New Delhi: The Indian contingent will be aiming to produce a strong show at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 which is set to get underway from July 26. India recorded their best-ever performance in the last edition of the showpiece event in Tokyo where the country bagged seven medals, including Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold in men’s javelin throw.
Neeraj became India’s second individual gold medallist after Abhinav Bindra and the first to win a gold medal in track and field for the country. India will be hoping to better there medals tally in Paris with several athletes poised to be stong contenders in their respective sports and categories.
Here is a look at India’s strongest medal contenders at Paris Olympics 2024:
1) Neeraj Chopra
The defending men’s javelin champion is one of the favourites to win his second successive medal at the Olympics in Paris. Neeraj is heading to the showpiece event on the back of an adductor niggle and is yet to breach the 90m mark. However, his consistency sets him apart and makes him a strong contender to bag another medal.
2) PV Sindhu
Ace shuttler PV Sindhu will be bidding to become India’s most successful Olympian by winning her third medal in Paris. Sindhu won a silver medal in Rio 2016 and followed it up with a bronze medal in Tokyo in the last edition. Banking on her experience, Sindhu will be hoping to add another medal to her tally and become the first Indian to win three individual medals at the Olympics.
3) Mirabai Chanu
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is another strong contender to win a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Chanu won a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics and will be looking to finish on top of the podium this year. Chanu dealt with several injury issues last year but is in the final leg of her training in France and will be aiming to give her all in the showpiece event.
4) Nikhat Zareen
Nikhat is one of the best female boxers in the world at present in the 52kg category and has nearly defeated all her opponents that she will be facing in Paris. Expectations will be high from the 28-year-old, who will be making her maiden appearance for India at the Olympics. Nikhat will be hoping to live up to the expectations and script history.
5) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
The badminton men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be gunning for their maiden medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Satwik and Chirag played an instrumental role in helping India win their maiden Thomas Cup title in 2022 and have not looked back ever since. The doubles pair have stunned some of their mighty opponents in recent times and will be hoping to return home with a medal from Paris.
6) Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat has gone through a lot in the last year and has remained unflinched even in the most difficult circumstances. She would be out on the mat in Paris to prove her naysayers wrong and bag her maiden medal at the Olympics. Vinesh won the Grand Prix of Spain in the 50kg category last month warming up in style for Paris and will be hopeful of continuing her winning run.
7) Aman Sehrawat
In the absence of big names, Aman Sehrawat will be spearheading India’s charge in men’s wrestling. The 21-year-old will be making his Olympics debut in the Paris Games and will be competing men’s 57 category. The former world U23 champion and the Asian Games bronze medallist will be looking to make a mark in his debut campaign and bag a medal.
8) Sift Kaur Samra
Expectations are high from Sift Kaur Samra as far as India’s shooting contingent for the Paris Olympics is concerned. The 2022 Asian Games gold medallist has witnessed a swift rise in the last few years and has positioned herself as a strong contender for a medal in the Paris Games. The 22-year-old will have to be on top of her game to ensure she lives up to the expectations.
Neeraj Chopra will be looking to successfully defend his javelin crown while PV Sindhu will be gunning for a third medal in the Paris Olympics 2024. Here is a look at some of India’s strongest medal contenders at the 2024 Olympics. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
