Commonwealth games are scheduled to begin in Glasgow, Scotland (United
Kingdom) from 23 July to 3 August 2014. India has a lot of expectation
with this talented team of athletes. As always, the country is pinning
its hopes in fetching rich medal haul in Shooting and wrestling.
Currently, the squad selected for wrestling is fixed under court case.
A final decision will present the real picture.
Shooting talent comprises of all the favourites. Last time India
grabbed 14 golds (30 medals overall) in this sporting category. Gagan
Narang, Abhinav Bindra and Manavjeet Sandhu are the favourites to hit
the bull's eye. Heena Sidhu is world no. 1 in Air Pistol category.
Exclusion of Tejaswani Sawant is upsetting. Frankly, there are feeble
chances of repetition of last time's magic.
In Hockey, India will have to come better off Australia, England,
Newzealand, Pakistan and Malaysia. Sardara Singh is leading the side.
Men in Blue can withstand the Asian winds but coming better against
the Europeans is a far cry. Fairly, we can expect a medal at the most
here. Indian eves are currently not in good shape. Team is maturing.
Some individual talents like Ritu Rani (captain), Poonam Rani and Rani
Rampal are there but the squad is a mix of old and young. Coach Neil
Hawgood is expecting a top 4 finish.
Boxing team is charged. L Devendro Singh (49kg), Shiva Thapa (52kg),
Manoj Kumar (64kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Vijender Singh (75kg),
Sumit Sangwan (81kg), Dinesh Kumar (91kg) and Praveen More (+91kg) are
members of the team. All pugilists are in good shape to grab medals.
Pinki Jangra is the best hope for Gold in Women's category. She hit
headlines when she defeated her 'Didi' Mary com in the qualifier.
Surely, team is likely to extend the previous mark of 3 Golds and 4
Bronzes.
Ravi Kumar (77 kg) is India's best bet in men's weightlifting team. He
is also the captain of the contingent. Sanjita Chanu (48 kg) is
another prospect for a medal. Last time, India bagged 2 golds, 2
silvers and 4 bronze in this discipline. A good show is again expected
from 15 lifters.
Athletics is called 'Jewel in the crown' among all discipline.
Mayookha Johny is clear favourite to win Gold in Long jump. She was
the first athlete to qualify for Glasgow. Women's 4x400 meter Relay,
Sudha Singh, Ashwini Akunji, and P T Usha's disciple Tintu Luka are
prospects for medals. Seema Antil and Krishna Poonia will compete in
Discuss but sadly, their best days are behind them. Arpinder Singh has
recently broken National record in Triple jump. Vikas Gowda, who
finished 8th in London 12 finals, has a good chance for Gold. Vikas
has recently touched 64.9 met and this Karnataka boy can make history
at Scotland in Discuss throw.
In Badminton, we can expect for a better performance than 2-1-1-4 of
Delhi 10. Saina has recently won the Australian Super Series. She
should be confident after finding her lost form. Doubles pair of Jwala
Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa can repeat the Gold touch here. P V Sindhu,
P. Kashyap and Gurusadutt have the potential to enrich the tally.
Swimming and Gymnastics were considered a no entry zone for India.
Prashant Karmakar won in Para swimming and Ashish shocked everybody by
2 medals in Vault and Floor in Gymnastic at last edition. At least a
medal is desired by Allahbad boy Ashish Kumar. Sandeep Sejwal is
improving and he stands a chance for a historic bronze. He has
experience of World stage by being the only Indian Swimmer to qualify
for London 12 and FINA World Swimming Championship at Shanghai.
261 Gold medals are up for grab in this edition of Glasgow in 17
sports. At New Delhi in the previous edition, India broke all sorts of
records in medal tally and finished 2nd overall. Crossing the tally of
38-27-36-101 will be the new benchmark. Indian Government has set a
target of 125 medals and third position overall. Can this be achieved?
Let's be optimistic.
Kingdom) from 23 July to 3 August 2014. India has a lot of expectation
with this talented team of athletes. As always, the country is pinning
its hopes in fetching rich medal haul in Shooting and wrestling.
Currently, the squad selected for wrestling is fixed under court case.
A final decision will present the real picture.
Shooting talent comprises of all the favourites. Last time India
grabbed 14 golds (30 medals overall) in this sporting category. Gagan
Narang, Abhinav Bindra and Manavjeet Sandhu are the favourites to hit
the bull's eye. Heena Sidhu is world no. 1 in Air Pistol category.
Exclusion of Tejaswani Sawant is upsetting. Frankly, there are feeble
chances of repetition of last time's magic.
In Hockey, India will have to come better off Australia, England,
Newzealand, Pakistan and Malaysia. Sardara Singh is leading the side.
Men in Blue can withstand the Asian winds but coming better against
the Europeans is a far cry. Fairly, we can expect a medal at the most
here. Indian eves are currently not in good shape. Team is maturing.
Some individual talents like Ritu Rani (captain), Poonam Rani and Rani
Rampal are there but the squad is a mix of old and young. Coach Neil
Hawgood is expecting a top 4 finish.
Boxing team is charged. L Devendro Singh (49kg), Shiva Thapa (52kg),
Manoj Kumar (64kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Vijender Singh (75kg),
Sumit Sangwan (81kg), Dinesh Kumar (91kg) and Praveen More (+91kg) are
members of the team. All pugilists are in good shape to grab medals.
Pinki Jangra is the best hope for Gold in Women's category. She hit
headlines when she defeated her 'Didi' Mary com in the qualifier.
Surely, team is likely to extend the previous mark of 3 Golds and 4
Bronzes.
Ravi Kumar (77 kg) is India's best bet in men's weightlifting team. He
is also the captain of the contingent. Sanjita Chanu (48 kg) is
another prospect for a medal. Last time, India bagged 2 golds, 2
silvers and 4 bronze in this discipline. A good show is again expected
from 15 lifters.
Athletics is called 'Jewel in the crown' among all discipline.
Mayookha Johny is clear favourite to win Gold in Long jump. She was
the first athlete to qualify for Glasgow. Women's 4x400 meter Relay,
Sudha Singh, Ashwini Akunji, and P T Usha's disciple Tintu Luka are
prospects for medals. Seema Antil and Krishna Poonia will compete in
Discuss but sadly, their best days are behind them. Arpinder Singh has
recently broken National record in Triple jump. Vikas Gowda, who
finished 8th in London 12 finals, has a good chance for Gold. Vikas
has recently touched 64.9 met and this Karnataka boy can make history
at Scotland in Discuss throw.
In Badminton, we can expect for a better performance than 2-1-1-4 of
Delhi 10. Saina has recently won the Australian Super Series. She
should be confident after finding her lost form. Doubles pair of Jwala
Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa can repeat the Gold touch here. P V Sindhu,
P. Kashyap and Gurusadutt have the potential to enrich the tally.
Swimming and Gymnastics were considered a no entry zone for India.
Prashant Karmakar won in Para swimming and Ashish shocked everybody by
2 medals in Vault and Floor in Gymnastic at last edition. At least a
medal is desired by Allahbad boy Ashish Kumar. Sandeep Sejwal is
improving and he stands a chance for a historic bronze. He has
experience of World stage by being the only Indian Swimmer to qualify
for London 12 and FINA World Swimming Championship at Shanghai.
261 Gold medals are up for grab in this edition of Glasgow in 17
sports. At New Delhi in the previous edition, India broke all sorts of
records in medal tally and finished 2nd overall. Crossing the tally of
38-27-36-101 will be the new benchmark. Indian Government has set a
target of 125 medals and third position overall. Can this be achieved?
Let's be optimistic.
Source...