Asian Games 2023 - Hangzhou - Discussion

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The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 23 and the closing ceremony will take place on October 8. All competitions will be held across 56 venues in Hangzhou. Boxing and hockey at the Asian Games 2023 will also act as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics.

Hangzhou was officially awarded as the host city on September 16 2015. The emblem of the Games, 'Surging Tides' was announced during a ceremony in Hangzhou, and it is designed to resemble a hand fan, a running track and the Qiantang River, and radio waves (symbolising wireless connectivity). Also, the three mascots have been named Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen, collectively known as 'Memories of Jiangnan'.

Here is the full schedule for Asian Games 2023:

1. Archery: 1–7 October

2. Artistic Gymnastics: 24–29 September

3. Artistic Swimming: 6–8 October

4. Athletics: 29 September–5 October

5. Badminton: 28 September–7 October

6. Baseball: 26 September–7 October

7. Basketball: 26 September–6 October

8. Basketball 3×3: 25 September–1 October

9. Beach Volleyball: 19–28 September

10. Boxing: 24 September–5 October

11. Breaking: 6–7 October

12. Bridge: 27 September–6 October

13. Canoe/Kayak (Slalom): 5–7 October

14. Canoe/Kayak (Sprint): 30 September–3 October

15. Chess: 24 September–7 October

16. Cricket: 19–25 September (women) and 27 September–7 October (men)

17. Cycling (BMX Racing): 1 October

18. Cycling (Mountain Bike): 25 September

19. Cycling (Road): 3–5 October

20. Cycling (Track): 26–29 September

21. Diving: 30 September–4 October

22. Dragon Boat: 4–6 October

23. Equestrian: 26 September–6 October

24. Esports: 24 September–2 October

25. Fencing: 24–29 September

26. Football: 19 September–7 October

27. Go: 24 September–3 October

28. Golf: 28 September–1 October

29. Handball: 24 September–5 October

30. Hockey: 24 September–7 October

31. Ju-jitsu: 5–7 October

32. Judo: 24–27 September

33. Kabbadi: 2–7 October

34. Karate: 5–8 October

35. Kurash: 30 September–2 October

36. Marathon Swimming: 6–7 October

37. Modern Pentathlon: 20–24 September

38. Opening Ceremony: 23 September

39. Rhythmic Gymnastics: 6–7 October

40. Roller Skating: 30 September–7 October

41. Rowing: 20–25 September

42. Rugby Sevens: 24–26 September

43. Sailing: 21–27 September

44. Sepaktakraw: 24 September–7 October

45. Shooting: 24 September–1 October

46. Skateboarding: 24–27 September

47. Soft Tennis: 3–7 October

48. Softball: 26 September–2 October

49. Sport Climbing: 3–7 October

50. Squash: 26 September–5 October

51. Swimming: 24–29 September

52. Table tennis: 22 September–2 October

53. Taekwondo: 24–28 September

54. Tennis: 24–30 September

55. Trampoline Gymnastics: 2–3 October

56. Triathlon: 29 September–2 October

57. Volleyball: 19–26 September (men) and 30 September–7 October (women)

58. Water Polo: 25 September–7 October

59. Weightlifting: 30 September–7 October

60. Wrestling: 4–7 October

61. Wushu: 24–28 September

61. Xiangqi: 28 September–7 October
 
New Delhi cancelled on Friday a trip by its sports minister to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, saying that Chinese authorities had denied accreditation and entry to Indian athletes from a region claimed by Beijing.

According to Indian media reports, three women martial arts fighters from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh were approved to take part in the sports extravaganza by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee.

But the wushu fighters were unable to download their accreditation cards, which act as visas to enter China, the Hindustan Times reported.

The northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is claimed almost in full by Beijing, which calls it “South Tibet”.

China had discriminated against some of the Indian athletes “in a targeted and pre-meditated manner”, India’s foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.

