In the world of sports, few events rival the grandeur and excitement of the Asian Games. As the 19th Asian Games is underway in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, from September 23 to October 8, 2023, anticipation is running high. India, with its best-ever medal haul in 2018, is poised to scale new heights at this prestigious sporting event.
Also Read: India Women’s Cricket Team Clinches Gold in Hangzhou Asian Games
The Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2023 is nothing short of remarkable, boasting a formidable 655-member team that will compete across an impressive 41 disciplines out of the total 61. This vast representation will converge at 56 venues in and around Hangzhou, where a staggering 481 gold medals are up for grabs.
Early Start with Cricket, Football, Volleyball, and Beach Volleyball at Asian Games
The official opening ceremony of the Asian Games is set for September 23, marking the commencement of two weeks of intense sporting competition. However, cricket, football, volleyball, and beach volleyball will kick off the excitement a few days earlier, starting on September 19.
Indian Cricket Team
The Indian women’s cricket team embarked their campaign on September 21. They have won the Gold Medal on September 25, beating Sri Lanka in the Final. Men’s cricket will take center stage from September 27, with the much-anticipated final slated for October 7. Indian cricket enthusiasts will be glued to their screens, eagerly awaiting the historic moments that lie ahead.
Athletics: Neeraj Chopra’s Golden Ambitions
Athletics, often the centerpiece of the Asian Games, will feature India’s most significant representation, with an team of 68 athletes. Leading this formidable contingent is Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic javelin champion and reigning world champion. Neeraj Chopra, aged just 25, aims to replicate his gold-medal-winning performance from Jakarta in 2018 as athletics events will take place from September 29 to October 5, culminating in the men’s javelin throw final on October 4.
A Star-Studded Lineup of Olympic Medalists
Hangzhou will witness the presence of five Olympic medalists from India, adding an extra layer of star power to the event. These illustrious athletes include India’s badminton queen PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, wrestler Bajrang Punia, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu. Additionally, the Indian men’s hockey team, Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists, will vie for further glory.
Indian Badminton at Asian Games
Badminton enthusiasts can look forward to thrilling matches, as PV Sindhu leads a strong 19-member Indian team. This squad includes Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy, who recently clinched bronze at the BWF World Championships. Badminton events will be held from September 28 to October 7.
Weightlifting and Wrestling Champions
Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist and former world champion, will make her Asian Games debut in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting division on September 30. Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, the defending champion in men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling, will showcase his prowess on October 6.
Boxing: The Road to Paris Olympics
Boxing at the Asian Games 2023 will serve as a crucial qualifying tournament for the upcoming Paris Olympics. India’s hopes rest on the shoulders of two-time reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen, who will commence her campaign in the women’s 50kg category on September 24, and Lovlina Borgohain, who begins on September 26 in the women’s 75kg category. The boxing events will culminate on October 5.
Hockey: The Quest for Paris 2024
Hockey fans will delight in the fact that the Asian Games 2023 will also qualify teams for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will be aiming to secure their early tickets to the Summer Games by clinching gold in Hangzhou. The men’s hockey event starts a day before the opening ceremony, while the women’s team begins their campaign on September 25.
Other Indian Sporting Stars
Apart from the marquee athletes, several other Indian sporting luminaries will shine at Hangzhou 2023. Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, steeplechaser Avinash Sable, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, former Asian champion boxer Shiva Thapa, table tennis stalwarts Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal, and chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa are just a few of the many talents representing India.
A Delayed Spectacle
Originally scheduled for 2022, the 19th Asian Games was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in China last year. This delay has only heightened the anticipation, and now the world eagerly awaits this grand spectacle.
