The 2012 Olympics Thread

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 19:12

^^ Have to say that going by the pre-olympics hype and hoopla about this being the olympics where desh will turn the corner, most of the folks have been real let-downs.

Its pretty obvious by seeing these performances that while we have improved, the rest have also moved to their next level causing us to qualify to the Oly but go no further there. Even the Russian were hyped as sweeping wrestling, Iranians for Weightllifting, Chinese for everythign and those folks lived upto the hype by having visible champion like play whereas all our hopefuls just wilted by the wayside except for a few like Vijay, Irfan and Joydeep ( maybe Gagan to a extent but then the promise was much more)

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 19:52

Boxing coach having the same fears as what i was thinking would be the flip side of this poor showing ( in terms of difference in hype and final performance) :

Boxing a disappoint, but Mary saves India the blushes

Woman boxer MC Mary Kom India saved the blushes by finishing with a bronze on debut after losing to Nicola Adams of Great Britain in semi-finals. In the process, though, she created a piece of history, becoming only the third Indian woman to win a medal at the quadrennial extravaganza.

Her male counterparts' failure to win even a single medal is, however, strikingly discernible. Devendro Singh and Vijender Singh narrowly missed medals after losing in the quarter-finals. Both were apparently victims of some dubious judging. In fact, most of the Indian boxers bowed out in controversial circumstances as question marks were raised over the scoring system in the bouts figuring Sumit Sangwan and Manoj Kumar, while Vikas Krishan's result was overturned following an appeal by his opponent, Errol Spence of the United States.

He felt the young Indian team gained a lot of experience and learnt a few important lessons for the London outing.

"We had three teenagers in our team in Shiva Thapa, Sumit Sangwan and Devendro. All of them did extremely well and this experience will help them a great deal in the future."

He requested the sponsors to continue their support.

"I hope the sponsors continue to support us in the same way and not turn away because we have not won any medals. I can assure you that this team will go a long way in the future.

"We had three teenagers in our Olympic squad and if we had the luck on our side then definitely we would have won medals, but I am sure they will win a lot of medals in the future."

The bolded part is what i worry about since finally, it doesn't matter about how the judging was and only final results matter for the popularity to be sustained and sponsors to help out aspiring athletes in those disciplines.

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 20:09

Yogeshwar in Repechage.... But no hope really imo

zlin · Post by **zlin** » 11 Aug 2012 20:21

Deans wrote:True Singha, However, even with China, a 40% of their golds are concentrated in diving/ TT/Badminton. We need to choose our sports intelligently (while lobbying in a Chanakian manner for diving/TT to be dropped, since no other country wins ).

The fact is >60% of USA medals are concentrated in only swimming and athletics. Actually China won medals in more diversed events than USA and any other nations in summer olympics. China won 82 medals in 19 events so far and we won even much more events in 2008.

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 20:30

Have to agree with that since am amazed to see a Chinese name in events like Sailing, Canoe, biking, 20/50 km walk, fencing, volleyball , athletics, <insert your sport>.

Truely a extraordinary performance indeed since i feel that Britain and China deserve laurels for their amazing performance and bettering the bar they set. Rest were lower than the bars they had set for themselves.

Oz and Spain were super underachievers in this games.

SBajwa · Post by **SBajwa** » 11 Aug 2012 20:42

The problem again is old idiots in charge of youth affairs.

Judging by the captaincy of Saurabh Ganguly he will become an excellent leader in charge of sports.

We have old idiots people like KPS gill, Laloo Yadav and Sharad pawar leading sports! Sports ministry should only be in charge of regulating the sports industry and each business should pick up a specific sport (Sahara currently is involved in too many sports).

Put some young people in charge with specific goals and budget of at least 5-10 crores per athlete who performed at Asian level. spend 10 lakhs - 1 crore for National winners so that they can compete with Asian winners. 1 Lakh - 10 lakhs for state winners so that they can compete with the national winners.

