In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024, India faced “double heartbreak” as Lakshya Sen and the skeet mixed team narrowly missed out on bronze medals. Despite valiant efforts and close contests, both teams fell just short of podium finishes, leaving fans disheartened.
Key Points:
- Lakshya Sen’s Narrow Defeat:
- Lakshya Sen competed against Malaysia’s seventh seed, Zii Jia Lee, in the bronze medal match.
- Sen, who had a 4-1 head-to-head record against Lee, lost the match with scores of 21-13, 16-21, and 21-11.
- This defeat meant that Sen finished just outside the medal bracket, denying him a historic Olympic medal.
- Skeet Mixed Team’s Close Call:
- The skeet mixed team, comprising Maheshwari Chauhan and Anantjeet Singh Naruka, aimed for a bronze medal in their playoff match.
- The pair narrowly missed out by just one shot, finishing fourth with a score of 43.
- The Chinese duo, Yiting Jiang and Jianlin Lyu, secured the bronze medal with a score of 44, highlighting the tight competition.
- Fourth Position Finishes:
- India’s struggle with close finishes continued as this was the fourth time in the Paris Olympics where Indian athletes finished in fourth place.
- Manu Bhaker also missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the 25m pistol event, adding to the series of near-misses for India.
Summary of the Near-Misses:
- Lakshya Sen:
- Bronze medal match loss to Zii Jia Lee.
- Skeet Mixed Team (Maheshwari Chauhan and Anantjeet Singh Naruka):
- Fourth place finish, one point behind the bronze medalists.
Conclusion:
The Paris Olympics 2024 has been a challenging chapter for India, with several athletes coming agonizingly close to medal victories. While the narrow losses are disappointing, the performances of Lakshya Sen and the skeet mixed team have showcased their exceptional talent and fighting spirit. As the nation reflects on these near-misses, there is hope and anticipation for future success at upcoming international events.
