The USA is the powerhouse of the Olympics. Across different sports, the US won 2638 medals in its last 28 appearances at the Games. However, while the US dominates many sports, India holds its ground and even surpasses them in some games.
Table Tennis
Table tennis is a sport where China is supreme, leaving both the US and India following and trying to replicate what they have achieved.
India has an edge over the USA in the game. India has an infrastructure with academies dedicated to nurturing young talent. This focus on grassroots development ensures a steady pipeline of skilled players entering the competitive arena. While the US, although catching up, is still building its table tennis community.
Although neither the US nor India have won an Olympic medal in singles competition yet, India has shown more success in doubles, showcasing promising teamwork and strategic play.
Field Hockey
Field hockey is a sport where India is far away from the USA. India is the undisputed champion in men’s field hockey, clinching an impressive eight gold medals. This includes a historic six consecutive gold medal wins at the Olympics between 1928 and 1956. The US men’s team, on the other hand, is yet to qualify for the summer games.
The US women’s team has participated in several Olympics but hasn’t secured a medal. India’s women’s team, currently ranked 9th in the world, is working towards replicating the success of the men’s team. Their consistent performance and improvement in rankings suggest promising future potential.
Currently, India’s men’s hockey team is ranked seventh in the world, while the women’s hockey team ranks ninth. When it comes to USA hockey, the women’s team is ranked 13th, while the men’s team is 24th.
More on Olympics
Badminton
India has a clear advantage over the USA in badminton. India has three medals in badminton, while the US has yet to break onto the Olympic podium.
Indian players like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu have achieved remarkable success. They have secured medals not only in the Olympics but also in prestigious tournaments like the World Championships and the Uber Cup. The US, despite having promising players like Beiwen Zhang, hasn’t reached the same level yet. Zhang’s achievements are primarily limited to regional victories in the Pan-American Games.
