We are just two days away from the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. The biggest event of summer will get underway and understandably, hopes are high from India’s 225-member athletic contingent for the quadrennial games. Historically, it’s an event where Indian athletes across disciplines have always done well. In the last three editions, the Indian contingent has amassed a total of 215 medals - 50 in 2006, 101 in 2010 and 64 in 2014 and thus it comes as no surprise that with a larger pool of athletes, many of whom are coming off very successful years, fans are expecting a string of podium finishes.
1. Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)
Chopra, who has been training under former world record holder Uwe Hohn, is one of the brightest prospects in the Indian contingent. In 2017, the 20-year-old won a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship while breaking the men’s javelin meet record with an effort of 85.23 meters. He later won silver at the Asian Grand Prix in Jiaxing, China to qualify for the IAFF World Championships, where he unfortunately failed to qualify for the final.
2. Jitu Rai (Shooting)
Shooting is a sport where India has some serious pedigree at the Commonwealth Games. India has won 56 gold medals in shooting and spearheading India’s challenge in Gold Cost will be Jitu Rai. The 30-year-old shooter will compete in the 50m pistol and 10m air pistol event. Last year, Jitu won four gold medals and a bronze at ISSF events and two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Shooting Championships.
3. Kidambi Srikanth (Badminton)
It’s been a dream run for the TOISA Sportsperson of the Year, after scooping an unprecedented four Superseries titles in 2017. Building on the promise shown during his run to the quarter-finals of the men’s singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Srikanth made it large last year, winning the Indonesia Open, Australian Open, Denmark Open and French Open and moving to No 2 in the BWF men’s singles rankings.
4. Vikas Krishan
The 26-year-old clinched a gold medal at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria and became the first Indian to be adjudged as the best boxer at the event. Vikas will compete in the 75kg category and remains India’s best bet – along with Manoj Kumar – to win a boxing medal.