India’s Schedule for Asian Games 2023
| Sport | Dates | Events | Indian athletes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | October 1-7 | 10 | 16 |
| Artistic Gymnastics | September 24-29 | 14 | 1 |
| Artistic Swimming | October 6-8 | 2 | NA |
| Athletics | September 29 – October 5 | 48 | 68 |
| Badminton | September 28 – October 7 | 7 | 19 |
| Basketball (5×5) | September 26 – October 6 | 2 | 12 (1 team) |
| Basketball (3×3) | September 25 – October 1 | 2 | 8 (2 teams) |
| Baseball | September 26 – October 7 | 1 | NA |
| Boxing | September 24 – October 5 | 13 | 13 |
| Breaking | October 6-7 | 2 | NA |
| Beach Volleyball | September 19-28 | 2 | NA |
| Bridge | September 27 – October 6 | 3 | 18 |
| Cricket | September 19 – October 7 | 2 | 30 (2 teams) |
| Chess | September 24 – October 7 | 4 | 10 |
| Canoe Slalom | October 5-7 | 4 | 4 |
| Canoe Sprint | September 30 – October 3 | 12 | 13 |
| Cycling BMX Racing | October 1 | 2 | NA |
| Cycling MTB | September 25 | 2 | NA |
| Cycling Road | October 3-5 | 4 | NA |
| Cycling Track | September 26-29 | 12 | 14 |
| Diving | September 30 – October 4 | 10 | 2 |
| Dragon Boat | October 4-6 | 6 | NA |
| Equestrian | September 26 – October 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Esports | September 24 – October 2 | 7 | 15 |
| Football | September 19-October 7 | 2 | 44 (2 teams) |
| Fencing | September 24-29 | 12 | 9 |
| Golf | September 28 to October 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Hockey | September 24 to October 7 | 2 | 36 (2 teams) |
| Handball | September 24 – October 5 | 2 | 16 (1 team) |
| Judo | September 24-27 | 15 | 4 |
| Ju-Jitsu | October 5-7 | 8 | 11 |
| Kabaddi | October 2-7 | 2 | 24 (2 teams) |
| Karate | October 5-8 | 14 | NA |
| Kurash | September 30 – October 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Marathon Swimming | October 6-7 | 2 | NA |
| Modern Pentathlon | September 20-24 | 2 | 1 |
| Rhythmic Gymnastics | October 6-7 | 2 | NA |
| Rugby Sevens | September 24-26 | 2 | 12 (1 team) |
| Rowing | September 20-25 | 14 | 33 |
| Roller skating | September 30 – October 7 | 10 | 14 |
| Sailing | September 21-27 | 14 | 16 |
| Sepaktakraw | September 24 – October 7 | 6 | 16 |
| Shooting | September 24 – October 1 | 33 | 33 |
| Skateboarding | September 24-27 | 4 | NA |
| Squash | September 26 – October 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Soft tennis | October 3-7 | 5 | 10 |
| Softball | September 26 – October 2 | 1 | NA |
| Swimming | September 24-29 | 41 | 21 |
| Sport Climbing | October 3-7 | 6 | 7 |
| Taekwondo | September 24-28 | 13 | NA |
| Tennis | September 24-30 | 5 | 9 |
| Table Tennis | September 22 – October 2 | 7 | 10 |
| Trampoline Gymnastics | October 2-3 | 2 | NA |
| Triathlon | September 29 – October 2 | 3 | NA |
| Volleyball | September 19 – October 7 | 2 | 24 (2 teams) |
| Water Polo | September 25 – October 7 | 2 | NA |
| Weightlifting | September 30 – October 7 | 14 | 2 |
| Wrestling | October 4 – 7 | 18 | 18 |
| Weiqi (Go) | September 24 – October 3 | 3 | NA |
| Wushu | September 24-28 | 15 | 10 |
| Xiangqi | September 28 – October 7 | 3 | NA |
The Asian Games 2023 promise unforgettable moments, fierce rivalries, and the celebration of the indomitable spirit of sportsmanship. India, with its remarkable contingent and a hunger for more medals, stands ready to etch its name in the annals of Asian Games history. Hangzhou awaits, and the world watches with bated breath as India’s sporting heroes embark on their quest for glory. Let the games begin!
