How many medals India need to better best-ever Olympic haul and who can win them?

New Delhi: India have enjoyed a mixed campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024 halfway through the prestigious competition with only three medals in their bag. All of India’s three medals have come from shooting with 22-year-old Manu Bhaker spearheading the charge. Bhaker has won two of India’s three medals at the Games, enjoying an incredible campaign in Paris.

She bagged a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event to open India’s account at the Paris Olympics before winning another bronze medal in the mixed team 10m air pistol event with Sarabjot Singh. Swapnil Kusale won India’s third medal at the Games, a bronze in men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event.

While the shooters have shone so far, many others have failed to live up to the expectations in Paris. However, India still have a strong chance to overhaul their best-ever medal haul of 7 medals from the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Several top Indian athletes are yet to get their campaign underway at the Paris Games and are strong medal prospects for the nation.

How many medals India need to overhaul their best-ever tally of 7 medals?

With three medals at the Paris Olympics so far, India are far from overhauling their best tally of 7 medals as they need to win at least 5 more medals to achieve the elusive feat. Nonetheless, India have a strong chance of doing that by the end of their campaign in Paris as some of India’s strongest contenders will have a shot at winning medals in the coming days.

Here is a look at India’s top contenders still in fray for medals at Paris Olympics:

Lovlina Borgohain

Lovlina Borgohain is close to winning her second consecutive Olympic medal in Paris after reaching the quarter-finals of the women’s 75kg category. Lovlina defeated Norway’s Hofstad Sunniva in the last 16 to begin her campaign in style at Paris and make it to the quarters. She is now just one win away from confirming a medal at the Games.

Lovlina will take on two-time Olympic medallist and the reigning Asian Games champion Li Qian in her quarter-final clash on Sunday, August 04. Lovlina has a chance to become only the 4th Indian post-Independence to win two individual medals at the Olympics.

Lakshya Sen

Ace Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has been enjoying a stellar campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024 so far and stands just one win away from getting assured of a medal. Lakshya defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen 19-21, 21-15, 21-12 in his quarter-final match on Friday to become the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semi-finals in an Olympics.

Lakshya will face his biggest test of the tournament when he takes on world no.2 and reigning Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the semi-final. The 22-year-old Indian will have to be on top of his game to come out on top against Axelsen and keep his medal hopes alive in his debut Olympic campaign in Paris.

Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra scripted history at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in athletics. Neeraj finished on top of the podium in the final of the men’s javelin throw. He also became only the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics and will be hoping to replicate his feat in Paris.

The reigning Olympic and world champion, Neeraj will take part in the men’s javelin qualification on August 07. If qualified, he will participate in the final on August 08 and will be aiming for glory once again.

Nishant Dev

Indian boxer Nishant Dev is also in contention to win a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the men’s 71kg. Nishant secured a place in the quarter-finals after beating 7th-seeded Jose Gabriel in the last 16. Nishant is now just one win away from confirming a medal at the Paris Games.

He will take on Mexico’s Marco Alonso Verde Alvarez in the quarters. A win against him will secure him a spot in the semi-finals and will assure him of at least a bronze medal at the Games.

Vinesh Phogat

One of India’s favourites for a medal, Vinesh Phogat is yet to begin her campaign underway at the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh, a two-time Olympian, will compete in the women’s 50kg category and will be hoping to become the first Indian female wrestler since Sakshi Malik to win a medal at the Olympics.

Vinesh was a medal contender at Tokyo 2020 but missed out on a podium finish. However, she will be hoping to produce a better show in Paris this year.

Aman Sehrawat

Aman Sehrawat is the only male wrestler in India’s contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024 and will be carrying the hopes of millions on his shoulders. Sehrawat, who is an Asian Games bronze medallist, is only 20 but is heading into the Paris Games having secured qualification after beating Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Dahiya.

He will be competing in the men’s freestyle 57kg category and will be looking to script history by returning with a medal in his debut Olympic campaign in Paris.

Antim Panghal

Antim Panghal is another Indian wrestler who will be bidding to win a medal in her debut Olympic campaign in Paris. Antim won a bronze medal at the Asian Games last year and will be fighting in the women’s 53kg category. Panghal pipped Vinesh and secured the Olympic quota in her category by winning a bronze medal at the World Championships last year.

The 19-year-old is still fresh in her international career but has already proven her mettle in the wrestling circuit and is destined for bigger things.

Indian men’s hockey team

The Indian hockey team has punched above its weight at the Paris Olympics so far with a gritty draw against Argentina and a historic win against Australia in their group-stage matches. After thumping Ireland 2-0, India thrashed Australia 3-2 in a Pool B match on Friday to stage a massive upset.

It was India’s first win against Australia at the Olympics in 52 years and they will be hoping to continue their momentum in the quarter-final against Great Britain. Having won a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian men’s hockey team will be looking to go all the way at the Paris Games this year.

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 With only three medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 so far, India are still far from breaching their best-ever haul of seven medals from Tokyo Games 2020. However, there are still many athletes in the fray to win a medal for India at the Paris Games.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today