In this series we introduce you to the Indian contingent taking part in the Olympics
On the way to the Paris 2024 Olympics, we are glad to present the last part of the series, highlighting India’s most inspiring athletes. This final edition comprises nine great players who have made it by the sweat of their brow, talent and dedication. Starting from the field to the mat, from the pitch to the court, these athletes are diverse and incredibly inspiring in their respective sports. Their qualification for the Olympics is the best proof of their passion and dedication to performing at their best. Tune in for this as we rejoice for them, learn more about their journey, and cheer for them.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor
Athletics (Men's Shot Put)
Tajinderpal Singh Toor (born 13 November 1994) is a dominant Indian shot putter, holding the Asian and national records with a throw of 21.77 meters. Supported by OGQ, Toor has achieved significant success in international competitions, including two Asian Games gold medals and multiple Asian Championships titles.
Achievements:
Asian Games: Gold medal (2022, 2018).
Asian Championships: Gold medal (2023, 2019), Silver medal (2017).
Asian Indoor Championships: Gold medal (2024, 2023), Silver medal (2018).
Ankita Bhakat
Ankita Bhakat. Pic Credit She The People
Archery (Women's Individual, Women's Team)
Ankita Bhakat (born 17 June 1998) is a talented Indian recurve archer, ranked World no. 20 by the World Archery Federation. As a key member of the Indian national recurve team, she competes in women's individual, women's team, and mixed team recurve categories. Her notable achievements include winning the gold medal in the recurve junior mixed team event at the 2017 World Archery Youth Championships in Rosario, Argentina.
Achievements:
Asian Games: Bronze medal (2022, Women's team recurve)
World Youth Archery Championships: Gold medal (2017, Team).
Sumit Nagal
Sumit Nagal. Pic Credit Paris Olympics
Tennis (Men's Singles)
Sumit Nagal (born 16 August 1997) is India's top-ranked professional tennis player, with a career-high singles ranking of world No. 68 as on 15 July 2024. As a member of India's national Davis Cup squad since 2018, Nagal has shown remarkable talent on the international stage. He won the 2015 Wimbledon boys' doubles title, becoming the sixth Indian to win a junior Grand Slam title.
Achievements:
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games: Gold medal (2017, Men's singles).
Kiran Pahal
Kiran Pahal. Pic Credit MyKhel
Athletics (Women's 400m)
Kiran Pahal (born 5 August 2000) is a prominent Indian athlete specialising in the 400 metres. Hailing from Haryana, she became the second Indian athlete to run sub-51 seconds in 2024. A three-time National champion, Pahal qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics by clocking 50.92 seconds in the 400m semifinals at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships.
Achievements:
National Champion in 400m: Multiple titles.
Part of 4 × 400 m relay teams that won National titles in 2019 and 2021.
Jyothi Yarraji
Jyothi Yarraji. Pic Credit Firstpost
Athletics (Women's 100m Hurdles)
Jyothi Yarraji (born 28 August 1999) is a record-breaking Indian track and field athlete from Andhra Pradesh, specialising in the 100-metre hurdles. She holds the National record and has repeatedly broken her own record since 2022. Yarraji's notable performances include winning gold in the 100m hurdles at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships and multiple medals in international competitions.
Achievements:
Asian Games: Silver medal (2022, 100m hurdles).
Asian Athletics Championships: Gold medal (2023, 100m hurdles), Silver medal (2023, 200 metres).
Asian Indoor Athletics Championships: Gold medal (2024, 60m hurdles), Silver medal (2023, 60m hurdles).
Summer World University Games: Bronze medal (2021, 100m hurdles).
Abha Khatua
Abha Khatua. Pic Credit Isidesport
Athletics (Women's Shot Put)
Abha Khatua (born 7 September 1995) is a distinguished Indian shot putter. She represented India at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, winning a silver medal. Khatua holds the National record with a throw of 18.41 meters, showcasing her exceptional talent in the field of shot put.
Achievements:
Asian Championships: Silver medal (2023, Shot Put).
Abdulla Aboobacker
Abdulla Aboobacker. Pic Credit Times of India
Athletics (Men's Triple Jump)
Abdulla Aboobacker is a talented Indian athlete specialising in the triple jump. He won the silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has shown promising performances in international competitions.
Achievements:
Commonwealth Games: Silver medal (2022, Triple jump).
Asian Athletics Championships: Gold medal (2023, Triple jump).
Praveen Chithravel
Praveen Chitravel . Pic Credit Wikipedia
Athletics (Men's Triple Jump)
Praveen Chithravel competes in the triple jump and is recognized for his strong performances. He achieved fourth place at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has a personal best of 17.18 metres.
Achievements:
LlAsian Games: Bronze medal (2022, Triple jump).
Asian Indoor Athletics Championships: Silver medal (2023, Triple jump).
Youth Olympic Games: Bronze medal (2018, Triple jump).
Jeswin Aldrin
Jeswin Aldrin. Pic Credit The Hindu
Athletics (Men's Long Jump)
Jeswin Aldrin, a long jumper from Tamil Nadu, holds the National record in long jump with a leap of 8.42 meters. He has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics and will represent India in the long jump event.
Achievements:
Asian Indoor Athletics Championships: Silver medal (2023, Long Jump).