India Kicks Off Paris Olympics 2024 with an Exciting Day

The Paris Olympics 2024 kicked off with an energetic start for India on the first day of events, showcasing some thrilling performances from athletes across various sports.

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker made waves by advancing to the finals of the women’s 10m air pistol event with confidence, finishing third in the qualification round. Her coach, Jaspal Rana, expressed pride but reminded everyone that the job isn’t done yet.

The Indian men’s hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, began their campaign on a high note by defeating New Zealand 3-2 in a nail-biting match which saw India rally back after trailing in the first quarter. Goals by Mandeep Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad set the stage for a dramatic finish when Harmanpreet scored the winning penalty just a minute before the match ended.

Badminton also saw bright moments for India as Lakshya Sen won his opening singles match against Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon. Following that, the talented men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty cruised to victory over the French duo, further lifting India’s spirits in the badminton arena.

Table tennis newcomer Harmeet Desai impressed by breezing through his first match, defeating Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman. Meanwhile, Balraj Panwar, who competed in rowing, moved on to the repechage after finishing fourth.

In boxing, 20-year-old Preeti Pawar showcased her skill by winning her match against Vietnam’s Kim Thi Anh Vo, thus progressing to the pre-quarterfinals. She showcased a strong comeback after losing the first round.

On the other hand, the day had its share of disappointments. Indian paddlers Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta finished lower than expected in their shooting events, while Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto faced defeat in their women’s doubles badminton match against South Korea’s Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong.

As the day continued, the excitement only grew. Various events took place with international rugby matches featuring countries like the United States and Australia, showcasing their prowess in the water and on the field, all while iconic athletes like Rafael Nadal pondered their participation in singles games.