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As we know our country has developed really well in international sports apart from Cricket, in the past two decades. The 2008 summer Olympics was the best finish by any Indian contingent so far, after winning two silvers in 1900 Paris Olympics by Norman Pritchard and in 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where the Indian Field hockey team captured gold and K. Jadhav won bronze in weightlifting. The journey after that has not been so good, as far as Olympic sports are concerned. With the introduction of Astro turf India’s medal chances in Hockey have always been bleak. In 2000 sydney olympics India won only one bronze medal thanks to Karnam Malleshwari, and in 2004 athens olympics India won one silver medal, thanks to Rajyavardhan Rathore in men’s double trap.
2008 Olympics have been a different story, India won 3 Medals in total ( 1 Gold and 2 Bronze). India lost out on medals very narrowly in Boxing (Akhil Kumar and Jitender Singh), Badminton (Saina Nehwal), Lawn Tennis ( Leander-Mahesh). But Abhinav Bindra got us Gold in the shooting, which happens to be the first Indian to win an individual gold medal, non conventional sports such as boxing and wrestling got us a Bronze each from Vijender Singh and Sushil Kumar.
Considering the build up for London 2012, I am expecting atleast 7-10 medals in India’s kitty this time around. Here is the list of sport which may earn us a medal
1. Boxing:-
Vijender Singh
Currently we are a boxing powerhouse, even Cuban Boxers are wary of us. Prospective medal earners :- Vijender Singh, Jitender Singh, Akhil Kumar, Paramjit Samota, Shiva Thapa, Manoj Kumar and Suranjoy Singh. Suranjoy singh is also called “chota mike tyson”. His abilities are more similar to that of Tyson. He has a playing style of aggressive boxer.
The Indian boxers will surely get us one or two gold medals, and rest of them will fight in semi finals at least, which can earn us a Bronze. It wont be surprising to get 2 gold medals in Boxing alone. So, boxing will be my best bet for a medal in the coming Olympic games.
We are also a Hot medal prospect in women boxing. Consistent performence of Mary Kom in International tournaments makes her one of the best bet as far as performence of Indian sportsperson in London 2012 is concerned. She has 5 World Boxing championship in her kitty. 4 in 46 kg category and one in 48 kg category. This is the first time in Olympic history that women’s boxing would be a part of the event.
2. Badminton:-
Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal’s a good run in international tournaments in recent years can earn us medal in London. Do not forget that she lost narrowly in search of bronze in Beijing. She has matured, moreover she has experience on her side. Another hot medal prospect for 2102 Olympics, Jwala Gutta and her excellence in mixed doubles and women doubles can ensure us another medal.
3. Lawn tennis :-
Somdev
Currently there are 3 Indians in top 20 ATP doubles rankings , along with somdev in top 100 rankings. Somdev has a habit of giving a tough fight to higher seeded opponents. Having already created a major upset by defeating Marcos Bhagdatis, you can expect more similar results in 2012 Olympics. But Leander-Mahesh will be the best bet for a medal, yet again.
4. Shooting:-
Gagan Narang
Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Ranjan Sodhi, Abhinav Bindra, Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang can be potential medal winners. So again I can safely say that expecting medals from them is not a problem.
Archery:-
Deepika Kumari
Deepika kumari is the most exciting prospect for getting us a Gold medal. This sunday she missed out on the gold medal in a shoot-off at the World Cup Final in Istanbul. She won 2 Gold medals in 2010 Commonwealth Games. One was in the individual recurve event and the other was in women’s team recurve event. Also she won Bronze in the Asian Games, women recurve event. Rahul Banerjee, Tarundeep Rai and Dola Banerjee can also be a good bet for a medal.
Wrestling:-
can you believe that he is a pure Veggie?
4 years after the Nawab of Najafgarh was born, the place saw the birth of a Prince this time around. A prince with no worldly riches but a Prince who would rise to be a king someday. Sushil Kumar Solanki is the same Prince who gave a huge uplift to the poor image of Wrestling in India after he became the second Indian ever to win a bronze in the competition at Beijing after KD Jadhav in the 1952 Olympic games. His gold at the World Wrestling Championships in the 66kg category last year makes him a strong candidate for yet another triumph at the Olympics in a years time.
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But these are hypothetical expectations, just like assumptions. Let us wait and watch and wish Indian contingent best of luck for london 2012.
Still there are Olympic qualifiers to be held, which would be acid test for many potential Indian Olympians. It is a dream for every sportsperson to participate in Olympics, and to bring honor for the country.
