India at Tokyo 2020, day 11 as it happened: Defeat for men’s hockey team in SF on disappointing day

8.45 pm: It could be a big day for India at Tokyo Olympics. We will leave with you the schedule for Wednesday.

India at Tokyo 2020 day 12 schedule: Women’s hockey team & Lovlina in semis, Neeraj Chopra in action, three wrestlers take the mat

Data check: Perhaps the biggest disappointment from the shooting contingent was the serious lack of presence in finals. In a sport as unpredictable, the optimum scenario would have been to give yourself good odds of a medal. If things go wrong then, alright. But... read more in the link below.

Data check – where Indian shooters finished and how far they were from finals

Athletics: In case you missed it, Sweden’s Armand Duplantis won the Olympic men’s pole vault gold and did so in some style. The US-born Swede managed a best of 6.02 metres, that was enough to ensure gold and then went twice going close at 6.19m in a bid to better his own world record. American Christopher Nilsen claimed silver with a personal best of 5.97m, while Brazil’s Olympic champion from the 2016 Rio Games, Thiago Braz, took home bronze (5.87m).

Athletics: Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah made Olympic history in Tokyo Tuesday, blazing to victory in the 200 metres to complete an unprecedented women’s sprinting “double-double”.

Thompson-Herah, the 2016 Olympics 100m and 200m gold medallist who successfully defended her 100m title on Saturday, bagged a record fourth individual gold after storming home in a blistering 21.53sec.

Namibian teenager Christine Mboma took silver in 21.81sec while the USA’s Gabby Thomas won bronze in 21.87sec.

The 29-year-old Thompson-Herah’s time was the second fastest in history after Florence Griffith Joyner’s world record of 21.34sec set at the drug-tarnished 1988 Seoul Olympics.

As well as becoming the first woman to claim a 100m-200m “double-double”, Thompson-Herah is the only female track and field athlete to win four individual Olympic golds. (Via AFP)

Athletics, pole vault final: Mondo Duplantis is 21. And he was just having the time of his life in trying to break his own World Record mark at the Olympics final after sealing gold. Almost did it too.

Athletics, pole vault final: Everyone is watching on as if it is one of their own record attempts. And Mondo almost does it first go. He went to the other side with his hips clear... and it was a last-instance touch!! HE cannot believe it. SO CLOSE! (Reminder he is trying to break his own World Record)

Athletics: In one of the least surprising gold medals at Tokyo 2020, Mondo Duplantis is the pole vault champion. And of course he is not done yet. The man is going for the World Record! Sealed gold at 6.02m, now going for 6.19!

Athletics: The first ever woman to do the Olympics DOUBLE-DOUBLE. The second-fastest woman in history over both distances. VERY FAST ELAINE.

ATHLETICS: Elaine Thompson-Herah has done the 100m-200m DOUBLE-DOUBLE from Rio to Tokyo! The first woman to the double-double we are told by the commentators. A new National Record!

Athletics: A GREAT MOMENT! Teenage prodigy Athing Mu became the first American woman to win the Olympic 800m crown in more than half-a-century Tuesday, powering to a gold medal in 1min 55.21. Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson took silver in 1:55.88 while Raevyn Rogers of the United States took bronze in 1:56.81.

To constantly be expected to deliver at the biggest of stages is not easy. But PV Sindhu finds a way. And it is important on many counts that she does what she does.

READ: The importance of being PV Sindhu

Gymnastics: Simone Biles made her eagerly-awaited return to the Olympic Games on Tuesday, saying “I did it for me” after taking bronze in the beam final won by Chinese teenager Guan Chenchen.

It was the US superstar’s first taste of competition in Tokyo since dramatically standing down during the women’s team final last week, struggling with the “twisties”, a condition meaning gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air.

“I was just happy to be able to perform regardless of the outcome. I did it for me and I was proud of myself for being able to compete one more time,” said Biles, who revealed her aunt died two days ago.

After also withdrawing from the first three apparatus finals in the uneven bars, vault and floor, she said she had only been cleared to compete in the beam on Monday night.

“Just to have one more opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games meant the world. Training for five years and then coming here, and then kind of being triggered and not being able to do anything, it wasn’t fun.” (AFP)

Men’s hockey medal matches: (Timings per JST)

Men’s hockey semifinals, AUS 3-1 GER FULL TIME: For the second time today at the Oi Hockey Stadium, the team chasing late goal(s) has ended up conceding without the GK in place. Australia are back in the #Olympics final and Germany will face India for BRONZE.

