In this series we introduce you to the Indian contingent taking part in the Olympics
India is all set and charged up with enthusiasm to witness its talented athletes compete at the Olympics in Paris. In this blog series, we celebrate and present the Indian team that will be participating in the games that are to follow.
This first part includes 15 of the greatest athletes who have showcased the most incredible talent, commitment, and strength in their sports. Moving from the veterans of the Olympics to the future champions, all these athletes have one thing in common, they have worked very hard and have delivered excellent performances. Before they take on the responsibility of flying the Indian flag at the global stage, it is important to know more about them, their accomplishments and possibilities in Paris.
Neeraj Chopra
The entire nation and perhaps the entire world had a reason to celebrate and feel proud when Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal in the javelin throw event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. His extraordinary skill in mastering pressure situations and his continued excellence in international events have given Indian athletes a reason to look up to. It is such a great story of someone who grew up in a village and made it to the world stage.
Birthplace Khandra, Haryana
Competition Contested In Athletics Men’s Javelin Throw
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2018
Gold medal at the Asian Games 2018
Silver medal at the Youth Olympics Qualification 2014
Arjuna Award (2018)
Vishist Seva Medal (2020).
Mirabai Chanu
Mirabai Chanu. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Tokyo 2020’s silver medalist, Mirabai Chanu, is still on the throne when it comes to weightlifting. She is also one of the most disciplined athletes, and she has dedicated her time to fine-tuning her skills. This has made her set and break records and win medals in different competitions in different countries. Her excellent performance during the recent World Championships, where she even set new personal bests, shows her progress.
Birthplace Nongpok Kakching, Manipur
Competition Contested In Women’s 49 Kg Weightlifting
Awards Won in the Past
Silver medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Gold medal at Commonwealth Games 2018
Gold medal at World Championships 2017
Silver medal at World Championships 2022
Bronze medal at Asian Championships 2020
Gold medal at Commonwealth Games 2022
Silver medal at Commonwealth Games 2014.
PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu. Pic Credit India Today
PV Sindhu, an Indian badminton player, is also among the world’s top players who has won the silver medal at Rio 2016 and a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. Sindhu is well-known in the world of badminton due to her aggressive form of play and her analytical mind; she has always been one of the best players. She is a possible medalist for the Paris Olympics 2024.
Birthplace Hyderabad, Telangana
Competition Contested In Badminton (Women’s Singles)
Awards Won in the Past
Silver medal at Rio 2016 Olympics
Bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Gold medal at World Championships 2019
5 World Championships medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
Multiple medals at Commonwealth Games and Asian Games
PV Sindhu's aggressive play and disciplined training make her one of the top contenders for a medal in Paris 2024.
Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina Borgohain. Pic Credit ABP Live
The woman who created history is Lovlina Borgohain, who bagged the bronze for the country in the women’s welterweight at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The confrontative attitude and the strategy she employed in the competition has enabled her to clinch many medals.
Birthplace Golaghat, Assam
Competition Contested In Boxing (Women’s 75 kg category)
Awards Won in the Past
Bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Gold medal at World Championships 2023
Bronze medals at World Championships 2018, 2019
Gold medal at Asian Championships 2022
Bronze medals at Asian Championships 2017, 2021
Silver medal at Asian Games 2023.
Avinash Sable
Avinash Sable. Pic Credit Marathi News
Avinash Sable has been one of the most promising Indian athletes in the 3000m steeplechase. He has some outstanding performances and national records to his credit and is steadily progressing in the international scene. Some of the excellent performances that he has displayed in the World Athletics Championships and the steady improvement in his timings make him a strong contender for a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Birthplace Mandwa, Maharashtra
Competition Contested In Athletics (Men’s 3000m Steeplechase)
Awards Won in the Past
National record in men's 3000m steeplechase (809.91)
National record in men's half marathon (10030)
Personal best in men's 5000m (1319.30)
Gold medal in men's 3000m steeplechase at Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games
Silver medal in men's 5000m at Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games
Silver medal in men's 3000m steeplechase at Doha 2019 Asian Athletics Championships
Silver medal in men's 3000m steeplechase at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Arjuna Award (2022).
Anjum Moudgil
Anjum Moudgil. Pic Credit The Hindu
Anjum Moudgil is an international shooter, and she has participated in various shooting competitions. She has a couple of World Cup medals and a silver at the World Championships; this is clear evidence that she is capable of fighting at the international level. Anjum has always been known for her accuracy and cool head in pressure situations, which have won her recognition internationally. Her prior performances in the World Cup events and her concentration during pressure situations are rather unmatchable, which makes her a tough competitor.
Birthplace Chandigarh
Competition Contested In Shooting (Women’s 50m Rifle Prone, 50m Rifle 3 Positions)
Awards Won in the Past
Silver medal in the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions at the ISSF World Cup in Mexico
Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, scoring 455.7 points (151.9 in kneeling and 157.1 in prone).
Bajrang Punia
Bajarang Punia. Pic Credit Mint
Bajrang Punia is one of India's most successful wrestlers, having won medals in the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. He is an eager and professional sportsman. Bajrang is a very tactical wrestler and his dedication makes him a strong contender for a medal in Paris.
Birthplace Khudan, Haryana
Competition Contested In Wrestling (Men’s Freestyle 65 kg)
Awards Won in the Past
Bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Only Indian wrestler to win 4 medals at the World Wrestling Championships.
