India Targets Olympic Glory in Paris, Eyes 2036 Bid

India Targets Olympic Glory in Paris, Eyes 2036 Bid

Paris 2024: India Aims to Surpass Tokyo Medal Haul, Eyes 2036 Olympic Bid

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, India sets its sights on surpassing its historic seven-medal performance in Tokyo. The Games, which officially commence on Friday, present an opportunity to showcase India’s sporting prowess and bolster its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

The Indian contingent faces a challenging task, with the absence of several Tokyo medallists. However, a younger generation of athletes, including wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Antim Panghal, and boxer Nikhat Zareen, are poised to make their mark.

Shooting, a sport that has underperformed in recent Olympics, will be under pressure to deliver. The team hopes to replicate its success at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where it won over half of its medals in team events.

Archery, another early medal sport, has faced disappointments in the past. However, the team remains hopeful of a podium finish.

The men’s hockey team, which won bronze in Tokyo, faces a tougher challenge this time around. The group is more competitive, and the team’s recent form has been inconsistent.

Mirabai Chanu, who won silver in Tokyo, has been hampered by injuries. PV Sindhu, another Tokyo medallist, has also struggled with injuries. However, both athletes are known for their resilience and determination.

Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin throw champion, remains India’s brightest medal hope. His consistency and dominance in the sport make him a strong contender for gold.

Beyond the medal count, India’s performance in Paris will also impact its bid to host the 2036 Olympics. A successful Games will add weight to India’s proposal, which was made public at last year’s IOC Session in Mumbai.

Indian Archer Dhiraj Bommadevara Finishes Fourth in Paris Olympics Ranking Round

Indian Archer Dhiraj Bommadevara Finishes Fourth in Paris Olympics Ranking Round

Dhiraj Bommadevara, a 22-year-old Indian archer, has made a remarkable impression at the Paris Olympics 2024, finishing fourth in the men’s archery ranking round. His impressive performance propelled India to the quarterfinals of the team event.

Hailing from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Dhiraj’s archery journey began in 2006 at the Volga Archery Academy. After four years of training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, he joined the Indian Army in 2021.

Ranked 15th in the world, Dhiraj secured his berth for the Paris Olympics in Bangkok. In the lead-up to the competition, he claimed a bronze medal at the World Cup 2024 in Antalya, Turkey.

Dhiraj’s achievements extend beyond the Paris Olympics. He was part of the Indian men’s team that won a silver medal at the Asian Games 2023, alongside Atanu Das and Tushar Shelke. He also made his international debut in 2017 and won his first major title at the 2021 World Archer Youth Championships.

In the women’s archery ranking round, India’s team secured a fourth-place finish, earning a spot in the quarterfinals. Ankita Bhakat finished 11th with a season-best score of 666, while Bhajan Kaur placed 22nd with 659 points. Deepika Kumari, a four-time Olympian, finished 23rd with 658 points.

Dhiraj Bommadevara’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired aspiring archers across the country.

Indian Archers Confident of Olympic Success with Clear Communication

Indian Archers Confident of Olympic Success with Clear Communication

India’s archery contingent is brimming with confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics, with ace archer Deepika Kumari expressing optimism about their chances. The team’s strength lies in its clear communication and unwavering support for each other, especially in challenging situations.

Deepika, a veteran of three Olympic Games, emphasized the importance of effective communication. “The strength of any team lies in its communication and combination. It’s essential to support each other in various situations. We talk a lot and discuss how to handle different scenarios. Clear communication, especially in tough situations, is a huge strength for us,” she said.

Ankita Bhakat, who will be fulfilling her lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, echoed Deepika’s sentiments. “Since I started archery, I have always dreamt of playing in the Olympics. Now, that dream is coming true. In past World Cups, we rarely played podium matches, but this time it’s different. We learned from our early setbacks and improved significantly. Our performance has been consistently better in each competition, and I believe we will perform well at the Olympics,” Bhakat stated.

Bhajan Kaur, another member of the women’s team, highlighted the importance of self-belief and giving their best effort. “My performance at the second World Cup was much better than the first one, so I started feeling victorious about my progress since the first World Cup. Whenever we go for a tournament, we focus on giving our best, no matter the magnitude of the tournament. Our aim is to leave no stones unturned for the Olympics as well and we are confident that we will return from Paris with a medal,” Kaur said.

