The wait is over and the biggest sporting event is very near. It's only one month and few days before the much waited and anticipated Tokyo Olympics 2020 takes place at Tokyo, Japan. Therefor, it gives an opportunity to take a look at India's top 10 medal contender at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

When will the Tokyo Olympics 2020 start?

Due to COVID the 2020 Olympics were postponed, and the now the Tokyo Olympics will start from 23rd July 2021. It will run till 8th August, 2021.

Indian athletes qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020

Till now more than 80 athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Bhawana Jat became the first Indian women to qualify in the 20-kilometre race. Meanwhile, Bhavani Dev is the first Indian fencer to qualify for any Olympics games.

Along with them, Fouaad Mirza is the first Indian equestrian to qualify for the Games in 20 years. But there were some huge disappointments also as star athletes like Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikant is yet to qualify. Sprinters Hima Das and Dutee Chand also failed to qualify. Though they will be performing in the 4*100 mixed relay, which has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Read Also: Indian Athletes Qualified for 2020 Olympics in Tokyo: In Detail

India's top 10 medal contender at Tokyo Olympics 2020

India has been doing well in the international circuit over the few recent years. The 2012 London Olympics was the best of them all. However, Rio Olympics was not that successful as every Indian thought that to be. With nearly 100 crore people (1 Billion), and talented athletes from corners of the country, India might hope for its best ever Olympic game in their history.

Therefore, in this context we present you India's top 10 medal contender at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

#1 Saurabh Chaudhary (10 meter air pistol)

Since the times of Rajyavardhan Rathore and Abhinav Bindra, India has claimed a strong position in shooting. With 15 shooters qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, India can hope for a tally of medals from the shooting.

Recent form

Saurabh has been a consistent performer in the international arena over the last two years. In four World Cups since 2019, Sourabh has won 2 golds (New Delhi 2019, Munich 2019), one silver (New Delhi 2021) and one bronze (Rio de Janeiro 2019). Also, not to forget his silver at the 2019 Asian championships.

Why is he a medal contender?

Well, to be fair to him no one in Indian sports has done well like him in pressure situations. His consistency and experience of winning medals at the World Cups will surely help him, in terms of experience. Moreover, from a statistics point of view, he has made to finals of every tournament he has qualified, and this is a record itself.

#2 Bajrang Punia (Men's Freestyle 65 kg)

Bajrang is currently the biggest name in Indian wrestling. India has done well in wrestling in Olympics in recent years. Sushil Kumar has been a constant name on that list.

Read Also: Sushil Kumar: From Olympic podium to Delhi Police's Wanted criminal

The current world No.1 in his category is well above his competitors. However, he is not letting this get into his ego as he is preparing for the Tokyo games well before the tournament in Russia.

Recent form

Bajrang won the gold medal at the 2019 Asian Championships and has been competing in the world championships since 2018. In fact, he is currently India's most decorated wrestler with three Worlds medals. He is also been the World Champion on the last two occasions.

Why is he a medal contender?

If anyone from Indian wrestling can say is ready for the Olympics, although it is their first Olympics is Bajrang Punia. He is working really hard on his game and also has the capability of winning at the international level. A well known name in India might be a global superstar after the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

#3 Neeraj Chopra (Javelin)

Neeraj Chopra has been a sensation in the Indian sports since the time he threw a record 86.28m in the 2016 Junior World Championship. Ironically, if he threw that in the 2016 Rio Olympics, he might have won the Bronze medal.

Recent form

Neeraj has always shown his talent in every chance he got. Though some injuries raffled him up in 2018, he is fit and strong again to throw more than 85 consistently.

Neeraj threw 87.86m at his Tokyo Olympics qualification. Not only that he then went on to throw 88.07 at the National GP3 in 2021, setting a new national record.

Why is he a medal contender?

Consistent and confident- these are the two adjectives that go very well with Neeraj. He is above 86m. consistently. Even after returning form the injuries he has shown his capabilities of throwing above 86 mark. A near personal best might be enough for India to get its first ever medal in javelin.

#4 Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)

Weightlifting is a sports where India has not certainly done well enough in past Olympics. However this time the hopes are very high with Mirabai Chanu up in the rankings.

Chanu has been a constant name in the international lifting competitions. Though, she might have some not so great encounters with Olympic games. However, this time might be Chanu's year as she's been at her peak in recent years.

Recent Form

Mirabai Chany is the current world record holder in clean and jerk. Her 119 kg lift at the Asian Weightlifting Championship in Tashkent made a new world record just a few weeks ago. Not to forget her gold at the Glasgow commonwealth games in 2018.

Why is she a medal contender?

