Tokyo Olympics 2020: Indian medal contenders include Hima Das, Sindhu & others

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The biggest sporting spectacle of Olympics will be underway in Tokyo, Japan in less than a year and India will be hoping it’s sun rises better than it did in Rio 2016. India only came away with one silver and one bronze in the 2016 Olympics which were grabbed by P.V.Sindhu in badminton and Sakshi Malik in wrestling, respectively .

But this time, a lot is being expected from the Indian contingent that travels to the global event next year, here are some of the top medal contenders –

1.Dipa Karmakar, Gymnastics –

In 2014 Commonwealth Games, Dipa Karmakar made a name for herself, by bagging a bronze medal in the gymnastics. Karmakar represented India at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and became the first Indian female gymnast ever to compete in the Olympics. After learning, growing, and maturing, Dipa Karmakar will be looking to make amends in Tokyo.

2.Bajrang Punia, Wrestling –

Ranked No. 1 in the world, Punia won eight gold medals over his last nine tournaments and his fitness levels haven’t flagged. He also faced two surprise defeats to young opponents amid the gold rush, one last year, and this year in Madison Square Garden. But it won’t dampen the spirits of a man. He is currently obsessing with the World Championships in Kazakhstan that start on September 14, and will serve as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Games. In wrestling, he is India’s medal hope.

3.PV Sindhu, Badminton –

The last Olympic’s silver medallist will be this time hoping to go one better, and she will be confident. In 2013, she became the first ever Indian women’s singles player to win a medal at the Badminton World Championships. The 24 year-old will be looking to script another chapter in the history, when she goes in search of a medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She will start as one of the favourites, and will be looking to make the podium, once again.

4.Manu Bhaker and Saurabh

Chaudhary,10m mixed pistol, shooting – Three World Cup gold medals in four months. The teenage pair have been on a savage streak in the mixed event, which makes its debut at the Olympics next year. This pair can hit the bulls eye, and they are a genuine medal contenders.

5.Hima Das, Track and Field –

Another young sensation making the waves recently is sprinter Hima Das. After a golden July, in which she bagged five gold medals at different events, the expectations from the 19 year-old have sky rocketed. As she is called, the Dhing Express can fire up the tracks in Tokyo.

Published by Lokendra Sharma on 05 Aug 2019