In a historic moment for both India and Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra emerged victorious at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning gold and silver respectively in the men's javelin throw. Nadeem's win also marked Pakistan's first individual gold medal at a Summer Games, breaking a 32-year medal drought. This achievement holds significant meaning in the rivalry between the two nations, where sports have often been used as a means of political and social tension.
On the second day of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian athletes shone bright and brought honor to their country with inspiring performances. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, made it to the final of the men's javelin throw after a mighty effort of 89.34m. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat, despite the odds, triumphed over the reigning Olympic champion in her 50kg freestyle division and secured her spot in the final where she will be competing for a gold medal. The duo's success has given India hope and excitement for future events at the Olympics.
In a valiant effort, India's Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat fell short against the USA in the Paris Olympics 2024 bronze medal match for the Recurve Mixed Team Archery event. Despite making history with their first-ever semifinal appearance, the Indian duo was unable to secure a podium finish against the mighty South Koreans and eventually fell to the Americans in a 2-6 loss. Despite the disappointment, Bommadevara's standout performance marked the best ever by an Indian archer at the Summer Games, leaving the country still searching for its elusive Olympic medal.
Indian weightlifter and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu is determined to make her mark at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. She recognizes that staying injury-free and improving her techniques will be crucial in the highly competitive 49 kg division. Despite multiple injuries in the past, Mirabai has shown resilience and is determined to become the first Indian weightlifter to win two Olympic medals. With strict management of her training and recovery, Mirabai is hopeful to make a strong comeback at the Paris Olympics and potentially break her personal best of 88 kgs in snatch to lift at least 90 kg.
Following in the footsteps of his female compatriots, Indian boxer Nishant Dev sealed his spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics by defeating Moldova's Vasile Cebotari in the quarterfinals of the men's 71 kg category at the World Boxing Qualifiers. Notably, Dev is the first male boxer from India to qualify for the Summer Games. This accomplishment sees him join the ranks of Nikhat Zareen, Preeti, and Lovlina Borgohain - the three female boxers who earned their spots after winning bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games. However, it was a bittersweet day for India's former world youth champion Ankushita Boro, who lost in the quarterfinals and missed out on an Olympic qualification. Nonetheless, Dev put on a dominant performance, showcasing his composure and strategic prowess to outclass his opponent and secure a unanimous 5-0 decision victory.