Asian Games 2014 Day 7 Highlights: Sejwal Swims to Rare Bronze; Shooters Give Silver Lining; Mixed Luck for Boxers

In an eventful day at the Incheon, India bagged a rare swimming medal and a men's shooting team's silver medal while both, men's and women's squash team have booked a spot in the respective final, guaranteeing India of at least a silver medal. Catch all the highlights here. (MEDALS TALLY |  DAY 6 HIGHLIGHTS)

What do you feel about India's performance at the Asian Games so far? Write in at myvoice@ndtv.com. Best entries will feature here in our live blog.

18.15 (IST): India have had an eventful outing at the Asian Games in Incheon on Day 7 with a rare Swimming bronze medal and a men's shooting team's silver medal. Despite the disappointing performances from the boxers, the Squash teams - both men and women - are in the final and are assured of at least silver medals.

18.04 (IST): Tennis - Ankita Raina-Divij Sharan lose 6-4, 6-2 vs Korea's Mi Yoo- Yongkyu Lim in Mixed Doubles 2nd round match.

17.54 (IST): Boxing - Korea's Namhyeon Park beats India's Amritpreet Singh on points in the men's heavy (91 kg) event. It's a split decision again. Singh disappointed with verdict.

17.47 (IST): Park takes second round. Furious and fast at times but a lot of missed punches. Singh was looking rather weak.

17.44 (IST): Both boxers are tall and powerful. Park more aggressive in Round 2. Singh is tiring

17.42 (IST): Boxing - Scrappy first round. Amritpreet relying on straight right punches. Two judges score 10-9 in favour of the Indian. One goes the Korean way.

17.37 (IST): Boxing - Amritpreet Singh vs South Korea's Namhyeong Park in men's heavy (91 kg) round of 16 clash begins.

17.00 (IST): Here's Pakistan's women's team celebrating after claiming gold at Incheon.

Pakistan women's team celebrate after clinching gold at Asian Games.

© AFP

Pakistan women win gold in cricket. The BCCI should be asked why they threw away medals by not even sending cricket teams.

- Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) September 26, 2014

 

 

16.50 (IST): Boxing - Charly Suarez wins a split decision against Akhil Kumar in a stunning 60 kg Round of 16 bout.

16.45 (IST): Boxing - Charly Suarez claims the second round 10-9 vs Akhil Kumar. The round of 16 clash is all set for the deciding last round.

16.39 (IST):  Boxing - Akhil Kumar wins first round 10-9 vs Philippines' Charly Suarez in the round of 16 clash.

All smiles! Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal with his bronze medal at the Asian Games.

© AP

 

16.24 (IST): With a timing of 28:96 seconds, Sandeep Sejwal finished 11th in the 2010 Games in Guangzhou. His performance improved in Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where he finished 9th with a timing of 28:12. Today, he clocked 28:26 for the bronze, his best international medal in 50m breaststroke.

Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal in action during Asian Games.

© AFP

 

16.20 (IST): FACTOID: Sandeep Sejwal created three National records at the World Swimming Championships in July 2009. He was also the first-ever Indian Breaststroker to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games at Beijing.

16.15 (IST): Record-breaking gold for China! Weightlifter Zhou Lulu set a clean and jerk world-record of 192 kilograms to claim gold in the women's +75kg category.

16.15 (IST): DID YOU KNOW? India's latest bronze winner Sandeep Sejwal is a national-record holder in 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

15:45 (IST): India's non-participation in the Asian Games cricket event has not gone down with fans. With such a large bench available, couldn't the BCCI put together two good Asian-level teams? Dhiraj Shetty (dhirajvs@gmail.com) has raised a pertinent point:

"Can you please raise the issue of BCCI not sending a cricket team for either the men's or women's events? Pakistan have just won a gold in the Women's event. We could have got at least two more medals."

And Kapil Garg (iamkapilgarg@gmail.com ) is angry too:

"It is seriously shameful to have our cricketers playing for an India Cements, a Reliance or a Red Chillies Entertainment, instead of for the Country, an opportunity that comes once in 4 years!"

Ratikanta Patra (ratikant.patra@gmail.com) adds: "By not sending the cricket team to participate in such prestigious event, BCCI has proved they are chasing money not medals. Something to look into by the Sports ministry of India".

Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal in action during the Asian Games.

© AFP

15:41 (IST): Sandeep Sejwal wins bronze in 50m breaststroke swimming event!!

15:37 (IST): Pakistan women beat Bangladesh women to win gold medal.

