The quest for Asian Games glory continues for Indian rowers as they prepare for five finals on Sunday, with hopes of adding to their remarkable history in the sport. Rowing made its Asian Games debut back in 1982 in New Delhi, but India’s most significant success came in 2010 when Bajrang Lal Thakar secured the nation’s first gold medal in the continental competition.
Bajrang clinched gold in the Men’s Single Sculls, and later, the Men’s Quadruple Sculls team (comprising Sawarn Singh, Dattu Bhoknal, Om Prakash, and Sukhmeet Singh) added a second gold to India’s tally in 2018 in Jakarta–Palembang. Overall, India has garnered 2 gold, 5 silver, and 16 bronze medals in Asian Games rowing competitions.
At the Fuyang Water Sports Centre in Hangzhou on Sunday, Indian rowers will compete in five finals, aiming to secure more gold medals to add to their impressive record.
The rowing squad has enjoyed significant success on the water, reaching finals in nine out of the ten categories they competed in.
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The Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls pair of Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh will be the first Indian team in a medal race. Both have ample experience, having represented India in the Tokyo Olympics. They will face stiff competition from pairs representing Japan, China, Hong Kong China, Uzbekistan, and South Korea. Despite the challenge, the Indian duo is confident after their qualification for the final.
Following them, the Men’s Double Sculls team of Santam Singh and Parminder Singh will compete. Additionally, India will participate in the women’s Four final with the quartet of P Babu Aswathi, Mrunmayee Nilesh, Priya Devi Thangjam, and Rukmani, aiming to clinch a medal. This endeavor seeks to build on the lone bronze medal earned by the Coxless Pair of Pratima Puhan and Pramila Prava Minz in 2010.
Concluding the day, the Men’s Pair of Babu Lal Yadav and Lekh Ram, as well as the Men’s Eight team, will compete in their respective finals.
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Chief coach Ismail Baig is confident in his rowers’ abilities, and he anticipates a strong showing in the finals. “We have performed well so far, but the finals will be the real test, and I am hopeful that we will secure some medals,” Baig stated.
On Monday, September 25, India will feature in four more finals as the rowing competitions draw to a close. One of the country’s prime medal contenders, Balraj Panwar, will compete in the Men’s Single Sculls event.
China has traditionally dominated Asian Games rowing, amassing 98 medals, including 92 gold medals. The host nation is expected to maintain its dominance in Hangzhou. However, China has also been a fruitful ground for Indian rowers in the Asian Games, with India delivering its best performance in China in 2010.
In Guangzhou, India achieved one gold, three silver, and one bronze medal, while in Indonesia in 2018, the country secured one gold and two bronze medals. Given their strong performance in the competition thus far, Indian rowing enthusiasts are hopeful that China will once again be a successful venue for their athletes.
