Badminton

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a reception for the Indian contingent that participated in the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The event was held after the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, where the athletes were also in attendance.During the reception, Modi interacted with the athletes, including Lakshya Sen, who finished fourth in the men's singles badminton competition. Modi praised Sen's performance and noted his growth since their first meeting. Sen revealed that his coach, Prakash Padukone, had taken away his phone during the matches to minimize distractions.Modi also had a light-hearted conversation with hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who shared the team's experience of playing with 10 men for over 40 minutes in the quarterfinal against Great Britain. Singh credited the coaching staff and the team's motivation for their success in overcoming the adversity.The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of all the athletes who represented India and expressed his belief that the Paris Olympics will be a turning point for Indian sports. He emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and using it to prepare for the 2036 Olympics, which India is aiming to host.Modi termed the athletes as "India's soldiers of 2036 Olympics" and highlighted the value of their observations and experiences in planning for the future Games. He encouraged them to document their insights to ensure that India can provide the best possible facilities and management for the 2036 Olympics.

Nikhat Zareen, Chirag-Satwik, and Lakshya Sen, three promising Indian athletes, are among the 13 receiving support from the GoSports Foundation in Paris. Founded by former tennis player Deepthi Bopaiah, the foundation aims to empower athletes and foster their Olympic aspirations.Bopaiah, the CEO of GoSports, has been actively involved in the Paris Olympics, cheering on Indian athletes and exploring opportunities for future growth. While Sen narrowly missed a medal in badminton singles, the other athletes made significant progress in their respective events.GoSports played a pivotal role in pairing Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddyy, who were previously playing with different doubles partners. "Doubles can make a big difference in tournaments like the Thomas Cup and Olympics," said Bopaiah, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships.The foundation supports athletes across various disciplines, including sailing, shooting, athletics, and table tennis. "We provide comprehensive support, including physios, coaches, sports psychologists, and nutritionists," said Bopaiah. "Our goal is to create role models and inspire the people of India."While medals are a coveted outcome, Bopaiah believes that the journey and effort of each athlete should be celebrated. "The process and systems we put in place will ultimately lead to success," she said. "That's how we approach our work in sports."

Indian doubles badminton specialist Ashwini Ponnappa has expressed shock and disappointment over the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) claim that she received significant financial assistance in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. Ponnappa asserts that she received minimal individual support and that her request for a coach was denied.SAI's document details financial support provided to Paris-bound athletes, including Rs 4,50,000 under TOPS and Rs 1,48,04,080 under ACTC for Ponnappa. However, Ponnappa claims that the ACTC funds were spent on all national campers, not solely on her."I'm absolutely shocked... I don't mind not getting money but telling the nation that I got money is ridiculous. I haven't received it," Ponnappa told PTI. "I don't have a specific coach. As for my personalized trainer, I'm paying for him myself."Ponnappa, 34, is a decorated doubles player with Commonwealth Games medals and Olympic appearances to her credit. She joined forces with Tanisha Crasto in December 2022 and qualified for Paris in May 2023, after which they were included in TOPS.Despite her achievements, Ponnappa feels she has not received adequate support in recent years. "The last year I haven't been supported and it's ok. But you can't say I've been given Rs 1.5 crore," she said.SAI maintains that the ACTC funds were used for Ponnappa's travel, stay, food, and competition expenses as part of the Indian team. However, Ponnappa disputes this, stating that she has not received the funds directly.Ponnappa's concerns highlight the challenges faced by Indian athletes in securing adequate financial and coaching support. Despite her disappointment, she remains grateful for the support she has received in the past.

India's badminton contingent at the Paris Olympics failed to secure a medal, despite high expectations and a roster featuring some of the country's top players. Prakash Padukone, a legendary former Indian shuttler and mentor to Lakshya Sen, expressed disappointment and urged the players to take responsibility for their underwhelming performances.Lakshya Sen, who became the first Indian male shuttler to reach an Olympic semi-final, squandered an opportunity to bring home a medal, according to Padukone. The Indian men's doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out in the quarterfinal, while two-time medallist PV Sindhu bowed out in the round of 16 in women's singles.Padukone emphasized that the players have received adequate support from the government and that they should not blame external factors for their failures. "After Milkha Singh in '64 and PT Usha in the '80s, we have so many fourth-place finishes. I think it's high time that the players also take responsibility," he said.Padukone urged the players to introspect and question whether they are working hard enough. He pointed out that they have access to excellent facilities and support staff, which is not the case in many other countries.Regarding Lakshya Sen's defeat, Padukone was particularly critical of the way he squandered his 1-0 lead against Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match. "He could have definitely gotten a medal," Padukone said. "He cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder."Padukone's comments highlight the need for Indian badminton players to step up and deliver when it matters most. They must take ownership of their performances and strive for excellence, rather than relying solely on external support.

India's Medal Hopes Alive as Lakshya Sen Eyes Bronze in Paris OlympicsIndia's medal tally at the Paris Olympics remains in contention as Lakshya Sen prepares to face Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the men's singles bronze medal playoff today. The badminton star, who narrowly missed out on a spot in the final, will be determined to secure a podium finish.Wrestling action also kicks off today, with Nisha Dahiya representing India in the women's 68kg Round of 16. India has a strong history in wrestling, having won medals in the last four Olympics.In athletics, distance runner Avinash Sable will begin his campaign in the men's 3,000m steeplechase Round 1. He aims to qualify for the final, where he will face stiff competition from the likes of Armand Duplantis, the favorite in the men's pole vault final.Table tennis offers another chance for Indian glory as the team championships commence. Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath will face Romania in the Round of 16, hoping to continue their impressive run in the tournament.Finally, Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka will represent India in the skeet men's team qualification, the last shooting event of the Olympics. The National Shooting Centre in Chateauroux will also host the 25m rapid fire pistol men's final.