“China’s action violates both the spirit of the Asian Games and the rules governing their conduct, which explicitly prohibits discrimination against competitors from member states,” he added.

A “strong protest” had been lodged in both New Delhi and Beijing against “China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of some of our sportspersons”, he said, and a trip by the sports minister to the event had been cancelled.

Wushu, or kung fu, is a multi-disciplinary martial art originating in China.

The rest of the 10-member Indian squad along with the coaching staff left for the Games in Hangzhou on Wednesday, according to reports.

Before the Indian foreign ministry statement, senior Olympic Council of Asia official Wei Jizhong had insisted that the trio had been issued visas and were not barred.

“I make it very clear: the Chinese government gave them a visa, they can enter China,” he told reporters. “But unfortunately these athletes didn’t accept the visa.”

Asked about the trio at a regular foreign ministry briefing in Beijing, spokeswoman Mao Ning said that China welcomed “athletes from all countries with legal documents” to take part in the Asian Games.

“The Chinese government does not recognise the so-called Arunachal region that you mentioned,” she added. “South Tibet is part of China.”

Indian spokesman Bagchi retorted: “Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”

DAWN NEWS
 
Pakistani players striving to show passion in Hangzhou Asian Games

With over 12,500 athletes from 45 countries set to compete in a total of 61 competition items, the 19th Asian Games has become a carnival that attracts attention from Asia and even the world. Pakistan is sending a fully prepared contingent of 262 officials and athletes, who will compete in a total of 25 disciplines including cricket, hockey, swimming, badminton, Wushu, and so on.

Realizing the importance of sports in promoting national unity and strengthening people’s physical fitness, the Government of Pakistan fully supports all athletes who represent the country in the Asian Games.

Source: Dunya News
 
Biggest ever Asian Games set to kick off in China’s Hangzhou
Nearly 12,500 athletes – more than ever before – from 45 countries and territories are set to compete across 40 sports.
Hangzhou, China – The Asian Games are finally upon us.

Delayed by a year due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the 19th edition of the event is set to officially begin on Saturday in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou with a two-hour opening ceremony.

Dating back to 1951, the Games are bigger than the Olympics when it comes to the number of athletes and sports – and this year’s competition is billed as the biggest in history.

Nearly 12,500 athletes – more than ever – from 45 countries and territories will be competing across 40 sports.

“It is really a pleasure to see that, after the three years of pandemic, the interest that has been generated for these Games,” said Vinod Kumar Tiwari, acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia.

“Because these will be the first Games that will be held without any restrictions … for the first time after the pandemic.”

The Games will be held in 56 venues, 12 of which have been newly built. The programme includes the more traditional events, such as athletics and swimming but also those which reflect Asia’s diverse sporting culture, such as sepak takraw, or kick volleyball; kabaddi, a mixture of team tag and wrestling; and wushu, a martial art.

China, as the host country, has the privilege of choosing which sports to include in the programme, with bridge, chess and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) being among the non-Olympic events featured in the schedule. Meanwhile, e-sports, breakdancing and sport climbing will be making their Games debut, in an effort to attract the interest of younger people.

FIFA Online 4, Street Fighter V and League of Legends are among the seven e-sport medal events.

“Together, we will celebrate the beauty and diversity of e-sports,” said Wissam Trkmani, the project and operations manager at the Olympic Council of Asia, speaking at the Road to Asian Games opening ceremony in June.

“May the Road to Asian Games be a testament to the incredible achievements and unwavering dedication of e-sports athletes in Asia.”


 
Pakistan volleyball team beats South Korea to enter Asian Games semifinals.
 
The 19th Asian Games officially kicked off tonight, and the adorable Asian Games mascots are captivating fans from all the delegations across Asia. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday night declared the 19th Asian Games open in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province
 
Pakistan victory over South Korea in Mens Volleyball is massive, since South Korea where favorites. The coach of Pakistani Volleyball team is Brasilian and after his teams victory he was in tears.

