India at Paris 2024 Olympics, Day 1: Manu Bhaker advances; Satwik-Chirag and Lakshya Sen start strong

On the opening day of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian athlete Manu Bhaker stole the spotlight. The 22-year-old shooter impressed by securing third place in the qualification round of the women’s 10m air pistol event, ensuring her place in the final. This marked a significant achievement for India on the first day of the prestigious event.

Indian badminton players deliver strong performances

In the world of badminton, the Indian players showcased a promising start. The men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a commanding victory in straight sets, highlighting their potential in the tournament. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen made a strong impression in the men’s singles, defeating his opponent decisively. However, not all was smooth sailing for the Indian badminton contingent; the women’s doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa faced a setback, losing their opening match in straight sets.

Indian men’s hockey team edges out New Zealand

In a gripping tournament opener, the Indian men’s hockey team emerged victorious against New Zealand. The match saw crucial contributions from Mandeep Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and captain Harmanpreet Singh, who together secured a 3-2 win over the Black Sticks. This win sets a positive tone for India’s hockey campaign at the Olympics.

Close calls and missed opportunities in shooting

Indian shooters faced mixed outcomes in their events. Sarabjot Singh narrowly missed out on a place in the men’s 10m air pistol final, losing due to a count of inner 10s. Additionally, Arjun Cheema and Rhythm Sangwan in the women’s 10m air pistol failed to advance past the qualification round. Despite their best efforts, these athletes could not secure a spot in the medal rounds.

Boxing and table tennis updates

In boxing, Preeti Pawar emerged victorious in her opening bout in the women’s 54kg category, winning by unanimous decision. Table tennis player Harmeet Desai also made progress by advancing to the main draw of the men’s singles event, showcasing his readiness for the challenges ahead.

No medals on Day 1 but hopes remain high

The Indian contingent finished Day 1 of the Paris 2024 Olympics without a medal. The closest they came to a podium finish was in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, where both Indian teams fell short of reaching the medal matches. Despite these challenges, the performances on the opening day provide a foundation of hope and anticipation for the days to come.

Badminton: Ponnappa and Crasto face tough opponents next

In badminton, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto’s loss in their opening match against Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong of the Republic of Korea was a disappointment. The Indian pair was defeated in straight sets, 21-18, 21-10, in a match lasting 46 minutes. They will next face the fourth-seeded Japanese duo, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, on July 29, with hopes of a stronger performance.