Paris Olympics 2024: Who are India’s key rivals? Read in Detail
Paris Olympics 2024: Several Indian athletes are strong favourites for medals at the Paris Olympics 2024. Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu and PV Sindhu have proven their mettle in previous Olympics, while newcomers Nikhat Zareen, Antim Panghal and Sift Kaur Samra aim to make their mark in their debut Olympic campaigns. The road to the podium will be challenging, as these athletes will face top global competitors.
Here’s a look at the key rivals
Neeraj Chopra vs Jakub Vadlejch and Arshad Nadeem
As the world and defending Olympic champion, Neeraj Chopra is a favourite to repeat his Tokyo success. However, he faces stiff competition from Czechia’s Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver in Tokyo and recently excelled at the European Athletics Championships, and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who clinched silver at the World Championships and has breached the 90m mark.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team vs Australia
Australia has been a formidable opponent for the Indian men’s hockey team, defeating India 7-1 in the 2020 Olympics group stage and 7-0 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. India may face Australia twice in Paris, with critical group-stage and potential semifinal encounters.
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PV Sindhu aims to be the first Indian to win three individual Olympic medals. She will need to overcome world no. 2 Chen Yufei, who defeated PV Sindhu in their last encounter at the 2023 French Open. Sindhu is expected to advance from her group, but faces a tough challenge from Yufei in the semifinals.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty vs Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang
The world no. 3 badminton doubles pair, Satwik-Chirag, are strong medal contender, but must overcome the top-seeded Chinese pair Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, who have had the upper hand in past encounters.
Mirabai Chanu vs Hou Zhihui
Mirabai Chanu, already an Indian icon with a Tokyo silver and multiple World medals, will contend with China’s Hou Zhihui, a dominant force with 11 world records and Olympic gold. Chanu will need to surpass Zhihui’s impressive totals for gold.
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Antim Panghal, with a bronze from the 2023 Worlds and a spot at the Paris Olympics, is seeded fourth and could face the undefeated Akari Fujinami in the final. Fujinami, a formidable competitor, has not lost a bout since 2017.
Lovlina Borgohain vs Li Qian
Lovlina Borgohain, aiming to be the first Indian boxer with two Olympic medals, will likely face China’s Li Qian, a multiple medalist who defeated Borgohain in recent bouts. Borgohain’s key challenge will be overcoming Qian, who has been a dominant force in the ring.
Nikhat Zareen vs Buse Naz Cakiroglu
Debuting at the Olympics, Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion, will contend with Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu. Cakiroglu, who has multiple World medals and a silver from Tokyo 2020, poses a significant challenge for Zareen.
Vinesh Phogat vs Yui Susaki
Phogat, who has yet to win an Olympic medal but is a notable figure in Indian wrestling, may face Japan’s Yui Susaki, a gold medalist and four-time world champion. Susaki’s impressive record makes her a formidable opponent for Phogat.
Sift Kaur Samra vs Han Jiayu and Zhang Qiongyue
At 22, Samra, an Asian Games gold medallist and bronze winner at the Munich World Cup, will compete against China’s Han Jiayu and Zhang Qiongyue, who have medaled at the World Championships. Great Britain’s Seonaid McIntosh, with three golds in 2024 World Cups, is another strong contender.