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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.

Indian boxing is poised to make history at the upcoming Paris Olympics, with a strong contingent of medal contenders aiming to surpass the nation's previous Olympic boxing medal tally of three. Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, and Nishant Dev will lead the charge, navigating challenging draws in their respective weight classes.Zareen, the reigning world champion in the light-flyweight (50kg) division, faces a formidable challenge. Her half of the draw includes top medal contenders Wu Yu (China), Chuthamat Raksat (Thailand), and Sabina Bobokulov (Uzbekistan). Zareen's opening bout against Germany's Maxi Klotzer will be followed by a potential clash with top-seeded Wu. If she overcomes these hurdles, she could face Raksat or Bobokulova, both of whom have recently defeated her.Amit Panghal (51kg) has had a rollercoaster year, but he is determined to make amends for his first-round exit in Tokyo. He has received a first-round bye and will face African Games champion Patrick Chinyemba in the round of 16. Panghal's path to the semifinals could include Asian Games silver medalist Thitisan Panmod (Thailand) and Rio Olympics and reigning world champion Hassanboy Dusmatov (Uzbekistan).Nishant, one of India's most consistent performers, has received a favorable draw. With a first-round bye, he will take on Ecuador's Rodriguez Tenorio in the pre-quarters. If successful, he will face Pan American Games champion Merco Verde (Mexico) in the quarterfinals and potentially top seed Sewon Okazawa (Japan) in the semifinals.Borgohain, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist in the 69kg category, has moved up to 75kg. She will face Norway's Sunniva Hofstad in the first round, but her quarterfinal opponent, Chinese Li Qian, poses a significant challenge. Qian is a two-time Olympic and world medalist and defeated Borgohain at the Asian Games.Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) will make their Olympic debuts. Pawar will face Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh in the first round, while Lamboria has a daunting task against Tokyo silver medalist Nesthy Petecio (Philippines) in her opening bout.The boxing events at the Paris Games will be held at two venues, with the early rounds taking place at the North Paris Arena and the semifinals and finals at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros.

Nishant Dev, a rising star in Indian boxing, is poised to make history at the upcoming Paris Olympics. With his unwavering confidence and rigorous training regimen, he aims to become the first Indian male boxer to win an Olympic gold medal.Dev's inspiration lies in the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr., known for his undefeated record and impeccable defense. While Dev may not engage in trash-talking, he instills fear in his opponents with his unwavering belief in his abilities. "I know I am the best in the world. I don't fear anyone," he declares.In preparation for the Olympics, Dev has spent weeks at a training camp in Saarbrucken, Germany. The camp provides him with world-class sparring partners and excellent facilities. He has sparred with boxers from the US, Denmark, and Ireland, honing his skills and gaining valuable experience.Dev's training regimen is intense, with 90-minute sessions in the morning and three-hour sessions in the evening. He focuses on endurance, strength, and technique, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of Olympic glory.Despite the formidable competition in the 71kg division, Dev remains undeterred. He has faced and defeated many of his potential opponents, studying their weaknesses and developing strategies to exploit them.To maintain his weight and muscle content, Dev follows a strict low-fat, low-calorie diet. He has sacrificed his favorite foods, such as aloo ke paranthe and rajma-chawal, in the pursuit of his Olympic dream.Dev's post-Olympic plans include indulging in his favorite foods and exploring the world. However, his ultimate goal remains the Olympic gold medal. "It's been over three months since I had my favorite food. All my life, all I have done is box. It will all be worth it when I win that Olympic gold," he says.

Nishant Dev, India's Olympic-bound boxer in the 71kg weight category, exudes an unwavering confidence that stems from his belief in his exceptional abilities. He attributes his success to a harmonious blend of speed, timing, and power, which he considers a divine gift.Dev's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2021, he made a remarkable debut at the World Championships, reaching the light middleweight quarterfinals. Two years later, he secured a bronze medal at the same event, solidifying his status as one of India's most promising boxers.When asked to elaborate on his strengths, Dev confidently stated, "I am god-gifted. I have everything in me. Power, speed, and timing. But the main thing is skills. If you have that, you can win against any kind of boxer."Dev's path to the Olympics was not without its challenges. He had struggled with a persistent shoulder niggle for years. However, he overcame this obstacle through rigorous training and unwavering determination.At the final qualifying event in Bangkok, Dev showcased his dominance, securing his place in the Paris Games. He had previously narrowly missed out at the previous qualifiers after a heartbreaking loss to Omari Jones of the USA.Reflecting on that defeat, Dev admitted that it fueled his anger and determination. "I have done a lot of work for the competition. I have changed my strategy a bit. This time, I put in the effort from the very first second of the very first round and continued till the last second of the bout. I took out my anger from America (the bout against Jones). I had a lot of confidence that I will win this time."While Dev acknowledges his natural talent, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. "Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard as well. I used my skills, I hit more body shots to completely exhaust my opponent, drain him of his energy. I have a lot of power inside me, but you cannot win a boxing match on the basis of just power. You will have to add small things in it, like speed, timing, power, boxing mind as well. So I mixed up all these things."Dev's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, determined to make India proud on the world stage.

