Top 10 medal hopes for India at the Delhi Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 – “Come out and Play”. That is the motto of the CWG and Shera will be crying it out loud once the games begin on 3rd October.

Inspite of the fact that Delhi is just 25 days from hosting many of the world’s best athletes at the Commonwealth Games, much of the attention has been grabbed by headlines of malice. Corruption, doping, blame-games, sex scandals and what not. All the attention is anywhere but where it should be. The games and the athletes!

In a bid to, direct some focus where it belongs – I will highlight ten bright spots in India’s contingent at the Olympic Games that boasts of 495 sportspersons. (tentative figure).

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The 3 Medalists at 2008 Beijing Games

Abhinav Bindra [polldaddy rating="2682789"]

Abhinav Bindra – Eyes on Gold!

The son of the soil, India’s only Olympic gold medalist (individual). Since, he made us all proud at Beijing Abhinav has worked both in the shooting range as well outside it for the betterment of the sport. He was in a fix after he didn’t appear for the qualifications held by the association. Instead, Abhinav made sure that his scores abroad at international events were considered.

He will finally be there, and India’s biggest hope for a medal.

The shooting contingent itself is India’s biggest hope. We finished the last games at Melbourne with 27 medals and the assocaition wants to grab over 30 medals this time.

All other participants from the contingent are major contenders for medals. All names are heavyweights….Samresh Jung, Gagan Narang, Ranjan Sodhi and Anjali Bhagwat.

Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh

Vijender Singh [polldaddy rating="2682786"]

At the Beijing Olympics, four of our boxers were at the brink of medals but as it turned out only Vijender Singh came out with flying colours. His attractive personality and determination to uplift his sport means that he is a nationwide icon today.

Vijender Singh needs to live upto the expectation and also to his own credentials and prove that he is on the right track for London 2012.

The Boxing contingent with Akhil Kumar, Ramesh Kumar and Nano Singh Thakcom area where India are expecting a above par performance. At least 10 out of the 40 medals.

Sushil Kumar [polldaddy rating="2682783"]

The unsung hero among the three, Sushil has made it big where India has some authority in the world of sport. However, the recent dopng charges means that the contingent has suffered huge losses. Inspite of all that, India is still hoping for a reduced medal haul of 10-12.

Sushil Kumar will lead India’s charge and with his strict training regime and determined efforts to succeed – it’s almost a certainty that glory will be his.

Others

Medal expected!

Saina Nehwal [polldaddy rating="2682782"]

Another medal certainty if all goes according to plane. The current world number two (tentative again) should not find it difficult to fend off the challenge from Malaysia.

Out of a total of six medals at offer, India will be hoping to sweep at least three.

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati [polldaddy rating="2682779"]

With the amount of experience behind them, it would be a major disappointment for India if they get us anything short of Gold in the men’s doubles.

Meanwhile, youngsters Rohan Bopanna and Somdevdevvarman are also teaming up to make their best shot for a medal at the CWG. They will look to exploit the conditions at home to the fullest.

Sania Mirza, who does not feature on this list is also eyeing this as an opportunity to regain her status as a Indian TEnnis star, she has her share of injuries to cope up with. If her recent form is anything to go by, she is not much of a contender.

Discuss Throw Team -[polldaddy rating="2682775"] In the women’s category India is expecting to win two out of the three medals on offer with Krishna Poonia, Harwant Kaur and Seema Antil in top form.

Infact, Seema Antil was a silver medalist at Melbourne Games and is a current national record holder. In world rankings, Poonia and Kaur are in the top five whereas Antil is sixth. They have been consistently featuring among the top three in International competitions.

The men’s team is also looking in good form and a medal is expected from them too.

Weightlifting : VS Rao and Ravi Kumar (Men’s) & Geeta Rani and Yumnam Chanu [polldaddy rating="2682769"]

Inspite of being a sport that has catapulted India in the medals tally with useful contributions, Weightlifting never received the credit it has always deserved. But we cannot blame the critics and masses for not showing favors with them when they are continuously tainted with Doping charges.

However, this time India has the weightlifters to carry the expectation in VS Rao and Ravi Kumar. They have been sweating it out for the games and we hope that their efforts will bear fruits.

Sharath Kamal [polldaddy rating="2682767"]

Concentration personified

India will be a force to reckon with at the Commonwealth Games this time, considering that China will not be there to present a threat to India’s challenge. Sharath Kamal will shoulder India’s hopes at the games. He has been in superb form in recent time climbing up the rankings and notching up titles.

Sharath Kamal will be on a high after winning the US Open and he can help India get some valuable medals along with some assistance from Subhajit Saha and others.

Squash – Saurav Ghoshal [polldaddy rating="2682766"]

The squash contingent will face a stern test in form of traditional competitors in the form of Pakistan, Australia and others. India are expecting medals in the doubles category from both men’s and women’s.

Arjuna Awardee Saurav Ghoshal, who is the current world number 26 will have more than an outside chance to get a medal for India.

Cyrus Poncha who is the head coach has strong belief in the team. He believes that India will get some contribution in the medals tally from the Sqaush Contingent.

Outside Chances – If Luck Shines

Hockey ! [polldaddy rating="2682765"]

Don’t be surprised to see the men’s and women’s Hockey team here. Everything is so unpredictable in Indian Hockey with all the dirty politics and disgusting charges of sexual harassment doing the rounds.

However, the women’s team will have more than a chance really considering they were silver medalists at Melbourne.

Lesser is to be expected from the men’s team but with Jose Brasa in charge and India’s uplifting performance at the Azlan Shah Cup, watch out for some surprises!

P.S:

Athletics

This is India’s weak point so it shuld really not find a plce on this list. Swimming and Track events make up much of the medals at offer at the games and India are unfortunate in both.