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Tag: Paris Olympics 2024

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Eyes Gold Medal After Win Over Yusneylis Guzman Lopez In Semifinal | Other

    India Wrestler Vinesh Phogat scripted history on Tuesday (August 6) as she became the first athlete who will win a silver or gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 for India. She defeated Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semifinal to secure her spot in the final of Women’s 50kg Freestyle Wrestling.

    Following a flawless outing on the mat, Vinesh became the first Indian to reach the Olympic final in women’s wrestling. She waved her hand towards the crowd for their unwavering support after confirming India’s fourth medal at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh adopted an aggressive approach in the opening minutes of the bout. But the Cuban grappler stood firm with her defensive approach and didn’t allow Vinesh to take away any point. (Meet Vinesh Phogat’s Husband Somvir Rathee Who’s Also A Wrestler: Know All About Their Love Story – In Pics)

    Guzman Lopez was handed a passivity warning and had thirty seconds to score a point. Vinesh didn’t give her much of an opening and took the first point in the semi-final bout. The Indian grappler maintained the slender one-point lead in the second half. She showed her aggression and managed to get Lopez in her grip. She turned her around and took a 5-0 lead. Towards the end, Lopez tried to turn things around with one final surge. Vinesh deflected the attacks that were thrown her way and stormed into the final to fight for gold. Earlier in the day, Vinesh starred in the quarter-finals against Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan.

    Susaki was leading 1-0 at the end of the first period, but Vinesh made a brilliant turnaround in the second period, outdoing her Japanese opponent by miles to secure a 3-2 win to make way to the quarter-finals. She handed the Japanese wrestler her first defeat in 82 international matches.

    In the quarter-finals against Ukraine’s Oksana Livach, Vinesh took a lead of 2–0 in the first period. However, Oksana managed to deliver a fight in the second period. But Vinesh, the World Championships medalist held off the challenge from Ukrainian and secured a semi-final berth. (With ANI Inputs)

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Two Wins Away From Gold Medal, Check Where To Watch Her In Action Here Against Yusneylys Guzman In Semifnal | Other

    Seasoned Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat entered her maiden Olympic semifinals in the 50kg category, beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the last-eight stage on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Vinesh defeated Livach 7-5 in a hard-fought bout to get closer to an elusive Olympic medal in her third attempt. This was after she caused the biggest wrestling upset in this games when she shocked four-time world champion and reigning gold-medallist Yui Susaki of Japan on points to enter the quarter-finals.

    Trailing 0-2 after conceding penalty points for passivity, the Indian wrestler came back brilliantly in the last five seconds to take down the top seed by clinching three points to win 3-2. Vinesh had failed to win a medal in her two previous Olympic appearances. (India vs Germany LIVE Action Hockey Semifinal At Paris Olympics 2024)

    Here are the livestreaming details of Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match…

    When will Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman take place?

    Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman will take place on Tuesday (August 6).

    What time will Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman take place?

    Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman will take place at 9:45 PM (IST) at the Paris Olympics 2024.

    Where to watch Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman?

    For those eager to watch Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman at the Paris Olympics 2024, they can watch it on the Sports18 Network in India.

    Where to live stream Vinesh Phogat’s semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman?

    For online streaming, fans can watch the Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Olympics 2024 semifinal match against Yusneylys Guzman live on the JioCinema app and website.

    Earlier in the quarterfinal, as the match progressed into its final moments, Phogat’s perseverance paid off. She made a remarkable comeback by pinning Susaki down, which earned her two crucial points. In the dying seconds of the bout, Phogat added another point to secure a 3-2 victory, showcasing her tactical prowess and determination.

    Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Yui Susaki had clinched the gold medal in the Tokyo Games’ 50kg category, having won all four of her bouts without conceding a single point. Throughout her wrestling career, Susaki has only lost 34 matches out of over 700, underscoring her dominance. She has also secured World Championship gold in 2017 (48kg), 2019, 2022, and 2023. Remarkably, Vinesh Phogat is the first international wrestler to defeat Susaki on the mat. (With PTI Inputs)

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Manika Batra’s Clutch Performance Gets India Women’s Table Tennis Team Into Quarterfinals | Other

    The Indian Women’s Table Tennis lead by Manika Batra has booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics 2024 after beating Romania in a 5-set thriller in their round of 16 fixture. Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath first teamed up in the doubles game followed up by Manika Batra winning her singles fixture as well. However, things got pretty bad for India when both Akula and Kamath lost their singles match which led to their 2 set lead being demolished.

    With the scores level at 2-2, momentum was with Romania but Batra soaked in the pressure and pulled an amazing clutch win to get India over the line. (Paris Olympics 2024: Noah Lyles Takes Away Gold By Whisker In Men’s 100m Final – WATCH)

    (More to follow)

  • Lovlina Borgohain’s Paris 2024 Olympic Medal Hopes End With Quarterfinal Loss To Li Qian | Other

    Paris Olympics 2024: The 26-year-old’s loss ended India’s boxing campaign in the Olympics after Nishant Dev was ousted from the men’s 71kg quarterfinals on Saturday night, also a close contest.A six-strong boxing contingent, comprising four women and two men , was representing the country in the Games. Out of these, four had crashed out in the preliminary stage itself.

    It was a pacey start to the proceedings as Borgohain and Qian quickly got into a tangle. However, none of the boxers seemed willing to launch the first attack. The holding and clinching started pretty early in the bout and the referee had to repeatedly step in to separate the two old foes.

    Qian seemed determined while Borgohain came across the more animated of the two early on. The Chinese connected some clean combination punches and a left hook towards the end of the first round. She was particularly impressive before she took a 3-2 lead in the contest.

    The second round didn’t start any different but Qian was more purposeful in her approach. Her right straights were on target while Borgohain was cautioned twice for excessive holding. It was once again 3-2 in favor of Qian but with a different set of judges scoring in her favor this time, she only had a slender one-point lead on one card, while the remaining four were tied.

    The holding and clinching continued in the third round too and both the women seemed a bit drained.

    However, Qian showed great presence of mind throughout to keep Borgohain at a distance. Borgohain was not up to it when it came to controlling the pace of the bout and repeatedly took hits on counter-attacks.

    The Assamese had fought Qian in the Asian Games final last year and went down 0-5. She later beat Qian in the semifinals of the world championship semifinal in 2023. But more recently, she was bested by the veteran in a pre-Olympic tournament in Czechia in June.

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Lakshya Sen Vs Viktor Axelsen; All You Need To Know About Semifinal | Other

    On August 2, Lakshya Sen made history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinals at the 2024 Olympics. In a remarkable performance, Lakshya, who has been in stellar form throughout the Paris Games, secured a comeback victory over 12th seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. At 22, he stands as India’s sole hope in badminton after the exits of prominent players like Satwik-Chirag and PV Sindhu.

    Lakshya Sen will face a familiar opponent in the semifinals, Viktor Axelsen. The two have a shared history, as Lakshya trained with the former World No. 1 in Dubai after being dropped from the Thomas Cup team.

    According to his coach, Vimal Kumar, Lakshya gained valuable insights from the Danish star during their training sessions. The head-to-head record heavily favors Viktor Axelsen, who has won 7 of their 8 encounters.

    Lakshya Sen’s sole victory over the current World No. 2 came in the 2022 German Open semi-finals, where he won 21-13, 12-21, 22-20. In their most recent matchup at the Singapore Open 2024, Axelsen triumphed in a closely contested round-of-32 clash, winning 21-13, 16-21, 21-13.

    The semifinal match between Lakshya Sen and Viktor Axelsen at the Paris Olympics 2024 is scheduled for August 4, Sunday, and will take place not before 12 PM IST. It will be the second semifinal of the day, following the first semifinal between Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Jia Zii Lee.

