PTI (Press Trust of India)
The 2023 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, not only showcased the talents of our Indian athletes but also helped some win quotas at the Paris Olympics. Here is a list of proud Indian athletes who secured that quota.
1. Indian Hockey Team
The Indian hockey team defeated last-edition champion Japan by 5-1 to claim gold as well as their spot in the Olympics. Harmanpreet Singh and his boys made no mistake this time and defeated South Korea by 5-3 in the semi-finals. India dominated Japan in the finals to take a sprinting lead of 3-0 and end the match with a lead of four goals, while Japan managed to score just one.
2. Nikhat Zareen (boxing, women’s 45–50 kg)
The former world and Commonwealth champion made her Asian Games debut in Hangzhou, China. Nikhat won a bronze and secured her quota for the upcoming Olympics. She, along with the other semifinalists, secured their place at the Paris Olympics. She lost to Thailand’s Raksat Chuthamat in the semis.
3. Lovlina Borgohain (boxing, women’s 75kg)
In the 75 kg women’s boxing category, only the finalists were promoted to the Paris Olympics through the quota. Lovlina ensured her entry by clashing against her home favorite, Li Qian, in the finals. However, she couldn’t win in the finals and secured a silver medal at the 2023 Asia Games. She will be looking forward to doing even better at the Paris Olympics.
4. Preeti (boxing, women’s 54kg)
The young Indian boxer defeated Zhaina Shekerbekova of Kazakhstan by 4:1 to seal her place in the semi-finals of the women’s 54 kg, along with her spot in the Paris Olympics.
5. Parveen Hooda (boxing, women’s 57kg)
Praveen Hooda claimed herself as the fourth Indian boxer to confirm a spot in the Paris Olympics quota. She secured this spot after defeating Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova in the quarterfinals and promoting herself in the semis. Praveen too finished with a bronze in her category, just like Nikhat and Preeti.
6. Kishore Kumar Jena (Men’s Javelin Throw)
India’s Kishore Kumar Jena surpassed the defending champion of the 18th Edition and made fellow companion and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra fight for his gold. Jena finally managed to bag a silver at the 2023 Asian Games and confirmed his quota for the Paris Olympics. He claimed his silver after achieving his personal best of 87.54 meters, comfortably passing the qualification mark of 85.50 meters for the upcoming Olympics.