We also need good psychiatrists as well as physio therapists in each sports with separate budget.,

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 20:58

Did you guys notice in Wrestling that Indian Coaches keep shouting the time right from the first round itself ? Never seen this behavior from rest of the coaches....

We need good coaches...Atleast coaches with reliable International experience and not just National

ManjaM · Post by **ManjaM** » 11 Aug 2012 21:41

kshatriya wrote:Did you guys notice in Wrestling that Indian Coaches keep shouting the time right from the first round itself ? Never seen this behavior from rest of the coaches....

We need good coaches...Atleast coaches with reliable International experience and not just National

eh? coaches and parents shout all the time. even in swimming when you cant hear them.

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 21:51

Interesting comments from our boxing coach, Sandhu:
Olympics 2012: Indian boxers out boxed, mentally

Magnificent seven, on seventh heaven, seven wonders... several phrases were used to celebrate the qualification of a record number of Indian boxers for the Olympics. After a fortnight, the boxing contingent finds itself at sixes and sevens, though.

There were complaints of biased refereeing. The Indian Boxing Federation officials say at least five of their boxers were at the receiving end of poor refereeing decisions. But the fact of the matter remains that the Indians are themselves to be blamed for a dismal show.

Gifted, they may be, but Indian boxers are a temperamental lot. On Wednesday, young Devendro Singh justified as much. The pugilist from Manipur stunned his seasoned opponent Paddy Barnes with some stinging punches but lost the mental battle with the Irishman. No matter how skilful the boxer is, it counts for nothing if he isn’t strong enough mentally. For, as much as physical superiority, boxing also calls for sharp strategising and the mental strength to take a few punches yet keep on fighting.

Most of the Indian boxers have lost the psychological battle with their opponents. Very often, the opposition boxers have played around with the inexperienced Indians by trying to stay away from them, holding them and not giving enough space to land a punch.

Frustrated, the Indians pugilists let their guard down in such situations, thus giving their rivals an opportunity to score.
The coaches have been trying to find a solution to this for a long time, but haven’t been successful yet. “The boxers from north east are full of anger... they want to finish off their opponent the moment they step in to the ring. Though aggressive, they are good in technique. The boys from south of India lack aggression, they are more passive but are most superior technique wise. A common thing is all of them lack killer instinct... that’s in our genes,” Sandhu said.

Another reason attributed for the poor show is the stress they were under. The imbalance between what was being demanded from them and what they were actually capable of achieving put the boxers under pressure. This was evident in the way Vijender Singh fought his quarterfinal bout against Uzbekistan’s Abbos Atoev.

Don't agree with the red bolded part but his other words echo what many on BRF were saying about our boxers not adapting to the new scoring rules well enough and becoming too predictable due to which most countries seem to have devised techniques to outscore our guys

Akshut · Post by **Akshut** » 11 Aug 2012 22:00

Well, China is not a new comer in the medal's tally and neither it was anywhere at the position where India is in terms of medals at Olympics.
Medals per year
Year .. Gold .. Silver .. Bronze .. Total
1984 ... 15 ......8 ...... ... 9 ...... 32
1988 ... 5...... 11 ......... 12 ...... 28
1992 ... 16...... 22 ......... 16 ...... 54
1996 ... 16 ......22 ......... 12 ...... 50
2000 ... 28...... 16 ......... 14 ...... 58
2004 ... 32 ......17 ......... 14 ...... 63
2008 ... 51 ......21 ......... 28...... 100
Total ... 163 ......117 ........ 105 ... 385

Neither there's any focus from the Govt.
Parents discourage sports(waste of time, only being an engg or a doctor will solve the life's problem, even if the bloke grows up to sit at a shop after all the focus on the studies by the parents)
The education system doesn't support a budding player at the roots.
There's simply no system to identify and nurture talent.

