Dolby

Hopefully that breakthrough won’t include breakdancing

1) Imran Khan has no control over the army. Everybody knows that Pakistani Army and ISI has the real power in Pakistan. 2) Imran Khan used to be called Taliban Khan during Musharraf times due to his close contacts with Taliban.

Similarly, you want to register a clear lift in Weightlifting.

Bhajji and Laxman were yet not the stars they became after THE 2001 Series. So, basically they sent top 2 stars, Sachin Kumble to please the public but sent half of main team for the all important Friendship Cup in Toronto.

Coming under Indian Olympic Association, whereabouts clause of WADA and general disinterest. Let alone Olympics, we sent a B team to the CWG 1998 and didn’t even send a team at last Asian games. As I have said in past as well, ICC (in reality BCCI, ECB and CA) need to show intent before any talk of Cricket in Olympics gains momentum. Let them add Cricket to CWG. Let the top players take part in CWG and Asian Games, then and only then they should talk about inclusion in Olympics. Logistically speaking, with the use of drop-in pitches, a T20 tournament of 8 teams is feasible and not very costly. It brings new audiences and potential medallists from South Asia and Caribbean but there are other sports which are better integrated with Multi-Sports Games.

Hockey, Neeraj and Sindhu got their medals. Phogat family got their medal although vis Bajrang. Mirabai won Silver. 1 Gold and 7 medals. Not far from my wish list.

Still can’t believe Neeraj won the gold. I had to sadly go to Airport at that time. Was watching the final while driving. Got more than one look at signals and am sure couple of others would have abused me as well for driving recklessly. Finally stopped on the side of the road for final round. Totally worth it.

Neeraj Chopra: World Junior Champion, Commonwealth Champion, Asian Games Champion and now Olympic champion.

Disgusting result. All three teams are full of doped athletes.

That is bound to happen. Not all chances would win medals. Prior to Olympics started, my path to 10 medals was Shooting: 2 (disaster) Boxing: 2 (slightly less. 0 medal in Men's boxing was painful) Wrestling: 2 (expected 2 medals out of Ravi, Vinesh and Bajrang. Possibly on track. Was hoping that some of our younger wrestler will pull a Sakshi and win an unexpected Bronze but alas) Weightlifting: 1 (Was a lock, delivered) Others: 3 (Got 2. Chance for more) There were no clear favourites in others. There were a lot of contenders/dark horses only.

Well, when can have a better SB than their NR, anything is possible

I have high hopes from both Bajrang and Neeraj. Would be delighted if one of the dark horses does win a historic medal. Imagine, how great this Olympics would have been if we would have won couple of Shooting medals as well.

An interesting article about the same. https://www.espn.in/wrestling/story/_/id/31636607/no-food-no-water-how-wrestlers-cut-weight-big-events

I think both Deepak and Ravi's matches will be close. Deepak's opponent Amine is a good wrestler. He is won multiple medals at European level. So, not an easy match by any stretch of imagination. Ravi's opponent Uguev is the best in the field. He is 2 time defending World Champion. He had defeated Ravi in semis in the last WC and Sanayev, Ravi's SF opponent in Finals in 2018 WC.

Finally!!!

Imagine if the top seed goes through to the final in 57 kg. Takahasi, Sanayev and Ravi fighting for Bronze. But, my assesment is similar. Both Ravi and Deepak should reach Semis. I am hoping for Ravi to reach finals. Loser in Semi, should win the Bronze medal against . In the other half, vs and vs first round matches should be interesting. And then we also have . My pick over in semis and taking bronze. For Deepak, most likely Bronze medal match against either or . I would rate Shabanau as favourite there but Deepak has a chance. In the other half, and should take medals.

Honestly, doesn't matter. We were out of gas the moment Belgium went 3-2 up.

yaar I know, we are upset at losing but Belgians were doing much more than that. They do depend on Penalty corners a lot but it is not like that they are bad at open play. Football equivalent won't be penalty kicks but penalty kicks, corners and free kicks. And so many games are decided by set pieces only. Nothing wrong in that. Open play main dominate kar rahe the tabhi to Penalty corners mile na.

Congrats you were clearly the better team today. Had an extra gear to go into in the last quarter.

We are in the finals.

Among the best in the world. But, if we can defeat the Aussies, we can defeat anyone.

And Sindhu adds yet another medal to her kitty.

Finally, we are competing at the World stage. We have not been lucky enough to watch our Golden generations live. Dhanraj Pillay, Dileep Tirkey, Sardar Singh and so many others gave us hope only for us to falter. Still remember the way we missed out on Semis in 2000 due to last minute goal by Poland. The heartbreak of not even qualifying in 2008. The ignominy of finishing last in 2012. The so near yet so far of 2016. Finally, we are in Olympic semis. I know, we have not won a medal yet and there is a chance we won’t win a medal this time but by God this feels special. Suddenly all the shooting and Archery misses seem trivial. Thank you Manpreet Singh and team. Thank you Graham Reid. Thank you God.

Just like we were the only ones who defeated Argentina in Mem’s Hockey in last Olympics