Heartbreak for Indian rowers after favourites flop at Asian Games

The Indian rowing contingent had a disastrous day at the Asian Games, having missed out on as many as four medals including in fancied events like men's single sculls and double sculls here.

Gold contender Dattu Bhokanal was a major disappointment as he finished sixth and last in the single sculls final, clocking 8:28.56. He was consistently within the seven-minute mark in the run-up to the Games and his performance even in the Heats was nowhere close to his below par effort today.

The fact that he had given up in the middle of the race had chief coach Ismail Baig fuming. The gold, silver and bronze went to China, Korea and Japan respectively.

When asked what went so horribly wrong in the 2km race, Bhokanal said: "I don't want to give any excuse. It just did not go as per plan. I have still got one more event to go."