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Thu, 01 August 2024
Live! Sindhu loses to China's Jiao; out of Olympics
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23:11 Badminton: P V Sindhu loses to China's Jiao
P V Sindhu was knocked out of the Paris Olympics after losing to China's He Bing Jiao in the women's singles Round of 16 match on Thursday.
Sindhu was outclassed in straight games, losing 19-21, 14-21, in 56 minutes.
This is the first time Sindhu will return empty handed from the Olympics, having won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
23:00 P V Sindhu loses to China's Jiao
Jiao proving to be unstoppable as Sindhu struggles to keep pace with the Chinese.
Jiao has opened up a comfortable 13-5 lead as Sindhu seems to be running out of ideas.
Sindhu gets a point back after taking the review but the next shot is well wide as Jiao continues to dominate.
A couple of points for Sindhu but Jiao holding before she shows some great defence to snatch the point from a difficult position and swell the lead to 15-8.
A quick point for Jiao as she finishes it with a powerful smash down the centre but Sindhu responds with a cross court shot to get back a point, followed by another one to reduce the gap to 10-16.
Sindhu trying to be more aggressive but hits it wide as Jiao leads 18-11 to close in on victory.
Another error from Sindhu to hand Jiao an easy point before the Indian keeps her slim hopes alive.
Jiao clinches a vital point to earn seven match points at 20-13.
All or nothing for Sindhu, who earns the point with a powerful smash but hits the next one long.
22:48 Badminton: Sindhu 19-21, 5-11 vs China's Jiao
Sindhu needs to make a quick start and take a lead or things could get difficult.
Sindhu with the early lead 2-1 as Jiao hits wide.
But Jiao having the better of the early exchanges to take a 5-2 lead.
Sindhu messes up a straightforward smash hitting it long to concede another easy point. She takes the review but the shuttle has clearly gone long, to trail 2-6.
Sindhu's defence letting her down as Jiao continues to stretch the lead, which is now an imposing 8-2.
After conceding seven points in a row, Sindhu finally ends the run to make it 3-8 and also wins the next point.
Sindhu makes it three points in a row to reduce the gap to 5-8.
A superb review from Jiao to overturn the call and get the point before a few powerful smashes in a row doubles the lead to 10-5.
Jiao in command at the turn over with a big lead of 11-5.
P V Sindhu
22:35 Sindhu loses 1st game vs China's Jiao
Sindhu has found her rhythm after the break. She has won five points of the next seven points to level the first set at 13-13.
A wide serve from Jiao makes it 14-14 each before Sindhu misses the drop shot and the Chinese opens a slight gap as the Indian's drop shot strikes the net.
Jiao too quick and deceptive as Sindhu loses another point with the lead swelling to 18-15.
Sindhu gets back with two points in a row to reduce the gap to 17-18.
But a powerful smash down the centre right into Sindhu's body has again put Jiao in command at 19-17.
Sindhu not giving up as a smart return helps her grab a crucial point
A powerful smash down the line by Sindhu to level scores at 19-19.
Jiao holds her nerves to take the next two points and clinch the first game 21-19 after 30 minutes.
22:20 Badminton: Sindhu trails 8-11 vs China's Jiao
BADMINTON
P V Sindhu has made a slow start in the singles round of 16 match against China's He Bing Jiao.
Jiao was quickly off the blocks to race to a 5-1 lead winning four points in a row. Sindhu getting back on track as a beautiful drop shot narrows the gap to 4-8 before she bags another point.
Sindhu loses the challenge after a thrilling 32-shot rally as Jiao wins the point to take the lead to 9-5.
The Chinese with the challenge this time but the shuttle has missed the line as the lead narrows down to 8-10.
A powerful smash from Jiao sees her stretch the lead to 11-8 at the break in the first game.
21:22 Alcaraz youngest man in tennis semis
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to reach the singles semi-finals at the Olympic Games since Novak Djokovic in 2008 by getting past Tommy Paul of the US 6-3, 7-6 (7) in Paris on Thursday.
