Gold All The Way For Indian Hockey And Kabaddi At Asian Games 2014

Shining Bright: Gold All The Way For Indian Hockey And Kabaddi At Asian Games 2014

Indian sportspersons beat so many obstacles to reach the top. The latest triumph Indians have achieved in the sporting world are the emphatic victories for the Indian hocket men's team and the Indian men's and women's kabaddi teams at the just concluded Asian Games. With thee victories, India's final tally of gold medals on the final day of the competition rose to 11. The Indian hockey team also secured another goal-their victory at the Asian Games qualifies them for entry to the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The Indian hockey team beat their Pakistani counterparts 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win the men's hockey gold at the Asian Games in Incheon. This major achievement was a triumph like the 1998 Games final victory over South Korea and it has ensured the Indian team an Olympics berth. Both India and Pakistan had been locked at 1-1 during full time and it was platers Kotharjit Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh and Dhramvir Singh who scored for Indian with help from their able team mates.

Team vice captain P. R. Sreejesh executed some breathtaking and daring saves to deny Pakistan the gold. This is the first gold medal for the Indian hockey team following a gap of 16 years. The women's 4x400 m relay team also received a gold medal. This pulled Indian's standing in the 17th Asian Games up. The women's 4x400 relay team with Tintu Luka, Priyanka Panwar and Mandeep Kaur as well as M. R. Poovamma scored the gold-winning run setting a new Asian Games record timing.

It was double gold for Indian kabaddi wherein India won both the men's and women's kabaddi final. Both defeated Iran on Friday, 3rd October. It was the Indian men's kabaddi team which won their seventh straight gold by defeating their Irani counterparts in a 27-25 game. The women also defeated the Irani team 31-21 to win the gold for kabaddi yet another time

With the 11th gold medal, Indians moved up to the sixth place in the total standings overall. China dominated with the highest number of wins followed by South Korea and Japan. This was a very competitive setting and Indian sportspersons showed their mettle by winning the yellow metal for the nation.

Gold is always what sportspersons strive for and talented Indian players are no exception to this rule. With the right training and plenty of mentoring and support, our talented sportspersons and athletes are able to work hard and bring good results for the sport and the nation.

With many of the Indian winners in the Asian Games combating so many hardships to win the medal, it is heartening to know that our sportspersons have done the country proud. Sports contributes to national pride and it is a golden run at the Olympics which Indians now look forward to and hope for.