A very exciting day for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday. Neeraj Chopra announced himself in style as he qualified for the finals of javelin throw. Wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya confirmed another medal for India, Indian women’s hockey team lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-finals. Lovlina Borgohain settled for a bronze medal.
Let’s look at India’s performance on day 12 at Tokyo Olympics in each event.
Athletics
Neeraj Chopra qualified for the final of the men’s javelin final with the best throw of 86.65m in the men’s javelin throw qualification in group A. And with this, he kept India’s hopes of an Olympic medal from track and field events alive.
Chopra became the first Indian ever who has topped qualification at any athletics event at the Olympics. The previous best was Kamalpreet Kaur’s second-place finish at this Olympics in the women’s discus throw event qualification round.
Shivpal Singh failed to progress to the final from the Group B qualifications. He finished 12th with a best attempt of 76.40m.
Wrestling
India’s star wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya confirms another medal for India at the Tokyo Olympics. He defeated Nurislam Sanayev of Kazakhstan with a win by fall in the semifinals of the Men’s 57kg freestyle category.
At one stage he was trailing 2-9, but kept his nerves calm and got hold of his rival with a double leg attack in the last 10 seconds which resulted in a ‘victory by fall’. Ravi Kumar Dahiya became just the second Indian wrestler ever to enter the Olympics final after Sushil Kumar in the 2012 London Olympics.
Dahiya will face Zaur Uguev of Russia in the final on Thursday (August 5)
Deepak Punia failed to qualify for the finals as he lost in the 86kg category semifinal to American wrestler David Morris Taylor at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday. The 2018 world champion and the reigning Pan-American champion, defeated Punia with a 10-0 margin inside the first period. Punia will now fight in the bronze medal match on Thursday.
Anshu Malik is through to the repechage round after Iryna Kurachkina of Bulgaria reached the finals. Anshu is now two wins away from the bronze medal.
Boxing
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain lost to the reigning world champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey in the semifinals of the women’s welterweight category on Wednesday. The world no.1 defeated Lovlina with a margin of 5-0.
The 23-year-old scripted history at the Tokyo Olympics as she finishes with a bronze in the women’s welterweight category. This is India’s third medal of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. She is the first and only boxer from India to win a medal at this Olympics.
Lovlina is the third Indian boxer to win a medal at the Olympics after Vijender Singh and MC Mary Kom. A Proud moment for the whole country and especially the people of Assam as she is the first-ever woman from Assam to take part in the Olympics.
Golf
Indian Golfer Aditi Ashok got off to an excellent start at the Olympic Games, carding a four-under 67 in the opening round for a share of the second spot at the Kasumigaseki Country Club, on Wednesday.
“Last time I think it was more just enjoying the experience and staying at the (Olympic) Village, seeing all the other athletes. But this time I think definitely here to have a good finish. Hopefully, give my best, try and win a medal,” said Aditi
Aditi Ashok was the youngest player at the 2016 Olympics. She finished 41st in 2016. Aditi had a great run in Rio. She made the headlines shooting back-to-back 68s to be tied eighth on six-under-par after 36 holes.
“I think having played the Olympics once definitely gets you more prepared, you’re not as overawed by it. I mean it’s still the Olympics, it’s still really exciting, but, yeah, definitely more prepared for this one.” She added
Hockey
India women’s hockey team put up a great fight against World no.2 Argentina in the semifinals. But, eventually, they lost 1-2, after taking the lead in the first three minutes of the game. Noel Barrionuevo, the Argentina skipper, scored two goals in the match. The Women’s hockey team deserves credit for the way they have fought back in the whole tournament. The Indian team scripted history as they qualified for the semi-finals of the Olympics for the very first time.
The Rani Rampal-led side will now face Great Britain in the bronze medal match on Friday.