The passion and love he showed for his team was really beautiful I hope to see more coaches like this for Pakistan in the future for other sports as well.

Pakistan won 3-0 in sets
25-19, 25-22 and 25-21

Pakistan will take on Qater in the Quarter Finals
 
AFP slams POA ahead of Asian Games

LAHORE: Showing serious reservations over non-consideration of its recommended officials with the Asian Games-bound national athletics squad, the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) on Saturday said that the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) will be responsible if any mishap occurs during the quadrennial event in Hangzhou.

“Any infringement of rules, indiscipline, doping violations by this team during the 19th Asian Games will be the sole responsibility of the POA. AFP stands exonerated from any infringement of rules, indiscipline, doping violations by the athletes or any other harm brought to the cause of athletics in Pakistan,” AFP said in a press statement.

“Recently a list of athletes and accompanying officials who have been nominated to participate in the 19th Asian Games 2023 at Hangzhou, China was published by the Pakistan Olympic Association.

“The list included the names and athletics events of the nominated athletes and accreditation has been completed for this team to participate in the Asian Games 2023.

“In this regard, it is apprised that AFP had proposed the names of athletes, coaches and officials, based on merit, for participation in the 19th Asian Games 2023 China.

“Subsequently meetings were also held with the concerned government authorities in addition to written correspondence on this matter. AFP strongly recommended that personal coaches of the athletes must accompany them for better discipline, conduct, and performance during the competition.

“It is highlighted that no official (team leader/manager) and coaches recommended by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan have been included in the athletics contingent proceeding for participation in the Asian Games. The absence of personal coaches of the athletes may cause difficulties and bad performance.”

It is pertinent to mention here that a bulky Pakistan athletics squad will leave via different airlines for Hangzhou on September 26 to feature in the Asian Games.

Pakistan’s top javelin throw coach Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, Olympian Sadaf Siddiqui and Sajjad Mehmood will be accompanying them as officials.

GEO
 

Asian Games: Indian rugby's new, improved system faces first big test in Hangzhou​


"Agar hum unke saath ek baar khelenge toh who darr bhi door ho hi jayega" [If we play them once, then that fear will also go away]

India's rugby sevens captain Sheetal Sharma is talking about playing hosts China, defending champions Japan and Hong Kong in their very tough group at the upcoming Asian Games. The draw has the players understandably apprehensive, but the fighting spirit is evident in how Sharma assesses the challenge: Once we play them, the fear of the unknown will be gone.

Her attitude is in sync with the belief of the team coach, Ludwiche Van Deventer, that the Indian rugby system is "world class". And this in turn is borne out by results: three silver medals at the Asian level in 2022, and currently ranked 7 in Asia.

What made this achievement truly special was that all three medals came in different age groups - the Asia Rugby U18 Sevens Championships, Asia Rugby U20 Championship, Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy. A sign of a healthy system from the bottom up.

There's something happening in rugby that isn't talked about much but deserves to be told.

Van Deventer, the South African head coach instrumental in transforming Indian women's rugby into a professional set-up since taking up the position in 2018, adds perspective to the numbers.

"We are No 7 in Asia and anything above that will be great but for now our focus is to deliver a 100% competitive package. We want the people who see us play to see that our skills, structure, conditioning, knowledge of the game, technical, practical,and physical approach is world class."

He recalls an incident from 2018 that is telling of Rugby India's approach: "When we started this journey in 2018, playing the Youth Championships in Bhubaneshwar some of those ladies in the Asian Games were our supporters as schoolkids back then. I think this sums up the journey that Rugby India and this group of girls has undergone together."

Taru Lata and Mama Naik, from the stands are now part of the Indian core group. That speaks to the professionalising - to some extent - of the game. Hupi Majhi, also from Odisha, can play rugby without hiding or having to choose between the sport and a regular paying job.

Rugby India's programme also includes year-round long holistic training, high-performance centres, a burgeoning junior pipeline, long camps and international exposure trips before big events.

