NEW DELHI: "I am hoping that our athletes will take us even higher on the medal table this time" - The nation's hope erupted in a wave of applause as India's sports minister,
Mansukh Mandaviya
, expressed optimism about the Indian contingent setting a new benchmark at the upcoming
Paris Olympics
during the ceremonial send-off of the Paris-bound athletes and the unveiling of the new playing kits.
To Mandaviya's right, a dedicated section was curated for the Paris-bound athletes. Sitting in the same corner,
Rhythm Sangwan
, an ace pistol shooter from India, was paying heed to the words of the sports minister, likely contemplating the immense challenge that lies ahead of her in the French capital.
On the sidelines of the event, TimesofIndia.com caught up with Rhythm, who was radiating positive energy in India's vibrant blue kit for the Paris Olympics.
"I think the kits are beautiful. They are very comfortable, very fancy, I would say very fashionable. Shoes are part of the kit, and they are lovely, very fancy and beautiful," the 20-year-old shooter told TimesofIndia.com.
Preparing for her maiden Olympics, Rhythm first rose to fame by clinching three silver medals at the 2022 Cairo World Championships. Soon she raised more eyebrows, following this achievement with medals of every colour at the 2022
ISSF
World Cup.
Further elevating her career, she set a new benchmark in May 2023 by surpassing a 29-year-old record previously held by Diana Iorgova, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games silver medallist.
Sangwan achieved significant success in shooting, contributing to her team's victory at the 2022
Asian Games
by securing a gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol team event, alongside teammates
Manu Bhaker
and Esha Singh.
However, she had her dream-come-true moment when the starlet earned a quota place for the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the 16th Indian shooter to do so after winning a bronze medal in the 25m sports pistol category at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta.
After securing qualification, Sangwan and the shooting contingent held a training camp in Luxembourg. "It was good. The weather was very nice. And the feeling was great. We were working hard so that it had a different feel to it," she added, describing her experience in Luxembourg.
When asked about her preparation plans for the final phase before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sangwan, a member of India's largest-ever Olympic shooting contingent (21 members), explained, "The entire Indian team will go to Luxembourg again, and that's where our preparation will take place. There is a bit of a break in the schedule right now because we just came back from Luxembourg. So, we're having a short break. But when regular practice resumes, we usually practice for 2-3 hours or 3-4 hours a day, and then we rest."
Reluctant to burden herself with the weight of expectations, the girl from Haryana remained tight-lipped when asked about India's overall medal prospects for the 2024 Games.
"Paris is a very beautiful city. Speaking of expectations, I will give my very best and hope that all the athletes going there will give their best in their respective fields. And with your blessings, we will surely do well," she concluded.
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