Indian athletes have put up a remarkable performance at the ongoing Asian Games in China, securing a total of 33 medals, including eight golds. Shooting has notably stood out, contributing six gold medals, while additional golds were earned in cricket and equestrian events.
Born on August 14, 1995, Divya Thadigol Subbaraju is an Indian sport shooter hailing from Karnataka, specializing in the skeet discipline. She is currently a member of the Indian shooting team participating in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Originating from Bengaluru, Divya receives training under the mentorship of coach Manjunath Patagar. Her journey in sports initially involved basketball, but she later transitioned to shooting. Despite facing adversity, Divya showcased remarkable determination. While preparing for the National selection trials in Bhopal, she encountered an unfortunate accident that led to an injury. However, displaying resilience, she overcame blurred vision and pain, returning to regular practice. Her dedication paid off, and she secured a spot in the Indian team for the Cairo event in 2023.
Sarabjot Singh, born on September 30, 2001, is an Indian sport shooter specializing in the 10m air pistol discipline. He is a vital member of the Indian shooting team participating in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Sarabjot Singh played a key role in the success of the Indian 10m air pistol team, which included Arjun Singh Cheema and Shiva Narwal. Together, they clinched the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, surpassing China. His significant contribution was evident in the team’s triumph in the 10m air pistol team event. Furthermore, Sarabjot Singh also qualified for the Individual final in the same discipline.
Following a strong display on Friday, Indian players are geared up for day 7 of the competition. The medal tally commenced with a silver in shooting on Saturday, where Indian shooters Divya TS and Sarabjot Singh demonstrated commendable performances, albeit settling for second place. Five Indian athletes have notably advanced to various event finals. Long jumpers Murali Sreeeshankar and Jeswin Aldrin qualified for the men’s long jump final. Hurdles specialists Joythi Yarraji and Nithya Ramraj progressed to the women’s 100m hurdle final, while Jinson Johnson and Ajay Kumar Saroj secured spots in the 1500m race final.
Amidst the ongoing events, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra emphasized his focus on personal improvement rather than rivalry. When questioned about his arch-competitor, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, Chopra highlighted that his competition is with himself. He conveyed that in athletics, the primary emphasis is on delivering one’s best performance, with the competition being more about self-improvement rather than the identity of the opponent. Despite the attention on the India-Pakistan rivalry in the Asian Games, Chopra reiterated that his focus is on self-improvement, aiming to enhance his technique and overall performance.
