Tonglu, China, September 26, 2023: A young Indian equestrian dressage team won a historic gold medal at the Asian Games with the quartet of Sudipti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh, Vipul Hriday Chheda and Anush Agarwalla cantering to victory.
The last time India won a dressage medal at the Asian Games was back in 1986 when they won a team bronze.
“Last time we did not have a team in the dressage event, so I’m very happy to be here and to win a first-ever team gold for India at the Asian Games,” said Agarwalla, who rode Etro, a nine-year-old stallion.
The India team aggregated 209.205 points to be well clear of closest contenders China, who had to settle for the silver with 204.882, just edging Hong Kong, China who took bronze with 204.852.
The equestrian events at the Asian Games which are being held at the newly built Tonglu Equestrian Centre, about 100 kilometres away from Hangzhou, will host six medal events in dressage, eventing and jumping.
India drew first blood and the 23-year-old Agarwalla was quite emotional after the victory. “This is my first Asian Games. I did not make it in 2018 and it was really difficult for me to accept that I was not good enough. But finally, to be here, and to perform and win, is amazing.
“But this is not the efforts of a single person, it’s the efforts of a huge team. The families, coaches, farriers, the veterinarians, it all worked out today and I’m super proud of our team,” Agarwalla added.