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Indian Sports LIVE August 4

Indian Sports Highlights: Live Updates, Scores, Results, and News from August 4

In a day packed with high-stakes action at the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian athletes showcased resilience, skill, and determination across multiple disciplines. From the shooting ranges to the badminton courts, the hockey field, and beyond, August 4 proved to be a pivotal moment for India's medal hopes. As the nation tuned in, hoping for breakthroughs, the performances ranged from near-misses to historic achievements. This comprehensive roundup captures the essence of the day's events, weaving together live scores, key results, expert analyses, and emerging news stories that highlight India's sporting narrative on the global stage.

Starting with badminton, all eyes were on Lakshya Sen, the young shuttler who has been a revelation in these Games. In the men's singles semifinals, Sen faced Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion and world No. 1. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Sen pushing Axelsen to his limits in a display of aggressive play and tactical brilliance. Sen started strong, taking the first game 21-13 with a series of powerful smashes and precise drops that left the Dane scrambling. However, Axelsen, drawing on his experience, mounted a comeback in the second game, winning 21-16 by exploiting Sen's occasional errors in net play. The decider was a nail-biter, with rallies extending beyond 20 shots, but Axelsen's consistency prevailed, clinching it 21-11. Sen's loss meant he would now compete for the bronze medal against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, keeping India's hopes alive for a podium finish in badminton. Post-match, Sen reflected on the experience, saying, "I gave it my all, but there's more to learn. Bronze is still within reach." This result adds to India's impressive badminton run, following PV Sindhu's earlier exit and the mixed doubles pair's strong showing.

Shifting to shooting, where India has already secured medals earlier in the Games, the focus was on the women's 25m pistol final featuring Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh. Bhaker, who had already won two bronzes in these Olympics (10m air pistol and mixed team), aimed for a historic third medal. The qualification rounds saw Bhaker topping the charts with a score of 590, showcasing her composure under pressure. Singh, making her Olympic debut, qualified in sixth place with 584 points. In the final, the competition was fierce against shooters from China, Korea, and Hungary. Bhaker started steadily, hitting a series of 5s in the rapid-fire stages, but a couple of 3s in the later rounds dropped her to fourth place overall, missing the podium by a narrow margin. Singh finished eighth, gaining valuable experience. Despite the disappointment, Bhaker's campaign has been a cornerstone of India's shooting success, with experts praising her mental fortitude. News emerging from the camp indicates that the shooting federation is already planning enhanced training programs post-Olympics to build on this momentum.

On the hockey turf, the Indian men's team delivered a performance for the ages in their quarterfinal clash against Great Britain. The match, held at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout where India triumphed 4-2. Captain Harmanpreet Singh was the hero, scoring India's lone goal from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute with a trademark drag-flick that rocketed past the British goalkeeper. Great Britain equalized in the 27th minute through Lee Morton's field goal, setting up a tense second half filled with end-to-end action. Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, in what could be his final Olympics, made crucial saves, including a spectacular dive in the shootout to deny Phil Roper. This victory propels India into the semifinals against Germany, reigniting dreams of a medal after the bronze in Tokyo. Coach Craig Fulton lauded the team's spirit, noting, "We fought like warriors; this is what Indian hockey is about." Off the field, there's buzz about potential retirements, with Sreejesh hinting at hanging up his pads, adding an emotional layer to the campaign.

In boxing, Lovlina Borgohain, the Tokyo bronze medalist, stepped into the ring for her women's 75kg quarterfinal against China's Li Qian. Borgohain, known for her counter-punching style, started aggressively, landing clean jabs in the first round to take a 3-2 lead on points. However, Li's superior reach and power turned the tide in the subsequent rounds, with the Chinese boxer dominating the exchanges and securing a unanimous 4-1 decision. This loss ended Borgohain's Olympic journey, but her performance was commended for its grit, especially after overcoming injury setbacks earlier in the year. Indian boxing fans are now pinning hopes on Nishant Dev in the men's 71kg category, who is set for his quarterfinal later. News reports suggest the Boxing Federation of India is reviewing strategies, with calls for more international exposure for athletes.

Athletics saw mixed fortunes for India. In the men's 3000m steeplechase, Avinash Sable qualified for the final with a national record time of 8:15.43, finishing fifth in his heat. Sable's run was marked by a strong finish, overtaking competitors in the last lap, and positions him as a dark horse for a medal. Parul Chaudhary, in the women's 5000m, clocked 15:10.68 but failed to advance, though her personal best effort was a step forward for Indian distance running. The shot put event featured Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who threw 19.77m but didn't make the final, citing the humid conditions as a factor. Emerging news highlights the Athletics Federation's push for better facilities, with Sable's success underscoring the potential in middle-distance events.

Golf provided a steady showing from Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar in the men's individual stroke play. Sharma finished the final round with a 3-under 68, ending the tournament at tied-40th with a total of -3. Bhullar carded a 71, placing tied-45th at -1. While not in medal contention, their consistent play against a field including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy bodes well for Indian golf's growth. Sharma commented, "The Olympics experience is invaluable; we're building towards LA 2028."

Sailing and table tennis rounded out the day's action. Vishnu Saravanan in the men's dinghy event finished 24th overall after 10 races, with his best being a 10th-place in race 8. In table tennis, the women's team, led by Manika Batra, faced Romania in the round of 16 but lost 2-3 in a closely contested match. Batra won her singles but the doubles proved decisive.

Beyond the competitions, broader news from the Indian contingent includes updates on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's preparations for her upcoming bouts, with her weight management drawing attention after a disqualification scare in Tokyo. The Indian Olympic Association reported no new COVID cases, ensuring smooth operations. Motivational stories are emerging, like that of shooter Swapnil Kusale, who recently won bronze and is inspiring rural youth back home.

As August 4 draws to a close, India's medal tally stands at three bronzes, all from shooting, with potential for more in badminton, hockey, and wrestling. The day's events encapsulate the highs and lows of Olympic sport—moments of brilliance tempered by the razor-thin margins of elite competition. Fans across India remain hopeful, with social media abuzz with support. Looking ahead, August 5 promises more action, including Sen's bronze match and the hockey semifinal. This Olympic chapter continues to etch India's name in sporting history, one performance at a time.

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Read the Full ESPN Article at:
[ https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/45892057/indian-sports-live-scores-updates-results-news-august-4b ]