Asian Games 2023: India records best-ever medal haul

India scripted history as it registered its best-ever medal haul of 71 on October 4 at the Asian Games by going past the previous edition’s tally of 70.

India currently has 16 gold, 26 silver and 29 bronze medals.

In the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, India secured 70 medals including 16 gold, 23 silver and 31 bronze.

Manju Rani and Ram Baboo won bronze in a 35km mixed race walk on Wednesday, helping India match their 2018 Jakarta Games performance.

India’s Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam won the mixed team gold medal in compound archery, earning India its 71st medal at the Asian Games. Bhupender Singh Bajwa, India’s chef de mission, expressed delight at India’s achievement, stating that they have exceeded their previous best medal haul in the Asian Games and are hopeful for more.

A look back

In the inaugural 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi, India ranked second with a total of 51 medals including 15 gold, 16 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Then, in the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, the Indian contingent stood third with a medal haul of 33 including 10 gold and bronze medals and 13 silver medals.

In the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok and then in the 1982 and 19856 Asian Games in New Delhi and Seoul respectively, India stood at the fifth position.

Gold Rush

India bagged 16 gold medals, the highest ever, in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Its second highest was in the inaugural 1952 Asian Games in New Delhi with 15 gold medals.

India is now on the verge of achieving another milestone as it is poised to achieve the best-ever gold medal tally in Asian Games history. Reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra will compete in the men’s javelin throw final today.

India has sent its largest-ever contingent with an aim to cross the 100-medal mark at the continental showpiece.

‘Ab ki Baar, Sau Paar’ (will cross 100 medals this time) has been India’s catch line for the Hangzhou Games.