seems livid!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag def. Choi/Kim 21-16, 21-15

GOLD for India! Satwik and Chirag deliver on the big stage again as India bag their first Asian Games Gold in badminton!

The Korean pair showed some great skills in the opening set, but just could not keep pace as the Indian went from strength to strength!

India make it 101 on the medal tally! 26th Gold as the medals keep pouring in!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 15-19 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

Two points away, but the serve back with the Koreans as Chirag puts the shuttle into the net while looking for a change of pace!

Players taking their time between points...

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 28 - 28 Iran

Ohh that's harsh! That's unfair to Iran as the referees award three points to India, and one to Iran. The Iran players are up in their arms and protest the decision now and rightfully so!

The rules say that the raid is dead as soon as Pawan enters the lobby and it should be one point to Iran, and nothing to India, but the rules don't seem to have been adopted.

A decision yet to be made here! The referees have to take matters into their hands now.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 13-17 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

A bizzare rally sees a Korean lift fly wide, but a smash from Choi keeps them in the reckoning!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 29 - 29

A point awarded to each team. Ohh, Amirhossein Bastami steps out of bounds and India get one point, with Pawan getting tackled gives India the point.

India not happy with the decision and protest the call. The officials having another look at that! This doesn't look pretty.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 12-14 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

An alert Chirag gets the winner at the net to ensure that the Koreans do not draw level. Was set up well by his partner.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 10-11 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

Kim with a push that flies past Satwik and he rushes to the net for a kill on the next point as the Koreans bring it back just a one-point deficit!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 39'
India 28 - 29 Iran

Do-or-Die raid for Pawan and Iran gets the tackle point. However, Pawan is claiming that he entered the lobby before getting a touch and is asking for the Iranian defenders to also be sent back to the bench.

However, that rule was scrapped in the PKL, and now, if a raider enters the lobby without getting a touch, the raid is deemed to have ended there!

If this goes India's way, India would get multiple points and Iran one. Once again, this is a big decision!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 38'
India 28 - 28 Iran

India lead by one point and it's anyone's game here. Oh, bonus point from Zafar Danesh and scores are level!

Aslam Inamdar tries his best, but Iran have only five defenders on the court, and there's no way he gets a point without risk getting tackled easily. Advantage Iran here as long as they have less than six defenders on court.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 10-7 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

Kim, who was brilliant in the opening game, finding it difficult to get into rallies.

Satwik and Chirag are directing a lot more shuttle at Choi and smash down the middle dissects the court! An easy error follows from Satwik's racket.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 37'
India 28 - 27 Iran

Ohh, entertaining raid as two defenders goes for the tackle, but they successfully get out of Pawan's way. Do-or-die raid in a 1v4 situation and it's Naveen Kumar who goes into raid, but he's had! Zafar Danesh with a knee hold and Naveen is rooted to the spot.

Oh, that doesn't look good for Iran! Reza Mirbagheri and Bastami appear to have injured themselves during that tackle as the medical team comes out to tend to them. They appear to be fine, and that's great news for Iran.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 6-3 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

Good deep push from Satwik into the deep backhand corner draws the short lift from Kim and a kill follows right into the body of Choi!

CRICKET - Gold Medal Match

Afghanistan 112/5 (18.2)

The heavens have opened up in Hangzhou, and the players are off the pitch. The Afghans have gotten along at a steady pace, and could set India a stiff challenge when play resumes. If play resumes. Follow all the action in detail here.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 35'
India 28 - 25 Iran

Timeout called by Iran! This match is hanging in the balance, and the next couple of minutes will be crucial. India have Iran on the ropes here as they're left without a potent raider! Will they get an all-out?

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 3-2 Choi/Kim (Match score: 1-0)

Chirag snaps his strings, but does well enough to keep the shuttle in control. A winner at the net!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 34'
India 28 - 25 Iran

Ohh, Pawan Sehrawat gets the big fish Fazel Atrachali! It's Shadlou, Fazel, Bastami, and Nabibakhsh all on the bench for Iran. Can India make the most of this situation?

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 33'
India 27 - 25 Iran

Zafar Danesh has eyed the bonus point and has induced the error from the Indian defense. Doesn't get anything then. Naveen Kumar breaks the rut of empty raids and more importantly, he gets Amirhossein Bastami!

What's happened here? Shadlou claims a touch on Nitin Rawal and dives into the lobby and the point is awarded, but Nitin adamant there was no touch and the replays suggest he might be right. Another big moment in the final this!

REVIEW SUCCESSFUL and Shadlou heads back to the bench. Great review from India!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

IND 21-18 KOR

Satwik in with a couple of very tight net serves and finishes at the back. India turn up the heat just when it matter and take the opening game!

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 31'
India 25 - 25 Iran

All-out for Iran as Amirhossein Bastami comes in with a crunching tackle on Arjun Deshwal as the scores are level! Iran have Shadlou and Amirhossein to thank for this comeback.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 18-18 Choi/Kim

Smarter from Satwik as he goes cross on the drop shot followed by a mis-judgement from Choi gets India back in contention.

The winner at the end of along rally followed as India helps them draw level.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 30'
India 24 - 22 Iran

Do-or-die raid for India now. Can Aslam Inamdar deliver? No, Iran with a terrific defensive effort to deny him. However, it's a Do-or-Die raid for Iran in a Super Tackle situation, but OHH! What a raid that is from Shadlou!

He goes deep towards the left-hand side of the court, and India think they have him, but Shadlou just powers through to the mid-line, gets two points.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 28'
India 24 - 19 Iran

Super Tackle for India! Nitin Rawal and Sunil Kumar combine to deliver two crucial points for India.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 14-17 Choi/Kim

Kim is on fire here! Even the slight of space at the net and he is there to take advantage.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 27'
India 22 - 19 Iran

Naveen Kumar goes into raid and Reza Mirbagheri dashes him off the court, but did he get his fingertips past the mid-line when some part of his body was on the court? Huge moment this in the match!
The officials have made their decision. India get a bonus point, but Naveen is out, and India down to three now!

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 13-14 Choi/Kim

The first real long rally on the contest and Kim was everywhere! Loses initiative, but defends well and then dashes to the net to finish off the point.

KABADDI (MEN) - Gold Medal Match

2nd Half, 26'
India 21 - 18 Iran

Naveen Kumar gets India four points up once again before Aslam Inamdar gets a crucial point, this time by tagging Mohammad Nabibakhsh, The change in angle works for India as the left raider gets the point. Ohh, India's defensive woes continue as Shadlou continues to shine in the raiding department, this time putting in a 2-point raid, tagging Pawan Sehrawat and Parvesh.

BADMINTON - Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match

Satwik/Chirag 11-13 Choi/Kim

There have hardly been any long rallies as both pairs looking to get the first strike in, keeping the exchanges short.

The Korean pair with another couple of big smashes, but Chirag returns the favour on the next point with a kill at the net.