In this series we introduce you to the Indian contingent participating in Paris Olympics
The buzz for the Paris 2024 Olympics is on and in this article, we get to know more about India’s promising athletes. In this second part of our blog series, we present to you another 15 excellent players who have made it to the biggest sports arena. While profiling them and acknowledging their accomplishments in their various fields, we pay respect to their humility and pride in the nation. So, welcome to the stories of these remarkable people, who are the dreams of millions, fighting for Olympic victories and trying to earn their place in the history of the world at Paris 2024.
Prithviraj Thondaiman
Prithviraj Tondaiman has been very consistent and precise in the men’s trap shooting event. He has proved himself in different competitions like the World Cup. Prithviraj’s commitment to intense training and his competitiveness make him a good bet for a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. All that Prithviraj has achieved and the journey that he has had are a clear indication of the effort that he has put into the sport. Prithviraj Thondaiman's groundbreaking achievements in international trap shooting events highlight his potential for success at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Birthplace: Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu
Competition Contested In: Shooting Men’s Trap
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Lonato, Italy (2023)
Bronze Medal at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Doha (2023).
Vikas Singh
Vikash Singh. Pic Credit Junior Age
Vikash Singh is a dedicated Indian athlete specializing in the 20km race walk. Supported by OGQ (Olympic Gold Quest), he has been selected to proudly represent India at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. His journey showcases perseverance, skill, and a commitment to achieving excellence in his sport on the global stage.
Birthplace: Seelampur, Delhi
Competition Contested In: Athletics Men’s 20km Race Walk
Awards Won in the Past:
Achieved the qualification time for the Paris Olympic Games in men's 20km race-walking (2023).
Paramjeet Bisht
Paramjeet Singh Bisht. Pic Credit News 18
Paramjeet Singh Bisht, born on 3 March 2002 in Uttarakhand, is a promising Indian athlete specialising in the 20km race walk. Selected to represent India at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, he is supported by OGQ (Olympic Gold Quest). His journey reflects dedication and skill in a demanding discipline, aiming to make a mark on the global stage of athletics.
Paramjeet Bisht’s consistent performance and ability to meet Olympic standards underscore his readiness for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Birthplace: Uttarkhand
Competition Contested In: Athletics Men’s 20km Race Wal
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the Asian 20km Race Walking Championships (2023)
Met the Olympic qualifying mark for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (2023).
Preeti Pawar
Preeti Pawar. Pic Credit Telegraph India
Preeti Pawar has also been splendid in the boxing arena, primarily due to her quick foot movement and planning. There are many national and international medals to her credit, which proves that she can be a champion. In 2020 and 2021, she grabbed silver and gold medals at the Khelo India Youth Games, and she also clinched a silver medal at the Youth Asian Championships in 2021. Preeti has been hailed and recognized by fellow boxers as a fast, flexible, and well-planned boxer. She has one of the best chances of winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics boxing event, thus building her career further.
Birthplace: Bhiwani, Haryana
Competition Contested In: Boxing Women’s 54kg
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the Asian Games (2022).
Ramita Jindal
Ramita Jindal. Pic Credit Hindustan Times
Ramita Jindal, a new sensation in shooting, has already proved her mettle in 10m Air Rifle as well as in the Mixed Team event. She has been very precise in her work and never gets easily ruffled; this has been her strength. Ramita has displayed tremendous technical skills and a strong discipline in the sport and has won several medals in national and international championships. Ramita’s experience and commitment are sure to get her a medal position.
Birthplace: Ladwa, Haryana
Competition Contested In: Shooting Women’s 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
Awards Won in the Past:
Silver Medal at the Asian Games (2022) in 10m Air Rifle Team
Bronze Medal at the Asian Games (2022) in 10m Air Rifle.
Dhiraj Bommadevara
Dhiraj Bommadevara. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Dhiraj Bommadevara has proven his mettle in both individual and team archery championships. More so, the World Championships, the Olympics, and other similar events. Dhiraj was able to keep his cool during pressured moments, which is why he has been receiving recognition and has become one of the leading players on the Indian archery team. With his commitment to training and his natural archery skills, Dhiraj has the potential to win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and make Indian archery fans proud.
Birthplace: Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh
Competition Contested In: Archery Men’s Individual, Men’s Team
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai (2024) Men’s Team
Silver Medal at the Archery World Cup in Antalya (2023) Men’s Team
Bronze Medals at various Archery World Cup events in 2023 and 2024 in individual and team events
Silver Medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou (2022) Men’s Team
Gold Medal at the World Youth Championships in Wraclow (2021) Junior Men’s Team.
Esha Singh
Esha Singh. Pic Credit Outlook India
Esha Singh has proved to be a great shooter in 25m pistol shooting and has won many medals in various international championships. Hard work and commitment are two qualities that Esha has not lacked, and this has made her a formidable contender.
