India at Paris 2024 Olympics, Day 11, as it happened: Vinesh Phogat, Neeraj Chopra storm into finals; hockey team lose in semis

On a day when Neeraj Chopra took the spotlight in the men’s javelin throw qualification round, wrestler Vinesh Phogat produced India’s headline performance on Day 11 at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Vinesh, notably, became the first Indian female wrestler to make the gold medal match at the Olympics and scripted an incredible story along the way.

The 29-year-old Indian wrestler stunned defending champion Yui Susaki, mounting a comeback with 10 seconds to go, in the first round. Later, she beat Oksana Livach in the quarter-final and stormed past Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final.

Earlier, India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra, defending his Olympic title, topped the field in the men’s javelin throw qualification round. He aced his first attempt, logging a season best 89.34m throw, his second-best overall, to make consecutive finals at the Summer Games.

Kishore Jena, however, failed to replicate Chopra’s success and ended his campaign in the qualification round.

Meanwhile, India were defeated 3-2 by Germany in a topsy-turvy men’s hockey semi-final. While it shattered the dreams of a first hockey gold since Moscow 1980, India will now look to replicate their bronze medal finish from Tokyo 2020.

Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar, who kickstarted the day, were unable to upstage the People’s Republic of China in the men’s team round of 16 table tennis match.

In the women’s 400m event, Kiran Pahal failed to make the semi-finals after finishing last in her repechage round heats.

Hockey: India beaten by Germany in semis, will play for bronze

The Indian men’s hockey team lost 2-3 against Germany in the semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

Harmanpreet Singh and Co. will now feature in the bronze medal match against Spain on Thursday, August 8, and hope to replicate their Tokyo 2020 podium finish at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.

Germany, meanwhile, are set to face the Netherlands in the goal medal match on Thursday.

Though India were the more aggressive side in the first half of the semi-final, Germany took a 2-1 lead at the interval. The Indian team equalised in the third quarter but Germany scored a decisive late goal to go past the eight-time Olympic champions.

Score: Germany beat India 3-2 in the men’s hockey semi-final. The Indian men’s hockey team will play Spain in the bronze medal match.

Hockey: Germany lead vs India in fourth quarter

India are trailing 2-3 against Germany with six minutes to go in the men’s hockey semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Marco Miltkau scored in the 54th minute to live the defending world champions Germany a lead in the final quarter of regulation time.

The match was level 2-2 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Score: Germany lead 3-2 against India in the men’s hockey semi-final.

Hockey: Sukhjeet Singh scores equaliser in third quarter vs Germany

The Indian men’s hockey team made it 2-2 against Germany in the third quarter of the semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Despite India’s domination in the first half, the defending world champion Germany had taken a 2-1 lead.

Sukhjeet Singh, however, found the back of the net in the 36th minute from a Harmanpreet Singh penalty corner to level the match.

Score: India level 2-2 against Germany in the third quarter of the men’s hockey semi-final.

Hockey: Germany take 2-1 lead vs India in semis

The Indian men’s hockey team trailed Germany 1-2 at half time of the semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

While Harmanpreet Singh scored the opening goal in the seventh minute to give India the lead in the first quarter, Germany bounced back with two goals in the second.

Gonzalo Peillat began the comeback with a successful penalty corner conversion in the 18th minute. Christopher Ruehr, meanwhile, netted from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after an Indian defender blocked a goal-bound shot from a German penalty corner.

India, however, edge possession 54-46 in the first half and have more attacking circle penetrations (12) compared to Germany (8).

Score: India trails 1-2 against Germany at half time in the men’s hockey semi-final.

Hockey: Germany draw level in semis vs India

India had taken a 1-0 lead in the first quarter against Germany in the men’s hockey semi-final at Paris 2024.

However, just three minutes into the second quarter, Gonzalo Peillat scored from a penalty corner to level the scores at 1-1.

Score: India level 1-1 against Germany in the second quarter in the men’s hockey semi-final.

