Indian Rower Balraj Panwar Makes History by Qualifying for Paris Olympics

Balraj Panwar, a 25-year-old rower from Karnal, has made history by becoming the only Indian rower to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Born into a lower middle-class family in Kaimla village, Panwar’s journey to success was not an easy one.

After losing his father at a young age, Panwar took on the responsibility of his family and eventually joined the army at the age of 19. It was during his time in the army that he discovered his passion for rowing and began to excel in the sport.

Panwar’s hard work and dedication paid off as he started winning medals at national championships, including a gold at the 2020 Army Novices Championships and two golds at the Senior National Rowing Championships. His biggest achievement came at the 2023 Asian Games, where he narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the final.

Despite facing geographic and financial barriers, Panwar persevered and earned India’s sole Olympic quota in rowing at a recent qualification event in South Korea. Now, he is determined to give back to the sport that has changed his life by increasing its visibility in his region.

At a recent “Meet and Greet” Champions event in Karnal, Panwar introduced rowing to over 100 sportspersons, many of whom were unfamiliar with the sport. He highlighted the lack of infrastructure for rowing in Haryana and emphasized the need for government support to develop proper facilities for aspiring rowers.

With the support of the army and his determination to succeed, Panwar is now focused on making a mark at the Paris Olympics. He hopes that his success on the world stage will inspire more youngsters in his region to take up rowing and pursue their dreams in sports.