As the “Greatest show on earth” kicked off in Rio, a nation of 1.2 billion prayed for podium finishes for its largest-ever Olympic contingent. India eyes a double-digit tally this time (it won six in the 2012 London Olympics). Though never in the league of a US or a China that seems to produce athletes straight out of a factory line, we do have a few champions to spring expected wins and some unexpected triumphs. The Telegraph takes a look at some of its best bets in the 2016 Quadrennial Showpiece 

Here’s wishing all Indian contestants luck from our side. May your feats be Faster, Higher, Stronger.

HOCKEY

Once an unbeatable team, the men’s side led by the unflappable Sardar Singh and coached by Dutchman Roelant Oltmans is all set to win hearts with its skilful wizardry on the field. Win it for us, for ol’ times sake!

Kudos to the women’s team for having qualified after 36 years, the last one being for the Moscow games in 1980.

Sushila Chanu’s team may not be favourites but the team boasts of quite a few world-beaters. Give us a Chak De! moment girls.

BADMINTON 

Once considered to be a game to be played only at home in the evenings, badminton has come a long way. We are in fact, pinning our hopes on this one as Saina Nehwal leads  a very talented team to Rio. Will it be Good-minton gold this time?

ARCHERY

India has a terrific chance of hitting bulls eye... err gold. Our chances lie with former World No. 1 Deepika Kumari. Though failing to perform to potential in their first outing, the side with the likes of Atanu Das, Laxmirani Majhi and Bombayla Devi packs a punch. We hope they come back with a quiver full of medals.

ATHLETICS

Our biggest squad for the Games, we have pinned a lot of hopes on them. Not without reason though — Tintu Luka, Vikas Gowda and Inderjeet Singh have all arrived at Rio riding on impressive individual records. Irfan Kolothum Thodi could very well prove to be the proverbial dark horse this time. Take the field, seize the moment. 

BYE BYE BINDRA

They say shooting stars make wishes come true but our dreams fell just 0.5 points short. Abhinav Bindra, our only individual Oympian, failed to repeat Beijing and lost out on the bronze to Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish. Gagan Narang also crashed out in the first round of 10m air rifle. 

WRESTLING

Grappling with controversies in the run-up to the Games, the sport has quite a few big names to do the country proud. Vinesh Phogat’s name has been doing the rounds as has been Yogeshwar Dutt’s. Will any of them be able to live up to the legacy left behind by Sushil Kumar (a silver in 2012 and a bronze in 2008)? Pin ‘em down, we’ll be floored.

GYMNASTICS

India’s most successful gymnast ever, Dipa Karmakar is already in the finals, riding high on her successful Produnova vault (The Produnova is an artistic vault. The vault consists of a front handspring and two front somersaults. The vault is one of the hardest in women’s artistic gymnastics.) Girl, you just raised the bar — of our expectations.

OLYMPIC CREED

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.