Incheon, Sept 22:
Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal scripted history on the squash court, while shooters also continued to deliver medals as India bagged two more bronze to boost their tally to six on the third day of the 17th Asian Games here today.
Pallikal settled for a bronze medal — the first by an Indian woman squash player — after losing to world number one Nicol David in the semifinals. India were also assured of at least a silver in the men’s singles event after Ghosal stormed into the final — the first from the country to achieve such a feat.
India were also assured of at least two bronze medals in wushu with Thoudam Sanathoi Devi and Narender Grewal storming into the semifinals in their respective events.
Sanathoi beat Amgalanjargal Sangidorj of Mongolia in a 2-0 ‘Win By Round’ (WBR) verdict in a dominating performance in her Sanda 52kg category quarterfinal contest at Ganghwa Dolmens Gymnasium here.
Grewal also outplayed his Pakistani opponent Abdullah in the men’s Sanda 60kg quarterfinal contest in an identical 2-0 ‘Win By Round’ (WBR) verdict.
The shooting range continued to be a happy hunting ground for the Indian contingent with the women’s pistol trio of Rahi Sarnobat, Anisa Sayyed and Heena Sidhu claiming a bronze in the 25m team event at the Ongnyeon International Range.
While the women’s pistol team, Pallikal and Ghosal stole the limelight with their performances, it was a rather disappointing day for India otherwise with the men’s football team and the tennis teams crashing out of the event.
With two medals coming their way, India were now placed 13th in the overall tally with one gold and five bronze. Regional powerhouse China lead the pack with 58 medals (26-14-18), followed by hosts South Korea 45 (14-15-16) and Japan 42 (13-13-16).
History was scripted at the squash court with Pallikal’s bronze even though she settled for the medal after a rather brute 4-11 4-11 5-11 thrashing at the hands of David. (PTI)
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