With the Paris Olympics 2024 set to commence with an opening ceremony on the River Seine on July 26, anticipation is building, especially among Indian fans. The key question on everyone’s mind is how many medals India can secure this time. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India achieved its highest-ever medal tally with seven medals. Now, all eyes are on the top contenders from India as they aim for even greater success in Paris.
Let’s explore ten prominent athletes who have the potential to secure a medal for India at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
1. Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)
Major accomplishment
Neeraj Chopra stands as the current world and Olympic champion in the men’s javelin throw, marking an exceptional achievement for an Indian athlete. His accolades also include gold medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, as well as a Diamond League Trophy.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
Although Neeraj Chopra has yet to surpass the 90m mark, he consistently dominates the competitions he enters. Last year, he secured gold medals at both the Asian Games and the World Championships. This year, he took gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games, finished second at the Doha Diamond League, and triumphed at the Federation Cup in India. Despite being in excellent form, his participation in 2024 has been limited to only three events due to an adductor injury.
2. Indian Men’s Hockey Team
Major accomplishment
The Indian men’s hockey team boasts a storied history with eight gold medals, and most recently, they clinched bronze at Tokyo 2020. Several players from the Tokyo bronze-winning squad continue to be integral members of the current team.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
India competes in Pool B alongside defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland at the Paris Olympics 2024. With four teams advancing to the knockout stage, India has a promising opportunity, although advancing further will pose a significant challenge. In the recent FIH Pro League, India concluded their campaign in seventh place.
3. Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)
Major accomplishment
Silver medalist at Tokyo 2020 and gold medalist at the 2017 World Championships.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
The weightlifter from Manipur enters the Paris Olympics as a top contender. With significant experience in her discipline, she has been grappling with recent injuries to her hip, thigh, and wrist.
4. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Badminton)
Major accomplishment
They recently held the position of the world’s top-ranked men’s doubles pair.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
After finishing as runners-up in the Malaysia Open and Indian Open earlier this year, Satwik and Chirag bounced back by winning the French Open and Thailand Open. They are in strong form and are anticipated to win a Paris medal. However, Satwik recently suffered a shoulder injury, and his recovery will be crucial for their performance.
5. Nikhat Zareen (Boxing)
Major accomplishment
Champion of two world titles.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
Having lost just two bouts since 2022, Nikhat (50 kg) is currently in excellent form and stands as a formidable contender. However, her semi-final loss to Thailand’s Raksat Chuthamat at the Asian Games 2023 serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of major tournaments.
6. Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
Major accomplishment
Gold medal winner at the 2023 World Championships.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
She emerged as the top performer at the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) Rifle/Pistol and secured her spot to compete for India in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol, and 10m air pistol mixed team events. She stands as the sole Indian athlete participating in multiple individual shooting events. Manu entered the Tokyo Olympics as the world No. 1 but fell short of reaching the finals in all three of her events. As she prepares for Paris, managing the pressure of the competition will be crucial for her performance.
7. Aman Sehrawat (Wrestling)
Major accomplishment
Champion of the 2022 World U23 title, gold medalist at the 2023 Asian Championships, and bronze medalist at the 2023 Asian Games in the 57 kg category.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
Aman, the sole Indian male wrestler to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024, has made a mark with his rapid rise in the senior circuit over the past two years. He has earned the sixth seed, yet his path could lead to a challenging quarterfinal against three-time World Championship bronze medalist Arsen Harutyunyan of Armenia, indicating the increasing difficulty ahead in his Olympic journey.
8. Antim Panghal (Wrestling)
Major accomplishment
Former World Junior Champion and bronze medalist in the 53 kg category at the 2023 World Championships.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
Antim secured the fourth seed in her category. This placement shields her from facing formidable competitors such as Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Qianyu Pang, two-time world champion Akari Fujinami, and two-time European champion Emma Malmgren. This positions her well to advance to the medal rounds, underscoring the importance of consistent performance in her Olympic debut for the wrestler from Haryana.
9. Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing)
Major accomplishment
Winner of the bronze medal in the 69 kg event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
After the 69 kg category was removed from the Olympics, she transitioned to 75 kg. Last year, she clinched gold at the World Championships in the 75 kg event and secured silver at the Grand Prix Usti nad Labem in the Czech Republic just last month. She is widely viewed as a strong contender to medal once more.
10. PV Sindhu (Badminton)
Major accomplishment
She was the first Indian badminton player to secure silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and remains the only Indian woman athlete to claim two Olympic medals. She added a bronze medal to her accolades at Tokyo 2020.
Opportunities and obstacles for medals
Sindhu has clinched two Olympic medals across two games, showcasing her prowess in major tournaments. The top Indian shuttler has a straightforward group stage ahead, with matchups against Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba and the Maldives’ Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq. Her potential quarter-final opponent could be reigning Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei. However, her recent poor form, evident from early exits at the 2024 Indonesian Open and Singapore Open, remains a significant concern.
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