Tokyo Olympics 2020: Athletes to pin our hopes on

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 is all set to begin with a grand opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Friday. However, the games will be underway before the opening ceremony on the inaugural day of the 32nd Summer Olympic Games. Many Indian fans are hopeful of a good display by the largest ever 127-member Indian contingent this time. They are backing the players to perform well in the Olympic games.

If the analysis of Gracenote is to be believed, India may perform better than they have ever done at the Olympic games. As per the US-based data analytics company, India may win 19 medals at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Their prediction is based on logical data science algorithms which takes into account many factors.

On the other hand, the Global News Agency Associated Press has also predicted India's most successful Olympics in Tokyo this year. As per them, India will be able to win 4 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals. They also said that Shooting will be India's best bet at the Tokyo Olympics. AP said that India could also win medals in Archery, Boxing, Weightlifting and Wrestling. The predictions were based on the views of experts.

However, these are only predictions which are based on past exploits of the players and the kind of opposition they are likely to face during the Tokyo Olympics. As the games progress, the players will have to keep their spirit intact and give their best to match the predictions. But the general perception is that India will be able to better their record at the Olympic games.

There are many Indian athletes who could be potential medal winners at Tokyo. The Indian contingent has world class shooters, boxers and wrestlers who are in good form and ranked among the best in the world.

Here are the Indian players to watch out for during the Tokyo Olympics 2020:

MC Mary Kom

The six-times winner of World Championship Gold medals is in very good form going into the Tokyo Olympics. She has recently won a Silver and a Bronze medal in Asian Boxing Championship and Boxam International Boxing Tournament. She has so far 19 international medals. Mary Kom will be the hope of a billion Indians. She won a Bronze medal for India in the 2012 London Olympics.

Deepika Kumari

The archer from Ranchi is in great form these days. As per experts, she is in the form of her life as she has won five World Cup Gold medals recently. She can fancy her chances at the Tokyo Olympics also because the defending champion Chang Hye Jin won't be contesting this time. She is expected to fare well in mixed pair competition along with her husband Atanu Das. She will have to perform well against Kang Chae Young.

Vinesh Phogat

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat defeated world number 1 Sarah Ann Hildebrandt 8-2 to qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She is in good form going into the Olympics. Recently in June, she won the Gold medal in the 53 kg division in the Poland Open. In March as well, she won a Gold medal in the Matteo Pellicone event. She is presently ranked world number 1. She is one of the hopes of Indians and many believe that she can do wonders for India.

Bajrang Punia

Bajrang Punia currently holds the world number 1 ranking. The freestyle wrestler in the 65 kg category defeated Mongolia's Tulga Tumur Ochir at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series tournament in March. He had also won a bronze medal at the World Championships in September 2019.

PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu is heading into the Olympics as one of the favourites to win a medal at Tokyo Olympics. She won a Silver medal and finished on the podium at the Rio Olympics. She is known to step up her game at crucial and important matches. She can very well be India's potential medal winner at the Tokyo Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra

Recently, Neeraj Chopra was able to come up with a great effort of 83.18 m to win an event in Portugal. He is the reigning Asian and Commonwealth Games champion. India's javelin sensation has a great chance to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics. His personal best is 88.07 m. He had broken his own national record. He had thrown 88.07 m at the Indian Grand Prix 3 in March. He qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 87.86 m at an event in Potchefstroom in South Africa.