By SUNIL Sonkar

Guangzhou, November 19 — India fetches second gold medal in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou with Bajrang Lal Takhar winning maiden rowing in the men’s single sculls event on Friday. Takhar had also given India first silver in last Asian Games in Doha, four years ago.

Takhar led all the way in the final and this is the first gold for an Indian rower in Guangzhou. He clocked seven minutes 4.78 seconds. Ming Hui Wang of Chinese Taipei won the silver medal with a timing of seven minutes 7.33 seconds and third place goes to Haeider Hamarsheied of Iraq who clocked seven minutes 10.10 seconds at the International Rowing Center.

Takhar completed first 500 metres in one minute 39.82 seconds and in three minutes 26.32 second he covered 1000 metres. He finished 1500 metres of the 2000 metres race in five minutes 14.56 seconds.

Takhar, 29, is a Subedar Naik belonging to the Rajputana Rifles. He is also a former handball and basketball player. He is an Arjuna Award winner too.

The first gold medal was won by Cueist Pankaj Advani.