Can India better Tokyo Olympics performance as Vinesh Phogat, Neeraj Chopra revive billion hearts? Know More

After a poor day at the office on Monday (Aug 5), India’s hopes of bettering the Tokyo Olympics performance got an unlikely revival on Tuesday as Neerak Chopra (as expected) and Vinesh Phogat marched into the final of their respective events. While Neeraj was expected to ease through to the final of the javelin throw, Vinesh’s run into the final of the 50kg freestyle women’s wrestling was unexpected having been on the tough side of the draw. So what does it mean for India, will they overshadow Tokyo's performance in Paris?

🚨 Today’s action 💪🏼#JeetKiAur | #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/MCXQPKfod9 — Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 6, 2024

India eye historic run

Interestingly, a nation’s success at the Olympics is determined by the number of gold medals it has won at the games and not by the total number of medals. With Vinesh set to compete in the 50kg freestyle women’s wrestling final and Neeraj's favourite to win the gold medal in men’s javelin throw, India could overshadow its best performance at the Paris Games. However, that won’t be the only gold medal India can win as they will be hoping for a couple of other individuals to give their best.

Avinash Sable will be a top contender for a gold medal when he takes to the 3000m steeplechase final on late Wednesday evening. Avinash holds a national record of 8:09.91 minutes to complete the 3000m steeplechase. The best run in the Paris Olympics qualification was from Morocco's Mohamed Tindouft with a timing of 8:10.62 minutes, so if Avinash gets any closer to his personal best he could clinch a gold medal. He was fifth fifth-best finisher in the qualifying heat, which makes him a favourite for the bronze medal at least.

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Mirabai Chanu, the only Indian weightlifter in Paris, will be hoping to upgrade her Tokyo 2020 silver medal to a better colour when she competes in the women’s 49kg category at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

If both Neeraj and Vinesh are successful in winning the gold medals combined any success for Mirabai Chanu or Avinash, India will have its best Olympic Games in its history.

India has, till now, won threemedals and could yet reach the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ overall tally if Neeraj, Avinash and Mirabai Chanu can reach the heights. To put icing on the cake, India’s men’s hockey team will also have a bronze medal match which could yet add India’s seventh medal at the Paris Games.