Men’s hockey semifinals, AUS 2-1 GER, End of Q3: Germany have been on the attack but Australia have held firm and have preserved their lead.

TALKING POINT: For the 2nd time today, an Indian athlete is eliminated from a throwing event at the Group A stage. Makes one wonder about the peaking process. This interview by Ashish Magotra is a good read. The Indian athletes are just peaking trying to qualify, surely? For starters, no one in expecting all of them to set the world alight. But it would be nice to see athletes get to at least their Personal Best at the big stage. You have the chance at the Olympics, try matching what is your best ever there? Indian athletes keep falling short of that criteria too.

What goes into peaking at the right time and why it’s so crucial ahead of a big event

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: The third throw is also a foul from Toor and it is a poor outing for him. Even if it was a valid throw, it was not beyond 20.00. And soon after, Walsh’s 2nd attempt is declared valid which officially eliminates Toor even before the end of Group A.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor attempts: 19.99 X X

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: All athletes are done with their second attempts. New Zealand’s Tomas Walsh is in danger of missing out, in what would be a surprise. But assuming he gets a good throw next, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, like Annu Rani earlier today, is in danger of getting eliminated after just Group A is done.

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: Brazil’s Darlan Romani finishes his day by becoming the first athlete to qualify for the final directly. Two attempts and done. 10 athletes have crossed 20.00 already and it is not looking good for Tajinderpal unless he comes up with a massive third try.

Men’s hockey semifinals, AUS 2-1 GER at half time: The Kookaburras retake the lead. Who else but Blake Govers. Brutal drag flick and the favourites go into the break in the lead.

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: Second attempts coming up. Tajinderpal needs to get closer to his PB. The throw was shorter than his previous attempt but anyway called a foul. Not a valid attempt. One more try...

Tajinderpal Singh Toor attempts: 19.99 X

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: 11 athletes done and there have breached 20.00 with their first attempts. Tajinderpal sits fourth.

Men’s hockey semifinals, AUS 1-1 GER in Q2: India will shortly find out their opponent for the bronze medal match. Australia look the lead in Q1 and Germany hit back with a drag flick from their main man Lukas Windfeder. Second quarter is currently underway.

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: Among the six athletes to have thrown so far, no throws beyond the Indian. Reminder that there is Group B to come after this and those who do not achieve automatic qualification will have to wait till the end of that session to find out their fate

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: The Asian Games champion from India will begin things and he gets going with a 19.99m. He will have two more attempts to improve that mark.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor attempts: 19.99

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: Tajinderpal’s recent National Record mark was also the new Asian Record and he would do well to match it. The new World Record holder Ryan Crouser is in Group B. Tajinderpal’s 21.49 this season also puts him 15th among the athletes with the best throws this season. Tough task, but if he can qualify for the final with something close to his PB, it would be a good achievement.

Athletics, men’s shot put qualification Group A: It’s time for India’s Tajinder Singh Toor who will be in action soon. He is in Group A of the Shot Put qualifying and will go first among the competitors.

QUALIFICATION: Automatic mark of 21.20 (Q) or at least 12 best performers (q) advance to the Final. Tajinder’s Personal Best is 21.49, the national record that he set in June.

Zenia D’Cunha: Simone Biles is back on the Olympics podium! After a week where she couldn’t bring her body to perform, cheered from sidelines, faced harsh scrutiny, answered media, tweeted she only now believes she has value beyond gymnastics.... She comes back for one event & wins a medal. GOAT.

Gymnastics: A gold for a very surprised Guan Chenchen of China. A perfect dismount pushed her ahead of the rest. Tang Xijing of China gets the silver and Simone Biles wins the bronze.

Gymnastics: Biles!

Gymnastics: Simone Biles finishes her routine and has a huge smile on her face. Even with just a few inside the arena, the applause is loud and unmissable! She earns a 14.000 to be placed 2nd currently.

Gymnastics: Coming soon, the women’s balance beam final and Simone Biles is set to participate in her first individual final at Tokyo Olympics, after pulling out for mental health reasons. The final women’s gymnastics events was delayed a bit as per the official site, but it has now begun.