    Recapping Lakshya’s match with Chou Tien Chen, the first set was a neck-and-neck battle, creating an electrifying atmosphere throughout the arena. The intensity of the smashes from Chou and Lakshya’s elegant defensive shots was a delight for the fans. The first set began on a back-and-forth note. Chou took a couple of points, and Sen fought back, picking up two consecutive points to restore parity at 2-2.

    Three consecutive powerful smashes from Chou allowed him to enjoy a three-point buffer over the Indian shuttler.

    The lengthy rallies continued, and Lakshya started to take control in the opening set. With an exquisite crosscourt smash, Lakshya once again leveled the score at 5-5. Lakshya continued to ride high on the momentum and went ahead for the first time in the first set, 6-5. Chou quickly bounced back to restore parity after his drop shot glanced off the net, which Lakshya was unable to return.

    For the next point, a 51-stroke rally kept the fans glued to the screen. In the end, Lakshya emerged victorious and once again leveled the score at 7-7. Chou took back-to-back points, and Lakshya responded with an excellent smash to level the game at 9-9. From that point, Chou upped the ante and took five consecutive points to go ahead in the game. By claiming four consecutive points, Lakshya fought back to keep the first set alive at 15-15.

    The Indian shuttler took three consecutive points to take a step closer to making history. But Chou’s relentless attacking play helped him overtake Lakshya and seal the first set with a 19-21 win.

    After a gripping opening set, Lakshya fought hard in the second set and lured Chou into making errors. He raced to a 4-1 lead, but Chou asserted dominance with his pinpoint smashes.

    Chou went ahead with a two-point lead at 7-9. Lakshya didn’t let his shoulders drop and replied by showcasing amazing levels of athleticism. After trailing briefly, Lakshya went ahead and didn’t leave room for Chou to make a comeback. He capped off an impressive display by sealing the second set with a 21-15 win. In the decider, once again, Chou exercised early dominance, but Lakshya dug deep and overcame the challenge to become the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semi-finals of the men’s singles event at the Olympics.

  • Paris Olympics 2024: How A Boxing Match Triggered A Spar Over Gender Identity And Fair Play | Other

    The Paris 2024 Olympics are engulfed in a heated controversy that touches on the very core of identity, fairness, and inclusion in sports. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing gender eligibility tests, has been cleared to compete, sparking outrage and debate. And now what has added fuel to the fire is the Algerian boxer knocking their Italian opponent out in 46 seconds in the 66 kg women’s boxing category.

    Paris 2024 Olympics: Controversy Surrounding Imane Khelif

    Khelif’s elevated testosterone levels and XY chromosomes led to her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships just hours before her gold medal match at the women’s World Championships in Delhi, a move she described as part of a “big conspiracy” against her. Now, her presence in the Olympics has rekindled discussions about what defines fairness in women’s sports.

    Imane Khelif won her opening Olympic boxing bout on Thursday when Angela Carini of Italy, Khelif’s opponent, quit after just 46 seconds. She abandoned the match in less than a minute after receiving two punches to her face which is very unusual in Olympic boxing. In the end, the Italian threw her helmet and yelled, “This is unjust.” A distraught Carini was seen sobbing in the middle of the ring after the defeat and she did not shake hands with Khelif.

    Is Fair Play Being Compromised At Paris Olympics? JK Rowling

    While Khelif has entered the quarter-finals, many feel that the spirit of fair competition is being compromised. Prominent figures have weighed in on the issue. British author JK Rowling criticized the IOC’s decision, arguing that it jeopardizes the safety and fairness of female athletes.

    Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The grin of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Q5SbKiksXQ — JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024


    A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her. You’re a disgrace, your ‘safeguarding’ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini. https://t.co/JMKzVljpyr — JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her concerns, pointing out the broader implications such decisions could have on women’s sports globally. Meloni also said the fight was “not on an equal footing”.

    Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, posted this on on their sex.”

