Other than 66 medals India won at just concluded XXI Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, there were some outstanding sports persons of Indian origin who also had podium finish for their new countries of abode.
At least six medals went to sports persons of Indian origin at Gold Coast.
And Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast were not the first time for the Overseas Indians to be among medals. In 2010 when New Delhi hosted the XIX Commonwealth Games, the flag bearer for Canada at opening ceremony was a Canadian hockey player of Indian origin. He was Ken Preira.
There is a long and unending list of sports persons of Indian origin who have represented many Commonwealth countries, including Canada, England and New Zealand, in Commonwealth Games and won honours.
This time also there were Preira brothers playing for Canada in field hockey competition at Gold Coast. Besides Preira brothers, there were Panesar brothers also representing Canada in the same team.
But neither Preira brothers nor Panesar brothers were lucky enough to finish on podium as Canada failed to qualify for semi-finals.
The overseas Indians to finish on podium came from England and New Zealand. They were Rajiv Ouseph (badminton) and Parag Patel (shooting) besides Arun Panchia and Jared Panchia (Hockey).
Rajiv Ouseph (badminton) lost to Kidambhi Srikanth in men's singles semi-finals but defeated HS Prannoy to win bronze medal. It was his second bronze medal of Gold Coast games. Earlier.he was a member of the combined England badminton team that finished third and won a bronze medal. India won the combined team gold.
Parag Patel, a shooter, also was among medals. He won gold in Queens' Prize pairs. Queens prize is a special event that is run over few days. Parag not only got gold in pairs but also got a bronze in individual event.
A surgeon by profession, Parag had, like Rajiv Ouseph, represented England in New Delhi and Glasgow editions of Commonwealth games.
Arun Panchia and his brother Jared Panchia had silver medals tied around their necks as they were members of the second placed Black Sticks hockey team. Incidentally, Arun Panchia was the captain of the team that lost to Australia in the final.
It may be interesting to recall when New Zealand beat India for first time in Olympic hockey in 1968 Mexico, Ramesh Patel of Indian origin, was its captain. Subsequently, Ramesh served New Zealand hockey in various capacities, including its Secretary.
And silver medal Rajiv Ram won in mixed doubles event of tennis at Rio Olympic Games. Of course, there was Alexi Grewal, first person of Indian origin to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Alexi, who recently got married to Manjit Bhalla of Jabalpur, was the winner of cycling road race at Los Angeles in 1984 summer Olympic Games.
And also in 1984 when Great Britain had podium finish in field hockey, Kulbir Bhaura was a key player in the team. Kulbir is perhaps the only player of Indian origin to have won medals in two consecutive Olympic Games. He was also a member of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games champion Great Britain hockey team.
Kulbir has been the only other hockey player of Indian origin to get Olympic medal for a country other than India.
—PTC News
The overseas Indians to finish on podium came from England and New Zealand. They were Rajiv Ouseph (badminton) and Parag Patel (shooting) besides Arun Panchia and Jared Panchia (Hockey).
And silver medal Rajiv Ram won in mixed doubles event of tennis at Rio Olympic Games. Of course, there was Alexi Grewal, first person of Indian origin to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Alexi, who recently got married to Manjit Bhalla of Jabalpur, was the winner of cycling road race at Los Angeles in 1984 summer Olympic Games.
