India won seven medals in Tokyo Olympics 2020; one gold, two silver and four bronze. It finished 48th in medal table. It surpassed previous record of six medals in London Olympics 2012.
India had won three medals in Beijing Olympics 2008. When Rio Olympics 2016 began the expectation or hype was that India had doubled its medal tally from three in 2008 to six in 2012 and it will win twelve in Rio. Days passed without any medal till Sakshi Malik won bronze in wrestling. After that P. V. Sindhu reached badminton final and won silver. India ended Rio Olympics with two medals.
This time the expectation was muted. This time India did not have to wait for long. India won first medal on first day. Mirabai Chanu won silver medal in weightlifting on 24/7/2021. At that time India was ranked second. After that for some days India did not win any medal in archery, shooting, table tennis, tennis and other events. Other countries won medals and India’s rank kept on coming down and went below 60.
- V. Sindhu won bronze medal in badminton singles on 1/8/2021. She became the second Indian to win two Individual Olympic medals.
Lovlina Borgohain won bronze medal in boxing on 4/8/2021.
It was so close yet so far for Indian men’s hockey team on 4/8/2021. In semi-final they led 2-1 against Belgium. After that Belgium scored a goal. When fourth quarter began it was 2-2. Belgium scored three goals and India lost the match.
Same was the case with Indian women’s hockey team on 4/8/2021. In semi-final they led 1-0 against Argentina. After that Argentina scored two goals and India lost the match.
It was bronze medal match in men’s hockey on 5/8/2021. Germany led 3-1. Then India scored four goals and led 5-3. After that Germany scored a goal. India won 5-4. India had an Olympic hockey medal after 41 years.
Same day Ravi Kumar Dahiya won silver medal in wrestling.
Once again it was so close yet so far for Indian women’s hockey team on 6/8/2021. In bronze medal match Britain led 2-0. India scored three goals and led 3-2. Then Britain scored two goals and won 4-3.
It was also so close yet so far for Aditi Ashok in golf. On 6/8/2021 she was ranked 2 after three rounds. In fourth round on 7/8/2001 she was in top three for most of the time but slipped towards the end and finished 4th.
On 7/8/2021 Bajrang Punia won bronze medal in wrestling.
Then came javelin throw. Neeraj Chopra threw 87.58 m in second attempt and won gold medal. He became the second Indian to win an Individual Olympic gold medal.
Congratulations to winners. Condolences to losers. Some of you will have another opportunity in Paris Olympics 2024 if everything goes according to plan.
India has retained its little glimmer. One wishes it could really shine.