India’s Top Golfers Triumph in Asian Games Qualifier, Eye Medal Haul
The Indian Golf Team for the Asian Games 2023 has recently announced its final lineup, featuring a mix of experienced golfers and promising young talents. Among them are Avani Prashanth and Pranavi Urs, who have emerged as the top contenders in the selection trials held at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata. They will be joining the likes of Aditi Ashok, Anirban Lahiri, and Shubhankar Sharma, who have received direct entries based on their rankings. In this article, we will take a closer look at the selection process and the golfers who have made it to the team.
Image source: Khalin Joshi – The Tribune India, Avani – Times of India, SSP Chawrasia – The Indian Express, Pranavi – The Hindu.
Women’s Selection Trials
Avani Prashanth and Pranavi Urs
Bengaluru’s Avani Prashanth and Pranavi Urs topped the Indian Golf Union’s Asian Games 2023 selection trials for women. Both golfers have had impressive performances in recent events. Pranavi Urs, 20, and Avani Prashanth, 16, won the Queen Sirikit Cup 2023 in the Philippines earlier this year and tied for first place at 10-under 206 during the trials.
Aditi Ashok
Olympian Aditi Ashok, who narrowly missed out on winning a medal at Tokyo 2020, did not participate in the trials. She was handed a direct entry based on her ranking. Ashok will be a key player in the Indian team, given her experience and performance on the global stage.
Notable Absences
Tvesa Malik, who was handed a direct entry last year for the Asian Games based on her rankings, failed to make the cut this time, finishing third with a score of nine-under. Tokyo Olympian Diksha Dagar also missed out, finishing fifth in the trials with a score of three-under 213.
Men’s Selection Trials
Khalin Joshi and SSP Chawrasia
In the men’s trials, Khalin Joshi emerged as the top contender, followed by SSP Chawrasia on the leaderboard. Joshi totaled 13-under 203, while Chawrasia managed 11-under 205 for second place. Both golfers will be joining the Indian men’s golf team for the Asian Games 2023.
Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma
Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma, two prominent names in Indian golf, did not compete in the trials, as they were handed direct entries based on their rankings. Lahiri, who won silver at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, will be participating in his third Asian Games event. Sharma, on the other hand, will be making his debut in the Asian Games.
Notable Absentee
Rashid Khan, a silver medalist from the 2010 Asian Games, could not secure his berth after finishing fifth with a score of six-under 210.
Overall Trials
A total of 19 men and 19 women competed for the available Asian Games spots at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata. The trials showcased the depth of talent in Indian golf, with several young golfers making their mark.
Asian Games 2023 Schedule
The Asian Games 2023 are scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. Golfers from all over the continent will be vying for medals in both individual and team events.
India’s Golf History in Asian Games
India has won six medals, three golds, and three silvers across individual and team events since golf made its debut at the 1982 Asian Games. All medals have been won by men. With the current lineup featuring talented women golfers, there is hope for more medals in the upcoming Asian Games.
Indian Golf Team for Asian Games 2023
The final lineup for the Indian Golf Team for the Asian Games 2023 is as follows:
Men’s Team:
– Anirban Lahiri
– Shubhankar Sharma
– Khalin Joshi
– SSP Chawrasia
Women’s Team:
– Aditi Ashok
– Pranavi Urs
– Avani Prashanth
The Indian Golf Team for the Asian Games 2023 is set to be a formidable force, with a blend of experienced golfers and emerging young talents. With strong performances at recent international events and promising results from the selection trials, the team has high hopes for success at the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.