Following Manu Bhaker’s historic bronze medal, India’s expectations have skyrocketed, hoping for more medals at the Paris Olympics. With one bronze already secured, there’s optimism for more success in the shooting discipline.
India’s shooting journey began with Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Since then, the country has won a total of five medals in shooting, including the only gold medal from Abhinav Bindra at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The shooting events at the Paris Olympics commenced on July 27 and will conclude on August 5. India’s 21-member shooting squad will participate in all 15 shooting events, marking a record number of participation in the events for the nation.
Medal Prospects
While India’s shooting squad is large, only a few are expected to bring home medals. Potential medalists include:
Sift Kaur Samra: With the highest chance of securing a medal, Samra will compete in the 50m Women’s Rifle 3 Positions event. She is India’s first-ever individual shooting gold medalist from the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year and set a world record in the process. Her recent achievements also include a silver in the 50m Women’s Rifle 3 Positions team event.
Aishwarya Pratap Singh: A seasoned athlete from Madhya Pradesh, Singh is competing in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions. He performed exceptionally well at the 2023 Asian Games, winning a silver in the team event and a gold at the World Championships. His qualification event is scheduled for July 30.
Esha Singh: The 19-year-old has already made history by winning four medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. She will compete in the 10m and 25m air pistol events. Her qualification for the 10m air pistol is set for August 2, and she is a strong contender for a medal.
Manu Bhaker’s chances for more medals
Manu Bhaker will also compete in the 10m pistol mixed team event and the 25m air pistol event. While she has a strong chance of winning a medal in the mixed team event, her prospects in the 25m air pistol event are less certain, as it is not her primary discipline.
Medal expectations in shooting
Following Manu Bhaker’s bronze, India can reasonably anticipate a total of four to five medals in shooting at the Paris Olympics. However, these predictions are speculative, and the possibility for surprises remains high as dark horses may arise with stellar performances.
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