Asian Athletics Championship: India creates history, tops medal tally for first time with 12 golds

In a stunning show of dominance, India clinched five gold to top the medal tally for first time in the history of Asian Athletics Championship, pushing China to second spot, in their most successful campaign in the continental flagship event in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. With Sunday’s 5 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze, India ended the four-day championships on top with their highest ever medal haul of 29 medals (12 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze).

India’s best came way back in the 1985 Jakarta edition where they had won 22 medals (10 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze). China ended this edition on second position with 8 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze. They won 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze on Sunday.

Japan topped the medal tally in the first five editions of the Asian championships from 1973 to 1981. China’s domination began from 1983 at Kuwait City and continued till the previous edition at their home venue in Wuhan two years ago.

India snapped China’s monopoly this time though their northern neighbours had fielded only a second string team here as their athletes are reserving their best for the upcoming World championships in London next month.

The host country, however, suffered …read more