As wrestler Sakshi Malik and shuttler PV Sindhu won bronze and silver medals, respectively, other sportspersons such as gymnast Dipa Karmakar, marathon runner OP Jaisha, woman golfer Aditi Ashok, rower Dattu Bhokanal, etc won hearts.
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In the last Olympics in London, India registered their best ever medal haul of six.
The silver and bronze medal won by PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik respectively not only saved India from the embarrassment of drawing a blank at Rio but also earned them a lot of fans for their unbelievable performance, especially from a country that lacks the infrastructure and financial support a sportsperson requires.
Even superstar Salman Khan, a goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent at the Rio Games, promised a cheque of Rs 1,01,000 for all the athletes who took part in the Olympics. “But I want to do whatever I can”, he said. He had gifted a BMW to Saina Nehwal as well when she won a bronze in 2012.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today heaped praise on Indian athletes P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik for their Olympic feats, saying they were “splendid example” of what women can achieve.
An 18-year-old golfer Aditi Ashok slipped away from being in top-10 at the end of second round to finish 41st with an overall score of seven-over 291.
Among other countries, Team USA topped the Medals Tally with 121 medals followed by Great Britain (67) and China (70).
But the country stumbled on a tricky road in Rio when shooters fired a blank for the first time since Athens 2004, and boxers lacked punch, also a first in eight years.
Watch the incredible journey of these two sportswomen leading to their victory in Rio Olympics 2016.
“Air India is indeed proud to offer you two (for you and your companion) return business class between any two destinations of the entire Air India network valid for a period of one year”.
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The Rio Olympics featured a total of 207 nations, including Kosovo and South Sudan who made their debut in the Summer Games.
