Balraj Panwar
Balraj Panwar (born 1999) is an Indian rower from Haryana. He competes in the men's single sculls. He qualified for the Paris Olympics booking a berth in the men's single sculls.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit]
Panwar was born in Kaimla village, Gharaunda subdivision, Karnal, Haryana.[3] His father Randhir died when he was 10 and his mother Kamala brought him up and four other siblings by doing odd jobs like picking vegetables, selling milk, working at construction sites or shred wheat.[3] She also worked at a garment factory.[4] He is married and has one child. He joined Indian Army as a sepoy to support his family financially. He was first posted at the Bengal Engineering Group.[5] He is preparing for the Olympics at the Army Training Node at Pune from October 2021.[3][6] He is training under National coach Ismail Baig and 2008 Olympian Bajrang Lal Takhar.[3]
Career[edit]
Panwar won a bronze medal at the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualification rowing competition in Chungju, South Korea on 21 April 2024 to book India's first Olympic quota in rowing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[7][8] He was leading until the first 1600 metres in the 2 km race, but lost time in the last 500 metres. But his early lead helped him qualify for the Olympics.[3]
Earlier, he missed the bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games[1] after qualifying for the final.[9] As a second reserve, he was a last-minute participant at the Asian Games.[3] He also took part in the World Championship at Switzerland before Asian Games n July 2023.[6][4] In the Army, he was picked up for rowing because of his 6-foot height and he won the battalion regatta in his first attempt.[4] Earlier, he took part in the 2022 National Games and 2023 National Championship.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b PTI (2024-04-21). "Balraj Panwar secures India's first quota in rowing for Paris Olympics". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Balraj Panwar Secures India's First Quota in Rowing for Paris Olympics". News18. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e f "From handling father's death to joining army for financial stability, Balraj Panwar, rowing's MS Dhoni, ready for Paris Olympics". The Indian Express. 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b c IANS (2023-09-24). "Asian Games: Two Years Into Rowing, Balraj Wants to Win a Medal for His Mother". TheQuint. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Panwar wins bronze to confirm Paris berth". The Times of India. 2024-04-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b "Asian Games: Two years into rowing, Balraj Panwar wants to win a medal for his mother". Sakshi Post. 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Balraj Panwar seals India's first Paris Olympics quota in rowing". DNA India. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Balraj Panwar, 25-year-old Indian army rower, makes history, secures India's first rowing quota for Paris Olympics". Financialexpress. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Asian Games 2023: Rower Balraj Panwar advances to men's single scull Final". India Today. 2023-09-22. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ archive, From our online (2023-07-04). "Rookie rower Balraj looks forward to WC exposure before Asiad test". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-04-27.