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The 2018 Asian Games, officially known as the 18th Asian Games, is a pan-Asian multi-sport event scheduled to be held from 18 August to 2 September 2018 in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.
With just a day left for the start of 18th Asian Games, let us take a look at the 10 events, where India will be the favourite to win the gold medal.
(Please note that these 10 events are ranked randomly.)
10) Men's Hockey
At the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta, the Men's hockey team of India will be an overwhelming favourite to win the tournament. When it comes to Men's Hockey, India has dominated the Asian Region during the last 5 years, winning all the tournaments at the Asian level, be it the Asian Games 2014, the Asian Champions Trophy 2016, the Asia Cup 2017, everything.
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Furthermore, India is consistently putting up winning performances against the best teams of the world such as Australia, Germany, Belgium, Argentina, the Netherlands, etc as was evident from the 2018 Champions Trophy. As a result of their consistent performances, the Indian Men's Team is currently ranked Number 5 in the world and will be going into the tournament as the overwhelming favourites.
9) Women's Hockey
The Women's team's performance at the recently concluded World Cup and their rise to number 9 ranking in the world is something the country should be proud of. They are improving with every match they play and at the Asian Games, they will be the favourites to take the gold medal.
However, unlike the men's team, the Indian Women's hockey team will not be the overwhelming favourites but considering they are the highest-ranked team in the tournament and are coming on the back of a very good World Cup campaign where they were the only Asian team to reach the quarter-final stage, they will definitely be one of the favourites to win the gold medal.
8) Athletics (Men's Javelin Throw)
Neeraj Chopra will be the favourite to take the gold medal for India in the Men's Javelin Throw event. Neeraj has been consistent in his performances, throwing in excess of 85m in almost all the events he has participated in over the course of the last 12-18 months.
Except for Cheng Chao-Tsun of Taiwan, who has a personal best of 91.36, no one else is likely to challenge Neeraj for the gold. However, Cheng Chao-Tsun also lacks consistency and apart from his one throw of more than 91 metres, he has struggled to cross even 85 meters on a regular basis. Therefore, Neeraj on form and consistency, will definitely be the favourite to win the gold medal.
7) Athletics (4x400m Relay Men)
The Indian team will be composed of Mohammed Anas, Jeevan KS, Jithu Baby, Kunhu Mohammed, Rajiv Arokia, Dharun Ayyasamy. Anas, Rajiv, and Kunju Mohammed were part of the team that set the National record of 3:00.91 in 2016 and with the likes of Anas and Dharun improving their personal best over the course of past 12 months, the Indian team will be going into the competition as the overwhelming favourites. Anything less than the gold medal would be considered as a disappointing result for this talented Indian squad.
6) Athletics (4x400m Relay women)
The team comprising of Hima Das, MR Poovamma, Saritaben Gaikwad, Sonia Vaishya, Vijayakumari, VK Vismaya, and Jisna Matthew will represent India in this event. It is still not known who will represent India as of now.
However, irrespective of who participates in the Women's Relay, the depth and quality of the runners is such that India will be the overwhelming favourites to win the gold medal in this event as well.
5) Athletics (Mixed Relay)
Mixed relay is a newly added event. With India starting as the big favourites in both the Men's and Women's 4x400 relay events, it automatically means that India will be the front-runners to win the mixed team event as well.
Team India will be represented by Mohammed Anas, Rajiv Arokia and Poovamma but changes can be made, depending on the scheduling of other events of these athletes. However, irrespective of who participates, India will definitely be the favorite to win the gold medal in this event as well.
4) Archery (Women's Compound Team)
The Indian women's archery team comprising of Trisha Deb, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Madhumita Kumari, Muskan Kirar will go into the competition as the favourite. The Indian, women's compound team is currently ranked number 1 in the world and will be going into the team competition as the top contender. However, tough competition is expected from the likes of South Korean and Chinese Taipei team.
3) Squash (Men's Singles)
Another gold medal favourite will be Saurav Ghosal in men's singles event, in squash at the 2018 Asian Games. He is currently ranked at No.12 in the world, which makes him the highest-ranked Asian in the world.
He, therefore, will be the favourite to win the gold medal in men's singles category. He won the silver medal at the 2014 Asian Games, where he lost in the final to an unfancied opponent, despite winning the first two games. He will be looking to go one better this time.
2) Women's Kabbadi
The Indian Women's Kabaddi team, like their male counterparts, has won both the editions of Kabaddi tournament at the Asian Games, ever since it was included in the 2010 Asian Games. They won gold at both the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games. This time as well, they will be the clear favourites for their 3rd Gold medal in as many attempts at the Asian Games.
1) Men's Kabaddi
The Indian Men's Kabaddi team has won every edition of the Kabaddi tournament at the Asian Games ever since the sport was first introduced at the 1990 Asian Games. This edition also the Indian Men's team will go into the competition as the overwhelming favourites, despite the omission of key players like Surender Nada and Surjeet Singh from the squad.