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Telangana
Competition Contested In: Shooting Women’s 25m Pistol
Awards Won in the Past:
- Multiple Gold Medals at the World Championships and ISSF Junior World Championships (2022, 2023)
- Gold and Silver Medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou (2022).
Rhythm Sangwan
Rhythm Sangwan. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Pistol shooter, Rhythm Sangwan is supported by OGQ. She has delivered when it mattered and has grabbed medals in Shooting World Cups and Shooting Championship at junior as well as at senior level.
Rhythm Sangwan’s consistent performances and numerous medals make her a strong candidate for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Women’s 10m Air Pistol, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team
Awards Won in the Past:
Multiple Gold Medals at the World Championships, ISSF World Cup, and Asian Airgun Championships (2022, 2023)
Silver and Bronze Medals at the World Championships and ISSF World Cup (2022).
Vijayveer Sidhu
Vijayveer Sidhu. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Vijayveer Sidhu has won the bronze medal in Men's 25m rapid fire pistol team in the 2022 Asian Games. He bagged an Olympic quota berth for the Paris Olympics in the 25m rapid fire by winning a silver medal at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers.
HIs consistent show makes him a good medal prospect.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou (2022) Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Team.
Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar
Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar. Pic Credit Desh Gujarat
Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar are prominent names in Indian table tennis, known for their skill and achievements in the sport. Harmeet Desai has been a stalwart in Indian table tennis, with notable performances in international tournaments, showcasing his prowess on the global stage. Manav Thakkar, a rising star in the sport, has made waves with his impressive performances and is regarded as one of India's most promising table tennis talents. Both athletes continue to inspire and contribute significantly to the growth and recognition of Indian table tennis worldwide.
Competition Contested In: Table Tennis Men’s Doubles.
Ram Baboo
Ram Baboo. Pic Credit Khel India
Ram Baboo, hailing from Bahuara village in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, is an inspiring Indian track athlete. Despite working as a daily wage labourer and a hotel waiter, he pursued his passion for athletics with remarkable dedication. He received his schooling from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and underwent 6 months of training at Major Dhyanchand Sports College, Saifai, before moving to Bhopal for further training. His hard work and perseverance paid off when he clinched a bronze medal in the team 35 km race walk event at the 2022 Asian Games, garnering widespread acclaim for his achievement.
Competition Contested In: Athletics Mixed 35km Race Walk
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou (2022) Mixed 35km Race Walk.
Srihari Nataraj
Srihari Natraj. Pic Credit News 18
Srihari Nataraj is one of India’s brightest swimming talents. He has set many national records, made it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and shown a lot of improvement since then. Currently in good form at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and other international competitions, Srihari may very well make a name for himself in the 100m backstroke race in the Paris Olympics.
Competition Contested In: Swimming Men’s 100m Backstroke
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medals at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu (2019) in 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, and 4x100m medley relay.
Achieved the qualification time for the Paris Olympic Games in men's 20km race-walking (2023)ional level as well as international level competitions. Therefore, she is among the swimmers to watch out for due to her performance at the Asian Age Group Championships and her records in the freestyle events.
Birthplace: Bangalore, Karnataka
Competition Contested In: Swimming Women’s 200m Freestyle
Awards Won in the Past:
National Records in 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 200m individual medley at the Junior and Sub-Junior National Aquatic Championship (2023)
Gold Medals at the National Games in Goa and Karnataka Mini Olympics (2024)
Gold at the 76th Senior National Aquatic Championships in women’s 200m freestyle (2023)
Gold at the 54th Singapore National Age Group in 200m freestyle (2024).
Shubhankar Sharma – Golf (Men)
Shubhankar Sharma . Pic Credit Sportstar/The Hindu
Shubhankar Sharma is one of the finest golfers in India who has made remarkable achievements on the European Tour recently. Sharma has two European Tour titles and played well at the 2018 WGC-Mexico Championship, where he finished T9. He is a very good golfer; in fact, he has the capability to bring a medal for India at the Paris Championships. Shubhankar Sharma’s success across various international tours and major championships makes him a key player to watch at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Competition Contested In: Golf (Men)
Awards Won in the Past:
Two wins on the European Tour
Two wins on the Asian Tour
One win on the Sunshine Tour
Multiple other wins
Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year (2018)
Asian Tour Order of Merit winner (2018)
Best result in major championships: T8 at The Open Championship (2023)
Shreyasi Singh
Shreyasi Singh. Pic Credit Olympic Games
Shreyasi Singh (born 29 August 1991) is an accomplished Indian shooter from Bihar, India. She won a gold medal in the women's double trap event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a silver medal in the same event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
- Birthplace: Gidhaur, Jamui district, Bihar
- Competition Contested In: Shooting Women’s Trap
- Awards Won in the Past:
- Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast (2018) in Double Trap
- Silver Medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (2014) in Double Trap
- Bronze Medal at the Asian Games in Incheon (2014) in Double Trap Team
- Gold Medal at the 61st National Shooting Championship (2017) in Double Trap.