Asian Games: One Last Hurrah For Many Indian Athletes

Several of India's achievers and consistent performers, including tennis ace Rohan Bopanna, hockey great P R Sreejesh and TT legend Sharath Kamal, are gearing up for one last hurrah at the Asian Games. Both Sharath and Rohan are still pulling off world class performances in their 40s while 35-year-old Sreejesh remains the proverbial wall of the Indian hockey team.

The other big names who are expected to say goodbye to the continental event include wrestling veteran Bajrang Punia, squash star Dipika Pallikal, tennis player Ankita Raina and discus thrower Seema Punia.

All of them might be in the twilight of their careers but remain medal contenders at the Games. PTI analyses their chances ahead of the quadrennial event, which was delayed by one year due to COVID-19.

Rohan Bopanna

The 43-year-old tennis veteran is turning the clock back with his exploits on the men's doubles circuit this year. Having made the semifinals and final of Wimbledon and US Open respectively this season, the big serving Indian is showing age is just a number.

Only yesterday, he made a bid adieu to the Davis Cup on a winning note and would be expected to do the same in the men's doubles event in China.

Bopanna, who made his Asian Games debut way back in 2002, goes into the tournament as the defending champion, having won the doubles gold alongside Divij Sharan in the 2018 edition. He could partner Yuki Bhambri in Hangzhou.

Sharath Kamal

The 41-year-old table tennis ace will look to add to his surprise two Asian Games medals in his fifth and final appearance. Last year, he was among the stand out players in the Commonwealth Games, where he won as many as three gold medals.

The lead up to the Asian Games has not been the smoothest for him but one