This Indian team recently went to Malaysia and finished fourth at the Borneo 7s as part of their 50-day camp for the Asian Games. Before the Asia Trophy, they competed in Thailand, which helped achieve the silver finish.

"We learn a lot on these trips. Overseas teams are usually very good so in these competitions we get to try out different players, positions, and plays. It gives us some confidence and we need it before going for big matches," Sheetal says.

These trips, calling for significant financial investment, are a recent development and show that the federation is putting their money where their mouth is. "When I started in 2019, camps and exposure was in India only and the state teams would compete against us," says Van Deventer. "Now after lockdown when we restarted... initially the camp was cancelled just two days before because of a financial issue. Then in 2021-22, we re-started and then these trips began."

This coincides with Rugby India coming under new administration spearheaded by former player and actor Rahul Bose in 2021, a marked step forward in developing the game in India.

At the Asia Trophy, the performance that helped seal the Asiad berth, India beat teams like Laos, Indonesia, Guam and had a close match against a top-tier team like Singapore. While they didn't play the bigwigs, as they will in Hangzhou, it was a performance that impressed and showed how a professional system can set up success.

Rugby sevens - the format that will be used in the Asian Games - is a shorter, seven-a-side game that requires more fitness and pace. The relative lack of physicality that can often be an issue with Indian teams doesn't matter here; indeed, for this Indian team, there are few physical limitations thanks to their intense fitness program.

"Initially, everyone did fitness individually," Sharma says. "Then as rugby grew, we started having high performance centres in states. Now, we have coaches from South Africa [Kiano Fourie] and India [Surabhi Date] who have studied in England and New Zealand. We get a training and diet plan from South Africa as per our size and goals. At the camp, sessions are divided into conditioning, strength, mental training and psychology session."

It's a level of multi-dimensional support that very few women's team sports in India can boast of.

The coach elaborates on the process saying it's not just limited to the camps. "We run a 12-month program with the girls, ensuring they have access to gyms, dieticians, sports supplements even at home. We have a full staff that includes strength and conditioning coach, physio, massage therapist, sports psychologists, analyst. There is a lot of pieces moving around ensuring that we progress at a fast pace, training them at an elite high-performance level, physically and emotionally."


This has been enhanced by the shift to the Sports Authority of India facilities, which can be a game changer for Indian sports given it's a government-aided, all-encompassing space.

The best part is the food. "Earlier there was dal chawal and sabji, now our entire food system is changed based on what a player needs to eat. People eat 3 meals a day, we get 5-6," Sharma says, with a laugh.

These are all markers of tangible progress in the Indian sporting ecosystem, something rugby has rarely had. Now, the Asian Games could give this team a national platform.

But the think-tank is also aware that the Asiad are but another step in a journey still in its starting phase.

Coach Van Deventer echoes her: "Asian Games participation is confirmation of all the hard work that has been going into this group since 2018... it's another opportunity to showcase what we are building and the level of our 7s programme."
 
Pakistan women out of Asian Games cricket competition They will face Bangladesh for the Bronze medal. Now dream of Gold is over
 
Womens Tennis

Round 1
Khan Sara Ibrahim (PAK) defeats Almudahka Hind of Qatar ( 6-2, 6-7, 6-3)

Suhail Ushana (Pak) defeats Tukhteava Sumaya of Tajikistan (6-2, 6-3)
 
I am surprised by Low Key importance to current Asiads in Indian media. Usually quite few pages of Newspapers were full of coverage regarding Asians. This time its just one page by TOI at the back and 1 pic on first page. Even news website are pretty low key compared to last few Asiads. Lack of buzz in India is surprising.
 
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I am surprised by Low Key importance to current Asiads in Indian media. Usually quite few pages of Newspapers were full of coverage regarding Asiads. This time its just one page by TOI at the back and 1 pic on first page. Even news website are pretty low key compared to last few Asiads. Lack of buzz in India is surprising.
cricket wc fever is on I suppose.
 
