10 Indian athletes who can win gold at 2014 Asian Games

516 Indian athletes will step into their respective arenas to duke it out with the best of the best from Asia at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. With just four days to go, excitement and nervousness surrounds the Indian camp. The chant ‘go India go’ will reverberate in every household in India as the the country waits in expectations and hope. Several athletes have a chance to win the top prize for the country. We take a look at the best chances for India to win gold medals in South Korea.

#1 P. V. Sindhu

P. V. Sindhu has created history in 2013 when she became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the badminton world championships. Sindhu repeated the feat in 2014 by winning another bronze medal at the same championships.

Her bronze medal in 2013 was India’s first medal for 30 years since Prakash Padukone won bronze in 1983. She won the gold medal at the Malaysian Open Grand Prix in 2013 and a gold medal at the 2013 Macau Open badminton championships. Sindhu will have a point to prove that she is India's best badminton player.

Sindhu won the bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She was recognized as NDTV Indian of the Year 2014. She willl look to cap off an impressive 2014 by winning the gold medal at the Asian Games.

#2 Parupalli Kashyap

Parupalli Kashyap will look to add to his Commonwealth gold medal with an Asian Games gold medal this month. The 2010 Arjuna Awardee has form on his side and has the potential to cause a few upsets to clinch the top prize for India. He is only the Indian male player to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics and will need to hit similar form if he aims to finish top in South Korea.

#3 Sania Mirza

Gold medal 2006 Asian Games. Silver medal 2010 Asian Games. Silver medal 2010 Commonwealth Games. Australian Open 2009, French Open 2012, US Open 2014.

No other Indian tennis player can boast such an impressive record. Just days after winning the 2014 US Open in the mixed doubles event, Sania MIrza is already training and preparing for the upcoming Asian Games. High on confidence, the Indian star will prove to be vital in India’s quest for gold medals.

#4 Ashwini Akkunji

Ashwini Akkunji won two gold medals at the last Asian Games in China. She specializes in 400 metres and picked up gold in the 400 metres hurdles and 400 metres relay events. Although she was banned for two years due on charges of doping, Akkunji has received the green light to make her return at the 2014 Asian Games.

Akkunji has the backing of the entire nation to once again pull of the heroics of the 2010 Asian Games. `

#5 Preeja Sreedharan

Long-distance runner Preeja Sreedharan still has the legs to go for gold at the 2014 Asian Games. She has the experience and knows how to win after winning the gold medal in the 10,000 metres race and the silver medal in the 5,000 metres race.

Sreedharan received the Arjuna Award in 2011 and currently holds the record for the fastest Indian female runner in the 10,000 metres event. She created the record in China, clocking 31:50:28 minutes on her way to clinch the gold medal.

She will look to repeat the feat and improve her 5,000 metres performance to win as many golds as possible in South Korea.

#6 Gagan Narang

Gagan Narang was India’s hero at the 2012 Olympic Games when he won the bronze medal in the men’s 10m air rifle event. He achieved further success at the 2014 Commonwealth Games by winning the silver medal in 50-metre rifle prone and the bronze medal in 50-metre rifle 3 position. He was the only Indian to win two medals the Games in Glasgow.

Gagan Narang won four gold medals each at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games in the 10m air rifle individual, 10m air rifle (pairs), 50m rifle 3 positions individual and 50m rifle 3 positions (pairs) events. He will looking to carry on from as left off from the Commonwealth Games and win the gold at the Asian Games.

#7 Vikas Krishan Yadav

Vikas Krishan Yadav is India's boxing youth sensation. Expectations are high on the 22-year-old who won the gold medal in 2010 in the lightweight category. He was only 18 then, and has amassed tons of experience since.

Although Yadav has many years ahead in his career, consecutive gold medals at the Asian will truly launch the boxer in an international scene.

#8 MC Mary Kom

Mary Kom has never ceased to amaze the fans and fellow wrestlers. Magnificent Mary is a five-time World Amateur Boxing champion and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships.

Mary Kom was the only woman boxer from India to participate the 2012 Olympic Games. She won the bronze medal in the flyweight category. Mary Kom is ranked 5th in AIBA World Women's Ranking Flyweight category.

She has also won the bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games. Mary Kom has her best chance to finally win the gold medal at the Asian Games this month.

#9 Jitu Rai

Jitu Rai is India’s best bet to win gold in shooting. currently the world number one, Rai won the gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He created the record in the qualification round of the 50 metre pistol event, having scored 562 points. He also created another record en route gold medal by scoring 194.1 points in the final.

At the 2014 International Shooting Sport Federation world cup in Munich, Rai won a silver medal in the 10 metre air pistol event. He bettered his performance in Slovenia by winning the gold in the same event. He also won a silver medal in the 50 metre pistol event. He became the first Indian to have won two medals at a single world cup.

#10 Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra, by winning the 10m air rifle event, became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games. It was also the country’s first gold since 1980. He also won the gold medal at the 2006 ISSF world shooting championships.

His recent performances have also been impressive. Bindra took the gold medal at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. India’s hopes will rest on his shoulders as he prepares to win his first Asian Games gold medal.

Edited by Staff Editor