Abhinav Dutta

Birmingham, UK

Australia's men's hockey team extended their Commonwealth Games supremacy with a 7-0 thrashing against India in the gold-medal match. From the get-go, the Kookaburras laid siege on the Indian goal, carving through their opponent's high press. A blur of motion and dizzying intensity, they collected a flurry of penalty corners. Ace goalie PR Sreejesh helped keep out a few, but Blake Glovers pierced his resistance with a low-flying zipper. The floodgates were now open. Australia added six more to their tally- all via well-crafted field goals. They would've hit double figures if not for Sreejesh's brilliance in goal. Also Read: CWG 2022: Indian men's hockey team lose to Australia, take home silver,The win ensured Australia's 7th successive gold in men's hockey, dating back to hockey's debut in the Kuala Lampur Games in 1998. Their undisputed dominance takes further gloss if we consider their showing in the summit clashes. In the seven finals played to date, they have a cumulative score of 33-2. The two conceded came in the 2002 gold-medal match against an intrepid Kiwi side. The legendary Jamie Dwyer hit a hattrick on the day as the Aussie pumped five past their neighbours. ,The Kiwis also take credit for the lowest margin of defeat in the Commonwealth finals. Their 2-0 loss at Gold Coast- following a tight 2-1 defeat in the group stages- speaks of a stern test. Otherwise, it's been a bagful of gleeful thrashings. Malaysia copped five in front of home fans in 1998, while Pakistan suffered a relatively modest 3-0 in Melbourne eight years on. But all pales to the beatings Indian stick wielders have had to endure at Aussie hands. In the three finals they've contested (if we can call it that), the men in blue have let in 19 goals while scoring none. It began in the Delhi Games of 2010. In front of a partisan crowd at the Dhyan Chand Stadium, Dwyer & Co. did not give the home side a whiff. Quiet for the first 18 minutes, the levy broke when striker Jason Wilson opened the scoring. Pumping eight past India's finest, it remains the highest margin of victory in Commonwealth men's hockey finals. ,Rajpal Singh, India's captain on the day, is still at a loss to explain the ragging they received: ,“To be honest, we are not prepared to lose by such a huge margin. It is difficult to point out what went wrong that day – it will be unfair to say our defence failed or our goalkeeper played poorly – I thought it was a collective failure of the team,” quotes Sportskeeda. Also Read: CWG 2022: India lose to Australia in a game of nerves, settle for silver,Four years on, at Glasgow, the two met again. A Christopher Ciriello-inspired Australia cantered to a 4-0 win. Not quite as emphatic as the Delhi demolition but dominant nonetheless! After missing out on a finals berth in 2018, an impressive Indian side- perhaps the best since the 1990s- teased a fight under the Birmingham sun. It went downhill within minutes, and by halftime was every bit a Delhi revival act. Four nil down and clueless, one could feel Rajpal's arm slide across Manpreet Singh's shoulder. One shy of eight, it was as brutal as it was breathtaking.

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They would've hit double figures if not for Sreejesh's brilliance in goal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-indian-mens-hockey-team-lose-to-australia-take-home-silver-721145/\\\">CWG 2022: Indian men's hockey team lose to Australia, take home silver</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The win ensured Australia's 7th successive gold in men's hockey, dating back to hockey's debut in the Kuala Lampur Games in 1998. Their undisputed dominance takes further gloss if we consider their showing in the summit clashes. In the seven finals played to date, they have a cumulative score of 33-2. The two conceded came in the 2002 gold-medal match against an intrepid Kiwi side. The legendary Jamie Dwyer hit a hattrick on the day as the Aussie pumped five past their neighbours. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Kiwis also take credit for the lowest margin of defeat in the Commonwealth finals. Their 2-0 loss at Gold Coast- following a tight 2-1 defeat in the group stages- speaks of a stern test. Otherwise, it's been a bagful of gleeful thrashings. Malaysia copped five in front of home fans in 1998, while <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/pakistan/\\\">Pakistan</a> suffered a relatively modest 3-0 in Melbourne eight years on. But all pales to the beatings Indian stick wielders have had to endure at Aussie hands.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the three finals they've contested (if we can call it that), the men in blue have let in 19 goals while scoring none. It began in the Delhi Games of 2010. In front of a partisan crowd at the Dhyan Chand Stadium, Dwyer &amp; Co. did not give the home side a whiff. Quiet for the first 18 minutes, the levy broke when striker Jason Wilson opened the scoring. Pumping eight past India's finest, it remains the highest margin of victory in Commonwealth men's hockey finals. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Rajpal Singh, India's captain on the day, is still at a loss to explain the ragging they received: \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“To be honest, we are not prepared to lose by such a huge margin. It is difficult to point out what went wrong that day – it will be unfair to say our defence failed or our goalkeeper played poorly – I thought it was a collective failure of the team,” quotes Sportskeeda.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-australia-women-beat-india-by-9-runs-to-win-gold-720634/\\\">CWG 2022: India lose to Australia in a game of nerves, settle for silver</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"iframe\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"iframe-embed\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p4cx1xb3W-Y\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\\\" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"iframe-embed\\\"><iframe width=\\\"560\\\" height=\\\"315\\\" src=\\\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/p4cx1xb3W-Y\\\" title=\\\"YouTube video player\\\" frameborder=\\\"0\\\" allow=\\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\\\" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Four years on, at Glasgow, the two met again. A Christopher Ciriello-inspired Australia cantered to a 4-0 win. Not quite as emphatic as the Delhi demolition but dominant nonetheless! After missing out on a finals berth in 2018, an impressive Indian side- perhaps the best since the 1990s- teased a fight under the Birmingham sun. It went downhill within minutes, and by halftime was every bit a Delhi revival act. Four nil down and clueless, one could feel Rajpal's arm slide across <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/manpreetsingh/\\\">Manpreet Singh's</a> shoulder. One shy of eight, it was as brutal as it was breathtaking. \"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Australia won their 7th successive gold in Commonwealth Games men's hockey</li>
 <li>The Kookaburras defeated India 7-0 in a one-sided final</li>
 <li>They won gold in men's hockey since the sport's CWG debut in 1998</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

Seven deadly wins: Australian men's indisputable dominance in Commonwealth Games hockey

Australia

Hockey

CommonwealthGames2022

CommonwealthGames

ManpreetSingh

Sports

IndiaNews

India

Sayak Basu

The Indian men's hockey team will go back home with a heavy heart and silver medals post the 0-7 thrashing they received from Australia in their Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medal match. This will be the third time after Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014) that the Indian men's hockey team have succumbed to the same opponents in the final. Also Read| Commonwealth Games 2022: Lakhysa Sen wins badminton men's singles gold,On the other hand, the Australian team's golden run does not seem to stop. The team began its gold-medal-winning streak at the CWG in 1998 and continued to do so through 2022. The difference in quality between the two sides was clearly visible, with India not having a single penalty corner in the entirety of the match. India suffered a further setback in the fourth quarter when an injury forced captain Manpreet Singh to be substituted. The valiant efforts of the side were acknowledged in a tweet by India's President:,Notably, both teams won the semi-finals with a score of 3-2, India defeating South Africa and Australia winning against England. Also Read| PV Sindhu clinches career-first Commonwealth Games singles gold,India's medal tally keeps rising on the last day of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Earlier, PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen clinched the gold in the women's and men's badminton singles divisions, respectively. Sharath Kamal won his table tennis men's singles final, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty won the men's doubles event, adding more gold to India's tally. India has won 61 titles at CWG '22, with 22 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze medals. This has now become India's fifth most successful run in CWG history. In the 2010 Delhi edition of the game, Indian athletes had won 101 medals in total, making it the country's best CWG performance till date, followed by Manchester 2002 (69), Gold Coast 2018 (66), and Glasgow 2014 (64). Day 11 brings the 2022 Commonwealth Games to an end, and the closing ceremony of this multi-sport event is scheduled to commence at 12:00 AM.

{\"time\":1659968666783,\"strCount\":2975,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men's hockey team will go back home with a heavy heart and silver medals post the 0-7 thrashing they received from <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/search/posts/australia/\\\">Australia </a>in their <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/search/posts/commonwealthgames2022/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> gold medal match. This will be the third time after Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014) that the Indian men's hockey team have succumbed to the same opponents in the final.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read|&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-lakhysa-sen-wins-badminton-mens-singles-gold-721003/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Lakhysa Sen wins badminton men's singles gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On the other hand, the Australian team's golden run does not seem to stop. The team began its gold-medal-winning streak at the CWG in 1998 and continued to do so through 2022. The difference in quality between the two sides was clearly visible, with India not having a single penalty corner in the entirety of the match. India suffered a further setback in the fourth quarter when an injury forced captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-manpreet-singh-667832/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a> to be substituted. The valiant efforts of the side were acknowledged in a tweet by <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/how-india-elects-its-president-535584/\\\">India's President</a>:\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\">Congratulations to our men&#39;s hockey team for winning silver at <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a>. Your efforts and spirited performances through the tournament are praiseworthy.&mdash; President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1556633128063488000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\">Congratulations to our men&#39;s hockey team for winning silver at <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a>. Your efforts and spirited performances through the tournament are praiseworthy.&mdash; President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1556633128063488000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 8, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Notably, both teams won the semi-finals with a score of 3-2, India defeating <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/search/posts/southafrica/\\\">South Africa</a> and Australia winning against England.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read|&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/pv-sindhu-clinches-career-first-commonwealth-games-singles-gold-720953/\\\">PV Sindhu clinches career-first Commonwealth Games singles gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's medal tally keeps rising on the last day of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Earlier, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/pv-sindhu-indian-badmintons-leading-light-at-tokyo-olympics-2020-104887/\\\">PV Sindhu</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-lakshya-sen-481939/\\\">Lakshya Sen</a> clinched the gold in the women's and men's badminton singles divisions, respectively. <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sharath-kamal-707148/\\\">Sharath Kamal</a> won his table tennis men's singles final, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/watch-chirag-shetty-goes-shirtless-in-celebration-as-india-win-thomas-cup-gold-167850/\\\">Chirag Shetty</a> won the men's doubles event, adding more gold to India's tally. India has won 61 titles at CWG '22, with 22 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze medals. This has now become India's fifth most successful run in CWG history. In the 2010 Delhi edition of the game, Indian athletes had won 101 medals in total, making it the country's best CWG performance till date, followed by Manchester 2002 (69), Gold Coast 2018 (66), and Glasgow 2014 (64).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Day 11 brings the 2022 Commonwealth Games to an end, and the closing ceremony of this multi-sport event is scheduled to commence at 12:00 AM.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Indian men's hockey team lose to Australia in the final, take home silver</li>
 <li>The match ended 7-0 to Australia</li>
 <li>Australian hockey team continue gold-winning streak at CWG that began in 1998</li>
</ul>

CWG 2022: Indian men's hockey team lose to Australia, take home silver

Athletics

Sourav Neogi

The Commonwealth Games are already here. It’s safe to say that the opening ceremony blew many of our minds off. Watching the Indian national flag flying high in the hands of badminton star PV Sindhu and men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, all of us felt a lot of pride for the country in one of the biggest sporting stages of the world. ,Many Indian athletes, who were part of the opening ceremony march, will be part of the roster on July 29. Some of them are regarded as world beaters, while the others are looking forward to cementing their place among the world’s elite. Let’s take a look at the Indian athletes who will be part of action on July 29. ,Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022 Day 1: Preview, schedule and timing in India,Tania Choudhury: Representing the country in lawn bowls, Chowdhury will be taking part in the Women’s Sectional Play Round 1 (qualifiers), from 1 pm IST. ,Dinesh Kumar, Navneet Singh and Chandan Singh: The Indian men’s team trio at lawn bowls will face the New Zealand men’s triples team in the first round of the qualifiers. The match will begin at 1 pm IST. PV Sindhu, Aakarshi Kashyap, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Ashwini Ponnappa: The Indian women’s badminton team will take on South Africa in Group 2 at 2 pm IST. Kushagra Rawat: Indian swimmer Kushagra Rawat will take part in 400m Men’s Freestyle heat 3 from 3:11pm IST. Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will also begin its campaign at the CWG 2022 on July 29 at 3:25 pm IST. They will participate in Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit Qualifications. Women’s cricket team: The Indian women’s cricket team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, will face Australia in Group A from 3:30 pm IST. This is the first time since 1998 when cricket has been included in the Commonwealth Games and it will be played in a T20 format. Adarsh Muralidharan Nair and Vishwanath Yadav: The talented Indian athletes will begin India’s triathlon campaign at the Commonwealth Games from 3:31 pm IST at Men’s Individual (Sprint Distance). ,Dinesh Kumar, Navneet Singh and Chandan Singh: The Indian men’s lawn bowl team will be in action at 4 pm IST at Men’s Triple Sectional Play second round against Scotland from 4 pm IST. Tania Choudhury: She will be back for Women’s Sectional Play second round at 4 pm IST. Sajan Prakash: The Tokyo Olympic veteran and national record holder, Sajan Prakash, will begin his Commonwealth Games 2022 journey at Men’s 50m Butterfly Heat 6 at 4:03 pm IST. Triyasha Paul, Meenakshi, Shushikala Agashe and Mayuri Dhanraj Lute: The Indian women’s cycling team will participate in Women’s Team Sprint Qualifications from 4:12 pm IST. Srihari Natraj: Another Indian national record holder, swimmer Srihari Natraj will be in action in Men’s 100m backstroke Heat 4 from 4:29 pm IST. ,Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, B Sumeeth Reddy: The Indian men’s badminton team will begin their campaign at CWG 2022 from 4:30 pm when they taken on the Barbados men’s team in group 3. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Full list of Indian athletes,Yogeshwar Singh, Satyajit Mondal and Saif Tamboli: The Indian men’s gymnastics team will begin their first round of artistic gymnastics qualifications from 4:30 pm IST. Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will return in action at 4:30 pm IST at Men’s team sprint qualifications. Shiva Thapa: Indian welterweight boxer Shiva Thapa will participate in men’s 63.5 kg category from 5 pm IST. Badminton mixed team: The Indian badminton team will face Pakistan in Group Play A from 6:30 pm IST. Women’s hockey team: They will face Ghana in the campaign opener from 6:30 pm IST in Pool A. Sanjana Joshi and Pragnya Mohan: Indian duo Sanjana Joshi and Pragnya Mohan will be seen in action in Women’s Individual (Sprint Distance) event from 7:01 pm IST. Sunil Bahadur and Mridul Borgohain: The lawn bowls duo will take part in Men’s Pairs Sectional Play first round against Malaysia from 7:30 pm IST. Rupa Tirkey, Tania Choudhury, Lovely Choubey and Pinki/Nayanmoni Saikia: They will participate in lawn bowls women’s fours sectional play first and second round qualifiers against England and Cook Islands respectively from 7:30 pm IST. PV Sindhu, Aakarshi Kashyap, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Ashwini Ponnappa: The Indian women’s badminton team will return to action at 8:30 pm IST when they take on Fiji in Group 2. Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will return to action at 9:50 pm IST when they participate in Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit Final. ,Triyasha Paul, Meenakshi, Shushikala Agashe and Mayuri Dhanraj Lute: The Indian women’s cycling team will also return to action at 10:25 pm IST when they participate in the Women’s Team Sprint finals. Sunil Bahadur and Mridul Borgohain: The lawn bowls pair will face Falkland Islands in the second round from 10:30 pm IST. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: What are Indian men’s hockey team’s chances to clinch their first-ever gold medal?,Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will return to action at 10:33 pm IST once again when they take part in Men’s Team Sprint Finals. Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, B Sumeeth Reddy: The Indian badminton team will face Singapore in Group 3 from 11 pm IST. Abhay Singh: The Indian squash player will begin his CWG 2022 campaign at 11:45 pm IST in Men’s Singles round of 64. Anahat Singh: Youngest member of the Indian contingent, 14-year-old squash player Anahat Singh will begin her campaign in women’s singles round of 64 from 11 pm IST.

{\"time\":1659073661574,\"strCount\":6961,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> are already here. It’s safe to say that the opening ceremony blew many of our minds off. Watching the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> national flag flying high in the hands of badminton star <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/pv-sindhu-indian-badmintons-leading-light-at-tokyo-olympics-2020-104887/\\\">PV Sindhu</a> and men’s hockey team captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-manpreet-singh-667832/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a>, all of us felt a lot of pride for the country in one of the biggest sporting stages of the world.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Many Indian athletes, who were part of the opening ceremony march, will be part of the roster on July 29. Some of them are regarded as world beaters, while the others are looking forward to cementing their place among the world’s elite. Let’s take a look at the Indian athletes who will be part of action on July 29.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-day-1-preview-schedule-and-timing-in-india-711849/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022 Day 1: Preview, schedule and timing in India</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Tania Choudhury: Representing the country in lawn bowls, Chowdhury will be taking part in the Women’s Sectional Play Round 1 (qualifiers), from 1 pm IST.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dinesh Kumar, Navneet Singh and Chandan Singh: The Indian men’s team trio at lawn bowls will face the New Zealand men’s triples team in the first round of the qualifiers. The match will begin at 1 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"PV Sindhu, Aakarshi Kashyap, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Ashwini Ponnappa: The Indian women’s badminton team will take on South Africa in Group 2 at 2 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Kushagra Rawat: Indian swimmer Kushagra Rawat will take part in 400m Men’s Freestyle heat 3 from 3:11pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will also begin its campaign at the CWG 2022 on July 29 at 3:25 pm IST. They will participate in Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit Qualifications.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women’s cricket team: The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/smriti-mandhana-wins-icc-womens-cricketer-of-the-year-award-351121/\\\">Indian women’s cricket team</a>, captained by <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/know-all-about-cricketer-harmanpreet-kaur-547680/\\\">Harmanpreet Kaur</a>, will face <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a> in Group A from 3:30 pm IST. This is the first time since 1998 when cricket has been included in the Commonwealth Games and it will be played in a T20 format.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Adarsh Muralidharan Nair and Vishwanath Yadav: The talented Indian athletes will begin India’s triathlon campaign at the Commonwealth Games from 3:31 pm IST at Men’s Individual (Sprint Distance).&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dinesh Kumar, Navneet Singh and Chandan Singh: The Indian men’s lawn bowl team will be in action at 4 pm IST at Men’s Triple Sectional Play second round against <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/scotland/\\\">Scotland</a> from 4 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Tania Choudhury: She will be back for Women’s Sectional Play second round at 4 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sajan Prakash: The Tokyo Olympic veteran and national record holder, Sajan Prakash, will begin his Commonwealth Games 2022 journey at Men’s 50m Butterfly Heat 6 at 4:03 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Triyasha Paul, Meenakshi, Shushikala Agashe and Mayuri Dhanraj Lute: The Indian women’s cycling team will participate in Women’s Team Sprint Qualifications from 4:12 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Srihari Natraj: Another Indian national record holder, swimmer Srihari Natraj will be in action in Men’s 100m backstroke Heat 4 from 4:29 pm IST.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, B Sumeeth Reddy: The Indian men’s badminton team will begin their campaign at CWG 2022 from 4:30 pm when they taken on the Barbados men’s team in group 3.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-full-list-of-indian-athletes-702443/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Full list of Indian athletes</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Yogeshwar Singh, Satyajit Mondal and Saif Tamboli: The Indian men’s gymnastics team will begin their first round of artistic gymnastics qualifications from 4:30 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will return in action at 4:30 pm IST at Men’s team sprint qualifications.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Shiva Thapa: Indian welterweight boxer Shiva Thapa will participate in men’s 63.5 kg category from 5 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Badminton mixed team: The Indian badminton team will face Pakistan in Group Play A from 6:30 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women’s hockey team: They will face Ghana in the campaign opener from 6:30 pm IST in Pool A.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sanjana Joshi and Pragnya Mohan: Indian duo Sanjana Joshi and Pragnya Mohan will be seen in action in Women’s Individual (Sprint Distance) event from 7:01 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sunil Bahadur and Mridul Borgohain: The lawn bowls duo will take part in Men’s Pairs Sectional Play first round against Malaysia from 7:30 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Rupa Tirkey, Tania Choudhury, Lovely Choubey and Pinki/Nayanmoni Saikia: They will participate in lawn bowls women’s fours sectional play first and second round qualifiers against England and Cook Islands respectively from 7:30 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"PV Sindhu, Aakarshi Kashyap, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Ashwini Ponnappa: The Indian women’s badminton team will return to action at 8:30 pm IST when they take on Fiji in Group 2.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will return to action at 9:50 pm IST when they participate in Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit Final.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Triyasha Paul, Meenakshi, Shushikala Agashe and Mayuri Dhanraj Lute: The Indian women’s cycling team will also return to action at 10:25 pm IST when they participate in the Women’s Team Sprint finals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sunil Bahadur and Mridul Borgohain: The lawn bowls pair will face Falkland Islands in the second round from 10:30 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-what-are-indian-mens-hockey-teams-chances-to-clinch-their-first-ever-gold-medal-711764/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: What are Indian men’s hockey team’s chances to clinch their first-ever gold medal?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Vishavjeet, Naman, Venkappa, Anantha Narayanan, Dinesh: The Indian men’s cycling team will return to action at 10:33 pm IST once again when they take part in Men’s Team Sprint Finals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, B Sumeeth Reddy: The Indian badminton team will face Singapore in Group 3 from 11 pm IST.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Abhay Singh: The Indian squash player will begin his CWG 2022 campaign at 11:45 pm IST in Men’s Singles round of 64.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Anahat Singh: Youngest member of the Indian contingent, 14-year-old squash player Anahat Singh will begin her campaign in women’s singles round of 64 from 11 pm IST.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Many Indian world beaters like PV Sindhu, Chirag Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth will be in action on July 29</li>
 <li>The Indian women's cricket team will begin their campagin on Friday</li>
 <li>The women's hockey team will also be in action later on the day</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian athletes in action on day 1

