India wins 66 medals at Commonwealth Games 2018: Here are some of the brightest stars
India had a stellar showing at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.
India had a stellar showing at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where it finished third on the medal table behind Australia and England. With its bounty of 26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze medals, India improved from Glasgow 2014, where it had finished fifth overall.
While the 21st edition was not their best showing in the competition, it was impressive nonetheless, predominantly because of the number of youngsters, many of them in their teens, who withstood nerves and pressure to stand on the podium. Here are some of the bright stars to emerge from Gold Coast.
Manika Batra, 22
Table Tennis
With two gold, one silver and one bronze medal, many would say that Batra is the discovery of the Games. They wouldn’t be wrong. She led the women’s team to their first gold medal and then later went on to win the singles event, beating higher-ranked and favoured Singapore players in process. Batra won a medal in all the events she competed in (four), and returns from the Games as the most decorated athlete.
Manu Bhaker, 16
Shooting
The teenager had already made headlines earlier this year when she won two golds in Sr ISSF World Cup and followed it up with victories in the junior competition too. As one of the youngest competitors in 10m air pistol, Bhaker set a Games record to top the podium, proving that she remains one of India’s best medal prospects for Tokyo 2020.
Anish Bhanwala,15
Shooting
Add another name to the list of Indian athletes to bank on in Tokyo 2020. Only, he is a year younger than Bhaker. Bhanwala a few years ago gave up modern pentathlon to pursue 25m Rapid Fire Pistol. It has proven to be a good decision. The teen also broke the previous Games Record, impressing furthermore by hitting all five in the final round.
Neeraj Chopra, 20
Javelin throw
Athletics continues to be India’s Achilles Heel, but here is one man who is India’s best bet to shine on the international arena. The junior world record holder threw over the 80m mark in the finals and set a season’s best to clinch India’s sole gold medal in athletics.
Mehuli Ghosh, 17
Shooting
Ghosh is yet another of India’s growing pack of shooting stars. She wowed when she hit a 10.9 to tie the Games record and force a shoot-out for the gold medal in 10m air rifle. The teenager had to settle for silver but she instantly won admirers with her performance.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, 17
Badminton
A gold in the team event, a silver in men’s doubles and just falling short of winning a bronze in mixed doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, one of India’s finest doubles players, had a stellar showing down under.
Mirabai Chanu, 23
Weightlifting
The diminutive Manipuri won in style, setting a Games record in both clean and jerk and snatch in the 48-kg category. As the reigning world champion in the category, expectations are high from Chanu for Tokyo 2020.
Venkat Rahul Ragala, 21
Weightlifting
The country’s first Junior Olympics medallist and Commonwealth Weightlifting champion last year, the youngster from Stuartpuram, Andhra Pradesh, lived up to his potential to win gold in the 85-kg category.
Gaurav Solanki, 21
Boxing
It was in the manner that the Havildar of Army Sports Institute in Pune won his bout that left everyone in awe. After being knocked down twice, the 21-year-old pugilist came back with a vengeance to defeat his opponent from Northern Ireland and win the 52kg category.