The 18th edition of the Asian Games is set to kick-off in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang. A total of 572 athletes will be representing India at the quadrennial event, to be held from 18 August to 2 September.
After the opening ceremony at the GBK main stadium in Jakarta, the event will kick-off from 19 August. And on the first day of the Games, Olympic medallists PV Sindhu, Sushil Kumar among others will be in action.
The Indian women’s hockey team will be starting their campaign with their first Pool B match against Indonesia.
Among the shooters, two big Indian names – Apurvi Chandela and Manu Bhaker – will be in action with their mixed team partners. CWG gold medallist Bhaker will be teaming up with Abhishek Verma in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, while Chandela along with Ravi Kumar will be competing in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event.
All eyes will however be on two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who will be competing in the 74kg category. The 35-year-old has clinched at least one gold medal at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championship, but he has won only one bronze medal at the Asian Games.
The other freestyle wrestlers competing on the opening day will be Sandeep Tomar (57kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg), Pawan Kumar (86kg), and Mausam Khatri (97kg).
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