Indian athletes, especially the wrestlers, had a fruitful day at the 19th Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the Republic of China. Indian men's recurve team finished off their Asian Games campaign with a silver, while the Indian men's hockey team secured their berth in the final by beating Pakistan. On the other hand, Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia ended his tournament campaign without a medal. A lot more happened, and we have talked about it all in today's sports wrap.
Asian Games 2023:
Indian hockey clinches gold by defeating Japan
The Indian men's hockey team clinched gold at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the Republic of China on October 6, Friday. The Indian men led by Harmanpreet Singh defeated Japan 5-1 to finish on the top of the podium. With their win, the hockey team secured their Paris Olympics 2024 quota. It was India's 4th Gold medal at the Asiad in men's hockey for India after 1966, 1998, and 2014.
HS Prannoy clinches bronze in men's singles event
India's star shuttler HS Prannoy clinched bronze in the men's singles event at the continental tournament in Hangzhou. Prannoy went down against China’s Li Shifeng in the badminton men’s singles 45-minute-long semifinal by 21-16. 21-9. Prannoy's bronze medal took India's overall medal tally to 88.
Indian men's and women's kabaddi teams storm into final
The Indian men's and women's kabaddi teams stormed into the finale of their respective events at the 19th Asian Games 2023. The men's team locked horns with arch-rival Pakistan in the semi-finals and took them down 61-14 to secure their final berth in the multi-sport event.
On the other hand, Indian women got better of Nepal in the semifinals as they won 61-17 to move to the final. They will meet Chinese Taipei in the summit clash, who defeated Iran in the semis.
Sonam Malik wins bronze in women's 52kg freestyle wrestling
Indian wrestler Sonam Malik clinched the bronze medal in women's 62kg freestyle at the 19th Asian Games 2023, Hangzhou, the Republic of China. The Indian grappler got better of her Chinese rival Jia Long 7-5 to find a third-spot podium finish in the continental showpiece. With her bronze, she extended the wrestling medal count to three and India's overall medal count to 91.
Indian men's recurv e team wins silver; women win bronze
Indian men's recurve team ended their Asian Games campaign with a silver as they fell short against the Republic of Korea in the final. The Indian trio lost the gold medal match 5-1 to the Korean team consisting of Lee Wooseok, Oh Jinhyek and Kim Je Deok.
On the other hand, the Indian women’s recurve team comprising Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur and Simranjeet Kaur took down the Vietnamese team of Do Thi Anh Nguyet, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhi and Phuong Thao Hoang 6-2 to win the bronze medal.
Football
Argentina announce squad for World Cup qualifiers
Argentina head coach Luis Scaloni announced the squad for the games against Paraguay and Peru. Injured Lionel Messi made the squad while Angel di Maria was left out.
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso, Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez and Franco Armani.
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, German Pezzella, Gonzalo Montiel, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi and Lucas Esquivel, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Marco Pellegrino and Marcos Acuna.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Facundo Buonanotte, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Bruno Zapelli and Giovani Lo Celso.
Forward: Lucas Beltran, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez , Julian Alvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, Lionel Messi, Carlos Alcaraz, Thiago Almada, Paulo Dybala, Facundo Farias and Lucas Ocampos
Germany announces squad for international friendlies
Germany brought back defender Mats Hummels as manager Julian Nagelsmann on Friday announced his first squad for this month's international friendlies. Die Manschaft will take on the United States and Mexico.
Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp, Bernd Leno, Oliver Baumann
Defenders: Antonio Ruediger, Malick Thiaw, Jonathan Tah, Mats Hummels, Niklas Suele, David Raum, Robin Gosens
Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Florian Wirtz, Julian Brandt, Jamal Musiala, Pascal Gross , Jonas Hofmann , Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Robert Andrich, Chris Fuhrich.
Forwards: Kai Havertz , Niclas Fuellkrug, Thomas Mueller, Kevin Behrens
NFL
NFL legend Dick Butkus dies at 80
Nicknamed the 'Monster of the Midway,' Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus passed away. The development was shared by the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Butkus played in the NFL for nine seasons and represented the Chicago Bears throughout his career.
Rugby
South Africa confident of no flag ban at World Cup
South Africa’s Ministry of Sport is confident of avoiding sanctions from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ahead of the deadline to update the country’s legislation to align with the World Anti-Doping Code. South Africa has seven more days to pass the required amendments. If the changes aren't made, South Africa won't be allowed to compete under the country’s flag at events in the on-going rugby and cricket World Cups.