Hockey: India lead Germany after first quarter in semis

The Indian men’s hockey team took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter against Germany in the semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Harmanpreet Singh, India’s captain, converted a penalty corner in the seventh minute. It was his eighth goal of the Paris 2024 men’s hockey tournament, putting him atop the scoring charts.

India won seven penalty corners in the first quarter, dominating the attacking third against the reigning world champions Germany.

Score: India lead 1-0 against Germany after the first quarter in the men’s hockey semi-final.

Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat advances to gold medal match, confirms India’s fourth medal at Paris 2024

India’s Vinesh Phogat beat Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5-0 in the women’s 50kg freestyle semi-final wrestling match at the Champ-de-Mars Arena on Tuesday.

As a result, Vinesh became the first Indian female wrestler to make the final at the Olympics. The 29-year-old is also assured a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, her first ever at the Summer Games, following her heartbreaks from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

In the semi-final, Vinesh took a 1-0 lead in the first period. She was more aggressive in the second period, extending her lead to 5-0 and won the contest.

Vinesh will face the USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, in the women’s 50kg freestyle gold medal match at 12:30 AM IST on Thursday, August 8. If she wins gold, it would be India’s first wrestling title at the Olympic Games.

Click here and read more about her journey to the Olympic final at Paris 2024.

Score: Vinesh Phogat (IND) beat Yusneylis Guzman Lopez (CUB) 5-0 in the women’s 50kg freestyle semi-final wrestling match. Vinesh made the gold medal match.

Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat begins semi-final challenge vs Yusneylis Guzman

The Vinesh Phogat vs Yusneylis Guzman Lopez women’s 50kg freestyle semi-final wrestling bout is underway at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The winner of tonight’s contest will make the final while the losing wrestler will feature in the bronze medal match. Both medal events are scheduled to take place tomorrow (August 7).

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has bagged two world championships bronze medals, three Commonwealth Games titles and two Asian Games podium finishes, including the Jakarta 2018 gold, in her career. However, she is yet to medal at the Olympics.

Hockey: India vs Germany men’s semi-final underway

The Indian men’s hockey team are now in action against Germany in the semi-final at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.

The winner of this contest will be guaranteed a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and will face the Netherlands in the final.

However, the losing side will go up against Spain in the bronze medal match.

Both medal matches will be played on Thursday, August 8.

Watch: Neeraj Chopra praises India's performance at Paris 2024

Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat up against Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in semis

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will face Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the women’s 50kg freestyle semi-final match at the Paris 2024 Olympics tonight.

With a win, Vinesh will be guaranteed a medal on her third Olympic appearance.

Her Cuban counterpart, meanwhile, is the reigning Pan American Games champion and featuring at her second Summer Games.

Incidentally, the 29-year-old Vinesh defeated Yusneylis Guzman 12-4 en route to her Grand Prix of Spain title in Madrid last month.

Hockey: Harmanpreet Singh joint-first in top goal-scorers list

Harmanpreet Singh is India’s top goal-scorer at the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s hockey tournament with seven goals (four penalty corners and three penalty strokes), so far. The Indian captain is also joint-top, along with Australia’s Blake Govers, in the overall tally.

With the Kookaburras knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals, Harmanpreet could take the top spot all for himself by scoring in the semi-final against Germany tonight.

Here’s the list of the top goal-scorers in men’s hockey at Paris 2024.

• Blake Govers (AUS) - 7
• Harmanpreet Singh (IND) - 7
• Alexander Hendrickx (BEL) - 5
• Jip Janssen (NED) - 5
• Christopher Ruhr (GER) - 4

Neeraj Chopra praises Vinesh Phogat, hopes for her to medal

Neeraj Chopra in men’s javelin throw and Vinesh Phogat in wrestling have been the headline-makers for India on Day 11 at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Chopra, as expected, topped the qualification charts and stormed into the final. Vinesh, however, upstaged Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki in her first round.

"This is extraordinary. To beat Susaki is unreal,” Chopra told the reporters in Paris after his throw.

“The effort she has put in shows after what she has been through I pray for her that she wins a medal. All best to her," the defending Olympic and world champion added.

