The excitement is palpable as India embarks on its journey at the Paris Olympics 2024. Day 1 promises a thrilling start with India’s shooting contingent leading the charge, followed by crucial matches in hockey, badminton, boxing, rowing, table tennis, and tennis.
Here's a detailed look at India’s full schedule for the opening day of the Games.
Shooting contingent in focus
India’s shooters will be under the spotlight early on Saturday with the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event kicking off the action. The pairs of Ramita Jindal-Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan-Sandeep Singh will carry India's medal hopes.
The top four teams from the qualifiers will progress to the medal matches, where the first and second-placed teams will compete for gold, while the third and fourth will vie for bronze.
Additionally, Arjun Singh Cheema, Sarabjot Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Rhythm Sangwan will participate in the 10m air pistol events, with qualifiers scheduled for Day 1.
Men’s Hockey team begins campaign
In hockey, India’s men’s team will commence their campaign in Pool B against New Zealand. With high hopes pinned on the team, a strong start is crucial for India’s aspirations in the tournament.
Badminton matches to watch
Badminton enthusiasts will see Lakshya Sen facing off against Kevin Cordon in the men’s singles group match. Following this, the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on the French pair Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in the men’s doubles.
Later, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto will compete against Korea’s Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong in the women’s doubles group match.
Boxing: Preeti Pawar in action
Boxer Preeti Pawar will make her Olympic debut in the women’s 54kg opening-round bout against Vietnam’s Thi Kim Anh Vo. The match, set to take place at 12:05 am IST on January 28, will be a significant moment for the young boxer.
Other key events
Rower Panwar Balraj will compete in the men’s single sculls at 12:30 pm IST, aiming for a strong performance to advance in the competition. In table tennis, Harmeet Desai will face Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman in the men’s singles preliminary round at 7:15 pm IST.
Veteran tennis star Rohan Bopanna, making his final Olympic appearance, will team up with N Sriram Balaji in the men’s doubles first-round match against the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Fabien Reboul at 3:30 pm IST.
India’s full day 1 schedule:
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Badminton
- Men’s singles group match: Lakshya Sen vs Kevin Cordon (Guatemala) - 7:10 pm IST
- Men’s doubles group match: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty vs Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar (France) - 8:00 pm IST
- Women’s doubles group match: Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto vs Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong (Korea) - 11:50 pm IST
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Boxing
- Women’s 54kg opening round bout: Preeti Pawar vs Thi Kim Anh Vo (Vietnam) - 12:05 am IST (January 28)
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Hockey
- Pool B match: India vs New Zealand - 9:00 pm IST
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Rowing
- Men’s single sculls: Panwar Balraj - 12:30 pm IST
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Table Tennis
- Men’s singles preliminary round: Harmeet Desai vs Zaid Abo Yaman (Jordan) - 7:15 pm IST
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Tennis
- Men’s doubles first round match: Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji vs Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Fabien Reboul (France) - 3:30 pm IST
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Shooting
- 10m air rifle mixed team qualification: Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan, Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal - 12:30 pm IST
- Mixed team 10m air rifle medal rounds - 2:00 pm IST onwards (if India qualifies)
- 10m air pistol men’s qualification: Arjun Singh Cheema and Sarabjot Singh - 2:00 pm IST
- 10m air pistol women’s qualification: Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan - 4:00 pm IST
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