Spain's Alcaraz, 21, is just a few days older than Djokovic was 16 years ago at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
This is only the latest in a series of 'youngest since' or 'youngest ever' achievements for Alcaraz, who is coming off titles at the French Open -- which is held at Roland Garros, the same facility being used for the 2024 Paris Games -- in June and at Wimbledon in July.
Alcaraz is also the youngest man to win Grand Slams on hard, grass and clay courts.
In 2022, he became the first teenager to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings, after winning the US Open.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Alcaraz will take on the winner of the quarter-finals between Casper Ruud of Norway or Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.
21:22 Alcaraz youngest man in tennis semis
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to reach the singles semi-finals at the Olympic Games since Novak Djokovic in 2008 by getting past Tommy Paul of the US 6-3, 7-6 (7) in Paris on Thursday.
Spain's Alcaraz, 21, is just a few days older than Djokovic was 16 years ago at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
This is only the latest in a series of 'youngest since' or 'youngest ever' achievements for Alcaraz, who is coming off titles at the French Open -- which is held at Roland Garros, the same facility being used for the 2024 Paris Games -- in June and at Wimbledon in July.
Alcaraz is also the youngest man to win Grand Slams on hard, grass and clay courts.
In 2022, he became the first teenager to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings, after winning the US Open.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Alcaraz will take on the winner of the quarter-finals between Casper Ruud of Norway or Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.
Anjum Moudgil
20:07 Shooters Anjum, Sift fail to qualify for final
India's shooters Anjum Moudgil and Sift Kaur Samra failed to qualify for the final of the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event, finishing 18th and 31st respectively at the Paris Olympics.
Appearing in her second Olympics, Anjum managed to score 584 with 26 inner 10s, while Sift shot 575 with the help of 22 inner 10s in the qualifications of the women's 3P event.
Sift, the reigning Asian Games champion, endured a horrendous outing in standing, shooting 93 and 94 to finish down in the pecking order.
The kneeling stage saw her get 193 and while she looked to come back with a 195 in prone, a poor 187 in the standing series pushed her down.
For Sift, this was a far cry from her excellent outing in the Asian Games last year when she registered a qualification score of 594 in Hangzhou, where she won the top prize with the then world record score of 469.6.
18:24 Sen beats Prannoy to enter quarters
Lakshya Sen outclassed compatriot H S Prannoy in an all-India battle to advance to the quarter-finals of the men's singles badminton at the Paris Olympics.
Sen registered an emphatic 21-12, 21-6 victory in just 39 minutes to become the third Indian man to make it to the quarter-finals at the Olympics.
17:42 Big Upset! Satwik-Chirag lose in quarters
Satwik-Chirag (India) vs Soh-Chia (Malaysia): 21-13, 14-21, 16-21
The final game is a battleground with both pairs eager to clinch the match. Soh starts with a powerful smash, giving Malaysia an early 2-0 lead. Tactical play from the Malaysians keeps the Indians on their toes. Chirag manages to find a gap, but Malaysia regains control with Soh's precise forehand.
India fights back, with Chirag and Satwik exchanging crucial points to level the score at 5-5. A fierce rally culminates in a Chirag smash, giving India their first lead of the game. However, the Malaysians, with their experience, quickly retake the advantage.
A marathon rally is finally won by Chirag, restoring parity at 9-9. Satwik then fires a bullet smash to give India a 2-point cushion. The Indians hold their nerve to take a slender lead into the mid-game break.
The intensity doesn't drop after the break. Satwik and Chirag combine beautifully for a point, extending their lead. A thrilling rally showcases the skill of both pairs, with India emerging victorious. Chirag's clever net play gives India a 14-11 advantage.
Malaysia refuses to give up. They capitalize on Satwik's positioning errors to narrow the gap to 14-13. Another flat exchange favors the Malaysians, leveling the score at 14-all. Satwik finds a gap on the left to regain the lead, but Malaysia quickly retaliates.
A crucial error from Satwik hands Malaysia a 2-point advantage. With nerves running high, Chirag's shot finds the net, bringing up match point for Malaysia. Indians lose the third game 16-21.
