Reasons Behind the 107 Medal Win at 19th Asian Games 2023
With a 53% increase from the previous 70 medal wins at the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games, India’s performance at the 19th Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou was nothing short of historic. With a record-breaking medal tally of 107, including 28 golds, 38 silvers, and 41 bronzes, this success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes, coaches, and support staff.
The slogan for this year’s Asian Games, “Iss Baar Sau Paar,” was not just based on bravado but logic. The slogan reflects the vision and commitment of government initiatives like the Khelo India Games and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to promote sports and scout new talents across the country.
The Khelo India Games have become trailblazers in Indian sports. Under this initiative, more than 300 sporting infrastructure projects have been built, including multi-purpose halls, synthetic athletic tracks, and hockey astro-turfs. The impact of this initiative on the Asian Games was significant. Out of the 655 athletes who represented India at the Asian Games, 124 athletes were trained under the Khelo India Scheme. These athletes contributed significantly to India’s medal tally, showcasing the effectiveness of this grassroots initiative.
India won 16 inaugural medals in various sports disciplines, including roller skating, sailing, table tennis, rowing, and equestrian. Also, it is important to highlight the significant role played by our female athletes, who have accounted for 50% of the total medal tally. Women in the world of sports are emerging as a formidable force to be reckoned with.
In our quest for success at the Asian Games, the government implemented a range of practical steps. Right after the Commonwealth Games, dedicated training camps were set up exclusively geared towards Asian Games preparation. A team of 49 foreign experts, including coaches, high-performance directors, high-performance managers, physiotherapists, and psychologists, were brought in to provide invaluable guidance. Additionally, the athletes gained hands-on experience with over 275 foreign exposure trips.
TOPS is another flagship program that has made a substantial contribution to India’s success in various multi-sport events. The scheme provides assistance to India’s top athletes, adding a premium to their preparations so they can win medals in international events.
Specialised assistance under the TOPS was extended to several athletes, including standout performers like Neeraj Chopra in athletics, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in badminton, Sharath Kamal in table tennis, and Vishnu Saravanan in sailing, who have emerged as top beneficiaries of this support.
Neeraj Chopra dedicated 586 days to intensive training across Europe, South Africa, and the USA. His year-round excellence was ensured by the presence of a dedicated foreign coach, Klaus Bartonietz, and a personal physiotherapist. In the domain of sailing, our TOPS-backed sailors received substantial support amounting to ₹2.88 crore for foreign training and competition, equipment procurement, and coach and support staff hiring.
Avinash Sable’s training and competition were enriched with experiences in the USA, Switzerland, Hungary, and Morocco, supported by a personal coach. In the realm of shooting, ₹4 crore was allocated for ammunition support, alongside foreign specialised training camps in Germany, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic, complemented by 185 days of coaching camps for ammunition and barrel testing.
Turning to badminton, HS Prannoy was equipped with specialised recovery equipment for post-training recuperation and sustained peak performance. The comprehensive care extended to him involved personal support staff, including a strength and conditioning trainer, a nutritionist, and a psychologist. Collaboration with National Sports Federations (NSFs) was pivotal in ensuring our athletes’ comprehensive and well-rounded preparation.
The impact of these initiatives was clearly visible at the Asian Games. India achieved its highest medal counts in athletics, shooting, archery, squash, and rowing. Medals were secured in events such as women’s shot put after 72 years, men’s decathlon after 49 years, equestrian (dressage) after 41 years, and men’s 4x400m relay after 61 years of participation in the Asian Games.
Moreover, 22 new national records were set, with records in disciplines like shooting, archery, athletics, swimming, and cycling. Additionally, 11 Asian Games records were created in archery, athletics, and shooting.
Conclusion
The success at the Asian Games is a testament to the effectiveness of government initiatives like Khelo India and TOPS. These initiatives have not only provided the necessary infrastructure and support but also instilled a winning mindset among athletes. As we look forward to future games, these initiatives will continue to play a crucial role in nurturing talent and propelling Indian sports to new heights.
