Shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth have stormed into the Singles quarterfinals of Rio Olympics keeping India's medal hopes in Badminton alive after a shock early exit of Saina Nehwal. Sindhu made it to the last-8 beating Tzu Ying Tai of Chinese Taipei, 21-13, 21-15, while Srikanth defeated Jan Jorgensen of Denmark, 21-19, 21-19. Both, Sindhu and Srikanth will face Chinese shuttlers in the last-8 stage. While Sindhu will take on Yihan Wang, Srikanth will clash with Lin Dan. Sindhu and Srikanth need two more wins each to assure a medal.Meanwhile, India's campaign in Boxing came to an end Tuesday morning. Vikas Krishan in the 75 kg weight class lost his quarterfinal bout against Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan 0-3, and failed to assure India at least a Bronze medal. Vijender Singh had won a Bronze in the same weight category in the 2008 Beijing Games.Indian wrestlers also got their campaign off to a disappointing start. Ravinder Khatri in Greco-Roman lost his Round-of-16 match against Hungary's Victor Lorinczi, 0-4 in the 85 kg weight class. Hardeep Singh in the 98 kg category will be seen in action in Greco Roman later in the day.In Women's Discus Throw, reigning Asian Games Gold medalist Seema Punia failed to march past qualifications.Earlier, Lalita Babar, who had become the first Indian athlete in 32 years to enter the Finals of an individual event of the Games in track category, finished 10th in Steeplechase Finals and could not win a medal.Srabani Nanda in 200 meters race and Triple Jumper Renjith Maheshwari made exits in the Qualification round.United States continues to lead the medals tally, while Great Britain has replaced China to the second spot. India is yet to open its account.
News On AIR | August 16, 2016 8:29 AM
Rio 2016: Shuttlers PV Sindhu & Kidambi Srikanth storm into Singles quarterfinals