Bhakat also acknowledged the invaluable experience of having Deepika Kumari in the team. “It’s a great advantage that Deepika is going to the Olympics for the fourth time. She understands the challenges we might face in Paris,” she explained.

Bhajan added, “Deepika’s experience, along with Ankita’s, is our biggest strength. They help us understand and rectify any issues in our game. Our ability to communicate and support each other is crucial.”

Deepika, one of India’s most decorated archers, has been a beacon of excellence in the sport. The former World No.1 archer has won medals in World Cups, Asian Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, and the Asian Games.

Indian Archery Poised for Olympic Medal in Paris 2024, Says World-Renowned Coach

Indian Archery Poised for Olympic Medal in Paris 2024, Says World-Renowned Coach

World-renowned archery coach Kim Hyung Tak believes that India has a strong chance of securing its first-ever Olympic medal in archery at the Paris 2024 Games. The Korean coach, who has over 40 years of experience, recently conducted a coaches’ seminar at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Sonepat, Haryana.

Kim praised the Indian recurve team’s technical training and communication between archers and coaches. He emphasized the importance of consistency in training and preparation, stating that it is crucial for achieving success at the Olympics.

“By keeping this consistency in training and preparation, I think it is very much possible to get a medal in Paris,” Kim told SAI Media.

India has already secured one Paris 2024 quota place in archery through Dhiraj Bommadevara. The Indian recurve archers are now aiming for a team quota in the final qualification tournament in Antalya, Turkey, from June 14 to 17.

Kim believes that the Indian team has improved significantly, thanks to the talented archers and frequent coaching camps organized by the Sports Authority of India and Archery Association of India. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between coaches and archers.

“The average level of the team has got a notch higher because of the talented men’s and women’s recurve team here. The frequent coaching camps by Sports Authority of India and Archery Association of India too are contributing to the cause and constant collaboration is only helping the team get that elusive medal at the Olympics,” Kim said.

Kim, who led the Korean women’s recurve team to its first Olympic gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, also supervised a two-day national team preparation camp at Sonepat. He was impressed by the coaching program at SAI, Sonepat, which has produced consistent results in recent times.

“Since I’ve come here, I’ve seen more high level and detailed training provided to the archers. The training programs, which use a lot of technology, are also very well crafted. The coaches are continuously mentoring the archers on managing training schedules to training times. The psychology team is also working around the clock and good mentoring is being provided as a whole,” Kim said.

Kim’s optimism for Indian archery is based on the presence of young archers and experienced veterans like Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai. He believes that the team’s strong performances and the support of the coaching staff will help them achieve their goal of an Olympic medal in Paris.

Indian Men's Recurve Team Reclaims World Cup Gold After 14 Years

Indian Men’s Recurve Team Reclaims World Cup Gold After 14 Years

Dhiraj Bommadevara, the lone Indian recurve archer to secure an Olympic quota for Paris 2024, played a pivotal role in India’s historic triumph at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. The Indian men’s recurve team, comprising Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Ramesh Jadhav, defeated archery powerhouse Korea in the title round, reclaiming the gold medal after a 14-year hiatus.

Bommadevara, a beneficiary of the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), also bagged a bronze medal in the mixed team event alongside Ankita Bhakat. India’s victory over Mexico in straight sets marked their second medal in Shanghai.

In an exclusive interview with SAI Media, Bommadevara shared his insights on the team’s success, their mindset, and their aspirations for the Paris Olympics.

On the Historic Gold Medal:

“We’re overjoyed,” Bommadevara exclaimed. “We executed our plan and maintained our focus throughout the competition.”

On the Team’s Mindset:

“We focused solely on our game and ignored our opponents,” Bommadevara explained. “We maintained clear communication and supported each other through every situation.”

On Team Bonding:

“Tarundeep Rai, Pravin, and I are all from the Indian Army, so we spend a lot of time together,” Bommadevara said. “We’ve developed a strong chemistry that translates into our performances.”

On Being the Youngest Member:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from my experienced teammates,” Bommadevara stated. “I’m constantly striving to improve and avoid repeating mistakes.”