15:15 (IST): Volleyball, Men's Team: India go down 3-0 to Iran in their last Preliminary Group C match.

15:01 (IST): Women's Hockey: India beat Malaysia 6-1 to reach semifinals.

14:53 (IST): So, it turns out Saurav Ghosal beat Abdullah Almezayen to take India in the men's team squash final, the same guy whom he lost to in singles final. The revenge clearly coming at the wrong time for the higher-ranked Indian as he was clearly in a commanding position in the men's individual gold medal match, leading 2 games to nil before Almezayen staged a grand comeback to snatch gold in five games. India will have their task well cut out in the men's team final, where they most probably take on Malaysia. (Malaysia vs Hong Kong is the other semifinal in the team event).

14:36 (IST): Women's Hockey: India lead Malaysia 5-1 in 3rd quarter of their Pool A match.

14:30 (IST): GREAT NEWS!!!! Indian men's squash team beats Kuwait 2-0 to enter gold medal match.

Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal in action during Asian Games.

© AFP

14:20 (IST): Tennis, Men's Doubles: Sanam Singh-Saketh Myneni beat Alhaqbani/Ahmed of Saudi Arabia 6-0, 6-1 to reach quarters.

14:16 (IST): Archery, Men's Recurve Individual: Atanu Das loses 6-0 to South Korea's Jinhyek Oh in quarters.

14:04 (IST): Finally on Friday, the Indians have broken the bronze-barrier and Denish (denishneog90.dn@gmail.com) is delighted. He writes:

"Silver to start with in Day 7...Hope the boxers live up to the expectation we have from them. No more silver or bronze...India need to comeback in top-10... Just go for gold."

But, Abhishankar Adhikary (abhis@aptsoftware.com) is disappointed that Saina Nehwal lost her quarterfinal match against Wang Yihan of China. Saina flattered to deceive after winning the first game. Abhishankar writes: "Wang Yihan versus Saina Nehwal was like cats playing with rats. Is there anyone in our huge Indian contingent who can win a (second) gold?"

14:02 (IST): Volleyball, Women's Team: India beat Maldives 3-0 to reach quarterfinals.

13:56 (IST): Women's Hockey: India now have a 4-0 lead vs Malaysia in 2nd quarter of their Pool A match.

13:50 (IST): Here is a picture of the silver-winning Indian team from shooting. The team of Pemba Tamang, Vijay Kumar and Gurpreet Singh won silver in the 25m Center Pistol Fire event.

The team of Gurpreet Singh (L), Vijay Kumar (C) and Pemba Tamang (R) pose with their shooting silver medals at the Asian Games.

© AFP

13:46 (IST): Women's Hockey: India currently have a 2-0 advantage over Malaysia in 1st quarter of their Pool A match.

13:29 (IST): Badminton Women's Singles Quarters: Saina Nehwal loses 21-18, 9-21, 7-21 to second seed Yihan Wang of China.

File photo of Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal.

© AP

13:24 (IST): Badminton Women's Singles: Saina looks completely down and out now, Wang leads 15-4 in the deciding game. Saina is running out of steam clearly, her retrieving is not working any more and Wang has changed her game after the initial setback.

13:22 (IST): Badminton Women's Singles Quarters: Saina has never beaten Wang in a completed match. She is down 12-3 in the decider here.

13:19 (IST): Badminton Women's Singles Quarters: Wang leads Saina 11-1 at the change of ends in the deciding game.

13:18 (IST): Badminton: A decisive advantage now for Wang as Saina falls behind 8-0 in the decider.

13:15 (IST): Badminton: Saina being pushed all around the court by Wang in the decider. Saina down 5-0 in last game. Is there a way back for Saina here as Wang becomes more and more dominant? Probably not. 6-0 to Wang now.

Wang wins 2nd game easily. It's 1-1 and Saina must cut out the errors and shift gears vs the Chinese in third. Go, Saina, go! #AsianGames

- soumitra bose (@soumitra65) September 26, 2014

13:11 (IST): Badminton: Saina Nehwal loses 2nd game 21-9 vs Yihan Wang of China in quarters, it's one game all now. A supreme performance from Wang in 2nd game. Saina will have to play out of her skin to win.

Wang winning the longer rallies. She looks fitter too. Saina tired or saving her energies for third? Big lead for Wang in 2nd #AsianGames

- soumitra bose (@soumitra65) September 26, 2014

13:08 (IST): Badminton: Saina down 15-7 vs Wang in 2nd game but she can bring her game back in decider. (21-18, 7-15). Saina has to continue being aggressive, slowing down things working in favour of Wang.

