India’s journey at the Paris Olympics on Monday, July 29, was filled with a mix of triumphs and heartbreaks. Despite a promising start, the day was marked by a series of close calls and missed opportunities.
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh kicked off Day 3 with a strong performance, qualifying for the bronze medal match in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. This achievement stood out as the highlight of the day for India, as other hopefuls, Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta, fell short of securing medals despite their impressive efforts.
Arjun Babuta’s near-podium finish in the men’s 10m air rifle event became the focal point of the day. Babuta showcased his potential, maintaining a strong position throughout the final. However, a crucial shot of 9.5 on his 20th attempt led to his downfall, leaving him in fourth place. A visibly distraught Babuta was comforted by former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra at the end of the event.
Manu Bhaker on the Brink of History
Manu Bhaker stands on the verge of making history. Having already ended India’s medal drought in shooting with her victory since the 2012 Games, Bhaker could become the first Indian woman to win a shooting event at the Olympics. A bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh would cement her legacy.
If successful, Bhaker will be the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Olympic game. Meanwhile, Arjun Singh Cheema and Rhythm Sangwan put up a spirited effort in the same event but did not advance to the medal rounds.
Japanese Duo Outclasses Crasto/Ponnappa
In badminton, India’s women’s doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa faced a tough challenge against Japan’s fourth-seeded Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida. Despite their best efforts, the Indian duo lost 11-21, 12-21 in just 48 minutes, marking their second straight defeat in the Olympics.
Ramita Jindal’s Close Call
In the women’s 10m air rifle final, Ramita Jindal finished seventh with a score of 145.3 points. After initially holding third place, a few crucial shots saw her slip in the rankings. A shoot-off with France’s Oceanne Muller resulted in her elimination, despite a valiant effort to stay in contention.
Arjun Babuta’s Narrow Miss
Arjun Babuta narrowly missed a podium finish in the 10m Men’s Air Rifle event, securing fourth place with 208.4 points. Croatia’s Miran Maricic took bronze, while China’s Sheng Lihao set an Olympic record to win gold, and Sweden’s Victor Lindgren claimed silver. Babuta’s final shot of 9.5 dashed his hopes for a medal, yet he remains determined to come back stronger.
Harmanpreet Saves the Day in Hockey
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh rescued India in a tense hockey match against Argentina, converting a last-minute penalty corner to secure a 1-1 draw. India had missed nine penalty corners before Harmanpreet’s successful strike. Argentina had earlier taken the lead through Lucas Martinez, but missed a crucial penalty stroke that could have extended their advantage.
Lakshya Sen’s Impressive Run Continues
Lakshya Sen bounced back in his second group-stage badminton match, defeating Belgium’s Julien Carraggi in straight games. Sen’s 21-19, 21-14 victory officially registered his first points in the competition, marking a promising start to his Olympic debut.
India’s men’s doubles pair Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy advanced to the quarter-finals after their scheduled match was canceled due to an injury to Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss.
Archery Disappointments
India’s archery teams continued to struggle, with the men’s trio of Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, and Bommadevara Dhiraj being knocked out by Turkey in the quarter-finals. Despite a late comeback, India couldn’t overcome Turkey’s early lead, resulting in a 6-2 defeat.
Manika Batra Makes History
Manika Batra became the first Indian paddler to reach the Round of 16 in women’s singles table tennis, defeating France’s Prithika Pavade in straight games. Batra’s 4-0 victory sets her up for a match against the winner between Japan’s Miu Hirano and Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzu.
Published by: Cricket Khabhar
Published on: July 30, 2024