India at Tokyo Olympics LIVE updates: Indian hockey women's coach Sjoerd Marijne says some surprises in store in India's matches

Neeraj Chopra is gearing up!

India's ace javelin thrower was seen training in Sweden ahead of his departure to Tokyo. The 23-year-old from Haryana is a firm favorite to win a medal for India at the Olympics.

He set a world record at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Poland with a throw of 82.23 meters and won the gold. He would be hoping to manage a similar result and looking to challenge Johannes Vetter at the event.

Watch 👇🏻 India's ace Javelin thrower @Neeraj_chopra1's training session in Sweden.

Neeraj is working hard to achieve his dream, let's join in & send him our best wishes for #Tokyo2020 with #Cheer4India @PMOIndia @ianuragthakur @NisithPramanik @afiindia @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/KMWW4mQL4M
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) July 22, 2021

Ankita Raina and Sania Mirza are ready!

Ankita Raina shared pictures of her and Sania Mirza at the Games village, on Twitter. The duo who reached Tokyo on the 20th of July will be facing Ukraine's team of Liudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok in the first round of the women's doubles event.

Just 2️⃣ sleeps away! 🎾 @Olympics #Tokyo2020 #Cheer4India #Olympics pic.twitter.com/cdLWGB1r0V
— Ankita Raina (@ankita_champ) July 22, 2021

Officials to watch Opening Ceremony at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi

As the 32nd Summer Olympics will get underway tomorrow in Tokyo, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik will be watching the Opening Ceremony at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.

Eminent personalities from all walks which include ex-athletes and others from across the country will join the event to motivate India's athletes as part of the #Cheer4India campaign.

India will be sending their largest ever contingent of 127 athletes at these Olympics which also includes the highest female representation of 56 athletes.

Moolah for the medals!!

To support and encourage its athletes, the Indian Olympic Association has announced cash rewards the medal winners at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Advisory Committee of the IOA has recommended a reward of Rs 75 lakh for gold medal winners, Rs 40 lakh for silver medal winners and Rs 25 lakh for those who get the bronze medal.

The official press release announcing cash rewards for Indian athletes

All you need to know about India's archery events tomorrow (23 July) and the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony is in the article below. Read and share!

India at Tokyo Olympics (Day 1, 23rd July) Schedule: When and where to watch Team India, timings in IST and live streaming details

The Indian women's hockey team is ready!

In a chat with Sportskeeda, Indian women's hockey captain shared her thoughts about India's chances at the tournament.

Rampal said that the team has gained a lot of experience from their appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She added that their target will be to make it to the quarter-finals this year.

Rani Rampal said that the team aims to utilize their speed and have an attacking style of play at the tournament. She feels that despite facing the No. 1 ranked team in the opening game, the team will look to play their natural game.

India's coach Sjoerd Marijne is also confident of his team's ability to perform well at the Tokyo Olympics.

We have some surprises in our game for Tokyo - India women's hockey team head coach Sjoerd Marijne

Novak Djokovic on the prospect of completing Calendar Golden Slam

Novak Djokovic revealed that he considered the Calendar Golden Slam to be borderline unachievable. However, the Serb now thinks it is a "realistic" goal for him, and hopes to take inspiration from Steffi Graf.

Read the link below to know more.

"I would be delighted to ask Steffi Graf how she did it" - Novak Djokovic on the prospect of completing Calendar Golden Slam

Decoding why weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has opted 210kg entry weight

Indian weightlifting sensation and Tokyo Olympics medal hopeful Mirabai Chanu has listed an entry total of 210 kg for the finals of women's 49 kg category. This entry total is the highest among all the lifters that will participate in this weight category on July 24.

This kind of entry weight might be like throwing the cat among the pigeons for Mirabai Chanu's rivals at the Tokyo Olympics. Current world record holder Hou Zhihui of China has opted for a conservative entry weight of 205 kg for this event.

The entry weight registered by Mirabai Chanu is a real statement of intent from 26-year-old Indian weightlifter and we have explained it in detail in the article below.

Mirabai Chanu lists entry total of 210 kg for Tokyo Olympics

List of participants for the Opening Ceremony

Here is a list of participants for the opening ceremony.

The athletes and officials who will attend the opening ceremony.

Tough draw for Sushila Devi

If Sushila Devi manages to get past the first round, the Indian judoka would run into Funa Tonaki, a former world champion and the silver medallist at the Judo World Masters 2021.

