Tokyo Olympics: India men lose hockey semifinal to Belgium

India men's hockey team lost their semifinal match against the 2018 world champions Belgium on Tuesday at the Tokyo Olympics, thus missing out on a chance to make their first Olympic final in over four decades. The last time India had played the men's hockey final at the Olympics was back in 1980 when the team had won the gold medal. India lost 5-2 to Belgium in the men's hockey semi-final and will now play for the bronze medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. A hat-trick from feared drag-flicker Alexander Hendrick, two of them which came in the final quarter, sealed the deal for Belgium as they made it to the final. Hamanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh scored for India but it was not enough as Belgium benefited from raining penalty corners in Tokyo.World champions Belgium were off to a flying start as they got the lead as early as the 2nd minute. Alexander Hendricxx was not on the field but Belgium converted their penalty corner as Loick Lupayert struck it past PR Sreejesh.

Earlier, India's Annu Rani finished 14th in the women's javelin throw qualification Group A and failed to make it to the finals. She registered throws of 50.35m, 53.19m and 54.04m which wasn't enough to put her in the top 12. India's Tajinderpal Singh Toor will exhibit his skills in men's shot put. India's wrestling challenge did not star on a great note as Sonam Malik lost in the women's freestyle 62kg category.