CALCUTTA, India: India retained their crown as the undisputed monarch of the South Asian Federation Games, garnering a major share of the gold in all the 10 disciplines when the competition in all the events ended here.

India finally walked away with as many as 75 gold out of the total of 96 which were at stake in this seven nation

Pakistan, far behind with 12 gold ‘medals are in the second position and are followed by Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, who could collect only four, three and two gold’s, respectively.

The hosts, who claimed most of the top spots in the individual disciplines like track and field, swimming, boxing ‘and table tennis, also made a clean sweep in the wrestling and weightlifting events.

While the Indian grapplers stole the show, claiming eight of the total 10 ‘weight divisions, Indian lifters bagged three of the remaining four titles, setting up new meet records in the 100 kg. And 110 kg plus categories.

 The team events also India’s domination was absolute as they clinched the basketball and football gold’s. India had earlier won the gold in volleyball and Kabaddi

WRESTLING

Indian grapplers grabbed eight gold ‘medals to provide a satisfying climax to the end of the competitive events.

India who had taken six gold medals at the Dhaka SAF Games in 1985, tally by taking eight of the 10 bouts.

 Gurmukh Singh had assured hi self of the gold by winning both his 130 kg category fights against Salahuddin of Pakistan and Musa of Bangladesh. Salahuddin pinned down Musa within minutes to win the silver.

ATHLETICS

In the track and field events which “concluded yesterday, India won as ‘many as 29 gold out of a total of 37 ‘while in Dhaka last time they had claimed 18 titles out of 25,

Like India, Pakistan also improved considerably in the men’s section of athletics. While they collected two gold, four silver and four bronze at Dhaka, they won five god, three silver seven bronze here Indian sprint queen PT. Usha, for whom this was the first SAF meet, was the

Stellar attraction and true to expectation, she cornered most the glory in the women’s section, claiming as many as five gold, all of which were in new SAF record times,

She won the titles in 200 and 300 meter sprints, 400 meter hurdles and 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays. The 400meter hurdles event was introduced here for the first time. Usha apart, Suman Rawat and Shiny, they darling of the crowd at Dhaka also eared three and two gold, respectively. Vijaymala Bhanot also won a brace of titles in women’s discuss and shorput.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 11, 1987