Badminton

IndianCricketTeam

indian

PVSindhu

SajanPrakash

KidambiSrikanth

LakshyaSen

SatwiksairajRankireddy

ChiragShetty

ShivaThapa

Newzealand

SouthAfrica

HarmanpreetKaur

Scotland

Suman V

PV Sindhu and Manpreet Singh are India's flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham. The Indian contingent's flag-hoisting ceremony saw several athletes of Team India, including the hockey men's and women's national teams. ,Also Read | CWG feels Black Sabbath's presence in Birmingham as Tony Iommi performs,All 6,500 sportspersons and team officials from 72 nations and territories will be part of the 22nd edition of the games in Birmingham and the West Midlands region of England for the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games. There’ll be 136 gold medals awarded to women, 134 on offer for men, and 10 in mixed events. Best wishes to the Indian contingent at the start of the 2022 CWG in Birmingham. I am confident our athletes will give their best and keep inspiring the people of India through their stupendous sporting performances, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter. India's new President Droupadi Murmu also wished the participants. Also Read | CWG 2022: Charlie Chaplin honored in opening ceremony, but is he from Birmingham?,On behalf of all fellow citizens, I convey my best wishes to the Indian contingent for Commonwealth Games 2022. I am confident that our athletes will put up their best performance and make the country proud. The entire nation is cheering for you. Good luck, Team India! she wrote. India's contingent included 215 members. ,Sindhu, like other athletes, was seen wearing a long Bandhgala. The two-time Olympic medallist was alongside Hockey captain Manpreet Singh at the opening ceremony. India is the defending champion in the Mixed Team competition having won the title four years back in Gold Coast ahead of Malaysia. They have in their ranks stars like former World No 1 and ex-World Champion PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medallist, Kidambi Srikanth, silver medallist in the World Championship in December 2021 and Lakshya Sen, bronze medallist in the World Championship who had made a brilliant start to the year by winning the India Open and finishing runner-up in the All-England Championship here. Also Read | CWG 2022: Malala Yousafzai speaks on importance of education,In the men`s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are ranked eighth in the World. Sindhu was named India's flagbearer earlier on Wednesday after Neeraj Chopra pulled out of the event with an injury. ,The decision to name Mr Singh, who led the Indian men's hockey team to a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last year, as the second Flagbearer for the said occasion was arrived at after the IOA was intimated by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee that two Flagbearers - one male and one female - must be named by each nation for the Opening Ceremony, the Indian Olympic Association said in a statement.

{\"time\":1659048270403,\"strCount\":3606,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/pv-sindhu-indian-badmintons-leading-light-at-tokyo-olympics-2020-104887/\\\">PV Sindhu </a>and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-manpreet-singh-667832/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a> are India's flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> contingent's flag-hoisting ceremony saw several athletes of Team India, including the hockey men's and women's national teams.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#TeamIndia</a> led by PV Sindhu &amp; Manpreet Singh is here 🇮🇳 Wishing everyone a good luck for <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/WeAreTeamIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@WeAreTeamIndia</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/CGI_Bghm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@CGI_Bghm</a><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG22</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/B2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#B2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthSport</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG22</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/qUlqYNSC91\\\">pic.twitter.com/qUlqYNSC91</a>&mdash; Rohit Yadav (@rohityadav1098) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/rohityadav1098/status/1552754493196218369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#TeamIndia</a> led by PV Sindhu &amp; Manpreet Singh is here 🇮🇳 Wishing everyone a good luck for <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/WeAreTeamIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@WeAreTeamIndia</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/CGI_Bghm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@CGI_Bghm</a><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG22</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/B2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#B2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthSport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthSport</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG22</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/qUlqYNSC91\\\">pic.twitter.com/qUlqYNSC91</a>&mdash; Rohit Yadav (@rohityadav1098) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/rohityadav1098/status/1552754493196218369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/entertainment/cwg-feels-black-sabbaths-presence-in-birmingham-as-tony-iommi-performs-712419/\\\">CWG feels Black Sabbath's presence in Birmingham as Tony Iommi performs</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"All&nbsp;6,500 sportspersons and team officials from 72 nations and territories will be part of the 22nd edition of the games in Birmingham and the West Midlands region of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a> for the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games.&nbsp;There’ll be 136 gold medals awarded to women, 134 on offer for men, and 10 in mixed events.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Best wishes to the Indian contingent at the start of the 2022 CWG in Birmingham. I am confident our athletes will give their best and keep inspiring the people of India through their stupendous sporting performances,\\\" India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's new President Droupadi Murmu also wished the participants.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\">India&#39;s contingent at<a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BM2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#BM2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/RuknaNahiHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#RuknaNahiHai</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/DpXjUhOYTB\\\">pic.twitter.com/DpXjUhOYTB</a>&mdash; Top Choices (@T0PChoices) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/T0PChoices/status/1552753413993410560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\">India&#39;s contingent at<a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BM2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#BM2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/RuknaNahiHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#RuknaNahiHai</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/DpXjUhOYTB\\\">pic.twitter.com/DpXjUhOYTB</a>&mdash; Top Choices (@T0PChoices) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/T0PChoices/status/1552753413993410560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/cwg-2022-charlie-chaplin-honored-in-opening-ceremony-but-is-he-from-birmingham-712409/\\\">CWG 2022: Charlie Chaplin honored in opening ceremony, but is he from Birmingham?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"On behalf of all fellow citizens, I convey my best wishes to the Indian contingent for Commonwealth Games 2022. I am confident that our athletes will put up their best performance and make the country proud. The entire nation is cheering for you. Good luck, Team India!\\\" she wrote. India's contingent included 215 members.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sindhu, like other athletes, was seen wearing a long Bandhgala. The two-time Olympic medallist was alongside Hockey captain Manpreet Singh at the opening ceremony.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India is the defending champion in the Mixed Team competition having won the title four years back in Gold Coast ahead of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/malaysia/\\\">Malaysia</a>. They have in their ranks stars like former World No 1 and ex-World Champion PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medallist, Kidambi Srikanth, silver medallist in the World Championship in December 2021 and Lakshya Sen, bronze medallist in the World Championship who had made a brilliant start to the year by winning the India Open and finishing runner-up in the All-England Championship here.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/cwg-2022-malala-yousafzai-speaks-on-importance-of-education-712427/\\\">CWG 2022: Malala Yousafzai speaks on importance of education</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the men`s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are ranked eighth in the World.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sindhu was named India's flagbearer earlier on Wednesday after Neeraj Chopra pulled out of the event with an injury.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The decision to name Mr Singh, who led the Indian men's hockey team to a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last year, as the second Flagbearer for the said occasion was arrived at after the IOA was intimated by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee that two Flagbearers - one male and one female - must be named by each nation for the Opening Ceremony,\\\" the Indian Olympic Association said in a statement.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The Indian contingent's flag-hoisting ceremony saw several athletes of Team India</li>
 <li>India's new President Droupadi Murmu wished the participants</li>
 <li>PV Sindhu was named India's flagbearer earlier after Neeraj Chopra pulled out of the event</li>
</ul>

CWG 2022: Watch Indian contingent led by PV Sindhu and Manpreet Singh

Birmingham

England

NarendraModi

DroupadiMurmu

Malaysia

NeerajChopra

World

As the Commonwealth Games begin on July 28, Indian men’s hockey team is looking to reclaim their position among the world’s elite teams. They ended a 41-year wait to win a medal at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, however, their road to the top still has a long way to go. The Indian men’s hockey team has never won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Compared to the men’s team, the women’s team have won the elusive gold medal once at the mega event, however, have not performed in line with their male counterparts at the FIH Pro League or the last edition of the Olympics, when they finished at the fourth place. Also Read: Goal is to win a medal: Indian men's hockey team captain & coach ahead of CWG 2022 campaign,However, the Indian men’s team is looking to bridge the gap in this edition of the CWG, and win their first-ever gold medal in hockey. But the question rises, can they do it?,Coached by Graham Reid, the Indian men’s team have gone from strength to strength to cement their position in the world. They displayed an impressive performance in Tokyo, and since then, have gone on to replicate their performance on many occasions, defeating teams like England, France, Spain, Germany, South Africa and Argentina in the FIH Pro League. Their best performance came against South Africa, whom they beat 10-2 on two occasions. However, it is Australia the Indian men’s team needs to worry the most about. Three times World Cup winners, the Aussies have won all six gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, and it was them who defeated India in the final in both 2010 and 2014 editions to limit them to a silver medal. Australia is currently the no. 1 team in the world and are also the favourites at the CWG. However, the Indian men’s hockey team, who are coming on the back of their best-ever FIH Pro League campaign, where they finished third, could just offer the resistance to Australia in their road to the gold medal. India’s frontlines have not been questioned in recent years, having performed admirably well in the FIH Pro League as well. However, they will need to take extra care of their defence, which conceded 40 goals in the recently concluded FIH Pro League, the fifth most among all teams. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2020: All you need to know about India’s schedule,The Indian men’s team begin their campaign against Ghana on Sunday, July 30. Apart from the African side, they are placed with England, Canada and Wales and are expected to cruise through the group stages. Captain Manpreet Singh, who is set to make his 300th appearance for the Indian team, will be one of the most integral members of the team in their road to the gold medal. Along with Manpreet, drag-flick specialist Harmanpreet Singh, keeper PR Sreejesh and Nilakanta Sharma will also be central to Reid’s plans. The Indian team holds experience, surprise and a good recent performance — all markers of a champion side going into the Commonwealth Games 2022 and it is just a matter of time to see whether they are able to script history or not.

{\"time\":1658995053467,\"strCount\":4182,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> begin on July 28, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> men’s hockey team is looking to reclaim their position among the world’s elite teams. They ended a 41-year wait to win a medal at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">Olympics</a> in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyo/\\\">Tokyo</a> 2020, however, their road to the top still has a long way to go.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-harmanpreet-singh-146712/\\\">Indian men’s hockey team</a> has never won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Compared to the men’s team, the women’s team have won the elusive gold medal once at the mega event, however, have not performed in line with their male counterparts at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/harmanpreet-singh-guides-india-to-win-over-germany-in-fih-pro-league-648330/\\\">FIH Pro League</a> or the last edition of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/are-2048-olympics-coming-to-india-320545/\\\">Olympics</a>, when they finished at the fourth place.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/goal-is-to-win-a-medal-indian-mens-hockey-team-captain-coach-ahead-of-cwg-2022-campaign-711184/\\\">Goal is to win a medal: Indian men's hockey team captain &amp; coach ahead of CWG 2022 campaign</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, the Indian men’s team is looking to bridge the gap in this edition of the CWG, and win their first-ever gold medal in hockey. But the question rises, can they do it?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Coached by Graham Reid, the Indian men’s team have gone from strength to strength to cement their position in the world. They displayed an impressive performance in Tokyo, and since then, have gone on to replicate their performance on many occasions, defeating teams like <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/france/\\\">France</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/spain/\\\">Spain</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/germany/\\\">Germany</a>, South Africa and Argentina in the FIH Pro League. Their best performance came against South Africa, whom they beat 10-2 on two occasions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, it is <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a> the Indian men’s team needs to worry the most about. Three times World Cup winners, the Aussies have won all six gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, and it was them who defeated India in the final in both 2010 and 2014 editions to limit them to a silver medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Australia is currently the no. 1 team in the world and are also the favourites at the CWG. However, the Indian men’s hockey team, who are coming on the back of their best-ever FIH Pro League campaign, where they finished third, could just offer the resistance to Australia in their road to the gold medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India’s frontlines have not been questioned in recent years, having performed admirably well in the FIH Pro League as well. However, they will need to take extra care of their defence, which conceded 40 goals in the recently concluded FIH Pro League, the fifth most among all teams.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2020-all-you-need-to-know-about-indias-schedule-708078/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2020: All you need to know about India’s schedule</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men’s team begin their campaign against Ghana on Sunday, July 30. Apart from the African side, they are placed with England, Canada and Wales and are expected to cruise through the group stages.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-manpreet-singh-667832/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a>, who is set to make his 300th appearance for the Indian team, will be one of the most integral members of the team in their road to the gold medal. Along with Manpreet, drag-flick specialist Harmanpreet Singh, keeper <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-pr-sreejesh-161188/\\\">PR Sreejesh</a> and Nilakanta Sharma will also be central to Reid’s plans.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian team holds experience, surprise and a good recent performance — all markers of a champion side going into the Commonwealth Games 2022 and it is just a matter of time to see whether they are able to script history or not.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The Indian men's team came close to the gold medal twice, but were defeated by Australia on both occassions&nbsp;</li>
 <li>They finished the recently concluded FIH Pro League in the third place</li>
 <li>Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh will be vital to an improved Indian defence at the CWG</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: What are Indian men’s hockey team’s chances to clinch their first-ever gold medal?

Olympics

Tokyo

France

Spain

Germany

Argentina

WorldCup

Ghana

Canada

Wales

As Olympic gold medallist and Indian badminton star PV Sindhu was named the flagbearer of the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2022, she expressed her happiness. Sindhu is a veteran at the Commonwealth Games, having won the gold medal at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia. It is a great honour to be bestowed with the responsibility to lead the contingent and hold the flag at such an august gathering. I am extremely happy and I wish all my fellow contingent all the best for the Games,” Sindhu said in a Badminton Association of India (BAI) statement. ,Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Full schedule for Indian athletes in IST,“I would like to thank IOA also for choosing me as the flag bearer, she added. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced PV Sindhu as the flagbearer on Wednesday, after Neeraj Chopra, who was expected to become the Indian flagbearer, picked up an injury and went out of contention. The IOA also announced Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh as the second flagbearer, who is also set to make his 300th appearance for the national team on Sunday in the campaign opener against Ghana. Apart from Sindhu, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain, both of whom won medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. were considered to become the Indian flagbearers. However, after careful consideration, the IOA decided to choose PV Sindhu, who is the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals as well as a gold medallist at the CWG. Also Read: Goal is to win a medal: Indian men's hockey team captain & coach ahead of CWG 2022 campaign,The decision was taken by a four-member committee which includes the Acting President of the IOA Anil Khanna, Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Treasurer Anandeshwar Panday and Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent at the CWG, Rajesh Bhandari. “We are very happy to select Sindhu as the Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony. We extend our congratulations to her and wish her, and the other athletes of Team India, the very best for the Commonwealth Games, Rajeev Mehta said. Team India Chef de Mission Rajesh Bhandari also announced that a maximum of 164 athletes from the Indian contingent would be taking part in the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony.

{\"time\":1658985451338,\"strCount\":3189,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/us-china-olympic-rivalry-the-gold-rush-over-the-years-232348/\\\">Olympic</a> gold medallist and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> badminton star <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/8-facts-about-indias-legendary-badminton-player-pv-sindhu-456154/\\\">PV Sindhu</a> was named the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/pv-sindhu-to-be-indias-flagbearer-at-commonwealth-games-2022-opening-ceremony-711117/\\\">flagbearer</a> of the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2022, she expressed her happiness. Sindhu is a veteran at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-full-list-of-indian-athletes-702443/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a>, having won the gold medal at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"It is a great honour to be bestowed with the responsibility to lead the contingent and hold the flag at such an august gathering. I am extremely happy and I wish all my fellow contingent all the best for the Games,” Sindhu said in a Badminton Association of India (BAI) statement.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-full-schedule-for-indian-athletes-in-ist-710917/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Full schedule for Indian athletes in IST</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“I would like to thank IOA also for choosing me as the flag bearer,\\\" she added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced PV Sindhu as the flagbearer on Wednesday, after Neeraj Chopra, who was expected to become the Indian flagbearer, picked up an injury and went out of contention.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The IOA also announced Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh as the second flagbearer, who is also set to make his 300th appearance for the national team on Sunday in the campaign opener against <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/ghana/\\\">Ghana</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Apart from Sindhu, weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and boxer <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-lovlina-borgohain-630060/\\\">Lovlina Borgohain</a>, both of whom won medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. were considered to become the Indian flagbearers. However, after careful consideration, the IOA decided to choose PV Sindhu, who is the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals as well as a gold medallist at the CWG.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/goal-is-to-win-a-medal-indian-mens-hockey-team-captain-coach-ahead-of-cwg-2022-campaign-711184/\\\">Goal is to win a medal: Indian men's hockey team captain &amp; coach ahead of CWG 2022 campaign</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The decision was taken by a four-member committee which includes the Acting President of the IOA Anil Khanna, Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Treasurer Anandeshwar Panday and Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent at the CWG, Rajesh Bhandari.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“We are very happy to select Sindhu as the Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony. We extend our congratulations to her and wish her, and the other athletes of Team India, the very best for the Commonwealth Games,\\\" Rajeev Mehta said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Team India Chef de Mission Rajesh Bhandari also announced that a maximum of 164 athletes from the Indian contingent would be taking part in the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Sindhu is in red-hot form going into the CWG 2022</li>
 <li>Manpreet Singh has been named as the second Indian flagbearer at the event</li>
 <li>Sindhu won the gold medal at the previous edition of the CWG</li>
</ul>

'Great honour': PV Sindhu reacts after being named Indian flagbearer at Commonwealth Games 2022

LovlinaBorgohain

TokyoOlympics

TeamIndia

Tokyo, Japan

Manpreet Singh, captain of the Indian hockey team, is the second flagbearer for the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games beginning Thursday, July 28. Last year, Manpreet ended India's 41-year-wait for the medal. Indian men's hockey team defeated Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. The last time India had won a medal in hockey was during the 1980 Moscow Games when they won a gold. Team India led by 29-year-old Manpreet Singh maintained the lead of 5-4 in the last 2 minutes to defeat rival Germany, who did get the penalty corner but India saved it. ,Who is Manpreet Singh,Manpreet Singh, who is leading the Indian pack at the Tokyo Olympics, has played in 259 international matches for India. The midfielder became only the sixth Indian hockey player to be named the flag bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. A reluctant start?,For Manpreet Singh, born on June 26, playing hockey was not the obvious choice. He started playing hockey on the insistence of his father Baljit Singh and elder brothers Amandeep Singh and Sukhraj Singh at the hockey stadium Jalandhar district's Mithapur, a place that is known for its hockey players. At the age of nine, Manpreet began playing hockey and soon after started his professional training at the Surjit Hockey Academy in 2005. Manpreet made his national team debut in 2011. Manpreet played in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2016 but while the tournament was on and the team was doing well, Manpreet's father passed away. The midfielder, however, rejoined the team after the funeral and the Indian team went on to win a bronze. On Monday, after the team entered the semifinals, Singh had said his late father would have been very proud. “My father would often accompany me and my brothers to the hockey ground at our village and he would always encourage me to play my best. I wish he was alive to see this proud moment for me. He will be watching me from the heavens and will be inspiring me and the whole team. I had a talk with my mother Manjeet Kaur today and she too said the same thing.” ,Manpreet Singh's achievements,Manpreet represented India for the first time in the 2012 London Olympics. In 2013 he led the junior national team, the same year he won the gold medal in the Men's Hockey Junior World Cup and the 2013 Sultan of Johor Cup. He won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and gold at the Asian Games in Incheon. His team won gold at the Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy in 2016. The following year, in 2017, he was named captain of the national team. Manpreet led his team to victory in the Asia Cup the same year. Later that year, he took bronze in the Hockey World League Final. Team India led by Manpreet Singh also won the bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games, silver at the 2018 Champions Trophy, and gold at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy as a captain. ,Awards won by Manpreet Singh,In 2018, Manpreet Singh was honoured with the Arjuna Award. Next year in 2019, he was awarded the best men's player at the FIH Player of the Year Awards in 2019.

