Asian Games 2023: Harmilan Bains wins 1500m women's silver; Ajay Kumar Saroj, Jinson Johnson bag silver-bronze in 1500m men's event

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Asian Games 2023 Athletics: Harmilan Bains won a silver medal in the 1500m women's race while Ajay Kumar Saroj and Jinson Jonhson bagged silver and bronze respectively in the men's 1500m.

Indian athletes have started showing their dominance in the track and field events Asian Games 2023 on Sunday (October 1) in Hangzhou. Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase) and Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shotput) opened India's account with gold medals in the track and field in the competition.

Bains - who comes from a family of athletes - became the third member of her family to appear in the Asian Games. This is the first major medal for Bains, who is the 1500m national record holder.

The men's middle-distance runner Ajay Kumar Saroj (3:38:94) wasn't even in the picture in the race for the most part of the race but he increased pace in the last 150 meters to even leave his compatriot Jinson Johnson - who maintained the second position for more than 70 percent of the time.

Johnson (3:39:74) also slipped to the fourth spot in the last 50 meters but with a last dash in the final 20 minutes, the gold medal winner from the 2018 Asian Games finished the podium. Qatar's Mohamad Algarni (3:38.36 seconds) topped the podium after overtaking compatriot Abdirahman Hassan in the last 100 meters.

The commendable performances by the nation's athletes have helped India achieve a burgeoning medal tally that comprises 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze. Despite fierce competition, India now stands proudly at the fourth spot in the medal tally.

The nation anticipates even more victories in the ongoing Asian Games, hoping for nothing less than a strong finish and global recognition for its athletes. The triumphs of Bains, Kumar, and Johnson are symbolic of the relentless spirit and determination that epitomize India's sporting world.