Olympic Medal Predictions 2020: The last Summer Olympic Games that were played in Brazil came to an end and since the wait for the next Summer Olympics began. The 2016 Rio Olympics saw some great athletes such as Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps taking for the last time in the Olympics before announcing the retirement. Well, the new ones are always to take the place of the old ones. The Tokyo Olympics 2020 which is going to start from 24th July 2020 till 9th August will have athletes all across the world coming at the grand platform to show their prowess, here is the list of some of the athletes to watch out for as they have the deep potential to win the medals for their nations and carry their nations’ flag with glory:
#1. Marcus Gideon & Kevin Sukamuljo – Indonesia (Badminton Men’s doubles)
The invincible pair who had a terrific last season is going to be a tough contender in the next year’s Summer Olympics. Currently ranked No. 1 in the BWF World rankings in the Men’s Doubles category. However, the pair didn’t have a good show this year starting from their exit from the All England journey after a shockingly stunning defeat by Zhang Nan and Liu Cheng of China. It was followed by their ouster from the BWF Championship. There are huge expectations from both the players. But as history speaks, the sport of badminton has the ability to bring Indonesia to a standstill. Expected to make a comeback and regain the winning momentum, pair of Marcus Gideon and Kevin Sukamuljo will have everyone’s attention to win big at the next year’s Summer Games.
#2. Ellie Downie – Great Britain (Gymnastics)
The artistic Gymnast who represents Great Britain in Competent games across the world has been quite an achiever when it comes to winning medals. Downie claimed her first medal on the elite stage by finishing third in the team event at the FIG World Artistic Championships. She fell on her neck during the qualifying stages and went on to finish 13th in the all-around, but the Nottingham athlete will only be 21 when the Olympic flame arrives in Japan and, along with tinkler, could by then be matching the world’s best somersault for a somersault. This time she would be looking for redemption in the next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Ellie has won all major tournaments and will be scouting for a medal or two in the next year’s Games.
#3. Dina Asher-Smith – Great Britain (Athletics)
Dina Asher-Smith represents Great Britain at the Global Games. Dina Asher-Smith completed a European Championships sprint double in Berlin, achieving the fastest 100m time by a woman in 2018. The 23-year-old improved her own British 100m and 200m records to 10.85 and 21.89 when winning her continental titles in Berlin last year, completing the treble with 4x100m gold. There is no doubt that her skill is undeniable as she prepares for the next year’s Tokyo Summer Olympics. Downie is the first British woman to win an all-around medal at a major Gymnastics Championship, is excited for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Team Great Britain are looking to beat their record, breaking Rio 2016 achievements and maintain their spot in the top half of the medal table.
#4. Table Tennis Team – China
Since the introduction of table tennis in the Olympic Games in the Seoul Olympics in 1988, China has ruled all over the world when it comes to Table Tennis. China has won 28 out of 32 possible gold medals since the Summer Olympics in 1988. The defending champions from Rio 2016, Ma Long and Ding Ning, will have their sights set on a repeat performance in Tokyo. Both of them have been having a golden runoff late. China top the men’s, women’s and team world rankings. Ma Long considered one of the greatest table tennis players China has ever produced. The 30-year-old Chinese won his third consecutive men’s singles title at the World Championships in Budapest in April this year. If he wins another Gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics next year, he would be counted amongst the greatest Olympian of China. Ding Ning has also been performing well that includes her impressive showings resulting in two silvers (Korea and Australian Open) and a bronze across the World tour. The Chinese table tennis team is considered the favorites to win the medals in the next year’s Olympics.
#5. Lee Seung-Yun- Republic of Korea (Archery)
At the Olympic Games Rio 2016, the Republic of Korea’s archers swept the board, winning gold in all four competitions. It was Lee Seung Yun who won gold as a part of the South Korean team and qualified for the men’s individual round. Korea won all four of the gold medals available at the last Olympic Games in Rio. The 24-year-old Archer beat his teammate Kim Woojin in the test event for the next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Not just in Individual Archery disciplines, but Lee would be the part of the mixed team competition that has been added to the program in Tokyo for the first time. Lee is keen to play down a significant role in the team’s victory as well as to win a medal in the individual competition. Apparently, he is yet to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, Lee is presumably a favorite to grab a medal or two in the Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020.
#6. Neeraj Chopra- India (Javelin Throw)
Neeraj won a Gold medal in the Javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games and also the Asian Games. This year he has been prone to injury following a right elbow injury in March. He is currently placed fourth in the IAAF world rankings that already makes his 50 percent qualification and the rest qualification would be based on the minimum eligibility criteria of athletes who meet minimum standard recorded at competitions between 1 May 2019 and 29 June 2020. Neeraj Chopra will certainly make into the 12-man final in Tokyo. He is aware of the tough competition that lies ahead and understands the need to produce his best throws throughout the season. He would be hoping for a gold medal and if not that then he would certainly bring in Silver or bronze for India.
#7. Kristof Milak -Hungary (Swimming)
The 19-year-old Hungarian, Kristof Milak just broke the world record set by Michael Phelps. Milak clocked 1:50.73, which he bettered that was previously set by Michael Phelps as 1:50.78 in the 200m Butterfly. Milak was back-stroke swimming until the age of 14, but then he adopted the Butterfly style. Hungarian is expected to win a medal or two in the next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
#8. Serena Williams – United States of America (Tennis)
With four Olympic gold medals to her name, not to mention a record 22 singles and 14 doubles titles in Grand Slam events, Serena Williams can justifiably lay claim to being the greatest women’s tennis player of all time in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020. Serena who is 38 yrs old now has the same amount of energy when she competed for the first time in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion failed to earn a medal for the first time in Rio, falling in the third round in singles and the first round in doubles with older sister Venus Williams. Already 38, Serena would want to put an end to her career by ending in on a good note. Also, the fact that Tokyo Olympics may be her last Olympic event, she will want redemption by winning a medal at the World taking her medal tally to 5 medals. She is surely touted as a probable bidder of the medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
#9. Adam Peaty – Great Britain (Swimming)
British swimmer is racing for the next year’s Summer Games that are going to be hosted by Tokyo in 2020. Peaty is adding to his medal tally with his extraordinary performance at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju. The 2016 Rio Olympics winner in the 100m Breaststroke, broke the 57 second barrier for the first time in the Gwangju event. Adam Peaty has already marked his presence to his competitors. The 25-year-old is the strongest contender to bag in a medal in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
#10. Simone Biles – United States (Gymnastics)
The 22-year-old American artistic gymnast just made history by becoming the first person to ever attempt and land a double-double dismount from the beam. The quadruple gold medalist was dominant in the last Olympic in Rio is one of the toughest contenders to bag a medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Simone Biles also made history by becoming the first woman to perform a triple-double in a floor exercise while she was competing for her sixth National title. Seeing her current run of medals and success, Simone is expected to make her run in the upcoming Summer Games as the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is round the corner. Simone is expected to bid for something big as she will represent the team USA.
