PODIUM PICKS

India's medal hopefuls at the Asian Games

- NEERU BHATIA

One hundred medals. That is the target the government has set for the Indian Olympic Association at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The event, starting September 23, will feature India's largest-ever contingent-655 athletes. The country had sent 570 to the previous games in Jakarta and had won 70 medals.

There are high expectations from the 68-member athletics contingent, as also from the two cricket teams and the 33-member shooting contingent, which was third behind China and Ukraine in the recent World Shooting Championships. The hockey team, too, goes in on a high after winning the Asian Champions Trophy at home.

Here's a look at some of the top contenders for a podium finish:

ATHLETICS

NEERAJ CHOPRA (JAVELIN)

The 25-year-old is the current world and Olympic champion, and will defend his Asian Games title in Hangzhou. The fact that he came second in the Diamond League final on September 16, behind the Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch, would only spur him on to clinch gold. "In big competitions, I think it is about the mindset," he said after the Diamond League final. "In big competitions we do not need to prepare ourselves. When we enter the stadium, our mind and body are ready for the competition."

Chopra's main challenge will come from Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who threw 87.82m for a silver behind Chopra at the Budapest World Athletics. Oh, and Nadeem has breached 90m; Chopra is yet to do so.

IKISHORE JENA (JAVELIN)

Another medal in javelin? Why not. That's the impact Chopra has had on the sport in India. And now, Kishore Jena-from Odisha's Puri district—will look to emulate his compatriot and aim for the podium at the Asian Games. He exceeded expectations in Budapest with a throw of 84.77m, which put him in fifth place. A medal in Hangzhou will be the 28-year-old’s coming of age party.