Paris, Aug 2 (IANS) Indian rower Balraj Panwar was placed fifth in the final D of the men's singles sculls, ending India's rowing campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
 
Panwar clocked 7:02.37 for fifth rank in the final D to finish 23rd overall on his Olympic debut. His sixth-place finish semifinal C/D saw him advance to final D which is a classification event to seal his ranking from 19th to 24th.
He had two solid outings at the Games after finishing fourth in the first heat and second in the second repechage rounds but was eliminated from medal contention after finishing fifth in the quarterfinals with a time of 7:05.10.
The 25-year-old Army man, who took up the sport only four years ago, could not register India’s best finish in rowing at the Olympics. The record still belongs to the men’s lightweight double sculls duo of Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh, who finished 11th at Tokyo 2020.
Panwar was fourth at the Asian Games last year, narrowly missing out on a podium finish. He obtained a Paris 2024 quota by winning a bronze medal at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta in Chungju, South Korea, in April this year.
/IANS