As Paris prepares to host its third Olympics after a century, India’s 117 athletes are preparing to enhance the country’s medal count in the post-COVID Games, which will begin on July 26 on the banks of the Seine. India won seven medals in the pandemic-delayed Olympics held behind closed doors in Tokyo three years ago, its highest ever total. The government’s investment in sports promotion is expected to result in double-digit medals as the country prepares to bid for the 2036 Games. Neeraj Chopra, a world and Olympic javelin champion, is India’s top medal candidate.
He is the second Indian individual gold medalist after shooter Abhinav Bindra, and currently ranks fourth among leading throwers with a mark of 88.36m. To maintain his legendary position, he must perform at his best and beat several elite competitors. P.V. Sindhu, the only Indian woman with two Olympic medals, aims to win a record third medal. Mirabai Chanu, a weightlifter, and Lovlina Borgohain, a boxer, will compete for their second consecutive medals, aiming to make history.
Mirabai, the women’s 49kg silver medalist, has recovered from a hip ailment and aims to finish on the podium with a 200kg-plus total. Lovlina, a 69kg bronze medalist in Tokyo, aims to maintain her current standing as the 75kg World Champion.
World champion boxer Nikhat Zareen (50kg), former Worlds silver medalist Amit Panghal (51kg), Worlds bronze medalist wrestler Antim Panghal (53kg), and two-time bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat (50kg) are expected to contribute to the medal tally. World No.3 men’s doubles badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are also expected to contribute.
21 shooters have qualified for the Olympics, with the goal of putting an end to Indian shooting’s dominance in the past two games. Pistol shooters Manu Bhaker, Anish Bhanwala, and rifle shooters Sift Kaur Samra and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar show potential. The Indian hockey team, who ended a 41-year medal drought in Tokyo with a bronze medal, aims to improve under new coach Craig Fulton and replicate their success. Improved medal total in Paris would boost India’s sporting prowess and build momentum for future Olympic participation.
ABHISHEK VERMA
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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