Hockey: Amit Rohidas to miss semis vs Germany

The Indian men’s hockey team defender Amit Rohidas will not feature in today’s semi-final at Paris 2024 after receiving a one-match ban in the aftermath of the win against Great Britain.

“Amit Rohidas was suspended for one match for a breach of the FIH Code of Conduct which occurred during the India vs Great Britain match on August 4,” the FIH official statement read.

India, as a result, will play with a squad of 15 players only.

The incident which led to this ban happened in the 17th minute of the quarter-final. Rohidas, then, swung a hockey stick across Will Calnan’s face and was sent off after a video referral.

“Wish Neeraj the best of luck” - Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem

On Tuesday, India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem were among the 12 athletes who made the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Chopra and Nadeem have shared great camaraderie over the years while also being extremely competitive on the field. Nadeem, as usual, wished Neeraj the best for Thursday’s final.

“At every competition, the aim of every athlete remains to try and perform to the best of their ability. I wish Neeraj the best of luck. May he and I both do well for our respective countries,” said Nadeem.

"It gives me immense joy that there are only two of us from South Asia, myself and Neeraj bhai, who are performing on the world stage along with the other players who compete with Neeraj,” Nadeem added. "I hope that we continue to perform for our respective countries and make the names of our countries shine bright globally."

Click here and read more about what Arshad Nadeem said about Neeraj Chopra today.

Hockey: Netherlands outclass Spain to make men’s final

The Netherlands secured an emphatic 4-0 victory against Spain in the men’s hockey semi-final and booked their spot in the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Oranje, now, are assured a medal in the event, their 10th at the Summer Games. The colour, however, will be decided in the final on Thursday, August 8. The Netherlands will face the winners of the India vs Germany semi-final.

Jip Janssen (12’), Thierry Brinkman (20’), Thijs van Dam (32’) and Duco Telgenkamp (50’) netted for the Dutch side, who despite having lesser possession were more efficient in the attacking third.

Spain, who beat Tokyo 2020 champions Belgium in the quarter-finals, will now head to the bronze medal match. The Redsticks will play for their second Olympic bronze in men’s hockey.

Hockey: India vs Germany head-to-head record

India face Germany, the defending world champions, in the men’s hockey semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics tonight, starting at 10:30 PM IST.

Over the years, the IND vs GER fixture has been played 18 times in men’s hockey.

The Indian men’s hockey team lead the head-to-head record against Germany 8-6. Four matches have ended drawn in this fixture.

Notably, India won seven matches on the bounce against Germany between December 2017 and June 2024, including the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal match.

Germany, however, clinched a 3-2 win in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 two months ago to end the Indian winning streak.

Table tennis: India will take on Germany in women’s team quarters

India are set to face Germany in the women’s team quarter-final table tennis match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday.

Seeded 11th, India upstaged fourth-seeds Romania 3-2 in the round of 16, courtesy of Manika Batra’s two wins in the singles contests.

Germany, seeded fifth at Paris 2024, beat the USA in their pre-quarterfinal match.

The India vs Germany women’s team quarter-final will be conducted at the South Paris Arena tomorrow (August 7) at 1:30 PM IST.

Winners of this match will face second seeds Japan or 13th-seeded Thailand in the semi-finals.

Get India’s table tennis results at the Paris 2024 Olympics here.

Wrestling: Antim Panghal to face Turkiye’s Zeynep Yetgil in pre-quarters

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal, seeded fourth, will go up against Zeynep Yetgil from Turkiye in the women’s 53kg freestyle round of 16 bout at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday.

Aged 19, Panghal is the youngest Indian wrestler in Paris. She is a two-time junior world champion and world championships medallist.

If she wins, Panghal will face Germany’s Annika Wendle or fifth-seeded Maria Prevolaraki of Greece in the quarter-finals. Top-seeded Lucia Yepez of Ecuador, meanwhile, could be a potential semi-finalist.

