Badminton

Day 9 of the Tokyo Olympics witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions for Team India, with triumphs and setbacks across various disciplines.In badminton, Lakshya Sen's Olympic dream of a gold medal was shattered after a heartbreaking defeat to defending champion Viktor Axelsen. Despite a valiant effort, Sen succumbed to a 20-22, 14-21 loss, leaving him to compete for the bronze medal."I think I became passive when I was defending," Sen said after the match. "I should have taken chances and attacked."Meanwhile, in athletics, Parul Chaudhary's Olympic journey came to an end after finishing eighth in the women's 3000m steeplechase round 1.The Indian men's hockey team, however, celebrated a hard-fought victory over Great Britain in their quarter-final fixture. The match went into a penalty shootout, where India emerged victorious.In shooting, Vijayveer Sidhu and Anish Bhanwala failed to qualify for the final of the 25m men's rapid fire pistol.Disappointment struck the boxing arena as Lovlina Borgohain lost her women's 75kg quarter-final bout, ending India's boxing campaign at the Olympics.Despite the setbacks, Team India remains determined to make the most of the remaining days of competition. Lakshya Sen will aim to secure a bronze medal in badminton, while the men's hockey team will look to continue their winning streak in the semi-finals.

India's medal hopes at the Paris Olympics will be tested on Thursday as Swapnil Kusale takes aim in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions competition. Kusale's performance could potentially secure India's third shooting medal of the Games, a historic feat.In badminton, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty face a formidable challenge against former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia. Double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will also face a tough test against He Bing Jiao of China, a rematch of their bronze medal playoff in Tokyo 2020. Lakshya Sen, who has been in impressive form, will face compatriot HS Prannoy or Vietnam's Le Duc Phat in the men's singles Round of 16.Golf action commences with men's Day 1, featuring Indian golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma. They will aim to secure a medal by Sunday.The Indian men's hockey team, already qualified for the quarter-finals, will face reigning champions and world No.1 Belgium in their penultimate Pool B contest. Despite the pressure being off, the team will need confidence and courage to overcome the formidable Belgian squad.In boxing, Nikhat Zareen will compete in the women's 50kg Round of 16. However, she faces a challenging opponent in top seed and reigning world champion Wu Yu of China.

Indian sports history was made on Day 4 of the Paris Olympics 2024 as Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian badminton men's doubles pair to qualify for the quarterfinals. The world number three duo secured their spot with one group match remaining after their scheduled opponents, Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel of Germany, withdrew due to injury.Meanwhile, ace shooter Manu Bhaker is poised to create her own Olympic legacy. Teaming up with Sarabjot Singh, Bhaker will compete in the bronze medal match of the 10m air pistol mixed team competition on Tuesday. A victory would mark an unprecedented second medal in shooting for India at the Games.India's badminton contingent will continue their group stage campaign with Satwik and Chirag facing Alfian Fajar and Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia in the men's doubles. Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto will also be in action, seeking their first win against Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu of Australia in the women's doubles.In hockey, Harmanpreet Singh will lead India in their men's Pool B match against Ireland, aiming to restore parity after yesterday's draw against Argentina. Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Dhiraj Bommadevara will represent India in archery, while boxers Amit Panghal, Jaismine Lamboria, and Preeti Pawar will take to the ring.Other notable events on Day 4 include Prithviraj Tondaiman and Shreyasi Singh competing in the trap shooting qualification, Balraj Panwar in the men's single sculls quarterfinals, and rowers Arvind Singh and Arjun Lal Jat in the men's lightweight double sculls semifinals.