Guangzhou, Nov 19 (IANS) Bajrang Lal Takhar won India's maiden rowing gold medal in the Asian Games after he triumphed in the men's single sculls event here Friday.

Takhar, who also gave India its first silver medal four years back in Doha, clocked seven minutes 4.78 seconds to win the second gold for India in the Asian Games.

The silver went to Chinese Taipei's Ming Hui Wang with a timing of seven minutes 7.33 seconds while Iraq's Haeider Hamarsheied clocked seven minutes 10.10 seconds to settle for the bronze at the International Rowing Center.

Takhar, an Arjuna Award winner, led the 2,000 metres race right from the start and won the gold comfortably. He finished the first 500 metres in one minute 39.82 seconds and covered 1000 metres in three minutes 26.32 second and 1500 metres in five minutes 13.56 seconds.

Takhar's gold was also the second for India in the Asian Games. Cueist Pankaj Advani had won the first gold medal for India.