Arpinder Singh clinched India’s first men’s triple jump gold in 48 years with a jump of 16.77m in the Asian Games here on Wednesday.
Arpinder, who has been without a medal in multi-sporting events since winning a bronze in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, produced a best jump of 16.77m which he came up with in his third attempt.
Ruslan Kurbanov of Uzbekistan took the silver with a best jump of 16.62m while Shuo Cao of China was third with an effort of 16.56m.
Today’s mark of Arpinder was, however, well below his season best of 17.09m which he did during the National Inter-State Championships in June, which had put him at number three in the Asian rankings.
Arpinder has a personal best of 17.17m. He had finished fifth in the 2014 Asian Games.
India’s last Asian Games gold medal in men’s triple jump had come in 1970 from Mohinder Singh Gill.
Arpinder Singh , you beauty , what a Challang- 16.77m .
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 29, 2018
Congratulations as we win a men's Triple Jump GOLD medal after 48 years. #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/46ZYVROg9I
I am so proud to be able to represent my country 🇮🇳 and bring gold medal in triplejump after 48years in the #asiangames.Thanku all for the unconditional support to this point and beyond ✌i will try my level best to bring more medals for my country #teamindia #asiangames2018 pic.twitter.com/FxcnmExmXQ
— Arpinder Singh (@ArpinderSingh18) August 29, 2018
