The Indian Olympic squad is preparing to make the trip to Beijing, once again with hope in its heart and a prayer on its lips. UTHRA GANESAN, SAIKAT SARKAR and DAKSH PANWAR examine how strong India’s 57-strong contingent to Beijing really is

Weightlifting
Weightlifting is one of only four sports where India has an individual Olympic medal, and the only one by a woman. Karnam Malleswari’s legacy may be difficult to bear — doping allegations and her run-ins with the authorities only make it worse — but when Monika Devi takes centrestage, she will wish that the burden of hope and the messy selection trials that gave her the ticket to Beijing remain in the background.
SQUAD: L Monika Devi (69kg)

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

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