Paris Olympics 2024: List Of Biggest Threats To India's Medal Prospects

Paris Olympics 2024: From Australia in Hockey to Arshad Nadeem in Javelin Throw, here is the list of athletes/teams that can potentially hamper Indian athletes' medal aspirations. Read below.

Arshad Nadeem in Javelin Throw and Australia in Hockey stand as major threats to India for medal contention at Paris Olympics 2024

Source : @SherryCricJR / X (L), @Kookaburras / X (R)

Paris Olympics 2024: India registered their best ever Olympics in Tokyo 2020 by bagging seven medals, which included that historic gold medal by Neeraj Chopra in Men's Javelin Throw event. This time around, India is aiming to touch the double figures, as there are several promising athletes that can bring glory to the nation, but up against them are some major threats, who can spoil the party for Indian contingents and faithful back home.

 

Complete List Of Individuals/Teams That Can Hamper India's Medal Aspirations

1. Neeraj Chopra Vs Ashad Nadeem:

Neeraj Chopra is definitely the biggest gold medal hope of India and the javelin thrower has already etched himself in the history books as one of the greatest athletes produced by India. Neeraj Chopra has won it all when it comes to medals and world championships in javelin throw, but stand on the cusp of history, as he is not only the first Indian athlete to win an individual gold medal in Track & Field events, but can also become the first Indian athlete ever to grab consecutive gold medals at the Games. 

However, the likes of Arshad Nadeem and Jakub Vadlejch stand in the way of Neeraj, as their presence at the event in Paris will definitely be a big threat to Neeraj Chopra's gold medal aspirations. Jakub Vadlejch won the silver at Tokyo Olympics 2020, but is amongst the greatest javelin throwers in the past decade.

2. India Vs Australia In Hockey:

India have always find it tough to emerge victorious against Australia in Hockey, be it the Men's team, or the Women's team. The likes of Australia, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and Netherlands have had their say in the finals, whereas, India have immensely struggled to grab a spot on the podium, and even with a great team, the Indian contingents in hockey will find it extremely tough to decode the looming threat of Australia.

3. PV Sindhu Vs Chen Yu Fei

PV Sindhu and Chen Yu Fei will potentially cross paths at Paris Olympics 2024, as the badminton legend is aiming to create history by becoming the first Indian athlete to complete a hat-trick of medals at the Games (as she won silver in 2016, and bronze in 2020). Chen Yu Fei is a nemesis of PV Sindhu, as the duo have collided several times in the past, but it has been the Chinese shuttler who won the last meeting between the two, at the French Open in 2024.

4. Mirabai Chanu Vs Hou Zhihui:

Mirabai Chanu grabbed a silver medal for India in the weightlifting event at Tokyo Olympics 2020 and is a major contender for a gold medal this time around. However, up against them is the Chinese legend Hou Zhihui, who is amongst the all-time greats when it comes to weightlifting, as she has several world records to her name and if in rhythm, there's hardly an athlete on this planet that can bring a halt on her pursuit of a gold medal.

5. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty vs Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang:

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have made India proud with their antics in badminton past 24 months. The duo contest in the Men's Doubles category in several championships and events all over the world, and have the likes of Thailand Open in their trophy cabinet.

However, up against them is the top-seeded pair of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, as the Chinese duo are on a three-match winning streak against the Indian pair, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have only beaten the Chinese pair once in their career.