Mathias Boe, the esteemed coach of Indian badminton stars Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has announced his retirement from coaching following the pair's exit from the Paris Olympics. The decision comes after Satwik and Chirag's heartbreaking loss to Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the men's doubles quarterfinals.Boe, a silver medalist at the London Olympics, joined Chirag and Satwik as their coach ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian duo were considered strong contenders for a medal in Paris, but their hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Boe expressed his disappointment but also his pride in his players' efforts. "For me, my coaching days end here," he wrote. "I'm not going to continue in India or anywhere else, for now at least. I have spent too much time in a badminton hall and it's also pretty stressful to be a coach. I'm a tired old man."Boe acknowledged the pain of defeat, having experienced it himself as an athlete. "I know the feeling all too well myself. Pushing yourself to the limit every day, to be in the best shape of your life, and then things don't go as you would have hoped for," he said. "I know you guys are gutted, I know how much you wanted to bring a medal back to India, but this time it wasn't meant to be."Despite the setback, Boe praised his players' dedication and passion. "You have everything to be proud of, how hard you have worked in this Olympics camp, battling injuries, even taken injections to reduce the pain," he wrote. "That is dedication, that is passion, and that is a lot of heart."Boe's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian badminton. Under his guidance, Chirag and Satwik emerged as one of the top doubles pairs in the world. Their success has inspired a new generation of Indian badminton players and raised the profile of the sport in the country.

Lakshya Sen's stunning no-look backhand at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sent shockwaves through the badminton world and captured the hearts of Indian fans. In a do-or-die group stage match against Indonesian star Jonatan Christie, Sen pulled off an extraordinary shot that left spectators in disbelief.The Indian shuttler's audacious backhand, executed with precision and flair, caught Christie off guard and sent the shuttlecock soaring over the net. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, while Indian fans took to social media to express their awe and excitement.Business tycoon Anand Mahindra was among those who couldn't resist sharing his admiration for Sen's incredible skill. In his signature witty style, Mahindra joked that he would "cry foul" and "file a suit" if he ever faced Sen as an opponent."If I were his opponent, I would cry foul and file a suit claiming that I was confronted by an unnatural opponent who possessed three arms," Mahindra wrote on Twitter, sharing a video of Sen's backhand.The post has garnered over two million views and countless comments, with users expressing their amazement and admiration for Sen's talent."I was fortunate enough to watch this live. This is new India. Unconventional, aggressive, energetic, and resourceful," wrote one user."Yes! This is the backhand which could have shocked even the greatest of greats! Amazing Innovation in skills!" added another.Sen's victory over Christie, the world number 4, was a testament to his growing stature in the sport. The Indian shuttler has been making waves on the international circuit, and his performance at the Olympics is a clear indication of his potential.In 2016, Sen became the youngest player to reach the Indian national men's singles final at the age of 15. He has since gone on to win several international titles, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal.Sen's success is a source of pride for India and a testament to the country's growing prowess in badminton. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Sen is poised to become one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

Indian Athletes Shine on Day 5 of Paris OlympicsDay 5 of the Paris Olympics witnessed a flurry of action for the Indian contingent, with athletes competing in archery, boxing, shooting, badminton, table tennis, and equestrian.In badminton, HS Prannoy staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first game to defeat Le Duc Phat in the men's singles group stage. Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu also secured victories, advancing to the round of 16.However, India faced disappointment in table tennis as Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra were eliminated in the round of 16. In archery, Deepika Kumari progressed to the round of 16 in the women's individual event, while Tarundeep Rai bowed out in the men's round of 64.Boxing brought success for India as Lovlina Borgohain defeated Sunniva Hofstad in the women's 75kg round of 16, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Nishant Dev also advanced to the quarterfinals in the men's 71kg category.In shooting, Swapnil Kusale finished seventh in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions, qualifying for the final. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, however, was eliminated after placing 11th. Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari finished 23rd and 22nd, respectively, in the women's trap qualification.In equestrian, Anush Agarwalla was knocked out after finishing ninth in Group E with horse Sir Caramello Old.

India's medal hopes at the Paris Olympics will be tested on Thursday as Swapnil Kusale takes aim in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions competition. Kusale's performance could potentially secure India's third shooting medal of the Games, a historic feat.In badminton, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty face a formidable challenge against former world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia. Double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will also face a tough test against He Bing Jiao of China, a rematch of their bronze medal playoff in Tokyo 2020. Lakshya Sen, who has been in impressive form, will face compatriot HS Prannoy or Vietnam's Le Duc Phat in the men's singles Round of 16.Golf action commences with men's Day 1, featuring Indian golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma. They will aim to secure a medal by Sunday.The Indian men's hockey team, already qualified for the quarter-finals, will face reigning champions and world No.1 Belgium in their penultimate Pool B contest. Despite the pressure being off, the team will need confidence and courage to overcome the formidable Belgian squad.In boxing, Nikhat Zareen will compete in the women's 50kg Round of 16. However, she faces a challenging opponent in top seed and reigning world champion Wu Yu of China.