After an all important opening ceremony the focus will shift to the 19th August from when the quest for medals will start. India has fielded a total of 572 member squad who will eye an impressive run in the Asian sporting event.
On the first day of the competition PV Sindhu, Manu Bhaker, Sushil Kumar and Indian women’s hockey team will be in action.
Sushil Kumar will be the biggest medal hope on day 1 but there were some concerns about his form when he lost a bout after four years. However, the two times Olympic medallist will eye his maiden Asiad gold.
“I have prepared well for the Asian Games but I am not out there to prove anything. Proving yourself is not sportsmanship,” said Sushil.
Young Bajrang Punia will be a tough competitor to beat in 65kg category, after his golden success at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The young Manu Bhaker will be competing in 10m air pistol mixed team event pairing with Abhishek Verma. Bhaker has been simply phenomenal in the last six months and she will be another medal prospect on the day.
Experienced Ravi Kumar will be pairing with multi times Commonwealth games medallist Apurvi Chandela and this skilled duo can also finish at the podium.
Indian women’s hockey team will be again a top medal contender, they will start of their campaign against hosts.
Indians in action on day 1 (Timings in IST)
Event: Shooting- 8 am
Qualifiers 10M air rifle mixed team: Ravi Kumar, Apurvi Chandela
Event: Shooting- 10am
10M air pistol mixed team: Abhishek Verma, Manu Bhaker
Event: Shooting- 12 noon
Finals: 10M air rifle mixed team and 10M air pistol mixed team
Event: Wrestling- 12 noon
Freestyle qualification: (Sushil Kumar 74kg, Sandeep Tomar 57kg, Bajrang Punia 65kg, Pawan Kumar 86kg, Mausam Khatri 97kg)
Medal bouts- 6 PM onwards
Event: Women’s hockey- 7PM
India vs Indonesia (Pool B)
