With unwavering determination, Indian sportspersons who have been in the news recently for their various achievements, share their aspirations to win the coveted medals for India in Paris 2024, where the XXXIII Olympic Games will be held. With plans to leave an indelible mark on the world stage, they share how they are putting in their blood and sweat to prepare.
Harmilan Bains: Paris is the final destination of my dream
After qualifying for the upcoming Asian Games (September 23 to October 8), and recently winning second place at the National Inter-State Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar (Odisha), the 24-year-old sprinter says age: “I always wanted to announce my own name on the road when I saw my parents during their professional days. I think I want it to stop in Paris because that is the final destination to achieve this dream.” Bains, the daughter of former athletes Madhuri Saxena and Amandeep Bains, is now eager to carry forward her family’s legacy and make her parents (former international athletes) proud as well. “By winning the various national events and performing well at the upcoming Asian Games, I have already made progress for the Olympics. And now I just want to stay in shape by exercising regularly. Besides, I am following a vigorous diet rich in protein and fat after a year’s rest due to my back injury,” she says.
HS Pranoy: The goal is to be in the top five without injuries
“We have more than 20 tournaments in the next 10 months and the first hurdle in the process is qualifying for Paris and that is the main focus right now,” says HS Prannoy, a badminton player, who made his first Badminton World Federation in a recent bag. title at the Malaysian Masters and is the World No. 9 at the moment. The 30-year-old says, “Looking at the recent performances, I believe consistency is key as we have almost 25 competitions from May 2023 to April 24, a whole year to keep our scores even if it’s getting like us for now, that is. why I want to play as much as I can, with the goal of reaching the top 5 of the world rankings without any injury.”
Chirag Shetty: Nothing is bigger than an Olympic medal
“As part of my vigorous training, I eat a lot of protein and a few carbs. Starting at 7am, I eat breakfast and arrive at the academy. Before warming up, I do strength training for 30 minutes and by 9am, I’m ready to play,” says the 25-year-old from Mumbai, who recently won the men’s doubles at the Indonesia Open with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. “The win certainly acts as a catalyst for our qualifying process, but I hope to keep the momentum going so we can make it to Paris. There is nothing more a player would want than an Olympic medal.”
Avani Prashanth: I will definitely make my country proud
The amateur golfer recently made headlines for a rare feat. “I would be turning professional in December, this year, and I will have at least 12 to 16 tournaments after that which will help me build my score to qualify for the Olympics, which is my goal final for this season,” shares Avani Prashanth, 16, who also won the Asia-Pacific Sirikit Cup in February. “For the Olympics, I’m working on my baskets and basket swings. I practice at least six hours a day on the driving range itself because putt golf courses are very stressful. This is an ongoing process and it is also going on through my amateur games and daily practice sessions,” she says. The Golf Federation of India selects the top two golfers in the World Rankings to represent the country, and Prashanth says, “Given my recent win and top-9 finish at the LET Magical Kenya Ladies Open where I was amateur player, I was given an exception. to play with professional golfers. I strongly believe that I will be able to make my country proud.”
Tejaswin Shankar: The goal is to make a mark in Paris
“I was originally a vegetarian but now my career depends on the protein intake I include in my diet with meat, that’s once a day,” says athlete Tejaswin Shankar, 24, who bagged a gold medal at the National Inter-State Athletics Championship. on June 17. After competing in nine disciplines over two days in the hot and humid conditions of Bhubaneswar (Odisha), it came down to the final 1,500m for Shankar to break the Asian Games qualifying mark of 7,500 points. Shankar says, “The goal is to make a mark in Paris, as the national and international performances decide the course. Currently, there is a regular practice schedule where I have to work vigorously for seven hours, especially on my high jump and running ability.”
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