Badminton

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.

The Indian men's doubles badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are aiming to continue their winning streak at the Paris Olympics, despite a setback in their second Group C match. The match against Germany's Marvin Seidel and Mark Lamsfuss was canceled due to Lamsfuss's knee injury, making their third game a must-win.Satwiksairaj and Chirag began their Olympic campaign with a 21-17, 21-14 victory over France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. They were scheduled to face Seidel and Lamsfuss, ranked 31st in the world and the 2022 European Badminton men's doubles champions. However, Lamsfuss's injury forced the cancellation of the match.As per Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations, all matches involving Group C, including those played and yet to be played, are now considered deleted. This means that Satwiksairaj and Chirag's next match against the Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto on Tuesday becomes crucial.Alfian and Ardianto, formerly ranked number one, are currently ranked seventh in the world. They have won bronze medals at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships and were part of the 2020 Thomas Cup-winning Indonesian team. The Indian duo has a slight edge over the Indonesians, having won three of their five previous encounters.Satwiksairaj and Chirag are considered strong medal contenders for India. They have won two BWF Tour titles this year, the French Open and the Thailand Open. They were also runners-up in the Malaysian Open and India Open. They were part of the Indian team that competed in the Thomas Cup 2024 but lost to China in the quarterfinals.With a peak ranking of number one in men's doubles, several BWF Tour titles, a World Championships bronze medal, and gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Satwiksairaj and Chirag have a proven track record of success. They will be hoping to add an Olympic medal to their impressive collection.

The 2024 Paris Olympics commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, marking the beginning of the quadrennial sporting extravaganza. India has sent a contingent of 117 athletes to the Games, with high hopes of securing a significant medal tally.India's badminton contingent is led by the illustrious PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist. The dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also represent India in the men's doubles category, emerging as strong contenders for the gold medal. India's badminton campaign commences on Saturday.Former Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap has identified Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy as the "dark horses" of the team. This is the first time since 2004 that two Indian men will compete in the Olympics. Kashyap believes that both players possess the potential to cause major upsets."I think Lakshya and Prannoy are one of the dark horses in the draw. Both of them, especially Lakshya, played the All-England final two years back. During the Olympic qualification, he came out of a tough qualification period. He had a couple of first-round losses, but the way he qualified by making it to two semi-finals and getting good wins against top-level opponents... It shows his caliber," Kashyap stated.Kashyap emphasized that both Lakshya and Prannoy have faced adversity and emerged victorious. He highlighted their experience in the Thomas Cup-winning team and their ability to perform in high-pressure matches. "They are capable of anything but are surely the dark horses. They can beat anyone in the draw, be it Li Shi Feng or Victor. I won't say they are the favorites, but they have a huge chance to create upsets and progress in the tournament," he added.PV Sindhu will also be aiming to break her title drought. Kashyap believes that Sindhu, who last won the Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, will be an "underdog" but her opponents will be wary of her credentials. "It's her third Olympics, she won two medals in the last two Olympics and several world championship medals. So I think she feels she has an edge already even though her ranking doesn't say it or her recent form doesn't say it," said Kashyap."In major events, I think the opponents also are a little wary of her even though she's not in form. I think she's going as a dark horse and underdog considering the last two years of women's singles," he added.Catch all the live action from Paris 2024 exclusively on JioCinema & Sports18.

PV Sindhu, India's badminton icon, is determined to make history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win three consecutive individual Olympic medals. Her journey to the podium has been marked by unwavering focus, relentless effort, and a deep understanding of the sport.Sindhu's Olympic debut in Rio 2016 was a resounding success, where she clinched a silver medal in women's singles. Her performance in Tokyo 2020 was equally impressive, earning her a bronze medal. These achievements have cemented her status as one of the world's top badminton players.As she prepares for Paris 2024, Sindhu is drawing inspiration from her past experiences. She recognizes the immense competition she will face, but her determination remains unshaken. "The Olympics is where I give my 200%," she says. "I hope I can fulfill the hope of the nation and get the third medal."Sindhu's training regimen is meticulously planned, focusing on both physical and mental preparation. She is fortunate to have the guidance of legendary Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone as her mentor. "It is my fortune that Prakash sir is my mentor," she says. "I hope his support can help me win that medal."Sindhu's illustrious career has been adorned with numerous accolades. She has won five BWF World Championship medals, including a gold, and an Olympic silver and bronze. Her Commonwealth Games achievements include gold in 2022, silver in 2018, and bronze in 2014 in the women's singles event.As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, Sindhu's unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. Her journey to the podium is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering belief in one's abilities.