Jakarta: The Indian 4x400m women’s relay team clinched their fifth consecutive Asian Games gold medal to maintain a remarkable domination in this event while Jinson Johnson won the men’s 1,500m final race as the country produced their best-ever show in athletics since the inaugural 1951 edition.
After six days of competition, India grabbed seven gold, 10 silver and two bronze medals. The gold count was same as in 1978 and 2002 Asian Games but India had won a total of 17 medals in these two earlier editions as against 19 this time.
In the inaugural edition in 1951 at New Delhi, India had won 31 medals from athletics, including 10 gold. In 1982, India had won 20 medals in athletics but there were only four gold, the rest being eight silver and eight bronze.
India finished third in athletics behind China (12, 12, 9) and Bahrain (12, 6, 7).
In the 800m, compatriot Manjit Singh had surprised Jinson, but Thursday the man from Kerala did not give anyone a chance. He won in 3:44.72 seconds leaving Amir Moradi (3:45.62s) and Mohammed Tiouali (3:45.88s) far behind. Manjit was fourth with a timing of 3:46.57s.
Young sprinter Hima Das won her second Asian Games medal, and this time a gold, as the Indian women’s quartet comprising her, MR Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and VK Bismaya faced no competition as they easily took the gold. Running the first lap Hima built a huge gap of over 30 metres and the others just maintained it. However, the Indian team missed out on the Games record of 3:28.68 as they clocked 3:28.72.
Meanwhile, discus thrower Seema Punia and middle-distance runner PU Chitra had to be content with bronze medals. The men’s 4X400 relay team though had to be content with a silver behind a dominating Qatar.