13:05 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles: Saina trails Wang 11-6 at the break in 2nd game after winning 1st game 21-18.

13:04 (IST): Badminton, Men's Singles: Srikanth goes down 19-21, 21-11, 21-18 to South Korea's Son in Rd of 16.

Vimal Kumar as coach in @NSaina's corner. A change can always be good. A gold medal will justify the change in coaches #AsianGames

- soumitra bose (@soumitra65) September 26, 2014

13:00 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles: Saina slowing things down now, trails 6-4 in 2nd game vs Wang (21-18, 4-6).

World No. 7 @NSaina won the Australia Open and Indian Open this year, her only wins of note. She can be quite a fighter #AsianGames

- soumitra bose (@soumitra65) September 26, 2014

12:55 (IST): Boxing, Men's Light Heavy: Kuldeep Singh beats Thailand's Anavat 2-1 to reach quarters.

12:54 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina wins 1st game 21-18 vs Yihan Wang of China.

12:50 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina now takes a crucial 19-16 lead vs Wang in 1st game.

Wang Yihan has won 2 super series events this year in Singapore & Korea. She was No. 2 in London Olympics. Can be error-prone #AsianGames

- soumitra bose (@soumitra65) September 26, 2014

12:47 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina wins four points in a row to make it 15-15 vs Wang in 1st game.

No. 2 Wang Yihan really making 6th ranked @NSaina work hard in opening round of #AsianGames quarters. This match can go the full distance

- soumitra bose (@soumitra65) September 26, 2014

12:43 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina is fighting hard vs Wang in 1st game, she trails 14-11.

12:40 (IST): Boxing, Men's Light Heavy Round of 16: Kuldeep Singh in action now vs Thailand's Anavat.

12:38 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina trails Wang 11-8 at the break in the 1st game.

12:36 (IST): Badminton, Men's Singles: Srikanth loses 2nd game 21-11 vs Wanho Son of South Korea, 1 game all now. It is a round of 16 clash.

Saina Nehwal in action during the Asian Games.

© AP

12:34 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina's aggression working as she makes it 6-6 in 1st game vs Wang.

12:32 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina Nehwal trails Yihan Wang of China 5-3 in the 1st game.

12:24 (IST): Badminton, Women's Singles Quarters: Saina Nehwal will now be in action against Yihan Wang of China. Saina trails 8-1 in head-to-head vs Wang.

12:19 (IST): Badminton, Men's Singles: Kidambi Srikanth wins 1st game 21-19 vs South Korea's Wanho Son in Round of 16.

12:15 (IST): Tennis, Women's Doubles: Mirza/Thombare beat Mongolia's Enkhbayar/Dulguunjargal 6-0,6-0 to reach quarters.

Shiva Thapa (L) with his boxing coach during the Asian Games.

© PTI

11:51 (IST): Boxing: Shiva Thapa through to the 56kg quarter final after referee stopped the contest within a few seconds against Pakistan's Nadir.

11:47 (IST): Sania Mirza says choosing the Asian Games over some other WTA tournaments was tough. (Watch the interview to NDTV here)

11:33 (IST): Squash: Pallikal beats South Korea's Sunmi 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5. India beat South Korea 2-0 to reach squash women's team final, silver assured.

Boxing: Shiva Thapa in Men's Bantam weight (56kg) to take on Pakistan's Nadir in a short while from now #AsianGames2014

- Yash Chawla (@chawla_yash) September 26, 2014

11:08 (IST): Women's Recurve Team Semis: India lose 6-0 to South Korea and will now take on Japan in the bronze medal match on 28th September.

11:06 (IST): Women's Recurve Team Semis: India lose third set too vs South Korea, 56-54 this time.

11:01 (IST): Women's Recurve Team Semis: India lose second set 58-54 vs South Korea.

10:55 (IST): Women's Recurve Team Semis: India fall behind 55-50 vs South Korea after two rounds in the first set.

10:46 (IST): Squash, Women's Team Semifinals: Joshana Chinappa beats South Korea's Park to give India 1-0 lead in the tie.

10:35 (IST): Badminton, Mixed Doubles: Manu Attri/Sikki Reddy lose 21-18, 21-23, 21-15 to Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Vanessa Neo of Singapore in pre-quarters.