17:12 India, Malaysia battle in tight 2nd game
The Indians stormed out to a familiar 4-0 lead, their aggressive style thriving on the fast court.
But Malaysia wouldn't back down, clawing their way back with a 3-point surge to level the score at 4-4.
Chia showcased his attacking prowess, leaving Chirag flat-footed for Malaysia's first lead. Satwik countered with a signature smash, but a service error handed the advantage back to their opponents.
The rallies tightened, with neither side holding the upper hand for long. Chirag unleashed a powerful smash, met by Soh's deceptive body shot. The score remained deadlocked at 8-8, mirroring the intense opening of the first set.
A lucky shot from Chia put India ahead momentarily, but he wasn't done. He tested Satwik's defense, forcing an error to level things again. Chirag showcased his net play brilliance, pulling India back to 10-10. However, Malaysia snatched the lead just before the mid-game interval with a decisive winner.
The strategy shifted as Malaysia employed flat, mid-court returns. Chia landed a well-placed smash right on Chirag's ankle, extending their lead to 11-13. The drift from the far side and a few unforced errors at the net further widened the gap, putting Malaysia ahead 12-16.
Service woes continued to plague India with a costly fourth error. The deficit grew to a concerning 4 points at 14-17. Satwik's audacious attempt at a return backfired, and Chirag followed suit with a net shot, handing Malaysia game point. A low serve by Soh proved too tricky for Satwik, securing the game for Malaysia 14-21.
The thrilling encounter heads into a decisive third set!
16:50 Satwik-Chirag lead
The Indian badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are set to take on Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Wooi Yik Soh in a thrilling men's doubles match on Court 1.
The action is about to begin.
A rapid exchange of points to kick off the match, as expected. Chirag's quick net play gives India an early advantage.
Both pairs trading powerful smashes, but a service error levels the score at 3-all.
Satwik and Chirag edge ahead, 5-4, with Chirag's sharp attacks proving effective.
Service woes continue to plague the Indians as another error levels the score at 7-all. Chirag's net mishap gives Malaysia a slender lead, but Satwik's delicate touch quickly restores parity. A lengthy rally ends in Chias favour, tying the score again at 10-10.
The Indian pair regains their composure at the mid-game break, holding a narrow advantage. However, the contest remains fiercely competitive with both sides trading blows. Satwik and Chirag have upped the ante since then, stretching their lead to 15-10.
Chirag is in dominant form at the net, forcing errors and dictating play as the Indians move to 18-12. They win the first game 21-13!
15:47 Indian women shooters struggling in rifle qualification
Sift Kaur Samra and Anjum Moudgill have made a slow start to the Women's rifle 50m 3 position qualification round.
Both shooters are currently below par, with Sift on 77/80 and Anjum on 97/120 after the first series.
The Indian duo will need to significantly improve their performance in the subsequent rounds to have any chance of qualifying for the final.
The situation is looking increasingly challenging for both shooters as they face a tough battle to make the top eight.
15:35 Archer Pravin Jadhav loses
Archer Pravin Jadhav suffered a 0-6 defeat against China's Wenchao Kao in the men's individual Round of 64 archery match on Thursday.
Kao was in superb form right from the start as he shot 29 in the first set, while Jadhav managed 28.
The Chinese lodged a perfect 30 in the second set with three consecutive shots of 10s as Jadhav ran him close with two 10s and a nine to lose the set by a narrow margin of one point.
However, Jadhav failed to sustain the momentum as he tallied 27 in the third set with Kao totalling 28 to complete a 6-0 rout.
15:13 Priyanka finishes 41st in race walk
India's Priyanka Goswami has concluded her Women's 20km race walk campaign in 41st position, clocking a time of 1:39.55.
China's Jiayu Yang claimed the gold medal with a season-best time of 1:25.54, while Spain's Maria Perez secured silver with another season-best effort of 1:26.19. Australia's Jemima Montag rounded out the podium with an Area record time of 1:26.25.
