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India's Olympic medal tally at the 2024 Paris Games is expected to remain at seven, similar to the 2021 Tokyo Games. This is despite the contributions of young athletes like Aman Sehrawat (wrestling), Manu Bhaker (shooting), and Nishant Dev (boxing).Wrestling, a major medal contributor for India, continued its streak of securing at least one medal at every Games since 2008. Sehrawat, a debutant, won bronze, while Reetika Hooda showed promise in her first multi-sport event. However, established wrestlers like Antim Panghal and Anshu Malik underperformed.Boxing, on the other hand, faced challenges due to off-field distractions and a lack of bench strength. The squad, including Tokyo medalist Lovlina Borgohain and world champion Nikhat Zareen, failed to deliver. Experts suggest a reset button and a focus on grooming young talent.Shooting, which had a disappointing performance in Rio and Tokyo, made a significant comeback with three bronze medals. Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Swapnil Kusale contributed to the tally. However, the medals being bronze indicate room for improvement, especially considering the dominance of nations like China and Korea.The performance of these young athletes in wrestling, shooting, and boxing reflects India's need to address issues in preparation, planning, and talent development. The next Olympic cycle should focus on correcting these areas to enhance India's medal prospects at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The Indian wrestling contingent at the Paris Olympics has been rocked by a series of unfortunate events, leaving the camp in a state of panic.On Friday, Aman Sehrawat, who won bronze in the men's 57kg category, lost nearly five kilos in just 10 hours before his medal bout. This drastic weight loss left him physically weakened and unable to perform at his best.Meanwhile, Antim Panghal, one of India's medal prospects in wrestling, has revealed that she resorted to extreme measures to pass the weigh-in ahead of her opening bout. Panghal starved herself for 48 hours straight, consuming only minimal amounts of water. This left her body dehydrated and without any energy for her match, resulting in a humiliating 0-10 loss.Panghal's situation was exacerbated by the fact that her dietician, her sister Nisha, was not officially part of the Indian contingent and was not allowed inside the Olympic village. This left Panghal to manage her weight loss on her own, leading to her drastic decision to starve herself.The most devastating blow came on Saturday when Vinesh Phogat, India's usual candidate in the women's 53kg freestyle category, was disqualified from the final after being found overweight during the weigh-in. Phogat, who had become the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, was 100 grams over the permissible limit.Heartbroken, Phogat initially announced her retirement from the sport but later appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver medal. The CAS is yet to make a decision on her appeal.These incidents have raised serious concerns about the well-being of Indian wrestlers and the lack of support they are receiving from the authorities. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has expressed its support for Phogat's appeal to the CAS, but it remains to be seen whether the court will rule in her favor.

Aman Sehrawat's remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics has etched his name in the annals of Indian wrestling history. The 21-year-old wrestler clinched India's first wrestling medal at the Games, a bronze in the men's freestyle 57kg category.Sehrawat's journey to the podium was marked by impressive victories and a resilient spirit. He began his campaign with a dominant performance in the round of 16, securing a win by superiority. He continued his winning streak in the quarterfinals, once again overpowering his opponent with his technical prowess.However, Sehrawat's path to the final was halted by top-seed Rei Higuchi of Japan in the semi-final. Despite a valiant effort, Sehrawat was unable to overcome the Japanese wrestler's experience and skill.Undeterred, Sehrawat shifted his focus to the bronze medal match against Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz. The match started with Toi Cruz taking an early lead, but Sehrawat quickly regained control, locking his opponent's leg and flipping him to gain two points.The two wrestlers traded points in a swift exchange, with Sehrawat holding a narrow 4-3 lead at the break. In the second half, Sehrawat seized the initiative, gaining a three-point advantage by locking Toi Cruz.With the clock ticking down, Toi Cruz suffered a mid-bout injury, which clearly affected his performance. Sehrawat capitalized on his opponent's discomfort, extending his lead to seven points. Despite Toi Cruz's valiant efforts, Sehrawat secured a 13-5 victory, earning India its sixth medal at the Paris Olympics.Sehrawat's bronze medal is a testament to his hard work, determination, and exceptional wrestling skills. He joins an elite group of Indian male wrestlers who have won Olympic medals, including KD Jadhav, Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia.India's medal hopes in wrestling remain alive with Reetika Hooda set to compete in the women's freestyle 76kg event on Saturday. Additionally, Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification in the women's 50kg event is being heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), raising the possibility of another medal for India.

