Tokyo Olympics: China-US battle for first place on the medal tally continues

The battle for the top spot in the Tokyo
Olympics medal tally has intensified with the United States catching up with
the leaders China. China is still on the top of the table with 36 gold medals.

China has also won 26 silver medals and 17
bronze medals with a total medal count of 79.

The United States is in second place with 31
golds, 36 silvers, and 31 bronze medals. The US has a total medal count of 98.

Hosts Japan complete the top three with 24 gold
medals. The country, hosting its second Olympic Games after first hosting it in 1964, has also
won 11 silver medals and 16 bronze medals, with a total medal count of 51.

As far as India is concerned, the women’s hockey team earned plenty of respect but failed to win their first-ever medal with a momentous fourth-place finish in the Olympic Games. Golfer Aditi Ashok also stood on the cusp of history even as star wrestler Bajrang Punia was left disappointed on Friday.

Up against 2016 Games gold-medallists Great Britain in the bronze play-off, India ended 3-4 but managed to give the more fancied team quite a run for its money and in the process earning some more appreciation from the country as well as their opponents.

Aditi Ashok, a 23-year-old Bengalurean whose mother
Maheshwari is her caddie at the Games, placed herself sole second on the
leaderboard and in line for a medal after carding a three-under 68 in the third
round of the Women’s individual golf.

Saturday could prove to be historic in Indian athletics when Neeraj Chopra presents his challenge in the javelin throw event.

He topped the qualifications with his very first throw and has raised hopes of doing what the likes of late Milkha Singh and P T Usha could not do despite coming very close.