Paris Olympics 2024: Meet Haryana’s Balraj Panwar, who mastered the sport in just four years, only to miss semis by 11 seconds

Balraj Panwar finished fifth in the quarterfinals in men’s single Sculls. He clocked his personal-best timing of 7:05.10 but fell short by close to 11 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals. He will now further compete for the 13-24th place.

Despite the disappointment on Tuesday, Balraj’s feat was nothing short of a miracle. Just four years ago when the world gathered at Tokyo for the Olympics, he barely knew the sport and wouldn’t have even dreamt of participating in the next Olympics in Paris.

Humble Beginnings

Born in Kaimla village in Haryana’s Karnal district, Balraj Panwar's journey to the Paris Olympics is a serendipitous turn of events and a testament to his resilience. He came from humble beginnings and faced significant challenges early in life, including the loss of his father.

To support his family, he sought a post in the Indian Army, unaware that this decision would lead him to become India's sole representative in rowing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Balraj's introduction to rowing came as late as in 2020 when a coach noticed his six-foot frame and suggested he try the sport. His dedication and natural talent quickly became evident, and by the end of the year, he moved to the Army Rowing Node for better training facilities.

Rise to Prominence

Despite a slow start in domestic competitions, Balraj's breakthrough came in 2023 when he won gold at the national championships. This victory secured his spot in the camp for the Asian Games, where he narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth. This performance, however, gave him the self-belief needed to succeed on larger stages.

In May 2023, Balraj secured his place at the Paris Olympics by winning bronze at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta in South Korea.

Eyes on the finish line

Balraj's preparations for the Olympics had been meticulous. He was coached by Bajrang Lal Takhar, who won India's first individual rowing Gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou. His target for the Paris Olympics was clear: to clock a personal best. And he did just that!

Despite not advancing further, his journey from a small village in Haryana to competing at the Paris Olympics is a remarkable achievement. Nicknamed "MS Dhoni of Indian rowing" on the Olympics website, Balraj's story is one of relentless effort. As he readies for his next challenge, he carries the hopes of a nation and the promise of a bright future in Indian rowing.

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