Asian games 2018 were making headlines for many days. Indians have yet again made us proud with their play. The event has come to an end after many sports played in Indonesia.

The 18th Asian Games closed in a glittering ceremony in Jakarta on Sunday as hosts Indonesia dreamed of stepping up to host the Olympics in 2032. Thousands of athletes in ponchos marched in heavy rain at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium at the close of a two-week tournament featuring 40 sports.

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“I declare the 18th Asian Games closed,” Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, told the packed crowd. “You did it! You made the energy of Asia come through… Jakarta has the capability to host any such major international event,” he added

Indonesia has defied expectations to host a smooth Games, which with 17,000 athletes and officials is second in size only to the Olympics.

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Riding high on the Games’ success, President Joko Widodo has announced a bid to hold the 2032 Olympics – which would have seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago. “This (Games) is the energy of Asia united to make a difference to the world,” he said.

Olympics chief Thomas Bach has welcomed Indonesia’s bid but he warned the sprawling Southeast Asian country needed to maintain the positive energy generated by the Games.

“I think what is important now for Indonesia is to keep the momentum of this Games,” he said. “So for you now not to fall into a black hole the moment after everybody has left.”

China topped the medals table for the 10th Games in succession, a streak stretching back to New Delhi 1982, with a runaway 132 golds.

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Japan, who won the Games’ 465th and final gold medal in Sunday’s mixed team triathlon, placed a distant second with 75 golds, while South Korea had 49 and hosts Indonesia finished with 31.

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who became the first woman to six gold medals at a single Games, was named the best athlete or Most Valuable Player. “I still haven’t won a world title so that’s my next goal,” she said after a small awards ceremony on Sunday.

India has won 15 Gold, 24 Silver and 30 Bronze medal bringing total medal tally to 69, one of the finest for India.

Indians are proud of all the athletes of the country for making the country proud. Stay tuned to Laughing Colours for the latest sports news and updates.

Published by Bhaumik Raja on 03 Sep 2018