Asian Games 2010: Preview to the Next Hurdle

The Asian Games as an event will be of a much bigger scale than the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in the sheer number of events it will boast of. Of course the polish of the Commonwealth Games for India was from the fact that we were the hosts, however the hangover of the games might mean that the Asian Games might attract a little more media attention than otherwise.

The first Asian Games or Asiad were held in 1951 and since then have happened after every 4 years. Only nine nations have hosted these games before. This time its China’s turn as Guangzhou becomes the second city after capital Beijing to host such a mega sporting event. The XVI Asiad will be one to remember.

Guangzhou 2010

The scale of the games is not much lower than the CWG in terms of the number of participating nations. Whereas 52 nations participated in the CWG, 45 nations will contest for the Gold medal at the Asiad. The number of sports to be played is a lot more at 42 and the total number of events is 476.

The Indian Contingent will be looking for their best ever finish and to replicate the success they had in the CWG. However, with an array of events India has no hold at- the going will not be that easy. India’s past record at the games is such:

India’s best ever performance at the games was surprisingly in its first ever edition when we were the host nation too. In these games India won 15 gold medals. However, the overall medal tally has surpassed the number secured then (51) in the Asian Games of 1982 (57). Again, India were hosts then.

The last games held in 2006 at Doha, Qatar were a huge disappointment as India could secure only 10 gold medals in a total tally of 53. India stood at the eighth position.

India will be aiming high this time around with a much a more competitive contingent at hand. We have athletes doing well and we can dominate a couple of disciplines like shooting and wrestling. India will have tough competition in events like Badminton, Boxing and weightlifting. Thew archers will be at their heels too. After the success of the Commonwealth games, these contingents will be in a positive frame of mind certainly.

India’s star shooter Gagan Narang will be India’s flag bearer at the XVI Asian Games. The President of IOA announced this two weeks agao and he said, “We chose Gagan not only because he emerged India’s best athlete in the Commonwealth Games with four gold medals but also because he has been one of the most consistent performers for India in the past few years”.

However, India will suffer from the absence of ace wrestler and Olympian Sushil Kumar who is recovering from an injury after winning the gold medal at the COmmonwealth Games.

India’s comparative weak performance in the Asian Games can be attributed to our poor standards in athletics. However, there are some new stars to look forward to.

India won its first gold medal in Gymnastics with Ashish Kumar. His floor exercise was breathtaking and he will be performing his best with the best at the Asian Games. Though the going wont be so easy.

The world will be watching India as it prepares to compete at Guangzhou, China. The games begin 12th of November and we hope that along with the world, India and sports-lovers of India will be watching too.

Keep checking this space at Sportskeeda for daily highlights and medals tally of the Asian Games.