Enduring a disastrous campaign thus far, the medal-less Indian contingent has been pinning its hopes mainly on shuttlers Sindhu and Srikanth, besides its wrestlers
Kidambi Srikanth, the centre of attention in the Rio Olympics on Wednesday, can take heart from Hyderabad city mate P V Sindhu for his men's singles quarter-final clash against Chinese badminton icon Lin Dan.
However, the task for Srikanth against Dan is formidable as national coach P Gopichand said.
"It's going to be a tough match and he (Srikanth) will give his best. Let's see how it goes. All past records have no significance. It's about keeping the momentum," said Gopi after guiding Sindhu past Wang.
Srikanth has beaten Dan famously once to win the China Open two years ago, but the Chinese ace has looked unstoppable in past Olympics.
Indian athletes, including P T Usha's protégé Tintu Luka (women’s 800m) and lone woman golfer Aditi Ashok are still in the fray, but India's receding medal chances now rest mainly on badminton and wrestling.
Tintu would be running in round one of the women's two-lap race while Aditi will start her campaign in the four-day stroke play golf competition.
Also in action on Wednesday are women freestyle grapplers Vinesh Phogat (48kg) and Sakshi Malik (58 kg).
The country's campaign in the Olympics has been beset by a series of disappointments and controversies.
In fact Sindhu's superb show against Wang in 54 minutes overshadowed wrestler Narsingh Yadav's Olympic participation, which was put in doubt after the clean chit given to him by the National Anti-Doping Agency in the dope scandal back home was challenged by world body WADA in the Court of Appeal for Sports.
If CAS upholds WADA's appeal Narsingh, on Thursday, he will not only be able to take part in the 74 kg freestyle competition but could also face a career-threatening four-year ban.
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