Japan’s Akari Fujinami, who has an unbeaten streak of over a hundred matches, is in the other half of the draw. She is the reigning two-time world champion, the 2022 Asian Games gold medallist and also a two-time reigning Asian champion.

Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Pang Qianyu from the People’s Republic of China is also on Fujinami’s side of the women’s 53kg freestyle wrestling draw for Paris 2024.

Neeraj Chopra aims to set an example for India at Paris 2024

The reigning Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra aced his first attempt in the men’s javelin throw qualification round and made the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“It was a good throw. Maybe the biggest ever in qualifying for me. All the throwers look in good shape. The final will be a really good competition for sure,” said Chopra.

The 26-year-old also opened up on his motivation ahead of the final on Thursday.

“My biggest motivation is that I always go out to do my best because I know I have not reached my peak,” Chopra added.

“I am not yet as good as I would like to be technically or in distance, so I want to improve and throw further.

"And I want to set an example for other Indian athletes so that we can compete here with the best countries in athletics.”

Hockey: India vs Germany semis on the agenda

The Indian men’s hockey team face Germany in the semi-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics today at 10:30 PM IST.

The fixture is a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal match, where India edged a thriller 5-4.

India, meanwhile, are the eight-time Olympic champions. However, a win in tonight’s semi-final will take India to their first men’s hockey final in 44 years. Their last gold medal match appearance was at Moscow 1980, which India won.

Since then, India have made the men’s hockey semi-finals at the Olympics only twice - Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Three years ago, India lost to eventual gold medallists Belgium.

To know more about India’s hockey history, click here.

Athletics: Men’s javelin throw finalists at Paris 2024

Defending Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra topped the men’s javelin qualification charts at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday. Chopra, 26, logged a season best effort of 89.34m, his all-time second-best throw, to storm into Thursday’s final at the Stade de France.

A total of five athletes made season best throws today while Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio da Silva rewrote the South American record and Finland’s Toni Keranen set a new personal best.

Here’s the list of athletes who will feature in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

• Neeraj Chopra (IND) - 89.34m (SB)
• Anderson Peters (GRN) - 88.63m (SB)
• Julian Weber (GER) - 87.76m
• Arshad Nadeem (PAK) - 86.59m (SB)
• Julius Yego (KEN) - 85.97m (SB)
• Luiz Mauricio da Silva (BRA) - 85.91m (AR)
• Jakub Vadlejch (CZE) - 85.63m
• Toni Keranen (FIN) - 85.27m (PB)
• Andrian Mardare (MDA) - 84.13m (SB)
• Oliver Helander (FIN) - 83.81m
• Keshorn Walcott (TTO) - 83.02m
• Lassi Etelatalo (FIN) - 82.91m

India reacts to Vinesh Phogat's surge to the wrestling semis

Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat makes women’s 50kg freestyle semis

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat beat Oksana Livach of Ukraine 7-5 in the women’s 50kg freestyle quarter-final and advanced to the semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Vinesh, in her third Olympics, is one win away from a confirmed medal at the Summer Games in Paris.

Earlier today, she trumped Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the round of 16.

In the quarter-final, she took a 2-0 lead in the first period. Livach came back stronger in the second period but Vinesh held off her challenge and outscored the Ukrainian wrestler.

Vinesh Phogat will face Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, a Pan American Games champion, or Gabija Dilyte of Lithuania in the semi-finals today, starting at 9:45 PM IST, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.

Score: Vinesh Phogat (IND) beat Oksana Livach (UKR) 7-5 in the women’s 50kg freestyle quarter-final wrestling match. Vinesh made the semi-finals.

Athletics: Kishore Jena fails to make men’s javelin throw final

India’s Kishore Jena, who was in action earlier today, will not feature in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday.

The Asian Games silver medallist, featuring in Group A, logged a best effort of 80.73m in the qualification round today at the Stade de France. After the Group B contenders finished their top attempts, Jena was officially ruled out of contention for the final.

The Odisha-based athlete had finished ninth in Group A. Julian Webber (GER), Julius Yego (KEN), Jakub Vadlejch (CZE) and Toni Keranen (FIN) made the final from his group.

