Commonwealth Games 2018 kicks off with the opening ceremony today at Gold Coast in Australia with athletes from 71 nations sweating it out for a medal.
The Indian performance has generally been satisfactory lately in the competition, with the nation standing fourth in the all-time medal tally.t the Commonwealth Games, India have won medals mostly in shooting, wrestling, weightlifting and boxing. This year, India also has high hopes from the badminton team, which includes Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu. In the men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth and H.S. Prannoy are also medal prospects.
Commonwealth Games 2018 : Here are some of the top stars that India would hope to see on the medal podium at the event.
SAINA NEHWAL
Still regaining her fitness after a career-threatening knee surgery, 2010 gold-medallist and former World No 1 Saina would be a strong contender too if she manages to remain fit during the event, which she missed in 2014 owing to injuries.
SUSHIL KUMAR
The gold-medallist from 2014 is making a comeback to big-ticket wrestling after an injury-hampered and controversy-filled two years. The double Olympic medallist would be aiming for another gold when he competes in 74kg men’s freestyle event.
VINESH PHOGAT
2014 Gold medallist, Vinesh suffered a career-threatening injury at the Rio Olympics but she returned to win a silver medal (55kg) at the Asian Championship and claimed the gold at National Championships.
SAKSHI MALIK
At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she won the bronze medal in the 58 kg category, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics and the fourth female Olympic medalist from the country.
KIDAMBI SRIKANTH
Srikanth shot to prominence by defeating Olympic Champion Lin Dan in 2014 China Open Super Series Premier by 21–19 21–17 in the final round, thus becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series Premier Men’s title.
PV SINDHU
The Olympic silver-medallist is being seen as a sure-shot medallist. She won a bronze in the last edition and the world No.3 looks set to change the colour of the medal when she takes the court this time.
JITU RAI
Jitu Rai is an Indian shooter of Nepali origin who competes in the 10-metre air pistol and 50-metre pistol events. The government of India announced Khel Ratna Award for him in 2016.
MANU BHAKER
The toast of the nation currently, this 16-year-old has been nothing short of sensational with two gold medals (individual and team) in her maiden senior World Cup in Mexico just weeks ago. She would be lining up alongside veteran champion Heena in the 10m air pistol event.
HEENA SIDHU
On 7 April 2014, Sidhu became the first Indian pistol shooter to reach number one in world rankings by the International Shooting Sports Federation.
