SWOT analysis of Indian shooting team for Paris Olympics 2024
Looking for their first medal in shooting since the last two editions, a 21-member Indian shooting team is gearing up for the Paris 2024 Olympics with renewed zeal. This squad will be the largest Indian shooting team ever to compete at the Olympics.
Leading the charge for the Indian shooting team is former Youth Olympics champion Manu Bhaker, who will be competing in two events. In total, there will be 16 shooting events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and India will have representatives in every single one of them.
On that note, let us take a look at the Indian shooting team's SWOT analysis.
Indian shooting Team SWOT analysis
Strengths
Experienced Leaders: The Indian shooting team features seasoned shooters like Manu Bhaker, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anjum Moudgil, and Elavenil Valarivan. Their previous Olympic experience provides a strong foundation for the team.
Representing across 16 events: India has secured 16 quotas in rifle and pistol events, showcasing their strength in these disciplines. And with the new tweak in the quota system, India was able to send most of their in-form shooters at Paris.
Rising Talents: The team includes rising stars such as Sift Kaur Samra, Esha Singh, and Rhythm Sangwan, who bring fresh energy and recent success from international competitions, enhancing the team’s medal prospects.
Proper conditioning: The team have undergone extensive preparation, including acclimatization and rigorous training camps. The involvement of mental conditioning experts aims to bolster the shooters' psychological resilience.
Weaknesses
Poor past showing: Despite strong showings in qualifications and training, the Indian shooting team has struggled to convert potential into medals at the Olympics, with no medals at the last Olympics.
Pressure of Olympics: The pressure of performing on the Olympic stage has often led to underwhelming performances. Overcoming these psychological hurdles is crucial for success in Paris. With the team, comprised mostly of young shooters, it is not improbable for them to falter under pressure.
Major missing: The absence of experienced shooters like Rudrankksh Patil and Mairaj Ahmad Khan could impact team dynamics and performance.
Opportunities
Medal hopes: Despite being a debutant, Sift Kaur Samra remains of of India's finest medal prospects alongside Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan.
Manu Bhaker's unfinished business: Shooters like Manu Bhaker and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar have the opportunity to redeem their Tokyo 2020 performances.
Manu Bhaker who narrowly missed the final round of the of women's 10m air pistol event had to return home empty-handed. But now, after three years she will look for a podium finish.
Threats
Chinese bringing in woes: China, a dominant force in shooting, brings about a significant challenge with multiple Olympic and world champions in their squad. Competing against such formidable opponents requires peak performance from the team.
Pressure of hopes: The pressure of being India’s largest-ever shooting contingent and the anticipation of breaking the medal drought can be overwhelming. Managing this pressure for this fairly younger squad will be a task.