Judo draw out, Sushila Devi to face London Olympics bronze medallist in first roind

Indian judoka Sushila Devi Likmabam will be up against London 2012 bronze medallist Eva Csernoviczki of Hungary in the opening bout of the women’s 48kg.

In their last encounter, at the Grand Slam Hungary 2020, veteran Csernoviczki had beaten Sushila.

Boxing draw is out

The Boxing draw for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is out. Please follow the below link for all LIVE updates.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 Boxing Draw LIVE: Mary Kom, Amit Panghal and other Indian boxers schedule

Neeraj Chopra vs Johannes Vetter - The mind games begin!

Neeraj Chopra is being dubbed as Johannes Vetter’s biggest competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

However, the German javelin thrower says that the Indian athlete will not be a threat to him in Tokyo.

Johannes Vetter will enter the Tokyo Olympics as the favorite to claim gold, while Neeraj Chopra will be competing for India’s first track and field medal post-independence.

"But he has to fight with me. I am looking to throw over 90m in Tokyo, so it will be tough for him to beat me," Vetter said.

Read the full piece in the link below.

Neeraj Chopra will find it tough to beat me at Tokyo Olympics, says Johannes Vetter

Simone Biles in the house

One of the world's best gymnast, and the favourite to run away with the gold medals, Simone Biles has started practice with the USA Gymnastics team in Tokyo.

Simone Biles during practice. (PC: Simone Biles)

The list of Indian athletes competing in Tokyo Olympics

The largest contingent in India's history, comprising 127 athletes, will be in action at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

This could be India's most successful Olympic campaign ever.

We have complied a list of all the Indian players who will be seen in action at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

Full Tokyo Olympics 2021 Indian players list: How many athletes are competing from India?

Savita Punia enjoys her time in Tokyo

Indian hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia believes the Indian team is in a good shape to aim for a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics.

“We are now self-motivated. There is confidence brimming in the camp. We have been continuously working on our footwork, endurance, agility and strengthening exercises apart from a lot of analysis. We have taken up an aggressive brand of hockey and can play one-on-one much better than what we were," she had told Sportskeeda earlier.

India’s first match at the Tokyo Olympics is against The Netherlands and the goalkeeper is confident of starting on a high.

Savita Punia (left) enjoys herself at the Olympics Games Village. (PC: Savita Punia)

Mirabai Chanu and the weight of expectations

When Mirabai Chanu steps on the dais to make her first lift in the Tokyo Olympics, she will also be lifting a billion expectations with it. What are these expectations?

There are expectations of Chanu winning the second gold in India’s Olympic history (in an individual sport). But to do all this, the 4’11”, 49kg weightlifter from Imphal needs to overcome her "snatch" conundrum.

We have explained it better in the link below. Do read and drop your comments!

Can Mirabai Chanu overcome the ‘snatch’ conundrum at the Tokyo Olympics?

Mirabai Chanu looks to start off with a bang

In the women's 49 kg weightlifting category, Mirabai Chanu enters Tokyo Olympics with higher entry weight than Hoi Zhuihui and Jourdan Dela Cruz.

Total weight entry lists in weightlifting.

Controversies before Tokyo Olympics

What is an Olympics if it has not seen its share of controversies? The Rio Games in 2016 saw the Sushil Kumar vs Narsingh Yadav saga and the (in)famous doping scandal involving Russian athletes.

The Tokyo Olympics have been no different. Check out some controversies that happened in-build to the Games.

India at Tokyo Olympics 2020: 4 Indian controversies that happened in build-up to Games

Paddlers complete a training session

Indian paddlers Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra have been training hard for their mixed doubles and singles matches.

Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra will be up against third seed Chinese Taipei pair Lin Y and Cheng in mixed doubles.

In singles, after getting a bye in the first round, Sharath will meet Tiago Apolonia in the second round while Manika Batra will lock horns with Tin-Tin Ho of Great Britain in the first round.

Sharath Kamal at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Manika Batra at the Tokyo Olympics Games Village.

Leander Paes sends wishes to India at Tokyo Olympics

India's tennis great Leander Paes has asked everyone to unite and cheer for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics. Paes is the only Indian tennis player to win an Olympic medal. He won bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Let’s support our Indian contingent at the #Tokyo2020 Olympic Games! #Cheer4India 🇮🇳
I further nominate: @bhaichung15, @ImRaina, @PTUshaOfficial, @DeepaAthlete, @NSaina #HumaraVictoryPunch @KirenRijiju @ianuragthakur https://t.co/vWZDF3vUPN pic.twitter.com/t3DdMarKAm
— Leander Paes OLY (@Leander) July 22, 2021

Novak Djokovic is the favourite

After Sai Praneeth, Chirag Shetty seemed to have bumped into Novak Djokovic in the dining area. The smile on Chirag Shetty's says it all on how excited he was.