With a recent world record against her name, it is quite obvious that she would be boosting with confidence. Though, he does not have any great record at the Olympics, but she will ready ready for a sweet revenge of the Rio Olympics. Anything near her personal best can make her name into the history books.

#5 Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling, Women's Freestyle 53 kg)

Wrestling will be on focus as India prepares to continue its glory in wrestling at the Olympics. With Bajrang, Vinesh will also be a strong contender to finish at the podium at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She will also be ready for the Tokyo games as she had picked up an injury at the Rio last time.

Recent form

Vinesh has won in every tournament has participated in since 2018. The 2019 Worlds bronze might be her best of the all. Moreover, a recent win over the former World Champion, Vanessa Kaladzinskay at the Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial in Kyiv will make her more confident as well.

Why is she a medal contender?

As North Korea has pulled out themselves from the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Vinesh will be competing in the lesser tough group. Moreover, her recent wins over most of the contenders in her category, will make her a certain medal contender at this year's olympics.

#6 Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker (Shooting, 10m Air Pistol Mixed)

If Saurabh is not enough to win a medal at the Tokyo Games, his mixed team with Manu Bhaker might finish at the podium certainly. The 10m Air Pistol Mixed team is a very strong team with two great individual performers at the international circuit.

Recent form

In the four world cups they competed, they have won all of them. In 2019 Rio World Cup, they competed seprately and won with the different partners as well. Saurabh won the silver with Yashasvi Deswal, while Bhaker won the gold with Abhishek Verma.

Why are they medal contenders?

Two strong individuals and already multiple medals at the international level makes this team a string force to recon with. With their recent performances, and medal tally, India can surely hope for a gold from 10. Air Pistol Mixed team.

#7 Divyansh Panwar and Elavenil Valarivan (Shooting, 10m Air Pistol Mixed)

Divyansh Panwar and Elavenil Valarivan are the No.1 ranked shooter in the World. However, Elavenil Valarivan did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, but she was included in the team just because she is considered as one of the contenders to win the medal.

Recent form

They both managed to win the 2021 ISSF World Cup and then became the world no. pair in the 10m. air pistol mixed category. Though it would be fair to say that Panwar had the most of the success when he had paired with Anjum Moudgil. Panwar won the bronze at the 2019 World Cup with Ajnum also.

Why are they medal contenders?

They both are ranked no.1 in 10m. air pistol category which makes them one of the strongest pairs in the world. Along with that, their recent success at the 2021 ISSF World cup will surely make them favourites to finish at the podium.

#8 PV Sindhu (Badminton, Women's Singles)

The silver medalist from the Rio Olympics had some tough times in recent years. But, she is long way from finish. Now, with Siana Nehwal and Kidambi Srikant not qualifying for the Olympics, Sindhu will have to perform her best to give India another medal in Badminton.

Recent form

The 25 year old had some very tough periods in recent years. Though her win at the 2019 World Championships will give her good memories to recall. Moreover, recent win over from World No.1 Akane Yamaguchi at the All England will surely make her fans hopefull.

Why is she a medal contender?

Bad performances prior to the Olympics does not bother Sindhu that much. She is someone who performs at the biggest levels and knows how to win as well. A hungry Sindhu might be the perfect recipe for another medal in the badminton.

#9 Amit Panghal (Boxing, Men's, 52kg)

Amit Panghal is the current leader of Indian boxing contingent. The army man has impressed everyone with his performances in recent years and would like to carry the glory of Indian boxing forward.

Recent form

Amit has won silver at the Asian Boxing Championship in Dubai in 2021. He has also won silver in the World Championships. He is also the first and only Indian male boxer to win a world boxing championships silver medal. His silver medal at 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast also proves his calibre to win at the biggest level.

Read Also: Asian Boxing Championship Winners: All the winners from AABC 2021

Why is he a medal contender?

Panghal is the No. 1 ranked boxer in International Boxing Association's (AIBA) 52kg category. This proves how strong he is in his category. With a strength of a youth and experience of winning medals at the international level, makes him a hope for the Indian boxing contingent.

Read Also: A Glimpse of Indian Female Athletes Who Qualified for Tokyo Olympics

#10 Indian Men's Hockey Team (Hockey)

Indian hockey has given the most number of Olympic medals than any other team sports. In the earlier 1950s and 1960s, Indian hockey used to be strongest team in the world. With some recent good performances, fans can hope for a return to glory days for Indian Hockey.

Recent form

The currently ranked world no.5 hockey team has beaten every team in the world in recent years. Recently they have also beaten the current Olympic champion team, Argentina twice in the same tournament.

Why are they medal contenders?

India's qualifying round consists team likes Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Spain. This means they are very likely to go through the qualifying stages. Coming to the knock out stages, with the confidence of beating everyone in the last two years, its anyone's game from then on.