15:05 Boxer Nikhat out; Hockey team loses to Belgium
A thrilling encounter between India and Belgium ended in disappointment for the Indians as they suffered their first loss of the Paris Olympics.
Belgium, the defending champions, proved their mettle with a dominant display in the final quarter. Despite a valiant effort from India, including a stunning save from Sreejesh to deny a Hendrickx penalty corner, the Belgians managed to find the net through John-John Dhomen.
A late penalty corner for India offered a glimmer of hope, but a heroic defensive effort from Belgium, particularly a goal-line save from van Aubel, denied the Indians an equalizer.
The final nail in the coffin came when India were reduced to ten men due to a yellow card, and Belgium capitalized on their numerical advantage to secure the victory.
14:51 Hockey: After 3rd quarter Belgium lead 2-1
Brilliant save by Vanasch! India launched a fierce attack, with Sumit almost getting a crucial equalizer, but the Belgian goalkeeper pulled off a miraculous save to deny India.
India have displayed impressive hockey throughout this match, arguably their best of the tournament so far. However, Belgium, led by the formidable Hendrickx, have proven to be a tough nut to crack. The final quarter promises to be a thrilling spectacle as India push for an equalizer.
14:47 Nikhat's campaign ends with defeat
In a closely contested battle, Nikhat Zareen was unable to overcome the formidable Wu Yu. Despite a valiant effort in the final round, the Chinese boxer's superior experience and skill proved decisive.
Wu Yu's victory by unanimous decision brings an end to Nikhat's Olympic campaign.
14:43 Nikhat fights back but falls short
Nikhat Zareen showed glimpses of her potential in the second round, capitalizing on Wu Yu's holding tactics with a well-placed straight punch.
However, the Chinese boxer's aggression and accuracy proved to be too much for the Indian.
Despite a late surge from Nikhat, including some effective body shots, Wu Yu secured a 3-2 victory, advancing to the next round.
14:40 Nikhat Zareen struggling against Wu Yu
The opening two minutes of the Nikhat Zareen-Wu Yu bout have seen the Chinese boxer dominate proceedings. Wu has displayed exceptional speed and accuracy, landing clean punches while effectively nullifying Nikhat's attempts.
The Indian boxer is clearly facing a stiff challenge as Wus superior movement and punching power have given her a clear advantage thus far.
The crowd has rallied behind Nikhat, sensing the pressure their champion is under.
However, Wus dominance has been evident, and Nikhat will need to find a way to turn the tide if she is to progress in the tournament.
14:38 Hockey: India 1 Belgium 2
A swift counter-attack from Belgium has brought the game level at 1-1. Van Aubel's clever pass found Stockbroekx, who expertly flicked the ball past Sreejesh.
This is a timely reminder that the reigning Olympic champions are a formidable opponent, and India will need to remain focused to secure a victory.
Lalit earned a free hit for India just outside the circle, but a promising attack was thwarted by an infringement. Belgium will now have a chance to capitalise on the Indian error.
A relentless Belgian attack has finally paid off as they've managed to equalize and then take the lead. Sreejesh pulled off a fantastic save to deny a powerful Hendrickx drag-flick, but John-John Dhomen was on hand to tap in the rebound.
India will need to regroup quickly and find a way to level the score once again.
14:16 Here's what Kusale said after historic bronze
Bronze a dream come true: Swapnil Kusale
"It's still sinking in," said a visibly elated Swapnil Kusale after clinching the bronze medal.
"The final was tense, but I focused on my breathing and stuck to my routine. It's a dream come true to win a medal for India."
14:12 India holds strong vs Belgium
India has weathered a determined Belgian attack to maintain a slender 1-0 lead at halftime.
Sreejesh has been in inspired form, pulling off a crucial save to deny Belgium an equaliser.
The Indian defenders have also shown significant improvement, successfully thwarting numerous Belgian attempts. Abhisheks well-taken goal in the first quarter has given India a crucial advantage, but they will need to remain vigilant to hold on to their lead.
