Indian rower Balraj Panwar has qualified for the men's singles sculls event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 25-year-old is the sole rower in India's contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024. After finishing fourth in the heats by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, Panwar finished second in the Round 2 (repechage round) of the Men's Single Sculls event to qualify for the Quarters.
Hailing from Kaimla, a small village in Haryana, Panwar lost his father at a tender age. Rowing had no relation with Panwar, until as late as 2020. The then 21-year-old, who was serving the Indian Army, switched to rowing due to his big stature. After missing out on a bronze at the Asian Games, Panwar qualified for the Paris Olympics after bagging third place at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta, earlier this year.
Besides Balraj's moment of the day for qualifying to the next round, his eyes lit up even as he learnt about his comparison to Indian star cricketer, MS Dhoni. Here is what he had to say on being nicknamed behind the former India captain.
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How did Balraj Panwar react on being nicknamed behind MS Dhoni?
Speaking to media outlet ESPN, Balraj Panwar smiled as he learnt his nickname as MS Dhoni. MS Dhoni, India's most successful cricket captain, is also one of the most-loved sportspersons in the country.
The Olympics website reads Balraj Panwar's nickname as 'The MS Dhoni of Indian Rowing'. Talking on the feat, Panwar was quite astonished and held his feet on the ground. He spoke about the magnanimity of MS Dhoni as an athlete, and hoped to earn a medal for his country at the 2024 Olympics.
He is such a big athlete; how can I be compared with him? My name can be taken alongside his only when I achieve something big. Maybe if I win a medal then it would be fine, a laughing Balraj Panwar told ESPN.
What next for Balraj Panwar at Paris Olympics 2024?
After qualifying for the Quarter Finals of the Paris Olympics 2024, Balraj Panwar will be in action on July 30, 2024. The Indian rower will compete alongside Abdelkhalek El-Banna of Egypt, Bulgarian Kristian Vasilev, Yauheni Zalaty, Japan's Ryuta Arakawa, and Lithuania's Giedrius Bieliauskas in the Quarter Final 4 of the Men's Single Sculls event.
| Event | Olympian | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Single Sculls Quarter Finals | Balraj Panwar | July 30, 2024 | 14:10 (IST) |
READ MORE: Paris Olympics 2024: TV channel, live stream and how to watch it in India