India's rise to sports super power is now inevitable after smashing performance in Asian Games

India has evolved in field of sports in last few years. Indian athletes have made country proud and claimed glory in sports such as Hockey, Badminton, Chess, Wrestling and Athletics in last two to three years. However, Hockey, Badminton and Wrestling have given India medals in Olympics and various world sporting events, but Athletics, Shooting, Tennis and Chess have been some sports where India has evolved a lot in past few years and same performance was reflected in recently concluded 2022 Asian Games. Indian fans expected medals in sports such as Hockey and Wrestling, but it was Athletics and Shooting, which dominated India's medals tally in Asian Games 2022 with 29 and 22 medals respectively. 

3 things you need to kw 

• India won a total of 107 medals in Asian Games 2022 held in Hangzhou
• India's Asian Games 2022 medals tally included a total of 28 gold medals 
• This was India's best-ever performance at Asian Games and y crossed 100-medal mark for first time at Asiad 

How is India's Asian Games glory predicting a golden future at 2024 Paris Olympics?

India won a record seven medals in 2020 Tokyo Olympics which also included a gold in Javelin throw by India's ‘golden boy’ Neeraj Chopra. This was India's first-ever gold medal in track and field category and also first-ever gold for India at Olympics in any category. However, Neeraj showed or aspiring Indian athletes way and path towards glory. Since n India has been epicentre of attraction in almost every sporting event. recent incident is of R Praggnanandhaa, who was almost on verge of winning Chess World Cup but lost to Magnus Carlsen. India also won a lot of medals in Shooting in past few years and has shown significant growth in sports such as Swimming, Football, Tennis and many more events. With Paris Olympics just one year away, India is expected to win a lot more medals in upcoming global event. 

Even Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha believes that India can win multiple medals in 2024 Paris Olympics and its time for India to bid for multisport global event. PT Usha said while speaking to PTI: 

After this record-breaking performance in Hangzhou Asian Games, if our country's athletes, coaches and national federations work hard, I feel we can win double digit medals in Paris Olympics. We should bid for 2036 Olympics. I am sure India will win more medals in Paris Olympics than in Tokyo, and n, with medals to show, we can host Olympics. 

While IOA chief wants India to bid for 2036 Olympics, Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra thinks that he is yet to reach his full potential and believes that country has improved a lot in Athletics. Neeraj Chopra said during a media interaction: 

I’m sure re'll be one more javelin thrower who will make cut too. We did a 1-2 here. My dream is to see three Indian javelin throwers on podium of a big event. We have improved a lot and athletes from or countries are feeling that India has arrived. On me personally, I have World Championship, silver in Diamond League and w a gold in Asian Games, I am very happy. 
 

(Indian shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty after winning men's doubles gold medal at Asian Games 2022 / Im: PTI)

How can Athletics become biggest game changer for India at Paris Olympics? 

India finished fourth in Asian Games 2022 medals and made a statement on world st by winning 107 medals. India proved ir dominance in sports such as Badminton, Kabaddi, Tennis and Wrestling. Apart from se events, Athletics was a major boost for India in 2022 Asiad and helped country achieve its goal of winning 100 medals. However, India showed ir dominance in Athletics at 2023 World Championships when out of top six Javelin throwers three were Indians. se included Neeraj Chopra, who won gold medal, whereas Kishore Jena and DP Manu finished in 5th and 6th place. Long distance runner Avinash Sable has also won medals in long-distance running whereas India's 4x100m relay team will also be India's medal prospect in Paris Olympics.