Sikkim’s Tarundeep Rai qualifies for Paris Olympics 2024

GANGTOK: Renowned archer Tarundeep Rai from Sikkim has qualified for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024.

Tarundeep Rai from Sikkim will represent India in the Men’s Recurve Team event at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024.

Born on February 22, 1984, at Namchi in Sikkim, Rai hails from a region nestled in the Himalayan foothills.

His cousin, the legendary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, famously put Sikkim on India’s sporting map.

Tarundeep Rai has carved out an exceptional career in archery, becoming a three-time Olympian and bringing numerous accolades to Sikkim.

Rai made his international debut at the age of 19 during the 2003 Asian Archery Championships in Myanmar.

That same year, he was part of the Indian archery team that achieved a commendable fourth-place finish at the World Championships in New York.

Rai's first major individual triumph came in 2004 when he won his maiden gold medal at the Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok.

His success continued as he qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he competed in the men’s individual recurve event, finishing 43rd overall.

Despite making it through the ranking round, Rai was eliminated by Greek archer Alexandros Karageorgiou in the first elimination round, with a close score of 147-143.

He was also a part of the men’s team event, which finished 11th at the Athens Olympics.