PT Usha to Jaspal Rana: List of Most Successful Indian Athletes in Asian Games History

India has always been a star performer in the Asian Games. The country has always made the top 10 in the medal tally except for one edition of the Asian Games in 1990 that was held in Beijing, China. India has seen success in team sports with domination in events like Men’s Kabaddi, winning 7 out of the 8 gold medals to date. They have also brought home medals in Men’s Hockey with 3 gold and 9 silver medals to show their success. India has been blessed with some legendary athletes and there have been some amazing performers for the country.

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Here are some of the legends that have made the nation proud in the Asian Games:

Leander Paes (Tennis) –

With 8 medals in total Leander Paes finds himself as the athlete with the second most medals for India in Asian Games’ history. A legend who has been the face of men’s tennis in India for a long time, Paes has won 5 gold medals and 3 bronze medals in the Asian Games. He has the highest number of gold medals by a single athlete for India. He was the first tennis player in India to win a gold medal in a singles competition.

PT Usha (Athletics) –

India’s most decorated performer in the Asian Games history, PT Usha won a record 11 medals in her legendary career. Known as the Payyoli Express, PT Usha won the gold 4 times and has 7 silver medals to her name.

Jaspal Rana (Shooting) –

Tying with Leander Paes for the second most medals for the nation, Jaspal Rana won 8 medals in Asian Games. Known for his accuracy Jaspal bagged 4 gold medals for the nation alongside 2 silver and bronze medals each. His most memorable performance came in the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar where he won 3 gold medals for the country.

Milkha Singh (Athletics) –

The “Flying Sikh” of India, Milkha Singh is a legend and one of the best athletes to ever represent India. He was the fastest man in the country, and he proved that with 4 medals in the Asian Games with all of them being gold medals. His epic bouts with Pakistan’s Abdul Khaliq for the title of the Fastest Man of Asia were the highlights of his Asian Games career.

Parduman Singh Brar (Athletics) –

Although his name has not been talked about much, Parduman Singh Brar was an athlete par excellence and his success is yet to be replicated in the Shot Put and Dicuss Throw events. He won 5 medals for the country with 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal to his name. He has one discus gold medal and two shot put gold medals. His medals have come across the 1954, 1958 and 1962 Asian Games.