Palembang Aug, 23: Jammu and Kashmir is waiting to welcome its two star players who not only brought laurels at ongoing Asian games but also assured more medals in the remaining games.
Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh of Jammu won the bronze medal even after being badly injured during the match while Anikta Raina today confirmed just the third singles medal in women’s tennis for India at the Asian Games as she reached the semifinals after being 1-4 down at one stage.
Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh was competing against Iran’s Erfan Ahangarian in the semifinal bout. However, midway through their bout, Singh injured his knee badly. Nevertheless, the Indian continued fighting. Even after a spirited display by the Indian martial artist, Erfan won the bout.
Iran’s Erfan Ahangarian won his bout against India’s Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh. After the match, he also won hearts by a display of excellent sportsmanship.
Four Indian Wushu players had qualified for the Semifinals of their respective weight categories in the Sanda events. With the Bronze medal already confirmed, all four were aiming to go as high as possible.
The Indian Wushu contingent won’t return home empty-handed from the Asian Games. After a brilliant display over the last few days, four Indians have claimed a bronze medal each in Sanda events- Roshibina Devi, Santosh Kumar, Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Narendar Grewal.
The four will now return home as champions and will hope that Wushu finally gets the attention it deserves.
Meanwhile India’s top-ranked women’s singles player, Anikta breezed past Eudice Chong 6-4 6-1 of Hong Kong in their quarterfinal match
She won the first set in 54 minutes and took only 27 minutes to claim the second set.
Raina came back from behind to take the first set 6-4 against Chong of Hong Kong. Raina was trailing 0-3 and 1-4 at the beginning of the match before staging a comeback
Raina thus assured herself of at least a bronze medal.
The 2018 Asian Games are currently underway. For the first time in history, two cities are co-hosting the pan-Asian multi-sport event. It is also the first time in fifty-six years that the competition has returned to Indonesia.
