Bajrang Lal Takhar is an Indian rower who is widely regarded as one of the country's most accomplished oarsmen. He represented India at the international level in the men's single sculls event and is best known for winning the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, becoming the first Indian rower to win an individual gold at the Asian Games.
| Name | Bajrang Lal Takhar |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sport | Rowing |
| Event | Single sculls |
| Affiliation | Indian Army (Army Rowing Node, Pune) |
| Major honour | Gold medal, 2010 Asian Games, Guangzhou |
Takhar hails from Rajasthan and joined the Indian Army, where his rowing career was nurtured at the Army Rowing Node (ARN) in Pune. The ARN, established as a centre of excellence for rowing under the Army Sports Institute system, has produced a number of leading Indian rowers, and Takhar emerged as its most prominent international medallist.
Takhar won a silver medal in the men's single sculls at the 2006 Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar, marking his arrival on the continental stage.
At the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Takhar won the gold medal in the men's single sculls. The victory was historic as it was India's first individual gold medal in rowing at the Asian Games.
Takhar represented India at the Summer Olympic Games in the men's single sculls, competing among the world's top scullers and gaining valuable experience at the highest level of the sport.
Takhar was part of the Indian rowing contingent at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, where he continued to compete at the senior level for India.
Takhar's gold at the 2010 Asian Games is considered a watershed moment for Indian rowing, a sport that had historically struggled for visibility and resources in India. His success drew attention to the Army Rowing Node's training programme and inspired a new generation of Indian scullers and crew rowers to pursue the sport competitively.