Day 7 of the Paris Olympics 2024 was a showcase of historic achievements for Indian athletes, featuring thrilling performances and landmark moments. Lakshya Sen made headlines by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the singles semi-finals in badminton, marking a monumental achievement in Indian sports history. Manu Bhaker continued her trailblazing run by becoming the first Indian to qualify for three finals in a single Olympic edition. The Indian men’s hockey team also added to the day’s excitement with a historic win over Australia. However, while Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara made history in mixed-team archery, their journey fell short of securing India’s first Olympic medal in the sport.
Lakshya Sen’s quarterfinal clash against Chou Tien-Chen of Chinese Taipei was nothing short of dramatic. After dropping the first set 19-21, Sen demonstrated remarkable resilience to secure the next two sets 21-15 and 21-12, advancing to the semi-finals. His victory marks a historic first for Indian men’s badminton, with Sen becoming the first Indian male athlete to reach this stage in Olympic badminton singles. This achievement places him just one win away from an Olympic medal, a notable feat considering the previous Indian badminton success stories were limited to quarter-final finishes by Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap. In the shooting arena, Manu Bhaker extended her Olympic record by qualifying for three finals in a single Games. She finished second in the women’s 25m pistol qualification with an impressive total score of 590 out of 600, adding to her previous bronze medals in the 10m pistol event. Bhaker’s consistency underscores her dominance and versatility across multiple shooting disciplines. Fellow Indian shooter Esha Singh, despite a strong performance, did not advance to the final, ending up 18th in qualification. Meanwhile, in archery, Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara made history by being the first Indian archers to reach the semi-finals in mixed-team events. Their campaign, however, concluded with a loss to USA’s Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison in the bronze medal match, preventing them from securing an Olympic medal but marking a significant milestone for Indian archery. In hockey, the Indian men’s team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Australia, breaking a long-standing streak of defeats against the Kookaburras at the Olympics. This win, their first over Australia since Munich 1972, is a testament to the team’s growing strength and competitiveness on the global stage.
Day 7 of the Paris Olympics 2024 was marked by significant breakthroughs and emotional highs for Indian athletes. Lakshya Sen’s entry into the badminton semi-finals stands as a historic milestone for Indian sports, while Manu Bhaker’s achievement of qualifying for three finals highlights her exceptional prowess in shooting. The Indian men’s hockey team’s victory over Australia adds a new chapter to India’s Olympic history, showcasing their resilience and skill. Although Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara fell short of an Olympic medal in archery, their achievement of reaching the semi-finals reflects the growing talent and potential within Indian archery. As the Olympics continue, these moments of glory and historical achievements underscore India’s rising prominence in the global sports arena.
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