agencies
NEW DELHI, July 27: In the absence of shooting, India's traditional fertile ground for medals, these are some of the disciplines and individuals who could finish on the podium for India at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
After the disappointment in 2018, when Indian track and field athletes fared poorly, they will eye a bigger haul of medals at Birmingham 2022. India had named a squad of 33 athletes, including men's javelin defending champion Neeraj Chopra. But the Olympic gold medallist is out due to a groin strain which he sustained during the recent World Athletics Championships.
Annu Rani: In Chopra's absence, the javelin baton has passed on to Annu Rani. The 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist has a personal best throw of 63.24 metres -- India's national record in women's javelin throw. If the 29-year-old matches that performance, she could be in with a medal chance.
Seema Punia: Already a four-time Commonwealth Games medallist, discus thrower Seema Punia, 38, would hope to sign off with the gold following a bronze and three back-to-back silver medals. In the last edition, she narrowly missed out on the gold. The 2014 Incheon Asiad gold medallist's personal best throw is 63.72 metres. She will be determined to replicate that mark.
Indian boxing's overall good run in the Commonwealth Games is expected to continue in the 2022 edition. In the last edition, Indian pugilists narrowly missed out on the team honours to England despite winning the same numbers of medals, on the gold medal count. India, ranked 10th in the all-time medal tally, has so far won eight gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze. India will be represented by 12 boxers in the ring at National Exhibition Centre.
Nikhat Zareen: She is the heir apparent to MC Mary Kom, and got the top billing in her category despite dropping two kgs to compete in women's 50kg category. This will be Nikhat's Commonwealth Games debut, but the reigning world champion in 52 kg is more than ready to make up for her lost chances. Birmingham will be just the perfect warm-up for the 26-year-old as she seeks greater glories in Hangzhou 2023 and Paris 2024.
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