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal's Olympic journey ended in controversy and embarrassment for the country after she was caught facilitating her sister's entry into the athletes' village using her accreditation card. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in both Panghal and her sister being summoned by the police.Panghal, a world championship bronze medalist, was eliminated from the competition after losing her opening bout in the 53 kg freestyle category. Following her defeat, she allegedly gave her accreditation card to her younger sister, Nisha, and sent her to the Games Village to collect her belongings. However, Nisha was stopped by security personnel, leading to the involvement of the police.Panghal claimed that she was unwell and that the incident was a result of confusion. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) took a serious view of the matter and decided to fly Panghal and her support staff back home.The incident has cast a shadow over India's participation in the Olympics and raised questions about the conduct of its athletes. The IOA has promised to take disciplinary action against Panghal for violating the rules inside the athletes' village.In addition to the accreditation card incident, Panghal's support team, comprising coaches Bhagat Singh and Vikas, were also involved in a separate matter involving a Parisian taxi driver and the police. They allegedly refused to pay the cab fare and behaved inappropriately with the driver before retreating inside. The cab driver later reported the incident to the police.The controversies surrounding Panghal and her support staff have tarnished India's reputation at the Olympics and raised concerns about the behavior of its athletes. The IOA has a responsibility to ensure that its athletes adhere to the rules and regulations of the Games and to uphold the country's image on the international stage.

Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics has sent shockwaves through the Indian contingent and fans alike. The wrestler, who had emerged as a beacon of hope after her impressive performance on Tuesday, was found to be 100 grams over the 50kg weight limit during the weigh-in on Wednesday.Phogat, who normally competes in the 53kg category, had been forced to grapple in the 50kg weight class to qualify for the Olympics. She had overcome formidable opponents to reach the final, sparking immense pride and joy among Indians.However, the mood turned sour when news of her disqualification broke. Fans expressed heartbreak, dejection, and anger, while the Indian hockey team's loss to Germany in the semifinals added to the disappointment.Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the risks involved in extreme weight cutting. Dr. Manoj Jain, a consultant for general surgery, explained that a person's body weight can fluctuate by 0.5 to 1 kg throughout a typical week. Phogat's nutritionist had planned for her to consume 1.5kg of food and liquids to ensure enough energy for her three duels on Tuesday.Despite following the normal weight cut procedure, Phogat was still 100 grams too heavy. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the chief medical officer, revealed that Phogat had spent the previous night cycling and jogging to lose the 2kg she had gained after her Tuesday's weight check and three bouts.Phogat's disqualification has sparked a debate about the need for stricter regulations regarding weight cutting. Some experts believe that the practice can be dangerous and should be discouraged, while others argue that it is a necessary evil in competitive sports.Despite the setback, Phogat's fighting spirit and determination have inspired many. Fans and fellow athletes alike have expressed their support and belief that she will bounce back stronger.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has secured a spot in the gold medal match of the women's Freestyle 50kg event at the Paris Olympics. Phogat's historic victory came after an emphatic 5-0 win over Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the semifinals.Phogat's journey to the gold medal match began with an impressive win over Yui Susaki in the round of 16, boosting her confidence. The Indian wrestler has been in top form throughout the tournament, showcasing her exceptional skills and determination.Meanwhile, the Indian women's table tennis team, comprising Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra, and Archana Girish Kamath, will face Germany in the quarterfinals. The team will be aiming to continue their impressive run and secure a spot in the semifinals.Another Indian wrestler, Antim Panghal, will also be in action on Wednesday. Panghal will start her campaign against Zyenep Yetgil in the pre-quarterfinals of the women's Freestyle 53kg event.India's medal hopes also rest on weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who will compete in the women's 49kg event. Chanu, who won a silver medal in Tokyo, will be aiming to become India's first weightlifter to win two Olympic medals. However, she faces a challenging field and lingering fitness concerns.

