Paris Olympics: Neeraj aims to defend gold, hockey team’s fight for bronze
It is the day 13 at the Paris Olympics 2024, and we are heading in to the business end of what has been a fantastic global sporting event.
Its another day and another chance for India to make advances in their medal tally of three. Amid the long wait for a medal in the Paris Games, Vinesh Phogat, who was on the verge of creating history with just one win away from a medal, her disqualification from the final sent shock waves across the whole country.
There has been a sense of disappointment and anguish among the Indian fans and supporters and two events that are happening today have the potential to heal them. Neeraj Chopra is yet again on the cusp of making history. He is yet again in the final of the men’s javelin throw in the Olympic Games. While Neeraj headlines the day 13, Indian golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will also compete in the round 2 of strokeplay. Jyothi Yarraji will compete in the Women’s 100m hurdles Repechage Round. Indian hockey team will also be in action as they compete for the bronze medal against Spain.
The reigning Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra qualified for the men’s javelin throw final with a 89.34m throw in the qualification round on August 6, Tuesday at the Stade de France. This was also the season best and his career’s second-best throw as he stormed into the final of the event. He did not participate in many leagues this year as he set is focus clear on giving his best in the Olympics.
The 26-year-old will be aiming to defend his title, which he won in Tokyo Olympics 2020. He is the first Indian to win a medal in the athletics event at the Olympics. Popularly known as the golden boy of India, Neeraj’s eyes will be set on the gold yet again. However, Neeraj who has won everything in his field could face stiff test from his opponents including Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, Germany’s Julian Weber, Grenda’s Anderson Peters.
Indian hockey team
The Indian men’s hockey team will clash against Spain in the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes on Thursday. India, fifth in the hockey rankings, suffered a narrow 3-2 loss against world No. 2 Germany in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored for the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists, but it wasn’t enough as India made it to the bronze medal match for the second edition running. Meanwhile, the Germany vs Netherlands hockey final will be played later in the day. Since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India and Spain have played nine matches across tournaments with the Indian hockey team winning five of those games. However, among these five wins, two came in a shootout.
INDIA’S FULL SCHEDULE IN PARIS OLYMPICS: AUGUST 8
1:30 PM
Golf: Women’s individual strokeplay Round 2 – Aditi Ashol, Diksha Dagar
1:45 PM
Athletics: Women’s 100m hurdles repechage – Jyothi Yarraji
3:00 PM onwards
Wrestling: Men’s 57kg R16 – Aman Sehrawat
Wrestling: Women’s 57kg R16 – Anshu Malik
4:20 PM onwards
Wrestling: Men’s 57kg quarter-finals (if qualified) – Aman Sehrawat
Wrestling: Women’s 57kg quarter-finals (if qualified) – Anshu Malik
5:30 PM – MEDAL EVENT
Hockey: Men’s Bronze medal match – India vs Spain
9:45 PM onwards
Wrestling: Men’s 57kg semi-finals (if qualified) – Aman Sehrawat
10:25 PM onwards
Wrestling: Women’s 57kg semi-finals (if qualified) – Anshu Malik
11:55 PM – MEDAL EVENT
Athletics: Men’s javelin throw final – Neeraj Chopra