India At Tokyo Olympics: Neeraj Chopra & Other 6 Record Creating Medalists
India enjoyed their best-ever campaign at the Tokyo Olympics coming home with seven medals during the 17-day mega event. Neeraj Chopra ended India’s elusive wait for a Gold medal in athletics. (Goosebumps! Indian National Anthem being played at Olympics 2020)
With the Indian contingent’s journey done and dusted, here’s a look at the magnificent seven who clinched podium spots at Tokyo Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra – Gold- Men’s Javelin throw
Neeraj Chopra clinched India’s first medal in track and field events since 1900, and became the second individual gold medalist of the country. Chopra topped all in the javelin throw finals on Saturday to etch his name in the record books. Chopra threw a distance of 87.58m to pick the gold.
Mirabai Chanu – Silver – (Women’s Weightlifting 49 kg)
Mirabai Chanu clinched India’s first medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as she won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg category in weightlifting. Mirabai Chanu lifted a total of 202 kg (87kg in snatch and 115kg in clean and jerk) during her four successful attempts across the competition. She became the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari bagged bronze in the 69kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Ravi Kumar Dahiya – Silver – (Men’s Wrestling 57 kg)
Ravi Kumar Dahiya became the second Indian to play in a wrestling gold Indian match and like Sushil Kumar, had to settle for silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
Lovlina Borgohain settled for bronze as she made it to the semi-finals in what was her maiden Olympics campaign. Borgohain’s bronze medal win made her the third Indian boxer to finish on the podium, emulating Vijender Singh and idol Mary Kom.
Bajrang Punia – Bronze- Men’s freestyle 65kg
Bajrang Punia showed his class as he clinched a bronze medal against the odds on Saturday. Punia, who was struggling with a knee injury, defeated Kazakhstan’s Daulet Niyazbekov in a one-sided battle to clinch the bronze.
PV Sindhu – Bronze – (Women’s Badminton Singles)
PV Sindhu became the first Indian female athlete to bag multiple medals at the Olympics as she clinched the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Sindhu is now just the second Indian athlete to win two individual Olympic medals after wrestler Sushil Kumar did so in 2008 and 2012.
India men’s hockey team – Bronze
India men’s hockey team clinched their first medal at the Olympics since the 1980 Olympics as they settled for bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. The team ended India’s 41-year wait for a medal in dramatic style.
