Rani Rampal confident that India's new fitness approach for Olympics will bring surprises

postponed Tokyo Olympics will begin on July 23, 2021, for which Indian women's hockey team has alrey qualified. With team resuming practice from August 19, India will aim for a medal at Olympics. Based on team's previous Olympics appearances, captain Rani Rampal recently spoke about India's new approach, and how it is bound to surprise at Tokyo Olympics. 

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Indian hockey: Rani Rampal on India's chances at Tokyo Olympics

During Rani Rampal's recent interview with Olympic Channel, she discussed women's team qualifying for Tokyo Olympics on Indian soil at Kalinga Stium in Bhubaneswar last vember. Rampal was one who clinched 6-5 aggregate victory, despite having lost previous qualifier. She n spoke about how qualifying for Olympics two times in a row itself is a big deal, especially after country's team did t qualify for years. 

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women's hockey team me ir Olympics debut at Moscow in 1980, when y finished fourth. However, India's next qualification came 36 years later during 2016 Rio Olympics, where y ranked last with four losses and one draw. Rani Rampal n explained how things have taken a positive turn for women's hockey. While women's hockey seldom h media attention or large audiences, global and social media have resulted in more people following team and ir journey.

Rampal ackwledged team's mistakes at 2016 Rio Olympics and spoke about t repeated m once again. According to 25-year-old captain, y have gained experience and learned from ir loss. Veteran players can guide youngsters at Olympics, Rampal said, as y might get nervous on international platform. 

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She focused on new and improved fitness level of team, which was lacking a few years ago. As per Rampal, y were always nervous about physically lacking against European teams. However, she is w confident that y can w match fitness level. Rampal furr elaborated on more holistic approach taken by team, as sports science is playing a larger role with training. Even ir training session is being analysed constantly, with schedule being decided based on muscle soreness reports. She ded that exposure-wise and nutrition-wise, things have improved for team. 

Towards end, Rampal revealed that y have good expectations from team, and will aim to qualify for quarterfinals first. She ded that after quarterfinals, a second st of competition begins, where it's anyone's game, and whoever plays better wins game. team has started outdoor this week, and is hoping to participate abro is COVID-19 situation approves.

Two months ago, Rampal was among athletes minated for  Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. She has, till w, led team to ir historic wins at  Women's Asia Cup (2017) and silver at Asian Games (2018). Under her captaincy, team has climbed to a career-best FIH ranking of .9.

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(Im source: PTI)