In this series we introduce you to the Indian contingent taking part in the Olympics
Continuing our series on Indian athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The third part of the series focuses on another set of 15 sportspersons who are determined to represent their countries on the world stage. Their passion, their gruelling exercises, and previous performances are enough to make them potential Olympic champions. Tune in to be a part of this celebration for these icons and their remarkable accomplishments and for the future as they strive to bring more glory to India in the sporting arena.
Aman Sehrawat
Wrestler Aman Sehrawat has the Asian champion and was the U23 World champion. He is famous for his fast legs and muscular stamina, which makes him highly powerful on the mat. Despite having a relatively low experience on the senior circuit and high expectations placed on him, Aman’s spirit and perseverance can be seen. His history truly defines his character, proving himself as a very dedicated and hardworking athlete.
Competition Contested In: Wrestling
Awards Won in the Past:
First National Championship title in 2021.
Parul Chaudhary
Parul Choudhary has done well in the women’s 3000m steeplechase and the women’s 5000m. She has won medals and titles at the national championships and at the Asian Games, where she proved her stamina. She has dreams of competing on the international level and making India proud in the field of distance running.
Parul Chaudhary’s dramatic victory in the 5000m at the 2023 Asian Games underscores her competitive edge and potential for success in Paris.
Competition Contested In: Athletics Women’s 5000m
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
Rajeshwari Kumari
Rajeshwari Kumari. Pic credit Paris Olympics
Rajeshwari Kumari has proven her mental ability in the women’s trap shooting event, where she won medals in both the ISSF World Cup and the Asian Shooting Championships. She’s very precise and confident when on the field, making her a formidable rival. Rajeshwari has always been a very keen, focused, and consistent performer.
Her achievements in trap shooting, including her silver medal at the Asian Games, highlight her as a strong contender for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Women’s Trap
Awards Won in the Past:
Silver Medal at the Women's Trap Team event in the 2022 Asian Games
Arjun Cheema
Arjun Cheema. Pic credit Facebook
Arjun Cheema excels in shooting and has won medals in the ISSF Junior World Cup and other such championships. His concentration and technical ability have made him one of the leading sharpshooters in India. Arjun has the desire and focus to perform on the international level, especially at the Olympics, and he represents India with every shot he takes.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Men’s 10m Air Pistol, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the 2022 Asian Games in the 10m Air Pistol Team event.
Nishant Dev
Nishant Dev. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Pugilist Nishant Dev has been a formidable rival in the men’s 71 kg category. Some of his career achievements are podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Championships, during which he displayed his tactical boxing and punching power. Nishant is the one to watch out for at Paris 2024, as he has the agility and the strategic thinking.
His impressive record in national and international boxing competitions positions him as a strong contender for a medal in Paris.
Competition Contested In: Boxing Men’s 71 kg
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze at the 2023 Men's World Championships, Tashkent
Gold Medal at the 6th Elite Men's National Boxing Championship (2023)
Quarter-Final Finish at the World Championships, Serbia (2021)
Gold Medal at the 5th Elite Men's National Boxing Championship (2021)
Gold Medal at the Grand Slam Asian Boxing Championship (2019)
Silver Medal at the 4th Elite Men's National Boxing Championship (2019)
Gold Medal at the 2nd Khelo India Youth Games (2019)
Raiza Dhillon
Raiza Dhillon. Pic Credit Firstpost
One such athlete is Raiza Dhillon, who has proven her mettle in the women’s skeet event and has been bagging medals in Asian Shooting Championships and other similar championship events. She is very consistent and a very determined lady, to the extent of being among the best in her sport.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Women’s Skeet
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the Asian Shotgun Championships (2024)
Gold Medal at the 2024 Kuwait City Skeet Team event
Silver Medal at the 2024 Kuwait City Skeet event
Bronze Medal at the 2024 Kuwait City Skeet Mixed Team event.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka
Among Anantjeet Singh Naruka's achievements are medals in skeet shooting at the ISSF World Cup and the Asian Championships. His hard work has made him one of the best shooters in India today.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Men’s Skeet, Skeet Mixed Team
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal in Men's Skeet at the 2015 National Shotgun Championship.
Vishnu Saravanan
has won medals in the Asian Sailing Championship and other such tournaments. He has strategic ability and a passion for the sport; thus, he is a potential medalist. In on-water training and tactics, Vishnu was always ahead of the pack, achieving his dream of standing on the Olympic podium in Paris 2024.