    #Angelacarini rightly followed her instincts and prioritized her physical safety, but she and other female athletes should not have been exposed to this physical and psychological violence based on their sex. — Reem Alsalem UNSR Violence Against Women and Girls (@UNSRVAW) August 1, 2024


    The IOC’s clearance of Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, another boxer who faced similar disqualification, underscores a complex and contentious debate. The IOC asserts that both athletes meet the current eligibility criteria, but this has done little to quell the controversy. Critics argue that allowing athletes who do not conform to traditional gender norms undermines the integrity of women’s sports.

    Gender Inclusivity: A Complex Debate

    Khelif’s story is emblematic of the broader societal struggle over gender identity and inclusion. Her journey from disqualification to Olympic clearance highlights the evolving definitions of gender in sports and the challenges of ensuring fairness while embracing inclusivity. It’s a delicate balance that the sporting world is still grappling with.

    The decision to allow Khelif to compete has profound implications. It forces us to confront difficult questions about identity and fairness. Should the definition of gender in sports be strictly biological, or should it accommodate those who do not fit neatly into traditional categories? This controversy is not just about one athlete; it is about the future of women’s sports and how we define fairness.

    As Khelif steps into the ring, her presence will be a powerful symbol of this ongoing debate. The reactions to her participation will likely influence future policies and the direction of gender inclusivity in sports. The implications of this controversy extend beyond the boxing ring. They touch on broader societal issues of identity, inclusion, and the evolving understanding of gender. Khelif’s participation is a reminder of the challenges we face in balancing fairness with inclusivity. It’s a debate that will continue to shape the landscape of sports for years to come.

    Inclusion and fairness are fundamental values, but their intersection often leads to complex dilemmas. The Paris 2024 Olympics, with Khelif at its centre, highlight the need for a nuanced approach to these issues. It’s a call to reexamine our definitions of gender and fairness in a way that honors both the spirit of competition and the dignity of all athletes. The controversy surrounding her participation is also a poignant reminder that the path to inclusivity is fraught with difficult choices and complex debates.

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Nikhat Zareen In Tears After Crashing Out In Round Of 16 Following Loss Against Wu Yu | Other

    Ace India boxer Nikhat Zareen bowed out after defeat against People’s Republic of China’s Wu Yu in the women’s 50kg round of 16 match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday. Nikhat Zareen lost 5:0 against the People’s Republic of China’s Wu Yu. Wu Yu advanced to the last eight and is one win away from winning an Olympic medal. Wu Yu dominated the first round. However, Zareen bounced back in the second but the Chinese boxer edged the round. Meanwhile, in the third round, Wu Yu won unanimously.

    Earlier in the previous round, Nikhat Zareen powered her way into the women’s 50kg pre-quarterfinals by defeating Germany’s Maxi Karina Kloetzer in a hard-fought 32-round bout. The 28-year-old Indian boxer emerged victorious with a 5-0 unanimous decision win on Sunday.

    Zareen’s journey in this Olympic campaign has been nothing short of impressive. The bout was challenging and messy, yet Zareen’s experience and tactical prowess saw her through to the next round. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Swapnil Kusale helped India to win their third medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics. (Swapnil Kusale’s Journey: From Railway TT To Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Winner For India)

    Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Kusale also became the first Indian shooter to win a medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event.

    Nikhat zareen couldn’t control her emotions in the mix zone.

    I’ve never seen Nikhat in tears. You are a fighter Nikhat. We are proud of you. The entire country is with you.@nikhat_zareen #Paris2024 #OlympicGames #Olympics pic.twitter.com/JAnYhJ6LF3

    Abhijit Deshmukh (@iabhijitdesh) August 1, 2024

    Kusale clinched the bronze medal for India in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men’s Final after finishing in third place with an aggregate of 451.4. He secured India’s 3rd medal in shooting overall.

    In the qualification round, Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale finished seventh in the qualification round of men’s 50m 3P to qualify for the final at the ongoing Paris Olympics on Wednesday.

