Ticket To RIDE

Boxing
India’s largest ever Games boxing contingent is a mix of youth and experience, with Akhil (pic left) and Vijender going to their second Olympics. The boxers have got enough international exposure and practice before the big event. With no complaints of funds or facilities, there may just be a chance of a medal.
SQUAD: Jitender (51kg), Akhil Kumar (54kg), AL Lakra (57kg), Vijender (75kg) and Dinesh Kumar (81kg)

Judo
K. Tombi Devi (48kg) has done well at the Asian level, but with the field including the best in the business, she’ll be a long shot. Divya (78kg) has grabbed more headlines for her selection lately, with the federation being dragged to court.
SQUAD: Tombi Devi (48kg), Divya (78kg)

Rowing
27-year-old Bajrang Lal Takhar is the lone representative in the Single Sculls. Takhar is the Asian Open gold medallist and bagged the silver at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Young Manjeet Singh and Devender Kumar Khandwal will participate in the Light Weight double sculls. SQUAD: Bajrang Lal Takhar, Manjeet Singh, Devender Kumar Khandwal

Athletics
Track and field events have the maximum medals on offer in the Olympics. India’s record though, is not too great. This, despite the presence of past legends — Milkha Singh, PT Usha and GS Randhawa. Among the current lot, Anju Bobby George (pic above) is clearly past her best; there is JJ Shobha in heptathlon, who failed to win at Athens but earned the sporting world’s respect by her show despite injury; but only the 4x400m relay squad has any realistic chance of reaching the finals.
SQUAD: Anju Bobby George (Long Jump), Krishna Poonia (Discus), Harwant Kaur (Discus), Preeja Sreedharan (10,000m), Manjit Kaur (400m), Chitra Soman (4x400m relay), Sini Jose (4x400m relay), MR Poovamma (4x400m relay), Mandeep Kaur (4x400m relay), S Geeta (4x400m relay), K Mridula (4x400m relay), J J Shobha (Heptathlon), Sushmita Singh Roy (Heptathlon), G G Pramila (Heptathlon), Vikas Gowda (Discus), Renjith Maheshwary (Triple Jump), Surender Singh (10000m).

Tennis
The drama surrounding Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi (pic right) teaming up once again has kept tennis followers entertained — and appalled — for most of the last six months, but all said and done, there’s little doubt that they remain one of India’s best medal hopes. The former world No 1 pairing have not had the best of build-ups — they played together in only two tournaments, reaching one final and losing in the first round in the other. But on their day, they still make their opponents dance to their chest-thumping tunes. Sania Mirza is India’s top-ranked player on the WTA Tour, but may not have too hot a chance at a medal.
SQUAD: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, Sunitha Rao

Wrestling
Wrestling doesn’t really figure too high as a medal prospect. Of the three wrestlers going to Beijing (half the number that went to Athens 2004), it’s the second Olympics for Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt and they are counting on experience. Rajiv Tomar has been off training and competition for almost three years with injury, while Yogeshwar and Sushil lost early at Athens.
SQUAD: Sushil Kumar (66 kg Freestyle), Yogeshwar Dutt (60 kg Freestyle), Rajiv Tomar (120 kg Freestyle)

Table Tennis
It may be hard to place table tennis among medal hopes, but A Sharath Kamal, who made history with his gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, will hope to distinguish himself with a few big scalps. Currently India’s No 1, the 2004 Arjuna awardee should give himself a chance of making it to the last 16. Neha Aggarwal is the surprise element in the two-member squad.
SQUAD: Achanta Sharath Kamal, Neha Aggarwal

Swimming
Not much hope of a medal here, but keep an eye on Virdhawal Khade, who picked up six golds, breaking five meet records at the 33rd National Games in Guwahati. He is the youngest ever Indian swimmer to qualify for Beijing, in 50, 100 and 200m free style and has had a fair share of success in junior events. He needs to shave time off at the higher level.
SQUAD: Virdhawal Khade (50m, 100m, 200m freestyle), Sandeep Sejwal (100m and 200m breaststroke), Ankur Poseria (100m butterfly, 50m freestyle), Rehan Poncha (200m butterfly)

Yachting
India’s lone competitor at Beijing 2008 is Nachhatar Singh Johal who, at 53rd, is the highest-ranked Asian on the International Sailing Federation’s list for July. He will be competing in the Finn category (heavyweight dingy).
SQUAD: Nachhatar Singh Johal

Archery
One of the sports that gave India hope in the past, but things have been on a downslide. The recent controversies over the women’s team selection — the case still isn’t over — have only made things worse. Dola Banerjee (pic below), at one point India’s best hope, has been struggling for some time, while the others are inexperienced. However, Mangal Singh Champia, the lone male contender in the fray, has been quietly working on his technique and accuracy, and has been impressive in the World Cup qualifications and the Asian Games. To expect a medal would be too optimistic though.
SQUAD: Dola Banerjee, Pranitha Vardhineni, L Bombayala Devi, Mangal Singh Champia

Badminton
Badminton has had an up-and-down history in the country. Anup Sridhar (pic left) and Saina Nehwal are somewhere in between. Both have put in impressive performances in the past 12 months, but do not travel to Beijing as medal contenders. Sridhar ended last year as the top-ranked Indian shuttler at 25. Sridhar’s famous performances came at the World Championships last year with a victory over 2005 world champion and and 2004 Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat. But an ankle injury has set him back, though he says he is fit now. Both Sridhar and Saina will be hoping for favourable draws to be in striking distance of glory.
SQUAD: Anup Sridhar, Saina Nehwal