India’s journey at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a testament to the country’s growing prowess in sports. From breaking records to setting new benchmarks, Indian athletes displayed remarkable skill, determination, and resilience. The Paris Games not only highlighted India’s emergence as a global sports powerhouse but also reflected the dreams and aspirations of a nation united in its pursuit of excellence on the world stage.
Manu Bhaker’s Historic Feat
Manu Bhaker made India proud by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal. Her bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event was just the beginning. Manu, alongside Sarabjot Singh, went on to secure India’s first-ever team medal in shooting, clinching bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. This made her the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic edition.
Indian Hockey Team’s Triumph
The Indian men’s hockey team secured a bronze medal at Paris 2024, marking back-to-back Olympic medals for the first time in 52 years. Their victory against Spain in a thrilling 2-1 match added another chapter to India’s rich hockey history. This achievement brought India’s total Olympic hockey medal count to 13, extending the nation’s record. The team also celebrated a historic win over Australia, ending a 52-year drought of Olympic victories against the Aussies.
A New Milestone in Indian Shooting
India achieved its best-ever medal tally in a single sport at the Olympics, with three medals in shooting. Swapnil Kusale added to this tally by winning a bronze in the men’s 50m rifle three positions event. This marked India’s first Olympic medal in this discipline, surpassing the previous best of two medals in shooting at the London 2012 Olympics.
Lakshya Sen’s Breakthrough in Badminton
Lakshya Sen made history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semi-finals in an Olympic men’s singles event. His journey was marked by impressive victories over top-ranked players, though he fell short in the semi-finals against defending champion Viktor Axelsen. Despite missing out on a medal, Sen’s performance set a new benchmark for Indian badminton.
Neeraj Chopra’s Silver in Javelin
Neeraj Chopra continued his legacy from Tokyo 2020 by winning a silver medal in the javelin throw at Paris 2024. With a throw of 89.45 meters, Chopra delivered his second-best performance ever. However, he was narrowly beaten by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set an Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters. Chopra’s silver added to his Tokyo gold, making him one of India’s most celebrated Olympians.
Manika Batra’s Table Tennis Success
Manika Batra made history by advancing to the pre-quarterfinals in Olympic table tennis, becoming the first Indian to do so. Her journey included victories over Anna Hursey of Great Britain and Prithika Pavade of France before falling to Japan’s Miu Hirano. Sreeja Akula, another Indian table tennis player, also impressed by reaching the round of 16 in her Olympic debut.
Archery’s New Benchmark
In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat made history by finishing fourth in the mixed-team event. Although they narrowly missed a bronze, their performance represented India’s best result in Olympic archery. The duo’s journey to the semi-finals marked a new milestone for Indian archery, showcasing the growing strength of the sport in the country.
Vinesh Phogat’s Heartbreaking Disqualification
Vinesh Phogat stunned the world by defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki, the top-seeded grappler in the women’s 50kg wrestling category, to reach the quarterfinals. Susaki, unbeaten in her last 82 international bouts, was a formidable opponent, but Vinesh’s victory was a significant upset. However, what could have been a moment of glory for India turned into heartbreak as Vinesh was disqualified due to a minor weight discrepancy of just 100 grams. Despite being a favourite for a silver or even a gold medal, she walked away with nothing, leaving the entire nation in shock and disappointment. The decision is under review, with many hoping for a positive outcome.