The 2024 Paris Olympics are very close, and the world is ready to see a spectacular display of the biggest sports festival. However, for some exceptional athletes, the road to Paris has taken an unexpected turn. Injuries, close defeats, and the pressure of qualification have finished their Olympic dreams, leaving behind a trail of disappointment.
Let’s look at the top Indian athletes who missed out on their Olympic ticket to Paris.
Bajrang Punia
India’s wrestling legend and Olympic medal winner, Bajrang Punia suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the national trials. His 1-9 loss in the men’s freestyle 65kg semifinal against Rohit Kumar stunned everyone. This setback, coupled with a narrow win in the opening round, shattered Punia’s hopes of replicating his past Olympic success. Punia’s absence leaves a significant gap in India’s wrestling team for Paris.
Ravi Dahiya
Another wrestling star, Ravi Dahiya, faced his struggles. After battling back from an injury, he made a determined comeback. However, his return wasn’t meant to be. In a thrilling opening bout at the national trials, Dahiya fell short to Aman Sehrawat by a narrow margin of 13-14, failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
This close defeat highlights India’s wrestling ranks and the immense pressure athletes face to secure their Olympic berths.
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The Indian women’s hockey team failed to qualify for the Olympics. Their hopes ended in January 2024. A narrow 0-1 defeat against Japan in the crucial FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers’ bronze medal clash in Ranchi extinguished their Olympic dream.
Murali Sreeshankar
India’s brightest long jump prospect, Murali Sreeshankar, was well on his way to Paris after exceeding the Olympic qualifying standard at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships. With a silver medal and an impressive jump of 8.37 m, Sreeshankar showed hope and potential.
However, a devastating knee injury sustained during training in April shattered his Olympic dream. This unfortunate incident deprived Paris 2024 of a talented athlete.
Kidambi Srikanth
Kidambi Srikanth, a badminton player known for his aggressive style and powerful smashes, found himself grappling with a different opponent—the badminton world rankings. Despite his talent, Srikanth’s hopes for Paris 2024 were ended after a first-round exit from the All-England Open Championships. This early exit significantly impacted his ranking, ultimately barring him from Olympic qualification.
As the Olympic flame burns bright in Paris, let us acknowledge not only the champions who take center stage but also the valiant athletes whose paths diverged, leaving behind a legacy of grit and determination.
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