‘It is a dream come true’- Shubhankar Sharma’s family elated as Indian golfer makes his Olympic debut at Paris 2024

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Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma's family brimmed with pride as they walked the streets of the French Capital ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. Sharma, who turned 28 on July 22, is all set to make his Olympic debut and his family could not be more elated.

The tournament will take place at Le Golf National, with the men's event starting on Thursday, August 1. Alongside Sharma, Gaganjeet Bhullar will also represent India, while Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will compete in the women's event beginning on August 7.

"We are very happy to be here. He has essentially done quite a lot in the field. Last year he got the highest ever finish in British Open that India has ever recorded. Now him and the whole contingent have come this time, so we are all very happy to be here," said Shubhankar Sharma's sister Vandhana Sharma speaking to MyKhel Correspondent Paridhi Bhanot in Paris.

"Its a dream come true and we are so happy to be here. I wish all the athletes from the Indian contingent very well. We were in Scotland where he performed very well, and now we are here and it is like a dream come true," said Shubhankar's mother to MyKhel Correspondent Paridhi Bhanot in Paris.

Sharma enters the Olympics ranked 173rd in the world, making him the highest-ranked Indian golfer, with Bhullar ranked at 295. Despite being underdogs, Sharma's recent performance, has given him and his fans hope for a possible medal.

Shubhankar achieved an impressive tied 19th place finish at the 52nd Open held at Royal Troon. During the third round, he advanced to a tied 15th position, demonstrating his competitive edge. Despite missing a few crucial putts in the final round, he managed to score a one-over 72, ensuring a spot within the top 20.

Sharma's journey to the Olympics has been remarkable. Born on July 21, 1996, in Jhansi, India, he developed a passion for golf at a young age. He turned professional in 2013 at just 16 years old, quickly making a name for himself with several top-ten finishes on the Asian Tour.

His breakthrough came in 2018 when he won the Joburg Open on the European Tour, earning him spots in the 2018 Open Championship and the 2019 Masters Tournament. That year, he also became the youngest Indian golfer to win on the European Tour and received the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.

Sharma's career achievements include victories at the Kolkata Classics, Tata Open, Joburg Open, McLeod Russel Tour Championship, and the Maybank Championship. His consistent performances on the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, have solidified his reputation as one of India's top golfers.