India had produced its best performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where they won a historic seven medals, their highest in the games' history.
With this success, there has been a slow but gradual shift in India's mindset, a country where athletes apart from cricketers, have largely gone under-appreciated.
That changed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when Neeraj Chopra won gold at the men's javelin throw and became independent India's first track and field athlete to win a medal at the Summer Games.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
With Paris 2024 on the horizon, The Sporting News looks at the top Indian Olympic debutants to watch out for.
Five Indian Olympic debutants to watch out for at 2024 Paris Games
1. Nikhat Zareen
Being a two-time world champion, who had not only won the gold medal at the World Boxing championships in 2022, but also successfully defended her title in 2023, Nikhat Zareen is a favourite to bring back a medal for India at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She had also clinched a bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth games and gold at the 2023 Asian games, making her not only one of the most in-form boxers but also among the brightest medal prospects for the country.
Having taken over the mantle from MC Mary Kom, Zareen will be hoping to emulate the legendary Indian boxer as medal at the Games. India has won three boxing medals so far at the Olympics - Vijender Singh (bronze, Beijing 2008), Mary Kom (bronze, London 2012) and Lovlina Borgohain (bronze, Tokyo 2020).
2. Parul Chaudhary
Parul Chaudhary booked her place for the Paris Olympics by setting a national record at the women's 3000m steeplechase finals during the World Athletics Championships in Hungary.
She clocked an individual best time of an impressive 9:15.31 which also exceeded the qualifying standards for the women’s steeplechase event at the Paris Olympics, set at 9:23.00.
Parul will compete in the women's 3000m steeplechase and the women's 5000m at the Paris Games. She shot into limelight at the deferred 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou as she clinched gold in 5000m and silver in the 3000m steeplechase event.
3. Antim Panghal - Wrestling
Aged only 19, Antim Panghal is the first ever Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-20 wrestling championship and a two-time junior wrestling champion.
She is also a World Championships bronze medalist, and Asian Games bronze medalist.
4. Rhythm Sangwan - Shooting
Rhythm Sangwan is a 20-year-old pistol shooter who will represent India and compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the Women's 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol mixed team shooting events.
In such a short career, the youngster has won medals at both the junior and senior levels, who has four world championship titles and four International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup gold medals. She recently won a bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Shooting Championship, which helped her secure a spot at the Paris games.
One of her biggest inspirations is Mary Kom, an Indian boxer, who is also an Olympic medalist.
5. Lakshya Sen - Badminton
The 22-year star is currently ranked 19th in the world. He caught everyone's attention after beating then World No 1, Victor Akelsen at the German Open in 2022.
Sen won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2021, a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and was also part of the Indian team that won the Thomas Cup in 2022.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >