It is going to a historic day for Indian sports at the Rio Olympics 2016. Shuttler PV Sindhu is a win away from bagging gold as she faces Spain’s Carolina Marin in the final of the singles competition. Regardless out of the outcome, India is assured of a silver medal, which has also never been achieved by an Indian woman. Teen golfer Aditi Ashok also has a shot at an Olympic medal as she stands just four strokes off the leader after the second round of the women's individual event.
Women's golf – Round 3: 4 pm IST
Aditi Ashok had an outstanding beginning to round two. The 18-year-old is just four shots behind the overall leader, Inbee Park of South Korea, after firing a second successive three-under 68, including five birdies against a couple of bogeys, to move to six-under 136. A near perfect final day’s play will assure the Indian of a medal, which can push India's tally to three.
Men's 50 km walk – Final: 4.30 pm IST
The current national record holder in the 50 km walk event, Sandeep Kumar, will be vying for gold at the Rio Olympics. Kumar sealed his spot for Rio with a timing of 1:23:32 in the men’s 20 km race walk at the International Associations of Athletics Federations Race Walking Challenge in Portugal. Kumar is India's best bet in the 50 km walk category, although his recent performances haven't been worthy of a podium finish.
Badminton women’s singles – Final: 6.55 pm IST
Standing between PV Sindhu and the gold medal is the world No.1, Carolina Marin, who is one of the best in the business today. The Spaniard has a 4-3 head-to-head record against Sindhu – the Indian’s last win coming in October 2015 in Denmark. Both players have had a splendid show at Rio and the final is set to be a mouth-watering affair. All eyes are on Sindhu as India awaits its first individual woman athlete to bag gold or silver at an Olympics.
Men's freestyle wrestling 57 kg – 7.02 pm IST
Sandeep Tomar will take his place on the mat against Russia’s Viktor Lebedev in the round of 16. He secured an Olympic quota berth with a bronze-medal finish in the first World Olympic Qualifying tournament in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. The 25-year-old will be looking to replicate the heroics of Sakshi Malik on the mat.
Women's 20 km walk – Final: 11 pm IST
Khushbir Kaur and Sapna Punia will look to bag a medal when they compete in the final of women’s 20km walk. Kaur grabbed the silver medal in racewalking at the Incheon Asian Games two years ago, with a timing of 1:33:07, and has a realistic chance of winning a medal. Punia qualified with a time of 1:35:36 at the Asian Racewalking Championships in Japan in March to book her ticket to Rio.
Women's 4 X 400m relay – Heats: 5.10 am IST (Saturday)
The India’s women’s relay team of Jauna Murmu, Ashwini Akkunji, Anilda Thomas, MR Poovamma, Nirmala and Debashree Majumdar will look to qualify for the final of the relay event. However, they face tough competition in the heat and with only the top three teams qualifying, their chances look bleak.
Men's 4 X 400m relay – Heats: 5.40 am IST (Saturday)
The men's relay team consisting of Kunhu Muhammed, Muhammed Anas, Ayyasamy Dharun, Lalith Mathur, Mohankumar R and Arokia Rajiv will hope to put their best foot forward when four among them take the field on Saturday morning. Chances of a medal are dim, but a stellar show can put Indian athletics on the map.