It’s that time of the sports-year where brand new talent chases shiny Olympic medals. And Indian fans suddenly wake up to talent that bursts forth from their midst. One tiny problem – the possibility of saying their names wrong would be sacrilege in Olympic season. So, happy to link up your enthusiasm with how the names of the champions-in-waiting roll.
1. Sift Kaur Samra
(Pr: Si-ft Core Saam-ra, Si-ft with a gentle T)
A strong contender for the 50m 3-position medal later next week, the Punjab rifle shooter could win big, and give the Chinese a good push for gold. Sift means ‘praise’.
2. Amit Panghal / Antim Panghal
(Pr: Pun-ghaaal, extended second a in the second name)
The boxer Amit Panghal will look to make amends for a painful disorienting punch at Tokyo. The wrestler Antim Panghal, would want to have the final word on the mat in 53 kg. Note: The two might both win medals, but they are not siblings.
4. Sumit Nagal
(Pr: Naa-gal.)
He’s not Nadal with a G. But has a mad, (rhymes with paagal) mad dream to score big wins in tennis singles, having made Grand Slam main draws all year. Leander did it, so why not Sumit?
5. Kiran Pahal
(Pr: puh-hul, subtle A’s both in second name)
The 400m Rohtak runner went sub-51 seconds (50.92s), only the second Indian ever to do so.
6. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar
(Pr: Uh-esh-wuryuh)
Not extended ‘a’ at end of first name like Aishwarya Rai, for the MP shooter. His event, 50m 3-P rifle though is a full-blown marathon event with standing, kneeling, prone shooting.
7. Swapnil Kusale
(Pr: Koo-saa-le, hard L of marathi)
A 4th place at last World Championships for another of the 50m 3P shooters. He’s beaten big names like Gagan Narang and Chain Singh when twice winning Nationals. And the Maharashtra rifle shooter from Kolhapur can come clutch in pressure shooting.
8. Anish Bhanwala
(Pr: Bhaan-waalaa)
The rapidfire pistol shooter has big shoes to fill – of 2012 London silver medallist Vijay Kumar. Vijay was known for his insane quick reactions aiming at three targets in 4 seconds. Anish will go up against France’s freakishly good shooter Jean Quiquampoix.
9. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
(Pr: Sat-wik-sai-raj Ran-ki-ready)
It really shouldn’t be difficult for he’s World No 1. But the mangling of his name is imminent, given people can be lazy to…finish a name. He’s always ready to fight, but the name is Rankireddy.
10. Tanisha Crasto
(Pr: Craa – stow)
Not Castro, like Fidel. But Crasto for the other doubles shuttler, who will sweetly smile and smash the shuttle to pulp from the net, whichever way you move the 20 year old’s name.
11. Elavenil Valarivan
(Pr: Eeluh-way-nil Vaa-la-riven, The Hard L in Tamil)
The Gujarat shooter shoots straight. But there are famously 3 La- sounds in Tamil. She’s not the sift-L, not the wide-jawed zh- L. Air rifle shooter. Glorious smile once she wins).
12. Dhinidhi Desinghu
(Pr: Dhi-ni-dhhi Dhay-sin-guh, where dh = the d of Dara Singh and dhh is d of Dhara oil. The second name ends with a guh, like duh)
India’s youngest Olympian at 14. 200m free swimmer. Lovely confidence. One for the future.
13. Muhammed Anas
(Pr: Uh-nuhss, both soft a)
400m runner. National record holder. Following in hallowed tradition of Milkha Singh and KM Binu. Asiad relay gold medallist. From Nilamel village in Kerala, a sprinter at heart, a quarter-miler cause he can over 400m.
14. Jyothika Sri Dandi
(Pr: Shri-Dun-dy)
From Tanuku in West Godavari district of AP, Jyothika is a 400m specialist. She secured for India the relay ticket for Paris from workd relays in Bahamas. Father Srinivas was a body builder.
15. Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan
(Pr: Tami-zha-rasan, the second Tamil L, like zh of Kazhagam)
A 400m hurdles runner, but picked for the 400 flat relay team at Paris.
16. Prithviraj Tondaiman
(Pr: Tone-daai-maan)
Trap shooter. Current royal & medal hopeful like everyone else. But Tondaiman is one of the ancient names in Tamil, quite often appearing in classic literature.
17. Manav Thakkar
(Pr: Thuh-kerrr)
TT star from Surat. Tough to medal given they got roiled with China in team event. But idea is to give it his best. And scare Ma Long’s men tiny bit. Just a little. Cause why not.
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