India miss individual, team Bronze in equestrian events

Doha, Dec 8 (UNI) It was so near yet so far as India finished just outside the medal bracket in the team event, while Bhagirath Singh also missed a podium finish by a whisker after finishing fourth in the equestrian event of the 15th Asian Games here today.

Japan's Yoshiaki Oiwa won the individual Gold with just 44.50 penalty points, while Qatar's Abdullah Ali Abdulla Al Ejail (46.70) claimed the Silver with a penalty-free final jumping run, with Husref Jeremiah (57.30) of Malaysia finishing third.

Bhagirath Singh, riding on his horse Guddu, totalled 61.20 after 58.80 penalty points in dressage and 2.40 in cross-country. Though he impressed with a penalty-free jumping run, that was too little and too late and his total saw him just missing a podium finish.

Among his compatriots, Rajesh Pattu (61.80) finished sixth and Deep Kumar Ahlawat (121.90) came 24th after three days of dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

The team event had similar setback in store as India finished fourth here as well.

Hosts Qatar won their first Gold in this event with 182 penalty points, while Japan (204.10) claimed Silver and Indonesia (230.20) bagged the Bronze.

The Indian quartet of Bhagirath Singh, Deep Kumar Ahlawat, Palvinder Singh and Rajesh Pattu finished with 244.90 collective penalty points to miss out on the medal.

Ahlawat was particularly off form and he had the highest penalty point against his name.

All the riders wore black armbands today to mourn the death of South Korean rider Kim Hyung-chil who was crushed under the weight of his horse at the Doha Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.

Korea later withdrew from the remainder of the competition.

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