Presenting Episode #12 of the “Road To Tokyo” series.
First Up Coronavirus - The preparations for the Games have hit a major snag with CoVid-19 spreading all around the world. Some of the Qualifying events have been relocated out of China. Many training sessions and practices events have been cancelled/postponed. The volunteer training at Tokyo has been delayed. Meanwhile, London’s mayor has announced that London is ready to step in as Host, in case the Games must be moved out of Tokyo. While senior IOC member Thomas Bach has said a decision will be likely taken in May. Meanwhile bookies have already started offering odds on the cancellation/postponement/shifting of the Games! Quite a weird state of affairs.
India Qualification Update
Athletics
Bhawna Jat has qualified for the Women’s 20 KM Walk with a National Record Performance.
In Other News
- Weightlifting - Mirabai Chanu breaks her own National Record in 49 KG. Looking good as medal prospect at the Games.
- Boxing - Amit Panghal is now ranked #1 in the world.
- Wrestling – India put up a mixed show at the Asian Wrestling Championships. While the highly rated Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat could not deliver the Golds, Ravi Dahiya and Divya Kakran did. However, the field was a bit weakened in the absence of Chinese wrestlers who were not given a visa due to travel restrictions on account of Coronavirus fears.
- Badminton –Currently Sai Praneeth, Srikanth & Sindhu in Singles and the pair of Satwik Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty are in contention for a direct berth. However, with events getting dropped/postponed due to Coronavirus fears, time is running out for the others to book a berth.
- Golf – Rashid Khan, Udayan Mane, Aditi Ashok & Diksha Dagar are on track to qualify for the Games.
Upcoming Qualification Events
- Boxing – Asian Qualifiers
- Basketball 3x3 – Qualifiers hosted in Bengaluru
- Canoeing - Asian Canoe Slalom Championships
- Sailing - Asian Championships
- Wrestling – Asian Qualification Event
Total Count – Sports - 6, Events – 26, Entries -37, Participants – 64
Links
- Road To Tokyo: Episode 11
- What Next for the Summer Games (Firstpost)
- Asian Wrestling Championships 2020 – (Wikipedia)
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