India has now secured its first-ever medal in sailing at the Asian Games after Indian sailor Neha Thakur bagged a silver medal in the girl's Dinghy- ILCA 4 category in the sailing event at Asian Games 2023.
Thakur, who hails from a farmer's family based in Madhya Pradesh, increased India's medal count on Day 3 of the Asian Games 2023 event in China.
Who Is Neha Thakur?
On September 26, Thakur created history by securing India's first-ever medal in sailing at the Asian Games held in Ningbo, China. She clinched a silver by 32 points in the Girl's Dinghy ILCA-4 event consisting of 11 races.
Her medal increased India's Day 3 medal count at the 19th Asian Games event. Thakur finished with a total of 32 points but her net score of 27 helped her secure the second position in the tournament right behind Thailand's gold medalist Noppassorn Khunboonjan.
In sailing, a participant's worst score from the race is subtracted from the total points to consider the net score. In the 11 races, Thakur finished with 32 points while she secured her worst points in her fifth race by securing five points to make a total net score of 27 points. However, she progressed her way securing silver and creating history in Indian sailing.
🥈🌊 Sailing Success!
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) September 26, 2023
Neha Thakur, representing India in the Girl's Dinghy - ILCA 4 category, secured the SILVER MEDAL at the #AsianGames2022 after 11 races⛵
This is India's 1️⃣st medal in Sailing🤩👍
Her consistent performance throughout the competition has earned her a… pic.twitter.com/0ybargTEXI
17-year-old Neha Thakur is the daughter of a farmer hailing from Amaltaj village of Hatpipalia Tehsil in Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh. Thakur is a rising Indian sailor from National Sailing School Bhopal and has won significant achievements for the country.
Thakur secured 6th place at the 2022 World Championships. She also secured 4th place at the 2021 World Championships.
In March 2022, Thakur and Ritika Dangi won a bronze and a gold medal respectively in the Asian Sailing Championship in Abu Dhabi securing their place and qualifying for Asian Games 2023.
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