Paris Olympics 2024 Rowing: Balraj Panwar finishes 5th in Final D; ranked 23rd in the men’s singles sculls event

Indian rower Balraj Panwar's journey at the Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a fifth-place finish in the men’s single sculls Final D on Friday, August 2. Competing at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, Panwar clocked a time of 7:02.37 to mark his best performance in this Olympic event.

The Final D race determined the rankings for the 19th to 24th positions in the men’s single sculls category. While the top finishers compete in Final A for medal positions, the Final D race provides rowers an opportunity to secure their overall standings. Balraj Panwar's performance here placed him 23rd in the overall rankings of the men's singles sculls event.

Despite achieving his personal best timing of the tournament, Panwar's performance fell short of securing a higher ranking. The best finish for India in Olympic rowing remains the 11th place achieved by the men's lightweight double sculls team of Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In the Final D race, Monegasque rower Quentin Antognelli emerged victorious with a time of 6:54.93 to rank 19th in the overall event.

There were high expectations from the 25-year-old who fell short of a bronze at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. However, he did clinch a bronze medal at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta in Chungju, which helped him secure a berth for the Paris Olympics 2024.

Balraj Panwar would have wanted a better end to his Paris Olympics 2024 journey but should be proud to have represented India at the world’s biggest sporting event.

Paris Olympics 2024: Men’s Singles Sculls Final D Results

Quentin Antognelli (Monaco) - 6:54.93 (19th)
Chiu Hin Chun (Hong Kong, China) - 6:56.65 (20th)
Abdelkhalek Elbanna (Egypt) - 6:58.44 (21st)
Isak Ivan Zvegeli (Slovenia) - 6:59.46 (22nd)
Balraj Panwar (India) - 7:02.37 (23rd)
Reidy Cardona Blanco (Cuba) - 7:03.23 (24th)