Rhythm Sangwan bags India's 16th quota place in shooting for Paris Olympics

Rhythm Sangwan became the 16th Indian shooter to secure a 2024 Paris quota place on Thursday, winning a bronze medal in 25m sports pistol at the Asia Olympic Qualifiers, ensuring India's largest-ever shooting contingent will attend the global showpiece in July-August this year.

India's previous largest squad for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo included 15 shooters. Jakarta is proving to be a happy hunting ground, with three shooters -- Esha Singh, Varun Tomar (both 10m air pistol) and now Rhythm -- securing quota slots for the country thus far.

The 20-year-old Rhythm, who is from Haryana and was part of the team that won the 25m sports pistol gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year alongside Esha and Manu Bhaker, shot 28 in the final to finish third.

However, her third-place finish was sufficient to secure a Paris quota for the country because the two Koreans who won gold and silver, Yang Jiin (41) and Kim Yeji (32), were ineligible for Olympic quota spots.

This is Rhythm's third medal in the ongoing Asian Olympic Qualifiers; she finished third in 10m air pistol on Monday, while Esha won gold. On Tuesday, she also won silver in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Arjun Singh Cheema. Rhythm credited her Qualifiers success to her coach, Vineet Kumar.

"I am really happy that I won the bronze medal and could win the quota for my country," Rhythm said after the match.

"I would like to thank my personal coach Vineet Kumar. It's all because of him I'm here today. I would also like to thank all my supporters out there," Rhythm added.

"I think all of them (three medals here) hold a special place in my heart. But, yes, I mean I could do this for my country... I could win the quota for my country, so, yes, it holds a special place. Thank you Vineet sir, keep your blessings," she said.