The Paris 2024 Olympics is set to begin with an awe-inspiring opening ceremony on the River Seine on July 26. As the world anticipates this grand event, Indian sports enthusiasts are fervently speculating about their nation’s potential medal haul. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics saw India secure a record seven medals, marking their best performance to date. Can India surpass this achievement in Paris?
Here, we spotlight ten key athletes who are poised to bring glory to India at the Paris 2024 Olympics:
Neeraj Chopra: Javelin Throw
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Biggest Achievement: Neeraj Chopra stands as the reigning world and Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, a feat unprecedented in Indian athletics. He has also clinched gold at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and secured a Diamond League Trophy.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Despite not breaching the 90m mark, Neeraj has consistently emerged as the top thrower in numerous competitions. He triumphed at the Asian Games and World Championships last year and has displayed solid form this year, winning gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games, placing second at the Doha Diamond League, and clinching the Federation Cup at home. However, his participation in 2024 is restricted due to an adductor issue, limiting him to three events.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty: Badminton
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Biggest Achievement: Recently attaining the status of the world’s No.1 men’s doubles pair, Satwik and Chirag have made significant strides in badminton.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Despite early losses in the Malaysia Open and Indian Open finals this year, the duo bounced back by winning the French Open and Thailand Open. Their current form suggests strong medal prospects in Paris, though Satwik’s recent shoulder injury and his recovery will be critical.
Antim Panghal: Wrestling
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Biggest Achievement: Antim Panghal is a former World Junior Champion and secured a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in the 53kg category.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Antim’s fourth seed status allows her to bypass top competitors like Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Qianyu Pang, two-time world champion Akari Fujinami, and two-time European champion Emma Malmgren. This seeding advantage positions her well for the medal rounds, but consistent performance will be crucial in her Olympic debut.
Lovlina Borgohain: Boxing
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Biggest Achievement: Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze medal in the 69kg event at the Tokyo Olympics, has now moved up to the 75kg category.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: After her category was scrapped, Lovlina transitioned to 75kg and won gold at the World Championships last year, along with a silver at the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in the Czech Republic. She is considered a strong contender for another Olympic medal.
PV Sindhu: Badminton
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Biggest Achievement: PV Sindhu is the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic silver (2016 Rio) and remains the only Indian woman athlete to secure two Olympic medals, with her second being a bronze at Tokyo 2020.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Known for her performances in major tournaments, Sindhu faces a relatively easy group in Paris but may encounter reigning Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei in the quarter-finals. However, her recent poor form, including early exits from the Indonesia Open and Singapore Open, raises concerns.
Mirabai Chanu: Weightlifting
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Biggest Achievement: Mirabai Chanu earned a silver at Tokyo 2020 and won gold at the 2017 World Championships.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Entering Paris as a favorite, Chanu’s experience is invaluable, though her recent struggles with hip, thigh, and wrist injuries could impact her performance.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team: Hockey
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Biggest Achievement: Boasting eight gold medals historically and a bronze at Tokyo 2020, the Indian men’s hockey team aims to continue its legacy.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: India is placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. With four teams progressing to the knockouts, India's chances look promising despite a seventh-place finish in the last FIH Pro League.
Nikhat Zareen: Boxing
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Biggest Achievement: A two-time world champion, Nikhat Zareen has shown remarkable consistency, losing only two bouts since 2022.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Despite her impressive form, her semi-final defeat to Thailand’s Raksat Chuthamat at the Asian Games 2023 highlights the unpredictable nature of major tournaments.
Manu Bhaker: Shooting
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Biggest Achievement: Manu Bhaker claimed gold at the 2023 World Championships and excelled at the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) Rifle/Pistol.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: Representing India in multiple events, Bhaker’s past experience at the Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to reach the finals despite being world No.1, underscores the importance of managing pressure at the Games.
Aman Sehrawat: Wrestling
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Biggest Achievement: Aman Sehrawat is the 2022 World U23 champion, 2023 Asian Championships gold medallist, and a 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist in the 57kg category.
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Medal Chances and Challenges: As the only Indian male wrestler qualified for Paris, the 20-year-old faces a tough road ahead, potentially meeting three-time World Championships bronze medallist Arsen Harutyunyan in the quarter-final.
With these talented athletes, India has a promising lineup for Paris 2024. Their performances will be eagerly watched, with hopes high for a record-breaking medal tally.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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