So the same old story unfolds at the Olympics for India. A bad first day, even worse second day - the independence day not withstanding, and we can expect the worst on the third.
From shooting team, we hear the stories which we have heard before. Anjali Bhagwat talks of not checking the setting of the Air Rifle which cost her the crucial points in the beginning. We heard the similar crib by Jaspal Rana, 4 years ago. According to him his pistol for Center Fire event was faulty and got stuck. We don't know any better so have to give them benefit of doubt. World record holder Suma Shirur finished 8th and came no where near the record.
At least Kunjurani Devi, to be fair to her, tried her best . Her best total was 190kg and she reached that. This was good effort considering that in recent past she was only managing 180 kg. Looking at the competition, it was clear the 36 years old policewoman lifted her game and fought till the end. If only could she lifted her both last attempts in Snatch(85 kg) and Clean and Jerk(112.5 kg), the Bronze was her. Same story was with Chanu. She was inches close to Bronze but she had performed miserably in Snatch event, which eventually cost her the medal.
Had it not been for Duleep Turkey, India would have lost the 5 or 6 goals margin, and had it not been for Sandeep Singh, India might well have drawn the game. The idiotic dribbling by him resulted in the first minute goal against India. Since then, India was down, trying to level. In second half, while trying to score, opened up and conceded two more goals. Sandeep Singh's over all ball control is pathetic, and it's big trade off India makes for his drag flicking abilities. Forwards where as listless as ever, though Turkey was playing the match of his life and defended beautifully. The two goal deficit is going to cost India dear later in the tournament. The forward line up is needed to be rapped in the knuckles for this.
Other losses were expected, though Archers have kept the Tricolour high. But how long? Over to you Le-Hesh.