In a historic triumph that reverberated through the annals of Asian Games history, Punjab’s athletes etched their names in gold, silver, and bronze as they delivered a groundbreaking performance at the recently-concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou. These extraordinary athletes from Punjab not only surpassed their own achievements but also broke records that had stood for over seven decades.
The Indian contingent, as a whole, displayed their prowess by securing a total of 107 medals — 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze — earning India the fourth position in the overall medal tally. However, the shining stars of this remarkable feat were the 33 athletes from Punjab who contributed significantly to this tally, amassing a grand total of 19 medals — eight gold, six silver, and five bronze.
This breathtaking performance by Punjab’s athletes obliterated records that had endured for 72 years in the storied history of the Asian Games. Prior to this extraordinary achievement, Punjab had clinched a maximum of seven gold medals in each of the 1951 New Delhi and 1962 Jakarta Asian Games. However, this year, Punjab's athletes surpassed their own legacy by securing eight gold medals.
Furthermore, the highest total medals won by Punjabi athletes in a single Asian Games event was 15, achieved during the 1951 New Delhi Games. Once again, the athletes of Punjab outdid themselves by amassing a total of 19 medals, firmly cementing their place in the annals of Asian Games history.
Punjab Sports Minister Extends Congratulations
Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian contingent and, in particular, the Punjabi athletes who had brought immense glory to the nation through their tireless dedication and exceptional performances on the grand stage of international sports. He highlighted the support provided to the athletes by the Punjab Government revealing that, on the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a total of Rs 4.64 crore had been disbursed to 48 Punjabi athletes who participated in the 2023 Asian Games to aid in their preparations.
Punjab's Medal Winners
Among the proud recipients of gold medals, the athletes who excelled included Sift Kaur Samra in shooting, Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Kanika Ahuja, and Amanjot Kaur in Women's Cricket, Tajinder Pal Singh Toor in Shot Put, Arjun Singh Cheema and Zorawar Singh Sandhu in Shooting, Parneet Kaur in Archery, and a stellar team of male hockey players, including Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Hardik Singh (Vice Captain), Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Varun Kumar, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh Ball, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, and Sukhjit Singh.
Punjab's silver medalists, who contributed significantly to the state's historic feat, included Harmilan Bains with two silvers in 800m and 1500m, and Jaswinder Singh with one silver and one bronze in Rowing. Dhurav Kapila claimed a silver medal in Badminton, while Rajeshwari Kumari earned silver in Trap Shooting.
The bronze medalists from Punjab, who added to the state's medal tally, were Vijayveer Sidhu in Shooting, Satnam Singh, Sukhmeet Singh, and Charanjit Singh in Rowing, Manju Rani in the walk race, and Simranjit Kaur in Archery.
As they bask in the glory of their achievements, they have not only etched their names in Asian Games history but have also made their state and their nation immensely proud.
Gold Medalists:- Sift Kaur Samra (Shooting), Harmanpreet Kaur (Cricket, Captain), Kanika Ahuja (Cricket), Amanjot Kaur (Cricket), Tajinder Pal Singh Toor (Shot Put), Arjun Singh Cheema (Shooting), Zorawar Singh Sandhu (Shooting), Parneet Kaur (Archery), Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey, Captain), Hardik Singh (Hockey, Vice-Captain), Manpreet Singh (Hockey), Mandeep Singh (Hockey), Varun Kumar (Hockey), Gurjant Singh (Hockey), Shamsher Singh (Hockey), Jarmanpreet Singh Ball (Hockey), Krishan Bahadur Pathak (Hockey), Sukhjit Singh (Hockey), Arshdeep Singh (Cricket), and Prabsimran Singh (Cricket)
Silver Medalists:- Harmilan Bains (800m and 1500m, Athletics), Jaswinder Singh (Rowing), Dhurav Kapila (Badminton), and Rajeshwari Kumari (Trap Shooting)
Bronze Medalists:- Vijayveer Sidhu (Shooting), Satnam Singh (Rowing), Sukhmeet Singh (Rowing), Charanjit Singh (Rowing), Manju Rani (Racewalking), and Simranjit Kaur (Archery)