{\"time\":1658982240761,\"strCount\":3521,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Manpreet Singh, captain of the Indian hockey team, is the second flagbearer for the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games beginning&nbsp; Thursday, July 28. Last year, Manpreet ended&nbsp;India's 41-year-wait for the medal.&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-vs-germany-bronze-medal-playoff-at-tokyo-olympics-live-score-and-updates?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Indian men's hockey team defeated Germany 5-4</a> in the bronze medal match at the&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a>. The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-win-hockey-medal-at-olympics-after-41-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">last time India had won a medal</a> in hockey was during the 1980 Moscow Games when they won a gold. Team India led by 29-year-old Manpreet Singh maintained the lead of 5-4 in the last 2 minutes to defeat rival Germany, who did get the penalty corner but India saved it. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Who is Manpreet Singh\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Manpreet Singh, who is leading the Indian pack at the Tokyo Olympics, has played in 259 international matches for India. The midfielder became only the sixth Indian hockey player to be named the flag bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony of the Olympics.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A reluctant start?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"For Manpreet Singh, born on June 26, playing hockey was not the obvious choice. He started playing hockey on the insistence of his father Baljit Singh and elder brothers Amandeep Singh and Sukhraj Singh at the hockey stadium Jalandhar district's Mithapur, a place that is known for its hockey players. At the age of nine, Manpreet began playing hockey and soon after started his professional training at the Surjit Hockey Academy in 2005. Manpreet made his national team debut in 2011. Manpreet played in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2016 but while the tournament was on and the team was doing well, Manpreet's father passed away. The midfielder, however, rejoined the team after the funeral and the Indian team went on to win a bronze.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On Monday, after the team entered the semifinals, Singh had said his late father would have been very proud. “My father would often accompany me and my brothers to the hockey ground at our village and he would always encourage me to play my best. I wish he was alive to see this proud moment for me. He will be watching me from the heavens and will be inspiring me and the whole team. I had a talk with my mother Manjeet Kaur today and she too said the same thing.” \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Manpreet Singh's achievements\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Manpreet represented India for the first time in the 2012 London Olympics. In 2013 he led the junior national team, the same year he won the gold medal in the Men's Hockey Junior World Cup and the 2013 Sultan of Johor Cup. He won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and gold at the Asian Games in Incheon. His team won gold at the Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy in 2016. The following year, in 2017, he was named captain of the national team. Manpreet led his team to victory in the Asia Cup the same year. Later that year, he took bronze in the Hockey World League Final. Team India led by Manpreet Singh also won the bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games, silver at the 2018 Champions Trophy, and gold at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy as a captain. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Awards won by Manpreet Singh\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In 2018, Manpreet Singh was honoured with the Arjuna Award. Next year in 2019, he was awarded the best men's player at the FIH Player of the Year Awards in 2019.\"}}]}

Abhimanyu Kulkarni

<ul>
 <li>Indian men's hockey team defeated Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal match</li>
 <li>The side was led by Manpreet Singh</li>
 <li>In 2018, Manpreet Singh was honoured with the Arjuna Award</li>
</ul>

Sammya Mukhopadhyay

Who is Manpreet Singh?

PRSreejesh

London, UK

Ahead of their Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign opener on Sunday, Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh and chief coach Graham Reid have said that they are not under pressure and are looking forward to winning a medal. The Indian men’s hockey team, which arrived in Birmingham on July 23, more than a week ahead of their campaign opener against Ghana, have been busy in training since. ,Also Read: PV Sindhu to be India's flagbearer at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony,Indian chief coach Graham Reid, under whose tutelage India clinched their Tokyo Olympics medal last year, interacted in a virtual press conference recently, where he was asked regarding his expectations from the mega event. ,“I must say, I don’t think that anyone’s expectations of us are more than that of our own expectations. We really have high expectations of what we expect from ourselves and also from each other. So, yes, we are not weighed down by these expectations, he said. The 58-year-old tactician also remarked that while he and his team are not bothered by the internal expectations, they remain helpless while dealing with external pressure. “Of course, we cannot do much about the external expectation, but we can do something about our own expectations and that’s what we do as it keeps the pressure on us but it’s in a good way because we are the ones that can control that, he added. Indian captain Manpreet Singh was also in attendance with Reid, who led India to their Tokyo Olympics bronze medal, the first in four decades. The halfback is also set to make his 300th appearance for the national team in their match against Ghana on Sunday. “I am really glad to have played 299 games for India. I am excited about it but my focus at the moment is on the game against Ghana and the team and I am not that concerned about the personal milestone, he said. Singh pointed out that he knows about the expectations from the fans and wants to be in their best self during every match, while not underestimating any team. Also Read: Neymar Jr up for corruption trial in October: All about the case,“Yes, we know that fans have expectations from us that we will win a medal in Birmingham. We discussed the same before arriving here that if our focus is on winning a medal, we will eventually be victorious in our efforts but we need to work on it first,” he said. ,“We want to do our best in every single game, we are not going to take any team lightly and yes our final goal is to win a medal here, the 30-year-old added.

{\"time\":1658933424504,\"strCount\":3418,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Ahead of their <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-full-list-of-indian-athletes-702443/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> campaign opener on Sunday, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> men’s <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/dhyan-chand-and-the-story-of-indian-hockeys-olympic-supremacy-337588/\\\">hockey</a> team captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-manpreet-singh-667832/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a> and chief coach Graham Reid have said that they are not under pressure and are looking forward to winning a medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-win-hockey-medal-at-olympics-after-41-years-587581/\\\">Indian men’s hockey team</a>, which arrived in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a> on July 23, more than a week ahead of their campaign opener against <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/ghana/\\\">Ghana</a>, have been busy in training since.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/pv-sindhu-to-be-indias-flagbearer-at-commonwealth-games-2022-opening-ceremony-711117/\\\">PV Sindhu to be India's flagbearer at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian chief coach Graham Reid, under whose tutelage India clinched their <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-india-mens-hockey-team-lose-2-5-to-belgium-in-semifinal-639937/\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a> medal last year, interacted in a virtual press conference recently, where he was asked regarding his expectations from the mega event.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“I must say, I don’t think that anyone’s expectations of us are more than that of our own expectations. We really have high expectations of what we expect from ourselves and also from each other. So, yes, we are not weighed down by these expectations,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 58-year-old tactician also remarked that while he and his team are not bothered by the internal expectations, they remain helpless while dealing with external pressure.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Of course, we cannot do much about the external expectation, but we can do something about our own expectations and that’s what we do as it keeps the pressure on us but it’s in a good way because we are the ones that can control that,\\\" he added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian captain Manpreet Singh was also in attendance with Reid, who led India to their Tokyo Olympics bronze medal, the first in four decades. The halfback is also set to make his 300th appearance for the national team in their match against Ghana on Sunday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“I am really glad to have played 299 games for India. I am excited about it but my focus at the moment is on the game against Ghana and the team and I am not that concerned about the personal milestone,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Singh pointed out that he knows about the expectations from the fans and wants to be in their best self during every match, while not underestimating any team.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/neymar-jr-up-fot-corruption-trial-in-october-all-about-the-case-710961/\\\">Neymar Jr up for corruption trial in October: All about the case</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Yes, we know that fans have expectations from us that we will win a medal in Birmingham. We discussed the same before arriving here that if our focus is on winning a medal, we will eventually be victorious in our efforts but we need to work on it first,” he said.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“We want to do our best in every single game, we are not going to take any team lightly and yes our final goal is to win a medal here,\\\" the 30-year-old added.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>India will begin their Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign against Ghana</li>
 <li>Manpreet Singh is set to make his 300th appearance for the Indian men's hockey team</li>
 <li>The Indian captain also stressed that they will not underestimate any team</li>
</ul>

Goal is to win a medal: Indian men's hockey team captain & coach ahead of CWG 2022 campaign

Chandigarh, Punjab, India

An exchange of fire was underway in Amritsar on Wednesday between the Punjab Police and two gangsters, believed to be involved in the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala, official sources said. The operation of the Anti-Gangster Task Force of the Punjab Police is going on at Bhakna village, they said. According to official sources, gangsters Jagroop Singh Roopa and Manpreet Singh alias Mannu Kusa, the two shooters who were allegedly involved in the killing of Moosewala, were at large. Also read: Who is Sachin Thapan Bishnoi, key conspirator in Sidhu Moosewala's killing?,The area has been cordoned off, they added. Earlier, Punjab Additional Director General of Police and head of Anti-Gangster Task Force Pramod Ban said gangster Bishnoi has admitted that he was the mastermind in Sidhu Moosewala's killing. Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district on May 29, a day after the Punjab government pruned the security cover of the singer and 423 people temporarily. Also read: Explained: Why ‘Khalistan-seeker’ Simranjit Mann won Sangrur,The Corolla overtook Moosewala's car and six shooters came out of both the vehicles and opened fire at the singer. They left only after confirming that Moosewala had been killed. Priyavrat could be seen in a CCTV footage of a petrol pump prior to the incident. He was previously involved in two murder cases and was arrested in 2015 in one of the them in Sonipat and also wanted in another murder case in Sonipat in 2021, police said. Also read: Why Sidhu Moose Wala's latest song 'SYL' was taken down by YouTube,Kashish was also one of the shooters and was also seen in the CCTV footage. He is wanted in a 2021 murder case in Haryana's Jhajjar, they said. Kumar was the facilitator and received the shooters just after the shootout in an Alto car. He accompanied the shooters till Mansa on the day of incident, police said, adding that he was previously arrested in a murder case in Bathinda in 2020 and suspected to be involved in other cases of extortion in Punjab.

{\"time\":1658310637021,\"strCount\":2486,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"An exchange of fire was underway in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/amritsar/\\\">Amritsar</a> on Wednesday between the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/punjab/\\\">Punjab</a> Police and two gangsters, believed to be involved in the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala, official sources said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The operation of the Anti-Gangster Task Force of the Punjab Police is going on at Bhakna village,\\\" they said.\\t According to official sources, gangsters Jagroop Singh Roopa and Manpreet Singh alias Mannu Kusa, the two shooters who were allegedly involved in the killing of Moosewala, were at large.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-sachin-thapan-bishnoi-key-conspirator-in-sidhu-moosewalas-killing-700264/\\\">Who is Sachin Thapan Bishnoi, key conspirator in Sidhu Moosewala's killing?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The area has been cordoned off, they added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Earlier, Punjab Additional Director General of Police and head of Anti-Gangster Task Force Pramod Ban said gangster Bishnoi has admitted that he was the mastermind in Sidhu Moosewala's killing.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district on May 29, a day after the Punjab government pruned the security cover of the singer and 423 people temporarily.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/explained-why-khalistan-seeker-simranjit-mann-won-sangrur-688023/\\\">Explained: Why ‘Khalistan-seeker’ Simranjit Mann won Sangrur</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Corolla overtook Moosewala's car and six shooters came out of both the vehicles and opened fire at the singer. They left only after confirming that Moosewala had been killed.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Priyavrat could be seen in a CCTV footage of a petrol pump prior to the incident. He was previously involved in two murder cases and was arrested in 2015 in one of the them in Sonipat and also wanted in another murder case in Sonipat in 2021, police said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/entertainment/why-sidhu-moose-walas-latest-song-syl-was-taken-down-by-youtube-687509/\\\">Why Sidhu Moose Wala's latest song 'SYL' was taken down by YouTube</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Kashish was also one of the shooters and was also seen in the CCTV footage. He is wanted in a 2021 murder case in Haryana's Jhajjar, they said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Kumar was the facilitator and received the shooters just after the shootout in an Alto car. He accompanied the shooters till Mansa on the day of incident, police said, adding that he was previously arrested in a murder case in Bathinda in 2020 and suspected to be involved in other cases of extortion in Punjab.\"}}]}

Ajay Joseph

<ul>
 <li>Kumar was the facilitator and received the shooters just after the shootout in an Alto car</li>
 <li>Kashish was also one of the shooters and was also seen in the CCTV footage</li>
 <li>He is wanted in a 2021 murder case in Haryana's Jhajjar</li>
</ul>

Encounter underway between Punjab Police, 2 suspected Sidhu Moosewala killers

SidhuMoosewala

Punjab

Amritsar

Haryana

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Olympic bronze-winning Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh was on Tuesday added to the list of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees, taking the total number of this year's winners to an unparalleled 12, with the ceremony scheduled for November 13 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Manpreet was originally recommended for the Arjuna award but he joined veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh as the second hockey player in the list of awardees for the highest sporting honour. Also Read: T20 World Cup: With semis hopes hanging by thread, India face gritty Afghanistan, The other prominent Khel Ratna winners this year include Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Olympic silver-medallist wrestler Ravi Dahiya. Among 35 Arjuna awardees are most of India's Paralympic medal winners and cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Mithali Raj. The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan on 13th November, 2021 (Saturday) at 1630 hrs, the sports ministry announced. It was held online last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Khel Ratna award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of previous four years. Also Read: T20 World Cup: Babar, Rizwan help Pakistan crush Namibia, storm into semis, Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and is given for good performance over a period of previous four years and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committee headed by Justice (Retd.) Mukundakam Sharma (former Judge of Supreme Court), consisting members from eminent sportspersons and persons having experience in sports journalism & sports administrator etc, the ministry stated. The awardees: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), Ravi Kumar(Wrestling), Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing), P.R Sreejesh (Hockey), Avani Lekhara (Para Shooting), Sumit Antil (Para Athletics), Pramod Bhagat (Para Badminton), Krishna Nagar (Para Badminton), Manish Narwal (Para Shooting), Mithali Raj (Cricket), Sunil Chhetri (Football), Manpreet Singh (Hockey). Also Read: Rohit to lead India vs New Zealand, Kohli’s ODI captaincy in doubt: Report, Arjuna Awards: Arpinder Singh (Athletics), Simranjit Kaur (Boxing), Shikhar Dhawan (Cricket), CA Bhavani Devi (Fencing), Monika (Hockey), Vandana Katariya (Hockey), Sandeep Narwal (Kabaddi), Himani Uttam Parab (Mallakhamb), Abhishek Verma (Shooting), Ankita Raina (Tennis), Deepak Punia (Wrestling), Dilpreet Singh (Hockey), Harman Preet Singh (Hockey), Rupinder Pal Singh (Hockey), Surender Kumar (Hockey), Amit Rohidas (Hockey), Birendra Lakra (Hockey), Sumit (Hockey), Nilakanta Sharma (Hockey), Hardik Singh (Hockey), Vivek Sagar Prasad (Hockey), Gurjant Singh (Hockey), Mandeep Singh (Hockey), Shamsher Singh (Hockey), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (Hockey), Varun Kumar (Hockey), Simranjeet Singh (Hockey), Yogesh Kathuniya (Para Athletics) Nishad Kumar (Para Athletics), Praveen Kumar(Para Athletics), Suhash Yathiraj (Para Badminton) Singhraj Adhana (Para Shooting), Bhavina Patel (Para Table Tennis), Harvinder Singh (Para Archery) and Sharad Kumar (Para Athletics').

{\"time\":1635883078369,\"strCount\":3897,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Olympic bronze-winning Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh was on Tuesday added to the list of Major Dhyan Chand <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/khelratna/\\\">Khel Ratna</a> awardees, taking the total number of this year's winners to an unparalleled 12, with the ceremony scheduled for November 13 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Manpreet was originally recommended for the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/arjunaaward/\\\">Arjuna award</a> but he joined veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh as the second hockey player in the list of awardees for the highest sporting honour.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/t20-world-cup-with-semis-hopes-hanging-by-thread-india-face-gritty-afghanistan-623379/\\\">T20 World Cup: With semis hopes hanging by thread, India face gritty Afghanistan</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The other prominent Khel Ratna winners this year include Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Olympic silver-medallist wrestler Ravi Dahiya.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Among 35 Arjuna awardees are most of India's Paralympic medal winners and cricketers <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/shikhardhawan/\\\">Shikhar Dhawan</a> and Mithali Raj.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" \\\"The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan on 13th November, 2021 (Saturday) at 1630 hrs,\\\" the sports ministry announced.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" It was held online last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The Khel Ratna award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of previous four years.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/t20-world-cup-pakistan-beat-namibia-by-45-runs-442814/\\\">T20 World Cup: Babar, Rizwan help Pakistan crush Namibia, storm into semis</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and is given for good performance over a period of previous four years and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" \\\"A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committee headed by Justice (Retd.) Mukundakam Sharma (former Judge of Supreme Court), consisting members from eminent sportspersons and persons having experience in sports journalism &amp; sports administrator etc,\\\" the ministry stated.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The awardees: \\t Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), Ravi Kumar(Wrestling), Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing), P.R Sreejesh (Hockey), Avani Lekhara (Para Shooting), Sumit Antil (Para Athletics), Pramod Bhagat (Para Badminton), Krishna Nagar (Para Badminton), Manish Narwal (Para Shooting), Mithali Raj (Cricket), <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/sunilchhetri/\\\">Sunil Chhetri</a> (Football), Manpreet Singh (Hockey).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/rohit-sharma-to-lead-india-vs-new-zealand-virat-kohlis-odi-captaincy-in-doubt-report-327070/\\\">Rohit to lead India vs New Zealand, Kohli’s ODI captaincy in doubt: Report</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" \\t Arjuna Awards: Arpinder Singh (Athletics), Simranjit Kaur (Boxing), Shikhar Dhawan (Cricket), CA Bhavani Devi (Fencing), Monika (Hockey), Vandana Katariya (Hockey), Sandeep Narwal (Kabaddi), Himani Uttam Parab (Mallakhamb), Abhishek Verma (Shooting), Ankita Raina (Tennis), Deepak Punia (Wrestling), Dilpreet Singh (Hockey), Harman Preet Singh (Hockey), Rupinder Pal Singh (Hockey), Surender Kumar (Hockey), Amit Rohidas (Hockey), Birendra Lakra (Hockey), Sumit (Hockey), Nilakanta Sharma (Hockey), Hardik Singh (Hockey), Vivek Sagar Prasad (Hockey), Gurjant Singh (Hockey), Mandeep Singh (Hockey), Shamsher Singh (Hockey), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (Hockey), Varun Kumar (Hockey), Simranjeet Singh (Hockey), Yogesh Kathuniya (Para Athletics) Nishad Kumar (Para Athletics), Praveen Kumar(Para Athletics), Suhash Yathiraj (Para Badminton) Singhraj Adhana (Para Shooting), Bhavina Patel (Para Table Tennis), Harvinder Singh (Para Archery) and Sharad Kumar (Para Athletics'). \"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Manpreet Singh was added to the list of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees on Tuesday</li>
 <li>The total for the winners was raised to 12 for Khel Ratna award</li>
 <li>35 sportspersons will be conferred with Arjuna award&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Sunil Chettri, Neeraj Chopra among 12 to be conferred Khel Ratna

KhelRatna

ShikharDhawan

NewDelhi

Sport

Chandandeep Kour

Punjab Olympians and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra from Haryana were hosted by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh at his farmhouse at Siswan in Mohali on Wednesday. The CM donned the chef's hat as he cooked food for participants. He was seen wearing an apron to prepare sumptuous food for his guests. In a video, shared by the CM on his Twitter handle, the CM wrote, Privileged to have hosted our Olympians for dinner tonight. Thoroughly enjoyed cooking for them. May you continue to bring great laurels to the country. An Olympic gold and Neeraj Chopra's brand value is at par with Virat Kohli,In the video, he can be seen served his special guests at the lawn of his farmhouse. I started at 11 in the morning. Most of it was done by around 5 pm, and then it was time for some final touches. But I loved every minute of it, the CM told PTI. He said this was the least he could do for the sportspersons who worked so hard to make the country proud. The food always tastes better if served directly from the cooking vessel, he said. The menu included 'mutton khara pishori', 'laung ellachi chicken', 'aloo korma', 'dal masri', 'murg korma', 'dugani biryani' and 'zarda rice'. Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh said he had heard about the Maharaja's cooking but what he savoured Wednesday exceeded his expectations. Discus thrower from Muktsar Kamalpreet Kaur, who finished a creditable sixth in her first Olympics with a best throw of 63.70 metre, said she was truly impressed by both food and the hospitality of the chief minister. Besides Chopra, special guests for the evening included Olympics bronze medallist hockey players Manpreet Singh (captain), Harmanpreet Singh (vice-captain), Mandeep Singh, Hardik Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Varun Kumar and Simranjit Singh. Women hockey players Gurjit Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Kamalpreet Kaur were also among the guests. Race-walker Gurpreet Singh and shooter Angadveer Singh Bajwa were also invited for the dinner.

