24 Armed Forces Personnel to Represent India at Paris Olympics 2024

Twenty four (24) Armed Forces personnel are among the 117 Indian athletes who are all set to make the nation proud at the Paris Olympics, beginning July 26, 2024. Among these 24 athletes, 22 are men, including star Javelin Thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, and two are women, which marks the maiden participation of female Service athletes at the Olympics.

Subedar Neeraj Chopra, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold medalist, will again vie for top honours as his participation in the Paris Olympics comes on the back of exceptional performances which earned him a Gold medal each at the 2023 Asian Games, 2023 World Athletics Championship, 2024 Diamond League, and 2024 Paavo Nurmi Games.

2022 Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist Havildar Jaismine Lamboria and 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships Bronze medalist CPO Reetika Hooda are the two women Service personnel who are taking part in the Games for the first time, and would aim to create history. They will feature in Boxing and Wrestling respectively.

Sub Amit Panghal (Boxing); CPO Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Shot-Put); Sub Avinash Mukund Sable (3000m Steeplechase); CPO Muhammed Anas Yahiya, PO(GW) Muhammed Ajmal, Sub Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan & JWO Mijo Chacko Kurian (4X400M Men's Relay); JWO Abdulla Aboobacker (Triple Jump); Sub Tarundeep Rai & Sub Dhiraj Bommadevara (Archery) and Nb Sub Sandeep Singh (Shooting) are also among the Service personnel who would aim to bring laurels to the country.

The archery contingent features Sub Dhiraj Bommadevara, Sub Tarundeep Rai, and Sub Pravin Ramesh Jadhav, all competing in both individual and team recurve events. Their precision and focus, honed through years of military discipline, are expected to be formidable assets on the Olympic stage.

Athletics sees a strong showing with multiple participants across various events. SSR Akshdeep Singh, PO Vikas Singh, and SSR Paramjeet Bisht will test their mettle in the grueling 20km race walk. The race walking mixed marathon features PO Suraj Panwar, while Sub Avinash Sable takes on the challenging 3000m steeplechase.

All eyes will be on Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra as he defends his Olympic javelin throw title. The athletics lineup also includes CPO Tajinderpal Singh Toor in shot put, JWO Abdulla Aboobacker in triple jump, and Hav Sarvesh Kushare in high jump. A formidable 4x400m men's relay team comprises CPO Muhammed Anas Yahiya, PO(GW) Muhammed Ajmal, Sub Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan, and JWO Mijo Chacko Kurian.

In the boxing ring, Sub Amit Panghal will compete in the men's flyweight category, while Hav Jaismine Lamboria represents India in the women's featherweight division. The men's hockey team sees CPO Jugraj Singh as a reserve player, ready to step in when needed.

Other disciplines showcase India's sporting diversity. Spr Balraj Panwar will navigate the waters in rowing's men's single scull, while Sub Vishnu Saravanan takes to the seas in sailing's men's one person dinghy event. On the shooting range, Nb Sub Sandeep Singh aims for glory in the 10m air rifle competition. Tennis sees Nb Sub Sriram Balaji competing in men's doubles, and wrestling features CPO Reetika Hooda in the women's 76kg freestyle category.

Supporting this impressive array of athletes are five officials, each bringing crucial expertise to the Indian Olympic contingent. Lt Col Kabilan Sai Ashok and Sub CA Katappa will officiate and coach in boxing, respectively. Sub Sonam Tshering Bhutia lends his coaching acumen to the archery team. The sailing contingent benefits from the technical expertise of Hav CS Delai and the physiotherapy skills of Nk PV Sharad.

The participation of the Service personnel at the Paris Olympics underscores the Armed Forces’ commitment to promoting sporting excellence and fostering a culture of athleticism, while enhancing the sports consciousness across the nation. As the country gears up to witness the performances of these athletes, it stands united in extending best wishes and unwavering support to each participant.