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With two medals in the bag, the Indian athletes are struggling to get the clock ticking at the ongoing at the Paris Olympics. On Day 6 of the Paris Olympics, Swapnil Kusale entered the finals of the 50m rifle 3 Positions men’s event, leaving a ray of hope for another medal. On the other hand, Indian paddlers, Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula became the first few Indian athletes to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the Olympic Games, but they suffered losses in their respective pre-quarters, bowing out of the medal race.
In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Wednesday, July 31 at the Paris 2024.
Table Tennis
Sreeja Akula loses to World No. 1 Sun in TT pre-quarterfinals at Paris Olympics
Indian table tennis player Sreeja Akula lost 0-4 to World No. 1 Yingsha Sun of China in the pre-quarterfinals of the women's singles competition at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, marking her exit in the round of 16. Sreeja, the top-ranked Indian player, was defeated 10-12, 10-12, 8-11, 3-11 in a match which lasted for 38 minutes. This came just hours after she became only the second Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 at the Olympics.
Manika Batra crashes out after 4-1 loss against Miu Hirano
Manika Batra suffered an 11-6, 11-9, 14-12, 11-8 and 11-6 loss against Miu Hirano of Japan at the Paris Olympics 2024. Batra was one of India's biggest medal prospects at the Summer Games and had a dominant run to reach the pre-quarters stage. Batra defeated Prithika Pavade and Anna Hursey 4-1 in her first two matches.
This was my last: Ashwini Ponnappa after exit from Paris 2024
Indian badminton stalwart Ashwini Ponnappa on Tuesday, July 30, broke down in tears after making an early exit from the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. After losing the three Group C matches and failing to earn qualification, Ashwini further spoke of the Paris Olympics being her last. "This will be my last, but Tanisha has a long way to go,” she said.
Football
Canada fails to overturn bid on six-point deductions at Paris 2024
Canada’s six-point deduction in the Paris Olympcis 2024 over a spying scandal at the women’s Olympic football has been upheld after an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport failed. The Swiss-based governing body was asked to review the punishment which was handed down by FIFA. It has left Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, in a position of danger of a group-stage exit from the multi-sporting spectacle.
Equestrian
Anush Agarwalla finishes ninth; gets knocked out of Paris Olympics'24
Indian equestrian Anush Agarwalla was knocked out of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday, July 31. Agarwalla finished ninth in the Dressage Grand Prix event and bowed out of the Paris Games 2024. Earlier, the 2022 Asiad gold medallist created history and became the first Indian to complete a routine in the dressage event at the Summer Olympic Games.
Deepika Kumari
Deepika Kumar qualifies for RO32 after beating Reena Parnat
Indian archer Deepika Kumari qualified for the Round of 32 after beating Reena Parnat of Estonia in a closely contest opening clash. After the scores were tied at 5-5, Kumari and Parnat had a shootout. Here, the Indian archer emerged victorious as both competitors shot an 8 but Kumari qualified as her shot was closer to the centre.
Boxing
Lovlina Borgohain registers 5-0 win in Paris 2024 pre-quarters
Indian star boxer Lovlina Borgohain registered an easy 5-0 win in her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign on Wednesday, July 31. The Tokyo 2024 bronze medalist who fights in the 75 kg category took down her rival, Hofastad Sunniva of Norway. The 26-year-old boxer from Assam was given a direct pre-quarterfinal entry in the 33rd edition of the multi-sporting spectacle.
Badminton
HS Prannoy tops group, sets up R16 clash vs Lakshya Sen in Paris
India's HS Prannoy topped Group K in the men's singles competition with his win against Vietnam's Le Duc Phat on Wednesday, 1 August. Playing late in the evening, at the La Chapelle Arena's Court 3, Prannoy beat a tricky Duc Phat to set a Round of 16 clash against compatriot Lakshya Sen.
Lakshya Sen takes down Christie 21-18, 21-12 to reach RO16
Indian Badminton star Lakshya Sen registered a 21-18, 21-12 against Indonesia's Johnathan Christie at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 22-year-old started as the underdog in the contest as the Indonesian had defeated him four times to the Indian's one victory. With this result, Sen qualified for the pre-quarterfinals stage at the Summer Games.
PV Sindhu storms into the RO16 with comfortable win over Estonian
India’s top medal prospect and two-time Olympic medallist, PV Sindhu on Wednesday, July 31, stormed into the Round of 16 after comfortable win over her Estonian opponent. The Indian shuttler cruised part her opponent, Kristin Kuuba of Estonia in Group M clash with a scoreline of 21-5, 21-10 in mere 34 minutes.
Shooting
Swapnil Kusale qualifies for men’s 50m rifle 3 position final
Young Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale qualified for the final of men’s 50m rifle 3 positions at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Wednesday, July 31 as he secured the seventh place in the qualification round at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre. Kusale aggregated a total of 590 points in his rally of 60 shots, hitting 38 inner 10s.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz bow out of Paris 2024 after defeat against fourth-seeded Ram-Krajicek
Legendary Rafael Nadal bowed out of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, 31 July after his dream of winning a gold medal alongside Carlos Alcaraz were ended by American duo Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. Their progress had captivated the crowds at Roland Garros where Nadal won 14 French Open singles titles but their journey ended in a 6-2 6-4 quarter-final defeat.
Others
Swimmer Ana Carolina expelled after sneaking out of athletes’ village
Brazilian swimmer, Ana Carolina Vieira has been expelled from the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics after she sneaked out of the athletes’ village to reportedly meet her boyfriend. The 22-year-old swimmer was flown on the first flight back to Brazil after she stepped out of the village with her boyfriend, who is also her fellow teammate Gabriel Santos to reportedly “sample the Parisian nightlife”.
