So far, the Indian Olympic team has had a bittersweet campaign in Tokyo. Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal in the women’s weightlifting 49kg division on day 6, is the only Indian to have won a medal so far. She became only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, following Karnam Malleswari.
In the next days, the country still has a chance to capture multiple medals. After the fourth day of competition, let’s take a look at India’s realistic chances of capturing a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Men’s Hockey team
The Indian men’s hockey team got off to a winning start with a 3-2 victory over New Zealand. In their second match, they were thrashed by Australia before defeating Spain 3-0. Next up for India is a trip to Argentina, followed by a visit to the hosts, Japan. A top-four finish guarantees a berth in the quarterfinals. The next match is against Argentina on 29th July, 6:00 AM IST.
Shooting: Manu Bhaker – Women’s individual 25m Air Pistol
Manu Bhaker will be the only Indian shooter competing in three separate shooting competitions. At the Rio Olympics, the 19-year-old will compete in the women’s individual 25m air pistol event. In her category, she is ranked seventh in the world. The qualification will start on 29th July, 5:30 AM IST.
Archery: Deepika Kumari
Deepika Kumari is the world’s number one recurve woman. In 2021, the 27-year-old earned two individual gold medals at the World Cup of Archery. In archery, India has yet to won an Olympic medal, and Kumari is the best chance to change that.
Archery: Atanu Das
This year, Atanu Das won two gold medals in the Archery World Cup. In Tokyo, the 29-year-old will compete in his second Olympics. In the opening round, he will face Yu-Cheng Deng in the Round of 32. The next match is on 29th July, at 7:31 AM IST.
Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat – Women’s Freestyle 53kg
Vinesh Phogat will compete in the Tokyo Olympics as one of seven Indian wrestlers. After suffering a career-threatening injury during the Commonwealth Games, she became the first Indian female wrestler to win gold at the Asian Games. In the women’s freestyle 53kg division, the -year-old is competing. The event will be held on 5th August, at 8:00 AM IST.
Wrestling: Bajrang Punia – Men’s Freestyle 65kg
In the men’s freestyle 65kg category, Bajrang Punia will compete. The 27-year-old has medaled in two Asian Championships and won gold at the 2018 Asian Games. Punia is from the Jhajjar area of Haryana, India. The event will happen on 6th August, at 8:00 AM IST.
Boxing: Amit Panghal
Amit Panghal is one of India’s most promising medal contenders. At the Asian Boxing Championships, the 25-year-old defeated Enkhmandakh Kharkhuu and Saken Bibossinov. He’ll open his Tokyo Olympics campaign against Yuberjen Rivas Martinez of Colombia. The bout will be held on 31st July, 7:30 AM IST.
Boxing: Mary Kom
The legendary Indian boxer is nearing the end of her career. The six-time world champion, on the other hand, remains a menace to any opponent. Mary Kom began her quest to Tokyo 2020 with a 4-1 victory over Miguelina Garcia Hernandez of the Dominican Republic. Ingrit Victoria Valencia of Colombia will be the 38-year-Round old’s of 16 opponent. In Tokyo, the bronze medalist from London 2012 is hoping to add to her illustrious collection of medals. The bout will be held on 29th July, 3:36 PM IST.
Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain – Women’s Welterweight
Lovlina Borgohain, a promising Indian boxer, is making her Olympic debut in Tokyo. Borgohain defeated seasoned German Nadine Apetz 3-2 in the Round of 16 after receiving a bye in the first round. With the win, she is in in contender for a medal. In the quarter-finals, the 23-year-old from Assam will meet Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen. The bout will take place on 30th July, at 8:48 AM IST.
Boxing: Pooja Rani – Women’s Middleweight
Pooja Rani, the defending Asian champion, appears to be in fantastic form at the moment. Rani took home the gold medal at the Asian Championships in Dubai in 2021. At the Tokyo Olympics, she repeated that performance. The 30-year-old was mostly dominant in the Round of 16 as she overcame Algerian Ichrak Chaib 5-0. Rani is now just one win away from securing an Olympic medal for India in Tokyo. Li Qian of China will be her quarter-final opponent. The bout will be held on 31st July, at 3:36 PM IST.
Athletics: Neeraj Chopra – Men’s Javelin Throw
In athletics, Neeraj Chopra is India’s best hope for a medal in the Tokyo Olympics. The -year-old was in Europe for training and took part in competitions in Lisbon, Karlstad, and Kuortane. In both Lisbon and Karlstad, he won gold medals for his efforts. The qualification round will be held on 4th August, at 5:35 AM IST.
Athletics: Tajinderpal Singh Toor – Men’s Shot put
Tajinderpal Singh Toor’s 21.49m throw at the 2016 Rio Olympics would have earned him a bronze medal. The previous best for the 26-year-old was 20.92m. Toor previously won gold at the Asian Games in 2018. In Tokyo, he’ll be trying for a repeat performance to bring home the country’s long-awaited first Olympic medal in athletics. The qualification will happen on 3rd August, at 3:45 PM IST.
Athletics: Kamalpreet Kaur – Women’s Discus throw
Kamalpreet Kaur set a new national record with a throw of 66.59 metres. The 25-year-old is the first woman from India to breach the 65-meter barrier. At the Tokyo Olympics, Kaur will compete in the discus throw. The qualification round will be held on 31st July, at 6:00 AM IST.
Badminton: PV Sindhu – Women’s singles
In badminton, she is India’s guiding light. After compatriots Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth failed to qualify for the Olympics, the current World No. 7 has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. In her first match, the Rio 2016 silver medallist defeated Israeli Ksenia Polikapova 21-7, 21-10 to kick up her Tokyo 2020 campaign. The next match will take place on 29th July, at 6:15 AM IST.