Gymnastics: US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles came through a training session smoothly on the beam ahead of her eagerly awaited return to the Olympics tonight. Biles has not performed in public since sensationally dropping out of the women’s team final last week. Suffering from the twisties, a psychological phenomenon impinging on a gymnast’s spatial awareness, she then pulled out of the all-around, and the vault, floor and uneven bars. A three-time world champion on the beam, she had to settle for bronze on the apparatus at the Rio Olympics, to add to her four golds. (AFP)

Basketball: The United States kept their basketball gold medal dreams alive by grinding past world champions Spain and into the semi-finals.

Sharp-shooting Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant poured in 29 points and four assists while Boston’s Jayson Tatum chipped in 13 in a battle between the world’s top two teams, nullifying Ricky Rubio’s 38-point spree for Spain.

The three-time defending champions will now face either a Patty Mills-led Australia or a dangerous Argentina to decide who plays the final on Saturday.

Athletics: Karsten Warholm ditched his early efforts in the decathlon in favour of the hurdles in 2016 and now he is smashing world records for fun.

Here are five super interesting things about HIM

Basketball: Sharp-shooting Zoran Dragic poured in 27 points and Luka Doncic added 20 as unheralded Slovenia swept past Germany 94-70 and into the men’s basketball semi-finals on their Olympic debut. They will face the winner of a last-eight clash between Italy and France, while defending champions USA take on second-ranked Spain and Australia meet Argentina in today’s other quarter-finals.

Weightlifting: New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has been hailed as a transgender pioneer after her short-lived Olympic debut but Games chiefs continue to wrestle with the thorny issues raised by her historic appearance.

Hubbard’s much-anticipated medal bid in the +87kg category ended in anti-climatic fashion at the Tokyo International Forum on Monday when she was eliminated after botching her opening three lifts.

The 43-year-old later admitted she was “overwhelmed” during her moment in the spotlight.

Critics argue athletes such as Hubbard, who was born male and transitioned to female in her 30s, have physical benefits hardwired into their bodies during their formative years.

These include greater muscle mass and lung capacity, leading to fears that female-born athletes could be forced to compete on an uneven playing field. (AFP)

Wrestling: The draws are out. India’s Ravi Dahiya (men’s 57kg) and Deepak Punia (men’s 86kg) have been handed relatively kind draws while Anshu Malik (women’s 57kg) though will be up against third seed in her first bout.

Athletics: Earlier, an entertaining morning session on day five of the athletics competition that produced a gold for German long-jumper Mihambo in a classic duel with 2012 gold medallist and four-time world champion Brittney Reese of the United States.

Mihambo was lying in the bronze medal position ahead of her final jump, but hammered down the runway to register a season-best jump of 7.00 metres to take the lead.

That left Reese – who had led the competition with a best jump of 6.97m – with one final attempt to win gold.

But the American could only manage 6.84 with her last leap, settling for silver ahead of Nigeria’s Ese Brume who took bronze with a best jump of 6.97m. (AFP)

Boxing: Sena Irie became the first Japanese woman to win Olympic boxing gold on Tuesday, defeating Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines on unanimous points to take the featherweight title in Tokyo.

It was disappointment for Petecio, who had been looking to earn the Philippines’ first Olympic gold in the country’s proud boxing history.

Judges’ scorecards – which are now displayed after each round to make Olympic boxing more transparent – unanimously had the 20-year-old Irie ahead after round one.

Both boxers were letting their fists go in a lively and open contest at Kokugikan Arena, which is usually used for Japan’s national sport, sumo.

The 29-year-old Petecio, the 2019 world champion, had the better of the second round.

The third was also highly competitive, but it was Irie who got the nod from the judges, putting her hand over her mouth and crying. (AFP)

Throwback Tuesday Time: On this day in 1996, Leander Paes ended India’s 44-year wait for an individual medal at the Olympics. The tennis player beat Brazil’s Fernando Meligeni to clinch the bronze medal at the Atlanta Games.
Read more – Pause, rewind, play: End of a long wait – when Leander Paes made India proud at the 1996 Olympics

Athletics: Norway’s Karsten Warholm produced a devastating performance to smash his own world record and win the Olympic men’s 400 metres hurdles gold on Tuesday.

Touted as one of the stand-out events of the 10-day track and field programme at the Olympic Stadium, the cream of a very good hurdling crop did not fail to deliver in a thrilling race despite stifling midday heat and humidity in Tokyo.

Warholm clocked a remarkable 45.94 seconds, pulverising his previous world best of 46.70sec. To put that performance into perspective, only four runners in history have even clocked sub-47sec times, let alone sub-46.

