Paris Olympics: Key Terms and Indian Athletes to Watch

Cricket may reign supreme in India, but other sports are gaining traction. According to Ormax Media, football, Kabaddi, professional wrestling (WWE), and hockey follow cricket in popularity. However, only hockey is relevant to the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Key Terms for the Paris Olympics:

* Heats: Preliminary rounds in track, rowing, swimming, and canoeing, where athletes are grouped based on performance.

* Dressage: Equestrian event where horse and rider perform predetermined movements within an arena, judged on fluidity and coordination.

* Ippon: In judo, a decisive victory achieved by throwing an opponent on their back, pinning them for 20 seconds, or forcing a submission.

* RSC: In boxing, when the referee stops a contest due to the losing boxer's inability to protect themselves.

* Repechage: In wrestling, track, and rowing, a chance for athletes who lose to medalists to qualify for bronze.

* PC (Penalty Corner): In hockey, a penalty awarded when a foul is committed within the penalty circle. The attacking team attempts to score by hitting the ball into the goal.

Indian Athletes to Watch:

* Anush Agarwalla: Competing in dressage, the only Indian equestrian at Paris 2024.

* Tulika Maan: India's sole judo representative, aiming for an ippon victory.

Understanding Repechage:

Repechage offers a lifeline to athletes who lose to eventual medalists. In wrestling, for example, Sakshi Malik won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics after losing in the quarterfinals. She qualified for the repechage rounds and won two subsequent bouts to secure a medal.

Penalty Corners in Hockey:

Penalty corners are crucial in hockey, often determining the outcome of matches. India's captain, Harmanpreet Singh, is renowned for his dragflicks, which can be game-changers.

Tags: #ParisOlympics, #IndianAthletes, #Hockey, #Judo, #Equestrian