India at the Olympics 2024: Day 5 Highlights
On Day 5 of the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian athletes had some thrilling moments. Lakshya Sen achieved a huge win in badminton by defeating world No. 4 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, moving into the round of 16. Sreeja Akula made history in table tennis, reaching the round of 16, following in the footsteps of Manika Batra. In shooting, Swapnil Kusale progressed to the final of the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event, aiming for a medal.
Lakshya Sen Shines in Badminton
Lakshya Sen had a remarkable performance in badminton, where he defeated world No. 4 Jonatan Christie from Indonesia. This victory allowed him to win his group and move forward to the Round of 16. Sen's win is a huge boost for India's badminton contingent, showcasing his skill and determination on the international stage.
Sreeja Akula Makes History in Table Tennis, Manika Batra Eliminated
Sreeja Akula made history by advancing to the Round of 16 in the Women's Singles Table Tennis event. She is only the second Indian to reach this stage at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of Manika Batra, who achieved this milestone just a day earlier. Despite Manika Batra's subsequent elimination in the Round of 16, her historic run at the Olympics was commendable. She lost to Japan’s Miu Hirano in a hard-fought match, ending with a score of 1-4.
Swapnil Kusale Advances in Shooting
In shooting, Swapnil Kusale continued India's strong performance by reaching the final in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event. He is set to compete for a medal on the following day. This achievement marks a significant milestone for India in shooting, as Kusale becomes the first Indian to qualify for the Olympic finals in this event.
Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai in Archery
Deepika Kumari, a veteran in women's archery, won her match against Quinty Roeffen to advance to the 1/8 elimination round. However, the day also saw the elimination of another veteran archer, Tarundeep Rai, who lost to Great Britain's Tom Hall. Despite his loss, Rai's long and illustrious career in archery, spanning four Olympic Games, remains noteworthy.
Lovlina Borgohain Advances in Boxing
Lovlina Borgohain, a bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, progressed to the quarterfinals in the Women's 75kg boxing event. She is now just one win away from securing another medal for India. Her advancement adds to the excitement and hopes for India's boxing team at the Paris Olympics.
Upcoming Matches for HS Prannoy and Nishant Dev
HS Prannoy will compete later in the day in the Men's Singles badminton event, and Nishant Dev will take to the ring in the Men's 71kg boxing event. Their performances are highly anticipated and could add to India’s medal tally.
Emotional Moments and Historic Matches
The day was filled with emotional and memorable moments. In badminton, Tai Tzu Ying and Ratchanok Intanon shared a heartfelt moment after their match. This was likely their last meeting, marking the end of one of the greatest women’s singles rivalries in badminton.
Meanwhile, the badminton doubles draw for India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty was announced. They will face Chia-Soh of Malaysia, a team against whom they have a competitive history. This match is eagerly awaited by badminton fans.
Looking Ahead
As Day 5 concluded without any medals for India, the performances and progress made by Indian athletes set the stage for potential victories in the coming days. The resilience and determination shown by the athletes are commendable and continue to inspire fans back home.