Saurabh Chaudhary
Saurabh Chaudhary. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Saurabh Chaudhary is one of the young shooting sensations of the country who has claimed gold in the Asian Games and several World Cup events. He is one of the best players in the field since he is very precise and does not get stressed easily. Hence, Saurabh had the opportunity of winning a medal in Paris because he had prior experience and was in the process of improving. It is due to his calmness and precise skills that he has won many medals at the national level even before stepping into his teens. His cool-headedness and steady performances in the international forums make him a strong contender.
Birthplace Kalina, Uttar Pradesh
Competition Contested In Shooting (Men’s 10m Air Pistol)
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medal at the Asian Games 2018 (youngest Indian shooter to win a gold medal at the Asian Games)
Three medals (gold, silver, bronze) at the ISSF World Shooting Championships
Saurabh Chaudhary's calmness and precision make him a strong contender for a medal in Paris.
Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Vinesh Phogat is the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games. She is the only Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships
Vinesh Phogat's resilience and continuous improvement makes her a promising contender for a medal in Paris.
Birthplace Balali, Haryana
Competition Contested In Wrestling (Women’s 50 kg)
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, 2022)
Bronze medals at the World Championships (2019, 2022)
Gold medal at the Asian Games 2018.
Deepak Punia
Deepak Punia. Pic Credit India Today
Deepak Punia is one of the Indian wrestlers who has performed well in the Worlds and the Commonwealth Games. He has many international accomplishments, and all the credit goes to his technical skills and planning. He has his heart set on Paris, and with his spirit, Deepak can very well come back with a medal. Deepak’s technical skills and strategic style of wrestling have helped him clinch victories in numerous national and international championships.
Birthplace Chhara, Haryana
Competition Contested In Wrestling (Men’s Freestyle 86 kg)
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham
Gold medal at the 2019 Junior Wrestling Championship, Tallinn
Silver medal at the 2021 Asian Championship, Almaty
Bronze medal at the 2022 Yasar Dogu, Istanbul
Bronze medal at the 2020 Asian Championship, New Delhi
4th place at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Elavenil Valarivan
Elavenil Valarivan. Pic Credit Times of India
Elavenil Valarivan, who is considered the young shooting sensation, has set the shooting court on fire with her extraordinary performance. She also has World Cup medals in her name and was considered the best player in the world in 2019.
Birthplace Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
Competition Contested In Shooting (Women’s 10m Air Rifle)
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medal at the 2019 ISSF 10m Air Rifle World Cup in Rio de Janeiro (scoring 251.7)
Gold medal at the 2018 ISSF Junior World Cup
Silver medal at the 2019 World University Games
Gold medal at the World Junior World Cup Suhl 2019
Arjuna Award (2022)
Gold medal at the 10m Air Rifle Asian Air Gun Championships in Taoyuan, Taipei.
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar. Pic Credit Telegraph India
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar of India has recently bagged a gold medal in the ISSF World Cup shooting championship. His performance in pressure situations and his technical proficiency, especially in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, makes him a strong medal prospect for the Paris Olympics
Birthplace Ratanpur, Madhya Pradesh
Competition Contested In Shooting (Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions)
Awards Won in the Past
Bronze medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event at the 2019 Asian Shooting Championships (secured a quota place for India at the 2020 Summer Olympics)
Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar's focus and skill make him a promising contender for a medal in Paris.
Antim Panghal
Amit Panghal. Pic Credit MSN
Antim Panghal, a young and vibrant wrestler, has been rendering her best performances in both junior and senior sections. Because of her flexibility, power, and intelligence in the fight, she has been awarded national and international medals. It is indisputable that Antim has the opportunity to do well in Paris.
Birthplace Hisar, Haryana
Competition Contested In Wrestling (Women’s 53 Kg)
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medal at the Under-20 World Wrestling Championships (2022, 2023)
Bronze medal at the World Championships (2023)
Bronze medal at the Asian Championships (2023)
Bronze medal at the Asian Games (2023)
First Indian woman to become U-20 world champion in wrestling
UWW Rising Star of the Year 2023.
Sandeep Singh
Sandeep Singh. Pic Credit Sportstar
Sandeep Singh is a fine shooter who has won medals in various shooting events, including the ISSF World Cup and Asian Shooting Championships. He has had several podium finishes in the 10m air rifle event, proving that he is cool under pressure. Sandeep has also been a valuable asset to mixed-team events and has displayed great versatility and teamwork skills on the international level.
Birthplace Jhajjar, Haryana
Competition Contested In Shooting (Men’s 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team)
Awards Won in the Past
Multiple Junior World Championship titles
Senior World Championship Bronze Medallist
Sandeep Singh's versatile shooting skills and consistency make him a promising contender for a medal in Paris.
Swapnil Kusale
Swapnil Kusale. Pic Credit The Bridge
Swapnil Kusale has proved to be one of the best at shooting events and has excellent records in both national and international sports events. His career highlights can be named the victories at the World Cups and the championships of the continent, where he has shown the best results in the 50m rifle 3 positions events. Namely, the ability to consistently achieve high results and demonstrate flexibility in different formats of shooting points to Swapnil’s potential for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, which he will have to build on already successful experiences.
Birthplace: Satara, Maharashtra
Competition Contested In: Shooting (Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions)
Awards Won in the Past
Gold medal in 50m Rifle Prone event at the 2015 Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait (junior category)
Gold medal in the 50m Rifle Prone event at the 59th National Shooting Championship in Tughlakabad
Gold medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event at the 61st National Championship in Thiruvananthapuram
Swapnil Kusale's consistent performances and technical prowess make him a strong contender for a medal in Paris.