Three medals and three cheers for the Indian rowers in Hangzhou Asian Games

Team India secures more medals at Asian Games, thanks to rowing team, bagging two silvers and one bronze.

Three medals and three cheers for the Indian rowers in Hangzhou Asian Games

Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh at Asian Games (Image Source: Twitter)

First day, the first show, out in the waters, the Indian rowers delivered three medals for India at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday. Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh won silver in men’s lightweight double sculls, the Indian men’s eight teams also won silver while Babu Yadav and Lekh Ram won bronze in the men’s pair event.

Indian rowing has been identified more with Bajrang Thakkar and Dattu Baban Bhokanal in the past. Yet, watching different rowers in action at the Asian Games was refreshing. Arjun and Arvind have been hunting together, both are from the Indian Army and train at the ARN (Army center in Pune). Peaking at the Asian Games was not easy, given the niggles they have been battling.

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“We tried hard today. Next, we will try and qualify for the Paris Olympics. The qualification event is next year, but before that when we go back to India we will have to compete in the National Games in Goa,” said Arjun and Arvind. They are a bit tired but to take a rest at this stage will not be possible, they said.

To be in a field against the Chinese at home is not easy. Yet, this duo showed plenty of spunk in showcasing their talent and energy over 2000 meters in humid conditions. Compared to the previous editions of the Asian Games, this start has been a good one for the rowers.

Related: Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh kick start India’s campaign at Asian Games with a silver medal in lightweight men’s doubles sculls

Team India expected medals at the Asian Games in rowing

When a sport does well, there are questions asked if there has been a radical change in training methods or better inputs. Coach Bajrang Lal feels the rowers have trained hard and they are getting full support from the Indian government. As regards some of the rowers being in the Indian Army, there is additional support.

India rowing asian games
Indian rowing squad (Image source: The Hindu)

Rowing is a fairly technical sport and it requires plenty of technical inputs and support as well. “We are getting support for the camps and training, there is no problem at all,” said Arjun and Arvind. Speaking to FirstSportz, MV Sriram, secretary of the Rowing Federation of India said they have come well prepared. “We were expecting medals from the first day and things have not been bad,” he said.

There were congratulatory messages coming in from one and all for the rowers from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to Home Minister Amit Shah. The weather conditions in Hangzhou have been a bit strange. There has been heavy rain in the last three days. On Sunday, the sun played hide and seek with the clouds, which meant the humidity was high. Luckily, as the events were in the morning, the humidity could be tolerated.

In the past, there have been instances when the Indian rowers have run out of steam in the last few meters. Back in 2018, there was an allegation that Dattu Baban Bhokanal had tanked his race. On Sunday, the mood was different. Definitely, winning three medals in one day is a big plus. Hopefully, more will come on Monday.

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