Paris Olympics: India's 10 Major Medal Hopes.

           Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker

Paris Olympics: India's 10 Major Medal Hopes.

                    India bagged seven medals, its best-ever Olympic show, at Tokyo 2020. Over the next fortnight, a strong contingent of 117 will go all out to break that record at the quadrennial showpiece event in Paris, the city hosting its third Olympics after 1900 and 1924. An assessment of India's 10 major medal hopes: Neeraj Chopra | Athletics, Men's Javelin Throw: India's finest athlete and single biggest medal hope. Paris Olympics opening ceremony: All you need to know Watch: India's biggest medal hope Neeraj Chopra sweats it out in gym ahead of Paris Olympics. The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist has won every championship of note, including the prestigious Diamond League. A dodgy adductor muscle, though, is an area of slight concern.

Neeraj Chopra | Athletics, Men's Javelin Throw

Neeraj Chopra stands as India's finest athlete and the single biggest medal hope at the Paris Olympics. His remarkable achievements, including the Tokyo Olympics gold and victories in every significant championship such as the Diamond League, mark him as a top contender. However, Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes reveal that Chopra’s dodgy adductor muscle remains a slight concern. Despite this, his resilience and determination in training, as seen in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, bolster the nation's hopes.

Nikhat Zareen | Boxing, Women's 50kg

Nikhat Zareen, the reigning queen of Indian boxing for the past two years, has consistently proven her prowess, winning back-to-back gold medals in the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes highlight her as a significant contender for a medal. Her skill and experience make her a formidable opponent in the women's 50kg boxing category. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony showcased the dedication and preparation of athletes like Zareen, making India hopeful for a medal.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty | Badminton, Men's Doubles

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had a landmark year in 2023, winning nearly everything, including the BWF World Tour Super 1000 title and the gold medal at the Asian Games. They climbed up to the world No. 1 ranking, making Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes a realistic goal. The fast courts in Paris are expected to suit their aggressive style, and if they can handle the pressure, a podium finish is highly likely. Their performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony will be eagerly watched.

PV Sindhu | Badminton, Women's Singles

PV Sindhu, with a silver in 2016 Rio and a bronze in 2020 Tokyo, is aiming to become the first Indian in badminton to win three Olympic medals. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes are pinned on her despite her recent struggles with form. Sindhu's tough draw likely pits her against defending champion Chen Yufei in the quarterfinals, but her experience and determination could see her through. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony highlighted Sindhu's relentless pursuit of excellence.

Antim Panghal | Wrestling, Women's 53kg Freestyle

Antim Panghal has won medals in every senior international tournament she has participated in, including a bronze in the 2023 World Championships. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes are high for her, especially since Japan's unbeaten Akari Fujinami isn't in her half. Panghal stands a decent chance of making it to the final, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian wrestling. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony underscored the significance of such emerging talents.

Aman Sehrawat | Wrestling, Men's 57kg Freestyle

Speedy and agile, debutant Olympian Aman Sehrawat is in top form, having struck gold at both the 2022 Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Championships. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes include Sehrawat, who overcame childhood idol and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Dahiya in the selection trials. His performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony will be crucial in boosting India's medal tally.

Sift Kaur Samra | Shooting: Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions

Sift Kaur Samra, shooting's brightest hope, possesses incredible calm and precision. The 22-year-old from Punjab clinched an individual gold and team silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes rest on her shoulders, especially after she broke the 50m rifle 3 positions' world record last year. Her performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony will be a testament to her preparation and focus.

Manu Bhaker | Shooting: Women's 25m Pistol & 10m Air Pistol Team

Manu Bhaker aims for redemption after Tokyo 2020 saw her in tears following a pistol malfunction. The 22-year-old will represent India in three separate events: women's 25m air pistol, women's 10m air pistol, and 10m air pistol mixed team. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes include Bhaker, whose reunion with former India shooter Jaspal Rana as her coach has resulted in a sharp upswing in her scores. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony will mark her determination to succeed.

Tarundeep Rai, Dheeraj Bommadevara, Pravin Jadhav | Archery, Men's Recurve Team

India has never won an archery medal at the Olympics, despite winning numerous medals at various World Cups. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes feature the men's recurve team as the best bet. At the World Cup Stage 1 in April, the trio toppled reigning Olympic champions South Korea to grab the team gold. Their performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony will be closely watched, hoping to break the archery medal jinx.

Hockey | Men's Team

The men's hockey team ended a 40-year-long medal drought by winning a bronze in Tokyo, followed by gold at the Hangzhou Asiad, booking its trip to Paris. Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes include the hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh. India is in Pool B along with reigning Olympic champion Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. The team must finish among the top four to progress to the quarters, making the Paris Olympics opening ceremony a significant moment for Indian hockey.

Do You Know?

Kolkata-born sprinter Purma C Bannerjee was India's first Olympic flag-bearer in Antwerp 1920. As we look forward to the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, it's essential to remember the legacy and inspiration of athletes like Bannerjee.

Paris Olympics: India's 10 major medal hopes reflect the country's growing strength in various sports. With a strong contingent of 117 athletes, India aims to surpass its best-ever Olympic show at Tokyo 2020. The Paris Olympics opening ceremony will be a grand spectacle, showcasing India's rich talent and determination to excel on the global stage.