Paris: The fourth day of the Paris Olympics 2024 brought a blend of triumphs and disappointments for the Indian contingent. While some athletes rose to the occasion and clinched medals, others fell short of expectations. The day was particularly notable for India’s shooting team, as well as some setbacks in other events.
Shooting: A Historic Achievement
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh were the stars of the day, winning a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed event. This achievement was especially significant for Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete to win two medals at the same Olympics. Earlier, she had secured a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol singles event. The duo’s performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging day for India’s shooting team.
Hockey: Dominant Victory
In hockey, the Indian men’s team delivered an impressive performance, defeating Ireland 2-0. Captain Harmanpreet Singh was the hero of the match, scoring both goals. The victory was secured early, with India dominating the first two quarters and maintaining their lead until the final whistle.
Badminton: Mixed Fortunes
In the badminton men’s doubles group stage, the pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty showcased their prowess by defeating Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian 21-13, 21-13. This victory was in line with expectations, as the Indian duo had consistently beaten the Indonesian pair in previous encounters.
However, the women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto suffered a setback, losing to Australia’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu with a score of 21-15, 21-10.
Archery: Promising and Disappointing Results
In archery, Bhajan Kaur displayed excellent form, winning her matches in the first round of 64 and the round of 32. However, Ankita Bhakat faced a disappointing defeat against Violeta Mijor in the women’s singles event.
Boxing: Ups and Downs
In boxing, Amit Panghal faced a tough challenge in the men’s 51 kg category. He was defeated by Patrick Chinainba of Zambia in the round of 16. Jasmin Lamboria also faced disappointment in the women’s 57kg round of 32, losing to Nesty Petecio of the Philippines and exiting the competition.
Rowing: Close but Not Close Enough
Balraj Panwar narrowly missed out on advancing in the men’s singles sculls, finishing fifth in his quarter-final race. A top-three finish would have brought him closer to a medal opportunity, but it was not to be.
Trap Shooting: A Tough Day
The Indian trap shooters had a challenging day, with Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari finishing 22nd and 21st, respectively, in the women’s qualification event. However, with two more rounds left on July 31, there remains a slim hope for improvement.
As India navigates through the ups and downs of the Olympics, the standout performances provide hope, while the setbacks offer lessons for future competitions. The coming days will be crucial as Indian athletes continue their quest for Olympic glory.
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