India’s Day 10 at Paris 2024 Olympics: Lakshya Sen falls short; Avinash Sable secures Steeplechase final spot

Day 10 at the Paris 2024 Olympics brought a blend of disappointment and achievement for Indian athletes. While Lakshya Sen narrowly missed out on securing India’s first Olympic men’s singles badminton medal, Avinash Sable made headlines by advancing to the final of the men’s 3000m steeplechase. The day also saw close calls in shooting and table tennis, and a promising debut in wrestling.

Lakshya Sen’s Near Miss

Lakshya Sen came agonisingly close to winning India’s first Olympic medal in men’s singles badminton. After clinching the first game against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, Sen found himself locked in a tense battle. Despite a valiant effort, he lost the bronze medal match in a dramatic three-game encounter. This result was a heartbreaker for Sen and the Indian badminton community, as the victory would have marked a historic achievement for the sport in India.

Shooting and Table Tennis Close Calls

In shooting, Maheshwari Chauhan and Anand Jeet Singh Naruka narrowly missed out on the podium in the skeet mixed team event. The pair lost the bronze medal contest by just one point to the People’s Republic of China. This narrow defeat concluded India’s shooting campaign at Paris 2024 with three bronze medals, reflecting a competitive but ultimately underwhelming performance.

Meanwhile, in table tennis, Manika Batra shone in the women’s team round of 16 match against Romania. Her two victories were crucial in helping India advance to the quarter-finals, showcasing her individual brilliance in a key team event.

Avinash Sable’s Steeplechase Success

Avinash Sable emerged as a standout performer on Day 10, securing a spot in the final of the men’s 3000m steeplechase. In round 1, Sable finished fifth in heat 2 with a time of 8:15.43, just shy of his personal best. Despite dropping from an early lead to fourth and then fifth place, Sable’s performance was sufficient to advance to the final, scheduled for August 8. His qualification is a significant achievement, highlighting his potential on the Olympic stage.

Wrestling Debuts and Sailing Challenges

Indian wrestling made its debut at the Paris Games, with Nisha Dahiya impressing on her Olympic debut. She defeated former European champion Tetiana Sova in the round of 16. However, an injury during the quarter-finals led to a heartbreaking loss against Pak Sol Gum from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

In sailing, Indian athletes Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan were unable to qualify for the medal race in their respective events, marking a disappointing end to their Olympic campaigns.