Athletics: Anderson Peters advances to men’s javelin throw final

Anderson Peters of Grenada became the third athlete from Group B of the men’s javelin throw qualification event to make the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Peters, a two-time world champion, marked a season best 88.63m at the Stade de France on Tuesday to finish ahead of Arshad Nadeem but behind Neeraj Chopra.

A total of seven athletes, so far, have breached the qualification standard of 84.00m and confirmed their place in Thursday’s medal event.

Athletics: Arshad Nadeem joins Neeraj Chopra in men’s javelin throw final

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, one of Neeraj Chopra’s rivals at Paris 2024, joined his Indian counterpart in the men’s javelin throw final at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

Throwing fifth in Group B of the qualification round, Nadeem marked a season best effort of 86.59m in his first attempt to comfortably breach the qualification standard to make the medal event.

Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra have enjoyed a healthy rivalry over the years, with the Indian javelin thrower leading the head-to-head record 9-0. However, Nadeem’s 90.18m personal best from the 2022 Commonwealth Games is ahead of Chopra’s 89.94m top effort.

Athletics: Neeraj Chopra marks an incredible 89.34m in qualification

India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra notched a stunning 89.34m effort on his first attempt in the men’s javelin throw qualification round at the Paris 2024 Olympics today.

As a result, he comfortably surpassed the qualification standard and advanced to the final, which will be contested on Thursday, August 8 at 11:55 PM IST.

The Tokyo 2020 champion is the fifth athlete to make the men’s javelin throw final at Paris 2024.

Chopra’s first attempt, meanwhile, was his all-time second-best throw in the men’s javelin event. It was also the 26-year-old athlete’s best throw in any qualification round.

Score: Neeraj Chopra advanced to the men’s javelin throw final with an 89.34m throw in the qualification round.

Neeraj Chopra’s qualification round at Tokyo 2020

Ahead of Neeraj Chopra's Paris 2024 bow, let's take a look back at his men's javelin qualification event at Tokyo 2020.

Chopra faced a daunting challenge from reigning world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, German superstar Johannes Vetter, London 2012 champion Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago and Rio 2016 silver-medallist Kenyan thrower Julius Yego.

The athletes had to breach a mark of 83.50m to make it to the men’s javelin throw final.

Surprisingly, Chopra upstaged Vetter to take the top spot in the qualification round with a throw of 86.65 in the first attempt, which the German failed to surpass in three attempts and notched 85.64m.

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, meanwhile, completed the top three with a second attempt of 85.16m.

Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat stuns defending champion Yui Susaki

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat marked her third Olympic appearance dramatically, beating Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the women’s 50kg freestyle round of 16 wrestling match at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Susaki led the match 1-0 after the first period. However, Vinesh bounced back brilliantly in the second period and outscored the Japanese wrestler 3-2 to make the quarter-final. She will go up against Ukraine's Oksana Livach, the 2019 European champion, in the last eight.

Yui Susaki was not only the defending Olympic champion, she is also a three-time world champion in the category and the reigning Asian champion. The defeat today ended her 82-match winning streak at the international level.

Score: Vinesh Phogat (IND) won 3-2 against Yui Susaki (JPN) in the women’s 50kg freestyle round of 16 wrestling match.

Table tennis: India lose 3-0 to China in men’s team pre-quarters

The Indian men’s table tennis team of Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar went down 3-0 against the People’s Republic of China in the round of 16 at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Desai and Thakkar lost the first match of the tie, a doubles contest, in straight games (11-2, 11-3, 11-7) against Ma Long and Wang Chuqin.

Despite Sharath Kamal taking an early lead against the Paris 2024 singles gold medallist Fan Zhendong, the Chinese paddler bounced back to win the second match 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.

In the third, Thakkar was no match for Wang Chuqin, who won 11-9, 11-6, 11-9.

The defeat ended the Indian male table tennis players’ Paris 2024 campaign.

Score: The People’s Republic of China beat India 3-0 in the men’s team round of 16 table tennis contest.

