In pictures: The Indian athletes most likely to win an Olympics medal for the first time in Paris

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A total of 117 athletes are representing India at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris. While only a select few — such as Neeraj Chopra and P.V. Sindhu — know what it’s like to have an Olympics medal around their necks — the bulk of the rest are dreaming of their first taste of success at the Games. Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh have already set the ball rolling for India with a couple of bronze medals (Bhaker having won both!). Here are My Kolkata’s picks of who can emulate her in winning their first-ever Olympics medal at Paris 2024

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Tajinderpal Singh Toor: Having won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2022, Singh Toor is the pre-eminent shot putter from Asia. He made his Olympics debut in Tokyo but a heavily strapped shoulder meant he was far from his best. Injury-free this time and in the midst of a rich vein of form, the 29-year-old from Punjab’s Moga district should be able to compete for one of the podium spots

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Parul Chaudhary: This time last year, Chaudhury was a relatively unknown name in the annals of Indian athletics. But then came the 2023 Asian Games, where the 29-year-old relied on a late surge to win gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 3,000m steeplechase race. With two opportunities to win a medal on her Olympics debut, the long-distance runner from Meerut will have her sights set on repeating her success from Hangzhou

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Nikhat Zareen: The Indian boxing sensation, who has been grabbing headlines for years, finally arrives on her dream stage. At 28, Zareen has the chance to fulfil a lifelong ambition of not just competing at the Olympics, but coming home with gold. She is a two-time world champion and the bronze at the Asian Games was excellent preparation for Paris for the pugilist from Nizamabad. Competing in the 50kg flyweight category, Zareen’s blue corner will be packed with a billion hopes as she intends to follow in the footsteps of Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain

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Aditi Ashok: Having narrowly missed out in Tokyo where she finished fourth, Bengaluru’s Ashok has gained in maturity since and is ready to bring India its first medal in golf. Having been in contention for a medal for most of the fourth round in Tokyo, Ashok knows she has what it takes to be near the top under the most intense pressure. At 26, she now has a golden opportunity for redemption at the Albatros course, with seven professional wins already under her belt

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Anush Agarwalla: This time in Paris there is every reason to keep your eyes on the horses because a 24-year-old from Kolkata will be taking part in the equestrian dressage held in front of the iconic Palace of Versailles. Agarwalla shot to fame after he returned from Hangzhou with bronze in his individual event and gold in the team event. With his horse, Sir Caramello, by his side, Agarwalla is on the verge of more history in the French capital

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Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy: Entering the Olympics as the third-seeded pair, Shetty and Rankireddy, 27 and 23, respectively, have electric chemistry. Having already attained the world number one rank, the duo will be even hungrier for a medal in Paris, desperate to exorcise the ghosts of Tokyo, when the shuttlers exited at the group stage

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Table tennis women’s team: India’s best chances of a medal in table tennis seem to rest on the shoulders of their women’s paddlers. Over the last year, Indian paddlers have individually beaten each of the top three ranked players in the women’s circuit. The Indian women’s team is stacked with talent, from Manika Batra (in picture), 29, to Sreeja Akula, 25, who is currently ranked India’s number one singles player. At 20, Archana Girish Kamath will bring the exuberance of youth, entering her first Olympics. Together, this trio may just be able to go the distance for India