Even though India is sending a mighty strong 634-member squad to the Asian Games 2023, there are a few athletes who missed the bus due to various reasons. InsideSport takes a look at the players who will not go to Hangzhou, China for the event starting on September 23.
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Jeremy Lalrinnunga (Weightlifting)
The CWG 2022 gold medalist Jeremy Lalrinnunga just lost his way a bit after his historic medal last year. After recovering from the injury, he was removed from the national camp a few months back, due to his failure to appear for the World Championships and Asian Games 2023 trials. Even though it is believed that his non-appearance was due to a back injury, it was his attitude that displeased many. Had he been there in the team, he could have been a medal contender.
Hima Das (Athletics)
India’s national record holder in women’s 400m, Hima Das has been plagued with injuries over the last few years. This time around, it is her hamstring injury that has kept her out of action. Apart from that, she has been provisionally suspended by the NADA for three whereabouts failures. In the last Asian Games, she won a silver medal in the 400m. Had she been in the squad, she could have added to the tally in China.
Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling)
The defending champion in women’s 53 kg category, Vinesh Phogat won’t be a part of the Asian Games 2023. Even though she had gotten an entry into the team without appearing for the trials, she withdrew due to an injury. She had sustained a knee injury on August 13 during training and had undergone surgery for the same. Her place is taken by Antim Panghal.
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Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics)
Dipa’s name was omitted from the Asian Games 2023 list, due to strict eligibility criteria. As per the criteria, all athletes going to these Asian Games needed to have a better performance in the last 12 months, than the 8th placed athlete in their event at the 2018 Asian Games. She missed the bus despite topping the trials.