The Paris Olympics 2024 officially kicked off with an exciting day of competition, but it was a mixed bag of results for the Indian contingent in the initial rounds of shooting and rowing.
Shooting: Narrow Misses in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Event
India’s 10m air rifle mixed teams showed promise but ultimately fell short of reaching the medal rounds. The duo of Ramita Hooda and Arjun Babuta delivered a commendable performance, finishing sixth. Despite their strong effort, they missed the cut for the top four, which is required to advance to the medal round.
Hooda and Babuta’s finish is still notable, showcasing their potential on the Olympic stage. However, the other Indian pair, Elavenil Valarivan and Sandeep Singh, struggled to find their rhythm and ended up in the 12th position.
Shooting remains one of India’s strong suits in the Olympics, and while this event didn’t go as hoped, there are still several opportunities for the team to make their mark in the coming days.
Rowing: Balraj Panwar Advances to Repechage in Men’s Singles Sculls
In the rowing events, Balraj Panwar competed in the men’s singles sculls. Panwar faced stiff competition in his heat and finished fourth. Though he didn’t secure a direct spot in the next round, Panwar will have another chance to advance through the repechage scheduled for Sunday.
Panwar’s performance displayed his resilience and determination, qualities that will be crucial as he fights for a place in the finals. The repechage round offers a lifeline for athletes who narrowly miss out in the heats, and Panwar’s focus will now shift to making the most of this opportunity.
Looking Ahead: Key Events on July 27
Indian athletes will continue to compete across various disciplines, with significant events scheduled for July 27:
- Shooting: Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan, Arjun Singh Cheema, and Sarabjot Singh will compete in the men’s and women’s 10m pistol qualification events, aiming to secure a place in the finals.
- Hockey: The Indian men’s hockey team, which earned a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will face New Zealand in their opening match. A strong start is essential as they navigate a challenging group that includes Olympic champions Belgium and silver medallists Australia.
- Badminton:
- Men’s Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will kick off their campaign against Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar of France.
- Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen is set to face Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon.
- Women’s Doubles: Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto will play against South Korea’s Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong.
- Tennis: Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will take on France’s Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the men’s doubles first-round match.
The initial setbacks in shooting and rowing are part of the ups and downs that come with the Olympic journey. As the Games progress, Indian athletes will continue to strive for excellence, with hopes of bringing home medals and making their nation proud.
Stay tuned for more updates and live coverage of India’s journey at the Paris Olympics 2024.
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