Being a district level football player and a national level TaeKwonDo player, I can say with confidence that only a few bright stars who fight against the system first, and then on the field will bring medals to India. All this talk about Olympic medals will come and go every four years. e.g. Compare this:
China's medal tally in 1984 when it first competed in Olympics vs. India's total medals accumulated in all the Olympics in the past century:
Gold .. Silver .. Bronze .. Total
15 ......8 ...... ... 9 ...... 32
9...... 2 .........7 .........18

Let's keep the jingoistic feeling aside and decide. What is going to change the fate of Indian sports? Is it the Govt.? Why would Govt. be interested in the revival of sports when the babus can have position and take privileges, and politicos can win elections by doling out free cell phones?
Is it the parents? Why would they invest so heavily in an option for their kid when they know there's very little support for him to succeed?
Is the private sponsors? Maybe, but that will go only as far as philanthropic funding. How many people will watch any other Indian league apart from IPL? Is it a good RoI?
If we make a trend line graph then this is what it looks like for India in the next 3 olympics:
2004...2008...2012...2016...2020...2024
1..........3........4or5.....6-8...9-10...12-14

I hope it atleast goes like this.

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 22:20

ManjaM wrote:
kshatriya wrote:Did you guys notice in Wrestling that Indian Coaches keep shouting the time right from the first round itself ? Never seen this behavior from rest of the coaches....

We need good coaches...Atleast coaches with reliable International experience and not just National
eh? coaches and parents shout all the time. even in swimming when you cant hear them.

Not the time in the first round when the match has just started... May be i missed it

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 22:43

No one more match to go against the North Korean... Seems like Yogeshwar is injured

Bronze medal match in 10 mins

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 22:44

Damn..Cable went out just as i wanted to see this.

He is up against a N.Korean for the Bronze play-off... great that he managed 2 wins in repechage with only a hour difference between matches.

What was the final score? Damn olympics site doesnt update so fast

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 22:52

^^^ 0-3 4-0 3-1

The Iranian was thrashed. First round was also won by Yogesh. But overturned in the challenge. Indian Coach protested and got Yellow flagged.

Yogesh a cut above his right eye

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 11 Aug 2012 22:52

Can we have this skinny SDRE weakling to represent us in Games?

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 22:53

Bronze match in 10 minutes time..the other bronze match is ongoing. Yogeshwar's is next after that

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 11 Aug 2012 22:55

Khali ji seems to have lost some bulk and definition - too bad he is a professional hence probably wont be allowed to compete.

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 22:56

Goddamn...cable decides to play traunt at the right time.

Any live feed happening on the net for the wrestling matches?

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 11 Aug 2012 22:59

Live web update: Wrestling 60kg Freestyle Bronze Medal Matches
American wins first bronze against the Japanese. Yogeshwar vs the Li'l Kim next.

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 23:05

Truley a fast-paced hour for Yogeshwar:

11 August17:45 Repechage Round 1
Puerto Rico GOMEZ MATOS Franklin
India DUTT Yogeshwar
0 - W 3PO

India DUTT Yogeshwar
11 August18:05 * Repechage Round 2
India DUTT Yogeshwar

W 3PP - 1

11 August18:38 *
India DUTT Yogeshwar
Democratic People's Republic of Korea RI Jong Myong

3 matches within 50 minutes...they really make you earn your bronze indeed!!

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 11 Aug 2012 23:08

Match in progress:
Y Dutt vs Ri JM
Score 1-1 so far into round 2
Dutt up 7-1 so far in the final round 3

Dutt wins Bronze!

Akshut · Post by **Akshut** » 11 Aug 2012 23:12

Won!!!!

mraghu · Post by **mraghu** » 11 Aug 2012 23:12

Bronze for Yogeshwar in 60KG Wrestling

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 11 Aug 2012 23:12

AoA!

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 23:13

Wow...switched on the TV and saw Yogeshwar absolutely demolish the Korenan with an absolutely amazing move which fetched him 6 points and closed the bout on technical points grounds!!!!

Well done sir....you really deserved it.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 11 Aug 2012 23:15

I hope this inspires Sushil Kumar to strive for medals of other colors, as the last remaining medal prospect! Maybe not realistic, but 1-1-4 sounds rather nice!

archan · Post by **archan** » 11 Aug 2012 23:17

kshatriya wrote:^^^ Our Wrestlers are just not good... Period...

