The 2020 Tokyo Olympics is all set to take the centre stage. This Olympics is going to feature India’s biggest, and one of the strongest Indian contingent ever at the Games. A lot of Indian hopes reside on the shoulders of the Indian Athletes. Though there are many sports that might bestow medals upon India, the country has specifically high hopes with some events. Here is a brief discussion on the events that could increase the Indian medal tally!
Shooting
Leading the Indian contingent from the front, Shooting has increased the Indian hopes by leaps and bounds. Sooting has always brought laurels to the country. Since it is also the only sport that has given an individual Gold Medal to the country. This happened in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when Abhinav Bindra won the gold in the 10m Air Rifle event.
This time the hopes are up for the 10m Air Pistol Event. Saurabh Chaudhary, the young shooting sensation, and Manu Bhaker are expected to get medals for India in the individuals as well as the mixed team event. The two shooters have been in high form. However, they could only get silver at the World Cup held last month. Only if they can keep their calm and undermine the pressure, they could even get gold! This event is to take place on 24th July.
Another shooting event, the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Event is greatly being looked forward to! The pair of Divyansh Panwar and Elavenil Valarivan is among the best medal hopes of India. Individually they are ranked at no. 1 in their respective disciplines. It will be interesting to watch their performance as a team! This event takes place on 27th July.
Also, in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed event, eyes are on Yashaswini Deswal and Abhishek Verma. Although their efforts get overshadowed by the youngsters, on paper they are stronger than the young lads! Not just this, considering their experience, they are better at dissolving the high pressure of the Olympics. This pair won the bronze medal at the World Cup held last month. Their event is scheduled for 27th July. Other shooters too have high expectations of the nation to get medals at this Olympics!
Men’s Javelin Throw
Neeraj Chopra needs no introduction. Though his injuries kept him away from the field in the past few months, his personal best of 88.07m could get him a chance to make a podium finish at Tokyo Olympics. He is known for throwing routinely higher than the 85m mark. On 4th August, the qualifications are scheduled while the final takes place on 7th August!
Women’s Weightlifting
Karnam Malleshwari’s heritage of the Olympic medal is being continued by Mirabai Chanu. In the 49kg weight category, Chanu happens to be one of the biggest medal hopes of India. A former World Champion, she is currently ranked fourth in her division! However, two of the athletes ranked above her aren’t competing in the Olympics this year. This increases her chances of finishing on the podium! This event is scheduled for 24th July.
Wrestling
Another consistent sport that has got medals for India at the Olympics is wrestling. This time too, a lot of Indian hopes rest on Wrestling. After the arrest of Olympian Sushil Kumar, wrestling-culture was put under question! Olympics are a good way to revive the degrading love for the sport!
Ravi Dahiya in Men’s freestyle 57kg category is a strong contender. He is a two-time Asian Champion and also got a bronze medal at the World Championships! He has received the fourth seed at the Tokyo Olympics. The event is scheduled for 4th August when the Round of 16, Quarters, and Semis will be held. The finals and repechage take place on 5th August.
Another strong contender for a podium finish is Bajrang Punia. One of the most successful wrestlers in this Olympic cycle, he has won 2 World medals and an Asian Games title. His consistency has earned him the second seed in this Olympics. He is competing in Men’s Freestyle- 65kg weight category. The event will have preliminaries on 6th August. While the finals are scheduled for 7th August.
Another wrestler that has high expectations of people is one of the Phogat sisters. It is Vinesh Phogat. She has been unbeaten this year. The world champion’s pullout has increased her chances of finishing with a gold! She will compete in the Women’s freestyle-53kg weight category! The event is scheduled for 5th August and 6th August!
Badminton
Badminton has also got medals for India. The biggest hope for a medal this time is PV Sindhu. Known as a big tournament player, it will be interesting to watch her change the color of her medal. The qualifications for the event start from 24th July.
Boxing
The legacy of Vijender Singh has to be taken ahead. Amit Panghal and Shiva Thapa are worth the trust. Amit Panghal specifically has been consistent. This increases his chances of a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics! He will compete in Men’s 52kg flyweight. The Qualification rounds start on 26th July!
There are many other events too, like archery, and track and field that could get some medals at the Olympics. It will be interesting to watch one of the strongest and biggest Indian contingent at the Olympics.
Stay Tuned to Akashbaani for more updates!
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