American arch-rival Rai Benjamin won silver in 46.17sec, with Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos claiming bronze in 46.72, both regional records that also smashed their previous personal bests. Rai’s timing also smashed the previous world record while Santos’ time was just fractions below the recent mark set by Warholm himself. (AFP)

Wrestling, women’s 62kg: NO REPECHAGE. And that is that for Sonam Malik on her debut. The Mongolian wrestler was dominated in her next bout, over in no time. The best chance for the Indian was to win her first bout and if she lost against Yusein, she could have defeated Japan’s Kawai in the next round. Not to be.

Women’s wrestling, 62 kg IND 2-2 MGL, (MGL won by tiebreak criteria): As much as repechage is open for Sonam, would not advice having much hopes. She is in a tough, tough bottom half where the Mongolian wrestler has to overcome the second seed next and then the second seed from Japan (never easy) to reach the final for Sonam to become active again.

Wrestling: For those on Twitter, here’s a thread of how ties are broken in wrestling.

Women’s wrestling, 62 kg IND 2-2 MGL: Sonam Malik came so close to making a winning debut! She had a 2-point lead with half a minute to go. And it took just one 2-pointer from the Asian championship silver medallist to win by criteria. (When level on points, the first tiebreaker is the higher scoring move)

Women’s wrestling, 62 kg IND 2-2 MGL: Heartbreaking, 20 seconds to go the Mongolian has a 2-pointer and it is the Mongolian in winning position.

Women’s wrestling, 62 kg IND 2-0 MGL: Less than a minute to go! Sonam needs to defend but it is just a matter of one move for the Mongolian .

Women’s wrestling, 62 kg IND 2-0 MGL: Another push out of bounds and Sonam has a 2-0 lead! She could actually hold on here. Two mins to go.

Women’s wrestling, 62 kg IND 1-0 MGL: End of period 1. Sonam has a 1-0 lead with the Mongolian under a passivity warning, and the Indian pushed her out of bounds.

Women’s wrestling: Sonam Malik begins India’s campaign against Asian silver medallist Bolortuya Khurelkhuu from Mongolia.

Men’s hockey semifinal: FULL TIME STATS

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-5 BEL, FULL TIME: That’s the end of India’s hopes of winning the gold but the quest for a medal remains alive. Time to buck up again. They have done it before, not long back, here in Tokyo. One more push.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-5 BEL, Q4: GOAL BELGIUM. India are without a goalkeeper and after Vanasch makes a save, the world champions counter and score their 5th.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-4 BEL, Q4: Since that phase they scored 2 goals in Q1 and looked alright going forward for a while in Q2, India’s attacking play has been non existent since. It is difficult to get going suddenly in the end. One minute left.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-4 BEL, Q4: Belgians finding space behind India’s defence too, forget game management. Sreejesh had to be sharp to prevent a 5th. And that will be all for him for the game. Extra onfield player.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-4 BEL, Q4: Belgium in game management mode.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-4 BEL, Q4: India have pour forward now, no other option. Just a little over five minutes left. Expect Sreejesh to be taken off soon.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-4 BEL, Q4: GOAL BELGIUM. Penalty stroke given and it is a hat-trick for Alexander Hendrickx. Just all the pressure paying off for the world champions.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-3 BEL, Q4: Sorry but we have track of how many PCs Belgium have received in this phase of play. Raining short corners at the moment! And this last one might have resulted in a stroke too... oh dear. Umpire referral.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-3 BEL, Q4: Another PC for Belgium, trap goes wrong. They have earne another. Hendrickx with a massive strike again and it is saved by Sreejesh! AND NOW ANOTHER PC.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-3 BEL, Q4: 10 mins to go, India are back to 11 but the pressure is still on their defence. Not looking exactly hopeful at the moment.

(Correction) Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-3 BEL, Q4, GOAL BELGIUM: You could see this coming from a mile away. Down to 10, PC conceded, and eventually a goal conceded. Hendrickx again! 13th goal of the tournament for him.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q4: Down to 10 and India have to defend a series of PCs now... Sreejesh comes up with a big save. Another PC for BEL.

Graham Reid pre-match: “We need to keep 11 players on the pitch. The problem is that we played a lot of our game against Great Britain with 10 men on the pitch. We can’t do that against Belgium...” Green card in Q4. Sigh.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q4: Oh dear. Reid wanted to avoid this! Indiscipline. Green card for an Indian player. Oh dear Manpreet. Down to 10 for two minutes.

