Tokyo Olympics Day 8 Preview: Deepika & Sindhu continue as Athletics begins

Both the men's and women's hockey teams are also in action on Friday.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have completed the first week of action which, saw several Indians participate in their respective events. However, only Mirabai Chanu has been able to deliver a medal at this point, after winning the silver in the 49kg women’s weightlifting event. But, there are still strong contenders for a medal in other sports. P.V. Sindhu and Deepika Kumari are front-runners in ensuring more medals for India in Tokyo, Japan. There will be several other athletes in action on Day 8 of the Tokyo Olympics. It will also be a big day for sailing events and will see our track & field athletes start their campaigns too.

Here is the preview of what is to come for Indian athletes on Friday at the Tokyo Olympics.

Golf - Men's Individual Stroke Play Round 2 

The Indian pair of Udayan Mane and Anirban Lahiri will resume their qualification rounds in the Individual Stroke Play event in Golf.

The event starts at 4:00 AM IST

Equestrian - Individual eventing dressage session 1 and 2

Fouaad Mirza will represent India at the equestrian event tomorrow. He will contest the individual eventing dressage session 1 and 2 and will hope to get off to a good start on Day 8 of the Tokyo Olympics.

The event starts at 5:00 AM IST

Shooting - Women's 25m Pistol Qualification Round 2 

Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat will also resume their qualification rounds in the Women’s 25m Pistol event. Bhaker stands fifth, while Sarnobat is in 25th place after the conclusion of Precision rounds. Tomorrow will see the Rapid rounds begin. 

The event begins at 5:30 AM IST onward.

Badminton - P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi 

One of the most anticipated contests tomorrow will involve P.V. Sindhu in badminton. The World No.7 will play her quarterfinals match against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. If she wins, Sindhu will ensure a bronze medal for India by reaching the semi-finals. 

The match begins at 5:30 AM IST

Archery - Women's Individual Event

India’s strong medal hope in Deepika Kumari will take the stage tomorrow. She will contest the 1/8 Elimination Round against Ksenia Perova who is playing under the ROC flag. The Indian archer will hope to secure victory and advance further in order to win the first Olympic medal in her career. 

The event begins at 6:00 AM IST onwards.

ALSO READ: Who are India’s realistic hopes for a Tokyo Olympics medal after Day 7?

Athletics - Men's 3000m Steeplechase

Athletics events will commence on Day 8 of the Tokyo Olympics. The first day will see India’s Avinash Sable take part in the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Heat 2. The long-distance runner will have high expectations on his shoulders. 

The race begins at 6:17 AM IST tomorrow.

Hockey - Women's - Ireland Vs India 

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will be in action against Ireland tomorrow. Indian ladies have lost all three of their previous encounters in Pool A and will hope to deliver the first win of their disappointing Olympics campaign on Day 8 of the Tokyo Olympics.

The match begins at 8:15 AM IST.

Boxing - Simranjit Kaur

Simranjit Kaur will take her place in the boxing ring against Thailand’s Sudaporn Seesondee. She will hope to win the bout and gain a place in the quarterfinals of the draw, one step away from ensuring a bronze medal.

The bout starts at 8:18 AM IST

Athletics - Men's 400m Hurdles

The Men’s 400m hurdles event will also take place tomorrow. India will be represented by Jabir Palliyalil in Heat 5. The first four runners in each heat (Q) and the next four fastest (q) will advance to the semifinals.

Catch him in action at 8:27 AM IST

Sailing - Women's Laser Radial

Nethra Kumanan will continue her performance in the Women’s One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial - Race 9 and 10. She has been fighting the Japanese waters well until now, however, hopes of a medal are slim to none.

Her race begins at 8:35 AM IST

Sailing - Men’s Skiff 49er 

The Indian duo of Varun Thakkar and Ganapathy Kelapanda will take part in the Men’s Skiff 49er races 7, 8 and 9 tomorrow. The pair finished seventh in the sixth race, in India’s best sailing performance at the Tokyo Olympics.  

Their race begins from 8:35 AM IST onward.

Athletics - Women’s 100m

India’s Dutee Chand will take part in the Women’s 100m tomorrow as well. She is the sole representative from the country in the 100m race and will hope to perform to the best of her abilities.

Catch her in action at 8:45 AM IST

Boxing - Lovlina Borgohain 

Lovlina Borgohain will also be in action in the quarterfinals of the Women’s welterweight division. She is up against Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei. The winner will take her place in the semi-finals and assure a bronze medal at the very least. 

The event starts at 8:48 AM IST

Sailing - Men's One Person Dinghy

Vishnu Saravanan will also be in action in the Men’s One Person Dinghy - Laser - Race 9 and 10. The 22-year-old sailor is making a mark in the sport and will hope to improve on his performance.

The event starts at 11:05 AM IST onward. 

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Hockey - Men’s - Japan Vs India

Hockey will also see the Men’s team in action. Unlike their female counterparts, the Men’s team have impressed in Pool A. They beat Argentina in the last match and will be up against Japan tomorrow. India have three wins and one loss out of four games and look set to qualify to the knockout rounds. 

The match begins at 3:00 PM IST

Athletics - 4x400m Relay Mixed Round 1 Heat 2

The highly anticipated 4x400 Relay Mixed event will also commence tomorrow. India will be represented by Sarthak Bhambri, Alex Antony, Subha Venkatesan and Revathi Veeramani. The athletes will contest in the Round 1 Heat 2 race and hope to either finish in the top three places or have the two next fastest timings to advance into the finals. 

The event begins at 4:42 PM IST

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