{\"time\":1631170128620,\"strCount\":2522,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Punjab Olympians and star javelin thrower <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/neerajchopra/\\\">Neeraj Chopra </a>from Haryana were hosted by Punjab Chief Minister <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/amarindersingh/\\\">Amarinder Singh </a>at his farmhouse at Siswan in Mohali on Wednesday. The CM donned the chef's hat as he cooked food for participants. He was seen wearing an apron to prepare sumptuous food for his guests.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In a video, shared by the CM on his Twitter handle, the CM wrote, \\\"Privileged to have hosted our Olympians for dinner tonight. Thoroughly enjoyed cooking for them. May you continue to bring great laurels to the country.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/an-olympic-gold-and-neeraj-chopras-brand-value-is-at-par-with-virat-kohli-660412/\\\">An Olympic gold and Neeraj Chopra's brand value is at par with Virat Kohli</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/capt_amarinder/status/1435611388030828545\",\"embed\":\"capt_amarinder/status/1435611388030828545\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the video, he can be seen served his special guests at the lawn of his farmhouse.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I started at 11 in the morning. Most of it was done by around 5 pm, and then it was time for some final touches. But I loved every minute of it,\\\" the CM told PTI.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He said this was the least he could do for the sportspersons who worked so hard to make the country proud.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The food always tastes better if served directly from the cooking vessel,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The menu included 'mutton khara pishori', 'laung ellachi chicken', 'aloo korma', 'dal masri', 'murg korma', 'dugani biryani' and 'zarda rice'.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian hockey captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/mithapur-a-punjab-village-that-is-home-to-6-indian-hockey-olympians-258397/\\\">Manpreet Singh </a>said he had heard about the Maharaja's cooking but what he savoured Wednesday exceeded his expectations.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Discus thrower from Muktsar <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-kamalpreet-kaur-651378/\\\">Kamalpreet Kaur</a>, who finished a creditable sixth in her first Olympics with a best throw of 63.70 metre, said she was truly impressed by both food and the hospitality of the chief minister.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Besides <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/neeraj-chopra-asked-about-his-sex-life-in-interview-internet-furious-615676/\\\">Chopra</a>, special guests for the evening included Olympics bronze medallist hockey players Manpreet Singh (captain), Harmanpreet Singh (vice-captain), Mandeep Singh, Hardik Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Varun Kumar and Simranjit Singh.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women hockey players Gurjit Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Kamalpreet Kaur were also among the guests.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Race-walker Gurpreet Singh and shooter Angadveer Singh Bajwa were also invited for the dinner.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The CM shared the video on his Twitter handle</li>
 <li>"I started at 11 in the morning. Most of it was done by around 5 pm," the CM told PTI</li>
 <li>"The food always tastes better if served directly from the cooking vessel," he said</li>
</ul>

Watch: Punjab CM dons chef's hat, cooks, serves food to Olympians

AmarinderSingh

Food

Joy Tirkey

The Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra, on Friday, said that both the men's and women's Indian hockey teams may not take part in the next year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. This will be done to ensure that they hit peak form during the Asian Games, which is a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Batra said he has conveyed this to Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Sandip Pradhan during a formal meeting. Batra said that the Indian hockey teams' priority is to hit their top form at the Asian games. It starts just 35 days after the CWG. The IOC president is the chief of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and was a former Hockey India president. The Birmingham CWG is scheduled to be held from July 28 to August 8, while the Asian Games will be hosted by Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 15. Based on my preliminary discussions with Hockey India, it seems doubtful as of now whether Indian men and women hockey team's will participate in Commonwealth Games 2022, Batra said in a statement. Hockey India will not like its hockey athletes to peak 35 days before the Asian Games 2022 and would like the athletes to peak at the right time i.e. during the Asian Games 2022. The Commonwealth Games in 2022 are just 35 days before the Asian Games in China and in hockey the winners of Asian Games directly qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics. Hence, winning gold medal in the Asian Games is a must for both men & women's hockey teams, he added. India were represented by a strong 216 member contingent in the 2018 Gold Coast CWG, where the country finished third in the standings with 66 medals, including 26 gold, 20 silver and as many bronze medals. The size of Indian contingent to Commonwealth Games 2022 will be much less than which went in 2018 as of now 36 hockey athletes, plus sports not included in 2022, i.e. approximately 18 shooting athletes and approximately 8 athletes from archery i.e. a total of 62 athletes may be less from 2018 Contingent, Batra said. And the medals tally will also be proportionately less for India in 2022 Commonwealth Games.

{\"time\":1630657502719,\"strCount\":2408,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Sports/\\\">Indian Olympic Association</a> President Narinder Batra, on Friday, said that both the men's and women's Indian hockey teams may not take part in the next year's <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/CommonwealthGames2022/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> in Birmingham. This will be done to ensure that they hit peak form during the Asian Games, which is a qualifier for the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Olympics/\\\">2024 Paris Olympics</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Batra said he has conveyed this to Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General Sandip Pradhan during a formal meeting.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Batra said that the Indian hockey teams' priority is to hit their top form at the Asian games. It starts just 35 days after the CWG. The IOC president is the chief of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Hockey/\\\">International Hockey Federation</a> (FIH) and was a former Hockey India president.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Birmingham CWG is scheduled to be held from July 28 to August 8, while the Asian Games will be hosted by Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 15.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Based on my preliminary discussions with Hockey India, it seems doubtful as of now whether Indian men and women hockey team's will participate in Commonwealth Games 2022,\\\" Batra said in a statement.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Hockey/\\\">Hockey India</a> will not like its hockey athletes to peak 35 days before the Asian Games 2022 and would like the athletes to peak at the right time i.e. during the Asian Games 2022.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The Commonwealth Games in 2022 are just 35 days before the Asian Games in China and in hockey the winners of Asian Games directly qualify for <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Olympics/\\\">2024 Paris Olympics</a>. Hence, winning gold medal in the Asian Games is a must for both men &amp; women's hockey teams,\\\" he added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India were represented by a strong 216 member contingent in the 2018 Gold Coast CWG, where the country finished third in the standings with 66 medals, including 26 gold, 20 silver and as many bronze medals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The size of Indian contingent to Commonwealth Games 2022 will be much less than which went in 2018 as of now 36 hockey athletes, plus sports not included in 2022, i.e. approximately 18 shooting athletes and approximately 8 athletes from archery i.e. a total of 62 athletes may be less from 2018 Contingent,\\\" Batra said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"And the medals tally will also be proportionately less for India in 2022 Commonwealth Games.\\\"\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The IOC president said that he has conveyed his desire to the Sports Authority of India</li>
 <li>The Birmingham CWG is scheduled to be held from July 28 to August 8</li>
 <li>India were represented by a strong 216 member contingent in the 2018 Gold Coast CWG</li>
</ul>

Indian hockey teams unlikely to take part in 2022 Commonwealth Games

RaniRampal

Shuchi Shukla

From one athlete at the Paris Olympics 1900 to 126 at the<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics"> Tokyo Olympics 2020</a>, India has covered a long distance, many disappointments, a few celebrations, and a lot of politics. In 121 years, the country of 1.3 billion people has won just 35 medals - 10 golds (eight by the Indian men’s hockey team), eight silvers (one by the Indian men’s hockey team), and 18 bronze medals.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/paris-olympics-all-you-need-to-know-about-2024-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Paris Olympics: All you need to know about 2024 games</a>,Sports in pre-Independence India was defined primarily by its hockey team, which dominated the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/olympics">Olympics </a>from 1928 to 1936 winning an unprecedented three titles. Very few athletes were part of the Indian Olympics delegations till then, but from 1948, an independent India began sending more than 50 athletes, selected by various sports federations, which comprised people mostly from non-sports backgrounds. Before the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, the Indian field hockey team was the only saviour with their consistent Gold performance. In 1952, wrestler <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-was-the-first-indian-to-win-an-individual-medal-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav </a>won a bronze medal to become India’s first individual Olympic medallist in the men's freestyle bantamweight category. Did he get government support? Reportedly, he did not even get a place in the squad till he wrote to the Maharaja of Patiala, who was a patron of wrestling. The Maharaja, who had a say in the selection process, convinced the authorities to hold a qualifying bout again and it was in this fight that Jadhav secured his ticket to the Olympics. He fought hard and turned that into a place in history for himself, and for India.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/100-years-3-stories-1-dream-neeraj-chopras-win-is-more-than-just-a-gold?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">100 years, 3 stories, 1 dream: Neeraj Chopra's win is more than just a gold</a>,The Indian men’s hockey team, which did not settle for anything but gold till 1956, lost in the 1960 Summer Olympics finals and had to settle for a silver medal. Though the team briefly bounced back by winning gold at the 1964 Summer Olympics, it had to make do with bronze medals in the next two Olympics. In the 1976 Summer Olympics India went home empty-handed, the first time since 1928. The champions made a comeback winning their Olympic record eighth at the Moscow Games in 1980. The drought after that lasted 41 years, till the hockey bronze won this week in Tokyo.,Since 1980, India has won 21 total medals, seven of those at the Tokyo games that wrap up today. It’s India’s best performance ever, besting the haul at London 2012 when we had won six, but no gold. The only individual gold before <a href="https://opoyi.com/neeraj-chopra-wins-gold-in-javelin-throw-indias-first-olympic-medal-in-athletics">Neeraj Chopra’s champion javelin throw</a> earned him one on Saturday, was shooter <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-abhinav-bindra">Abhinav Bindra’s in 2008</a>.,Also read:<a href="https://opoyi.com/from-1900-to-2021-brief-history-of-indias-olympic-medal-victories?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">&nbsp;From 1900 to 2021: Brief history of India’s Olympic medal victories</a>,Every four years — in this case, five due to the pandemic — the same questions are asked in India. Why does India fail to excel at the Olympics? And does it even matter to the government? Does it even matter to authorities? Does it even matter to countrymen?,<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/narendramodi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, who is keen to establish India as a global superpower, has probably decided that it does matter. After India performed miserably at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro — one silver and one bronze — PM Modi constituted a ‘task force’ to prepare the roadmap for the next three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The aim of the task force was to prepare a strategy for the improvement of facilities, selection norms, and better training facilities. The task force included the likes of national badminton coach Pulella Gopichand, Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, and foreign experts as well.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/as-japan-readies-to-douse-the-olympic-flame-a-glance-at-the-big-stories-of-the-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">A&nbsp;glance at the big stories of the Games</a>,Soon after creating the task force, the government began funneling money to sports authorities that were underfunded for decades and stained by corruption. Private ventures stepped in, training elite athletes hoping to harness their upward trajectory. The state money also trickled into grassroots sports, which resulted in exceptional performances by athletes from deep pockets in India.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/countless-neeraj-chopra-stories-from-his-humble-haryana-village?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Countless Neeraj Chopra stories from his humble Haryana village</a>,This shift in the stand didn’t happen overnight. PM Modi, even before taking oath for the top office, had on several occasions spoken about the need to link sports with the education system in the country. In 2013, during a speech in Ferguson College in Pune, he said, “During Olympics, people often say despite its huge size, we don’t get medals. Have we linked sports with our education system? Did we give enough opportunity to our youth...? Believe me, if you give our defence forces this responsibility and match the potential of the new recruits in the interested sports and then train them properly, we will earn 5-7 medals even without much effort. It requires vision!” Did he walk the talk? Looking at India’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics, maybe he did.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/winter-olympics-2022-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-beijing-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Winter Olympics 2022: All you need to know about the upcoming Beijing games</a>,Why didn't PM Modi push for the Rio Olympics 2016?,Training for an Olympics mindset alone takes years and a lot of administrative support. When PM Modi took over in 2014, the die was cast for Rio. It was only in February 2015, nine months after Sarbananda Sonowal took charge, that the Sports Ministry, keeping in mind the Olympics, launched its ambitious ‘Mission Olympic Cell’ headed by the director-general, Sports Authority of India (SAI) to monitor the preparation of athletes who had qualified for Rio. The athletes were given support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme(TOPS) using the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). But several athletes wanting government aid were tripped by the dreaded ‘red-tape’.,Abhinav Bindra, India’s first Olympic gold medalist in an individual competition, told The New York Times that the sports environment today is different from when he won the 10-meter air rifle competition in Beijing. He said when he competed in the shooting nationals at 24 there were 200 entrants and these days the competition draws 20,000, plus another 20,000 who didn’t make the cut.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/india-at-olympics-list-of-athletes-who-missed-out-on-medal-by-a-whisker?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">India at Olympics: List of athletes who missed out on medal by a whisker</a>,Eight members of the Indian shooting team in Tokyo, he noted, have been world No. 1s or 2s in their categories. “It could be the start of a new era in Indian sport,” Bindra said.,A beginning of the change?,For PM Modi, who met each and every athlete from this year’s Olympic contingent, it looked like a personal stake. The training given to the athletes this time was far better than ever. The coronavirus pandemic did distract the players but not much, who continued with their training at all times,<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-neeraj-chopra-1">Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra</a>, who comes from a humble background, was trained in Europe. “As far as preparations for @Tokyo2020 are concerned, all my requirements have been taken care of in the best possible way. I'm training in Europe currently and am thankful for the efforts made by the government and the Indian embassy, despite the tough visa rules,” he tweeted in June.,India’s star <a href="https://opoyi.com/mirabai-chanu-wins-olympic-medal-says-dreaming-of-this-for-5-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">weightlifter Mirabai Chanu</a>, who is a part of the TOPS, was sent to the US for training until the Tokyo Games. The Sports Authority of India Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) had sanctioned around Rs 70.8 lakhs for Chanu's one-and-a-half-month long overseas training, PTI reported, quoting a SAI source.,<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-bajrang-punia-takes-home-the-bronze-medal-in-wrestling?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Medal winner Bajrang Punia</a>, who once used to struggle to play on the mat, was sent to the US, Russia for the Olympics training. And, he did deliver.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/with-7-medals-india-put-on-their-best-ever-show-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">With 7 medals, India put on their best-ever show at the Olympics</a>,In a first, the Indian women’s hockey team<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-lose-4-3-to-great-britain-miss-out-on-womens-hockey-bronze?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none"> scripted history by entering the semi-finals of the Games</a> for the first time. Though they couldn’t win the medal but gave tough fights to their opponents. The men’s hockey team won the bronze medal after a gap of 41 years.,The Olympics task force was mandated to show results in the three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The performances this year have given Indians hope to see medals in double digits on the next two occasions.,Is this the "spirit of New India", as PM Modi says, and a beginning of the better and dominant phase for Indian sports?

