Sports: India is still searching for their second medal in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. After Mirabhai Chanu returned to India with a Silver in weightlifting, the fifth day at the Tokyo Games began on a disappointing note when the Rani Rampal-led Indian Hockey Team lost 4-1 against Great Britain.
Bringing in the positive spin to the day, PV Sidhu progressed to the round of 16 with a second straight win in Badminton women’s singles Group J. In a little more than 30 minutes, she defeated Hong Kong’s NY Cheung in straight sets; 21-9 and 21-16.
In Archery, World No. 1 Archer Deepika Kumari progressed to the next round of the women’s individual archery event after defeating Bhutan’s Bhu Karma. The Indian archer defeated Bhu Karma 6-0 in the 1/32 eliminations round. Pravin Jadhav stunned the World Number 2 Galsan Bazarzhapov in his first round of men’s individual archery and then lost to World No. 1 Brady Ellison.
Pooja Rani won her Round of 16 match and is now one win away from securing her medal place. The onus to move India’s static medal tally now lies on its women athletes. Deepika Kumari, PV Sidhu, Lovlina Borgohian, MC Mary, and Rooja Rani are carrying the hopes of a billion plus.