By Simar Anand
The Asian games is a continental multi-sport event. Much like the Olympic games, it takes place every four years and involves players from nations from all across Asia. It gathers athletes from 45 countries every time and has more than 450 events.
It has become the oldest and most esteemed event on the Olympic Council of Asia. It dates back to 1951, when their first edition was held in New Delhi (India), and is also recognised as the second largest multi – sporting event after the Olympics.
This year some important achievements have been:
- HS Prannoy, an Indian badminton player, who even though lost against Li ShiFeng of China, in Hangzhou, still secured a bronze medal, which was a historic win for the shuttler who earned India’s first medal for men’s singles, ending the 41 years of wait.
- India reached a milestone of getting 107 medals for the first time.
- Gilas Pilipinas won first gold in men’s basketball since 1962; ending 61 years of wait. Gilas Pilipinas are the Philippines national basketball team.
- Mubal Azzam Ibrahim, a 17 year old Maldivian swimmer, broke the national men’s long standing 100m breaststroke record.
- Ri Song Gum and Kang Hyong Yong respectively received gold medals for world records in the women’s 49 kg and 55 kg sectors.
This year’s Asian Games concluded successfully with world records in shooting and weightlifting. These Asian games have also been highly successful with regards to sustainability, because from the 56 venues used, only 12 were newly built for the tournament.
In another three months, the continent hosts another big event; the Winter Youth Olympic Games. The success of the Asian Games means that they have a tough act to follow.