Jinson Johnson takes 1500m gold

India's Jinson Johnson (right) won the men's 1500m athletics event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on Thursday.

The Indian athletics contingent ended its Asian Games campaign with a best ever show since 1951 with Jinson Johnson and the women's 4x400 relay team providing a golden touch on the last day of competitions here on Thursday.
The two gold, a silver from 4x400m men's relay team and a bronze each from discus thrower Seema Punia and 1500m runner P U Chitra took India's medal tally from athletics to 19 (7 gold, 10 silver, two bronze).
The gold count was the same as in 1978 and 2002 Asian Games but India had won a total of 17 medals in these two earlier editions as against 19 this time. In the inaugural edition in 1951 held in New Delhi, India had won a total of 31 medals from athletics, including 10 gold.
In 1982, India had won 20 medals in athletics but there were only four gold, the rest being eight silver and eight bronze. India finished third in athletics behind China (12, 12, 9) and Bahrain (12, 6, 7).
India won five medals on the final day. Kerala athlete Johnson won the country's first 1500m gold in 20 years while the women's 4x400m relay team maintained its Asian Games domination by winning its fifth consecutive gold.
Jinson was pipped by compatriot Manjit Singh for gold in the 800m race but today he did not give any chance to his rivals to win the race in 3 minute 44.72 seconds.
He crossed the finishing line after creating a huge opening in the last 80m stretch, leaving behind Amir Moradi (3:45.62) and Mohammed Tiouali (3:45.88).
Manjit Singh, who emerged a surprise winner in the 800m run, finished fourth with a timing of 3:46.57. Bahadur Prasad was last Indian to win a medal in men's 1500m at the 1998 Games, where he won a bronze.
"Yes, it was a sweet revenge for me because these Games come after four years. My weak point is finishing but today I kept energy for the last 80m run," Johnson said.
Young sprinter Hima Das won her second Asian Games medal, and this time a gold, as the Indian women's quartet of Hima, M R Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and V K Bismaya faced no competition as they easily took the gold.
It was the fifth gold medal on the trot for India in 4x400m women's relay, continuing with their domination since the 2002 Asian Games.
"The strategy was to let two experienced runners begin it. We just wanted to beat Bahrain. That was the goal today," said Poovamma. Meanwhile, discus thrower Seema Punia and middle-distance runner P U Chitra had to be content with bronze medals. - PTI
The men's 4X400 relay team though had to be content with a silver behind a dominating Qatar.

• Athletics