India’s Day 11 at Paris 2024 Olympics: Vinesh Phogat and Neeraj Chopra shine; Hockey team falls short

On Day 11 of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian athletes made headlines with standout performances in wrestling and javelin throw, but faced setbacks in hockey and table tennis. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra emerged as the day’s biggest stars, while the men’s hockey team suffered a narrow defeat in the semi-finals.

Vinesh Phogat: A Historic Achievement

Vinesh Phogat captivated audiences with her historic performance in the women’s wrestling competition. At 29, Phogat became the first Indian female wrestler to advance to the gold medal match at the Olympics. Her remarkable journey included a dramatic comeback against defending champion Yui Susaki in the first round, overcoming Oksana Livach in the quarter-finals, and defeating Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-finals.

Phogat’s performance marked a significant milestone for Indian wrestling, showcasing her resilience and skill on the world stage.

Neeraj Chopra: Dominant in Javelin Throw

Neeraj Chopra continued to impress in the men’s javelin throw, qualifying for the finals with a season-best throw of 89.34 metres, his second-best overall. Chopra’s performance reaffirmed his status as a leading competitor in the javelin event, setting the stage for a potential back-to-back gold medal victory.

Despite Chopra’s success, his compatriot Kishore Jena struggled in the qualification round and did not advance further in the competition.

Hockey Team’s Semi-Final Setback

In a dramatic men’s hockey semi-final, the Indian team fell short against Germany with a 3-2 defeat. Despite a strong start, India trailed 2-1 at halftime. Although they equalised in the third quarter, Germany scored a decisive goal late in the match. The loss ended India’s hopes of securing their first hockey gold since the Moscow 1980 Olympics. The team will now compete against Spain for the bronze medal on August 8 at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.

Table Tennis and 400m Setbacks

In table tennis, Indian players Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar were eliminated in the men’s team round of 16 by the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, Kiran Pahal’s hopes in the women’s 400m event were dashed as she failed to advance to the semi-finals after finishing last in her repechage round heats.