Must have got a wonderful lesson on 'smashing it'!

Chirag Shetty and Novak Djokovic at the dining hall in the Games Village. (PC: BAI)

28 from India to participate in the opening ceremony

28 athletes and officials combined will be a part of the Indian Contingent for the opening ceremony. The sport-wise break-up is:

1. Hockey -- 1
2. Boxing -- 8
3. Table Tennis -- 4
4. Rowing -- 2
5. Gymnastics -- 1
6. Swimming -- 1
7. Sailing -- 4
8. Fencing -- 1
9. Officals -- 6

Both the flag bearers - M C Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh will be a part of the opening ceremony.

The World No.1 tennis player in the house

Novak Djokovic’s quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal will begin with a first-round match against Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien.

The Serbian is on track to become the first man to complete a calendar 'Golden Slam' of all four Grand Slams and the Olympic Games in the same year.

Novak Djokovic during a practice session in Tokyo. (PC: Olympics)

All pumped up

Indian hockey captain Rani Rampal is all pumped up and looking forward for a memorable Games. It is good sign that the captain is looking forward for the Games and she can rub off the positive vibes on her teammates.

Looking forward to a memorable games 🇮🇳🏑#1daytogo #bharatkisherniya #tokyoolympic2020 pic.twitter.com/sguiG8CF6f
— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) July 22, 2021

Bhavani Devi in an intense training session

Keen to make her first Olympic sojourn count, Indian sabre fencer Bhavani Devi has upped the ante with intense training sessions.

The fencer, who is the first-ever Indian fencer to feature in the quadrennial Games, will commence her journey on July 26.

Apart from being the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics, Bhavani Devi has more. She is the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships and is also the only Indian in the top-50 rankings in the world. Bhavani Devi is also the first Indian fencer to win a gold in a World Cup (2018).

India's Bhavani Devi during a training session. (PC: SAI)

India's Bhavani Devi at a training session. (PC: SAI)

Indian archers to skip Olympics opening ceremony

After Indian shooters, Indian archers will also give the Tokyo Olympics 2020 opening ceremony a miss.

Hockey practice matches

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams seemed to have a bad start to their Olympics sojourn when they lost their respective practice matches.

Indian men went down to Germany 2-3 while Argentina got the better of the Indian women 1-0. It could also be the case of India not playing to their complete potential.

We hope it is only a slip before the actual start and the Indian hockey teams can raise the bar once the actual tournament starts.

Indian shooters to skip opening ceremony?

As per some reports, Indian shooters have been advised to skip the opening ceremony due to the fears of contracting COVID-19.

Only 50 athletes and officials combined will be a part of the glitzy opening ceremony.

Indian athletes to get richer

Fans are always curious to know how much money the Indian athletes will win if they earn a medal in the Summer Games. While the Indian sports ministry is yet to decide how much the medal winners should get, some states like Haryana and Punjab -- the two states have the highest representation at the Olympics -- have announced prize money for gold, silver, and bronze winners. And it is more than what the US or Russia give to their champions.

READ more about it here.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 prize money: How much will India's champions earn compared to USA, Russia and other countries medal winners?

Tokyo Olympics boxing draw

India will field nine boxers, including seasoned MC Mary Kom, at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

While Amit Panghal (52kg) is India’s biggest hope for a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Mary Kom will bank on her experience to change the color of her 2012 Olympic bronze medal.

Boxing events at the Tokyo Olympics will begin on July 24 at the Kokugikan arena. The competition will be held until August 8.

Please follow the link below to get LIVE updates on the boxing draw.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 Boxing Draw LIVE: Mary Kom, Amit Panghal, Pooja Rani, Vikas Krishan matches, opponents, schedule

Restrictions on opening ceremony

A maximum of 50 Indian athletes and officials will be allowed to take part in the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

The decision is taken due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This is what the athletes play for

A closer look at the gold, silver and bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. They look stunning, ain't they?

The other side of the bronze medal (PC: Olympics)

The other side of the silver medal (PC: Olympics)

World's No 1 skeet shooter out of Tokyo Olympics

In some grim news, British shooter Amber Hill will not be competing in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19 in the UK, prior to her departure.

Amber Hill is World No. 1 in women's skeet shooting.