Rio 2016: Dipa Karmakar Stars, While Saina Nehwal, Hockey Team Flop

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar narrowly missed the bronze after finishing fourth in the women's vault event even as shuttler Saina Nehwal, the men's hockey team and tennis pair Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna crashed out on a dismal day for India at the Olympic Games here.

Dipa, from the north eastern state Tripura, emerged as one of the few shining spots on a disastrous campaign as she ended up just outside a medal bracket with 15.066 points after putting on a superb display in the eight-woman vault final.

The gold went to favourite Simon Biles from the US who topped the table with near-flawless execution which fetched her the highest score of 15.966.

The silver went to Russia's Maria Paseka (15.253) and the bronze was bagged by Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland (15.216).

Saina crashes out

Dipa's superb show in a sport that is not popular in the country lit up the gloomy day which started with the the exit of London Games bronze medal winner Saina to further dampen the spirits of the contingent on the ninth day of competitions.

Saina, who was carrying a knee injury into the quadrennial sports spectacle, lost 18-21 19-21 to lower ranked rival Maria Ulitina from Ukraine to make a shock exit.

PV Sindhu, K Srikanth progress

Two other shuttlers remaining in the fray, K Srikanth and PV Sindhu, atoned somewhat for Saina's exit by reaching the pre-quarterfinals from their respective groups in men's and women's singles.

But more disappointment was in store for the contingent when mixed doubles medal hopes - Bopanna and Sania - lost in the bronze medal play-off in straight sets to the Czech pair of Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradceka.

Hockey team loses

To add insult to injury, the men's hockey squad, which had qualified for the knock-out phase after 36 years, was bundled out of the competition by Belgium which inflicted a 3-1 defeat.

A lackluster India squandered a one goal advantage and blew away a great opportunity to create history after a hiatus of 36 years to climb the medal podium.

Belgium, on the other hand, scripted history as they progressed to the semi-finals of the Olympics after a gap of 96 years.

Shooters disappoint again

The shooters continued to misfire as rifle shooters Gagan Narang and Chain Singh failed to make the final of the 50m 3-position event, finishing a lowly 23rd and 33rd respectively, to end the country's dismal campaign.

Women marathoners O P Jaisha and Kavita Raut were also out of depth and finished way behind in 89th and 120th spots clocking unimpressive time of 2 hours, 47 minutes, 19 seconds and 2:59:29 respectively.

Boxer Manoj Kumar bows out

Boxer Manoj Kumar lost 0-3 to Uzbek rival Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in the light welter (64kg) pre-quarterfinal bout.

The former Commonwealth Games gold-medalist Manoj Kumar put up a spirited show but could not match the power of fifth seed Fazliddin Gaibnazarov and bowed out.

The biggest talking point before Dipa's stupendous show was the shock ouster of world no. 5 Saina, who created history four years ago in London by winning a bronze medal which was the first by an Indian in the sport.

Chawrasia ends Tied-50, Lahiri 57th

India's campaign in golf ended on a disappointing note as SSP Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri finished tied 50th and tied 57th respectively.

Chawrasia, who scored 71, 71 and 69 in the last three rounds, had to endure a frustrating day as he carded a horrendous seven-over 78 on the final round to slip 28 places to tied 50th.

Lahiri, on the other hand, brought home an improved one-over 72 in the final round to stay static at the 57th spot.