Star wrestler Bajrang Punia did India proud by winning the first gold medal for the country on the opening day of the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta, Indonesia today. India ended the day with one gold and one bronze, which was bagged by shooters Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar.
Haryana matman Punia won the gold men’s 65kg freestyle category, defeating Daichi Takatani of Japan in the final with a scoreline of 11-8. This was India’s 140th gold in Asian Games. However, two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar crashed out in the opening round, stunned by Bahrain’s Adam Batirov in the 74 kg category.
India opened its medal count with Ravi Kumar and Apurvi Chandela bagging the bronze medal in the 10m mixed air rifle event. The duo finished third with a score of 429.9.