After setting new benchmark in Paris, India golfer Shubhankar Sharma hopes to feature in next Olympics

PARIS: India golfer Shubhankar Sharma reflected on his experience of playing at the Paris Olympics and hopes to be a part of the team in the next edition as well.

Shubhankar and his compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar bowed out of the Paris Olympics after the completion of the fourth round of the men’s individual event.

Shubankar finished at T40 with a score of 283, while Gaganjeet ended up at T45 with a score of 285.

Golf featured in the Olympics in 1900 and 1904 but was later dropped before being included in Rio 2016 once again.

While talking about his experience, Shubhankar stated that he never dreamt of playing golf at the Olympics and told ANI, “It was amazing. It was a really nice experience. The Olympics is the pinnacle for us. I never dreamt of playing in the Olympics. It was always the championships. But once we knew that golf was in this prestigious tournament, we were all very excited. It is an honour to be part of Team India.”

#WATCH | On playing his first Olympic, Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma says, “It was amazing. It was a really nice experience. Olympics is the pinnacle for us…I never dreamt of playing in the Olympics, it was always the championships. But once we knew that golf is in this… pic.twitter.com/WfeAJr1uwX

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2024

The former Asian Champion missed out on a medal but scripted history by setting a new standard for India in gold at the Olympics. He surpassed Anirban Lahiri’s previous best of tied-42nd at the Tokyo Games to set a new benchmark for the Indian golfers.

While talking about his experience, Shubhankar said, “A lot of things have to come together in that week for you to play. Me, and Gaganjeet both, were trying our best to do that this week. It wasn’t our week. But still, I think the main takeaway is just the experience of playing in such a big competition in a multi-sport game like this.”

“Normally, we are always travelling alone, playing in our bubble, and playing tournaments and trying to do our best in our way. And, you know, golf courses are different everywhere. So, you’re always adapting and getting better. But this experience has been amazing. I am hoping that I can make the team again next time in four years and have better results,” he added.

After the men’s duo campaign in Paris ended, fans still have a lot to look forward to. India’s women golfers, Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok, will tee off on Wednesday. Aditi Ashok is an Asian Games silver medallist, and in the Tokyo Olympics, she narrowly missed a medal after finishing fourth.

While talking about the expectations from the duo, Shubhankar said, “Our team is incredible. Diksha and Aditi, are very, very good players. Diksha has been on a really good run of form on the women’s European tour. We all know about Aditi. She’s a great player. She’s been playing so well on the LPGA. I have high hopes for them. And Diksha has been here for a few days now, looking at the course prepping. And Aditi was playing in the US.

She’s just come. She played so well in the last Olympics. I’ll be tuned in, looking forward to seeing how they play.” (ANI)