Rower Balraj Panwar pulled off a clinical performance to qualify for the quarter-finals in men’s rowing at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
The Indian rower qualified for the quarter-finals in the Men’s Single Sculls event on 28th July, Sunday.
He clocked 7:12.41 to secure second place in the repechage round, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics rowing event at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on Sunday.
On 27th July, a day prior, Balraj competed in the Heat 1 of the Men’s Single Sculls event. He clocked 7:07.11 and finished fourth in the heats.
The top three finishers directly qualified for the quarterfinals whereas the remainder athletes went for the Repechages round.
A total of three repechages were held consisting of five athletes in each round. The first two athletes qualified for the quarterfinals.
Balraj narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.
He is coached by Bajrang Lal Takhar, a Beijing 2008 Olympian. India has high hopes from Balraj to secure a podium finish at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The quarterfinals will be held on the 30th of July. A total of six athletes will be competing in each race of the quarterfinals.
The top three athletes will qualify for the semi-finals A/B and the remainder athletes will qualify for the semi-finals C/D.
Balraj’s journey to the Olympics has been a story of inspiration. Having lost his father at a young age, Balraj Panwar sought a post in the Indian Army to be able to fend for his family.
Little did he know that within four years of joining the Army, he would become the only rower to represent India at the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old rower has come a long way to reach the quarter-finals of the Games. We wish him luck and would love to see him wear an Olympic medal in the Indian jersey.