Asian Games Live | Parul Chaudhary, Annu Rani add to India's gold rush

Badminton: Treesa-Gayatri, Ashwini-Tanisha enter pre-quarters

In the women's doubles round of 32 match at the Asian Games 2023, the world No. 17 pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, secured a convincing victory with a score of 21-14, 21-12 against Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq, who are ranked 97th in the world. The Indian duo will now face the formidable world No. 3 pair from the Republic of Korea, Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong, in the pre-quarter-finals tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto received a round of 32 bye after their opponents from Maldives, Maisa Fathuhulla Ismail and Aishath Afnaan Rasheed, retired with the scores at 21-2, 12-2 in favor of the Indian pair. Ashwini and Tanisha are set to compete in the round of 16 tomorrow, facing either China's sixth-ranked pair Zheng Yu and Zhang Shu Xian or Mongolia's Kherlen Darkhanbaatar and Ganbaatar Myagmartseren.

Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain reaches 75kg final, silver assured

Reigning world champion Lovlina Borgohain demonstrated her prowess by securing a 5:0 victory on points against Thailand's Baison Maneekon in the women's 75kg semi-final at the Asian Games 2023. Despite a strong comeback attempt from Baison in the second round, Lovlina's control in the final round ensured her victory. This remarkable win not only guarantees her a spot in the gold medal match but also secures an Olympic quota for India. The 26-year-old Indian boxer, a bronze medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, showcased her talent on her Asian Games debut. Lovlina, who is also the 2022 Asian champion, will compete in the Asian Games 2023 gold medal bout tomorrow at 1:15 PM IST.

Boxing: Preeti Pawar secures bronze in women's 54kgs

Indian boxer Preeti Pawar faced a tough challenge in the women's 54kg semi-final at the Asian Games 2023, losing 5:0 on points to the defending champion Chang Yuan of China. Despite her commendable efforts, Pawar settled for a bronze medal, making it India's second boxing bronze at the event. The first bronze was won by Nikhat Zareen in the women's 50kg category. Additionally, boxers Lovlina Borgohain, Narender Berwal, and Parveen Hooda have also secured medals, ensuring a successful boxing campaign for India at the Asian Games.

Parul, Priti bag silver and bronze in 3000m steeplechase; Ancy wins silver in long jump

India's Parul Chaudhary and Priti secured silver and bronze medals respectively in the women's 3000m steeplechase, unheralded Ancy Sojan made a grand entry on the big stage with a long jump silver, while the 4x400m mixed relay team got a fortuitous upgrade to second spot due to 'lane infringement', on an eventful day at the Asian Games on Monday.

On a day when Parul and Priti, despite giving off their best in the gruelling steeplechase event, were left chasing the shadow of Bahrain's Yavi Winfred Mutile, a 'lane infringement' by the Sri Lankan 4x400m mixed relay quartet saw the India's bronze turn to silver in a matter of minutes after the completion of the event.

The Indian quartet had earlier finished third on the podium behind Sri Lanka.

In 3000m steeplechase, Parul clocked 9:27.63 seconds, which was more than nine seconds behind the Bahrain runner, who took the top podium finish in 9:18.28 seconds, a new Games record.

Sport climbing: 3 Indians in speed pre-quarters

Indian climbers Anisha Verma and Shivpreet Pannu impressed in the women's speed qualification, clocking 9.495 seconds and 9.956 seconds, respectively, securing their spots in the top 16. Both will compete in the pre-quarterfinals, scheduled to start at 5:30 PM IST today.

In the men's category, Aman Verma secured the 16th position with a time of 6.205 seconds, earning him a spot in the round of 16. He will participate in the pre-quarterfinal, which begins at 5:43 PM IST today.

The day's events will include the pre-quarterfinals, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze medal match, and gold medal match, all set to be completed today.

Hockey: Indian women thrash Hong Kong China in final Pool A match

The Indian women's hockey team displayed exceptional performance, securing a resounding 13-0 victory against Hong Kong China in their final Pool A match at the Asian Games 2023. Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika, and Vandana Katariya each scored hat tricks, while Sangita Kumari netted twice. Monika and Navneet Kaur also contributed to the scoreboard.

With this impressive win, India clinched the top position in Pool A, securing their spot in the women's hockey semi-finals. They are set to face the runners-up from Pool B on Thursday, October 5. Throughout the group stage, the Indian team scored an impressive total of 33 goals and conceded only once in their four matches.

Badminton: PV Sindhu makes it to round of 16

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, ranked 15th globally, showcased her prowess by defeating Wen Chi Hsu, who is ranked 21st, with a scoreline of 21-10, 21-15 in the women's singles round of 32 at the Asian Games 2023. Hsu from Chinese Taipei couldn't match Sindhu's intensity, the two-time Asian Games medalist. Sindhu will advance to the women's singles round of 16 tomorrow.

In another match, former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth is set to face Yungyu Lee from the Republic of Korea in the men's singles round of 32 at 2:10 PM IST today.

Cricket: Indian men's team beats Nepal, secures a spot in the semis

In a thrilling quarter-final match at the Asian Games 2023, the Indian men's cricket team defeated Nepal by 23 runs, securing their spot in the semi-finals. Yashasvi Jaiswal played a stellar innings, becoming the youngest Indian to score a T20I century, setting the stage for India's total of 202/4. Rinku Singh's valuable contribution in the later stages further bolstered India's score.

The Indian bowlers, led by Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan, both claiming three wickets, and R Sai Kishore, who marked his T20I debut with a wicket, restricted Nepal's chase.

India will now advance to the semi-finals, scheduled to take place at Hangzhou on Friday, October 6th, at 6:30 AM IST.

Men’s Archery: All-Indian final!

Abhishek Verma and Ojas Deotale make it an all-Indian final in the men’s archery compound individual event.

Women’s Archery: Jyothi Surekha Vennam enters women’s compound individual final

Jyothi Surekha Vennam enters women's compound individual final, assures India of a silver medal in archery at Asian Games. She beat her compatriot Aditi Gopichand Swami in a nail-biting showdown.