Top ten Indian Olympic prospects for Paris 2024

As we gear up for the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics, all eyes are on the City of Lights. Meanwhile, India’s sports scene is buzzing with energy, fuelled by the determination of our athletes. Looking back, India has shown tremendous potential and growth in the Olympics over the years. From the historic first gold in 1928 by the men’s hockey team to recent triumphs in badminton, wrestling, and boxing, India continues to rise in the ranks and is optimistic about making a significant impact at the upcoming games in Paris.

As we await the upcoming games, let's take a look at ten Indian prospects who are ready to shine a the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra (Men's Javelin Throw)

Everyone remembers Neeraj Chopra's historic win at Tokyo 2020 when he won India's first-ever gold medal in athletics. Since then, Chopra has managed to maintain his streak of wins, the most recent one being the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, where he bagged a gold medal with a throw of 85.97m. Even though he hasn't hit the 90m mark as yet this season, he is still a promising competitor at this year's games. With his eyes set on defending his Olympic title, Chopra is undoubtedly one of India's brightest prospects in the javelin throw.

Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)

Mirabai Chanu became the first Indian weightlifter to win a silver medal at the Olympics, having lifted a total of 202 kg in the women's 49kg category. Despite her setbacks and injuries, Chanu remains a top medal contender. She is currently training at NIS Patiala and is targeting a total lift of 200-210kg with a snatch lift of 90kg, aiming for gold at the upcoming Olympics.

PV Sindhu (Badminton)

A prominent figure in Indian badminton, PV Sindhu has consistently showcased her prowess on the international platform having won a silver at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020. The year 2023 was a challenging one for Sindhu who faced early exits during several tournaments and is also currently recovering from a knee injury. Nonetheless, Sindhu continues to remain a strong contender. Sindu is currently training in Saarbrucken, Germany aiming for a gold win in Paris to complete her medal set.

Bajrang Punia (Wrestling)

A multiple world championship medalist, Bajrang Punia has consistently proven his mettle in wrestling. After winning a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, Punia now has his sights on the gold medal at Paris 2024. And given his dedication to the sport, bagging the gold medal hardly seems like a far-fetched dream!

Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling)

Another wrestling stalwart, Vinesh Phogat has been a consistent performer on the international stage. While her knee surgery kept her from competing for a year, it didn't stop her from excelling once again. Her most recent win was at the Grand Prix in Spain where she bagged a gold in the women's 50kg category. And now, she is all set to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, gearing up to make India proud once again. 

Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing)

A prominent welterweight boxer, Lovlina Borgohain's bronze win at Tokyo 2020 was only the beginning. Borgohain recently competed at the Grand Prix tournament in the Czech Republic and won a silver in the women's 75kg category. She is currently training in Saarbrucken, Germany, continuing to hone her skills and prepare for upcoming competitions. With her remarkable skill and determination, Borgohain is undoubtedly one of the strongest contenders for future podium finishes, including the Paris 2024.  

Nikhat Zareen (Boxing)

A two-time world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Nikhat Zareen's journey in boxing has been nothing short of spectacular. Known for her agility, speed, and precision inside the ring, Zareen is a formidable opponent. After winning gold at the recent Elorda Cup in May, Zareen is currently focused on her training camp in India, preparing for Paris 2024, which could be her moment of Olympic glory.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Badminton)

Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are among India's top badminton doubles pairs. Despite their recent fitness concerns, the duo's track record in the last year makes them solid contenders for a medal at Paris 2024. Among their notable wins, the duo has bagged medals at the Asian Games, and the Indonesia Open Super 1000, and have also earned the World #1 rank in men's doubles. Known for their aggressive and fearless style of play, Rankireddy and Shetty are sure to bring their A-game to Paris, making a significant impact on the global badminton stage.

Indian Men's Hockey Team

The Indian Men's Hockey Team's historic bronze at Tokyo 2020 reignited the nation's love for the sport. Despite an inconsistent run at the Pro League, the team, now under coach Craig Fulton, is working on addressing their weaknesses. Comprising a mix of experienced players and young talents, the team has continued its winning streak, earning wins at the Asian Champions and Asian Games. Looking ahead, Paris 2024 could see them scaling new heights and perhaps, even clinching gold.

Sift Kaur Samra (Shooting)

Asian Games champion, Sift Kaur Samra dominated the four-stage Olympic selection trials in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions. Proof of her stellar performance, Samra recently won a bronze medal at the Munich World Cup. Samra not only beat the reigning world champion at the Asian Games but also shattered the world record by an impressive 2.6 points. Sift is currently training in France for the upcoming games and is determined to become India's first female shooter to secure an Olympic medal.

Feature image credit: Paris 2024 Olympics 

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