The second half promises to be a thrilling encounter!
14:11 India off to a flying start in hockey
What a day for Indian sports! The shooting team has continued their incredible run with another medal, this time a bronze for Swapnil Kusale in the 50m rifle 3 positions.
Shifting focus to hockey, the Indian men have made a promising start against Belgium. They've defended resolutely to keep the scoreline level at 0-0 after the first quarter.
A brilliant counter-attack has just yielded a goal for India! Abhishek has pounced on a defensive error to give the team a 1-0 lead. This is a fantastic start for the Indian hockey team.
13:53 India make history: Third shooting Medal at Paris
Swapnil Kusale has clinched the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event, marking India's third shooting medal at the Paris Olympics.
This historic achievement sets a new benchmark for the country, as it's the most medals India has ever won in a single sport at a single Olympics.
Gold: Liu Yukun (China)
Silver: Serhiy Kulish (Ukraine)
Bronze: Swapnil Kusale (India)
13:52 Kusale wins historic bronze in rifle 3 positions
Swapnil Kusale has begun the standing portion of the 50m rifle 3 positions final with a promising score of 9.5. His second series total of 51.1 is currently the second-best among the finalists.
Swapnil Kusale creates history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event.
While still trailing the leader Liu Yukun by 1.6 points, Kusale is now within striking distance of the medal positions.
Swapnil Kusale has made a remarkable surge, climbing to second place after 37 shots. With scores of 10.6 and 10.3, his total stands at 382.1, just 0.2 points behind leader Liu Yukun. This is a thrilling moment for the Indian shooter!
Swapnil Kusale has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the final stages of the competition. A disappointing 9.1 temporarily dropped him to fourth place before a strong recovery with scores of 10.1 and 10.3 moved him back up to third.
The Indian shooter is now 0.9 points behind second-placed Liu Yukun and one point adrift of the leader, Kulish Bartnik. The elimination of Bartnik and Kovacevic has intensified the competition for the remaining medals.
Swapnil Kusale has maintained his third position with a solid 10.5. He now holds a comfortable 1.8-point lead over fourth-placed Hegg.
With the elimination of Lucas Kryzs, the competition for the remaining medals is heating up.
In a thrilling finish, Swapnil Kusale wins the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event. With a final score of 10, Kusale held off a challenge from Kulish, who managed a 9.9.
This is a historic moment for Indian shooting!
13:27 Kusale impresses in prone, moves to 5th
Swapnil Kusale has made a strong start to the prone portion of the 50m rifle 3 positions final.
With a series of consistent scores including three 10.5s and two 10.6s, the Indian shooter has climbed one spot to fifth position.
However, he still faces a challenging gap of 1.8 points to the leader.
Swapnil Kusale experienced a mixed bag of results in the second prone series. A standout 10.8 briefly lifted the Indian crowd before a subsequent 10.2 brought him back to earth.
The series concluded with a final score of 52.2, placing Kusale in fifth position.
Meanwhile, world record holder Liu Yukun has made a steady ascent to claim second place.
There will be an eight-minute break as the shooters transition from the prone to the standing position.
13:14 Kusale 6th after kneeling series
Swapnil Kusale has completed the first kneeling series in the 50m rifle 3 positions final with a score of 50.8, placing him in a tie for sixth position.
He trails the medal positions by a full point as the competition moves into the second kneeling series.
Swapnil Kusale has finished his second kneeling series with a slight improvement, scoring 50.9 for a total of 101.7.
Despite the improvement, he remains in sixth place and still one point adrift of the medal positions.
With 30 shots yet to be fired, there's plenty of time for the Indian shooter to climb the leaderboard.
Swapnil Kusale has concluded the kneeling portion of the 50m rifle 3 positions final in sixth place with 10.5, 10.4, 10.3, 10.2 and 10.2.
Despite consistent scores, he remains one point behind the medal positions as the competition shifts to the prone stage.
The competition takes a short break as shooters transition from the kneeling to the prone position. Athletes are adjusting their equipment and taking sighting shots to prepare for the next stage of the event.
