Lovlina (69kg) has assured India a bronze after storming into the semifinals. Meanwhile, Neeraj said he is happy that he is finally getting to represent the country at the Olympics.

“I am looking forward to what will be my first experience at the Olympics. I have had a fair share of highs and lows over the past few years, and I’m happy that I am finally going to be able to represent my nation at the biggest sporting stage of them all,” said Neeraj in an official release in July.

“I feel the junior athletes having access to the institute are extremely lucky and thank brands like Bridgestone for supporting IIS in this effort,” he added.

The Indian women’s hockey team put up a fantastic display of skill and tenacity during their 1-0 victory over Australia in the quarterfinal match of the Tokyo Olympics on Monday.

High on confidence and self-belief after the momentous victory, the Indian women’s hockey team has now firmly set its sights on the all-important semifinal encounter against Argentina on Wednesday.

Golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will compete in women’s round 1 and Anshu Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Deepak Punia will headline wrestling action for India.

If the trio qualifies for the next round, Anshu Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Deepak Punia would play the semifinal matches on the same day.

In the afternoon, the Indian women’s Hockey team; led by Rani, will count on their recent experience of playing against the Argentinians during their extensive tour of Argentina in January 2021.

Much like the Indian team, Argentina has also gone from strength to strength in the competition, securing the semifinal berth after a convincing 3-0 victory against Germany in the quarterfinal on Monday.

Meanwhile, India’s hopes to play in an Olympic Final was dashed on day eleven of the ongoing Tokyo Games as a formidable Belgium squad came back from a 1-2 deficit to beat the Manpreet Singh-led side 5-2 on Tuesday.

It was a hat-trick by Alexander Hendrickx (19’, 49’, 53’), and goals by Loick Luyaert (2’) and John-John Dohmen (60’) that helped Belgium book a place in the final. For India, Harmanpreet Singh (7’) and Mandeep Singh (9’) scored the two goals. India’s hunt for a medal, however, will continue when they play the Bronze medal play-off match on Thursday.

The day started with Javelin thrower Annu Rani failing to qualify for the women’s final after an underwhelming show.

In her first attempt, Rani registered a throw of 50.35m. After the first attempt, Rani was placed at the ninth spot.

In the second attempt, the 28-year-old registered a throw of 53.19m and by the time everyone was done with their second attempt, Rani slipped to the 14th spot.

Annu registered a throw of 54.04m in her third and final throw and she was placed at the 14th spot when the Qualification Group A ended.

Grappler Sonam Malik also bowed out of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics after losing to Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the women’s freestyle 62kg event.

In the afternoon, shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor finished 13th at the end of his three attempts in the qualifications of the men’s Shot Put (Group A) of the Tokyo Olympics.

Tajinder started with a throw of 19.99m but had two disqualifications in the next two attempts to see his hopes of qualifying for the finals dashed as India ended the day without a win on Tuesday.