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to return to Paris for his second Diamond League meet of the year, scheduled for June 20th on Stade Charlety stadium in Paris, France.

Also Read: Watch: Neeraj Chopra finishes second with a best throw of 84.14m at the Janusz Kusociński Memorial competition

Fourth competition of the year

Neeraj will continue his Paris Diamond League 2025 season after a magnificent start in Doha last month, where he achieved his first-ever 90m throw, attaining a distance of 90.23m to finish second. He finished second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who threw a world-leading 91.06m.

This will be his fourth competition of the year, and he will be aiming to return to the top of the podium after missing out on the last two events in Qatar and Poland.

Paris Diamond League 2025 will be Neeraj's first competition of the month, which will be followed by the Ostrava Golden Spike, a World Athletics Continental Gold meet, in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 24th. Neeraj Chopra has a busy month ahead as he will return to India within 10 days after these two events to compete in the nation's first-ever javelin-only meet, the NC Classic, in Bengaluru on July 5th.

Neeraj skipped 2024 edition to prepare for Paris Olympics

Neeraj was expected to compete at the 2024 edition but skipped the meet to prepare for the Paris Olympics. Neeraj’s most recent outing came at the Janusz Kusociński Memorial in Chorzów, Poland, on May 23. Battling wet conditions, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion produced a best of 84.14m on his final attempt to finish second. Weber, once again, claimed top spot with an 86.12m attempt.

Neeraj Chopra started his 2025 athletics season in April by winning the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, with an 84.52m throw. He is also in the entry list for the Golden Spike athletics meet in Czechia scheduled on June 24 and will headline the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5.

Also Read: List of athletes to participate in Neeraj Chopra Classic

The top javelin throw athletes with the most points at the end of the Diamond League series will qualify for the 2025 Diamond League Final to be held in Zurich on August 27-28. Neeraj won the 2022 edition of the Doha Diamond League but had to settle for second-place finishes in 2023 and 2024.

Indian star shuttler PV Sindhu has been eliminated from the Indonesia Open 2025 badminton tournament after losing in the round of 16. She was defeated badly by Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday.

Sindhu shows tremendous fight in first two games

PV Sindhu started the match brilliantly. She won the first game 22-20. She did not give any chance to the opponent to recover in this game. Pornpawee Chochuwong had no answer to Sindhu's aggressive returns as the score read 10-16 in favour in the first game. However, the tables turned completely in the second game.

Where Sindhu looked set to lose the first game, she pulled it right back in to clinch it, as the score read 22-20. After winning the first game, where Sindhu hoped to capitalise, Chochuwong was quick to turn it around, dominating Sindhu in the game, winning it by 21-10; furthermore, she went on to win the third game by 21-18, as Sindhu was eliminated from the Indonesia Open 2025 badminton tournament.

Satwik-Chirag enter quarterfinals

On the other hand, Indian men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty came back from a game down to notch up a win to enter the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Open 2025.

Satwik-Chirag beat Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard 16-21, 21-18, 22-20 in a match lasting one hour and eight minutes in the BWF Super 1000 tournament.

Treesa-Gayatri lost

The women’s doubles duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also lost 13-21, 22-24 to Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto of Japan in the round of 16 stage.

In mixed doubles, Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath exited after a straight-game loss against Thailand’s Dechapol Puavarankuroh and Supissara Paewsampran. The scoreline read 21-7, 21-12 in favour of the Thai shuttlers, who wrapped up the match in just 25 minutes.

Neeraj Chopra finished second with a best throw of 84.14m at the Janusz Kusociński Memorial competition at Silesian Stadium in Poland on Friday.

Julian Weber finished first with an 86.12m throw.

Though the double-time Olympic medalist looked disappointed and frustrated after a few foul throws to start with, his fourth year in in top two of every tournament he participated in continued.

Read Also | Neeraj Chopra’s best throws: Here are all the top throws by javelin ace Neeraj Chopra

A few days ago, Neeraj had breached the 90m mark and registered his personal best and National record with a 90.23m throw in the Doha Diamond League. Unfortunately, even in that tournament also he finished second to Julian Weber's 91.06m throw. 

Wherever Neeraj Chopra goes, he does not return empty-handed. This series started in 2016 when this rising star made a record for the first time at the Under-20 World Athletics Championships. From that day itself, we got a glimpse of the future to come, in which many records were to be made and broken one after the other.