Choi Injeong won the fifth gold medal for Team Republic of Korea in Fencing, women's Épée Individual on the first day of gold medal events at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou.
 
Pan Zhanle defeated his teammate Wang Haoyu and rival Hwang Sunwoo to claim the gold medal in Swimming, men's 100m freestyle at Hangzhou Asian Games.Pan also broke his own Asian Record with a time of 46.97. The world record for this event is 46.86.
 
Keldiyorova Diyora, the gold medalist in Judo, women's 52Kg event, won for Team Uzbekistan their first title at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou.
 
Cha Yeaeun won a gold medal in Taekwondo, women's individual poomsae event. one of the 4 gold medals from Team Republic of Korea in the afternoon.
 
Zhang Yufei won the first gold medal for the Chinese Swimming Team in the Women's 200m Butterfly at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou and broke the Games record.
 
When it comes to cricket, the ICC and ACC have decided that matches played on October 3rd, 2023, will have international status, and all records will be considered international. Pakistan will participate in two matches - one against Australia and another against another Asian team. Babar 11 will play in India, and Qasim Akram 11 will play in China.
 
Pakistan Shaheens practice ahead of the Asian Games cricket tournament:

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Makhmadbekov Somon won the first gold medal for Team Tajikistan in Judo, Men -81Kg event at Hangzhou Asian Games.
 
The first gold medal for Team Indonesia at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou. Putra Muhammad Sejahtera Dwi grabbed the gold in Shooting, 10m running target men event.
 
China's Sheng Lihao won the gold in Shooting, 10m air rifle men and broke the world record.
 
Tomar Aishwary Pratap Singh, Panwar Divyansh Singh and Patil Rudrankkash Balasaheb defeated Team Korea (Silver) and Team China (Bronze) to claim the gold in Shooting, 10m air rifle team men event and broke the world record.
 
Three North Korean marksmen refused to join their South Korean rivals in a group photo of medal winners at the Hangzhou Asian Games after narrowly missing out on gold in a men's team shooting competition on Monday.

After receiving their silver medal in the men's team 10m running target, their country's first of the Games, the three North Korean athletes first broke with tradition by declining to turn towards the flag during the rendition of the national anthem of the winners, South Korea.

Then, during the customary group photo, where all medal winners bunch together for the cameras, the bronze medallists, Indonesia, joined South Korea on the top rung of the podium, but the three North Koreans, Kwon Kwang-il, Pak Myong-won and Songjun Yu, did not.

During a brief, but awkward delay one of the South Koreans tapped one of the North Koreans on the shoulder and tried to speak to them, but the North Koreans kept silent and did not even look to their left where their rivals stood.

The Hangzhou Asian Games is the first international multi-sport event North Korea is attending since the 2018 edition in Jakarta.

HANGZHOU, China Sept 25 (Reuters)

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Iran’s Mobina Nemat Zadeh won a bronze medal in 49 weight category of women’s taekwondo competitions of Guangzhou Asian Games on Monday.
 
Team India won its first Equestrian gold in the Asian Games history in dressage team event at Hangzhou Asian Games.
 
Pakistan Hockey Team won its 2nd match vs Bangladesh by a score of 5-2

Mens Team Squash Group A

Pakistan beat Qatar 2-1 in sets

Pakistan beat Nepal 3-0 in sets
 
Pakistan mens Team beat India in Volleyball 3-0 in sets

25-21, 25-20 and 25-23

Have claimed 5th place well done boys 😊
 
PAKISTAN IS THROUGH TO FINALS

Here are the winning moments when Sahil Gul’s save against Bhutan set up a winning opportunity for Kamil Ahmad Khan (Sub) to seal victory and earn the Pakistan U19 Squad a spot in the finals of the SAFFU19 Championship.
 
Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan make History as Team India wins its first ever Gold in Women's 25m Pistol Team Event at the Asian Games.
 
Pakistan has no medal yet. It reflects level of sports activities in our country.
 