13:01 Kusale eyes medal in rifle 3 positions
The final of the men's 50m rifle 3 position event is about to begin.
Eight finalists, including India's Swapnil Kusale, will compete for the gold medal. The competition consists of two stages:
Qualification round: Shooters fire 40 shots in total, divided into three positions: kneeling, prone, and standing.
Final round: The top eight shooters advance to the final, where they fire an additional five standing shots. Each shot is an elimination shot, with the lowest scorer eliminated after each round until only one shooter remains.
The current world record holder, China's Liu Yukun, is among the finalists and will be a strong contender for the gold.
12:48 India's race walkers struggle to keep pace
India's race walking challenge continues as the competition heats up. Vikash Singh is currently holding steady in 29th position, but is now a full minute behind the leading pack.
His compatriot, Paramjeet Singh, has managed to climb to 38th but is facing a larger deficit of 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
The pace has intensified significantly in the latter part of the race, with the lead group pushing hard. China's Zhang Jun has taken control at the 13km mark, as Vikash finds himself 28 seconds behind the leader. Paramjeet is now a minute and 25 seconds adrift.
It's a tough battle for the Indian duo, who will need to dig deep to improve their positions in the remaining kilometers.
With just two kilometers remaining in the grueling men's 20km race walk, India's walkers are battling for a strong finish. Vikash Singh sits in 31st place, two minutes behind the leaders. He'll need to summon all his remaining energy to climb the rankings.
Meanwhile, Paramjeet Singh occupies 37th position, three minutes back from the front of the pack. While a podium finish seems unlikely for either Indian athlete, a strong closing effort could still secure a respectable result.
The race for gold is currently a neck-and-neck battle between Colombia's Daniel Pintado and Brazil's Caio Bonfim. The final stretch promises to be an intense display of athleticism and willpower.
12:11 Vikash Singh shines, Akashdeep out
India's race walking hopes have taken a hit, with Akashdeep Singh forced to withdraw from the competition (DNF).
However, there's a glimmer of hope as Vikash Singh has made a significant move up the rankings.
At the 7km mark, Vikash surged into 12th position, showcasing impressive pace and determination. Unfortunately, Paramjeet Singh is still struggling, currently positioned at 45th.
With the lead pack tightly bunched together, Vikash's 19th position at the 8km mark is not indicative of his overall performance. Every second counts in this high-stakes race, and the Indian walker will be aiming to maintain his strong pace and challenge for a top finish.
Let's hope Vikash can continue this momentum!
11:58 India's race walkers face challenge
India's race walk trio is facing a tough test in the early stages of the 20km event.
At the 2km mark, Vikash Singh led the Indian contingent in 13th position, followed by Paramjeet Singh at 29th and Akashdeep Singh at 49th.
However, the race is far from over. With plenty of kilometers still to cover, there's ample opportunity for the Indian walkers to make a move up the rankings.
The situation hasn't improved significantly at the 5km mark, with Vikash slipping to 22nd, Paramjeet at 46th, and Akashdeep holding steady at 49th.
Let's hope for a strong finish from the Indian trio!
11:57 Tough road ahead for Indian race walkers
The Olympics kicks off for India with a challenging task for our race walkers.
Four Indian athletes will be in action, with the men's 20km event starting at 11am and the women's at 12:50pm.
Akshdeep Singh, Vikash Singh, and Paramjeet Singh will represent India in the men's category, facing stiff competition from a field where more than half the participants have better personal best times.
Priyanka Goswami, India's sole representative in the women's event, will also have her work cut out as she competes against a strong international field.
Let's cheer for our Indian athletes as they take on the world's best!
11:25 Race Walk event delayed due to bad weather
The men's and women's 20km race walk events at the Paris Olympics have been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
New start times have been announced:
Men's 20km race walk: 11:30 AM IST
Women's 20km race walk: 1:20 PM IST
We'll keep you updated on the latest developments.
