- By Ankit Bisht
- Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:55 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Indian athletes created history on Wednesday as they breached the 70-medal mark in the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou to achieve their highest-ever medal haul in the Games.
Earlier in the day, Indian race walkers Manju Rani and Ram Baboo claimed a bronze medal in the 35km mixed race walk event to help India match the 2018 Jakarta Games' performance.
Compound archers Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam then grabbed India's 71st medal when they won the mixed team gold medal.
India's previous-best medal haul had come at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, when the country's athletes returned with 70 medals, including 16 gold, 23 silver and 31 bronze.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur congratulated the Indian contingent on the historic feat in China.
"Heartiest congratulations to the dynamic archers, Jyothi Surekha and Ojas Pravin Deotale, for their spectacular performance and clinching gold in the Compound Mixed Team event at Asian Games. Their outstanding effort, nerves of steel, and exceptional skills have consistently propelled them to the highest echelons of the sport, bringing immense pride to our nation," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"With this gold medal, India has achieved its BEST-EVER PERFORMANCE at any edition of the Asian Games. A historic feat!
"Our talented athletes from various sports disciplines have made this historic moment possible, with 5 more days to go before the curtain falls on this edition!," Thakur added.
India currently have 16 gold, 26 silver and 29 bronze medals with over four days of competition still left.
On Tuesday, India won two gold, two silver and five bronze to take the medal tally to 69.
(With PTI inputs)
