Others

After a thrilling 2-1 victory over Spain, India secured the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, marking their 13th Olympic medal in men's hockey and fourth bronze. Captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed his gratitude and called for continued support for the team.Reflecting on the tournament, Harmanpreet acknowledged the disappointment of their semi-final loss to Germany but praised his team's resilience. "Medal is medal. Both medals are big, I think in terms of Indian hockey, we are going up again, showing that we can beat any team in the world," he said.Harmanpreet emphasized the team's commitment to restoring Indian hockey to its former glory. "India's history in hockey is huge. We are trying to get us back to the top again. It is my humble plea that please support us and we will definitely do better next time," he added.While expressing regret for not winning gold, Harmanpreet expressed satisfaction with the team's medal performance. "This is a big achievement for us. One has to wait for Olympics for four years. Our mentality is that we want to win always. We wanted to win gold and people believed in us that we can win gold, and for that, I apologize. We could have done it, but we just fell short. But we have won back-to-back medals, and that is a big achievement for India," he said.Harmanpreet specifically lauded goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, whose outstanding performance in the bronze medal match was pivotal. "There are kids in our team, who are younger than PR Sreejesh's career. He has been with us for such a long time and he has made India proud. It was an emotional moment for the team and we wanted to dedicate this tournament to PR Sreejesh," he concluded.

India's men's hockey team capped off a remarkable Olympic campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Spain, securing the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, August 8, 2024. The triumph marks a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who is playing his final international tournament.The match started with Spain dominating possession and earning a penalty stroke, which they converted to take an early lead. However, India responded with determination, led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh. Singh converted two penalty corners in the third quarter, giving India a crucial 2-1 advantage.India's defense, anchored by Sreejesh, stood firm in the face of relentless Spanish pressure. The team's goalkeeper made several crucial saves, denying Spain any chance to equalize. The Indian midfield and forwards also played a vital role, controlling possession and creating scoring opportunities.The bronze medal is a testament to India's resilience and fighting spirit. After a disappointing start to the tournament, the team rallied together and produced some of their best performances in the latter stages. The victory also marks India's fourth bronze medal in hockey at the Olympics, following their triumphs in 1972, 1980, and 2016.For Sreejesh, the bronze medal is a fitting end to an illustrious career. The 39-year-old has been a cornerstone of the Indian hockey team for over a decade, inspiring a generation of players. His leadership and experience were invaluable throughout the tournament, and his performance in the bronze medal match was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport.

India's valiant effort against Germany in the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics ended in a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat. Despite the setback, the team remains determined to secure a bronze medal, a feat they haven't achieved in 52 years.The bronze playoff will pit India against Spain, a team coached by Max Caldas, a former Argentina defender who has implemented a Dutch-style approach. Caldas's strategy emphasizes midfield control and rapid flank attacks, a style that has proven effective in Spain's recent victories over Germany and Belgium.In contrast, India has adopted a more European style under coach Craig Fulton, focusing on short passes and possession. However, Fulton has also prioritized defense, an area where India has traditionally struggled. This defensive emphasis has paid off, as evidenced by India's resolute performance against Great Britain in the quarter-final.The Indian defense has been particularly adept at intercepting balls and launching counterattacks, resulting in several penalty corners. With the return of Amit Rohidas, who was suspended for the quarter-final, India's defense will be further strengthened.Historically, India has a slight edge over Spain, winning four of their last 10 encounters. However, Spain's recent form, including their victory over Belgium, makes them a formidable opponent.Both India and Spain will be eager to return home with a medal. For India, it would be their first successive Olympic medal since 1972. For Spain, it would be their first since 2008. The bronze playoff promises to be a thrilling contest between two contrasting coaching styles and determined teams.