Ashish Magotra: India need to perhaps get a little tighter in defence. Too much space being given to the Belgium forwards to receive the ball. In Q4, India would perhaps not want to afford them that opportunity. Nerves will start to become a factor too.

Coach Reid: “You have got to run back.” Easier said than done in this Tokyo heat. Unforgiving on the players, all of them.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, end of Q3: A very animated Indian dugout. “The most important 15 minutes coming up for Indian hockey in many many years,” says Rasquinha on air.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, end of Q3: INTO THE FINAL 15 WE GO. India needed that break more than Belgium, the men in blue under quite the defensive pressure at the moment.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3: A bit cagier now as we get to the business end of the match. Both teams would be wary of making of the mistake here. Indian defence the busier though.

SPOTTED: Women’s team head coach Sjoerd Marijne in the stands.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3: Harmanpreet with the drag flick and that is more great rushing in this match. Unsure who that was for the world champs but saved brilliantly.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3: Lengthy referral... and India get the PC, Belgium lose their referral.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3: PC for India after Manpreet releases Sumit down the right flank....and it is referred by Belgium.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3: Belgium in control of the possession here... or at least possession in dangerous areas. India resorting to long balls to try and break through the structure.

Ashish Magotra: Belgium are an older side. India are a younger team and can afford to set a higher tempo. It is hot, it is humid. Conditions the Indian team should be used to.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3: Belgium start on the front foot. India a bit passive early on here, looking for a counter perhaps?

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, Q3 begins: Pep talks done and we go again.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL, HALF TIME: And breathe.... what a breathtaking half of hockey.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2: HARMANPREET CLOSE! He goes for the angled drag-flick inside out this time. And the angle takes it away from the goal. Wasn’t a million miles away that!

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2: CHANCE INDIA! Dilpreet finds Shamsher with a lovely through ball into the D but the finish doesn’t come. VANASCH makes himself big as he so often does. But a PC for India.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2: Another PC fo Belgium! One that might have been overturned if India had a review. ROHIDAS RUSHES AGAIN. PC saved.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2: Referral from India, Mandeep Singh thinks he has been pushed in the D. Oh dear and India lose the referral! Should at least have been no advice possible? Former captain Viren Rasquinha thinks that is a strange decision.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2: CHANCE! Mandeep does brilliantly again and his cutback IS INCHES AWAY from being deflected into the net by Dilpreet. The replay shows it might be smaller than inches. FINE MARGINS.

Ashish Magotra: Belgium have two PC experts on their team and India simply have to cut down on the PC opportunities that they having almost been doling out.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2: India are the much better side in open play it must be said. Another chance created through an attack from the right and Vanasch is called into action. Flank shifts, another chance.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-2 BEL in Q2, GOAL BELGIUM! IF Hendrickx gets a go, he mostly gets a goal. The tournament’s leading goalscorer, who was brilliant in the quarterfinal win, is on the field for that PC and converts it with aplomb.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL in Q2: ANOTHER PC FOR BEL! And this time Hendrickx is on the pitch. He has a brutal drag flick.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL in Q2: CHANCE INDIA! Mandeep found in space down the right byline, the pullback is defended with an Indian forward waiting for a tap in.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL: India have made things harder for themselves. Rupinder breaks line with the rush and India will have to defend this PC with one man down. The series of play results in three PCs.... AND INDIA SAVE ALL THREE. Amit Rohidas brilliant with his rushing!

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL, Q2 starts: End of Q1, India were strong. Start of Q2. And BEL have a PC already.

Zenia D’Cunha: 3 goals, 2-1 lead for India in the 1st quarter. That’s one way to start a semi-final with style! India fightback to dominate right at the start. Now for that match to be just like this quarter.

Ashish Magotra: Solid advice from Reid – “Don’t try to do difficult things. Just keep things simple.”

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL end of Q1: One down, three to go. India recovered after a superb start for Belgians.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL in Q1: A similar pattern so far to the teams’ last meeting in the FIH Pro League (match 2 after India won match 1). India will hope for a better result.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL in Q1: Another PC for India and this time Rupinder is on the pitch. Saved by Vanasch! Reflex save.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 2-1 BEL in Q1, GOALLLLLLLL INDIAAAAA!! Two goals in the space of two minutes... India have turned it around. Mandeep Singh’s first goal of the tournament and what a time to get it. Sharp turn in the D and gets the reverse hit out with force. A quick referral to check if there was a back-stick, but nope. IT IS GOOD.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 1-1 BEL in Q1, GOALLLLL INDIA! The dragflicker does the trick for India. Harmanpreet Singh with a superb strike low and to the left of Vanasch.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 0-1 BEL in Q1: SAVED! The injection is good but the trap wasn’t, but they end getting a shot on target that is saved. India have another PC.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 0-1 BEL in Q1: Referral from Gurjant, he is confident that the ball is a high one from Belgian stick and India earn their first PC.

