Indian rowing contingent match best-ever medal tally at Asian Games 2023

India improved its medal count compared to the previous edition as well.

India's rowing campaign at Asian Games 2023 has concluded with a remarkable performance by winning 5 medals, consisting of 2 Silver and 3 Bronze. This achievement ties with India's best-ever performance in rowing, which was previously recorded in 2010 when India clinched a total of 5 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze) and secured the third position in the medal tally, trailing behind China and Japan. Notably, Bajrang Lal Thakur brought home the Gold Medal in Men's Single Sculls during the 2010 Asian Games.

Interestingly, India achieved its best-ever rowing medal tally in events hosted by China on both occasions. This year, despite missing out on a gold medal, India improved upon its performance from the previous edition, where it secured 3 medals (1 Gold and 2 Bronze).

Medal Highlights

India's stellar rowing journey at the Asian Games this year saw the emergence of several outstanding athletes and remarkable performances.

1. Men's Lightweight Double Sculls

India's first medal in rowing at the Asian Games this year was achieved in the Men's Lightweight Double Sculls event. Arvind Singh and Arjun Lal Jat displayed exceptional skill and determination, securing the silver medal with a remarkable timing of 6:21:18. Their impressive performance placed them just behind the Chinese team.

2. Men's Coxless Pair

Babu Lal Yadav and Lekh Ram added to India's medal count by securing the bronze medal in the Men's Coxless Pair category. They recorded a commendable timing of 6:50:41, showcasing their prowess on the water.

3. Men's Coxed Eight

India's third medal was captured in the Men's Coxed Eight event, where the team secured the Silver medal with a timing of 5:43:01. They provided stiff competition to the Chinese team but narrowly missed the gold. The team consisted of Naresh Kulwaniya, Neetish Kumar, Charanjeet Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Bheem Singh, Punit Kumar, Ashish, and Dhananjay Pande.

4. Men's Coxless Four

On the last day of the rowing competition, India continued to shine as the Men's Coxless Four team, comprising Jaswinder Singh, Bheem Singh, Punit Kumar, and Ashish, secured the bronze medal with a timing of 6:10:81.

5. Men's Quadruple Sculls

India's fifth and final medal came in the Men's Quadruple Sculls event, where Satnam Singh, Parminder Singh, Jakar Khan, and Sukhmeet Singh showcased their skills and determination by winning the bronze medal with a timing of 6:08:61. Although they were initially in the silver medal position, the Chinese team managed to overtake them in the last 50 meters, securing silver.

Let's take a closer look at the extraordinary achievements of Indian rowers at the Asian Games since 2010.

India's Rowing Medal at the Asian Games Since 2010

2010 China

• Bajrang Lal Takhar -Gold (Men’s single sculls)
• Anil Kumar, Saji Thomas, Ranjit Singh, Jenil Krishnan Silver (Men’s coxless four)
• Anil Kumar, Girraj Singh, Saji Thomas, Lokesh Kumar, Manjeet Singh, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Ranjit Singh, Satish Joshi, Jenil Krishnan Silver (Men’s coxed eight)
• Lokesh Kumar, Manjeet Singh, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Satish Joshi - Silver (Men’s lightweight coxless four)
• Pratima Puhan, Pramila Prava Minz - Silver (Women’s coxless pair)

2014 South Korea

• Sawarn Singh - Bronze (Men’s single sculls)
• Kapil Sharma, Ranjit Singh, Bajrang Lal Takhar, PU Robin, Sawan Kumar Kalkal, Azad Mohammed, Maninder Singh, Davinder Singh, Ahmed Mohammed - Bronze (Men’s coxed eight)
• Dushyant Chauhan - Bronze (Men’s lightweight single sculls)

2018 Indonesia

• Sawarn Singh, Dattu Baban Bhokanal, Om Prakash, Sukhmeet Singh - Gold (Men’s quadruple sculls)
• Dushyant Chauhan - Bronze (Men’s lightweight single sculls)
• Rohit Kumar, Bhagwan Singh - Bronze (Men’s lightweight double sculls)

2022 China

• Arvind Singh, Arjun Lal Jat - Silver (Men’s lightweight double sculls)
• Babu Lal Yadav, Lekh Ram - Bronze (Men’s coxless pair)
• Jaswinder Singh, Bheem Singh, Punit Kumar, Ashish, Neeraj, Naresh Kalwaniya, Neetish Kumar, Charanjeet Singh, Dhahanjay Pande - Silver (Men’s coxed eight)
• Jaswinder Singh, Bheem Singh, Punit Kumar, Ashish - Bronze (Men’s coxless four)
• Satnam Singh, Parminder Singh, Jakar Khan, Sukhmeet Singh - Bronze (Men’s quadruple sculls)