{\"time\":1628474988703,\"strCount\":10602,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"From one athlete at the Paris Olympics 1900 to 126 at the<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\"> Tokyo Olympics 2020</a>, India has covered a long distance, many disappointments, a few celebrations, and a lot of politics. In 121 years, the country of 1.3 billion people has won just 35 medals - 10 golds (eight by the Indian men’s hockey team), eight silvers (one by the Indian men’s hockey team), and 18 bronze medals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/paris-olympics-all-you-need-to-know-about-2024-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Paris Olympics: All you need to know about 2024 games</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sports in pre-Independence India was defined primarily by its hockey team, which dominated the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">Olympics </a>from 1928 to 1936 winning an unprecedented three titles. Very few athletes were part of the Indian Olympics delegations till then, but from 1948, an independent India began sending more than 50 athletes, selected by various sports federations, which comprised people mostly from non-sports backgrounds. Before the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, the Indian field hockey team was the only saviour with their consistent Gold performance. In 1952, wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-was-the-first-indian-to-win-an-individual-medal-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav </a>won a bronze medal to become India’s first individual Olympic medallist in the men's freestyle bantamweight category. Did he get government support? Reportedly, he did not even get a place in the squad till he wrote to the Maharaja of Patiala, who was a patron of wrestling. The Maharaja, who had a say in the selection process, convinced the authorities to hold a qualifying bout again and it was in this fight that Jadhav secured his ticket to the Olympics. He fought hard and turned that into a place in history for himself, and for India.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/100-years-3-stories-1-dream-neeraj-chopras-win-is-more-than-just-a-gold?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">100 years, 3 stories, 1 dream: Neeraj Chopra's win is more than just a gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men’s hockey team, which did not settle for anything but gold till 1956, lost in the 1960 Summer Olympics finals and had to settle for a silver medal. Though the team briefly bounced back by winning gold at the 1964 Summer Olympics, it had to make do with bronze medals in the next two Olympics. In the 1976 Summer Olympics India went home empty-handed, the first time since 1928. The champions made a comeback winning their Olympic record eighth at the Moscow Games in 1980. The drought after that lasted 41 years, till the hockey bronze won this week in Tokyo.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.16666667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_VoRR6Zuo5.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Indian men's hockey team after winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"JCXs2xpfM7I5\",\"height\":3176,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Since 1980, India has won 21 total medals, seven of those at the Tokyo games that wrap up today. It’s India’s best performance ever, besting the haul at London 2012 when we had won six, but no gold. The only individual gold before <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/neeraj-chopra-wins-gold-in-javelin-throw-indias-first-olympic-medal-in-athletics-171219/\\\">Neeraj Chopra’s champion javelin throw</a> earned him one on Saturday, was shooter <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-abhinav-bindra-220718/\\\">Abhinav Bindra’s in 2008</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/from-1900-to-2021-brief-history-of-indias-olympic-medal-victories?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">&nbsp;From 1900 to 2021: Brief history of India’s Olympic medal victories</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Every four years — in this case, five due to the pandemic — the same questions are asked in India. Why does India fail to excel at the Olympics? And does it even matter to the government? Does it even matter to authorities? Does it even matter to countrymen?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/narendramodi/\\\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, who is keen to establish India as a global superpower, has probably decided that it does matter. After India performed miserably at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro — one silver and one bronze — PM Modi constituted a ‘task force’ to prepare the roadmap for the next three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The aim of the task force was to prepare a strategy for the improvement of facilities, selection norms, and better training facilities. The task force included the likes of national badminton coach Pulella Gopichand, Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, and foreign experts as well.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/as-japan-readies-to-douse-the-olympic-flame-a-glance-at-the-big-stories-of-the-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">A&nbsp;glance at the big stories of the Games</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Soon after creating the task force, the government began funneling money to sports authorities that were underfunded for decades and stained by corruption. Private ventures stepped in, training elite athletes hoping to harness their upward trajectory. The state money also trickled into grassroots sports, which resulted in exceptional performances by athletes from deep pockets in India.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/countless-neeraj-chopra-stories-from-his-humble-haryana-village?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Countless Neeraj Chopra stories from his humble Haryana village</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"This shift in the stand didn’t happen overnight. PM Modi, even before taking oath for the top office, had on several occasions spoken about the need to link sports with the education system in the country. In 2013, during a speech in Ferguson College in Pune, he said, “During Olympics, people often say despite its huge size, we don’t get medals. Have we linked sports with our education system? Did we give enough opportunity to our youth...? Believe me, if you give our defence forces this responsibility and match the potential of the new recruits in the interested sports and then train them properly, we will earn 5-7 medals even without much effort. It requires vision!” Did he walk the talk? Looking at India’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics, maybe he did.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/winter-olympics-2022-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-beijing-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Winter Olympics 2022: All you need to know about the upcoming Beijing games</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Why didn't PM Modi push for the Rio Olympics 2016?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Training for an Olympics mindset alone takes years and a lot of administrative support. When PM Modi took over in 2014, the die was cast for Rio. It was only in February 2015, nine months after Sarbananda Sonowal took charge, that the Sports Ministry, keeping in mind the Olympics, launched its ambitious ‘Mission Olympic Cell’ headed by the director-general, Sports Authority of India (SAI) to monitor the preparation of athletes who had qualified for Rio. The athletes were given support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme(TOPS) using the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). But several athletes wanting government aid were tripped by the dreaded ‘red-tape’.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Abhinav Bindra, India’s first Olympic gold medalist in an individual competition, told The New York Times that the sports environment today is different from when he won the 10-meter air rifle competition in Beijing. He said when he competed in the shooting nationals at 24 there were 200 entrants and these days the competition draws 20,000, plus another 20,000 who didn’t make the cut.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/1421742547676897283\",\"embed\":\"Olympics/status/1421742547676897283\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-at-olympics-list-of-athletes-who-missed-out-on-medal-by-a-whisker?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">India at Olympics: List of athletes who missed out on medal by a whisker</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Eight members of the Indian shooting team in Tokyo, he noted, have been world No. 1s or 2s in their categories. “It could be the start of a new era in Indian sport,” Bindra said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A beginning of the change?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"For PM Modi, who met each and every athlete from this year’s Olympic contingent, it looked like a personal stake. The training given to the athletes this time was far better than ever. The coronavirus pandemic did distract the players but not much, who continued with their training at all times\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-neeraj-chopra-174701/\\\">Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra</a>, who comes from a humble background, was trained in Europe. “As far as preparations for @Tokyo2020 are concerned, all my requirements have been taken care of in the best possible way. I'm training in Europe currently and am thankful for the efforts made by the government and the Indian embassy, despite the tough visa rules,” he tweeted in June.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"70.06250000\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_iBs4OAhhbO.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"India's Neeraj Chopra holds the gold medal after winning in the final of the men's javelin throw event\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"3YprNFNBuPhF\",\"height\":3363,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India’s star <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/mirabai-chanu-wins-olympic-medal-says-dreaming-of-this-for-5-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">weightlifter Mirabai Chanu</a>, who is a part of the TOPS, was sent to the US for training until the Tokyo Games. The Sports Authority of India Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) had sanctioned around Rs 70.8 lakhs for Chanu's one-and-a-half-month long overseas training, PTI reported, quoting a SAI source.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-bajrang-punia-takes-home-the-bronze-medal-in-wrestling?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Medal winner Bajrang Punia</a>, who once used to struggle to play on the mat, was sent to the US, Russia for the Olympics training. And, he did deliver.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.66666667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_cXDl9bvyWwX.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"India's Bajrang Bajrang celebrates after defeating Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov during their men's freestyle 65kg wrestling bronze medal match\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"KIeN1K6Bh2K1\",\"height\":4578,\"width\":6867,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/with-7-medals-india-put-on-their-best-ever-show-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">With 7 medals, India put on their best-ever show at the Olympics</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In a first, the Indian women’s hockey team<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-lose-4-3-to-great-britain-miss-out-on-womens-hockey-bronze?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\"> scripted history by entering the semi-finals of the Games</a> for the first time. Though they couldn’t win the medal but gave tough fights to their opponents. The men’s hockey team won the bronze medal after a gap of 41 years.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.64583333\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_i93FwkMlb.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Mirabai Chanu after winning the silver medal\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"Y1rbJtQHDEY6\",\"height\":3199,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Olympics task force was mandated to show results in the three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The performances this year have given Indians hope to see medals in double digits on the next two occasions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Is this the \\\"spirit of New India\\\", as PM Modi says, and a beginning of the better and dominant phase for Indian sports?\"}}]}

Yash Bajaj

<ul>
 <li>PM Modi constituted a ‘task force’ in 2016 to prepare a strategy for three Olympics</li>
 <li>India won seven medals - 1 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze - at Tokyo 2020</li>
 <li>Team India has won 35 Olympic medals till date</li>
</ul>

Taskforce, training, then medals: Tokyo Olympics hint at Modi's ‘New India’

MirabaiChanu

BajrangPunia

Javelin

Wrestling

The <a href="https://opoyi.com/india-win-hockey-medal-at-olympics-after-41-years">Indian men's hockey team clinched its first Olympic medal</a> in 41 years after beating Germany 5-4 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, on Thursday. Talking about the win, the <a href="https://opoyi.com/india-celebrates-as-mens-hockey-team-ends-41-year-long-olympic-medal-wait">Indian men's hockey</a> coach Graham Reid said that the victory was possible because of a strong mentality.,"We dared to dream. The team first mentality and not feeling sorry about yourself worked. The players did a great job of doing this together especially in leaving the semifinal loss behind and focus on the bronze medal match," Reid said.,The 57-year-old, who was a part of Australia's silver-winning team in the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/Olympics">1992 Barcelona Games</a>, took over as India coach in 2019 and has obsessively talked about pursuing a process and investing in youth to get the results at a big stage like the Olympics.,"It is a fantastic feeling, it has come after a lot of sacrifices that the whole group has made," Reid said referring to the time the <a href="https://opoyi.com/its-a-rebirth-india-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-on-bronze-medal-at-tokyo-olympics">players spent away from their families</a> and in some cases, battling COVID-19 as well.,"It takes a long time to get where these athletes have gotten. All the sacrifices that go unseen," he added.,"...I know that apart from the country, this group has been waiting for a medal for a fairly long time and I know how much hockey means to India and <a href="https://opoyi.com/entire-country-is-dancing-pm-modi-congratulates-mens-hockey-team-watch">I am privileged to help play a part</a> in that," he further added.,"It means a lot after being in quarantine for the last eight out of 16 months," he said.,India were 1-3 down in the match and Reid said one of the things that has been worked on during his stint was to never lose hope of a comeback.,"Before the game I asked the guys to make sure they bring the next level if something happens, for example, if you are down, you need to bring the next level of play and they did that very well," Reid explained.,"(It is) never over until it is over. It's always easy to say you should be doing this or that but there are lots of things that go on," he said.,"It has been one of the signatures of this team, which we have tried to develop and make sure that we can always come back and I think we did that.",The coach said it is <a href="https://opoyi.com/its-a-rebirth-india-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-on-bronze-medal-at-tokyo-olympics">just the beginning</a> and this team has many more milestones to achieve in the future.,"The ability to execute under pressure makes a best team. We haven't seen the best of this team yet, you guys need to achieve further."

{\"time\":1628165704561,\"strCount\":2844,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-win-hockey-medal-at-olympics-after-41-years-587581/\\\">Indian men's hockey team clinched its first Olympic medal</a> in 41 years after beating Germany 5-4 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, on Thursday. Talking about the win, the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/india-celebrates-as-mens-hockey-team-ends-41-year-long-olympic-medal-wait-128719/\\\">Indian men's hockey</a> coach Graham Reid said that the victory was possible because of a strong mentality.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We dared to dream. The team first mentality and not feeling sorry about yourself worked. The players did a great job of doing this together especially in leaving the semifinal loss behind and focus on the bronze medal match,\\\" Reid said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 57-year-old, who was a part of Australia's silver-winning team in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Olympics/\\\">1992 Barcelona Games</a>, took over as India coach in 2019 and has obsessively talked about pursuing a process and investing in youth to get the results at a big stage like the Olympics.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"It is a fantastic feeling, it has come after a lot of sacrifices that the whole group has made,\\\" Reid said referring to the time the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/its-a-rebirth-india-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-on-bronze-medal-at-tokyo-olympics-575967/\\\">players spent away from their families</a> and in some cases, battling COVID-19 as well.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"It takes a long time to get where these athletes have gotten. All the sacrifices that go unseen,\\\" he added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"...I know that apart from the country, this group has been waiting for a medal for a fairly long time and I know how much hockey means to India and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/entire-country-is-dancing-pm-modi-congratulates-mens-hockey-team-watch-452745/\\\">I am privileged to help play a part</a> in that,\\\" he further added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"It means a lot after being in quarantine for the last eight out of 16 months,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India were 1-3 down in the match and Reid said one of the things that has been worked on during his stint was to never lose hope of a comeback.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Before the game I asked the guys to make sure they bring the next level if something happens, for example, if you are down, you need to bring the next level of play and they did that very well,\\\" Reid explained.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"(It is) never over until it is over. It's always easy to say you should be doing this or that but there are lots of things that go on,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"It has been one of the signatures of this team, which we have tried to develop and make sure that we can always come back and I think we did that.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The coach said it is <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/its-a-rebirth-india-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-on-bronze-medal-at-tokyo-olympics-575967/\\\">just the beginning</a> and this team has many more milestones to achieve in the future.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The ability to execute under pressure makes a best team. We haven't seen the best of this team yet, you guys need to achieve further.\\\"\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Coach Graham Reid was a part of Australia silver-winning team in the 1992 Summer Games</li>
 <li>It is a fantastic feeling, it has come after a lot of sacrifices, he said</li>
 <li>It takes a long time to get where these athletes have gotten, Reid added</li>
</ul>

We dared to dream: India men's hockey coach on Tokyo Olympics bronze

"I hope we have made you proud?" asked Indian hockey coach Graham Reid when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the team at Tokyo Olympics after their <a href="https://opoyi.com/india-vs-germany-bronze-medal-playoff-at-tokyo-olympics-live-score-and-updates?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">bronze-medal winning match </a>against Germany. "You have created history," was the PM's answer to Reid's query. Indian men's hockey team did create history on Thursday by bringing home an <a href="https://opoyi.com/india-win-hockey-medal-at-olympics-after-41-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Olympic medal after 41 years</a>.,Also read: <a href="https://opoyi.com/its-a-rebirth-india-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-on-bronze-medal-at-tokyo-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">It's a rebirth, says goalkeeper Sreejesh on bronze win</a>,The Prime Minister first spoke to <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-manpreet-singh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Captain Manpreet Singh </a>and congratulated him saying, "you and your team have done a wonderful job... the <a href="https://opoyi.com/india-celebrates-as-mens-hockey-team-ends-41-year-long-olympic-medal-wait?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">entire country is dancing</a>," To this Singh replies that PM's blessings and encouragement helped them achieve the goal. In the video shared by ANI, one can see the phone being then passed on to assistant coach Piyush Dubey and after a round of congratulations, to Reid.&nbsp;,All through the conversation, smiles are unmissable with the broadest one coming from Reid. "Your words the other day, after the semi-final, were very inspirational," Reid said at the end of the conversation, PM paid back the compliment saying, "your hard work is yielding results... we are proud.",Also read: <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-pr-sreejesh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Who is PR Sreejesh?</a>,India, the eight-time former gold-winners, have been down and out past four decades. Today's performance not only brings home the medal but also infuses new life into the sport.,In Today's match Simranjeet scored two field goals for India. The other goal-getters were Hardik Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh. Germany's goals were scored by Timur Oruz (2nd), Niklas Wellen (24th), Benedikt Furk (25th) and Lukas Windfeder (48th).,Also read: <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-simranjeet-singh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Who is Simranjit Singh?</a>,Determined to win a medal, the Indians came back from a two-goal deficit. Germany had gone 3-1 up in the 25th minute, but the Indians fought back to register a historic win.&nbsp;,The historic win was followed by tears and hugs on the field as the Indians led by Manpreet Singh savoured the historic moment.,This is Indian hockey team's third bronze medal in the history of Olympics. The other two came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games.

{\"time\":1628151274410,\"strCount\":3134,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I hope we have made you proud?\\\" asked Indian hockey coach Graham Reid when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the team at Tokyo Olympics after their <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-vs-germany-bronze-medal-playoff-at-tokyo-olympics-live-score-and-updates?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">bronze-medal winning match </a>against Germany. \\\"You have created history,\\\" was the PM's answer to Reid's query. Indian men's hockey team did create history on Thursday by bringing home an <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-win-hockey-medal-at-olympics-after-41-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Olympic medal after 41 years</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read: <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/its-a-rebirth-india-goalkeeper-pr-sreejesh-on-bronze-medal-at-tokyo-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">It's a rebirth, says goalkeeper Sreejesh on bronze win</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Prime Minister first spoke to <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-manpreet-singh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Captain Manpreet Singh </a>and congratulated him saying, \\\"you and your team have done a wonderful job... the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-celebrates-as-mens-hockey-team-ends-41-year-long-olympic-medal-wait?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">entire country is dancing</a>,\\\" To this Singh replies that PM's blessings and encouragement helped them achieve the goal. In the video shared by ANI, one can see the phone being then passed on to assistant coach Piyush Dubey and after a round of congratulations, to Reid.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\" data-partner=\\\"tweetdeck\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#WATCH</a> | PM Narendra Modi speaks to the India Hockey team Captain Manpreet Singh, coach Graham Reid and assistant coach Piyush Dubey after the team won <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bronze?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#Bronze</a> medal in men&#39;s hockey match against Germany<a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TokyoOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#TokyoOlympics</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/NguuwSISsV\\\">pic.twitter.com/NguuwSISsV</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1423177186635247620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>\\n<script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script>\\n</div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\" data-partner=\\\"tweetdeck\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#WATCH</a> | PM Narendra Modi speaks to the India Hockey team Captain Manpreet Singh, coach Graham Reid and assistant coach Piyush Dubey after the team won <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bronze?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#Bronze</a> medal in men&#39;s hockey match against Germany<a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TokyoOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#TokyoOlympics</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/NguuwSISsV\\\">pic.twitter.com/NguuwSISsV</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1423177186635247620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2021</a></blockquote>\\n<script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script>\\n</div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"All through the conversation, smiles are unmissable with the broadest one coming from Reid. \\\"Your words the other day, after the semi-final, were very inspirational,\\\" Reid said at the end of the conversation, PM paid back the compliment saying, \\\"your hard work is yielding results... we are proud.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read: <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-pr-sreejesh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Who is PR Sreejesh?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India, the eight-time former gold-winners, have been down and out past four decades. Today's performance not only brings home the medal but also infuses new life into the sport.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In Today's match Simranjeet scored two field goals for India. The other goal-getters were Hardik Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh. Germany's goals were scored by Timur Oruz (2nd), Niklas Wellen (24th), Benedikt Furk (25th) and Lukas Windfeder (48th).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read: <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-simranjeet-singh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Who is Simranjit Singh?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Determined to win a medal, the Indians came back from a two-goal deficit. Germany had gone 3-1 up in the 25th minute, but the Indians fought back to register a historic win.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The historic win was followed by tears and hugs on the field as the Indians led by Manpreet Singh savoured the historic moment.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"This is Indian hockey team's third bronze medal in the history of Olympics. The other two came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games.\"}}]}

Gargi Kaul

<ul>
 <li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to hockey captain Manpreet Singh and the coaches</li>
 <li>The PM congratulated them and said the country was proud of them</li>
 <li>India defeated Germany 5-4 to win the Olympics bronze in hockey&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

'Entire country is dancing', PM Modi congratulates men's hockey team. Watch

Sayantan Guha

Although the Indian men's <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-after-loss-to-argentina-india-to-face-great-britian-for-bronze?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">hockey team</a> suffered a demoralising defeat to Belgium in the semifinals, the world no. 3 side will have to regroup quickly as they face&nbsp;Rio Games bronze-winner Germany in the match bronze medal playoff game on Thursday in the <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indians-in-action-on-day-14-august-5-list-and-full-schedule?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Tokyo Olympics</a>.,India had a defensive horror show against world champions Belgium as they succumbed to&nbsp;relentless pressure from the Red Lions, conceding a bulk of penalty corners throughout and losing 2-5 in the end. But come August 5, the men's hockey team will have its opportunity to secure their first Olympic medal in 41 years.,ALSO READ | <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-women-look-to-create-hockey-history-against-mighty-argentina?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Tokyo Olympics: Indian women look to create hockey history against mighty Argentina</a>,India's last of the eight Olympic golds came way back in 1980 Moscow Games.,The Belgians played to their strengths as their focus was merely on earning penalty corners, especially with the likes of tournament's highest goal-scorer Alexander Hendrickx, who scored a hat-trick, and Loick Lupaert in their ranks.,Their ploy worked to perfection as put under pressure, the Indians lost their defensive shape and conceded as many as 14 penalty corners in the match, eight in the final quarter, to lose a bright chance to secure an Olympic medal after 41 years.,Meanwhile, India will have to play to and utilise their strengths. The hockey team has an incredible lineup of drag-flickers&nbsp;in Rupinder Pal Singh, vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas, but they have been poor in converting their penalty corners.,Going by rankings, there is hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as India are currently on third place and Germany on fourth.,ALSO READ | <a href="https://opoyi.com/diamantaire-promises-money-car-if-indian-women-win-olympic-hockey-medal?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Diamantaire promises money, car if Indian women win Olympic hockey medal</a>,Having lost 1-3 against Australia in the semifinals here, the Germans would be determined to prove a point.,The onus now is on the Indian defence and talismanic goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will have to be on their toes to come out triumphant against the might of Germans.,India captain <a href="https://opoyi.com/need-to-focus-on-winning-bronze-medal-indian-hockey-captain-manpreet-singh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Manpreet Singh</a> has already said that he is in no mood to dwell on the semifinal result.&nbsp;"At least we should win a bronze medal for the nation," he said earlier.

{\"time\":1628123665682,\"strCount\":3070,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Although the Indian men's <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-after-loss-to-argentina-india-to-face-great-britian-for-bronze?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">hockey team</a> suffered a demoralising defeat to Belgium in the semifinals, the world no. 3 side will have to regroup quickly as they face&nbsp;Rio Games bronze-winner Germany in the match bronze medal playoff game on Thursday in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indians-in-action-on-day-14-august-5-list-and-full-schedule?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India had a defensive horror show against world champions Belgium as they succumbed to&nbsp;relentless pressure from the Red Lions, conceding a bulk of penalty corners throughout and losing 2-5 in the end. But come August 5, the men's hockey team will have its opportunity to secure their first Olympic medal in 41 years.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"ALSO READ | <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-women-look-to-create-hockey-history-against-mighty-argentina?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Tokyo Olympics: Indian women look to create hockey history against mighty Argentina</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's last of the eight Olympic golds came way back in 1980 Moscow Games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Belgians played to their strengths as their focus was merely on earning penalty corners, especially with the likes of tournament's highest goal-scorer Alexander Hendrickx, who scored a hat-trick, and Loick Lupaert in their ranks.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Their ploy worked to perfection as put under pressure, the Indians lost their defensive shape and conceded as many as 14 penalty corners in the match, eight in the final quarter, to lose a bright chance to secure an Olympic medal after 41 years.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Meanwhile, India will have to play to and utilise their strengths. The hockey team has an incredible lineup of drag-flickers&nbsp;in Rupinder Pal Singh, vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas, but they have been poor in converting their penalty corners.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Going by rankings, there is hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as India are currently on third place and Germany on fourth.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"ALSO READ | <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/diamantaire-promises-money-car-if-indian-women-win-olympic-hockey-medal?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Diamantaire promises money, car if Indian women win Olympic hockey medal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Having lost 1-3 against Australia in the semifinals here, the Germans would be determined to prove a point.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The onus now is on the Indian defence and talismanic goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will have to be on their toes to come out triumphant against the might of Germans.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/need-to-focus-on-winning-bronze-medal-indian-hockey-captain-manpreet-singh?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Manpreet Singh</a> has already said that he is in no mood to dwell on the semifinal result.&nbsp;\\\"At least we should win a bronze medal for the nation,\\\" he said earlier.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>The Indian men's hockey team will have to quickly regroup after semifinal loss</li>
 <li>They will ace&nbsp;Germany in the match bronze medal playoff game</li>
 <li>India's last of the eight Olympic golds came way back in 1980 Moscow Games</li>
</ul>

Indian men's hockey team hoping to secure first Olympic medal in 41 years

It was a reality check of sorts but the dream is not over yet, not in hockey at least. That quite summed up India's day 11 at the Olympic Games where there were disappointing results all across, the biggest one being the men's hockey team's 2-5 loss to world champion Belgium in the semifinals. In athletics, shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who holds the Asian record with a personal best of 21.49m, covered 19.99m in his only legitimate throw in the qualifiers. Similar was the fate of javelin thrower Annu Rani. She achieved a personal best of 63.24m only this year but at the biggest stage, all she could pull off was a poor 54.04m. She too failed to make the final cut. On the wrestling mat as well, debutant Sonam Malik (62kg), 19, crashed out following an opening round loss to Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhuu, an Asian silver-medallist.
The crushing part, she lost the bout from a position of strength.

{\"time\":1628012672200,\"strCount\":913,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"name\":\"intro\",\"text\":\"It was a reality check of sorts but the dream is not over yet, not in hockey at least. That quite summed up India's day 11 at the Olympic Games where there were disappointing results all across, the biggest one being the men's hockey team's 2-5 loss to world champion Belgium in the semifinals. In athletics, shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who holds the Asian record with a personal best of 21.49m, covered 19.99m in his only legitimate throw in the qualifiers. Similar was the fate of javelin thrower Annu Rani. She achieved a personal best of 63.24m only this year but at the biggest stage, all she could pull off was a poor 54.04m. She too failed to make the final cut. On the wrestling mat as well, debutant Sonam Malik (62kg), 19, crashed out following an opening round loss to Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhuu, an Asian silver-medallist.\\nThe crushing part, she lost the bout from a position of strength.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"60.9166667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_Kc5HeFlsA-Y.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"India's Tajinderpal Toor competes in qualifications for the men's shot put event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo on Tuesday.\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_Kc5HeFlsA-Y.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"00JZW7sQFw1s\",\"height\":2924,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"67.9375000\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_uepUHmzCjYJ.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran tries to clear the ball from the penalty box during men's field hockey semifinal match against Belgium, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo.\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_uepUHmzCjYJ.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"agAdr5fkR7Ge\",\"height\":3261,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"68.4980545\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_J-e3dCrhx_.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Xie Siyi of China competes in men's diving 3m springboard semifinal at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_J-e3dCrhx_.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"Ya2v5N4Bg8cT\",\"height\":4401,\"width\":6425,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.6821669\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_OPhpgfGP119.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Karsten Warholm, of Norway, reacts after winning the men's 400-meter hurdles final at the 2020 Summer Olympics.\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_OPhpgfGP119.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"F9YQaauuHnxK\",\"height\":2868,\"width\":4301,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"75.3333333\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_09hHK6i9g6wJ.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"India's Mandeep Singh celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Belgium during men's field hockey semifinal match, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo.\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_09hHK6i9g6wJ.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"uwCKJhjnON5F\",\"height\":3616,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_uK8zV_Ips.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Athing Mu, of United States celebrates winning the gold medal with Keely Hodgkinson, of Britain, silver, and Raevyn Rogers, of United States, bronze, after the final of the women's 800-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics.\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"QBGuJB1YJpN4\",\"height\":4312,\"width\":6600,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false,\"aspectRatio\":\"65.33333333\"}}]}

In pics: Highs and lows of Day 12 at Tokyo Olympics

Belgium

Shubham Banerjee

The Indian men’s <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey">hockey</a> team cannot afford
to contemplate their <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-mens-hockey-team-lose-2-5-to-belgium-in-semifinal">2-5 loss against Belgium</a> in the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Tokyo Olympics</a> semi-final on
Tuesday and has to focus on the upcoming bronze medal match on Thursday, skipper
<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/manpreetsingh">Manpreet Singh</a> and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said. ,The eight-time Olympic champions played
their first semi-final in 41 years earlier today and led the Belgians 2-1 in
the first quarter before the reigning world champions rallied back to snuff out
hopes of an unprecedented ninth Olympic gold for India.,Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/indian-wrestler-sonam-malik-loses-to-mongolias-bolortuya-khurelkhuu-crashes-out-of-the-tokyo-olympics">Tokyo Olympics: Wrestler Sonam Malik loses to Mongolia's Khurelkhuu in round 1</a>,“It is really hard for me right now because
we came with a winning mindset, but unfortunately we didn't win the match. Now
we need to focus on our next bronze-medal match and we need to work and we need
to get the medal,” PTI quoted Manpreet saying after the match.,The 29-year-old emphasised on the “great
honour” that was to reach the semis, but stressed on the importance of the next
match as the team aims to at least “win a bronze medal for the nation”. ,But he said that the work the team had put
in during the five years since the disappointing last-place finish at the 2016
Rio Olympics deserved a better outcome. ,Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-javelin-thrower-annu-rani-fails-to-qualify-for-final">Tokyo Olympics: Indian javelin thrower Annu Rani fails to qualify for final</a>,“It's always been hard work and togetherness.
This team has been together for the last four or five years. We have worked
really hard to be reaching this level. We deserve better, and unfortunately we
couldn't get it today.”,Meanwhile, 35-year-old former captain Sreejesh
agreed with his skipper and said the team’s focus should be on the next match,
against either Australia – against whom India lost 7-1 in the group stage – or Germany.
,“Disappointed, but you don't have time to
worry about that. You need to forget about that and think about the future. Now
we still have a chance to win a medal and that's more important for us than
crying at this time,” he said.,Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/was-blank-for-few-seconds-pv-sindhu-after-winning-2nd-olympic-medal">Was blank for few seconds: PV Sindhu after winning 2nd Olympic medal</a>,“It's more important for us to think about
the future, watch the match, think about where we lost, where we committed the
mistakes, rectify that, and move on.”,Giving credit where its due, Sreejesh
praised Belgium’s hattrick hero Alexander Hendrickx, the top-scorer of the
tournament so far. “He (Hendrickx) always scores at the right time. That gives
the team more confidence. I think the second goal was a bit my mistake, but
still, the way he flicks the ball it is always a bit tough for a goalkeeper.”,Defender Rupinder Pal Singh echoed similar
thoughts, saying there is still a lot to play for at the Tokyo Olympics, saying
a bronze medal will still be a big thing for the sport in India. ,“Of course, it's heartbreaking for us,
reaching the semifinal after 41 years and we were here to win a gold medal.
That was our aim, but we lost today. The great thing is we have a chance to
finish third in the next game so we will focus on that,” hje said.,Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/sjoerd-marijne-the-coach-behind-indian-women-hockey-teams-chak-de-moment">Sjoerd Marijne, the coach behind Indian women hockey team's 'Chak De' moment</a>,The 30-year-old said that the team’s hard work
and self-belief got India this far in the tournament, and that the team needs
to work hard for the next game. ,Meanwhile, Manpreet and Sreejesh are also rooting
for the women’s team, which has <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-womens-hockey-team-beats-australia-1-0-reaches-semifinal">reached the semi-final</a> for the first time in
its history. ,“They played an amazing game against
Australia. We wish them the best of luck for their semifinal (against)
Argentina. I hope they win,” Manpreet said. ,“Yesterday's match, upsetting Australia,
that was a tough call and I think the girls are tough enough to win a medal in
this tournament,” said Sreejesh.

{\"time\":1627981841924,\"strCount\":4563,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men’s <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/hockey/\\\">hockey</a> team cannot afford\\nto contemplate their <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-india-mens-hockey-team-lose-2-5-to-belgium-in-semifinal-639937/\\\">2-5 loss against Belgium</a> in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a> semi-final on\\nTuesday and has to focus on the upcoming bronze medal match on Thursday, skipper\\n<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/manpreetsingh/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a> and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The eight-time Olympic champions played\\ntheir first semi-final in 41 years earlier today and led the Belgians 2-1 in\\nthe first quarter before the reigning world champions rallied back to snuff out\\nhopes of an unprecedented ninth Olympic gold for India.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/indian-wrestler-sonam-malik-loses-to-mongolias-bolortuya-khurelkhuu-crashes-out-of-the-tokyo-olympics-491193/\\\">Tokyo Olympics: Wrestler Sonam Malik loses to Mongolia's Khurelkhuu in round 1</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“It is really hard for me right now because\\nwe came with a winning mindset, but unfortunately we didn't win the match. Now\\nwe need to focus on our next bronze-medal match and we need to work and we need\\nto get the medal,” PTI quoted Manpreet saying after the match.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 29-year-old emphasised on the “great\\nhonour” that was to reach the semis, but stressed on the importance of the next\\nmatch as the team aims to at least “win a bronze medal for the nation”. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"But he said that the work the team had put\\nin during the five years since the disappointing last-place finish at the 2016\\nRio Olympics deserved a better outcome. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indian-javelin-thrower-annu-rani-fails-to-qualify-for-final-209826/\\\">Tokyo Olympics: Indian javelin thrower Annu Rani fails to qualify for final</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“It's always been hard work and togetherness.\\nThis team has been together for the last four or five years. We have worked\\nreally hard to be reaching this level. We deserve better, and unfortunately we\\ncouldn't get it today.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Meanwhile, 35-year-old former captain Sreejesh\\nagreed with his skipper and said the team’s focus should be on the next match,\\nagainst either Australia – against whom India lost 7-1 in the group stage – or Germany.\\n\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Disappointed, but you don't have time to\\nworry about that. You need to forget about that and think about the future. Now\\nwe still have a chance to win a medal and that's more important for us than\\ncrying at this time,” he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/was-blank-for-few-seconds-pv-sindhu-after-winning-2nd-olympic-medal-204005/\\\">Was blank for few seconds: PV Sindhu after winning 2nd Olympic medal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“It's more important for us to think about\\nthe future, watch the match, think about where we lost, where we committed the\\nmistakes, rectify that, and move on.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Giving credit where its due, Sreejesh\\npraised Belgium’s hattrick hero Alexander Hendrickx, the top-scorer of the\\ntournament so far. “He (Hendrickx) always scores at the right time. That gives\\nthe team more confidence. I think the second goal was a bit my mistake, but\\nstill, the way he flicks the ball it is always a bit tough for a goalkeeper.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Defender Rupinder Pal Singh echoed similar\\nthoughts, saying there is still a lot to play for at the Tokyo Olympics, saying\\na bronze medal will still be a big thing for the sport in India. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Of course, it's heartbreaking for us,\\nreaching the semifinal after 41 years and we were here to win a gold medal.\\nThat was our aim, but we lost today. The great thing is we have a chance to\\nfinish third in the next game so we will focus on that,” hje said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/sjoerd-marijne-the-coach-behind-indian-women-hockey-teams-chak-de-moment-195609/\\\">Sjoerd Marijne, the coach behind Indian women hockey team's 'Chak De' moment</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 30-year-old said that the team’s hard work\\nand self-belief got India this far in the tournament, and that the team needs\\nto work hard for the next game. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Meanwhile, Manpreet and Sreejesh are also rooting\\nfor the women’s team, which has <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-india-womens-hockey-team-beats-australia-1-0-reaches-semifinal-264373/\\\">reached the semi-final</a> for the first time in\\nits history. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“They played an amazing game against\\nAustralia. We wish them the best of luck for their semifinal (against)\\nArgentina. I hope they win,” Manpreet said. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Yesterday's match, upsetting Australia,\\nthat was a tough call and I think the girls are tough enough to win a medal in\\nthis tournament,” said Sreejesh. \"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>India lost 2-5 against Belgium in the Tokyo Olympics men's field hockey semi-final on Tuesday</li>
 <li>Manpreet said it was "great honour" to play in the semis, but aims to at least win the bronze&nbsp;medal</li>
 <li>"We have worked really hard. We deserve better, and unfortunately we couldn't get it today," he said</li>
</ul>

Need to focus on winning bronze medal: Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh

The Indian men's hockey team crashed out of the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Tokyo Olympics</a> with a <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-mens-hockey-team-lose-2-5-to-belgium-in-semifinal">5-2 loss to Belgium on Tuesday</a>. With this loss, India's&nbsp;dream of winning Olympic gold in hockey after 41 years will remain unfulfilled. However, Manpreet Singh and company are still in the hunt for a bronze.,Alexander Hendrickx (19th, 49th, 53rd minutes), the tournament's highest goal getter, scored a hat-trick while Loick Luypaert (2nd minute) and John-John Dohmen (60th) also struck to hand the reigning silver-medallists their second successive entry into the final of the Olympics.,Also read:<a href="https://opoyi.com/the-coach-rejected-me-because-i-was-malnourished-rani-rampal-on-her-hockey-journey">&nbsp;Was rejected as I was malnourished: Rani Rampal on her hockey journey</a>,India's goals came from the sticks of Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Mandeep Singh (8th).,Who is Mandeep Singh?,Mandeep Singh hit a goal in the eighth minute of the game to give India the lead against Belgium. He beautifully received a Amit Rohidas cross from the right, turned over and found the back of the net with a fierce reverse hit past Vincent Vanasch in front of the Belgium goal.,Making his Olympic debut at Tokyo, forward Mandeep Singh has been India's mainstay attacker. The 26-year-old&nbsp; India’s second-highest goalscorer among the current lot with drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh ahead of him.&nbsp;,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/indian-wrestler-sonam-malik-loses-to-mongolias-bolortuya-khurelkhuu-crashes-out-of-the-tokyo-olympics">Tokyo Olympics: Wrestler Sonam Malik loses to Mongolia's Khurelkhuu in round 1</a>,Singh is a&nbsp;world champion at the junior level and has won medals in many competitions with the senior team. Despite playing at the Olympic Games for the first time, he was one of the senior players in the side. Only four members of India’s squad at Tokyo have more caps than the forward,“Even though it’s my first Olympics, I’m one of the experienced players so I have a lot of responsibility,” Mandeep told Scroll.in ahead of the Olympics.&nbsp;,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/from-reel-to-real-srk-asks-womens-hockey-team-to-bring-some-gold">From reel to real: SRK asks women's hockey team to 'bring some gold'</a>,“I realise that this is not just about me and I will have to help other young players along the way. We have to work as a team to be successful in Tokyo,” he added.,The Punjab striker has scored 82 goals for India.&nbsp;

{\"time\":1627964087547,\"strCount\":2645,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men's hockey team crashed out of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a> with a <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-india-mens-hockey-team-lose-2-5-to-belgium-in-semifinal-639937/\\\">5-2 loss to Belgium on Tuesday</a>. With this loss, India's&nbsp;dream of winning Olympic gold in hockey after 41 years will remain unfulfilled. However, Manpreet Singh and company are still in the hunt for a bronze.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Alexander Hendrickx (19th, 49th, 53rd minutes), the tournament's highest goal getter, scored a hat-trick while Loick Luypaert (2nd minute) and John-John Dohmen (60th) also struck to hand the reigning silver-medallists their second successive entry into the final of the Olympics.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/the-coach-rejected-me-because-i-was-malnourished-rani-rampal-on-her-hockey-journey-113099/\\\">&nbsp;Was rejected as I was malnourished: Rani Rampal on her hockey journey</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's goals came from the sticks of Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Mandeep Singh (8th).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Who is Mandeep Singh?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mandeep Singh hit a goal in the eighth minute of the game to give India the lead against Belgium. He beautifully received a Amit Rohidas cross from the right, turned over and found the back of the net with a fierce reverse hit past Vincent Vanasch in front of the Belgium goal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Making his Olympic debut at Tokyo, forward Mandeep Singh has been India's mainstay attacker. The 26-year-old&nbsp; India’s second-highest goalscorer among the current lot with drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh ahead of him.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/indian-wrestler-sonam-malik-loses-to-mongolias-bolortuya-khurelkhuu-crashes-out-of-the-tokyo-olympics-491193/\\\">Tokyo Olympics: Wrestler Sonam Malik loses to Mongolia's Khurelkhuu in round 1</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Singh is a&nbsp;world champion at the junior level and has won medals in many competitions with the senior team. Despite playing at the Olympic Games for the first time, he was one of the senior players in the side. Only four members of India’s squad at Tokyo have more caps than the forward\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“Even though it’s my first Olympics, I’m one of the experienced players so I have a lot of responsibility,” Mandeep told Scroll.in ahead of the Olympics.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/entertainment/from-reel-to-real-srk-asks-womens-hockey-team-to-bring-some-gold-392738/\\\">From reel to real: SRK asks women's hockey team to 'bring some gold'</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“I realise that this is not just about me and I will have to help other young players along the way. We have to work as a team to be successful in Tokyo,” he added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Punjab striker has scored 82 goals for India.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Mandeep Singh made his Olympic debut at Tokyo</li>
 <li>He has scored 82 goals for India</li>
 <li>India lost to Belgium 5-2 in the TOkyo Olympics semi-final</li>
</ul>

Who is Mandeep Singh?

