Day 1 Highlights from Paris Olympics 2024: India’s Victory Over New Zealand

It’s official! The Paris Olympics 2024 has kicked off with some exciting performances from Indian athletes. Day one has been nothing short of thrilling, with India’s badminton stars and the men’s hockey team making headlines with their victories.

First up, Indian badminton players Lakshya Sen and the duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy both started their matches on a high note, clinching wins in their opening games. Meanwhile, the women’s badminton team was also in action, with Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponappa facing off against the South Korean pair of Kong Hee Yong and Kim so-yeong.

In the realm of shooting, Manu Bhaker has already secured a spot in the finals of the women’s 10m air pistol event. She finished strong, landing in third position with a score of 580-27x. After experiencing heartbreak at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, her performance here signifies a remarkable comeback. Unfortunately, Rhythm Sangwan finished in 15th place with a score of 573-14x.

The excitement didn’t stop there, as the men’s hockey team kicked off their campaign with a gripping match against New Zealand. The team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, faced a tough start when New Zealand scored first, putting India under pressure at 0-1 at the end of the first quarter.

However, India bounced back with a tenacious effort, turning the match around. Goals from Mandeep Singh and Vivek Kumar Sagar helped India to a 2-1 lead. Just when it seemed like they might secure a solid win, New Zealand equalized, bringing the score to 2-2.

But India didn’t give up! With only two minutes left on the clock, captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke, sealing the match at 3-2 in favor of India. This victory marks a strong start for India in Pool B as they aim to secure their place in the quarter-finals against formidable teams, including Argentina and Australia.

The scene at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium was electric, with fans cheering as the Indian team fought for every goal. The efforts of veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh were particularly commendable, showcasing his skills as he prepares for his final Olympic appearance.