JAKARTA: A trial by means of fire for the youngsters and a battle to stay related for some growing older superstars yet above all, the 18th Asian Games will be a reality test for India's athletes after the Commonwealth Games high.
READ ALSO: Ashish Kumar on road to redemption
The build-up has been signature chaos with proceedings or even court circumstances about selection matters, same old controversies over the dimensions of the contingent which came to 804 -- athletes and officials combined, and not to fail to remember, the credentials of the travelling officials.
But as has been the case with Indian sports for the past a number of many years, the athletes would try to ensure that focal point remains firmly at the effects as soon as the competition will get underway.
There was reasonably actually a gold rush at Gold Coast CWG the place India notched up their 2nd best possible medal tally of all time.
But maximum athletes and their coaches have already said that the Asiad goes to be a unique ball game given the presence of powerhouses equivalent to China, Japan and Korea.
However, that has dampened neither the excitement nor the expectancies.
India had equalled their best possible efficiency in terms of medals won within the 2014 Asiad with a total of 57, together with 11 gold, and the contingent of 572 athletes this time can be hoping to higher that.
The contenders range from a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Haryana in Manu Bhaker (shooting) to the proven-but-struggling Sushil Kumar (wrestling) to the in-form and consistently increasing to new heights, Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw).
Then there are the likes of Hima Das, a dash sensation who has raised hopes by means of becoming the primary Indian lady to claim an international championships gold, albeit within the under-20 pageant.
The daughter of a rice farmer in Assam has captured the nation's imagination and her profile is handiest anticipated to rise should she end at the podium in Jakarta.
There is not any denying the fact that she's going to a number of the favourites at the Games in Jakarta.
India's track-and-field stars have traditionally accomplished well at the Asiad, delivering 282 medals so far, 74 of them gold.
And it isn't anticipated to be any other this time.
On to the badminton court the place PV Sindhu can be hoping to wreck her ultimate jinx. But as soon as once more a powerful discipline will stand in the way in which given that shuttlers from conventional power-centres China, Thailand, and Japan will be in action.
Saina Nehwal's grit and talent to convey her A game to the table at the big stage can by no means be discounted but it surely is still observed how her frame responds to what has been a gruelling season so far.
Along with K Srikkanth and HS Prannoy, they are amongst the ones anticipated to contribute to India's medal tally.
India too can hope for a excellent show at the wrestling mat the place the inf-rom duo of Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are being observed as sure-shot medal hopes.
Punia no longer handiest won a gold at CWG but in addition emerged champion at Tbilisi Grand Prix and Yasar Dogu International within the run-up to the Jakarta Games.
However, it's redemption time for a few suffering stars. Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik aren't in the most productive of type. Sushil not too long ago misplaced his first bout in four years at the Tbilisi GP in Georgia and Sakshi failed to reach the medal round at Yasar Dogu in Istanbul.
Their reputations are at stake and not anything lower than a gold will be capable of redeem the ones.
The males's hockey group will be aiming for a gold and a direct entry into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The group, which not too long ago ended runner-up to Australia at the Champions Trophy, does no longer have many tough nuts to crack and it's going to handiest be a crisis if it returns without gold.
The women's group overlooked out on a historical position on this planet cup semifinals but the Rani Rampal-led facet is anticipated to fare higher and strengthen upon its bronze-medal show in Incheon.
At the shooting levels of Palembang, Manu will dangle centrestage and given her type, it could be a wonder if she shall we the highlight shift anyplace else.
The boxing area will have some sturdy Indian presence too with the likes of Vikas Krishan, Shiva Thapa and the fast-rising Gaurav Solanki presenting India's males's problem. Among the ladies, international silver-medallist Sarjubala Devi will be a medal hope.
The tennis contingent is already grappling with the type of drama that has change into its trademark at each major event.
The last-minute pull-out by means of Leander Paes for no longer getting a "specialist" males's doubles partner signifies that coach-sum-captain Zeeshan Ali has to re-work combos in males's and mixed doubles.
How this transfer by means of the veteran star impacts the campaign will be fascinating to look.
In the absence of worldwide champion Mirabai Chanu, India's problem has weakened in weightlifting.
There will be some fascinating sports to trace too in pencak silat, an Indonesian indigenous martial arts type, and bridge. India will be there to contest yet medal possibilities aren't too clear.
