The Tokyo Olympics 2020 was a successful one for India, as the 119-athlete contingent recorded a highest-ever medal tally of seven, including one gold. The young squad, with an average age of 26.999 years, made the country proud with their performances.
But in that young contingent, who was the youngest Indian athlete at Tokyo Olympics 2020? That would be the then-18-year-old rifle shooter Divyansh Singh Panwar.
Despite his tender age, Panwar was no stranger to success. Paired with another Olympian Anjum Moudgil, the boy from Rajasthan had won gold medals in the mixed event at the World Cups in Beijing and Munich, as well as a bronze medal at Rio de Janeiro. Panwar also won an individual gold medal at the 10m air rifle event at the 2019 World Cup in Putian, as well as a gold medal in the mixed team event alongside Croatia’s Snjezana Pejcic.
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Due to his immense success, the shooting prodigy was promoted from the developmental team to the core shooting group ahead of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and was seen as India’s best hope for a medal in the sport.
However, despite his promise, Panwar’s debut Olympic appearance was a big disappointment, and he finished at a lowly 32nd spot in the men’s 10m rifle competition. After a poor start at the qualifications, he failed to make up the numbers and finished the event having shot 622.8 over six series.
Will the youngest Indian athlete at Tokyo Olympics 2020 be in Paris?
Despite his past record, Divyansh has failed to capture his former hype due to a combination of loss of form and momentum because of COVID-19. India is sending a strong shooting contingent to the Paris Olympics 2024, with all the shooters having secured a quota in every category.
However, there have been some big, and often controversial calls regarding this Olympic roster’s selection, and many big names such as former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and 2022 Asian Games silver medalist Ashi Chouksey have missed out.
Divyansh Singh Panwar, too, was not on the plane to Paris, having not been selected among India’s shooting contingent.
However, Divyansh, who is now 21 years old, will surely look to make his comeback to the national team fold before the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