On India’s Chances at Paris 2024:

“Our chances are promising,” Bommadevara asserted. “We’re working towards converting our individual quota into a team quota. Our priority is to qualify as a team and then give our best in Paris. We’re not setting expectations but preparing for every scenario.”

On the Impact of Tarundeep Rai:

“Tarundeep Rai’s experience is invaluable,” Bommadevara said. “He shares his tactical and philosophical insights, which helps us immensely. His dedication inspires us to push ourselves.”

On the Mental Strength of Indian Archers:

“We’re focused on improving ourselves rather than comparing ourselves to others,” Bommadevara explained. “We learn from our mistakes and strive to perform better.”

On the Impact of the Compound Team:

“Our compound team is world-class,” Bommadevara said. “Their success motivates us to raise our own standards. Jyothi Surekha’s ability to handle pressure in various events is truly inspiring.”

On the Support from TOPS:

“TOPS has provided me with financial stability and allowed me to focus solely on my game,” Bommadevara said. “It has alleviated the financial burden on my family and enabled me to pursue my Olympic dream.”

Indian Men's Archery Team Stuns Korea to Win World Cup Gold

Indian Men’s Archery Team Stuns Korea to Win World Cup Gold

In a historic triumph, the Indian men’s recurve archery team stunned reigning Olympic champions South Korea 5-1 (57-57, 57-55, 55-53) to claim the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. This victory marks India’s first World Cup men’s team gold in 14 years and significantly boosts their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

The Indian trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav displayed remarkable resilience and precision against a formidable Korean team that included Tokyo Games gold medalists Kim Je-deok and Kim Woo-jin. Despite the absence of a coach due to a rule violation, the Indians remained composed and focused on their own performance.

In the first set, both teams tied 1-1 with a score of 57. However, the Indians seized the momentum in the second set, delivering four 10s (three Xs) to Korea’s two 8s, winning 57-55. They maintained their dominance in the third set, scoring 55-53, as the Koreans struggled to find a 10.

Dhiraj Bommadevara, who has already secured an individual Paris Games quota, expressed his delight at the team’s achievement. “This result gives us a big boost in the Olympic year,” he said. “This medal feels good, especially with the amount of work we’ve been doing in the past couple of years, keeping just this Olympics in mind.”

The Indian men’s team’s victory is a testament to their hard work and determination. With two more spots available through world rankings and three more at the final qualification tournament, they are well-positioned to secure a quota for the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Deepika Kumari made a triumphant return to the World Cup stage after two years, winning the women’s recurve silver medal. She defeated Korean archers Jeon Hunyoung and Nam Suhyeon before falling to Lim Si-hyeon in the final.

Tarundeep Rai's Comeback: From Asian Games Snub to World Cup Gold

Tarundeep Rai’s Comeback: From Asian Games Snub to World Cup Gold

Tarundeep Rai, India’s veteran archer, has made a remarkable comeback after being excluded from the Asian Games team last year. The snub ignited a fire within him, leading him to adopt drastic lifestyle changes and intensify his training.

Rai, a three-time Olympian, was devastated by his omission from the Hangzhou Asian Games despite his strong performances. “I was boiling with anger,” he recalled. “I decided to give it one last shot.”

To regain his fitness and competitiveness, Rai embarked on a strict diet and dedicated more time to the gym. He shed 12kg in two months, determined to prove his worth.

His efforts paid off when he made the cut for the Indian team for the World Cup and Olympics after a two-month trial. In Shanghai, Rai and his teammates Dhiraj Bommadevara and Pravin Jadhav created history by defeating reigning Olympic champions South Korea to win the World Cup gold.

Rai attributed their success to their unwavering focus and the inclusion of a sports psychologist. “We didn’t think about winning over Korea,” he said. “We just went there to replicate what we have been doing at practice.”

The victory marked the first time an Indian men’s team had defeated archery powerhouse Korea in a World Cup final. It also boosted their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

Rai, who began his international career in 2003, is now in the best shape of his life. “I feel amazing right now,” he said. “I’ve got this childlike energy that keeps me going.”

His journey serves as an inspiration to athletes of all ages, proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.

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