READ ALSO: Ashish Kumar on road to redemption
The build-up has been signature chaos with proceedings or even court circumstances about selection matters, same old controversies over the dimensions of the contingent which came to 804 -- athletes and officials combined, and not to fail to remember, the credentials of the travelling officials.
But as has been the case with Indian sports for the past a number of many years, the athletes would try to ensure that focal point remains firmly at the effects as soon as the competition will get underway.
There was reasonably actually a gold rush at Gold Coast CWG the place India notched up their 2nd best possible medal tally of all time.
But maximum athletes and their coaches have already said that the Asiad goes to be a unique ball game given the presence of powerhouses equivalent to China, Japan and Korea.
However, that has dampened neither the excitement nor the expectancies.
India had equalled their best possible efficiency in terms of medals won within the 2014 Asiad with a total of 57, together with 11 gold, and the contingent of 572 athletes this time can be hoping to higher that.
The contenders range from a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Haryana in Manu Bhaker (shooting) to the proven-but-struggling Sushil Kumar (wrestling) to the in-form and consistently increasing to new heights, Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw).
Then there are the likes of Hima Das, a dash sensation who has raised hopes by means of becoming the primary Indian lady to claim an international championships gold, albeit within the under-20 pageant.
The daughter of a rice farmer in Assam has captured the nation's imagination and her profile is handiest anticipated to rise should she end at the podium in Jakarta.
There is not any denying the fact that she's going to a number of the favourites at the Games in Jakarta.
India's track-and-field stars have traditionally accomplished well at the Asiad, delivering 282 medals so far, 74 of them gold.
And it isn't anticipated to be any other this time.
On to the badminton court the place PV Sindhu can be hoping to wreck her ultimate jinx. But as soon as once more a powerful discipline will stand in the way in which given that shuttlers from conventional power-centres China, Thailand, and Japan will be in action.
Saina Nehwal's grit and talent to convey her A game to the table at the big stage can by no means be discounted but it surely is still observed how her frame responds to what has been a gruelling season so far.
Along with K Srikkanth and HS Prannoy, they are amongst the ones anticipated to contribute to India's medal tally.
India too can hope for a excellent show at the wrestling mat the place the inf-rom duo of Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are being observed as sure-shot medal hopes.
Punia no longer handiest won a gold at CWG but in addition emerged champion at Tbilisi Grand Prix and Yasar Dogu International within the run-up to the Jakarta Games.
However, it's redemption time for a few suffering stars. Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik aren't in the most productive of type. Sushil not too long ago misplaced his first bout in four years at the Tbilisi GP in Georgia and Sakshi failed to reach the medal round at Yasar Dogu in Istanbul.
Their reputations are at stake and not anything lower than a gold will be capable of redeem the ones.
The males's hockey group will be aiming for a gold and a direct entry into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The group, which not too long ago ended runner-up to Australia at the Champions Trophy, does no longer have many tough nuts to crack and it's going to handiest be a crisis if it returns without gold.
The women's group overlooked out on a historical position on this planet cup semifinals but the Rani Rampal-led facet is anticipated to fare higher and strengthen upon its bronze-medal show in Incheon.
At the shooting levels of Palembang, Manu will dangle centrestage and given her type, it could be a wonder if she shall we the highlight shift anyplace else.
The boxing area will have some sturdy Indian presence too with the likes of Vikas Krishan, Shiva Thapa and the fast-rising Gaurav Solanki presenting India's males's problem. Among the ladies, international silver-medallist Sarjubala Devi will be a medal hope.
The tennis contingent is already grappling with the type of drama that has change into its trademark at each major event.
The last-minute pull-out by means of Leander Paes for no longer getting a "specialist" males's doubles partner signifies that coach-sum-captain Zeeshan Ali has to re-work combos in males's and mixed doubles.
How this transfer by means of the veteran star impacts the campaign will be fascinating to look.
In the absence of worldwide champion Mirabai Chanu, India's problem has weakened in weightlifting.
There will be some fascinating sports to trace too in pencak silat, an Indonesian indigenous martial arts type, and bridge. India will be there to contest yet medal possibilities aren't too clear.
India eye Asian Games glory after topsy-turvy build-up
![India eye Asian Games glory after topsy-turvy build-up]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
August 17, 2018
Rating:
