Rio de Janeiro: Experienced wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, India’s last realistic medal hope on the concluding day of the Olympics, crashed out after losing his qualification bout as the country’s biggest-ever contingent bowed out of the Games with a paltry medal haul of two.
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Our agony is compounded by the fact that we were unable to defend the six medals that we won at London, despite spending the most amount of money we ever have on Olympic preparation.
Hey look, even the serious Gopi got in the photo!
“Sindhu was close to make it to gold but no problem, they both have great future lying ahead and we hope they come up with even more better performances the next time” he adds.
In Rio, three women athletes – Sindhu, Sakshi and Dipa Karmakar – became the unlikely stars for India and saved the country’s pride from returning empty-handed for the first time since 1992 Barcelona Games.
As the two girls and Gopi are home-bound, let’s all prepare for the thunderous reception they will get, one they have given everything to deserve.
While 18-year-old golfer Aditi Ashok managed to impress everyone by ending a campaign at seven-over 291, SSP Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri made a disappointing 50th and 57th place finish in the men’s section of the sport, which returned to Olympics after 112-year hiatus.
Shooter Jitu Rai belied the hopes of several officials for a medal when he ended up eighth in 10m air pistol final after playing brilliantly throughout the qualifying round.
The decision went in India’s favour and it was an overflow of joy and emotions as Sakshi was lifted by her coach Kuldeep Malik and the duo took a victory lap.
Gurmeet Singh showed a bit of spirit in the 25m rapid fire pistol event, but eventually was left behind. They too ranked fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympics. American swimming superstar Michael Phelps achieved something which may remain unchallenged for a long time.
Usain won the 4×100 meters relay, and bid farewell to Olympics with nine sprint Gold medals to his name.He has won the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and now in Rio 2016.
Usain Bolt, the legendary fastest man on earth brought Jamaica additional glory by bagging triple-triples, nearly an Olympic immortality.
Several Olympic and World records were broken in Rio, raising the bar yet again in several sports.
Another Indian woman, who became the redeem for the country in the Rio Olympics, was lone gymnast Dipa Karamakar.
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Indian athletes may aspire to reach Olympics height, but they end up falling short.