Star pistol shooter Manu Bhaker made a triumphant return to India on Wednesday, greeted by a jubilant crowd of supporters and family members at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Bhaker's historic feat of winning two medals at the Tokyo Olympics, a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol and another in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, has etched her name in the annals of Indian sporting history.The Air India flight carrying Bhaker and her coach, Jaspal Rana, touched down at around 9:20am, an hour behind schedule. Despite the early morning drizzle, hundreds of people had gathered at the airport hours before her arrival, eager to witness the return of their Olympic hero.As Bhaker emerged from the airport exit, she was greeted with a thunderous applause, bouquets, garlands, and the rhythmic beats of dhol. Flower petals were showered upon her and Rana as they made their way through the crowd, which was managed by a significant police presence.Among those present to welcome Bhaker were her parents, Ram Kishan and Sumedha, as well as sports enthusiasts and officials from her home states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Rana's father, Narayan Singh Rana, a former Uttarakhand Sports Minister, expressed his pride in his son and Bhaker's achievements."It is a matter of pride for us that a daughter of India is coming back after creating history by winning two medals in an Olympics. It has never happened before. She is only 22 years old," said Rana.Bhaker's historic feat has drawn comparisons to British-Indian athlete Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals in the 200m sprint and 200m hurdles at the 1900 Olympics. However, Bhaker's achievement is particularly significant as it came in the post-Independence era.Before leaving for India, Bhaker had expressed her anticipation for a grand welcome, and she was not disappointed. The crowd celebrated her feat with song and dance, holding banners with photos of Bhaker and Rana.Bhaker is scheduled to meet with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the afternoon. She will then return to Paris on Saturday to participate in the closing ceremony of the Olympics, where she will be one of India's flag-bearers.

India's Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka narrowly missed out on a historic bronze medal in the skeet mixed team event at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday. The Indian duo put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short against China's Yiting Jiang and Jianlin Lyu in a thrilling bronze-medal match.In the qualification round, Chauhan and Naruka displayed impressive form, aggregating 146 to secure a spot in the medal match. Chauhan recorded scores of 24, 25, and 25 (74), while Naruka also registered an identical tally of 74 (25, 23, 24).The bronze-medal match was a tense affair, with both teams trading shots and neither side able to gain a significant advantage. In the first station, China's Lyu and Jiang earned perfect scores of 4/4 against India. India's Anant Jeet missed out on one of the four targets (3/4), while Chauhan earned a score of 4/4.In Station 2, Anant Jeet and Chauhan both missed one target, while Jiang missed three targets, resulting in a tie between the two teams. The match remained close throughout, with both teams tied on scores after Station 3.In Station 4, India fell behind by a point, but Anant Jeet and Chauhan made a perfect start in Station 5. However, in the decider, China's Lyu and Jiang achieved a perfect 4/4 to secure the bronze medal. India finished fourth with a score of 43/48, just one point behind China's 44/48.Despite the disappointment of missing out on a medal, Chauhan and Naruka can be proud of their performance. They represented India with distinction and showcased their talent on the world stage. Their performance bodes well for the future of Indian shooting and raises hopes for success in future Olympic Games.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting sensation, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at the Olympics. Her bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 have opened India's medal count and brought immense pride to the nation.The 22-year-old from Haryana's Jhajjar district has been on a remarkable journey, dedicating eight and a half years to her sport. Her unwavering commitment and hard work have paid off, culminating in this historic achievement. Bhaker's success is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the dedication and support of her team, including her coach, family, and countless others who have believed in her.Despite the sacrifices she has made, including being away from her family for extended periods, Bhaker remains grounded and grateful for the love and support she has received. Her social media following has skyrocketed to over 1 million on Instagram, and she has been lauded by legends like PV Sindhu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Bhaker's victory is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of believing in oneself. She has faced challenges and setbacks along the way, but her determination has never wavered. Her success is an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a source of pride for all Indians.As she sets her sights on the LA Olympics 2028, Bhaker remains focused on her goals. Her rigorous training routine and unwavering commitment will undoubtedly lead her to even greater heights. Her journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes and the transformative power of sport.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy, may not have returned from the Paris Olympics 2024 with a third medal, but she etched her name in history as India's first dual medal winner at a single edition of the Games.After securing two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and mixed team events, Bhaker was poised to complete a hat-trick in the women's 25m air pistol. However, she narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth in the final.Despite the disappointment, Bhaker's performance was met with an outpouring of support from the Indian public. She had previously urged them not to be disheartened if she failed to win a third medal, and her wish was granted."I got really nervous in the last shot. I was trying to keep calm, but it was not enough. Fourth place is not a very good place," Bhaker said after the event.Despite the setback, Bhaker remained optimistic. "Already looking forward to the next one," she declared.During her time in Paris, Bhaker achieved several historic firsts for India. She opened the country's medal account with her bronze in the 10m air pistol, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting in 12 years.Her second bronze, in the mixed team event, further cemented her status as a rising star. In just 72 hours, Bhaker had become a national icon.With her exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Bhaker represents a bright future for Indian shooting. She expressed gratitude to all those who supported her journey, including the Ministry of Sports, SAI, Prime Minister Modi, her coach, and her family."I hope we come up with a better result next time," Bhaker said, reflecting on her experience in Paris.

