London Olympic 2012, the 17-day sports carnival is underway and the emotions are at their ebbs for the participating 10,500 players from 200+ countries in the 300+ events. However Indians had a mixed bag of lucks at the Olympics 2012, while Saina Nehwal succumbed meek to her Chinese opponent. But less known Vijay Kumar from the Indian Army claimed the silver in 10m pistol shooting event. On the medals front on Saturday morning US overtakes China and tops the table with 43 medals of which 21 are gold. China contended with number two position with 42 medals of which 20 are gold. South Korea has 16 with 9 gold. And the new contender in the top four slot is United Kingdom with 22 medals and 8 gold.
India : Super Saina Nehwal who was the hope to the nation of billions bowed out of her semi final encounter meekly. Saina played in the most unusual manner against current world No 1 and World champion Yihan Wang of China at the Wembley Areana. Saina wound up at 21-13 21-13 in the women's singles badminton match against the Chinese player. Eventually her medal hope has not fizzled out completely. And she is still in contention for the bronze while she takes on Chinese player Li Xuerui, today.
Less known army shooter Vijay Kumar does proud to India by claiming the silver medal in the in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event at the Royal Artillery Barracks range. He shot a perfect five in the first series to take joint lead and followed up with series of 4, 4, 3, 4, 4 and 4 and 2 to grab the silver.
Another remarkable performer who was less known was Krishna Poonia. Poonia hurled the discus at the Women's event to a distance of 63.54 metre. This fete booked her seat in the finals of the event.
On the boxing front Vijender toppled his US rivela Terrel Gausha 16-15 to enter the round of last eight at the Excel Arena. In his next bout Vijender will meet Uzbek Abbos Atoev. A win in the next match will ensure a medal, as he moves onto the semis of the event. And in boxing especially both the semi-finalists will get bronze medals. This is his crucial match where his medal propects are at stake. Moving further could see him grab any of the medal at the London Olympics 2012.
The mixed doubles tennis quarterfinal match between India’s Leander Paes and Sania Mirza and their Belarussian opponents,Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka, was postponed till Saturday because of fading light at the Wimbledon courts in London on Friday.
Events for Saturday: Important events that the Indians would like to keep track for the day are listed below:
1. Men's 20km Race Walk Gurmeet Singh, Baljinder Singh and Irfan Kolothum Thodi.
2. Women's Discus Throw finals: Krishna Poonia
3. Badminton:Women's Singles bronze medal match between Saina Nehwal vs Xin Wang (China)
4. Tennis: Mixed doubles pair: Paes-Sania Mirza take on Belarus pair Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka.
(With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