Athletics: Kiran Pahal does not make 400m semis

Indian runner Kiran Pahal finished sixth in heat 1 of the women’s 400m repechage round at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old, as a result, did not secure her place in the semi-finals as only the top athletes in each heat along with the two best in repechage overall advanced.

Pahal clocked 52.59s in the repechage round, a time slower than her 52.51s finish in the first round.

Score: Kiran Pahal (IND) finishes sixth in heat 1 of the women’s 400m repechage round. Pahal did not advance to the semi-finals.

Athletics: Kishore Jena finishes ninth in Group A, fails to breach qualification mark

Kishore Jena’s best attempt of 80.73m saw him placed ninth in Group A of the men’s javelin throw qualification event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Jena’s top mark at the Stade de France came in the first attempt. However, he was unable to register a valid attempt in the second attempt and marked only 80.21m in the third.

To make the final at Paris 2024, the Indian javelin thrower will have to rank among at least the 12 best athletes in the overall qualification standings (including Group A and Group B).

Finland’s Toni Keranen, meanwhile, became the fourth athlete to surpass the qualification mark with an 85.27m effort, his personal best, and advanced to the final. Julian Weber (GER), Julius Yego (KEN) and Jakub Vadlejch (CZE) had earlier secured their spot in the final.

Score: Kishore Jena registered a best attempt of 80.73m in Group A of the men’s javelin throw qualification event.

Athletics: Julius Yego, former world champion, makes men’s javelin throw final

Kenya’s Julius Yego marked a stunning 85.97m, his season best, to qualify for the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

A former world champion, Yego joins Julian Weber and Jakub Vadlejch in the final, all of whom breached the qualification standard of 84.00m at the Stade de France today.

Yego had managed 78.84m and 80.76m in his first two efforts.

Meanwhile, here's Julian Weber's 87.76m attempt that took him to the men's javelin throw final at Paris 2024.

Athletics: Kishore Jena fails to mark on second attempt

Indian javelin thrower Kishore Jena did not register a score on his second attempt in the qualification event at the Stade de France today.

Jena’s throw seemed to finish with a mark lesser than his first attempt but the Indian athlete fouled after stepping over the line post his effort.

After the second attempts in Group A, no further athletes breached the 84.00m qualification standard but Keshorn Walcott set his upgraded mark of 83.02m. Jena, meanwhile, is now seventh in the group.

Athletics: Kishore Jena short of qualification standard after first attempt

India’s Kishore Jena set a mark of 80.73m on his first attempt in the men’s javelin throw qualification event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The effort was short of his season best of 80.84m and the qualification standard of 84.00m needed to make the final, scheduled for Thursday.

After the first attempts, Kishore Jena is placed fifth in Group A.

Germany’s Julian Weber, meanwhile, became the first confirmed finalist for the men’s javelin throw competition at Paris 2024 after a mighty 87.76m mark in his first attempt. Jakub Vadlejch of Czechia, followed, with an 85.63m throw on the first attempt.

Neeraj Chopra arrives for Paris 2024 men’s javelin throw competition

India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra will take the pitch at the Stade de France at 3:20 PM IST to begin the first step of his men’s javelin throw title defence at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Tokyo 2020 champion is in Group B alongside familiar foes Arshad Nadeem and Max Dehning.

Chopra will have to breach the 84.00m qualification standard or rank at least among the top 12 athletes to make the final and compete for his second Olympic title.

Athletics: Kishore Jena in men’s javelin throw qualification action

Kishore Jena, who has the second-best mark in men’s javelin throw for India, will now compete in Group A of the qualification competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Jena will need to upgrade his season best of 80.84m to at least 84.00m at the Stade de France to breach the qualification standard and feature in the final on Thursday.

World No. 1 Jakub Vadlejch, Keshorn Walcott and Oliver Helander are a part of Jena’s group today.

Table tennis: India vs China men’s team round of 16 underway

Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar are in action against the People’s Republic of China in the men’s team round of 16 table tennis tie at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

While India are seeded 14th, China, the four-time Olympic champions, are the top seeds.

