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India's Shooting Contingent Aims for Olympic Glory in ParisAs the Paris Olympics draw near, India's shooting contingent, comprising a record 21 members, embarks on a historic mission to break the medal drought that has plagued the nation in recent editions of the Summer Games.The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has selected a squad based on current form rather than past achievements, placing its hopes on a group of debutants who are unburdened by the weight of past performances.Among the key athletes to watch is Manu Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooting prodigy who has won numerous medals at world events. Despite a setback at the Tokyo Games, Bhaker will be competing in three disciplines: 10m air pistol, 25m pistol, and 10m pistol mixed team.Another promising shooter is Sift Kaur Samra, who won gold in the 50m rifle three positions at the Asian Games. She will team up with seasoned pro Anjum Moudgil in the women's 50m rifle three positions event.On the men's side, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, a member of the gold-winning team at the 2023 World Championships, will be a key contender in the 50m rifle three positions alongside Swapnil Kusale.Debutants such as Anish Bhanwala, Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Babuta, Arjun Singh Cheema, and Vijayveer Singh will also be looking to make their mark on the international stage.India's main challenge will come from China, which is also fielding a strong contingent of 21 shooters. However, India's chef de mission, Gagan Narang, believes that the team is well-prepared and confident in their abilities."There is genuine belief that we are at par with the best in the world," said Narang, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics.The shooting competition will take place in the sleepy French town of Chateauroux, away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. This could prove to be an advantage for the Indian shooters, who will be able to focus solely on their performances.With a squad full of talented debutants and a strong belief in their abilities, India's shooting contingent is poised to make a significant impact at the Paris Olympics and end the nation's medal drought in this prestigious event.

Paris 2024: India Aims to Surpass Tokyo Medal Haul, Eyes 2036 Olympic BidAs the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, India sets its sights on surpassing its historic seven-medal performance in Tokyo. The Games, which officially commence on Friday, present an opportunity to showcase India's sporting prowess and bolster its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.The Indian contingent faces a challenging task, with the absence of several Tokyo medallists. However, a younger generation of athletes, including wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Antim Panghal, and boxer Nikhat Zareen, are poised to make their mark.Shooting, a sport that has underperformed in recent Olympics, will be under pressure to deliver. The team hopes to replicate its success at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where it won over half of its medals in team events.Archery, another early medal sport, has faced disappointments in the past. However, the team remains hopeful of a podium finish.The men's hockey team, which won bronze in Tokyo, faces a tougher challenge this time around. The group is more competitive, and the team's recent form has been inconsistent.Mirabai Chanu, who won silver in Tokyo, has been hampered by injuries. PV Sindhu, another Tokyo medallist, has also struggled with injuries. However, both athletes are known for their resilience and determination.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin throw champion, remains India's brightest medal hope. His consistency and dominance in the sport make him a strong contender for gold.Beyond the medal count, India's performance in Paris will also impact its bid to host the 2036 Olympics. A successful Games will add weight to India's proposal, which was made public at last year's IOC Session in Mumbai.

Olympic medalist Vijay Kumar believes that both personal and national coaches play crucial roles in an athlete's development. He emphasizes that personal coaches deserve recognition for their contributions in nurturing athletes to the elite level.Kumar cites the examples of Manu Bhaker and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, who have opted for personal coaches in preparation for the Paris Olympics. He argues that this trend is not detrimental and that personal coaches should receive due credit.According to Kumar, national coaches provide the final polish and guidance, helping athletes improve their scores and manage pressure in international competitions. However, he stresses that personal coaches lay the foundation and bring athletes to the point where they can benefit from national coaching.Kumar believes that the shooting federation should appoint coaches with proven international experience and success. These coaches can impart valuable knowledge and techniques to their wards, enabling them to handle challenging situations and perform at their best.He also criticizes the Indian shooting team's preparations for Paris, suggesting that a clear roadmap should have been established six months prior to the event. Kumar emphasizes the importance of timely trials, foreign exposure, and specialized training in the lead-up to major competitions.While acknowledging the growing trend of fitness and mental trainers, Kumar expresses some skepticism about their necessity. He believes that a strong upbringing and competitive environment can provide athletes with the necessary mental fortitude.Kumar highlights the importance of being surrounded by talented athletes, as it fosters inspiration and motivation. He credits his growth as a shooter to the presence of exceptional marksmen at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow.