People

Handling the immense burden of expectations would perhaps be the key when the Indian men's hockey team takes on world champion Belgium, aiming to secure a place in the Olympic finals and with it, a medal for the first time in 41 years on Tuesday. With 11 Olympic medals, eight of them gold, in its kitty, India has a rich history in the Games and the Manpreet Singh-led side seems on course to resurrect that glorious past. Also read: Tokyo Olympics: Indians in the fray on Day 12, The Indians achieved the semifinal slot by beating Great Britain 3-1 in the quarterfinals on Sunday, and are now in touching distance of a medal. India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games but there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event. For a country that gave the world stalwarts like Major Dhyan Chand and Balbir Singh Senior among others, it has been especially painful to watch the hockey teams' Olympic debacles before this edition. Also read: Was rejected as I was malnourished: Rani Rampal on her hockey journey, The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan. The Graham Reid-coached current side knows very well that another good outing against Belgium on Tuesday would etch its name in the history books in golden words no matter the colour of the medal. The Indians are on a four-match winning streak after the 1-7 drubbing against Australia in their second pool match and come Tuesday, Manpreet and his teammates would look to continue the momentum. But it would be easier said than done as in Belgium, India face a tough opponent, which has improved leaps and bounds in the last few years. Also read: From reel to real: SRK asks women's hockey team to 'bring some gold', Besides being current world champions and world no.1 side, Belgium are also the reigning European champions. Going by rankings, however, there is hardly anything to separate between the two sides as India are currently ranked third in the world. The recent head-to-head record also favours India. India and the Red Lions played each other three times in 2019 during their tour of the European nation and the Asian side came out victorious in all the matches. India defeated Belgium 2-0, 3-1 and 5-1 in the three games during that tour. In the most recent outing in March this year, India beat Belgium 3-2 during their Europe tour. In fact, in their last five matches against Belgium, the Indians have registered four wins. Also read: Magical: ‘Chak De! India’ actor Shilpa Shukla on women's hockey win in Tokyo, However, the last time both the sides met each other in the Olympics, Belgium came out 3-1 winners in Rio. While India finished second in Pool A behind Australia, Belgium were Pool B toppers with four wins and a draw. Despite having an upperhand over Belgium in their recent ties, come Tuesday the Indians would need to be at the top of their games to edge past the Red Lions, who looked to be on song here. India captain Manpreet Singh has already cautioned his teammates after the quarterfinal win, saying the business hasn't finished yet. We are so happy because after a long time we are reaching a semifinal. Still, the business hasn't finished yet, he had said. Still we have two more games so we need to focus, we need to have our feet on the ground and we need to focus on the next match. Before departing for the Games, coach Reid had spoken about mental resilience being the key here in an interview to PTI and that would definitely be now tested more than ever. To get to the pinnacle of sport you have to go through a hell lot of things and that's what at the end of the day mental resilience is about. Mental resilience is to get back up after someone knocks you down, he had said. And truer words haven't been said.

{\"time\":1627953691942,\"strCount\":4650,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Handling the immense burden of expectations would perhaps be the key when the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/\\\">Indian men's hockey team</a> takes on world champion <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/belgium/\\\">Belgium</a>, aiming to secure a place in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">Olympic </a>finals and with it, a medal for the first time in 41 years on Tuesday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With 11 Olympic medals, eight of them gold, in its kitty, India has a rich history in the Games and the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/manpreetsingh/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a>-led side seems on course to resurrect that glorious past.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indians-in-the-fray-on-day-12-387093/\\\">Tokyo Olympics: Indians in the fray on Day 12</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The Indians achieved the semifinal slot by beating <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indian-mens-hockey-team-beats-great-britain-enters-semi-finals-352648/\\\">Great Britain 3-1 in the quarterfinals</a> on Sunday, and are now in touching distance of a medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games but there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" For a country that gave the world stalwarts like Major Dhyan Chand and Balbir Singh Senior among others, it has been especially painful to watch the hockey teams' Olympic debacles before this edition.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/the-coach-rejected-me-because-i-was-malnourished-rani-rampal-on-her-hockey-journey-113099/\\\">&nbsp;Was rejected as I was malnourished: Rani Rampal on her hockey journey</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The Graham Reid-coached current side knows very well that another good outing against Belgium on Tuesday would etch its name in the history books in golden words no matter the colour of the medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The Indians are on a four-match winning streak after the 1-7 drubbing against Australia in their second pool match and come Tuesday, Manpreet and his teammates would look to continue the momentum.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" But it would be easier said than done as in Belgium, India face a tough opponent, which has improved leaps and bounds in the last few years.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/entertainment/from-reel-to-real-srk-asks-womens-hockey-team-to-bring-some-gold-392738/\\\">From reel to real: SRK asks women's hockey team to 'bring some gold'</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Besides being current world champions and world no.1 side, Belgium are also the reigning European champions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Going by rankings, however, there is hardly anything to separate between the two sides as India are currently ranked third in the world.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" The recent head-to-head record also favours India.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" India and the Red Lions played each other three times in 2019 during their tour of the European nation and the Asian side came out victorious in all the matches.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" India defeated Belgium 2-0, 3-1 and 5-1 in the three games during that tour.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" In the most recent outing in March this year, India beat Belgium 3-2 during their Europe tour.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" In fact, in their last five matches against Belgium, the Indians have registered four wins.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/entertainment/magical-chak-de-india-actor-shilpa-shukla-on-womens-hockey-win-at-tokyo-olympics-569613/\\\">Magical: ‘Chak De! India’ actor Shilpa Shukla on women's hockey win in Tokyo</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" However, the last time both the sides met each other in the Olympics, Belgium came out 3-1 winners in Rio.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" While India finished second in Pool A behind Australia, Belgium were Pool B toppers with four wins and a draw.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Despite having an upperhand over Belgium in their recent ties, come Tuesday the Indians would need to be at the top of their games to edge past the Red Lions, who looked to be on song here.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" India captain Manpreet Singh has already cautioned his teammates after the quarterfinal win, saying the \\\"business hasn't finished yet.\\\" \\t \\\"We are so happy because after a long time we are reaching a semifinal. Still, the business hasn't finished yet,\\\" he had said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" \\\"Still we have two more games so we need to focus, we need to have our feet on the ground and we need to focus on the next match.\\\" \\t Before departing for the Games, coach Reid had spoken about mental resilience being the key here in an interview to PTI and that would definitely be now tested more than ever.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" \\\"To get to the pinnacle of sport you have to go through a hell lot of things and that's what at the end of the day mental resilience is about. Mental resilience is to get back up after someone knocks you down,\\\" he had said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" And truer words haven't been said. \"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>India defeated Great Britain 3-1 in the quarterfinals</li>
 <li>India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games</li>
 <li>The Indians are on a four-match winning streak after the 1-7 drubbing against Australia</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Men's hockey team eyes end to medal drought vs Belgium

The Indian men's hockey team, on Sunday, defeated Great Britain 3-1 in a quarterfinal match to qualify for the semifinals of the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Olympics Games</a> after 49 years.&nbsp;,India scored three field goals through Dilpreet Singh (7th minute), Gurjant Singh (16th) and Hardik Singh (57th) to seal the win for the eight-time Olympic champions.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/8-facts-about-indias-legendary-badminton-player-pv-sindhu">Lesser-known facts about India’s legendary badminton player PV Sindhu</a>,The lone goal for Great Britain was scored by Sam Ward in the 45th minute.,Even though India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games, there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event.,The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan.,India will take on world champions Belgium in the semifinal on Tuesday.,ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/dream-run-indian-womens-hockey-teams-tokyo-olympics-2020-journey">Dream run: Indian women's hockey team's Tokyo Olympics 2020 journey</a>,Belgium defeated Spain 3-1 in another quarterfinal to seal their place in the last four round.,The other semifinal of the men's hockey competition will be played between Australia and Germany.,Meanwhile, Indian shuttler<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-pv-sindhu"> PV Sindhu</a> won a bronze medal in the women's singles event. The 26-year-old became the <a href="https://opoyi.com/shuttler-pv-sindhu-becomes-first-indian-woman-to-win-two-olympic-medals">first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals</a>. Sindhu&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-2020-indian-shuttler-pv-sindhu-beats-chinas-he-bingjiao-wins-bronze">defeated eighth seed Bing Jiao 21-13 21-15&nbsp;</a>to add a bronze to her silver that she had secured at the 2016 Rio Games.&nbsp;&nbsp;,<a href="https://opoyi.com/pv-sindhu-wins-bronze-pm-modi-leads-india-in-wishing-the-champion">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Sindhu</a>. "We are all elated by the stellar performance by @Pvsindhu1. Congratulations to her on winning the Bronze at @Tokyo2020. She is India’s pride and one of our most outstanding Olympians," he wrote.&nbsp;,Indian women's hockey team had also qualified for the quarter-finals on Saturday.&nbsp;

{\"time\":1627826761124,\"strCount\":2446,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men's hockey team, on Sunday, defeated Great Britain 3-1 in a quarterfinal match to qualify for the semifinals of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Olympics Games</a> after 49 years.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India scored three field goals through Dilpreet Singh (7th minute), Gurjant Singh (16th) and Hardik Singh (57th) to seal the win for the eight-time Olympic champions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/8-facts-about-indias-legendary-badminton-player-pv-sindhu-456154/\\\">Lesser-known facts about India’s legendary badminton player PV Sindhu</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The lone goal for Great Britain was scored by Sam Ward in the 45th minute.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Even though India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games, there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India will take on world champions Belgium in the semifinal on Tuesday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/dream-run-indian-womens-hockey-teams-tokyo-olympics-2020-journey-650885/\\\">Dream run: Indian women's hockey team's Tokyo Olympics 2020 journey</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Belgium defeated Spain 3-1 in another quarterfinal to seal their place in the last four round.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The other semifinal of the men's hockey competition will be played between Australia and Germany.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Meanwhile, Indian shuttler<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-pv-sindhu-104887/\\\"> PV Sindhu</a> won a bronze medal in the women's singles event. The 26-year-old became the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/shuttler-pv-sindhu-becomes-first-indian-woman-to-win-two-olympic-medals-622038/\\\">first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals</a>. Sindhu&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-indian-shuttler-pv-sindhu-beats-chinas-he-bingjiao-wins-bronze-238284/\\\">defeated eighth seed Bing Jiao 21-13 21-15&nbsp;</a>to add a bronze to her silver that she had secured at the 2016 Rio Games.&nbsp;&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/pv-sindhu-wins-bronze-pm-modi-leads-india-in-wishing-the-champion-149289/\\\">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Sindhu</a>. \\\"We are all elated by the stellar performance by @Pvsindhu1. Congratulations to her on winning the Bronze at @Tokyo2020. She is India’s pride and one of our most outstanding Olympians,\\\" he wrote.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian women's hockey team had also qualified for the quarter-finals on Saturday.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>India defeated Great Britain 3-1</li>
 <li>Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh and Hardik Singh scored for India</li>
 <li>India will take on world champions Belgium in the semifinal</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Indian men's hockey team beats G Britain, enters semi-finals

Manpreet Singh and company advanced to the quarterfinal of the Tokyo Olympics with a 3-1 win over defending champions Argentina in their&nbsp;penultimate pool match on Thursday. India will play hosts Japan in their last pool game on Friday.&nbsp;,Goals from&nbsp;Varun Kumar (43rd), Vivek Sagar Prasad (58th) and Harmanpreet Singh (59th) sealed the game for India.&nbsp;Argentina's lone goal came from a penalty corner conversion by Schuth Casella in the 48th minute.,The match, after goalless first two quarters, entered the last 15 minutes with India leading 2-1. While the Argentine pressed hard in the final few minutes, it was&nbsp;Harmanpreet Singh's goal just before the final whistle that confirmed India's win.&nbsp;,By virtue of this win, India have consolidated their position in the second spot of Pool A with three wins and one loss out of four games, behind Australia.,Argentina are struggling at the fifth spot in the six-team pool and need to beat New Zealand in their final preliminary match on Friday to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.,The top-four make the last-eight stage from each group.

{\"time\":1627526270781,\"strCount\":1120,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Manpreet Singh and company advanced to the quarterfinal of the Tokyo Olympics with a 3-1 win over defending champions Argentina in their&nbsp;penultimate pool match on Thursday. India will play hosts Japan in their last pool game on Friday.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Goals from&nbsp;Varun Kumar (43rd), Vivek Sagar Prasad (58th) and Harmanpreet Singh (59th) sealed the game for India.&nbsp;Argentina's lone goal came from a penalty corner conversion by Schuth Casella in the 48th minute.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The match, after goalless first two quarters, entered the last 15 minutes with India leading 2-1. While the Argentine pressed hard in the final few minutes, it was&nbsp;Harmanpreet Singh's goal just before the final whistle that confirmed India's win.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"By virtue of this win, India have consolidated their position in the second spot of Pool A with three wins and one loss out of four games, behind Australia.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Argentina are struggling at the fifth spot in the six-team pool and need to beat New Zealand in their final preliminary match on Friday to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The top-four make the last-eight stage from each group.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>Varun Kumar, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Harmanpreet Singh scored for India</li>
 <li>Schuth Casella scored the lone goal for Argentina</li>
 <li>India will play hosts Japan in their last pool game on Friday.</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Indian hockey team pips Argentina 3-1, enters quarters

<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey">India beat Spain</a> 3-0 in the men's hockey Pool A match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, on Tuesday. This victory comes after a huge 1-7 defeat at the hands of <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/australia">World No 1 Australia</a> in their second Pool A match.,India's Simranjeet Singh opened the scoring for India with a help of a beautifully crafted field goal in the 14th minute of the game.,His goal was followed by <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey">Rupinder Pal Singh</a>'s goal to give hosts a quick lead in their Pool A match. At half-time India enjoyed a healthy 2-0 lead against Spain and looked in solid form to win the match.,However, Spain kept on drilling but failed to penetrate the wall-like Indian defence. And at times when the wall was breached, the mighty <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey">PR Sreejesh</a> kept the Spaniards at bay.,India's lead was tripled by another Rupinder Pal Singh goal as Spain struggled to put one inside the Indian goal.,By virtue of this win, India recorded their second win out of their 3rd Pool A match.,Despite the win, India's chief coach Graham Reid said the team needs to work upon a lot of grey areas, like conceding penalty corners, ahead of their remaining matches.,"Better result today, but a lot of things to work on from an improvement perspective. The fact that we gave too many corners, that's always a concern when that happens. But the team did really well in terms of defending," he said.,"The first quarter was played very well, we could move the ball really well and it was exactly what we planned to do. We struggled a bit in the second and third quarters," the coach added.,Sreejesh said he is experienced enough to make a comeback after a forgettable outing against Australia the other day.,He also lauded the Indian defence, which withstood the tremendous pressure put up by the Spaniards.,"Goalkeepers are there to take pressure. I think, when you are experienced enough you will be able to manage the pressure and control the team," he said.,"Against Australia it was very bad for the defence, but today they did a wonderful job. They did their job in the proper way and we came out with a clean sheet so that's most important.,"...if you can forget the past match and bounce back to play a better game, that's most important for a game like that at the Olympic Games.",India had earlier defeated New Zealand 3-2 in their opening fixture on Saturday. And had lost the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey">previous match 1-7 against Australia</a>.,India face Argentina in their next Pool A match.

{\"time\":1627361355818,\"strCount\":2620,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey\\\">India beat Spain</a> 3-0 in the men's hockey Pool A match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, on Tuesday. This victory comes after a huge 1-7 defeat at the hands of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/australia\\\">World No 1 Australia</a> in their second Pool A match.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's Simranjeet Singh opened the scoring for India with a help of a beautifully crafted field goal in the 14th minute of the game.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"His goal was followed by <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey\\\">Rupinder Pal Singh</a>'s goal to give hosts a quick lead in their Pool A match. At half-time India enjoyed a healthy 2-0 lead against Spain and looked in solid form to win the match.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, Spain kept on drilling but failed to penetrate the wall-like Indian defence. And at times when the wall was breached, the mighty <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey\\\">PR Sreejesh</a> kept the Spaniards at bay.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's lead was tripled by another Rupinder Pal Singh goal as Spain struggled to put one inside the Indian goal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"By virtue of this win, India recorded their second win out of their 3rd Pool A match.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Despite the win, India's chief coach Graham Reid said the team needs to work upon a lot of grey areas, like conceding penalty corners, ahead of their remaining matches.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Better result today, but a lot of things to work on from an improvement perspective. The fact that we gave too many corners, that's always a concern when that happens. But the team did really well in terms of defending,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The first quarter was played very well, we could move the ball really well and it was exactly what we planned to do. We struggled a bit in the second and third quarters,\\\" the coach added.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sreejesh said he is experienced enough to make a comeback after a forgettable outing against Australia the other day.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He also lauded the Indian defence, which withstood the tremendous pressure put up by the Spaniards.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Goalkeepers are there to take pressure. I think, when you are experienced enough you will be able to manage the pressure and control the team,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Against Australia it was very bad for the defence, but today they did a wonderful job. They did their job in the proper way and we came out with a clean sheet so that's most important.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"...if you can forget the past match and bounce back to play a better game, that's most important for a game like that at the Olympic Games.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India had earlier defeated New Zealand 3-2 in their opening fixture on Saturday. And had lost the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey\\\">previous match 1-7 against Australia</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India face Argentina in their next Pool A match.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>For India, Rupinder Pal Singh scored in the 15th and 51st minutes of the game</li>
 <li>Simranjeet Singh scored a brilliant field goal for India to give them a 1-0 lead</li>
 <li>India won 2 of their three Pool A matches</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: India beat Spain 3-0 in men's hockey Pool A match

The Indian men's <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/hockey">hockey </a>team lost to Australia 1-7&nbsp; in a Pool A game&nbsp;of the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Tokyo Olympics</a> on Sunday.&nbsp;India's lone goal came from the sticks of Dilpreet Singh in the 34th minute as the&nbsp;Kookaburras simply toyed with the defence and kept scoring comfortably.&nbsp;For India, it was their biggest loss since Australian Graham Reid took charge of the team as coach in April 2019.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/japans-judo-siblings-create-history-win-gold-at-tokyo-olympics-on-same-day">Japan's judo siblings create history, win gold at Tokyo Olympics on same day</a>,Australia looked dominant from the onset and scored through Daniel Beale (10th minute), Joshua Beltz (26th), Andrew Flynn Ogilvie (23rd), Jeremy Hayward (21st), Blake Govers (40th, 42nd) and Tim Brand (51st) to post their second consecutive win at the Games.,In the first quarter, the Indians put up a semblance of fight but in the next 15 minutes, it was all Kookaburras, pumping goals at will.,Also read:&nbsp;'<a href="https://opoyi.com/age-is-just-a-number-mary-kom-starts-olympics-campaign-with-win">Age is just a number': Mary Kom starts Olympics campaign with win</a>,However, it was India who had the first chance at the goal, earning a penalty corner in the eighth minute, but Harmanpreet Singh failed to execute from the set-piece. Two minutes later, Australia surged ahead when Beale deflected in Jacob Whetton's strike after a poor penalty corner execution.,A minute later, Dilpreet missed a golden chance from close range to level the scores.,India custodian PR Sreejesh then made a double save to keep the Australians at bay.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/dominos-to-treat-weightlifting-champion-mirabai-chanu-to-a-lifetime-of-pizzas">Mirabai Chanu to get free pizzas for life...guess from whom?</a>,India were unlucky not to have equalised just seconds from the first quarter when Rupinder Pal Singh's low flick from their second penalty corner was brilliantly saved at the goalline by Andrew Flynn Ogilvie.,But the second quarter completely belonged to Australia as they scored three goals in a span of five minutes to take the game away from their opponents.,First Hayward found the net from Australia's third penalty corner and then Ogilivie slammed home from top right corner of the circle with a fierce hit past Sreejesh in front of the Indian goal.,If that was not enough, Beltz added to India's misery with a fourth goal, four minutes before half time with a reverse hit.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/did-a-circuit-malfunction-cost-manu-bhaker-an-olympic-medal">Did a 'circuit malfunction' cost Manu Bhaker an Olympic medal?</a>,The Indians showed some spark after the change of ends and attacked the Australian goal in numbers. In the process they secured three back-to-back penalty corners but wasted all of them.,Four minutes into the third quarter, Dilpreet infused some life into the game by pulling one back for India, beautifully deflecting in Rupinder's defence splitting pass from the mid-field.,India wasted another penalty corner in the 40th minute when Mandeep Singh failed to deflect in Amit Rohidas' lay-off.,But that was all India could manage as Australia slowly tightened their defence and withstood the pressure.,Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-boxer-manish-kaushik-ousted-after-loss-in-mens-lightweight-round-of-32">Tokyo Olympics: Boxer Manish Kaushik ousted after loss in round of 32</a>,The Kookaburras managed to turn the tide and scored three more goals to hand India a humiliating loss.,Govers scored two goals in quick succession -- first from the spot and then from a penalty corner -- before Tim Brand rounded off the tally by finding the net from a tight angle nine minutes from the hooter.,The Manpreet Singh-led side will next play Spain on Tuesday.

