India's performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics has been commendable, with several athletes securing medals and setting new records. Here's a detailed update on the progress and achievements of Indian athletes so far.
Athletics
Neeraj Chopra: Neeraj Chopra has once again made headlines by defending his Olympic title in the javelin throw. His throw of 88.74 meters secured him the gold medal, making him the first Indian to win back-to-back golds in Olympic athletics. Chopra's consistent performance has solidified his status as one of India's premier athletes.
Avinash Sable: In the men's 3000m steeplechase, Avinash Sable clinched a silver medal, setting a new national record with a time of 8:12.36. Sable's achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian middle-distance running, showcasing his continuous improvement and determination.
Shooting
Manu Bhaker: Manu Bhaker has broken a two-decade drought by advancing to the finals of the women’s 10m air pistol event. Bhaker's stellar performance in the qualification rounds ended a 20-year wait for an Indian female shooter to reach the finals in this category. She went on to win a bronze medal, adding to India's tally and demonstrating her exceptional skill and focus.
Sarabjot Singh: Sarabjot Singh, alongside Manu Bhaker, won a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Their teamwork and precision were evident as they outperformed strong competitors, securing India’s first shooting medal in Paris.
Badminton
PV Sindhu: PV Sindhu, the badminton star, continues to shine on the global stage. She has advanced to the quarterfinals, displaying her trademark powerful smashes and strategic gameplay. Sindhu remains a strong contender for a medal in the women’s singles event.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty: The men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has been impressive, defeating France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in straight sets. They are one of the favorites to go all the way in their event, and their performance so far has been solid, reflecting their preparation and skill.
Lakshya Sen: Lakshya Sen has had a strong start, winning his opening match against Kevin Cordon of Guatemala. Sen's aggressive style and mental toughness were on full display, making him a promising contender in the men's singles badminton event.
Archery
India's archery contingent, led by veterans Tarundeep Rai and Deepika Kumari, has shown promise. Competing in all five categories for the first time since the London 2012 Olympics, the team aims to secure India’s first-ever Olympic medal in archery. The archers' performances in the ranking rounds have been encouraging, and they continue to advance through the competition with high hopes.
Hockey
The Indian men’s hockey team, historically the most successful with eight Olympic gold medals, has started their campaign with a win against New Zealand. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team aims to build on their bronze medal finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The women’s hockey team has also shown strong performances, aiming to surpass their previous best finishes.
Table Tennis
Harmeet Desai: Harmeet Desai has advanced to the main draw of the men's singles table tennis tournament after a convincing win in the preliminary rounds. His next challenge will be against higher-ranked opponents, but his performance so far has been promising.
Boxing
Indian boxers have shown resilience and skill, with several advancing through the initial rounds. Preeti Pawar and other boxers are set to compete in the coming days, with high hopes for medal finishes.
