The 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games came to a conclusion with Australia winning the gold medal in the final of the Men’s Hockey. The quadrennial event that started on 28 July saw over 2000 athletes competing for ultimate glory across different sports. While Australia finished as the most successful team in the tournament with 178 medals including 67 gold medals, England finished in the second position with 176 medals (57 gold).
India finished in the fourth position, behind Canada, with a total of 61 medals. The Indian national anthem was played a total of 22 times as India won the same number of gold medals. India bagged 16 silver medals and 23 bronze medals to take the total CWG medals tally to 564. It was not one of the best performances from India as it’s their fifth best performance in terms of total medals won. India had won 66 medals at the 2018 Gold Coast games.
However, there were many historic moments for the Indian contingent as the country won its first-ever gold medal in Lawn Bowls. India also bagged a first-ever medal in the Women’s Javelin throw. So, here are the top five moments for India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
1. Gold medal for Women’s Fours in Lawn Bowls
The Indian quartet of Lovely Choubey, Pinky, Rupa Rani Tirkey, and Nayanmoni Saikia put on enthralling performances in Lawn Bowls Women’s Fours as they clinched the gold medal in the event after defeating South Africa in the final match. The team brought home the first-ever medal for India in the sport.
They lost to England in the first round but made a great comeback against the Cook Islands. India then defeated Canada in Round 3, Norfolk Island in the quarterfinal, New Zealand in the semifinal, and then South Africa in the final to win the gold medal. It was surely one of the top moments for the country at the 2022 CWG.
2. First-ever medal in Women’s Javelin Throw
Annu Rani won the first-ever medal for India in the Women’s Javelin throw event when she threw her javelin to a whopping 60 meters in the final. Rani finished ahead of Canada’s Elizabeth Gleadle by 210cm. Although the Indian failed in three of her six attempts, her throw of 60m in her fourth attempt was enough to secure a medal for Annu.
3. First-ever gold medal in Powerlifting
India’s para powerlifter Sudhir stunned everyone when he lifted a massive 212kg in his second attempt in the Men’s Heavyweight category. With this lift, Sudhir ensured a gold medal for India in the event which was also the first-ever. The Indian para powerlifter pushed Nigeria's Ikechukwu Obichukwu (133.6 points) to the second spot by 0.9 points as the Indian lifter's final score read a Games Record 134.5 points for the top place on the podium. Sudhir created a moment to remember with his top finish.
4. Silver medal for Women’s Cricket team
Although India lost to Australia in the Women’s T20 cricket final, they finished with a silver medal in the first-ever edition of the sport. As Cricket was making its debut at the Games, India was expected to do well but to finish in the second position was definitely an achievement in itself. India defeated England in the semifinal to advance to the summit clash. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team beat Barbados and Pakistan in the Group stage.
5. Gold and Silver in Men’s Triple Jump
Eldhose Paul, the 25-year-old jumper from Kerala, scripted history on August 7 as he became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the men's triple jump at the Games. Paul’s achievement was made more special by his compatriot Abdulla Aboobacker who won the silver medal. The two Indians celebrated their victory by taking a lap around the Alexander Stadium with the Indian flag draped around their shoulders. This moment will remain in the heads of Indian fans for a long time.