The Asian Games is one of the most prestigious multi-sport events in Asia, and over the years, Indian athletes have made significant contributions to its history. Among the remarkable performances, seven Indian athletes have achieved the extraordinary feat of winning two gold medals in a single Asian Games edition. Here’s a detailed look at these athletes and their iconic achievements:
Achievements: Lavy Pinto was one of the early stars of Indian athletics. He won two gold medals in the 100 meters and 200 meters races during the 1951 Asian Games, held in Delhi, India.
Significance: Pinto’s success at the 1951 Asian Games was a landmark achievement in the history of Indian athletics, as it marked one of the first instances of Indian athletes dominating the sprint events at a continental level.
Achievements: Parduman Singh Brar won two gold medals in the field events of shot put and discus throw at the 1954 Asian Games in Manila.
Significance: Brar’s dual golds helped establish India as a competitive force in track and field events, especially in the throws, and furthered the country’s reputation in athletics.
Event: 200 meters and 400 meters in Tokyo, Japan (1958), and 400 meters and 4×400 meters relay in Jakarta, Indonesia (1962).
1958 (Tokyo): Milkha Singh won gold in both the 200 meters and 400 meters in Tokyo, becoming the first Indian athlete to win two individual gold medals in the same Asian Games.
1962 (Jakarta): He repeated his success at the 1962 Asian Games, winning gold in the 400 meters and as part of the 4×400 meters relay team.
Significance: Milkha Singh, known as the Flying Sikh, is one of India’s greatest track athletes. His two gold medals in 1958 and again in 1962 were historic, and his achievement in the 400 meters remains a legendary moment in Indian athletics.
Achievements: Hari Chand made history by winning gold medals in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok.
Significance: Hari Chand’s victories in the distance events were groundbreaking, as he became one of the first Indian long-distance runners to achieve such success at the Asian Games.
Achievements: P.T. Usha, often referred to as the Queen of Indian Track and Field, had an extraordinary performance at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, winning four golds in the 200 meters, 400 meters, 400 meters hurdles, and the 4×400 meters relay, along with a silver in the 4×100 meters relay.
Significance: Her achievement at the 1986 Asian Games is considered one of the most outstanding performances by an Indian athlete. P.T. Usha’s four golds made her one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the Asian Games.
Achievements: Jyotirmoyee Sikdar won two gold medals in the 800 meters and 1500 meters at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
Significance: Sikdar’s performances in the middle-distance events were remarkable and marked a breakthrough in Indian athletics, establishing her as one of the top athletes in the region.
Event: Women’s 400 meters hurdles and 4×400 meters relay race in Guangzhou, China (2010).
Achievements: Ashwini Akkunji won two gold medals at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, one in the 400 meters hurdles and the other as part of the 4×400 meters relay team.
Significance: Ashwini Akkunji’s gold in the 400 meters hurdles was particularly historic, as she became the first Indian woman to win gold in that event at the Asian Games. Her performance added to the growing reputation of Indian women in athletics.
These seven Indian athletes who won two golds in a single Asian Games have made lasting impacts on Indian athletics. Their victories not only brought India pride on the Asian Games stage but also helped promote track and field events across the country. From the early days of Lavy Pinto in 1951 to the more recent successes of Ashwini Akkunji, these athletes continue to inspire future generations of Indian sportsmen and sportswomen.