Ashish Magotra: Okay, clearly some people are not sitting in their lucky seats. Still early days, India still haven’t really got going. Manpreet and Co aren’t running hard (with and without the ball) at the Belgians yet.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 0-1 BEL in Q1: It is a nice open start to the game though. Both teams looking to lay down the marker early. Important for India to not panic at the moment, we know that this Belgium defence can be breached.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 0-1 BEL in Q1, GOAL BELGIUM: The experts felt the key to India keeping Belgium at bay would be to avoid giving the Belgians Penalty Corners. But even without Hendrickx on the pitch, Belgium convert their first PC to go ahead in two minutes! Less than ideal start. Luypaert with the strike.

Men’s hockey semifinal, IND 0-0 BEL: PUSHBACK! Let’s go.

Men’s hockey semifinals: World no 2 Belgium vs world no 3 India. NATIONAL ANTHEMS TIME!

Men’s hockey semifinals: ALRIGHT THEN! Time for the big one, folks. India vs world champions Belgium is not long away now. The semifinal winner will be guaranteed a medal, of course.

Here’s a look back at the two matches between India and Belgium in the FIH Pro League, the most recent competitive fixtures that give us an indicator of their head to head. IT IS CLOSE.

Match 1, India won 2-1: Belgium’s return to the stadium where they lifted the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 was not to be a happy one, with India claiming a 2-1 victory over the world’s number one ranked team at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium. The Indian goalkeepers Sreejesh and Pathak were the heroes of that match.

Match 2, Belgium won 3-2: World champions Belgium, overcame a speedy and skilful India team to reverse the previous day’s result in a high-scoring thriller decided by a late mistake from Harmanpreet Singh. 

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Annu Rani is out of reckoning for the final, as only the favourite reached the automatic qualification. It doesn’t matter one bit now but even if she got close to her PB of 63.24m, she could have been in contention for the final.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Yeah, Annu Rani never quite got going today. Was never going to be likely she will find a swing of 10m or so from her first throw to the third. Finishes with 50.35 53.19 54.04 and is out of contention for the final even before Group A is complete unfortunately.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Can Annu Rani somehow find a 60-plus in her third attempt to keep herself in contention? Six athletes have crossed 60 so far.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Two attempts done. Unlikely that 12 throwers are going to touch the automatic mark of 63.00m. But Annu Rani hasn’t put herself in any position to get a “q” as the 12 best instead of the “Q” as an automatic qualifier.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Annu Rani’s second attempt is 53.19. That improves her first attempt but she is still at the bottom of the table here among those who have registered a mark.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: there is a long pause in the event, probably because of a track event about to get underway. The next attempt is Annu Rani’s.

Maria Andrejczyk’s 71.40m earlier this season put her as the third best all time.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: the second attempts have begun. Only the Polish star managed the qualification mark. No one else has crossed 62.37 yet.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Poland’s Andrejczyk Maria is the red-hot favourite for this event and she is ONE AND DONE. 65.24, bye everyone.

She holds the season best of 71.40, the best of the year.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Annu Rani starts with an attempt well below her Personal Best. That just didn’t look right when she released. 50.35 it is. The run-up is not proving comfortable to anyone so far, so it remains to be seen if she can get her best attempt in the next two throws.

Athletics, women’s javelin throw qualification Group A: Annu Rani in action in Group A of 15 throwers. 63.00 will guarantee a place in final. She holds the national record with a personal best of 63.24.

05.45 am: Hello all and welcome to the live coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where we follow the Indian contingent as well as the big events of the day.

A few events to look forward in the day.... but all attention for Indian fans will be at the Oi Hockey Stadium. World Champions Belgium stand in the way of the men’s hockey team led by Manpreet Singh in a semi-final match that guarantees a medal for the winner. We are sure it means a lot to Belgium and their fans of the golden generation too... but for Indian sport, a win would mean the end of years (decades) of heartbreak.

India at Tokyo 2020: Day 10 complete schedule