The 22nd edition of the commonwealth games starts in Birmingham today. A total of 5000 Athletes are vying for medals in 20 sports from 72 participating nations. India will be represented by a dynamic batch of 213 Athletes including 103 women in various sports. The Indian side has impressed in the successive editions of the games over the years. The hopes are high this year as well.
With the Game set to begin today, here we present to you 8 Indian stars, aspiration from whom is the highest for the top prize in the game:
P.V. Sindhu:
Ace Shuttler and India’s flag bearer in this edition of the game will look forward to pumping up her power-packed performance to change her medal’s color to gold from silver from the last edition of the commonwealth games. Sindhu a two-time Olympic medallist, will aim for her best in Birmingham. The 27-year-old star player has been the world champion in Basel in 2019. She has also a total of 14 medals to her credit including 2 gold, one from the 2018 commonwealth games doubles event along with a podium finish in the Uber Cup, Asian Games, and World championships. The star player has set a bar high for herself, she is among the most probable gold contender for India.
Mira Bai Chanu:
A world record holder with a lift of 205 KG, all eyes will be on the defending champion Mirabai Chanu to continue with her gold-winning performance in the straight second season of the game. Her confidence and mental toughness stand her out from others in the competition. The World champion (2017) from Imphal has a total of 4 medals in the International circuit including 2 gold. Aspirations from her are high to seal a golden deal for the country.
Manika Batra:
One of the biggest names in the country in Table Tennis, Manika Batra has been impressive in her sports over the years. She had won 4 medals for India in the last edition of the game at Gold Coast. Her aggressive gameplay has been the biggest strength on the table. Manika has a total of 5 medals to her name, including a bronze in the Asian games in Jakarta, 2018. She is among the top hopes for the gold in this edition of the game.
Bajrang Punia:
28 years old Bajrang Punia was among the most probable to win a gold at the Tokyo Olympics, but failed and settled for bronze, which he will surely look forward to upgrading in Birmingham this time. The defending champion in the 65 KG category has raised the bar of aspirations high upon him with back-to-back star performances in the international arena. The wrestler has a total of 8 medals to his name including another gold in the Jakarta Asian games in 2018.
Vinesh Phogat:
Carrying forward the legacy of the family in wrestling, Vinesh has been supreme in her category and has gold in her name in both Asian and commonwealth games. She was devastated by her performance in Tokyo after which she didn’t return to the mat in a while but hopes from the star grappler is high as always to seal gold for the nation.
Amit Panghal:
Indian star boxer from Haryana has been surprised with his performances in a few years. His major international breakthrough came in with a golden punch at the Asian Games in 2018. Panghal will surely look to compensate with the gold that he missed in the last edition when he had to settle for the silver in the Gold coast. Keeping aside the setback in Tokyo, Amit will be on a high to aim for what belongs to him.
Lakshya Sen:
Referred to as a child prodigy by many, 20 years old Lakshya from Almora belongs to a family of Badminton players. He has already credited two golds with one in Youth Olympics in 2018. Lakshya is up on high with his star performance in the All England Open where he lost to Danish superstar Viktor Axelsen earlier this year in the finals. Carrying forward the confidence ahead Lakshya Sen will look to smash the golden prize at any cost this time.
Nikhat Zareen:
Nikhat comes from a family of sporting enthusiasts. His father Mohammed Jameel was a footballer. Her first major break was a bronze finish in the Asian Games in Bangkok in 2019. 26 years old newly crowned world champion will look to carry forward the momentum with her golden punch form.
Apart from these athletes from whom aspirations remain too high, there are other superstars as well to look forward to in India’s journey ahead for the commonwealth games in Birmingham.