India finishes 19th with best-ever show in Military World Games

Oct 22: Indian contingent finishes off with the biggest ever medal haul in the fourth edition of Military World Games, by winning two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals in the different events that concluded with a grand closing ceremony here on Sunday.

It is remarkable that Indian athletes could be able to win 10 medals, and put up their best ever performance thus far in history of the games, in only their second appearance in the Games. However, 196 Indian athletes in 14 various disciplines did not even come near to top three places while the men accounted all the medals in the week-long event. Boxer Kehanand Beliwal was the only bronze medal winner for India in the last edition held in Catania ( Italy).

Boxer Narjit Singh won India’s only individual gold in the bantamweight category at the 4th Military World Games while the sailors duo of R. Mahesh and Girdhari Lal Yadav opened the golden account for India in Mumbai

Russia 91 medals (38 gold, 26 silver and 27 bronze), China 67 medals (35-21-11) and Germany 28 medals (5-10-13) finished as top three medal winners in the Games, while India finished at 19th spot amongst the 48 countries.

Out of 10 medals the Indian boxers were the most impressive as they picked up maximum 5 medals in India’s purse, including a gold and four bronze medals.

Sprinter Jitender Singh got the first games medal for India in the 400m Hurdles event while Shooters Vijay Kumar, C K Choudhary, Pemba Tamana and Hambir Singh claimed the silver medal in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol Team category. Chatholi Hamza won a 1500m bronze surprising everybody including current Asian champion Mohammud Othman Shaween of Saudi Arabia.

The medals in shooting were expected and Indian marksmen are known for competing against the world-class shooters from China and Russia besides other who rule in Olympics and World Championships.

Vijay Kumar was the center of attraction after he almost came up with a new world record mark, faltered by just one shot (591). His effort of 590 in the team event of the 25m Centre Fire Pistol was on line for a podium finish in the individual event too.

The games of harmony and friendship concluded with a great effort put in by men in uniform certainly sparks a revival of sporting activity among them with a promise to meet in Brazil next time. The next edition of the games is scheduled for Brazil in 2011.