At the Asian Games held on Tuesday, India celebrated a momentous achievement as Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam clinched bronze in the men's canoe double 1000m event. Completing the race in 3:53.329 seconds, this marks only the second time India has medaled in this event in the history of the Asian Games.
Previously, India tasted success in this event during the 1994 Hiroshima edition, where the duo of Siji Sadanandan and Johnny Rommel also secured a bronze.
The top podium spot was claimed by Uzbekistan's Shokhmurod Kholmuradov and Nurislom Tukhtasin Ugli, who raced to gold with an impressive timing of 3:43.796s. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's pair of Timofey Yemelyanov and Sergey Yemelyanov took home the silver, clocking in at 3:49.991s.
This accomplishment by Singh and Salam brings added recognition to India's growing prowess in diverse sporting disciplines at international events.
Sunil, who is competing in only his second Asian Games after the 2018 edition, said the bronze here nullified the disappointment at Jakarta.
"In 2018, we could have won a medal in the same event but things went haywire after my partner got sick on the day of competition. We competed but could not do our best. Now, it's second time lucky for me (here)," Sunil said after the event.
Arjun said he couldn't have asked for a better result in his maiden Asian Games.
"It's a dream come true for me, and also we are only the second medallist. Medal in my first Asian Games, I can't ask for more. My mother will be really happy," he said.
Both Sunil and Arjun currently train in Bhopal under chief coach Pijush Baroi.
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(With PTI inputs, powered by AI)
