Just hours to start the gold rush in Incheon, India’s hope pinned in shooting and wrestling

In few hours from now the sports extravaganza starts in Incheon, South Korea in the 2014 version of the Asian games the largest sports event in Asia. India will be found in the fray with 44 other countries those include sports power houses like China, Japan and South Korea for those 439 Gold medals at stake. Last time in Guangzhou edition of the Asian games India had bagged 14 golds the second highest in number in its Asiad history. This time a contingent of 679 has landed in South Korea to garner pride for their country in the 15 days show case of sports excellence.
In the last five years India is performing on the sports field as an emerging power to match with its growing economic and political might. So bettering the Guangzhou performance has become the onus of 516 athletes to be on the field. Even replicating it will not be that bad given the fact that Medal prospects like Olympic medalist wrestler Sushil Kumar and star boxer Vijender Singh has opted out of the event. Leander Paes and Somdev devvarman will not be seen in action on the tennis court. To add events like Cue sports, Chess, Golf and Roller sports are eliminated from this 17th edition of the Asian Games.
Boxing and shooting are believed to be the high areas to expect gold from. Absence of Vijender Kumar may affect chances in boxing yet Akhil Kumar and his young co-boxers can mend the loss but big hope for medal in boxing is from Olympic Medalist Mary Kom and Sarita Devi.
The shooters have earned the dubious reputation of underperforming in the Asiad. Olympic gold winner Avinav Bindra and Gagan Narang are yet to win gold in the Asian games this time they may amend it. But Jitu Ray who is in Incheon with a CWG gold and WC Silver can aim gold in 50 m Pistol event.
Yogeswar Dutt just returned from the Glasgow CWG with a gold in wrestling is the biggest hope for the yellow metal in incheon Asiad. Amit Kumar, the freestyle wrestler in 57 Kg category is the man to be watched for. He is carrying with him the bolster from the Glasgow success.
Archers has ever disappointed in the international arena Deepika kumari if plays up to her reputation then she can be a good medal prospect.
Saina Nehwal the former world No.2 shuttler along with PV Sindhu are good bet to make it to the podium in spite of tough challenges from their Chinese and Korean counter parts.
Viskash Gowda the Discus thrower after winning the first gold as an Indian in the CWG track and field has attracted immense hope from his compatriots to achieve the similar feat in the Asiad. A 65m throw is most likely to fetch him the gold.
In the track events, long-distance runners, Preeja Sreedharan and Sudha Singh are strong contenders for gold. Preeja won the gold medal in the 10000m race and silver in the 5,000m in the 2010 Asian Games.