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The inaugural day of the Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a mixed bag of performances for the Indian contingent. While some athletes made their mark, others fell short of expectations.Shooting:India's shooting campaign got off to a disappointing start. In the 10m air rifle mixed team event, both Indian pairs failed to qualify for the medal matches. Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal finished 13th, while Elavenil Valarivan and Sandeep Singh placed 15th. In the men's 10m air pistol, Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Cheema failed to make the final eight. However, Manu Bhaker qualified for the final in the women's 10m air pistol, finishing third in the qualification round.Badminton:Lakshya Sen kicked off his Paris Olympics campaign with a straight-sets victory over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon in the men's singles. The Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also secured a win in the men's doubles, defeating France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. However, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto suffered a defeat in the women's doubles, losing to South Korea's Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong.Hockey:The Indian Men's Hockey Team made a strong start to their Olympic campaign, defeating New Zealand 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. Goals from Mandeep Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Harmanpreet Singh sealed the victory for India.Table Tennis:Harmeet Desai advanced to the Round of 64 in the men's singles table tennis, beating Jordan's Zaid Abo Yaman 4-0. He will face Felix Lebrun of France in the next round.Boxing:Preeti Pawar progressed to the Round of 16 in the women's 54kg boxing, defeating Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh by a unanimous decision.Rowing:Balraj Panwar finished fourth in the first heat race of the men's single sculls, failing to qualify directly for the quarterfinals.

Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker has emerged as a beacon of hope for the nation at the ongoing Olympic Games, securing a spot in the 10m women's air pistol final. Her remarkable consistency and determination have been a much-needed positive amidst an otherwise underwhelming performance by her compatriots.Bhaker's journey to the final has been marked by resilience and unwavering focus. After a disappointing debut at the Tokyo Games three years ago, she has been determined to make amends and add an Olympic medal to her impressive resume. Her qualification score of 580, securing third place, is a testament to her hard work and dedication.In contrast, the men's 10m air pistol event proved to be a disappointment for Indian shooters. Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately failed to advance to the final. Singh finished ninth with a score of 577, while Cheema ended in 18th place with a score of 574.Bhaker's achievement is particularly significant as she becomes the first Indian female shooter to qualify for an individual Olympic final in the last 20 years. Suma Shirur was the last Indian shooter to reach this feat, when she qualified for the 10m Air Rifle final in Athens 2004.Bhaker's performance has been a welcome respite for Indian shooting, which has faced criticism for its underwhelming performance in recent years. Her determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to aspiring shooters and a reminder that even in the face of setbacks, success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.

Indian shooters Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema faced disappointment on Day 1 of the Paris Olympics 2024, failing to qualify in the men's 10m air pistol event. The setback followed the elimination of two Indian pairs in the 10m air rifle mixed team qualifications.Sarabjot, who had shown promise in patches, finished ninth in the qualifications with a total score of 577, just one point shy of the top eight. After a slow start, he surged to the top half of the table with a perfect 100 in the fourth series. However, a subpar 93 in the penultimate series proved costly.Despite finishing with the same points as Germany's Robin Walter, Sarabjot missed out on the final due to a technicality. Walter had shot one more inner 10 than Sarabjot, which gave him the edge according to the qualification format."I thought I did well from my end, but it was a bad day," Sarabjot said after the event. "I can't understand how all of this happened. I gave it my best. But it's fine, its my first Olympics, it was a good experience and I've learnt a few lessons."Sarabjot's teammate, Arjun Singh Cheema, also failed to qualify, finishing 14th with a score of 574.In the 10m air rifle mixed team qualifications, Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta finished sixth with a total score of 628.7, while Elavenil Valarivan and Sandeep Singh ended 12th with an aggregate score of 626.3.The disappointing results for Indian shooters on Day 1 highlight the challenges they face in competing at the highest level. Despite their efforts and preparation, they were unable to secure a place in the finals.

