New Delhi: The pair of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh created a lot of firsts when they won a bronze in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, beating South Korea for a podium finish on Tuesday. It was the first time India won a shooting medal in a team event while Bhaker became the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympics. Bhaker also became the second Indian female to win two Olympic medals after PV Sindhu in badminton.
But amid all these, the Indian pair also became the first Indian ‘team’ to win an Olympic medal after the Indian hockey team’s gold medal at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. Although the Indian hockey team won medals at 10 Olympics in a row, they lacked company as far as a ‘team’ is concerned. On July 30, 2024, Manu and Sarabjot etched their names in history to become only the second team after hockey to win an Olympic medal for India.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey team qualified for the quarterfinals after beating Ireland 2-0 on Tuesday in a Pool B game. The win took India to seven points from three matches while the defeat has ousted Ireland from the quarterfinal race. India had won against New Zealand and drew against Argentina in their previous two group games.
Belgium, with nine points from three games have also qualified for the knockouts after humiliating Australia 6-2 on Tuesday. The top four teams from each of the two pools qualify for the quarterfinals. Australia are third while Argentina and New Zealand are fighting for the fourth spot in the Pool B.
But after the Black Sticks’ 0-2 loss to Argentina, New Zealand are stuck on four points and neither them or Ireland can overtake India on points. As a result India have qualified for the quarterfinals. Although tough, India need to win their final two games against Australia and Belgium to finish in the top 2.