India’s Sift Kaur Samra won gold in the women’s 50m Rifle 3-P individual event at the Asian Games 2023 to give India its fifth gold on Wednesday at Hangzhou.

Ashi Chouksey also bagged a bronze in the event to bring India’s shooting medal to eight.
 
Yes man! not to mention Hamza Khan Junior championship in July. I've been showing all these highlights to my son as he loves to play/watch the game.

Yes, for sure.
Squash is a lot of fun to watch and play. It's a real test of endurance and strategy. After playing squash I find other sports boring haha
 
Another shooting gold medal for Team India. The trio of Cheema Arjun Singh, Sarabjot Singh, and Narwal Shiva secured the gold in the Shooting, 10m Air Pistol Men's Team event at the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou.
 
Paksitan's Saeed Hamzah Umar defeated Alahmed Wadhah of Qatar in Taekwondo Round of 32.
 
The second medal is confirmed for Pakistan in the Asian Games.

Pakistan's Kishmala Talat has qualified for the final, which is currently being played, with a score of 580-20x in the 10m Air Pistol event 👏
 
Main questions for us
1. Can india retain its 4th position in medal tally?
2. Can pakistan end its gold drought?
And
3. Neeraj vs Naseem.. the javelin clash of titans
 
Congrats to Kishmala Talat for getting Pakistans first medal she finishes 3rd and picks up the bronze
 
Pakistan Mens Squash Team beat Hong Kong in semi final 2-1 in sets

Pakistan advance to the finals
Best of luck boys 🙂
 
Team India's Palak who took the gold in Shooting, 10m Air Pistol Women's event. The silver medal goes to her teammate Singh Esha.
 
India vs pak final in squash. Can india avenge its group match loss?
 
India beat Pakistan to win men's squash gold. Ninth gold medal for India.
 
Noor Zaman did his best but lost against Indian player in the final match, Congrats to the winner but also good effort by Noor

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Pakistan had some chances in 3rd and 4th match to win but were unable too, credit has to go to Abhey Singh in Particular he fought hard and well.

I do think in general Pak need to have a sports psychologist to handle pressure in all sports.

During the 5th match Pak were up 10-8 and needed 1 point, during that period the Pak players were seen laughing a bit, as if they had already won.

As an athlete you always need to remember 2 things

It's not over until it's over, and always be in the match and have game awareness if you're up 10-5 you still need 1 point to win, anything can happen.

I hope the Pak Players can learn from this.

Once again congratz to India and in particular Abhey Singh he played his heart out.
 
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Pakistan had some chances in 3rd and 4th match to win but were unable too, credit has to go to Abhey Singh in Particular he faught hard and well.

I do think in general Pak need to have a sports psychologist to handle preassure in all sports

During the 5th match Pak were up 10-8 and needed 1 point, during that period the Pak players were seen laughing a bit, as if they had already won.

As an athlete you always need to remember 2 things

Its not over until its over, and always be in the match and have game awareness if your up 10-5 you still need 1 point to win, anything can happen.

I hope the Pak Players can learn from this

Once again congratz to India and in particular Abhey Singh he played his heart out
Meant to say even in a situation if your up 10-5 as an example you still need 1 point to win anything can happen
 
What an insane final two games in squash. Noor Zaman at least twice was just two points and one point away in consecutive games from securing the Gold medal for Pakistan, instead Abhay Singh displayed nerves of steel to clinch a historic team gold for India.
 
Asian Games 2023 squash: Indian men’s team beats Pakistan in thrilling final to win gold medal

The Indian team won 2-1 in the final in Hangzhou. Abhay Singh saved two gold medal points to secure a nail-biting victory.

India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in the final to win the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 men’s team squash event in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Saturday.

In the final, Mahesh Mangaonkar lost the opener before Saurav Ghosal leveled the scores. Abhay Singh persevered in an enticing decider to win his team the top podium.

India had also lost 2-1 to Pakistan in the group stage earlier this week.

