The Indian subcontinent is a hub for the game of cricket. The 100+ crores humongous population have their own set of opinions when it comes to the gentlemen’s game. We witnessed that very recently as the journey for the Indian cricket team concluded in the Semi-Finals of the World Cup in England. Lately, apart from cricket, the country is developing an interest in other sports as well. But just to give some perspective about the situation of sports in India - there are around 62% of the country’s population interested in a sport. Well, that is encouraging as the western sporting nations have an account ranging between 70-80%. But, when we talk about the population of people in India playing a sport, the numbers are hilarious and dismaying. Less than 1% of the Indian population is interested to sweat it out on the field. Whereas in the western nations, more than 35% of their population is actively participating in sports. And, then we question India’s disappointing medal tally and achievements at the Olympics. Hilarious, isn’t it?
India first took part in the Olympics back in 1900. So far, the nation has bagged 24 medals out of the 28 times it has taken part in the Olympics. Out of which, 9 were gold, 6 silver and 11 were bronze.
In 2016 Rio Olympics, the Indian athletes bagged only 2 medals out which none were gold. Although, the nation seems to be waking up. With the transformation and government attention into sports, the country is witnessing major investments and developments within the sporting fraternity. This time India has many prospective contenders to take part in Tokyo out of which we list 5 of them:
Saurabh Chaudhary:
Sourav Chaudhary
Until 2018 Asian Games, Saurabh Chaudhary was not known to anyone. After the Asian Games, the 16-year-old teenager became a sensation in India after winning the gold. Saurabh claimed the top honours in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the season-opening International Shooting Sport Federation. At the event, he put his gun down after creating a new world record. He ended the tournament with a total score of 245. Undoubtedly, he is the kid we're hopeful of seeing standing at the podium in Tokyo.
Hima Das:
Hima Das
More renowned as the “Dhing Express”, Hima Das is the first Indian athlete to win a gold at the track events of the IAAF World U20 Championship in 2018. Ever since then, Hima showed her worth a couple of time in several international tournaments. She is young and willing to achieve greater heights in life. She won 200m Gold in Poznan Athletics Grand Prix in Poland recently. Das is a prospective medallist in next year’s Olympic campaign.
Neeraj Chopra:
Neeraj Chopra
Chopra shot to prominence as he won javelin gold at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. At the Asian Games in Jakarta, Chopra took the title with a season's best throw of 88.06m, placing him sixth in the IAAF's rankings for 2018. The Javelin thrower is currently placed at 4th position by the IAAF and is a great call for India to bag a medal.
PV Sindhu:
PV Sindhu
Sindhu is a nationwide sensation. She claimed a silver at the 2016 Olympics. She is consistently ranked among the top 5 players in the world. She has won two super series titles, including the BWF one, on December 2018. You can surely put your bet on her at winning a medal.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu:
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu is an Indian weightlifter. She came in the spotlight after performing exceptionally well at the World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, United States. At the 21st Commonwealth Games, Chanu broke the Commonwealth record five times in a total of six attempts done by her. Mirabai Chanu is sure to be considered a worthy candidate in our Olympic quest.
The previous year saw the nation rejoicing over the country’s record medal-winning tally at the Asian Games in Jakarta. The Indian side won a record of 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze for an aggregate of 69.
Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra feels that the country has the potential to bag 10 medals at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
By the way, the biggest show on earth, the Olympics are set to begin a year after, on the 24th of July 2020!
