The Games are now behind us, and it has been a somewhat bittersweet campaign for India. Although it sealed six medals, the overall performance was less outstanding compared with what it did at the Tokyo Olympics - where it won seven medals. This time, there were no golds to celebrate - also a first since the Tokyo Games when India marked its best-ever medal haul. Let's see how India's journey unfolded at these Games.
A Mixed Bag of Success
Entering the event with its largest-ever delegation of 117 athletes, India aimed to finish high on the medal tally in Paris. Many had expected the country to go past the double-digit mark for the first time. Although this ambitious goal was not reached, India's performance had its moments.
Early Shooting Success
Shooter Manu Bhaker opened India's Olympic campaign with a high note. Bhaker took home a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event on July 28. Her win was an auspicious beginning and an omen for success to the contingent.
Bhaker's success didn't end there. On July 30, she became the first Indian to win multiple medals in a single Olympic edition since independence, grabbing another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, with her partner Sarabjot Singh. This was one of the bigger milestones, really, that turned out to prove the exceptional talent Bhaker was and gave proof of the potential of Indian shooting.
More Medals from the Shooting Range
The momentum did not stop there as Swapnil Kusale took the Indian medal count further up. On August 1, Kusale secured the bronze in men's 50m rifle three positions event. This was India's maiden medal in rifle 3P and a sweet triumph where the sport had finished outside the medal brackets in the last two Olympics in Rio and Tokyo.
Analysis of Performance
While these six medals of India are commendable, the fact that none of them are gold is a sad contrast to the previous Olympics. The country had entered the Games with high expectations, and though it fell short of its ambitious targets, achievements in shooting should not be forgotten.
Conclusion
India's campaign at the Paris Olympics was a mix of promise and disappointment, with six medals won to showcase the country's growing prowess in sports like shooting, while at the same time, having no golds and not bettering the previous tally provided room for reflection. A build-up on these should be the focus as India looks towards future Olympics for a more successful and golden run.
Keep watching for more updates and analyses as the world of sport continues to see India through. ????????????
Stay tuned for more updates and analyses as the world of sport continues to see India through. ????????????