Nishant Dev, India's boxing sensation, has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 71kg weight class boxer achieved this remarkable feat by reaching the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers on Friday.Dev's journey to the semifinals was marked by dominance and precision. In the quarterfinal, he faced Vasile Cebotari of Moldova, a fellow southpaw. Dev's sharp and accurate punches proved too much for Cebotari, as he secured a 5-0 victory. This triumph not only earned Dev a quota place but also marked India's fourth quota for the Paris Games.Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) had previously secured their Olympic berths. The 71kg weight class offered five quotas, and Dev's performance ensured India's presence in this category at the upcoming Games.Throughout the tournament, Dev has showcased his exceptional skills and composure. His ability to land punches judiciously and maintain his focus has been instrumental in his success. In the second round against Cebotari, despite facing some resistance, Dev remained composed and continued to deliver accurate shots.In the final three minutes, both boxers were visibly exhausted, but Dev's determination remained unwavering. He continued to land punches at will, forcing Cebotari to earn a point deduction for an illegal punch while Dev was down on the canvas.While India's quest for a quota in the women's 60kg ended with Ankushita Boro's defeat against Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden, the performances of Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) are eagerly anticipated later in the day.Dev's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of the Indian boxing fraternity. His quota place is a significant milestone for Indian boxing and sets the stage for a promising future at the Paris Olympics.

India's Nishant Dev delivered a stunning performance at the second Boxing World Olympic Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, securing a resounding victory over Mongolia's Otgonbaatar Byamba-Erdeneto in the 71kg pre-quarterfinals.Dev's dominance was evident from the outset, as he unleashed a barrage of punches that forced a standing count within the first minute. His relentless attack continued, with a combination of a jab and cross hook leading to another standing count. With just 58 seconds remaining in the opening round, the referee halted the contest, awarding Dev a Referee Stopped the Contest (RSC) victory.In contrast, Abhinash Jamwal faced an unfortunate setback in the 63.5kg category. Despite a spirited comeback in the second round, Jamwal ultimately fell short against Colombia's Jose Manuel Viafara Fory. The bout ended in a tie on points, but the judges ultimately ruled in Fory's favor after a lengthy deliberation.Earlier in the tournament, Dev had also secured a dominant 5-0 win over Armando Bighafa of Guinea-Bissau in the 71kg category. His impressive performance showcased his technical prowess and unwavering determination.Meanwhile, Sachin Siwach will represent India in the 57kg round of 32 bout later in the day, facing Frederik Jensen of Denmark.

Indian boxers are determined to overcome recent setbacks and secure Olympic berths at the second World Qualification Tournament, starting Friday. Despite having four quotas initially, India's tally has dwindled to three due to Parveen Hooda's suspension. The previous world qualifiers saw a dismal performance, with only Nishant Dev advancing past the opening round.The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has made changes, bringing back Amit Panghal in the 51kg category. Panghal, a former Asian Games champion, is seeded second and has a potential quarterfinal clash with Liu Chuang of China or Anvarzhan Khodzhiev of Kyrgyzstan.Abhinash Jamwal will compete in the 63.5kg weight class, while Abhimanyu Loura will try his luck in 80kg. Nishant Dev, who narrowly missed out on a berth in Italy, is expected to return with a ticket to Paris in the 71kg category.In the women's competition, Ankushita Boro has moved down to 60kg, while Jaismine Lamboriya has been given a third shot in the 57kg category. National champion Arundhati Choudhary will compete in the 66kg weight class.Indian boxers are expected to add to their tally of three quotas, with 51 Olympic berths available at the tournament. "Our boxers are in a good mental position now," said Indian boxing coach CA Kuttappa. "The confidence from the sparring sessions has risen, and psychologists are playing a key role to keep them away from pressure."

Nishant Dev Advances in World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers, Ankushita Boro and Sanjeet Suffer DefeatsIndian boxer Nishant Dev has secured a spot in the pre-quarterfinals of the men's 71kg category at the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers. The World Championships bronze medalist outclassed Georgia's Madiev Eskerkhan with a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision on Thursday night.Dev's victory was a testament to his aggressive and calculated approach. Tokyo Olympics quarterfinalist Eskerkhan struggled to keep up with Dev's relentless attacks. Despite Eskerkhan's attempts to regain momentum in the second round, Dev remained unyielding, denying him any opportunity for a comeback.Meanwhile, India's youth world champion Ankushita Boro (66kg) and national champion Sanjeet (92kg) faced contrasting fortunes in their opening round matches. Boro fought valiantly but ultimately fell short 2-3 against Sonvico Emilie of France. Sanjeet, on the other hand, suffered a disappointing 0-5 defeat to Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan.These results continue a challenging campaign for India's boxers at the tournament. Despite the presence of over 590 boxers, India has yet to secure any additional quotas for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The tournament offers a total of 49 quotas, including 28 for men and 21 for women.India had previously secured four quotas through Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) at the Asian Games. The second World Qualification Tournament will be held in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3, providing another opportunity for Indian boxers to qualify for the Paris Olympics.