On Friday night of 16 May, Neeraj maintained the same trend in Doha Diamond League 2025 and got his name registered in history, becoming the first Indian to breach the 90m mark in the sport. So, it's time we take a look at every Neeraj Chopra records that he has made in his tremendous career so far.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra’s best throws: Here are all the top throws by javelin ace Neeraj Chopra

Every Neeraj Chopra records you should know

• First Indian to breach the 90m mark: Neeraj Chopra’s best throw is 90.23m, achieved at the Doha Diamond League on May 16, 2025. The mark stands as the men’s national record in India and Neeraj Chopra’s personal best. It was the first time an Indian had breached the 90m-mark in the javelin.
• First Indian to win Olympic medal in athletics: At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Neeraj Chopra produced a historic performance in the men's javelin throw event. Neeraj won the gold medal in the final with a throw of 87.58m, giving India its first Olympic medal in athletics. With this win, Neeraj Chopra also became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track and field event at the Olympics.
• First Indian to win silver at World Athletics Championships: Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won a historic silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon. He recorded a throw of 88.13m in his fourth attempt to claim the second spot. Chopra thus is the first Indian to win a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships and only the second medallist from the country after Anju Bobby George in 2003.
• First Indian track and field athlete to win world championship: Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. With this win, the then 18-year-old Neeraj became the first Indian track and field athlete to become a world champion in any event and any age level.
• First Indian World Record holder in track & field: Neeraj Chopra Threw 86.48m at the junior championships in Poland to win the title. With this, he set the new under-20 world record, beating the 84.69m mark established by the previous holder, Latvia's Zigismunds Sirmais. Neeraj’s 86.48m attempt at Bydgoszcz still stands as both the U20 world record as well as the U20 Asian record in the javelin throw.
• Indian national javelin throw record holder: Neeraj Chopra’s best attempt to date came at the Stockholm Diamond League 2022 in Sweden on June 30, 2022, where he managed his personal best of 89.94m to establish the new national record.
• First Indian to win javelin throw gold at Asian Games: Neeraj Chopra is the first Indian javelin thrower to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. Before him, Gurtej Singh was the only men’s javelin thrower from the country to win a medal – bronze at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games. Neeraj threw  88.06m to claim the 2018 Asian Games title.
• First Indian to win a Diamond League meet: Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a Diamond League meet after he topped the field in Lausanne in 2022. With a depleted field that had world champion Anderson Peters missing, the Indian comfortably led the charts with an 89.08m throw, in his first attempt. 
• First Indian to become Diamond League champion: Neeraj Chopra is the first Indian athlete in history to clinch the Diamond League trophy, by winning the Zurich Diamond League 2022 Final. The Indian ace recorded a best throw of 88.44m to beat Tokyo 2020 silver medallist and 2016 champion Jakub Vadlejch to the title.
• First Indian to become world champion: Neeraj Chopra became India's first world champion after he clinched the gold medal in the men's javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest with an effort of 88.17m. It was Neeraj Chopra's second straight medal at the world championships after his silver at Oregon 2022.

Also Read: India at Olympics: India's Olympic medal tally by every edition

Neeraj Chopra Records: Best throws at major competitions

Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra bettered his throw of 89.94m with a season-best throw of 90.23m at the at the Doha Diamond League 2025. After this, he became the first Indian to breach the 90m mark in the sport.

Read Also: Every Neeraj Chopra Records You Should Know 

Despite the historic achievement, Chopra missed out on the top podium spot at the Doha Diamond League, where Germany’s Julian Weber stole the show with a massive throw. Chopra’s previous best was 89.94m, set on June 30, 2022, at the Stockholm Diamond League — a mark that stood as both his personal best and the men’s national record.

Neeraj achieved his target

• Neeraj Chopra’s best throw is 90.23m, achieved at the Doha Diamond League on May 16, 2025. The mark stands as the men’s national record in India and Neeraj Chopra’s personal best.
• The second-best throw of Neeraj Chopra's career is 89.94m. Neeraj had thrown this throw in the Stockholm Diamond League on 30 June 2022. This throw is a national record and one of Neeraj Chopra's best throws.
• Neeraj Chopra's third-best throw of 89.49m came at the Lausanne Diamond League 2024This is Chopra's best throw ever at a global championship and his third-best overall.
• Neeraj Chopra's fourth-best throw in javelin throw came at Paris Olympics 2024 where he bagged the silver medal with an 89.45m throw. 
• His fifth best throw came in Paavo Nurmi Games in 2022 where he went close to that 90m mark once again.
• In the Lausanne Diamond League 2022, held in the month of August, Neeraj Chopra had thrown the sixth-best throw of his career. Neeraj had thrown the javelin 89.08 meters.
• Neeraj's seventh-best throw came in the Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou. In this round, Neeraj had achieved a distance of 88.88m.
• Neeraj Chopra's eighth-best throw came in the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest. In this competition which was held on August 25, 2023, Neeraj showed excellent performance and achieved a distance of 88.77m.
  

Also Read: India at Olympics: India's Olympic medal tally by every edition