It has never happened in the history of the Olympics that India has consistently topped the medals list across various sports just before the games. For the first time, India looks prepared. While things can go either way in the last six months, it is fair to say that preparation is looking excellent. If things pan out well in the coming months, Tokyo could be India's best ever Olympics in its entire sporting history.
To predict the number of medals that India could win is somewhat irrational, but suffice to say that the number of disciplines that India could mount a challenge in has increased since Rio. Here are some areas that excites a true sports romantic about the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020:
Saurabh Chaudhary and the shooting team:
One of the most promising athletes in the world is Saurabh Chaudhary. With just over 17 years of age, Saurabh won the gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games. He has already broken his own record multiple times and won gold medals at World Championship and World Cups. With mixed gender category making a debut in Olympics, Saurabh will have a shot at two possible medals. Apurvi Chandela has left her Rio disappointment behind and is a far more consistent shooter than last time around. In Anjum Moudgil, she has someone who will always push her to the limits. Other shooters who are most likely to do well are Mehuli Ghosh, Abhishek Verma, Shahzar Rizvi, Manu Bhaker, Rahi Sarnobat, Heena Sindhu and Elavenil Valarivan. Safe to say, Shooting is India's best hope at the Olympics.
Know More: Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020 | All you need to know
Neeraj Chopra and his track & field department:
Neeraj Chopra won gold medals at both the 2018 Asian and Commonwealth Games in Javelin Throw. Other top contenders among various track and field events include Hima Das and Tejinder Pal Singh Toor who are expected to defy odds and do well in Tokyo. In spite of all the headlines that she gathers everywhere, 20-year-old Das needs to be cocooned well because it is a game of fine margins and she has to be at her level best always.
P V Sindhu and company:
2019 had its share of highs and lows. Although Sindhu became the first ever Indian to clinch Gold at the World Championships, it included multiple early exits for all the top players including both Sindhu and Srikanth. Saina Nehwal had fitness concerns throughout the year as well. While many feel apprehensive about the situation, it is no doubt that Pullela Gopichand has a plan in mind for Tokyo. He knows when it is time to shift focus to the Olympics and start the final push. The courts in Japan, as Gopi says, will suit Sindhu's style of play. Anyone among Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty can do the job. And it wouldn't come as a surprise if India clinch more than one medal in this category.
Bajrang Punia and the wrestling department:
Not only has Bajrang Punia been at the top of the sport for some time now, he is physically and mentally at his level best. Having already won several gold medals at various international events, Punia is all set to take the world by storm in the grandest stage of all, the Olympics. While the crop of female wrestlers led by Vinesh Phogat could end up on the podium as well.
Amit Phangal and the boxing team:
Amit Phangal has always punched above his weight and will be someone to look forward to in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While several veterans like Mary Kom and Vikas Krisnan can never be ruled out and will give their hundred percent before giving up on the sport. Having been on the podium in 2012, Mary Kom knows it very well what it takes.
Now we leave you with the final words of Abhinav Bindra, "The Olympics don't come every four years, they come everyday."
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