    Indian shooters Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Swapnil Kusale both appeared in the men’s 50m 3P qualification round at the Paris 2024 Olympics. On his Olympic debut, Kusale finished seventh with a score of 590-38x. While Tomar ranked 11th with a total of 589-33x. Only the top eight shooters qualified for the final round, and Tomar failed to make his place in the final round. Kusale was also the first Indian shooter to make a place in the men’s 50m rifle 3P medal event at the Olympics. (With ANI Inputs)

  • Paris Olympics 2024 Day 5 India Schedule: Sindhu, Lakshya & Lovlina Lead India’s Star-Studded Lineup | Other

    The excitement continues to build at the Paris Olympics 2024 as Indian athletes gear up for another thrilling day of competition. With a schedule packed with high-stakes matches and potential medal-winning performances, Day 5 promises to be a landmark moment for India’s contingent. From the badminton courts to the boxing ring, Indian athletes are poised to make a mark on the global stage.

    Shuttlers Ready to Soar: Sindhu, Lakshya, and Prannoy in Focus

    India’s badminton stars PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and HS Prannoy are set to captivate fans with their performances in the singles events. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, started her campaign on a high note, defeating Maldives’ Fathimath Abdul Razzaq in straight games. She now faces Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba in what promises to be a riveting encounter. Sindhu’s experience and determination will be crucial as she aims to secure another podium finish for India.

    In the men’s category, Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy are also set for challenging matches. Lakshya, known for his agility and tactical prowess, will take on Indonesia’s Jonathan Christie. Prannoy, another seasoned player, faces Vietnam’s Duc Phat Le. Both matches are critical for India’s hopes in badminton, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.

    Shooting for Success: Aiming for the Podium

    The shooting range has already been a fruitful venue for India, with Bhanu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh clinching a bronze medal in the mixed 10m air pistol event. On Day 5, the spotlight shifts to Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Swapnil Kusale, who will compete in the 50m rifle 3 Positions Men’s Qualification round. Additionally, Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari will represent India in the Women’s Trap Qualification, aiming to add to India’s medal tally.

    Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain’s Quest for Glory

    Lovlina Borgohain, a bronze medalist from Tokyo 2020, is set to begin her campaign in Paris with a bout against Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad. Lovlina’s journey has been one of resilience and determination, and she enters the ring with hopes of improving her previous performance. Her bout is one of the most anticipated events for Indian fans, who are eager to see her secure another medal.

    Table Tennis: Sreeja Akula’s Moment to Shine

    Young table tennis sensation Sreeja Akula will face Singapore’s Jian Zeng in the Women’s Singles Round of 32. Sreeja’s rise in the sport has been meteoric, and this match presents a crucial opportunity for her to showcase her skills on the Olympic stage. A win here could propel her into the spotlight, marking a significant milestone in her career.

    Archery and Equestrian: The Pursuit of Excellence

    Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai are set to compete in the 1/32 Elimination rounds of their respective categories. Deepika, a seasoned campaigner, faces Estonia’s Reena Parnat, while Tarundeep will go head-to-head with Great Britain’s Tom Hall. In equestrian, Anush Agarwalla will participate in the Dressage Individual Grand Prix, representing India’s aspirations in this discipline.

    Shooting

    50m Rifle 3 Positions Men’s Qualification

    Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar — 12:30 PM Swapnil Kusale — 12:30 PM

    Women’s Trap Qualification

    Shreyasi Singh — 12:30 PM Rajeshwari Kumari — 12:30 PM

    Badminton

    Women’s Singles (Group Stage)

    PV Sindhu vs Kristin Kuuba (Estonia) — 12:50 PM

    Men’s Singles (Group Stage)

    Lakshya Sen vs Jonathan Christie (Indonesia) — 1:40 PM HS Prannoy vs Duc Phat Le (Vietnam) — 11:00 PM

    Table Tennis

    Women’s Singles Round of 32

    Sreeja Akula vs Jian Zeng (Singapore) — 2:20 PM

    Boxing

    Women’s 75kg Round of 16

    Lovlina Borgohain vs Sunniva Hofstad (Norway) — 3:50 PM

    Men’s 71kg Round of 16

    Nishant Dev vs Jose Gabriel Rodriguez Tenorio (Ecuador) — 12:18 AM (August 1)