Competition Contested In: Sailing en’s One Person Dinghy
Awards Won in the Past:
National Champion (2017 to 2023)
Bronze Medal at the 2019 U21 World Championships in Croatia
Silver Medal at the 2021 Mussanah Open Olympic Qualifiers
Finished 20th at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (2nd best among Asians)
Gold Medal at the 2022 Asian Sailing Championships in Abu Dhabi
Bronze Medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Secured India’s first Paris 2024 Olympic quota in sailing
Anush Agarwalla
Anush Agrawalla has proven to be quite proficient in the sport of dressage, as he has bagged medals in the Asian Equestrian Championships and other similar events. It is for these reasons that he has become one of the foremost authorities in his sport. Having a good relationship with his horses, Anush still trains and improves his skills and moves to perform and impress the judges and the spectators in the Olympic Games.
PCompetition Contested In: Equestrian Dressage
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal in the Team Event at the 2022 Asian Games
Bronze Medal in the Individual Event at the 2022 Asian Games
Nethra Kumanan
Nethra Kumanan. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Nethra Kumanan has recently created history as she became the first-ever woman from India to be able to qualify for the Olympic sailing event. She has also clinched medals at the Asian Sailing Championships and other competitions abroad, thus putting her in an excellent position to achieve more in Paris. Nethra has been very consistent and can perform well in all weather conditions, which makes her a tough competitor.
Competition Contested In: Sailing Women’s One-Person Dinghy
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the Asian Championships (2021)
Silver Medal at the Asian Championships (2022)
Gold Medal at the Asian Championships (2022).
HS Prannoy
HS Prannoy is among the top Indian players who have made their mark in the global badminton arena. He is a powerful attacker known for his ferocious smashes and aggressive tactics on the court. He won a bronze medal in the 2022 BWF World Championships and has other championships under his belt, such as those in the BWF World Tour.
HS Prannoy’s consistent performance and key contributions to team victories make him a formidable contender for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Competition Contested In: Badminton Men’s Singles
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the 2023 World Championships
Bronze Medal at the 2022 Asian Games
Part of India’s winning team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Part of India’s winning team at the 2022 Thomas Cup
Lakshya Sen
Lakshya Sen is one of the young talents of Indian badminton who is performing well in international tournaments. He emerged as champion in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and clinched the silver medal at the 2021 BWF World Championships. With his quick ascent in the rankings, coupled with his current successes against some of the world’s greatest opponents, he is well poised to vie for a spot on the rostrum in Paris.
Competition Contested In: Badminton Men’s Singles
Alwards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the Asian Junior Championships (2018)
Silver Medal at the Youth Olympics (2018)
First BWF World Tour title at the Dutch Open (2019)
PBronze Medal at the BWF World Championships (2021).
Manika Batra
Manika Batra, Pic Credit The Hans India
Manika Batra’s exceptional skills and medal-winning performances make her a strong contender in table tennis for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Her recent wins against stronger opponents gives her the confidence to do more and aim for the podium finish in Paris.
Competition Contested In: Table Tennis
Awards Won in the Past:
Bronze Medal at the 2018 Asian Games
Bronze Medal at the 2022 Asian Cup
Two Gold Medals at the Commonwealth Games
One Silver and One Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Games
Sharath Kamal
Sharath Kamal is one of the top table tennis players from India who has been in the sport for over two decades. He has won many medals, such as those in the Commonwealth Games and the singles and team events. He is a key member of the Indian table tennis team mainly due to his knowledge and expertise. Sharath has been a leader and very consitent.
Competition Contested In: Table Tennis
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games (Men's Singles, Men's Team)
Gold Medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games (Men's Doubles)
Bronze Medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games (Men's Team)
Gold Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Men's Team)
Silver Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Men's Doubles)
Bronze Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Men's Singles, Mixed Doubles)
Gold Medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (Men's Singles, Men's Team, Mixed Doubles)
Silver Medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (Men's Doubles)
Bronze Medals at the Asian Games (2018 - Mixed Doubles, Men's Team).
Arjun Babuta
Arjun Babuta. Pic Credit DD news
Shooter Arjun Babuta has proved to be a strong athlete, especially in the men's and mixed-team categories. Thus, he has many national and international medals, including gold at the ISSF Junior World Cup, due to his accuracy and reliability. Having reserved a quota for Paris 2024, Arjun is in a good position to do well and can hope to clinch a medal.
Competition Contested In: Shooting Men’s 10m Air Rifle
Awards Won in the Past:
Gold Medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup (2016 - 10m Air Rifle Jr. Men Team)
Bronze Medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup (2016 - 10m Air Rifle Jr. Men, 2018 - 10m Air Rifle Jr. Men)
Gold Medal at the World University Games (2021 - 10m Air Rifle Team).