{\"time\":1627216482582,\"strCount\":3983,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men's <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/hockey/\\\">hockey </a>team lost to Australia 1-7&nbsp; in a Pool A game&nbsp;of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a> on Sunday.&nbsp;India's lone goal came from the sticks of Dilpreet Singh in the 34th minute as the&nbsp;Kookaburras simply toyed with the defence and kept scoring comfortably.&nbsp;For India, it was their biggest loss since Australian Graham Reid took charge of the team as coach in April 2019.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/japans-judo-siblings-create-history-win-gold-at-tokyo-olympics-on-same-day-127118/\\\">Japan's judo siblings create history, win gold at Tokyo Olympics on same day</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Australia looked dominant from the onset and scored through Daniel Beale (10th minute), Joshua Beltz (26th), Andrew Flynn Ogilvie (23rd), Jeremy Hayward (21st), Blake Govers (40th, 42nd) and Tim Brand (51st) to post their second consecutive win at the Games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the first quarter, the Indians put up a semblance of fight but in the next 15 minutes, it was all Kookaburras, pumping goals at will.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;'<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/age-is-just-a-number-mary-kom-starts-olympics-campaign-with-win-476597/\\\">Age is just a number': Mary Kom starts Olympics campaign with win</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, it was India who had the first chance at the goal, earning a penalty corner in the eighth minute, but Harmanpreet Singh failed to execute from the set-piece. Two minutes later, Australia surged ahead when Beale deflected in Jacob Whetton's strike after a poor penalty corner execution.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A minute later, Dilpreet missed a golden chance from close range to level the scores.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India custodian PR Sreejesh then made a double save to keep the Australians at bay.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/dominos-to-treat-weightlifting-champion-mirabai-chanu-to-a-lifetime-of-pizzas-290969/\\\">Mirabai Chanu to get free pizzas for life...guess from whom?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India were unlucky not to have equalised just seconds from the first quarter when Rupinder Pal Singh's low flick from their second penalty corner was brilliantly saved at the goalline by Andrew Flynn Ogilvie.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"But the second quarter completely belonged to Australia as they scored three goals in a span of five minutes to take the game away from their opponents.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"First Hayward found the net from Australia's third penalty corner and then Ogilivie slammed home from top right corner of the circle with a fierce hit past Sreejesh in front of the Indian goal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"If that was not enough, Beltz added to India's misery with a fourth goal, four minutes before half time with a reverse hit.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/did-a-circuit-malfunction-cost-manu-bhaker-an-olympic-medal-145271/\\\">Did a 'circuit malfunction' cost Manu Bhaker an Olympic medal?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indians showed some spark after the change of ends and attacked the Australian goal in numbers. In the process they secured three back-to-back penalty corners but wasted all of them.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Four minutes into the third quarter, Dilpreet infused some life into the game by pulling one back for India, beautifully deflecting in Rupinder's defence splitting pass from the mid-field.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India wasted another penalty corner in the 40th minute when Mandeep Singh failed to deflect in Amit Rohidas' lay-off.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"But that was all India could manage as Australia slowly tightened their defence and withstood the pressure.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-boxer-manish-kaushik-ousted-after-loss-in-mens-lightweight-round-of-32-164297/\\\">Tokyo Olympics: Boxer Manish Kaushik ousted after loss in round of 32</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Kookaburras managed to turn the tide and scored three more goals to hand India a humiliating loss.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Govers scored two goals in quick succession -- first from the spot and then from a penalty corner -- before Tim Brand rounded off the tally by finding the net from a tight angle nine minutes from the hooter.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Manpreet Singh-led side will next play Spain on Tuesday.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>India's lone goal came from the sticks of Dilpreet Singh in the 34th minute</li>
 <li>Daniel Beale, Joshua Beltz. &nbsp;Andrew Flynn Ogilvie and Jeremy Hayward registered goals for Australia</li>
 <li>The Manpreet Singh-led side will next play Spain on Tuesday</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Australia thrash India 7-1 in men's hockey

India's biggest Olympics contingent led by Hockey captain <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/manpreetsingh">Manpreet Singh</a> and boxer <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/marykom">Mary Kom</a> walked the Parade of Nations at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-2020-begins-with-watered-down-opening-ceremony">opening ceremony</a> of the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Tokyo Olympics 2020</a>.,The Olympics opened with a toned-down ceremony showcasing Japan's rich culture and heritage while reflecting the sombre mood of a world ravaged by an unrelenting pandemic.,Also Read |<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-2020-key-arrangements-amid-covid-19-pandemic">Tokyo Olympics 2020: Key arrangements amid COVID-19 pandemic</a>,Twenty-five members of the Indian contingent attend at the opening ceremony, including athletes and officials. The total strength of the team is 228, out of which 119 are athletes.&nbsp;,Watch:,Local spectators&nbsp;were not allowed entry due to the ban on crowds, even as visitors, including athletes and dignitaries, from across the world participated in the opening ceremony. Fewer athletes across contingents took part in the ceremony, some to stay focussed on their events on Saturday, a lot others out of the fear of catching the infection that has already found its way into the Games village.,Also Read |<a href="https://opoyi.com/what-are-the-dos-and-donts-for-athletes-at-the-tokyo-olympics">What are the dos and don'ts for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics?</a>,International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, without whose steely resolve and stubbornness the Tokyo Games wouldn't have seen the light of the day, acknowledged that it will be different from the ones in the past.,Even as the opening ceremony took place, protestors gathered outside the stadium and made their voices heard, forcing the police to act.,Although there were no spectators, there were fireworks and music, from famous Japanese video games, to which each of the competing nations walked in, led by Greece, home of the Ancient Olympic Games, with host nation Japan entering the stadium last.,Also Read |<a href="https://opoyi.com/usain-bolts-dash-to-michael-phelps-tally-5-olympic-records-that-may-never-be-broken">Bolt’s dash to Phelps’ tally: 5 Olympic records that may never be broken</a>,The show began with a video of geometric shapes drawn on a blackboard in chalk. A hand-drawn animation set them into motion, and the shapes gradually turned into the National Stadium.,In the field of play, a lone female athlete stood at its centre, her hand placed on the ground while feeling the presence of the seed. As she slowly stood, her shadow stretched out in the shape of a seedling.,With the Games being held in the wake of an unprecedented health crisis that tested the world, the strength of the athletes is portrayed in a video that counts down the final moments until the start of the ceremony.,Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/explained-what-happens-if-athletes-test-covid-positive-at-tokyo-olympics">Explained: What happens if athletes test COVID positive at Tokyo Olympics</a>,The final second of the countdown was a bird's-eye view of the National Stadium, which resembled a zero when seen from above.,When the countdown hit zero, a fireworks display began that lasted for approximately 20 seconds, the colours of which were indigo and white -- the colours of the Tokyo 2020 emblem -- and shaped like a fan, which is an auspicious symbol in Japanese culture.,The two big screens inside the stadium outlined the COVID-19 countermeasures which have been implemented to ensure the Games goes ahead without any hiccups.,There was a lot of focus on unity in diversity, peace and solidarity during the ceremony, with the message 'you may be apart, but not alone', to the athletes who have for long trained in isolation because of the fear of contracting the COVID virus.,In the second segment, the protagonist was a lone female athlete, training in the darkness, running silently on a treadmill, paying a tribute to the many solitary athletes training all over the world.,The Japanese flag was carried out by eight children, four eminent athletes of the country, a person with an impairment and health care professionals in recognition of their relentless service during the pandemic.,The theme of the ceremony was unitedly moving forward despite the challenges thrown at the world.,With a moment of silence, the ceremony then remembered all the people who lost their lives during the pandemic, members of the Israeli delegation killed during the 1972 Munich Games massacre, the 2011 earthquake, Tsunami and the nuclear disaster.,Members of the Japanese self defense forces raised the national flag on the Protocol Stage as the national anthem 'Kimi Ga Yo' played in the background.,The country's famous singer Misia sang the national anthem.

{\"time\":1627043998027,\"strCount\":4934,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's biggest Olympics contingent led by Hockey captain <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/manpreetsingh/\\\">Manpreet Singh</a> and boxer <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/marykom/\\\">Mary Kom</a> walked the Parade of Nations at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-begins-with-watered-down-opening-ceremony-411822/\\\">opening ceremony</a> of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Tokyo Olympics 2020</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Olympics opened with a toned-down ceremony showcasing Japan's rich culture and heritage while reflecting the sombre mood of a world ravaged by an unrelenting pandemic.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-key-arrangements-amid-covid-19-pandemic-619337/\\\">Tokyo Olympics 2020: Key arrangements amid COVID-19 pandemic</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Twenty-five members of the Indian contingent attend at the opening ceremony, including athletes and officials. The total strength of the team is 228, out of which 119 are athletes.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Watch:\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1418541718316539908\",\"embed\":\"ANI/status/1418541718316539908\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Local spectators&nbsp;were not allowed entry due to the ban on crowds, even as visitors, including athletes and dignitaries, from across the world participated in the opening ceremony. Fewer athletes across contingents took part in the ceremony, some to stay focussed on their events on Saturday, a lot others out of the fear of catching the infection that has already found its way into the Games village.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/what-are-the-dos-and-donts-for-athletes-at-the-tokyo-olympics-142609/\\\">What are the dos and don'ts for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, without whose steely resolve and stubbornness the Tokyo Games wouldn't have seen the light of the day, acknowledged that it will be different from the ones in the past.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Even as the opening ceremony took place, protestors gathered outside the stadium and made their voices heard, forcing the police to act.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Although there were no spectators, there were fireworks and music, from famous Japanese video games, to which each of the competing nations walked in, led by Greece, home of the Ancient Olympic Games, with host nation Japan entering the stadium last.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/usain-bolts-dash-to-michael-phelps-tally-5-olympic-records-that-may-never-be-broken-282337/\\\">Bolt’s dash to Phelps’ tally: 5 Olympic records that may never be broken</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The show began with a video of geometric shapes drawn on a blackboard in chalk. A hand-drawn animation set them into motion, and the shapes gradually turned into the National Stadium.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the field of play, a lone female athlete stood at its centre, her hand placed on the ground while feeling the presence of the seed. As she slowly stood, her shadow stretched out in the shape of a seedling.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With the Games being held in the wake of an unprecedented health crisis that tested the world, the strength of the athletes is portrayed in a video that counts down the final moments until the start of the ceremony.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/explained-what-happens-if-athletes-test-covid-positive-at-tokyo-olympics-444162/\\\">Explained: What happens if athletes test COVID positive at Tokyo Olympics</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The final second of the countdown was a bird's-eye view of the National Stadium, which resembled a zero when seen from above.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"When the countdown hit zero, a fireworks display began that lasted for approximately 20 seconds, the colours of which were indigo and white -- the colours of the Tokyo 2020 emblem -- and shaped like a fan, which is an auspicious symbol in Japanese culture.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The two big screens inside the stadium outlined the COVID-19 countermeasures which have been implemented to ensure the Games goes ahead without any hiccups.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"There was a lot of focus on unity in diversity, peace and solidarity during the ceremony, with the message 'you may be apart, but not alone', to the athletes who have for long trained in isolation because of the fear of contracting the COVID virus.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the second segment, the protagonist was a lone female athlete, training in the darkness, running silently on a treadmill, paying a tribute to the many solitary athletes training all over the world.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Japanese flag was carried out by eight children, four eminent athletes of the country, a person with an impairment and health care professionals in recognition of their relentless service during the pandemic.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The theme of the ceremony was unitedly moving forward despite the challenges thrown at the world.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With a moment of silence, the ceremony then remembered all the people who lost their lives during the pandemic, members of the Israeli delegation killed during the 1972 Munich Games massacre, the 2011 earthquake, Tsunami and the nuclear disaster.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Members of the Japanese self defense forces raised the national flag on the Protocol Stage as the national anthem 'Kimi Ga Yo' played in the background.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The country's famous singer Misia sang the national anthem.\"}}]}

<ul>
 <li>205 contingents paraded in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics</li>
 <li>25 members of the Indian contingent are attending the opening ceremony</li>
 <li>The total strength of the Indian team is 228, out of which 119 are athletes</li>
</ul>

Mary Kom, Manpreet Singh lead Indian squad at Olympics opening ceremony. Watch

Japan

MaryKom

With minutes
to go before the <a href="https://opoyi.com/indias-badminton-ace-pv-sindhu-admits-to-feeling-pressured-at-tokyo">Tokyo Olympics</a> opening ceremony, athletes from <a href="https://opoyi.com/google-doodle-celebrates-tokyo-olympics-with-animated-games">countries
across the globe</a> are getting ready for the Parade of Nations. ,<a href="https://opoyi.com/all-eyes-on-indias-vikas-krishan-as-boxers-set-to-open-olympic-campaign">Boxer Mary
Kom</a> and hockey team captain Manpreet Singh will be the flagbearers for India.
<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-will-march-21st-in-the-parade-of-nations-heres-why">India will be 21st out of the 205 contingents</a> in the Parade of Nations. ,The United
Arab Emirates (UAE) will be among the first ten entrants while Australia and Austria
will enter after Ukraine and Uruguay, reports The Indian Express. ,What
is the Parade of Nations? ,The Parade
of Nations is the first official introduction to that year’s Olympians.
Athletes from 205 participating countries will march their way into the Olympic
stadium behind their flag. ,The parade
has been an Olympic ritual since the first Games in 1908 in London. ,How is
the order decided? ,Teams enter
the Olympic stadium in alphabetical order according to the language selected by
the organising committee, generally the dominant language in the host city. ,This time,
the teams will enter according to their names in Gojoun — Japan’s 50-sound
phonetic order. <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-archers-struggle-in-mens-individual-ranking-round">India</a> (Indo in Japanese transliteration) will march in 21st.,What
will be the first to enter the stadium?,There are
several <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-uk-athlete-zak-seddon-is-in-isolation-despite-11-covid-negative-tests-know-why">exceptions to the order</a> in which the parade is conducted. ,The first
nation to march into the stadium will be Greece. The Parade of Nations always
begins with Greece, the host of the ancient Olympics and the first modern on. ,The next
to enter,Greece will
be followed by the Refugee Olympic team. The third will be the Russian contingent
to use the country’s name, flag and anthem due to doping-related sanctions. The
Russian contingent will compete under the acronym ROC (Russian Olympic
Committee). ,Who
marches in last?,The
host country is like the grand marshal in the Parade of Nations. Japan will
take its spot in the parade’s grand finale. Future Olympic host countries will
move to the end of the order to add prominence to the march.

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<ul>
 <li>The Tokyo Olympics will begin with the Parade of Nations</li>
 <li>Greece will be the first country to enter the Olympic stadium</li>
 <li>India will march 21st in the Parade of Nations</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Buzz

Tokyo Olympics: Why India will march 21st in the Parade of Nations

news

The opening ceremony of the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Tokyo Olympics 2020</a> will be held on Friday, July 23, at 4.30pm IST. The Indian contingent will be lead by six-time world boxing champion <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/marykom">MC Mary Kom</a> and men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh. While Mary Kom is not scheduled to compete the next day, Manpreet will be leading the side out for the first Pool A game against New Zealand on Saturday.,Except for the two flag bearers, the opening ceremony will be attended by only 42 other athletes from Team India. The decision to ask a large number of athletes in the contingent to skip the ceremony was taken <a href="https://opoyi.com/no-spectators-no-hugs-olympics-in-the-times-of-a-pandemic">in light of the COVID-19 threat</a>. Also, players whose event is listed for the next day have been asked to not attend the opening ceremony. ,With six officials, the total Indian presence during the march past would add up to 50.,"We won't like to create a situation where our athletes are in danger of getting infected. So a decision has been taken to limit the number of athletes and officials participating in the opening ceremony within 50," Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta told PTI.,India has sent a large 125 athlete contingent to the Tokyo Olympics. With the support staff, the overall contingent size goes up to 228.,Also read: <a href="https://opoyi.com/what-are-the-dos-and-donts-for-athletes-at-the-tokyo-olympics">What are the dos and don'ts for athletes at the Tokyo Olympics?</a>,On day 1, July 22, four Indian archers will be in the fray. Deepika Kumari, Atanu Das, Praveen Jadhav and Tarundeep Rai will participate in the individual archery events. On Saturday, Indian shooters, boxers, arhers and men's and women's hockey teams will take the field. ,Among other countries, Britain will have no more than 30 athletes taking part in the ceremony due to COVID-19 fears. The UK has 376 athletes in fray at the Games.

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<ul>
 <li>Only 44 Indian athletes will participate in the openening ceremony</li>
 <li>India has sent a large 125 athlete contingent to the Tokyo Olympics</li>
 <li>On day 1, four Indian archers will be in the fray</li>
</ul>

Who will be India's flag bearer at Tokyo Olympics 2020?

The opening ceremony of the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a> will take place in front of thousands of empty seats on July 23, Friday. This time, due to the onslaught of <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/covid19">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, only 1,000 dignitaries will be present in the Olympic Stadium that has a seating capacity of 68,000.,In order to stem the spread of the coronavirus, authorities have placed a ban on public viewing of the sports. The <a href="https://opoyi.com/a-look-at-indias-top-medal-contenders-at-tokyo-olympics?ref=share_post">opening ceremony</a> has been planned to prevent crowding, with the parade of nations, a centrepiece of the show, featuring smiling and waving athletes - all reduced.,Participating nations have been told to send small number of athletes to the opening ceremony, <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">fearing the spread of COVID</a>.,As for India, no more than 44 athletes will be taking part in the opening ceremony. "We won't like to create a situation where our athletes are in danger of getting infected. So a decision has been taken to limit the number of athletes and officials participating in the opening ceremony within 50," Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta told PTI.,In the Tokyo edition, India has sent more than 125 athletes to the Games with the contingent size being 228.,Earlier, deputy chef-de-mission Prem Kumar Verma had said that <a href="https://opoyi.com/for-olympics-opening-ceremony-6-officials-allowed-no-cap-on-athletes?ref=share_post">only six officials from every country have been allowed</a> for the ceremony but there was no cap on the athletes. "However, we have advised the athletes who have events the next day to skip the ceremony and focus on their game," he had said.,Here's a list of Indians who will not be participating in the opening ceremony:,Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma, Apurvi Chandela, Elavenil Valarivan, <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Manu Bhaker</a>, Yashaswini Singh Deswal, Deepak Kumar and Divyansh Singh Panwar.,At the <a href="https://opoyi.com/2020-tokyo-olympics-full-list-of-indian-athletes-and-their-events">opening ceremony</a>, India will be led by men's hockey captain Manpreet Singh and six-time world champion woman boxer <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/marykom">MC Mary Kom</a>.,While Mary Kom is not scheduled to compete the next day, Manpreet will be the men's hockey team in their first Pool A game against New Zealand on Saturday.

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<ul>
 <li>At the opening ceremony, India will be led by Manpreet Singh and MC Mary Kom</li>
 <li>India has sent more than 125 athletes to the Games with the contingent size being 228</li>
 <li>Only 1,000 dignitaries will be present in the Olympic Stadium</li>
</ul>

#ManpreetSingh