In the final, Mahesh Mangaonkar opened the proceedings for India but struggled against Nasir Iqbal and went down 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-2) in just 11 minutes.

Saurav Ghosal then drew India level with a straight-set win in the second match. The Indian squash player trailed in the initial stages of his match but rallied back to beat Muhammad Asim Khan 3-0 (11-5, 11-1, 11-3) and kept India in the hunt.

In an enthralling decider, Abhay Singh won the first game before losing the next two. The Indian squash player, however, dug deep to beat Noor Zaman 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10) to clinch the tie in India’s favour.

Abhay Singh, 25, saved two championship points in the deciding game to deny Pakistan.

This was India’s second-ever gold medal in squash at the Asian Games. The previous one was also won by the men’s team - at Incheon 2014. Saurav Ghosal and Mahesh Mangaonkar were also a part of the champion team from Incheon.

En route to the final, the Indian men's squash team registered a hard-fought 2-0 victory over 2018 champions Malaysia in the semi-finals. They made the knockouts after finishing second behind Pakistan in Pool A. Only the top two teams from each pool progressed to the last-four.

The Indian men’s team had finished with a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta Games in Indonesia.

The women’s team ended its Hangzhou 2023 squash campaign with a bronze medal after losing to Hong Kong China in the semi-finals on Friday.

Indian squash players will next be in action in the singles and mixed doubles events which start on October 1.
 
Asian Games 2023 squash: Indian men’s team beats Pakistan in thrilling final to win gold medal

The Indian team won 2-1 in the final in Hangzhou. Abhay Singh saved two gold medal points to secure a nail-biting victory.

India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in the final to win the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 men’s team squash event in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Saturday.

In the final, Mahesh Mangaonkar lost the opener before Saurav Ghosal leveled the scores. Abhay Singh persevered in an enticing decider to win his team the top podium.

India had also lost 2-1 to Pakistan in the group stage earlier this week.

In the final, Mahesh Mangaonkar opened the proceedings for India but struggled against Nasir Iqbal and went down 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-2) in just 11 minutes.

Saurav Ghosal then drew India level with a straight-set win in the second match. The Indian squash player trailed in the initial stages of his match but rallied back to beat Muhammad Asim Khan 3-0 (11-5, 11-1, 11-3) and kept India in the hunt.

In an enthralling decider, Abhay Singh won the first game before losing the next two. The Indian squash player, however, dug deep to beat Noor Zaman 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10) to clinch the tie in India’s favour.

Abhay Singh, 25, saved two championship points in the deciding game to deny Pakistan.

This was India’s second-ever gold medal in squash at the Asian Games. The previous one was also won by the men’s team - at Incheon 2014. Saurav Ghosal and Mahesh Mangaonkar were also a part of the champion team from Incheon.

En route to the final, the Indian men's squash team registered a hard-fought 2-0 victory over 2018 champions Malaysia in the semi-finals. They made the knockouts after finishing second behind Pakistan in Pool A. Only the top two teams from each pool progressed to the last-four.

The Indian men’s team had finished with a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta Games in Indonesia.

The women’s team ended its Hangzhou 2023 squash campaign with a bronze medal after losing to Hong Kong China in the semi-finals on Friday.

Indian squash players will next be in action in the singles and mixed doubles events which start on October 1.
the final was epic! Saurav Ghoshal is a legend and an example to anyone to work hard and achieve their goals, never giving up.
i thot the young pak guy noor zaman was awesome and is the future of the squash, this guy is going to win big. I came to kow he is grandson of kamar zaman who was a legend in his time.
I think the final was worth the watch, pak and india gave it all...being indian...am happy we won!

our commiserations to pak fans, hold your head high

what a saturday in indian sport!
 
Asian games; India leads 9 to 2 against Pakistan in 4 th quarter as i type
 
It's very sad to see Pakistan hitting rock bottom in actually one field after other) after watching their domination over throughout my childhood.
 
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