India’s medal hopes at the Paris Olympics will be tested on Thursday as Swapnil Kusale takes aim in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions competition. Kusale’s performance could potentially secure India’s third shooting medal of the Games, a historic feat.
In badminton, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty face a formidable challenge against former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia. Double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will also face a tough test against He Bing Jiao of China, a rematch of their bronze medal playoff in Tokyo 2020. Lakshya Sen, who has been in impressive form, will face compatriot HS Prannoy or Vietnam’s Le Duc Phat in the men’s singles Round of 16.
Golf action commences with men’s Day 1, featuring Indian golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma. They will aim to secure a medal by Sunday.
The Indian men’s hockey team, already qualified for the quarter-finals, will face reigning champions and world No.1 Belgium in their penultimate Pool B contest. Despite the pressure being off, the team will need confidence and courage to overcome the formidable Belgian squad.
In boxing, Nikhat Zareen will compete in the women’s 50kg Round of 16. However, she faces a challenging opponent in top seed and reigning world champion Wu Yu of China.
