Resilient Indian Hockey Team Enters Olympic Semifinals Amid Mixed Emotions

The Indian hockey team showcased a strong performance to enter the Olympic semifinals, but it was a bittersweet day at the Paris Games for India. Lakshya Sen missed out on a gold in badminton, finishing with a chance for bronze. In boxing, Lovlina Borgohain suffered a quarterfinal loss, ending hopes for a medal in the sport.

The Indian hockey team showcased one of its most determined performances to advance to the Olympic semifinals for the second consecutive time. However, it was a bittersweet Sunday for India at the Paris Games as shuttler Lakshya Sen's bid for gold ended in a potential bronze finish.

India added no new medals to its tally today, slipping to 53rd in the overall standings with three bronze medals, all won in shooting events. Among the disappointments, boxer Lovlina Borgohain was knocked out after a quarterfinal defeat, while Lakshya Sen lost his chance for gold but still has a shot at bronze.

The hockey team, despite being a man down for much of the match, secured a decisive shootout win to clinch their spot in the semifinals. Veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, pivotal in the shootout, emphasized the resilience and collective effort of the team. Head coach Craig Fulton stated that this victory was more than just advancing; it was a statement of intent for the team.

(With inputs from agencies.)