Desai and Thakkar, first up, pair up for the doubles match. Sharath Kamal and Thakkar, then, will play singles in the second and third matches, respectively, of this tie.

All you need to know about Kishore Jena!

• Born in the Kothasahi village near Puri in Odisha on September 6, 1995.
• A former volleyball player.
• Broke the Odisha record with a 72.77m throw in 2017.
• Won a bronze medal with a new personal best of 78.05m at the 2022 National Open Athletics Championships.
• Jena bettered his personal best to 87.54m (second-best mark by an Indian javelin thrower) at the Asian Games final last year, close to pipping Neeraj Chopra for gold. Eventually, settled for the silver medal in Hangzhou.
• Finished fifth at the World Athletics Championships in 2023.

Click here to know more about Indian javelin thrower Kishore Jena.

How to qualify for the javelin throw final at Paris 2024

The men’s javelin throw qualification event at the Paris 2024 Olympics will begin today at the Stade de France at 1:50 PM IST.

Kishore Jena, world No. 7, is placed in Group A alongside Finland’s Oliver Helander and Jakub Vadlejch of Czechia.

Neeraj Chopra, meanwhile, is in Group B, which is expected to start at 3:20 PM IST. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and German javelin thrower Max Dehning are also placed in the same group.

The qualification standard to make the men’s javelin final at Paris 2024 is 84.00m. Neeraj Chopra’s personal best is 89.94m while Kishore Jena’s best effort is 87.54m.

All athletes who breach the 84.00m mark will make the men’s javelin final, scheduled for Thursday, August 8 at 11:55 PM IST.

However, if fewer than 12 athletes cross the standard, the best performers will make the final until there are at least 12 finalists.

Neeraj Chopra’s achievements and best throws

Achievements

• Olympic champion - Tokyo 2020
• World champion - Budapest 2023
• Diamond League finals winner - Zurich 2022
• World Championships silver medallist - Eugene 2022
• Asian Games champion - Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022
• Commonwealth Games champion - Gold Coast 2018

Best throws

• 89.94m - Stockholm Diamond League 2022 (national record)
• 89.30m - Paavo Nurmi Games 2022 (Turku, Finland)
• 89.08m - Lausanne Diamond League 2022
• 88.88m - Asian Games 2023 (Hangzhou)

Where to watch Neeraj Chopra at Paris 2024 Olympics live in India

The defending Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra begins his men’s javelin throw campaign today. India play Germany in the men’s hockey semi-final. You can watch them and other Indian athletes live.

Live streaming of the Paris 2024 Olympics will be available for free on Jio Cinema in India. Live telecast of Paris 2024 will be on Sports 18 Network TV channel in India.

Welcome to the Neeraj Chopra Olympic show!

On what promises to be a blockbuster Day 11 at the Paris 2024 Olympics, we are back with live coverage of Indian athletes.

Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy, will begin his men’s javelin throw title defence today in the qualification round, starting at 1:50 PM IST. Since his Tokyo 2020 gold, Chopra has clinched the Asian Games, Diamond League and World Championships titles. Kishore Jena, the Asian Games silver medallist last year, will also take part.

Kiran Pahal will race in the women’s 400m repechage round, India’s second track and field event of the day, from 2:50 PM IST.

The Indian men’s hockey team, meanwhile, will look to end a 44-year wait for their first Olympic final since Moscow 1980. Harmanpreet Singh and Co. will face Germany in the semi-finals, a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal contest, at 10:30 PM IST.

Vinesh Phogat will step on the Olympic stage for a third time, following the heartbreaks from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. At Paris 2024, she will open her women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling campaign against reigning champion Yui Susaki of Japan at 3:00 PM IST today.

After an underwhelming finish in the men’s singles table tennis competition, Sharath Kamal and Harmeet Desai, along with Manav Thakkar, will look to make up in the men’s team event. India, seeded 14th, will go up against the top-seeded People’s Republic of China, the four-time Olympic champions, in the round of 16 at 1:30 PM IST.