As the Indian shooting contingent embarks on its quest for glory at the Paris Olympics 2024, the parents of two promising athletes, Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita Jindal, have expressed their unwavering belief in their daughters' abilities.Elavenil, a 10m air rifle specialist, will be making her second Olympic appearance after narrowly missing out on a medal in Tokyo. Her father, R Valarivan, is confident that she has the experience and preparation to make a podium finish this time around. "She has prepared well and is stronger than ever before," he said. "We expect her to bring glory to India."Ramita, a rising star in the 10m air pistol event, has also been making waves on the international stage. Her parents, Sonika and Arvind, are equally optimistic about her chances of success. "She has been improving with every match," said Arvind. "We are confident that she will win a medal for India."The Indian shooting team has been training diligently in the lead-up to the Olympics, and the athletes have received strong support from the government and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. The team's coaches are also confident in their abilities."The Indian shooting team is a strong contender for a medal in every category," said national coach Jaspal Rana. "Our athletes have been performing consistently at the national and international level, and they are ready to give their best at the Olympics."The shooting competition at the Paris Olympics will begin on Saturday with the 10m air rifle mixed team qualification, featuring the teams of Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal. The medal rounds will take place later that day. The 10m air pistol qualifiers for men and women will follow on the same day.The Indian shooting contingent is determined to make a mark at the Paris Olympics and bring home medals for the country. With the support of their families, coaches, and the nation, they are confident in their abilities to achieve their goals.

The 2024 Paris Olympics kick off today with a thrilling lineup of events. Medals will be awarded in aquatics, cycling, fencing, judo, rugby sevens, shooting, and skateboarding.Shooting:India's shooting contingent will be eager to make a mark after disappointing performances in the last two Olympics. Sandeep Singh and Elavenil Valarivan will compete in the 10m air rifle mixed team final, while Arjun Babuta and Ramita will also be in action. Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema will participate in the 10m air pistol men's qualification.Hockey:India, the Tokyo Games bronze medallists, will begin their campaign against New Zealand. Harmanpreet Singh's team will aim to give a fitting farewell to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who is competing in his fourth Olympics.Badminton:Badminton, which has brought India three medals in recent editions, will also commence on Saturday. Lakshya Sen, the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will face Kevin Cordon of Guatemala. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on French shuttlers Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto will compete against former All England champions Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong of South Korea.Swimming:An epic rivalry will resume in the women's 400m freestyle, where Australian Ariarne Titmus and American Katie Ledecky will battle for gold. Canada's Summer McIntosh and New Zealand's Erika Fairweather are also contenders in this highly anticipated event.Rugby 7s:The men's rugby sevens event will conclude with back-to-back Olympic champions Fiji facing Australia and South Africa taking on hosts France in the semi-finals. The bronze and gold medal matches will take place later on Saturday evening.Other Events:Cycling, fencing, and judo will also feature on the first day of the Olympics. Skateboarding will make its Olympic debut, with medals awarded in the men's and women's street events.

India's Olympic Odyssey Begins: Day 1 Schedule UnveiledThe stage is set for the Paris Olympics 2024, and India's athletes are poised to make their mark from the very first day. On July 26, a host of Indian stars will take to the field, court, and range, eager to showcase their skills and bring glory to their nation.Badminton: Shetty and Rankireddy Lead the ChargeIndia's badminton contingent will be spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. The pair will face Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar of France in their men's doubles group match, aiming to secure a top spot in their group.Shooting: Eyes on the TargetIndia's shooters will also be in action on Day 1. Sandeep Singh and Elavenil Valarivan, along with Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal, will compete in the 10m air rifle mixed team qualification. They will need to finish in the top four to advance to the gold medal match.Hockey: Men in Blue Face New ZealandThe Indian men's hockey team will kick off their Olympic campaign against New Zealand in a Pool B match. The team will be looking to start their tournament with a strong performance and set the tone for the rest of their matches.Boxing: Preeti Pawar's Olympic DebutPreeti Pawar will make her Olympic debut in the women's 54kg boxing category. She will face Thi Kim anh Vo of Vietnam in the opening round, with a victory securing her a spot in the Round of 16.Rowing: Panwar Balraj Takes to the WaterPanwar Balraj will represent India in the men's single sculls rowing event. He will be aiming to qualify for the main draw of the competition and make a strong impression on the Olympic stage.Table Tennis: Harmeet Desai's Preliminary ChallengeHarmeet Desai will face Zaid Abo Yaman of Jordan in the men's singles preliminary round of table tennis. A victory will earn him a place in the main draw of the Round of 64.Tennis: Bopanna and Balaji Aim for Round of 16Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will team up in the men's doubles first round match of tennis. They will face Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Fabien Reboul of France, with a win securing their place in the Round of 16.

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.