Slipping out of the usual top-five was seen as a real possibility in absence of shooting but phenomenal success in athletics and lawn bowls propelled India to a commendable fourth place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
A pre-tournament medal contender, the 23-year-old Neeraj Chopra fuelled the country's expectations by topping the qualification round with a stunning first round throw of 86.59 metres.
Buoyed by a strong start to the season, Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is primed to clinch his maiden Diamond League podium finish in his first appearance in four years in the prestigious one-day meet in Stockholm on Thursday.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was named the Indian contingent's flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony to be held on August 18 in Jakarta.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is considering participating in the World Championships later this year after it emerged that he has qualified for the showpiece event.
'...because when the flag goes higher, and the National Anthem is played, that's the best feeling you have.'
Shivpal returned home from South Africa just a few days before the suspension of international flights. He is currently at NIS Patiala, where he is training indoors because of the nationwide lockdown.
The money is for Milosz Malysa, an infant with a heart defect whose family has been raising funds for operation in the United States. Milosz's parents posted last week that the boy was at risk of dying soon without the surgery.
When asked about Indian football, Bhutia said: "There should be long term planning. Lately, we have not been able to do well, it will take time."
World Athletics Championships to be held in Doha from September 27.
India's high jumper Tejaswin Shankar on Thursday said he has not been able to perform to his full potential owing to chronic tendonitis and it's now a "certainty" that he will compete in decathlon at next year's Asian Games.
Deepa Malik, the first Indian woman to claim a medal in the Paralympic Games, has retired from active sports, a decision she took before becoming the Paralympic Committee of India president earlier this year but revealed only on Monday. The 49-year-old, who won a silver in shot put F53 category in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, was elected PCI president in the elections held in February under the directives of Delhi High Court. PCI has been denied recognition by the sports ministry.
Neeraj has emerged as a truly a world class athlete and a bright prospect for Indian athletic's elusive medal in athletics.
India's top-five finish not a given this time
The frustration for aspirant Olympians has been palpable and athletes like table tennis player Sathiyan Gnanasekaran have been forced to innovate to stay sharp during the lengthy lockdowns.
Olympic sensation Neeraj Chopra's success on the final day of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has turned the track and field star into a household name across the country.
'Instead of making this a four-year phenomenon, when you look at us and get thrilled, do it more regularly.'
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said a team has been formed to draw up a post-lockdown Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed by athletes, coaches and other staff during outdoor training that will resume in a "planned manner". He assured the athletes that their training will resume soon but given the risks the coronavirus pandemic poses, the process will involve consultations with home and health ministries.
India was aiming for an Olympic qualification as the eight finalists get an automatic berth for next year's Tokyo Games.
A summary of Saturday's Track and Field action at the Tokyo Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra, on Sunday, won a gold in the Savo Games in Finland with an impressive performance, beating his Chinese Taipei rival Chao-Tsun Cheng as the duo warmed up for an Asian Games showdown.
His much-awaited Olympic debut has been delayed by a year but star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is unfazed as he feels humanity needs to focus on the coronavirus pandemic more than anything else right now.
Annu became the first Indian woman javelin thrower to qualify for the final round
Track and field success at the Olympics has largely eluded India
Mariayappan Thangavelu on Tuesday rued that rain foiled his bid for a second consecutive gold medal at the Paralympics, saying the wet sock did not let him give his best in the T42 event in Tokyo.
Gold medal-winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was the undisputed star as the Indian track and field team returned from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to a warm reception in New Delhi.
The list of Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's admirers has grown with reigning World champion Johannes Vetter predicting a bright future for the Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia has revealed that a "deal" with his six-year-old daughter propelled him to win a record second gold medal in the Paralympics.
Javelin thrower Annu Rani and four-time Commonwealth Games medallist discus thrower Seema Antil Punia also have been recommended for the Arjuna Award.
"Winning a medal at Tokyo 2020 is the target," the 23-year-old Sandeep said.
Olympic-bound star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has reached Portugal to take part in an event in Lisbon on June 10, which will mark his return to international competition after more than a year.
Check out the complete schedule of Indian athletes at the Tokyo Olympics
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
This time, India may win as many as 17 medals at the Games.
In the Diamond League Final, he will face the world's best in the event, including Olympic champion Thomas Roehler of Germany and last year's winner, Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic.
The Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta on Monday requested the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to expedite the process for the vaccination of the country's Tokyo Olympic-bound athletes and officials against COVID-19.
A car accident in 2012 left Avani Lekhara wheelchair-bound but on Monday the shooter felt 'on top of the world' after becoming the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal.
An important factor in India's stupendous success in 2021 was the way the government opened its coffers to support athletes.
Opener Rachael Haynes smashed a scintillating 130 as Australia scored a 12-run win over defending champions England in a high-scoring ICC Women's World Cup match, in Hamilton, on Saturday. In another match, South Africa handed Bangladesh a 32-run defeat in Dunedin.
India's top sprinter Hima Das, who had a stellar 2018, has been nominated for the prestigious Khel Ratna by the state government of Assam. The 20-year-old from Dhing village in Assam is one of the youngest nominees for Khel Ratna this year.