10:31 (IST): In other big news from Day 7, the Indian men's 25m Center Pistol team comprising Pemba Tamang, Gurpreet Singh and Vijay Kumar won a silver.

Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal in action during the Asian Games.

© AFP

10:22 (IST): In case you missed it earlier here, Sandeep Sejwal has qualified for the 50m Breaststroke final after standing first in Heat 2. Great achievement for the young lad and for Indian swimming. Hopefully we can win a medal in this event.

10:12 (IST): Archery, Men's Recurve Individual: India's Atanu Das has also reached the quarters along with Laxmirani in the women's section.

File photo of Indian badminton player Parupalli Kashyap.

© PTI

10:08 (IST): Badminton, Men's Singles: Parupalli Kashyap crashes out after losing 21-12, 21-11 to Lee Chong Wei in Round of 16 clash.

9:51 (IST): Badminton, Men's Singles: Parupalli Kashyap loses 1st game 21-12 to Lee Chong Wei in Round of 16 clash.

9:43 (IST): Tennis, Men's Singles: Yuki Bhambri beats Indonesia's Christopher Benjamin 6-3, 6-3 to reach quarters.

File photo of Indian tennis player Yuki Bhambri.

9:40 (IST): Badminton, Men's Singles Round of 16: The match between Parupalli Kashyap and Lee Chong Wei is now underway.

9:38 (IST): Archery, Men's Recurve Individual: Jayanta Talukdar crashes out after losing 7-1 to Mohamad Khairul in pre-quarters.

9:36 (IST): Archery, Women's Recurve Individual: Laxmirani Majhi beats Chinese Taipei's Yuan 6-4 to reach quarters.

File photo of Indian archer Deepika Kumari.

© AP

9:34 (IST): Archery, Women's Recurve Individual: Deepika Kumari knocked out after losing 6-0 to Indonesia's Diananda Choirunisa in pre-quarters.

9:28 (IST): Tennis, Women's Singles: Ankita Raina loses 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to Eri Hozumi of Japan in the third round.

9:26 (IST): Shooting, 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women's: Lajja Gauswami finishes seventh.

9:23 (IST): Shooting, 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women's: Lajja Gauswami is in action in the final.

8:51 (IST): Here is a picture of the bronze winning Indian women's double trap team from yesterday. India finally getting more shooting medals.

Bronze medallists from left to right, Varman Varsha, Shagun Chowdary and Shreyasi Singh pose for photographers during the medal ceremony for the Women's Double Trap Team shooting competition at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea on Thursday.

© PTI

8:50 (IST): Trivia: Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar trains for up to six hours a day, at least five days a week.

8:47 (IST): Did you know? For Gurpreet Singh, member of silver winning Indian 25m Center Pistol team, Abhinav Bindra is role model.

8:44 (IST): Tennis, Men's Singles: Sanam Singh beats South Korea's Hyeon Chung 7-5, 6-1 to reach quarters.

8:14 (IST): Shooting, 25m Center Fire Pistol Men's: Pemba Tamang finishes 8th, Gurpreet 9th and Vijay Kumar 12th.

8:12 (IST): Tennis, Men's Singles: Sanam Singh ahead 7-5, 1-0 vs Hyeon Chung of South Korea in third round.

07:52 (IST): Shooting, 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women's: Lajjakumari Gauswami has qualified for the final round.

07:40 (IST): Great News!! Indian team wins shooting silver in the men's 25m Center Fire Pistol competition. The team of Gurpreet Singh, Pemba Tamang and Vijay Kumar won the silver.

07:31 (IST): Shooting, 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women's: Indian team finishes sixth.

07:17 (IST): Shooting, 25m Center Fire Pistol Men's: Gurpreet Singh in 5th position as of now. Pemba Tamang 7th, Vijay Kumar 8th.

File photo of Indian shooter Vijay Kumar.

© PTI

07:15 (IST): Tennis, Men's Singles: Sanam Singh is taking on Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round.

07:12 (IST): Archery, Women's Recurve Team: India beat Chinese Taipei 5-4 to reach semis.

07:11 (IST): Swimming, Men's 4x100m Medley Relay: India finish last in Heat 1, Pakistan team did not start.

07:08 (IST): Archery, Men's Recurve Team: Hong Kong beat India 5-3 in pre-quarters, India knocked out.

07:05 (IST): Swimming, 50m Breaststroke: Sandeep Sejwal finishes 1st in Heat 2. He qualifies for the final.

07:03 (IST): Archery, Women's Recurve Team: India beat Uzbekistan 6-0 to reach quarters.