Neeraj Chopra eyes India’s first track-and-field Olympics medal, while Bajrang Punia and Aditi Ashok are still in contention for medals.
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It could turn out to be a ‘Super Saturday’ for Indian fans as the athletes from the country are in contention for multiple medal opportunities. Neeraj Chopra could win India’s first Olympic medal in track-and-field in the men’s javelin throw final at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday. Neeraj threw an impressive 86.65m on Wednesday to end on top of qualifying. It is worth noting that the qualifying mark is 83m. Thus, he passed the qualifying mark by a good 3m. The first throw being enough to secure qualification, he thus did not attempt a second and third throw after that. Notably, he also is the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and world junior champion.
On the other hand, wrestler Bajrang Punia will be competing for the bronze medal after losing the 65kg semifinal 12-5 to Azerbaijan’s Haji Aliyev. Bajrang will face the winner of the repechage round between Senegal’s Adama Diatta and Kazakhstan’s Daulet Niyazbekov. He will be hoping to add India’s second medal in wrestling after Ravi Dahiya secured a silver earlier.
Meanwhile, golfer Aditi Ashok is also in medal contention. The 23-year-old Indian is second after three rounds, behind Nelly Korda of the USA. Aditi and compatriot Diksha Dagar play their fourth and the final round on Saturday as long as the weather permits. There are predictions for heavy rains following a tropical storm warning.
Athletics
Men’s javelin throw final: Neeraj Chopra – 4:30 PM IST
Golf
Women’s Round 4: Diksha Dagar – 4:17 AM IST onwards*
Women’s Round 4: Aditi Ashok – 4:48 AM IST onwards*
*Subject to change due to weather conditions
Wrestling
Men’s freestyle 65kg bronze medal: Bajrang Punia vs TBD – 3:15 PM IST (second bout on mat)
