India's Rio Olympics medalist in badminton PV Sindhu entered the knockout round, archer Tarundeep lost in the men’s individual event, rowers Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh finished sixth after becoming the first Indian pair to reach the semifinals of the Lightweight men’s double sculls event and Indian women's hockey team lost to reigning Olympic champions Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on Wednesday.
The day began on a disappointing note for the Indian contingent as reigning Olympic champions Great Britain beat Rani Rampal-led team 4-1, almost guranteeing them a place in the quarterfinals.
Two open play strikes from Hannah Martin set the Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists on their way to victory, although Sharmila Devi’s penalty corner tip-in reduced the deficit mid-way through the second quarter. However, goals in the third and fourth quarters ensured that all three points went the way of GB, with Lili Owsley netting from close range before Grace Balsdon’s penalty stroke wrapped things up three minutes from full time.
India head coach Sjoerd Marijne labeled it as the worst defeat for the team in the ongoing campaign but was still hopeful of reaching the quarterfinals.
"We still have chances. There are still six points to get and that can be enough for the quarters. That's what we're all about, that's our goal and that's what I said to the girls," said Marijne.
Indian women now take on Ireland on Friday in their fourth Pool A match.
In archery, veteran Tarundeep Rai made it to the second round before losing to Israel's Itay Shanny in the round of 32.
In rowing, Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh got its best-ever Olympics result before finishing sixth in the semifinal with a timing of 6:24.41 and failing to make it to the finals of the lightweight men’s double sculls rowing event.
Meanwhile, Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu kept alive the hopes of India grabbing its second medal at Tokyo with a 21-9, 21-16 win over Hong Kong's Cheung Ngan Yi in her last group stage outing.
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