Balraj Panwar Secures India’s First Paris Olympics Quota in Rowing

New Delhi: Balraj Panwar has made India proud by securing the country’s first Paris Olympics quota in rowing at the 2024 World Asian and Oceanian Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta in Chungju, South Korea. The 25-year-old Indian Army rower finished third in the men’s single scull event, clocking an impressive time of 7:01.27 minutes over the 2000m race.

Panwar’s achievement is even more remarkable considering he narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year. In the men’s single scull event, the top five finishers earn a spot at the Olympics, and Panwar’s third-place finish secured India’s quota for the prestigious event.

Unfortunately, India’s hopes in the men’s lightweight double sculls were dashed as the duo of Ujjwal Kumar and Arvind Singh finished third in an event where only the top two teams qualify. This means that India will have a solitary entry in rowing at the upcoming Paris Olympics, with Panwar leading the charge.

Panwar, who hails from Karnal in Haryana, put up a dominant performance in Chungju after a slow start. He fought his way to the front of the pack, leading the race until the final lap when Kazakhstan’s Vladislav Yakovlev overtook him to claim the gold medal. Despite finishing in third place, Panwar’s impressive performance has earned him a well-deserved spot at the Paris Olympics.

India also tasted success at the Asian Rowing Cup, with Salman Khan and Nitin Deol winning a gold medal in the men’s double scull event. With Panwar’s historic achievement and other rowers making their mark on the international stage, Indian rowing is definitely on the rise. Fans can now look forward to cheering on Panwar as he represents the country at the quadrennial extravaganza slated to begin on July 26.