19th Asian Games (of 2022, held in 2023)

The Asian Games is the biggest sports competition in Asia, held once every four years. The symbol for the Asian Games is the rising sun with interlocking rings. It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Background and Inauguration:

After the Second World War, many Asian countries gained independence and the Indian International Olympic Committee proposed the idea of Asian Games as a sporting event, where all Asian nations can be represented.The first-ever Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951.

Regulation: Asian Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from 1951 to 1978. Since 1982, the Olympic Council of Asia has regulated the Asian Games.

India as a Host: India is a founder member of Asian Games and also the host of the first Asian Games. The 9^th edition of the Asian Games was also held in New Delhi in November and December 1982. Appu, the Indian elephant, was the first mascot to be used for the Asian Games.

Recently, the 19^th Asian Games (of 2022, held in 2023)came to a close at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium (also called Big Lotus) in China. Hockey player PR Sreejesh was India’s flagbearer at the parade of athletes.

The 20^th Asian Games will be held in Japan in 2027.

India’s Milestones:

India’s Medals Tally: With an unprecedented haul of 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silvers and 41 bronze), India set a new benchmark for themselves at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China.

At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, India performed well and returned with 70 medals, including a haul of 16 gold medals.

It was the first time in Asian Games history that India’s medals tally crossed the three-figure mark. By doing so, they became the only fourth country after China (383), Japan (188) and the Republic of Korea (190) to win 100 or more medals in a single edition of the Asian Games.

Athletes Performance: Athletics turned out to be the most productive sport with a total of 29 medals - six gold, 14 silver and nine bronze.

Hockey: The India men's hockey team won an Asian Games gold and booked a Paris Olympics berth with a 5-1 thrashing of Japan.

Introduction of New Sports:2023 Games saw two medal sports make their debut: e-Sports and Breakdancing.

Apart from them, Cricket, and board games - Go, Xiangqi, and Chess returned to Asian Games in this edition after not featuring in the 2018 Asiad.