Chateauroux, July 30 (IANS) The years of hard work finally paid off, said Sarabjot Singh’s coach Abhishek Rana, after his protege bagged his maiden Olympic medal on Tuesday.

Sarabjot, who was competing in his debut Olympics, partnered with Manu Bhaker in 10m Air Pistol mixed team event, to win the bronze medal, beating South Korea 16-10.

“It’s a wonderful moment. Years of hard work have paid off today. While we didn’t get the gold, earning a bronze medal is a valuable new experience. From here, we will begin a new journey and aim to win gold in the next Olympics,” Rana told broadcasters after the match.

Last year, Sarabjot won the gold medal in 10m Air Pistol men’s team event and a silver medal in mixed team at the Asian Games in China. He also won multiple medals in the international stage across junior and senior level.

–IANS

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Chennai, July 30 (IANS) Chennaiyin FC have announced a 22-member squad for the ongoing Durand Cup. The Marina Machans will begin their charge against the Indian Army on Wednesday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium in Jamshedpur.

The squad features a blend of senior team members and promising reserves, including notable players such as Vincy Barretto, Bikash Yumnam, Irfan Yadwad, Samik Mitra, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, and Sachu Siby. This mix of experience and youth is reflected in the roster, which comprises three goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders, and two forwards, ensuring a well-balanced team across all positions.

“It’s a very good team because it’s a mixture of senior team players from the ISL team and also the reserve team players and also the players who have been shortlisted who have got an opportunity to come and represent Chennaiyin FC in the Durand Cup,” said assistant coach Noel Wilson, who joined Owen Coyle’s coaching staff ahead of the new season.

Chennaiyin FC have been drawn alongside Indian Super League (ISL) side Jamshedpur FC, as well as the armed forces’ Indian Army and Assam Rifles in Group D of the Durand Cup 2024. All six games of the group stage will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, following which the group winners and, possibly, the second-placed team, will advance to the knockout stage.

The Marina Machans will take on Jamshedpur FC on August 4 after their first match in the tournament and they will conclude their group stage run against Assam Rifles on August 11.

Chennaiyin previously reached the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup in 2022 and 2023, and are looking to better their past performances this time around, as per assistant coach Wilson, “We are going there to win games. We are not going there to take part. As a team, we are going to be together, on the field, off the field. There’s going to be unity. We are going to go on the field and fight and give our 100 percent.”

First played 136 years ago, the Durand Cup is the oldest existing football club contest in Asia and the fifth-oldest in the world, adding to its alluring appeal. Hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society and the All India Football Federation, the cup has traditionally been the curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic football season.

The 133rd edition of the tournament, being played in 2024, is the third under the Asian Football Confederation umbrella. Presently, 24 teams participate in the competition: all 14 from the Indian Super League, plus invitees from the I-League, state leagues, armed forces, and foreign armed forces.

Chennaiyin FC Squad For Durand Cup 2024

Goalkeepers: Mohanraj K, Samik Mitra, Malhar Umesh Mohol

Defenders: Niketh N, Bikash Yumnam, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Rojjak Ali SK, YV Praful Kumar, Aby S, Shanu Stellus, Sachu Siby

Midfielders: Ngangom Raman Singh, Ganeshpandi S, Solaimalai R, Jayasurya, Vivek S, Karthik T, Vincy Barretto, Komal Thatal, Lalpekhlua

Forwards: Vishal R, Irfan Yadwad

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh broke an array of records at the 2024 Olympic Games when they became the first Indians to win a team medal in shooting with a bronze in the 10 m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at Chateauroux, near Paris.

Following their brilliant display of calmness, composure, and resilience, the entire country is congratulating the duo for what can only be dubbed as a historic day for India.

“I don’t understand shooting. The calmness on Manu and Sarabjot’s faces is scary. I’d have run around and tear up the whole venue celebrating my medal! True role models for all of us. #OlympicGames #shooting #ManuBhakar #Paris2024,” posted Tejaswin Shankar, India’s High Jump athlete, on ‘X’.

“Superb performance @realmanubhaker and #SarabjotSingh! India’s second medal!,” read the post by Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir.

“Second medal for India! @realmanubhaker and @Sarabjotsingh30 ~ you both were clinical today at the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team bronze medal match! Your resilience throughout the event was incredible. Cherish this moment – it brings immense pride to our nation! @Media_SAI || @WeAreTeamIndia || #Paris2024 || #Olympics,” read the post by BCCI general secretary Jay Shah.

Team India defeated the South Korean duo of Lee Won Ho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal playoff in the Chateauroux.

Despite the Indians taking an early 8-2 lead, South Korea fought back into the match and put their opponents on their toes but were not able to put them down.

Manu Bhaker’s meteoric rise has seen her become one of the most loved athletes in the country, as she became the first Indian to win two individual medals in the same Olympics and the only one to achieve this feat for the country post-independence.

“History maker Manu Bhaker! You’ve amazed us once again. The entire nation is proud of you. Keep shining bright!,” said Olympic medallist boxer, Vijender Singh.

“Well done @realmanubhaker & Sarbjot . proud of you,” read the post by Harbhajan Singh.

Manu is just the third athlete in the country’s history to have won two individual medals at the Games (wrestler Sushil Kumar and shuttler PV Sindhu) and has the chance to further adding to the tally when she will return to action on August 2 in the qualification round of the women’s 25m pistol event.

“After not securing any medals in the last two Olympics, Indian shooters have made a remarkable comeback. Manu Bhaker now stands as the first-ever Indian to win two medals in consecutive Olympic match,” said the former Indian women hockey captain Rampal

“Meanwhile, Sarabjot has achieved a personal milestone following his individual match heartbreak. Truly inspiring performances all around!” she added.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) After Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot won the historic bronze on Tuesday at the Paris Olympics, 2008 gold medallist Abhinav Bindra congratulated the young duo for winning India’s first shooting team event medal in Summer Games history.

“Manu & Sarabjot: You’ve done what no Indian shooting pair has done before. India’s first Olympic shooting team medal. Savour this moment, you’ve earned it! Proud,” Bindra posted on X.

Manu and Sarabjot defeated the South Korean duo of Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal playoff in the Chateauroux.

After the bronze medal win, Manu became the first Indian athlete to win two medals in the single edition of the Olympics. Her partner in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, Sarabjot bagged his first Olympic medal.

Overall, Manu became the third Indian — after wrestler Sushil Kumar and shuttler PV Sindhu — to win more than one individual medal in the Olympics.

Notably, Bindra was the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics when he won the 10m Air Rifle event in Beijing 2008.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Prime Minister, Narendra Modi congratulated Indian shooters, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh for clinching bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at Paris Olympics 2024.

Prime Minister on ‘X’ wrote, “Our shooters continue to make us proud! Congratulations to @realmanubhaker and Sarabjot Singh for winning the Bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the #Olympics . Both of them have shown great skills and teamwork. India is incredibly delighted.”

Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker also etched her name into the annals of Indian sports history, becoming the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. This achievement follows her earlier success, where she secured a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event, marking a significant milestone for Indian shooting.

–IANS

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