The Tokyo 2020 Olympic games are officially coming to an end on Sunday. While there was a lot of anticipation this time around as the country was sending its largest-ever contingent with some of the names that had proven themselves at the world stage, overall India did not disappoint as it surpassed its best-ever medals tally at Tokyo 2020. Although there were a few big names that did not perform as per reputation, for now, the country could be proud of its efforts having bettered their tally of London 2012.
It was also for the first time that India won a medal not only on the first day of the event but also on the last day to both begin and end the event on high and keep the hearts of billions of Indians pumping hard and fast till the last day.
Mirabai Chanu wins medal on Day 1
India's first medal at Tokyo 2020 went to weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal in the 49 kg women's category on the opening day of the event itself. The Manipur athlete lifted a total weight of 202 kg to make the nation proud. Post that, boxer Lovlina Borgohain gave India its second medal as she bagged the bronze medal for the nation. While she had defeated NC Chen 4-1 in the quarterfinal to assure the country of the bronze, she lost to B Surmeneli in the semifinal.
The third medal of the country was won by PV Sindhu. While she lost the semifinal to TY Tai in straight games, she won the bronze medal match against BJ He 21-13, 21-15 to become the first Indian woman to win medals in successive Olympics. India's medal number 4 came in wrestling when Ravi Kumar Dahiya entered the final to assure the country of another medal. However, he lost the gold medal bout against Z Uguev.
Men's hockey team ends a medal drought
Indian men's hockey team ended a medal drought of 41 years to win bronze after beating Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal match. They had lost to Belgium in the semifinals. The sixth and seventh medals were won on the last day. While wrestler Bajrang Punia was out of the gold medal race, he secured bronze by winning over D Niyazbekov 8-0. India had then equalled its best-ever medals tally at the Olympics but the gold medal tally was still empty which was filled when Neeraj Chopra won a historic gold in the men's javelin throw finals and broke records.
While Chopra's gold was the first in athletics for India in over 100 years, it was also the second individual gold after Abhinav Bindra's medal in 2008. With this, India wrapped up the country’s best-ever Olympics performance.
Medal Number | Name of Athlete/team | Discipline | Medal | Date |
1 | Mirabai Chanu | Women’s 49 kg weightlifting | Silver | 24 July 2021 |
2 | PV Sindhu | Women’s singles badminton | Bronze | 01 August 2021 |
3 | Lovlina Borgohain | Women’s welterweight boxing | Bronze | 04 August 2021 |
4 | Ravi Kumar Dahiya | Men’s Freestyle 57 kg Wrestling | Silver | 05 August 2021 |
5 | Men’s hockey team | Field Hockey | Bronze | 05 August 2021 |
6 | Bajrang Punia | Men’s Freestyle 65 kg Wrestling | Bronze | 07 August 2021 |
7 | Neeraj Chopra | Men’s Javelin Throw | Gold | 07 August 2021 |