    Archery

    Women’s Individual 1/32 Elimination Round

    Deepika Kumari vs Reena Parnat (Estonia) — 3:56 PM

    Men’s Individual 1/32 Elimination Round

    Tarundeep Rai vs Tom Hall (Great Britain) — 9:15 PM

    Horsemen

    Dressage Individual Grand Prix Day 2

    Anush Agarwalla – 1:30 PM

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Veteran Commentator Bob Ballard Removed After Sexist Remark On Australian Swimmers | Other

    Veteran sports commentator Bob Ballard has been dismissed from his role at the Paris Olympics following a sexist remark about Australian female swimmers. The incident occurred as the 4x100m freestyle relay team, featuring Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack, celebrated their gold medal win.

    As the triumphant Australian team was leaving the pool deck, Ballard made an inappropriate comment, saying they were “finishing up” and adding, “you know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make up.” The comment quickly went viral, drawing widespread condemnation.

    Eurosport, the broadcaster for the Olympics, responded promptly by removing Ballard from their commentary lineup. In a statement, Eurosport condemned the remark, stating, “During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”

    Ballard, a seasoned commentator known for his extensive coverage of sports since the 1980s, had been a fixture in global sports broadcasting, including multiple Olympic Games and World Championships. His coverage spanned various sports, from swimming and diving to water polo, ice hockey, and wheelchair tennis.

    The comment was made as O’Callaghan, McKeon, Harris, and Jack celebrated their victory over the US and China, marking Australia’s fourth consecutive gold medal in the event. Ballard’s co-commentator, British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds, immediately criticized the remark as “outrageous,” which led to laughter from Ballard.

    Swimming Australia has been approached for a comment on the incident. Ballard has yet to address the controversy publicly.

  • Paris Olympics 2024: Manu Bhaker Shines In Qualifier As India’s Hope For Olympic Gold In Shooting | Other

    Paris Olympics 2024: Sports can often be unforgiving, with very slim margins separating success from failure. After a challenging Tokyo Olympics, where a pistol malfunction led to a heartbreaking result, Manu Bhaker redeemed herself with an impressive performance at the Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old from Jhajjar made history by becoming the first female shooter from India to advance to the final of an individual shooting event at the Olympics. With her confident display, Bhaker now has the opportunity to become the first Indian shooter to win a gold medal if she secures the top spot in Sunday’s final.

    In the qualifications for the women’s 10m air pistol event, Bhaker shot a score of 580, placing her third overall. Hungarian shooter Veronika Major led the field with a score of 582. Fellow Indian competitor Rhythm Sangwan finished in 15th place with a score of 573, which was disappointing compared to Bhaker’s performance. (Paris Olympics 2024: Know All About Shooter Manu Bhaker Who Won India’s First Medal In France)

    Bhaker demonstrated exceptional control throughout the qualification round, which lasted one hour and fifteen minutes. Her challenge now is to maintain that composure during the high-pressure final at the National Shooting Centre. India has not won an Olympic medal in shooting since 2012, and Bhaker is in a strong position to break that drought.

    Reflecting on her Tokyo Games setback, Bhaker described it as one of the most painful experiences of her career, admitting that she almost gave up the sport. However, her resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity are what define a champion. Her personal coach, Jaspal Rana, who was emotional after the qualification round, emphasized that the competition is far from over. He advised Bhaker to stay hydrated, especially given the challenging heat conditions in the range.

    Meanwhile, 2016 Olympic champion Anna Korakaki, who competed alongside Bhaker, struggled with illness and had to withdraw from the session. Despite the tough day for Indian shooters overall, Bhaker’s stellar performance, including 27 inner 10s—the most in the qualification round—provides a glimmer of hope. Her initial series of seven 10s and three 9s set the tone for her qualification, ensuring her place in the final despite a slip in her performance in the later series.

    The day was less successful for other Indian shooters, who did not advance to the finals in the men’s 10m air pistol and 10m air rifle mixed team events, making Bhaker’s achievement all the more significant.