India's historic Olympic archery journey came to a heart-wrenching end as Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, losing 2-6 to the USA's Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison.The Indian duo made history by becoming the first archers to reach an Olympic medal match, but their dream of a podium finish was shattered in the bronze medal contest. The first set was a close affair, with the USA pair edging out India 38-37. Ankita's 7-pointer at the start of the set proved costly for India.The pressure mounted in the second set, and Ankita's first arrow was a low 7. Despite Casey's 8-pointer, Brady's double 10 gave the USA a commanding 4-0 lead. India fought back in the third set, with Dhiraj's 10, 9, and 9, 10 combination. Casey's weak link for the USA, shooting 7 and 8 in this set.However, in the decider, Ankita faltered again with a double 8. Dhiraj's 9 and 10 were not enough as Brady and Casey shot 10, 9, and 9, 9 to win the fourth set 37-35 and secure the bronze medal.Earlier in the day, Ankita and Dhiraj had made history by reaching the semi-finals, where they faced the two-time Olympic finalists from Korea. The Indian pair started strongly, taking the first set 36-38, but the Koreans fought back to win the second set 38-35.In the quarterfinal, India defeated Spain 38-37 38-38 36-37 37-36. Ankita and Dhiraj took the first set 38-37, but Spain tied the scores in the second set 38-all. India's 3-1 advantage was neutralized in the third set, but they held their nerves in the fourth set to win 37-36 and secure a semifinal spot.The Indian recurve mixed team had also performed admirably, rallying past Indonesia to enter the quarterfinals. Dhiraj and Ankita consistently shot 9s and 10s, with Ankita shooting 10s in her last three attempts to take the pair into the last eight stage.

Swapnil Kusale etched his name in Indian sporting history by securing a historic bronze medal in shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite the pressure of the grand stage, Kusale displayed nerves of steel and staged a remarkable comeback to finish on the podium. His aggregate score of 451.4 in the eight-shooter final propelled India to 42nd place in the medal standings.India's medal hopes took a hit on Day 7 as badminton stars PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty bowed out of the competition. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, was defeated by China's He Bingjiao in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals. Satwik and Chirag's Olympic dream also ended in disappointment after a three-game loss in the men's doubles quarterfinals.However, India's medal tally could receive a boost on Friday as Manu Bhaker continues her impressive run in the women's 25m pistol qualification alongside Esha Singh. Bhaker, a two-time bronze medalist at the Paris Games, is aiming for a medal hat-trick.Lakshya Sen kept India's badminton hopes alive by advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating compatriot HS Prannoy in an all-Indian clash. Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, will face 12th seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the next round.Other Indian athletes in action on Day 7 include Shubhankar Sharma and Ganganjeet Bhullar in golf, Anantjeet Singh Naruka in men's skeet qualification, and Ankita Dhyani, Parul Chaudhary, and Tajinderpal Singh Toor in athletics.India's men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, will face Australia in their final pool match after losing 1-2 to defending champions Belgium.