A historic day for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics as India’s wait for the second medal ended. PV Sindhu won the bronze medal in women’s singles badminton and the men’s hockey team defeated Great Britain 3-1, moved into the semi-finals after 41 years.
Let’s look at India’s performance on Day 9 at Tokyo Olympics in each event.
Badminton
Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu created history on Sunday by winning the bronze medal match against China’s He Bing Jiao at the Tokyo Olympics. She defeated He Bing in straight games 21-13, 21-15. She became the first Indian woman ever to win two individual Olympic medals. Sindhu dominated the whole game and didn’t give any chance to the opponent in the match. PV Sindhu is also only the 4th women’s singles player to win back-to-back medals at the Olympic Games.
“It makes me feel really happy because I’ve worked hard for so many years. I had a lot of emotions going through me – should I be happy that I won bronze or sad that I lost the opportunity to play in the final? But overall, I had to close off my emotions for this one match and give it my best, my all, and think about the emotions. I’m really happy and I think I’ve done really well. It’s a proud moment getting a medal for my country.” The two-time Olympic medalist said.
“I’m on cloud nine. I’m going to enjoy this moment. My family have worked hard for me and put in a lot of effort so I’m very thankful. And my sponsors have given me their best so I’d like to thank them and enjoy the moment. A lot of Indian fans showed me their love and support and I’m very thankful to each and everyone of them. Definitely lots of love and support and kisses.” She added.
Hockey
The Indian men’s hockey team defeated Great Britain 3-1 in a quarterfinal match to qualify for the semifinals of the Olympics Games after 41 years on Sunday. Dilpreet Singh (7th minute), Gurjant Singh (16th), and Hardik Singh (57th) were the goal scorers for India.
India’s last Olympic gold medals in hockey came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games. The last time India featured in the semi-finals of the Olympics was in the 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan.
India will face world champions Belgium in the semifinal on August 3.
Boxing
India boxer Satish Kumar lost to Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan in men’s super heavyweight quarterfinal at the Tokyo Olympics. World champion and top seed Bakhodir Jalolov won by 5-0.
Satish had sustained seven stitches on the eye but he still showed a lot of heart and put on a gutsy performance. He was the first Indian super heavyweight boxer to qualify for the Games.
“He is a bit low right now but when he settles down, he will realise how big it was for him to fight it out with those cuts. The fight he gave despite the blows is praiseworthy. Every punch that Jalolov connected added to his pain, he was feeling it all through. The Uzbek boxer is a special talent,” Indian Boxing’s High-Performance Director Santiago Nieva said.
Equestrian
Indian equestrian Fouaad Mirza picked up 11.20 penalty points was placed 22nd after the cross-country round at the Olympics here on Sunday. The eventing, jumping Qualifiers will be held on August 2.
Golf
India’s golfer Udayan Mane finished 56th with a score of three over 287 (76, 69, 70, 72). Anirban Lahiri finished at rank 42 with a total score of five-under 279 (67, 72, 68, 72) at the Tokyo Olympics.
