India’s best-ever performance at the Olympics

The world’s biggest sporting spectacle, the 2020 Olympics concluded on Sunday, August 8 in Tokyo. The COVID-19 outbreak put the sporting world on the back foot, forcing the Tokyo Olympics, which was originally scheduled for last year, being pushed to 2021.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sent its biggest-ever contingent to Tokyo. A scenario was drawn for India to establish itself as a sporting nation. The athletes showed that they are willing to take the world stage to make their dreams a reality. 

As the saying goes, ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,’ and that’s what our 126-member contingent embarked upon. Tokyo 2020, India's best-ever Olympics, with 7 medals (one gold, two silver, and four bronze) and a number of close finishes, has instilled a new spirit and hope in the country's sports community. 

Team India’s medal tally opened on Day 1, with Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal for weightlifting (women's 49kg category). The Manipur-born athlete became the second Indian woman to bag silver at the Olympics after PV Sindhu (2016 Rio). She is also, second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari (2000 Sydney) to win an Olympic medal.

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, who was India’s biggest medal hopeful did not disappoint. The reigning BWF World Champion, PV Sindhu took the bronze medal in Tokyo 2020. After Sushil Kumar, the 7th seeded badminton star became only the second Indian individual athlete to win two Olympic medals (2008 and 2012). 

Lovlina Borgohain won India’s third medal in Tokyo. The Assam-born athlete won a medal in her first-ever Olympiad. She also became the third Indian boxer after Vijender Singh and MC Mary Kom to win an Olympic medal.

The men's hockey team beat Germany to take the bronze medal, ending India's 41-year wait. Even today, India has the most medals in field hockey at the Summer Olympics. This result has given an impetus to India's traditional sport.

Wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya won India’s fifth medal. The 23-year-old Harayan-born athlete marked one of the most dramatic comebacks and booked his spot in the final of men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling. He became the second Indian wrestler, after Sushil Kumar (2012 London), to win an Olympic silver medal.

Bajrang Punia equalled India's best Olympic performance by winning the bronze medal in men's 65kg freestyle wrestling, bringing the country's medal tally to six. India's flag-bearer for the 2020 Olympics closing ceremony became the sixth Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal.

Last but not least, on the final day of the Indian participation events, Neeraj Chopra won the biggest prize of all - the Olympic Gold Medal. The 23-year-old became the first Indian to win gold in track and field - the Olympics' original form of Athletics - in the Javelin Throw. The Harayan-born athlete is now the second-ever individual gold medalist at the Olympic Games for Team India after Abhinav Bindra won for Shooting in 2008 Beijing. With that spectacular throw of 87.58 metres, India achieved its best performance at the Olympics, earning seven medals overall. Neeraj has given 1.3 billion people a dare to dream!

We at Royal Challengers Bangalore congratulate all medal winners, as well as those who came close and brought us all together to cheer for India - Women's hockey team, Aditi Ashok (Golf), Fouaad Mirza (Equestrian), CA Bhavani Devi (Fencing), and Deepak Punia (Wrestling). The entire contingent demonstrated passion, dedication, and determination with the ultimate aim of flying the tricolour high. Yes, you have all made the nation proud, and we will always be there to cheer for you!