Surya Pratap (blue) being carried by Erfan Ahangarian (red) after their Wushu bout.
On a historic day for Indian sports history, four of the country's athletes today won an unprecedented four bronze medals in Wushu - a Chinese martial arts sport - even after they lost their respective semifinal matches in the Sanda category of the ongoing 18th edition of Asian Games. In men's 60 kg Sanda category, Surya Bhanu Pratap was beaten by Iranian Erfan Ahangarian 2-0 in the last-four encounter
What has made these losses even more special is the fact that Bhanu Pratap suffered an injury to his foot during the semi-final but still continued with his punches. In a rare show of sportsmanship, his opponent after winning the match lifted and carried a struggling Bhanu outside the ring into the Indian camp where his coach and the support staff was waiting for him.
Erfan through this gesture has won many hearts as he showed respect and dignity towards his opponent even after beating him comprehensively.
The other 3 bronze medals were won by Santosh Kumar in the 56kg category, Narendra Grewal in the 65kg and Roshibina Devi in the women's 60kg Sanda categories.
