The best Asian Games ever for Indian rowing was way back in 2010 when the country won five medals including the first-ever gold. With finalists confirmed in nine of the 14 events here, long-term coach Ismail Baig is cautiously optimistic about doing better this time around.
On Friday, Balraj Panwar became the ninth rower and the only one in an individual event to reach the Final A by finishing 3rd in the single sculls semifinals.
It is the same event in which Bajrang Lal Takhar won gold in 2010 and Baig, national coach since 1998, has had a hand in every little success India has enjoyed in the sport.
