India’s top rowers and canoe players are gearing up for the Asian-Oceania Qualifying events, with their sights set on securing quota places for the Paris Olympics. The athletes will compete in two separate events: the ACC Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe Asian Championships in Tokyo, Japan, from April 18-21, and the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta from April 19-21 in Chungju, Korea.
Indian contingent for Qualifying events for the Paris Olympics
The Indian contingent includes Asian Games medalists Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam, who will be vying for a quota place each in canoeing. Other notable participants include Balraj Panwar, who finished fourth at the Asian Games last year, and Arjun Lal and Arvind Singh, who represented India at the Tokyo Olympics. These athletes will be competing in men’s singles sculls and men’s lightweight double sculls, respectively.
The competition is fierce, with only the top five ranked players in men’s single sculls and the top two in men’s lightweight double sculls earning a Paris quota place. Despite the challenges, the Indian rowers are determined to continue the country’s legacy of securing at least one rowing quota place in the last six Olympics.
In the canoeing event, this competition represents the final opportunity for all Asian athletes to secure Paris Olympics quota places. The winner of all eight events will earn a coveted berth for this prestigious event. This is particularly significant for India, as the country has never competed in a canoe event at the Summer Olympics.
In the women’s category, Parvathy Geetha and Soniya Devi Phairembam will compete in the K2 500m event, while Neha Devi Leichonbam and Kaveri will vie for a quota place in the women’s C2 500m event. The top two boats in the men’s and women’s K1 and C1 events and the top boat in the men’s and women’s K2 and C2 events will secure Olympic quotas.
🚣♂️Rowing Asia-Oceania Olympic & Paralympic Qualifer Entry List 🇮🇳
Balraj Panwar-Men's single sculls
Arjun Lal jat/Arvind Singh-LW Men's doubles sculls
Anita/Narayan-XD sculls(Para)The event starts from 19 April.There are 5 quotas on offer in singles and 2 in doubles#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/7b9VQUBQ7S
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