2023 has surely been a great year for India in several aspects. Whether in terms of science and technology, geopolitics, or the economy, India has been striding high. Sports is a recent addition to this list. The Asian Games 2022, initially scheduled for 2022, was postponed by a year due to the pandemic. After a year’s wait, it was finally hosted in Hangzhou, China from September 23, 2023, to October 7, 2023.
The Asian Games were first commenced in 1951 in New Delhi, India. It is a continental multi-sport event that is held after a gap of four years and athletes from all over Asia participate in this tournament. It is popularly described as the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.
Amidst all the Asian countries who participated this year, India has all the reasons to be proud of. The 655-strong Indian contingent had the best Asian Games ever; winning over 107 medals and securing the fourth position in the overall medal tally. Competing in over 41 disciplines such as hockey, squash, cricket, athletics, badminton, golf, etc., Indian players managed to grab a medal in most of them. India won 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze medals.
But this Asian Games is remarkable for the phenomenal performance of the Indian female athletes across various sports. Time and again, they have debunked patriarchal notions associated with sports. Whether in archery, javelin throw, or wrestling, Indian sportswomen aced almost every event they competed in, making sure the world did not forget them soon.
Many of them were successful in carving their names in the history of the Games by stepping indelible milestones that will be remembered forever. The list of such records is long but I would like to point out five such breakthroughs transcended by them in the Asian Games 2023.
1. Seema Punia
On October 1, 2023, Seema Punia rightfully justified the quote ‘age is just a number’. At the age of 40, when she entered the arena to throw her discuss, the audience knew she was up for something special. Throwing a giant 58.62m as the season’s best, she sealed the bronze medal and became a three-time Asian Games medalist. Previously, she had won gold at the Incheon Games in 2014 and a bronze in the Jakarta edition in 2018.
2. Annu Rani
On October 4, 2023, popular players Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena won gold and silver medals respectively in men’s javelin throw. However, a day prior, it was Annu Rai who scripted history. Through her amazing throw, she became the first Indian female to secure a gold medal in women’s javelin throw. With a mammoth throw of 62.92m, she went past her opponent, Sri Lanka’s Dilhani Lekamge, who later won a silver medal with a throw of 61.57m. Being discouraged by her father for picking up the javelin during her school days, she is now proudly referred to as the ‘Golden Queen’ of India.
‘This was the second best moment of my life. I am sure my efforts will help change people’s perception towards girls in my village’
Annu Rai
3. Aditi Ashok
I first came across Aditi Ashok in a television interview during the Tokyo Olympics 2020. I am not quite familiar with the rules of golf, yet, I was more than excited to watch Aditi, who was then accompanied by her parents to her first Olympic game. Alas, as we watched and prayed for her victory, she could not cross the finishing line and had to settle for the fourth position.
‘You’re never totally happy unless you win so I’m not too happy right now. I’m sure some day I’ll look back and think it was a good week but silver is not better than gold.
Aditi Ashok
But this year’s Asian Games had different plans for her. She regained her form to earn a silver medal by emerging second against Thailand’s Arpicharya Yubol. This made Aditi the first Indian woman to win a medal in golf at the Asian Games. Just like any other passionate player, she is determined to win gold in any of her upcoming sporting events. As a sports enthusiast, I cannot wait to witness her magic again!
4. Sutirtha and Ayhika Mukerjee
We often see players getting along once they start playing together. But things were different for Sutirtha and Ayhika. They have been friends since childhood and now, they are table tennis doubles partners too. The magic that they have in their friendship seemed to reflect in their game as they defeated the world champions- Chen Meng and Yidi Wang of China to emerge as India’s First Women’s Doubles pair to secure a medal at the Asian Games. After being declared as an unfit pair for last year’s Commonwealth Games, the Mukherjees have proved there is an unbreakable bond between them, both on and off the field.
5. Kiran Baliyan
It was in 1951 that Barbara Webster, an Anglo-Indian from Bombay won a bronze medal in the Asian Games. 72 years later, Athlete Kiran Baliyan secured a gold medal in it, thus, becoming the second woman to secure a medal in the category. Achieving her best throw of 17.36m in her third attempt, she accidentally found her name in a junior tournament nine years ago. But faith works unexpectedly. The mistake made her pursue the game seriously and now she is a part of a beaming history.
Author R.S Grey once said, ‘She believed she could so she did’. Women players often embark on a difficult journey to achieve what they want. The societal discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudices at every step make the journey seemingly exhausting for their aspirations. The recent strides have been a strong answer to those who questioned their ability. I feel extremely proud of all the players who qualified for the Asian Games 2023 and I’m sure that they all have put their blood and sweat into making their country proud. But as a fellow woman, there would always be a soft spot for all the women players who got the opportunity to prove themselves in the arena of international sports, marking a name for themselves and the country.