As India gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympics, a contingent of 117 athletes has set its sights on surpassing the seven-medal tally achieved at the Tokyo 2020 Games. With excitement building, several athletes stand out as key contenders for podium finishes, each carrying the hopes of a nation on their shoulders.
Here are the top medal prospects for India in Paris:
Neeraj Chopra (Athletics, Men's Javelin Throw)
Neeraj Chopra, who etched his name in history as only the second Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Summer Olympics, emerges as India’s strongest contender for Paris 2024.
His remarkable consistency in high-pressure situations, underscored by his impressive record in various competitions, makes him a formidable athlete.
Despite competing in only three events leading up to the Olympics, his accolades include gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and the Asian Games, along with a gold and a silver at the World Championships.
His impressive track record positions him as a top favourite to retain his Olympic title in the javelin throw.
Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting Women’s 49 kg Category)
Mirabai Chanu, a beacon of hope in weightlifting, remains a strong prospect for the Paris Olympics despite a setback due to an injury at the Asian Games last year.
Chanu opened India's medal account at Tokyo 2020 with a remarkable lift of 202 kg in the women’s 49 kg category.
Following that, she demonstrated her prowess by lifting 201 kg to clinch gold at the Commonwealth Games.
With an ambition to surpass the 90 kg mark in her snatch attempts, she is focusing on continuous improvement.
Her previous performances suggest that Chanu is well on her way to competing for another medal in Paris.
PV Sindhu (Badminton, Women's Singles)
Having already secured a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games, PV Sindhu is on a quest to become the first Indian badminton player to win three Olympic medals.
No Indian athlete has achieved the milestone of three individual Olympic medals in any sport.
However, she has faced challenges in her recent performances, which raises concerns about her form heading into the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A tough draw could see her facing off against the defending champion, Chen Yufei, in the quarterfinals, making her path to another medal more challenging.
Despite these hurdles, Sindhu's determination and experience on the international stage make her a competitor to watch closely in the upcoming games.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Badminton, Men's Doubles)
The dynamic men’s doubles badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty boasts an impressive record, making them one of India’s best hopes for an Olympic medal.
The pair has already made headlines by winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the Asian Championships.
Recently, they clinched their first BWF World Super 1000 title, marking a historic milestone as the first Indian men’s doubles team to achieve this feat.
Their affinity for the host city of Paris, coupled with their recent successes, makes them strong contenders to secure India’s first Olympic badminton medal.
Antim Panghal (Wrestling, Women's 53kg Freestyle)
Antim Panghal, a rising star in women’s wrestling, holds significant promise in the women’s 53 kg category. At just 19 years old, she has already made her mark by becoming the first Indian wrestler to qualify for the Olympics after winning bronze at the World Championships.
Panghal’s track record includes two U-20 World Championship titles and a bronze at the Asian Games, showcasing her exceptional talent.
Her aggressive style and determination make her a strong candidate for a podium finish in Paris.
Tarundeep Rai, Dheeraj Bommadevara, Pravin Jadhav (Archery, Men's Recurve Team)
Despite a strong track record in World Cups, India has yet to secure an Olympic medal in archery. This year, however, the men’s recurve team, comprising Tarundeep Rai, Dheeraj Bommadevara, and Pravin Jadhav, appears to be India’s best hope for a podium finish.
The trio made headlines at the World Cup Stage 1 in April, where they achieved a remarkable upset by defeating the reigning Olympic champions, South Korea, to clinch the team gold.
Their impressive performance has raised expectations for their upcoming Olympic campaign, as they aim to break the medal drought for India in archery.
Nikhat Zareen (Boxing, Women's 50kg)
Nikhat Zareen enters her first Olympic Games as a two-time boxing world champion and a favourite in the women’s 50 kg category.
Her recent form is impressive, including a silver at the Strandja Memorial, a gold at the Elorda Cup, and another gold at the Grand Prix in the Czech Republic.
With such a strong streak of victories, Zareen is well-positioned to become the first Indian female boxer to claim an Olympic gold or silver.
Sift Kaur Samra (Shooting: Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions)
Sift Kaur Samra is another promising athlete, having secured gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
She set a new world record with a score of 469.6 points, making history as India’s first individual Asiad gold medalist.
Samra’s impressive achievements also include gold at the World Championships, and her strong performance in trials has solidified her place in the Olympic lineup.
10m Air Pistol Mixed Team
The Indian shooting contingent boasts promising prospects in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, featuring Sarabjot Singh/Manu Bhaker and Arjun Singh Cheema/Rhythm Sangwan.
Sarabjot and Arjun’s gold medal victory over China at the Asian Games has instilled confidence in their abilities, while Rhythm Sangwan’s recent bronze at the Asia Olympic Qualification has secured India’s 16th quota in shooting for the upcoming Olympics.
Manu Bhaker’s return to form, having qualified on the back of a record-breaking performance, adds further strength to the team’s chances in Paris.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team
Having ended a four-decade medal drought at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team aims for another podium finish in Paris.
Despite facing tough competition in their group, including formidable teams like Australia, Argentina, and Belgium, the squad has demonstrated resilience, winning a silver at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and topping the Asiad and Asian Champions Trophy.
With veterans like PR Sreejesh playing crucial roles, the team is determined to add another medal to its Olympic tally.
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