PT Usha: Javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra, Annu Rani can finish on podium

PT Usha

India athletics great PT Usha has backed the country's javelin throwers, Neeraj Chopra and Annu Rani to win medals at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics and bring cheer to the nation.

The Indian track and field stars kicked off their campaign on Friday, while Rani and Chopra are scheduled to take the field on August 3 and 4 respectively.

"Neeraj and Annu are two good prospects. I am hopeful about them [winning a medal]. Even [discus thrower] Kamalpreet Kaur has really worked hard. She might win a medal too. She is a very powerful girl. I think even [shuttler] PV Sindhu and [archer] Atanu Das will do well," PT Usha, 57, told mid-day over the phone earlier this week.

Back in 1984

Usha missed clinching the bronze medal when she came fourth in the 400m hurdles at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. She emerged in seventh position in the 4x400 relay finals at the same Olympic Games.

The Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist also backed the men's 4x400m relay team comprising Muhammed Anas, Amoj Jacob, Arokia Rajiv and Noah Nirmal Tom to spring a surprise.

"I am hopeful that the men's relay team will do well. Four Indians together may surprise others," said the Olympian (1980 Moscow Games, 1984 Los Angles Games and 1988 Seoul Games).

India so far have faced a disappointing campaign at Tokyo with only Mirabai Chanu winning the medal - silver in weightlifting, while the likes of six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom, top shooters - Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary, World No. 1 archer Deepika Kumari have flattered to deceive.

But the Payyolli Express, as she was fondly called, urged the nation not to lose patience and stop criticising athletes for their failures. "Please don't criticise our athletes who did not do well at the Olympics. Qualifying for the Games is in itself a very tough task. Winning medals is the toughest. Our boys and girls have been trying their best. Everyone wants to win a medal.

‘We have to be patient'

"Our countrymen should realise that one has to work very hard to win an Olympic medal. We have to be patient. Take the case of Chanu. She failed in the last Olympics [2016 Rio] but came back strongly this time and finally won a medal," stressed the 400m hurdles national record holder.

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