It will be difficult to evaluate India’s Olympic effort in Paris. Should we call it a success or not? When it came to the total number of medals won, India fell short of the previous edition’s total in Tokyo. Compared to three years ago in Tokyo, when it won seven medals—the most ever for the nation in Olympic history—it only took home six in this edition.
With 117 competitors, the largest contingent ever, India headed to Paris hoping to make history by winning more than ten medals. Though it was unlikely, there was still hope.
The Beginning Of the Paris Olympics For India
On July 28, the second day of the competition, Indian shooter Manu Bhaker won a bronze in the women’s 10-meter air pistol. Two days later, on July 30, Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh teamed up for a bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, making history as the first Indian to win multiple medals at an Olympic edition since independence.
When Swapnil Kusale became the first Indian medallist in the rifle 3P event, the hopes of a double-digit medal total were further stoked. On August 1, Kusale won bronze in the men’s 50-meter rifle three position. After the sport was absent from the last two Olympics in Rio and Tokyo, winning three medals in shooting was a fantastic start.
However, throughout the course of the following seven days, India experienced a protracted medal drought that destroyed any chance of reaching double digits. Subsequently, the competition focused on matching or surpassing Tokyo’s success.
For the final five days of the competition, it featured a few medal contenders. The hockey squad was still in the running, Mirabai Chanu, a weightlifter, was there, and wrestlers were also in the running. Neeraj Chopra was there.
The Vinesh Phogat Controversy
As the first female wrestler from India to reach the final, Vinesh Phogat secured a medal for her country on the eleventh day of the competition. However, the grappler received heartbreaking news the very following day: she had been disqualified for being 100 grams overweight in her 50 kg freestyle final. The loss of a certain medal was a major shock to the nation. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has received an application for a silver medal from the IOA and the wrestler; a decision is currently anticipated by August 13.
The Indian hockey team lost their semifinal match against Germany the day before the Vinesh disaster, meaning they had to play for bronze once more. To make matters worse, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the only weightlifter from India in Paris and a silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, finished fourth in the 49kg class, preventing her from taking home a medal.
The Neeraj Chopra Reign
August 8, the following day, was crucial for India since its top gold-medal contender and reigning champion, Neeraj Chopra, was competing in the javelin throw final.
India’s day got off to a good start. The Indian hockey team defeated Spain 2-1 to clinch back-to-back bronze medals before the major javelin final. The hockey team has not won back-to-back titles in fifty-two years.
Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan crushed the competition in the large javelin final, tossing an Olympic record of 92.97 meters on his second try. Shortly after Nadeem’s incredible attempt, Tokyo gold medallist Neeraj Chopra answered with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters. However, Neeraj was unable to raise his score and ultimately had to accept a silver.
India now has five medals overall, one silver and four bronze, thanks to the two wins on August 8.
6 Medals For Team India This Paris Olympics 2024
Aman Sehrawat, a teenage wrestler, was one of the few remaining medal possibilities for his country at the Games after he lost his semifinal match on the same day and went on to win his bronze match the following day. On August 9, Sehrawat did not let everybody down as she decisively won a fight to become the youngest Indian medallist at age 21.
On the penultimate day of the Paris Olympics, wrestler Reetika Hooda was eliminated from medal contention, which put an end to India’s effort.
India has won six medals in all—one silver and five bronze. They are quite shy of their original goal of double digits and somewhat behind their greatest Tokyo appearance to yet.
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