India’s Balraj Panwar has etched his name in Indian rowing history by clinching a bronze medal in the men’s single sculls event at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualifying Regatta. Panwar’s stellar performance not only earned him a podium finish but also secured India’s first rowing quota for the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old Panwar showcased remarkable skill and determination, clocking an impressive time of 7:17.87 in the final race held in Chungju, South Korea. Prior to this, he displayed formidable form in the semi-final with a time of 7:16.29, solidifying his position as a top contender in the competition.
In the fiercely contested final race, Panwar crossed the finish line with a commendable time of 7:01.27, securing the bronze medal. Vladislav Yakovlev of Kazakhstan emerged victorious with a time of 6:59.46, while Indonesia’s Memo claimed the silver medal with a time of 6:59.74. Despite narrowly missing out on the top two spots, Panwar’s achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian rowing.
In another display of Indian prowess on the international stage, Tokyo Olympians Arvind Singh and Ujjwal Kumar secured bronze medals in the men’s lightweight double sculls event. Singh and Kumar’s journey to the podium saw them clocking 6:30.11 in the final race, surpassing their competitors from Japan and Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, the Indian men’s double sculls pair of Salman Khan and Nitin Deol delivered a stellar performance, clinching the gold medal with a remarkable time of 6:35.73 in the Asian Rowing Cup, held concurrently with the Asian qualifiers. Their victory underscores India’s growing presence and prowess in the sport of rowing at the international level.
Balraj Panwar’s historic achievement reflects his talent and dedication and signals a promising future for Indian rowing on the global stage. As India celebrates this significant milestone, Panwar’s bronze medal win serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation.
