The Asian Games is a prestigious multi-sport event where athletes from across Asia compete, showcasing their talents and representing their nations. Several Indian athletes have achieved the rare feat of winning two or more gold medals in a single Asian Games. Their remarkable performances have contributed significantly to India’s reputation in athletics and have earned them a place in the history books. Below are the details of these athletes who have clinched two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Games:
- Events: 100 m and 200 m races
- Achievement: Lavy Pinto won two gold medals in the 1951 Asian Games held in Delhi, India. His victories in the 100 m and 200 m races helped solidify his position as one of India’s early track and field stars.
- Significance: Pinto’s success in the inaugural Asian Games was a groundbreaking moment for Indian athletics, and he became a pioneer for future generations of athletes in India.
- Events: Shot put and Discus throw
- Achievement: Parduman Singh Brar made history in the 1954 Asian Games by winning gold medals in both the shot put and discus throw events.
- Significance: His dominance in the field events at the 1954 Asian Games helped India establish a strong presence in track and field sports. Brar’s achievements laid the foundation for India’s continued success in athletics in subsequent years.
- Events: 200 m and 400 m races
- Achievement: Milkha Singh became a national hero when he won two gold medals in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan, in the 200 m and 400 m races.
- Significance: Known as the “Flying Sikh,” Milkha’s victories in these events were a significant milestone in Indian athletics. His success inspired generations of athletes, and he is remembered as one of India’s greatest track and field athletes.
- Events: 400 m and 4 x 400 m relay
- Achievement: Milkha Singh repeated his success in the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he won two more gold medals in the 400 m and 4 x 400 m relay races.
- Significance: These victories confirmed his status as one of India’s most legendary athletes, making him the first Indian to win multiple gold medals in two different Asian Games.
- Events: 5,000 m and 10,000 m races
- Achievement: Hari Chand achieved an extraordinary feat in the 1978 Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand, by winning two gold medals in the 5,000 m and 10,000 m races.
- Significance: His wins highlighted India’s strength in long-distance running and put India on the map for middle- and long-distance events in athletics. Hari Chand’s gold medals were a reflection of his relentless training and determination.
- Events: 4 golds and 1 silver
- Achievement: P.T. Usha is one of India’s most iconic athletes, and she had an outstanding performance at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea, where she won four gold medals and one silver medal in various events. The golds included victories in the 400 m hurdles and the 4 x 400 m relay.
- Significance: Usha’s achievements at the 1986 Asian Games solidified her reputation as Asia’s best female sprinter at the time. Her performance remains one of the greatest athletic feats in Indian sports history, inspiring countless athletes.
- Events: Two golds and one silver
- Achievement: In the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar won two gold medals and one silver medal. She clinched gold in the 800 m and 1,500 m events, further cementing her status as one of India’s premier middle-distance runners.
- Significance: Sikdar’s achievements brought pride to Indian athletics, especially in the realm of middle-distance running, where India had not been traditionally strong. Her performances were instrumental in raising India’s profile in international athletics.
- Events: Women’s 400 m hurdles and 4 x 400 m relay
- Achievement: Ashwini Akkunji achieved a historic feat at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, winning two gold medals—one in the 400 m hurdles and the other in the 4 x 400 m relay.
- Significance: Her victories were a significant achievement for Indian women in athletics, especially in hurdles and relays, where India had struggled in the past. Akkunji’s gold medals were a testament to her discipline, perseverance, and the growing strength of women’s athletics in India.
These athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill, endurance, and determination in their respective disciplines, contributing to the legacy of Indian athletics. Their achievements at the Asian Games continue to inspire future generations of athletes in India and showcase the nation’s growing prominence on the international sporting stage. The feats of these individuals are a testament to the hard work and talent that has emerged in Indian sports over the decades, particularly in track and field events.