Lord Hanuman is official Mascot of AAC: The upcoming Asian Athletics Championships 2023 will be a significant milestone as it marks the 25th edition of this prestigious event. Thailand has been chosen as the host country, welcoming athletes from across Asia after an impressive 50-year hiatus.
The esteemed Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok will serve as the venue for this championship, scheduled to take place from July 12 to 16, 2023. The event holds great importance as it will also act as a qualification stage for athletes aspiring to participate in the 2023 World Athletics Championships, set to be held in Budapest, Hungary.
The unfortunate cancellation of the previous edition in Hangzhou, China, originally planned for May 2021, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified the anticipation for this upcoming championship.
Lord Hanuman: The official Mascot of AAC 2023
The Asian Athletics Association has chosen Lord Hanuman, the revered Hindu deity and avatar of Lord Shiva, as the official mascot for this year’s Asian Athletics Championships. The selection of Lord Hanuman as the mascot was explained by the Asian Athletics Association, highlighting his loyalty and devotion on their official website.
The association stated, “As Hanuman exhibits extraordinary abilities in Lord Rama’s service, including speed, strength, courage, and wisdom, his greatest ability is, in fact, his incredibly staunch loyalty and devotion.” Lord Hanuman’s representation as the mascot symbolizes the essential traits of the participating athletes, such as skills, dedication, and teamwork.
The logo of the 25th Asian Athletics Championships 2023 signifies the participation of athletes, showcasing their skills, teamwork, athleticism, dedication, and sportsmanship, as mentioned on the official website.
The Indian epic Ramayana, written by Valmiki, holds popularity in Southeast Asian nations. Hinduism has had a soft influence on the cultures of these regions, including Thailand. The Thai version of the Indian legendary warrior King Rama is called Ramakien.
The five-day event began on July 12th in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and will conclude on July 16th. Around 50 Indian athletes, led by shot putter Tajinderpal Singh and long jumper Sreeshankar, are participating in this year’s championship. The Indian squad departed for Bangkok from Delhi and Bengaluru on July 8th.
Initially, India had announced a 54-member contingent, but due to injury concerns, a few athletes opted out. Additionally, Neeraj Chopra and Avinash Sable will not be part of the Indian contingent as they are preparing for the World Athletics Championships scheduled for August.
The 25th Asian Athletics Championships will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Asian Athletics Association and is considered Asia’s biggest track and field event. The 2021 championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand, along with eight other nations, including Hong Kong, Japan, India, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Singapore, has participated in all the previous 23 editions of the Asian Athletics Championships.
India’s performance in Asian Athletic Championship
India demonstrated exceptional performance in the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships held in Bhubaneswar, emerging as the leading country in the medal standings. The Indian team showcased their prowess and secured a remarkable number of medals during the event.
P.T. Usha, an iconic Indian athlete, achieved remarkable success throughout her tenure in the Asian Championships from 1983 to 1998. Usha’s dedication and outstanding skills propelled her to amass an unprecedented total of 23 medals, including an impressive 14 gold medals.
Her exceptional achievements in the Asian Championships have left a lasting impact and have established her as one of India’s greatest track and field athletes.