Abhinav Bindra, the legendary Indian shooter who etched his name in Olympic history as the first Indian to win an individual gold medal, has been bestowed with the prestigious Olympic Order. This accolade, the highest honor bestowed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recognizes Bindra's exceptional contributions to the Olympic movement.Bindra, a member of the IOC Athletes Commission, is the first Indian to receive this coveted award. The decision to confer the Olympic Order on Bindra was made at the IOC Executive Board meeting in Paris on Saturday. The announcement was met with widespread acclaim from prominent figures in the sports world.In a letter dated July 20, 2024, IOC President Thomas Bach informed Bindra of the honor, stating, "It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the IOC Executive Board has today decided to award you with the Olympic Order for your outstanding services to the Olympic November."The award ceremony will take place during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on August 10. Bach expressed his sincere congratulations to Bindra, saying, "May I take this opportunity to address you my most sincere congratulations on this award. Looking forward to seeing you in Paris."Among those who extended their congratulations to Bindra was Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Dr. Mandaviya hailed Bindra's achievement, saying, "Congratulations to @Abhinav_Bindra on being awarded the Olympic Order for outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement! His achievement fills us with pride and is truly well-deserved. His name alone has inspired generations of shooters and Olympians."The official handle of IPL side Lucknow Super Giants also celebrated Bindra's honor, posting a photo of him winning India's maiden individual gold medal in men's 10m air rifle in Beijing 2008, accompanied by the caption, "History-maker, once again, Congratulations Abhinav Bindra."Bindra's Olympic Order award is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the Olympic movement and his exceptional achievements as an athlete. His legacy as a pioneer in Indian sports continues to inspire generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts alike.

India's Olympic aspirations soar as they set their sights on surpassing their record medal haul at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The nation's athletes will strive to build upon their impressive performance in Tokyo, where they secured seven medals, including a historic gold in javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra.Chopra remains India's brightest medal prospect, having consistently showcased his dominance in the sport. His exceptional throws have propelled him to the forefront of global javelin competition, making him a strong contender for another podium finish in Paris.Badminton, another area of strength for India, may witness a shift in focus towards the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The duo's recent world No. 1 ranking and current third-place standing bode well for their chances of making a significant impact in Paris.The Indian men's hockey team faces a formidable challenge in Pool B, which includes hockey powerhouses like Australia, Belgium, and Argentina. Despite their bronze medal triumph in Tokyo, the team's recent form has raised concerns. They will need to rediscover their winning ways to navigate the highly competitive group.Shooting, a discipline where India has traditionally excelled, will rely heavily on female shooters Sift Kaur Samra and Manu Bhaker. The duo's exceptional skills and experience will be crucial in India's quest for a medal in this event.An unexpected surprise may emerge in equestrian, where India will field a representative for the first time. Anush Agarwalla, a rising star in dressage, has demonstrated his potential with bronze and gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games. His performance in Paris could potentially add another dimension to India's medal hopes.

Shooting has witnessed a surge in popularity in India, thanks to the heroics of Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang. The sport has become as popular as cricket among Indian fans, and the country has secured quotas in every Olympic shooting category for the first time.However, the selection process for the Paris Olympics 2024 has been controversial. Trap shooter Bhowneesh Mendiratta, who had bagged India's first Paris quota, missed out on a berth after the national trials. Prithviraj Tondaiman was given the quota in his place.Other notable exclusions from the squad include former world champion Rudrankksh Patil, Tokyo Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Asian Games medallist Ashi Chouksey. Patil has expressed his disappointment, citing the inexperience of Sandeep Singh, who has been selected ahead of him.Gagan Narang, India's Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympics, has defended the selection process, calling it "fair" and "equal." He believes that the Covid-19 outbreak has negatively impacted India's shooters, as many lost their momentum and form.Narang has high hopes for his students, Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita Jindal, who will be representing India in Paris. He believes that they have the potential to perform well at the Olympics.Overall, India has a strong shooting contingent for the Paris Olympics. The team includes experienced shooters like Manu Bhaker and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, as well as promising young talents like Valarivan and Jindal. The team will be hoping to make a mark on the world stage and bring home medals for India.