11:13 Prakash Padukone backs Satwik-Chirag for gold
India's badminton legend, Prakash Padukone, believes the star duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a chance of returning with an Olympic gold.
The world number three ranked duo punched their ticket for the quarter-finals of badminton doubles with a straight-game win over Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
Satwik and Chirag have roared and soared high in the world of badminton as a pair. They have toppled numerous records and lifted various titles before landing in Paris.
They looked flawless in their technique and style throughout the group stage. In their quest for a medal in the men's doubles event, Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik stand in their way.
Ahead of the highly anticipated fixture, Prakash backed the duo to go all the way to the final on the back of their impressive outings.
"As they are playing, there is a chance. There are definitely chances of winning the medal. But you can't say it with surety. They have come to the quarter-finals. The way they are playing, they have good chances of winning," Prakash told ANI.
11:05 A record night of the greats in the Paris pool
French poster boy Leon Marchand and U.S. distance dynamo Katie Ledecky made history while the Paris pool saw its first world record on one of the great nights of Olympic swimming on Wednesday.
China's Pan Zhanle ended the programme with another firecracker, the teenager obliterating his own 100 metres freestyle world record to take his country's first swimming gold of the meet.
Before that, Marchand sent sound levels off the scale at the La Defense Arena as he pulled off an unprecedented 200 metres butterfly and breaststroke double -- with a medal ceremony in between.
Both swims were completed in Olympic record time, a remarkable feat in two of the most tiring and demanding disciplines. Until Wednesday, no swimmer had managed to medal in both.
"It was pretty crazy to have the chance to be in the final in both races," he said.
"And then I just loved it, it was huge.
"I've fulfilled a lot of dreams since I've been here. Doing this double was also something I felt capable of, but to really do it in the real world is something else."
With passion, patriotic pride and raw emotion bursting out on all sides, Marchand soaked up the pressure and delivered what even the hype had suggested might be too much.
10:51 Action packed day for Indian athletes
Hello and welcome to the coverage of Paris Olympics 2024.
Get ready for a thrilling day of action as India has multiple chances to shine on the world stage!
Our race walkers are set to push their limits, while our shooters aim for glory.
And that's not all - high-octane badminton and hockey matches are also on the cards.
Stay tuned for live updates and cheer on our Indian heroes!
00:06 Prannoy wins, to face Sen in quarters
HS Prannoy has secured a dominant victory over Le Duc Phat, advancing to the Round of 16.
The Indian shuttler showcased his superior skills and experience, overpowering his Vietnamese opponent in the deciding set. Prannoy's precise net play and powerful smashes proved too much for Le to handle, as the Indian cruised to a 21-12 win in the final set.
With this victory, Prannoy sets up a highly anticipated clash with compatriot Lakshya Sen in the next round.
00:03 Olympic updates: Prannoy forces decider against Le
A victory for Prannoy will set up a highly anticipated clash against compatriot Lakshya Sen in the Round of 16.
HS Prannoy has found himself in an unexpected battle against world No. 70 Le Duc Phat. The Indian shuttler is struggling to find his rhythm against a determined Vietnamese opponent who is playing with impressive confidence.
Despite playing into the wind, Prannoy managed to claw his way back into the first game after a slow start. However, Le's consistent play and Prannoy's unforced errors ultimately proved to be the difference as the Vietnamese clinched the opening game 21-16.
The match has been a rollercoaster so far, with both players showcasing their skills. Prannoy will need to elevate his game significantly if he wants to turn the match around and avoid a shock exit.
HS Prannoy has bounced back in emphatic fashion after a shaky first set.
He's upped the tempo and exploited Le's inconsistency, pulling ahead with a commanding lead early in the second set. Le attempted to regain control with his aggressive tactics from the first game, but Prannoy's net play and powerful smashes proved too much to handle.
The Indian shuttler capitalized on Le's unforced errors and maintained a comfortable advantage throughout the set. A series of well-executed drop shots and smashes sealed the win for Prannoy, forcing the match into a decider with a score of 21-11.
The stage is set for a thrilling third set as both players look to secure a place in the next round.
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