5 things observed during the first half of India's stint at Asian Games 2018

#4 Star performers tank miserably

However, if India received so much glory within the 1st half, it also faced some unexpected setbacks. One of the top contenders for a gold medal in women's shooting, Manu Bhaker surprisingly choked in the finals, failing to capitalize on the impressive scores she garnered in qualifications.

In both her individual events [Women's 10 m. air pistol and 25 m. pistol], it was her compatriots Heena Sidhu and Rahi Sarnobat, who barely managed to qualify for the finals but walked away with ultimate glory.

Rahi went a step further and despite an intense shoot off, created history by becoming India's first ever woman shooter to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. Even Anish Bhanwala, who became the Commonwealth Champion at the age of mere 15, failed to get into the finals of his event despite an impressive lead in the first stage.

As if this was enough, even wrestling disappointed the Indians miserably. Despite a historic performance of more than one gold medal, one of the best since Jakarta 1962, wrestling was far from impressive, especially in the male perspective.

Contrary to expectations, only Bajrang Punia managed to clinch a medal in the entire squad of male freestyle wrestlers. To everyone's shock, even star wrestler Sushil Kumar touted to give a fitting reception to his critics through an impressive stint at the Asiad, tanked in the first round itself, losing to a relatively unknown wrestler from Bahrain.