Wonder if you still stick to that opinion after watching Yogishwar's matches. Swollen eye, tied up knee and he rolled up the very quick N Korean in twists.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 11 Aug 2012 23:18

congratulations to dutt. he deserved it. had to fight one more bout than others and still had twice the energy and hunger for the medal! left nothing to the officials.

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 23:18

Hands shivering we did it...YES !!!!!

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 23:18

^^ Honestly, from what i had seen during the CWG, Yogeshwar looked the superior wrestler by miles compared to Sushil.

Thats why got so disappointed when he got thrashed in morning but didnt know that the opponent was current world champion. Anyways, champions fight back when down and out and thats what Yogeshwar did by winning 3 gruelling bouts within 50 minutes and getting us one more medal.

Hat tip, sire. Hope Sushil emulates you ( with a better coloured medal)

Wonder if you still stick to that opinion after watching Yogishwar's matches. Swollen eye, tied up knee and he rolled up the very quick N Korean in twists.

Was having goosebumps watching him twist the Korean the way he did. Only wish it was the gold medal match where he did such a demolition job!

Strangely, none of the officials seemed to be carrying the tricolour and so he was doing his lap of honour without one

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 23:19

archan wrote:
kshatriya wrote:^^^ Our Wrestlers are just not good... Period...
Wonder if you still stick to that opinion after watching Yogishwar's matches. Swollen eye, tied up knee and he rolled up the very quick N Korean in twists.

Ofcourse i'll take it back

. But we are still weak in clinches

KJo · Post by **KJo** » 11 Aug 2012 23:21

Suraj wrote:I hope this inspires Sushil Kumar to strive for medals of other colors, as the last remaining medal prospect! Maybe not realistic, but 1-1-4 sounds rather nice!

I would be very satisfied with a 1-1-4 performance. No Gold this time bahut khatakta hai.

Bade · Post by **Bade** » 11 Aug 2012 23:21

Thank you Yogeshwar.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 11 Aug 2012 23:23

sum: bliss to elaborate on Sushil vs Yogeshwar skillwise. Keep in mind Sushil is 2 weight categories up and will 'look' slower than the more fast-paced 60kg. Sushil is also more accomplished at higher levels - OG bronze, CWG gold, World Championship gold...

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 11 Aug 2012 23:24

well 6 would be double the max number ever won, despite all the boxing officiating crap. forget hockey, or any other team sport. keep up with boxing, wrestling, badminton, etc and send some of our bhookha nanga SDREs to kenya and ethiopia for endurance races. Another couple of olympics you will have decent set of medals.

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 23:24

Loved the shirt tear and pose his ripped body SDRE style....

Been waking up every morning early to watch wrestling so our guys lose match after match in Clinches.... Was sorely disappointed even today...

This is my best moment of this Olympics

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 11 Aug 2012 23:26

ha ha ha ! I wasn't disheartened when the other wrestlers crashed out but I was banking on Yogeshwar for a medal ! thank you !

sum · Post by **sum** » 11 Aug 2012 23:26

You are right, Suraj-ji...maybe it is the weight difference which makes the skills look exaggerated or maybe it was the opponents who were weaker since Yogeshwar looked unstoppable and sublime and really thumped all his opponents during the CWG whereas Sushil's were more close fought.

Hope you are right and Sushil isas good and leads us to a yellow medal!!

kshatriya · Post by **kshatriya** » 11 Aug 2012 23:31

Yogesh in the Video talks about how hurt he was after Beijing and continued inspite of a knee injury just for this medal, that he is closer to Sushil than anyone else, his match after his father's death and more... From 4:00 onwards

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 11 Aug 2012 23:31

kshatriya wrote:Loved the shirt tear and pose his ripped body SDRE style....

Been waking up every morning early to watch wrestling so our guys lose match after match in Clinches.... Was sorely disappointed even today...

This is my best moment of this Olympics

Photus please - we need to make it into a poster depicting SDREs