Rewind 2023: From Asian success in Hangzhou to Neeraj Chopra's gold, India's memorable year in sport beyond cricket

Another year has nearly passed us by in the blink of an eye, with 2023 coming to an end in a little over two weeks.

Looking back at the events of the bygone year, it certainly was a memorable one for Indian sports, especially with the country achieving new highs in multi-sporting mega events such as the Asian Games.

In a nation as obsessed with cricket as India is, it’s the ‘Gentleman’s Game’ that usually remains the dominant talking point when the discussion centres around its sporting achievements.

This year, however, with the Indian men’s and women’s teams failing to win a single ICC trophy despite dominating across formats, cricket takes a backseat and allows other events to hog the limelight for a change.

And why shouldn’t that be the case? India registered a record haul of medals in both the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, both of which took place in Hangzhou, China in September and October.

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra also created history by finally winning gold in the World Athletics Championships this year after falling narrowly short in 2022, making 2023 an even sweeter year for Indian sports fans.

More on that in detail below:

Breaking the 100-medal barrier in Asian Games

It’s tough picking a winner when it comes to choosing between India’s record Asian Games haul and Neeraj Chopra’s world championships gold as the highlight of 2023 for Indian sports, both achievements being a first for the country.

Indian sport has witnessed extraordinary individual achievements such as Abhinav Bindra and Chopra’s individual gold medals. Or even standout team achievements such as the eight consecutive Olympic gold medals in men’s hockey between 1928 and 1956. It’s not often, however, that India excels as a nation in a multi-sporting event such as the Asian Games.

The Indian contingent had travelled to the Hangzhou Games, which had been delayed by a year due to COVID restrictions, with the aim of achieving ‘Mission Sau Paar’ — breach the 100-medal mark in the continental games for the first time ever.

The last time India had breached the 100-medal mark in an event that comes close to matching the Asian Games was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. As for the Asian Games, India had been exhibiting steady progress over the years, finishing with their highest-ever tally in Jakarta 2018 with 70 medals at the eighth spot on the medal table.

To finish with 107 medals in the Hangzhou Games — 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze — is a considerably more special achievement for Indian sport however. Especially since India closed the gap with the ‘Big Three’ from the continent, finishing fourth on the table this time behind China, Japan and South Korea.

First things first..

India finish at 4th spot at Hangzhou Asian Games with their BEST EVER Medal haul: 107 medals: 28