Asian Games gold medalist Ronjan Sodhi has expressed concerns about the preparations for the Indian shooting contingent ahead of the Paris Olympics. He believes that the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) could have planned better and called for greater involvement of sportspersons in the running of the federation.Sodhi pointed out that the NRAI announced the 21-member contingent for Paris only two months before the Games, which left shooters struggling to plan their preparations and foreign exposure trips. He suggested that the announcement should have been made six months to a year in advance to give athletes ample time to prepare.The veteran marksman also criticized the lack of sportsperson representation in the NRAI panel responsible for selection matters. He believes that more athletes should be involved in decision-making to ensure that the process is fair and transparent."I think they (NRAI) must have thought about something, whether having trials at the last moment or whatever, whether there was a selection policy which was in order. I would say, there should be more sportspersons when it comes to selection matters in the whole (NRAI) panel," Sodhi said.Despite his concerns, Sodhi expressed optimism about the shooting contingent's chances in Paris. He acknowledged that the team is the largest ever and includes several talented young shooters."If you see, 21 shooters have qualified, which is the biggest (Indian) shooting contingent ever. I hope that they do well but shooting is one sport nobody can predict," he said.Sodhi emphasized that the contingent is well-trained and has a strong support team. He believes that the shooters will enter the competition with confidence, despite being relatively unknown."They are fearless, that's an advantage (with youngsters), they are the underdogs, nobody knows them. If I ask the names of the 21 shooters going to Paris, nobody would know most of their names," he said.

Anjum Moudgil, a seasoned rifle shooter, is preparing for the Paris Olympics with a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. Despite the Tokyo Games' shooting setbacks, she remains optimistic and eager to share her lessons with the younger generation of shooters.Moudgil, a 2018 World Championships silver medalist, acknowledges the valuable insights she gains from her younger counterparts, such as Asian Games gold medalist Sift Kaur Samra. She admires their confidence and determination, which inspire her to push her limits and improve daily.In contrast to the extended camps prior to Tokyo, Moudgil has opted for solo training for Paris, seeking guidance from coaches only when necessary. This approach allows her to focus on the finer details and avoid distractions.Moudgil's journey has not been without its challenges. After a successful 2022, where she won World Cup medals and became world No. 1 in women's 50m 3P, she experienced a dip in form. She struggled with imposter syndrome, questioning her abilities despite her achievements.Through mental training and self-reflection, Moudgil overcame her doubts. She realized the importance of self-belief and the need to persevere through setbacks. Her solo training in Budapest has further boosted her confidence, allowing her to explore new techniques and enjoy the city's ambiance.Moudgil's journey from Tokyo to Paris has been marked by setbacks, self-doubt, and resilience. She has emerged stronger from each experience, gaining invaluable lessons that she is eager to share with the next generation of shooters.

Indian rifle shooter Sift Kaur Samra is approaching her Olympic debut with a calm and collected mindset, treating it as just another international competition. Despite the magnitude of the event, Samra remains focused on her technique and the familiar routine she has developed in previous tournaments."It's the same; it's just a normal World Cup for us, and we always give our best in the World Cup," Samra told IANS. "This is another tournament where we will give our best. Yes, because it (Olympics) comes every four years, it is much bigger than the other World Cups. But I feel like it's the same people we had in the last World Cup, so it's going to be the same."Samra, who holds the Asian Games gold medal and a World Record of 469.6, emphasizes the importance of consistency and following the same principles that have brought her success in the past. "I just have to do the same things I did in my previous tournaments and training sessions. It's just the name that changes, not the people or the technique," she added.When asked about her preparation for the Paris Olympics, Samra highlighted the importance of following a structured training schedule. "It's the same it's like when we had a camp and the schedule given to us so we just followed that," she said.Samra is part of a 21-member Indian shooting team that will compete in the Paris Games. While only two rifle shooters on the team have prior Olympic experience, Samra has sought advice from veterans in other sports, including Saina Nehwal, Mary Kom, and Sania Mirza."One of them was reaching here is not an easy job but I have done that so 'you have to be confident you have to believe in yourself and you will be doing the best'. Another one is, 'you should have that fire to do your best and get something from Paris'," she said.In terms of her individual performance, Samra aims to improve upon her previous scores. "I just want that it should not be the same as in the last tournament which I have shot, it should be like one more. I will try to shoot one more point. If it was like 593 so then I will shoot 594 if it's my day. So, let's see, let's check out yeah but this one gonna be my target."