Buoyant India seek Asiad glory
Saturday, 30 October 2010
NEW DELHI, Oct 29 (AFP): India hopes to translate a creditable show at the Commonwealth Games into a rich haul at the Asian Games, but officials have warned against getting carried away by their success in New Delhi.
India's sportspersons surprised even their most ardent supporters by returning with 38 golds at October's Commonwealth Games, far behind Australia's tally of 74, but good enough to send England (37) to third place.
It was India's best-ever placing, with 27 silver and 36 bronze medals taking them past the 100-medal mark, including first-ever gold medals in women's track and field and archery.
The Indians are under no illusion that the feat can be repeated at the Asian Games that open in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on November 12.
"Don't even think of it," shooting coach Sunny Thomas said when asked if his crack team will match the 14 Commonwealth golds it won on the New Delhi ranges.
"The Asian Games is a much tougher competition, and that goes for all sports. It will be the Chinese all the way."
India finished eighth in the medals tally at the previous Asian Games in Doha four years ago with their best-ever haul of 53 medals, including 10 golds.
The tally was not only overshadowed by China's 166 golds in a total of 316 medals, but second-placed South Korea won more golds (58) than India's entire medal haul put together.
The absence of top stars has made India's task a lot more tougher in Guangzhou.
Sushil Kumar, the world's top wrestler in the 66kg category, has withdrawn due to a shoulder injury after winning golds at both the Asian and world championships and the Commonwealth Games this year.
India's sportspersons surprised even their most ardent supporters by returning with 38 golds at October's Commonwealth Games, far behind Australia's tally of 74, but good enough to send England (37) to third place.
It was India's best-ever placing, with 27 silver and 36 bronze medals taking them past the 100-medal mark, including first-ever gold medals in women's track and field and archery.
The Indians are under no illusion that the feat can be repeated at the Asian Games that open in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on November 12.
"Don't even think of it," shooting coach Sunny Thomas said when asked if his crack team will match the 14 Commonwealth golds it won on the New Delhi ranges.
"The Asian Games is a much tougher competition, and that goes for all sports. It will be the Chinese all the way."
India finished eighth in the medals tally at the previous Asian Games in Doha four years ago with their best-ever haul of 53 medals, including 10 golds.
The tally was not only overshadowed by China's 166 golds in a total of 316 medals, but second-placed South Korea won more golds (58) than India's entire medal haul put together.
The absence of top stars has made India's task a lot more tougher in Guangzhou.
Sushil Kumar, the world's top wrestler in the 66kg category, has withdrawn due to a shoulder injury after winning golds at both the Asian and world championships and the Commonwealth Games this year.