Faster, Higher, Winninger

The show in Busan is not over as yet, but indications are that it could be India's best ever outing. Ironically, it's happened in South Korea, where 16 years ago India had a disastrous campaign—more than 400 athletes and officials brought home just five golds, four of them through the efforts of P.T. Usha, prompting the then prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, to remark: "If only Usha can win gold medals, why send more than 400 athletes to each Games?"

There are no such complaints this year. At the time of going to the press, India had already mopped up nine golds, six of them from athletics, besides one each in golf from the US-based amateur Shiv Kapur, snooker and kabaddi. The booty had already catapulted India to the sixth spot on the medals table and with some more medals expected, India could easily land up among the top five.