India's wrestling contingent is poised to embark on their quest for Olympic glory at the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Six Indian wrestlers, including one male and five females, will represent the nation at the Champ de Mars Arena in the French capital.Aman Sehrawat, the 20-year-old Asian champion and Asian Games bronze medalist, will carry India's hopes in the men's freestyle 57kg category. Sehrawat, who replaced Ravi Kumar Dahiya in the category, is known for his ability to withstand pressure and keep opponents at bay.In the women's division, all eyes will be on two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, who will compete in the 50kg category. Phogat, India's most accomplished female wrestler, has won two World Championships, three Commonwealth Games, and eight Asian Championships medals. However, she is yet to prove her worth on the Olympic stage, having suffered a freak injury in Rio 2016 and a crushing defeat in Tokyo 2020.Other Indian wrestlers to watch out for include Commonwealth Games silver medalist Anshu Malik (women's 57kg), U-23 world champion Reetika Hooda (women's 76kg), and Asian Championships silver medalist Nisha Dahiya (women's 68kg). All three will be making their Olympic debuts in Paris.India's wrestling schedule at the 2024 Paris Olympics is as follows:* August 5 (6:30 PM IST): Women's 68kg (Nisha Dahiya)* August 6 (3:00 PM IST): Women's 50kg (Vinesh Phogat)* August 7 (3:00 PM IST): Women's 53kg (Antim Panghal)* August 8 (3:00 PM IST): Men's freestyle 57kg (Aman Sehrawat), Women's 57kg (Anshu Malik)* August 10 (3:00 PM IST): Women's 76kg (Reetika Hooda)The Indian wrestlers will face stiff competition from the likes of the United States, Russia, Japan, and Iran. However, they will be determined to make their mark on the Olympic stage and bring glory to their nation.

The recent turmoil in Indian wrestling has had a significant impact on the sport's growth and development, according to Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt. The sustained protests by top grapplers, including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh led to a halt in wrestling activities for nearly a year and a half.This disruption had a cascading effect, with national camps and competitions being postponed. It adversely affected preparations for Olympic qualification events and, in turn, preparations for the Paris Games. Dutt expressed his disappointment with the situation, stating that it has severely affected the sport's growth and negatively impacted its followers.The turmoil also resulted in fewer Indian male wrestlers qualifying for the Games. In previous Olympics, three to five male wrestlers had qualified, but for Paris, only Aman Sehrawat has secured a spot. However, Dutt praised the women wrestlers for securing five spots, which he believes is a positive development.Dutt declined to comment on Vinesh's prospects at the Games, as she has moved up to the 50kg category. He expressed hope that the women wrestlers can win one or two medals, highlighting the experience of Antim Panghal and others.Dutt also emphasized the importance of continuing the tradition of Indian wrestlers winning medals at the Olympics. He expressed confidence that the six wrestlers representing India in Paris, including five women, can maintain this legacy.

Indian wrestling has established itself as a dominant force in the Olympics, with medal-winning performances in every edition since 2008. This success has elevated wrestling's status in the country, inspiring young athletes and raising hopes for continued excellence.Sushil Kumar's bronze medal in Beijing 2008 marked a turning point, followed by his silver in London 2012 and Yogeshwar Dutt's bronze in the same Games. Sakshi Malik's bronze in Rio 2016 and the double delight of Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia in Tokyo 2021 further cemented India's wrestling prowess.However, the sport faced a setback due to prolonged protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by elite wrestlers. This led to the suspension of national camps and domestic competitions, creating uncertainty and confusion.Despite these challenges, India has qualified six wrestlers for the upcoming Paris Olympics: Aman Sehrawat (men's freestyle 50kg), Vinesh Phogat (women's 50kg), Antim Panghal (women's 53kg), Anshu Malik (women's 57kg), Nisha Dahiya (women's 68kg), and Reetika Hooda (women's 76kg).Aman Sehrawat:Sehrawat's steady progress has earned him a spot in the 50kg weight division, replacing Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya. His strengths lie in his stamina and endurance, making him a formidable opponent in long bouts. However, his limited strategy and technique could be a weakness.Vinesh Phogat:Phogat is one of India's most accomplished female wrestlers, known for her solid defense and impressive attack. However, her lack of quality mat time in recent years and the weight cut to 50kg could pose challenges.Antim Panghal:Panghal's flexibility and ability to escape her rivals' grips make her a dangerous opponent. However, her lack of recent competition due to a back injury could be a concern.Anshu Malik:Malik's quick movement and aggressive style have made her a promising prospect. Despite her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, her fitness is a worry due to a suspected shoulder injury.Nisha Dahiya:Dahiya's aggressive game style and fearless approach have earned her a spot in the Paris Games. However, her lack of exposure to major events and tendency to lose steam in the later stages of bouts could be weaknesses.Reetika Hooda:Hooda's explosive strength and technique make her a potential threat to her rivals. However, her habit of conceding points in the closing seconds of bouts could be a vulnerability.