Asian Games 2010 Medal Tally : Ashish Kumar scripts history

Ashish Kumar gifted himself an early birthday present by winning a historic gymnastics bronze medal in the men’s floor exercises on Tuesday. The youngster from Allahabad was competing in a tough field which included the big boys from China, Korea and Japan.Yet, the Allahabadi, who turns 20 on November 26, showed rare mental strength and character to win the medal in the Asian Games gymnastics hall, where the crowds had turned up in good numbers.

As someone who had attracted attention during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi by winning silver in vaulting and bronze in floor exercises, Ashish had become very popular. And when he made it to the final in Guangzhou on Saturday, it was under intense pressure. His coach Vladimir Chertkov had walked away from the Games after a ‘fiasco’ at the opening ceremony. Yet, Ashish took it in his stride.

In his moment of glory on Tuesday, Ashish wanted to talk of the positives and how he was actually hoping to win a better medal. But for someone who was soaking in the adulation after the highs of the CWG, he didn’t get as much time to prepare. “If I had more time after the CWG, I would have prepared better. All the same, this was a worldclass field and I am very happy that the entire Indian team and so many officials and people from the Indian media came to see me perform,” said Ashish.

Back home, Ashish has a tough schedule to follow. He lives in a joint family and wakes up at 4am everyday to train, disturbing the schedules of the rest. But he does realise only such commitment can take him to stardom in a sport which does not have a rich tradition in India.

with an excellent triple- twist dismount which ultimately fetched the bronze- winning point (6.300 + 8.625) for a total of 14.925. China’s Chengiong (15.400) and South Korean Soo Myun Kim (15.400) were way ahead for gold and silver, respectively. The Chinese won after scoring 9.000 in the final to Korean’s 8.8.

Ashish was happy for another reason as well. He admitted that he had ironed out the flaw in his execution of the Salto- powered dismount, but felt he could have done still better. “ I felt good after the dismount because my first line of 900 to forward back was unique,” he said.

Ashish is keen to compete in more World Cups next year to prepare himself for the Asian championships and the 2012 Olympics.“ I had competed only in a couple of World Cups this year. But from now on I am going to participate in more to help improve my world ranking ( now 32),” he said.

Late at night, Ashish was busy with more press conferences and interviews. He was obliging and thanking all the people. “ I am going to land in New Delhi on 18th and then go to Allahabad. My celebrations have to be there,” said Ashish.

Updated Medal Tally:

Rank - Country - Gold - Silver - Bronze - Total Medals
1 - China - 77 - 28 - 28 - 133
2 - R.O.Korea - 22 - 17 - 27 - 66
3 - Japan - 15 - 34 - 29 - 78
4 - DPR Korea - 3 - 6 - 9 - 18
5 - Chinese Taipei - 3 - 5 - 13 - 21
6 - Hong Kong, China - 3 - 5 - 3 - 11
7 - Kazakhstan - 2 - 5 - 9 - 16
8 - Uzbekistan - 2 - 5 - 6 - 13
9 - India - 1 - 4 - 7 - 12
10 - Malaysia - 1 - 1 - 3 - 5