Badminton

Sharath Kamal, India's veteran table tennis star, is preparing for his fifth and final Olympic Games in Paris. At 42, he recognizes the importance of staying sharp and pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. To achieve this, he has enlisted the help of German coach Chris Pfeiffer and his younger brother, Rajath Kamal.Chris, who previously coached the German under-21 national team, emphasizes the need for Sharath to improve his backhand. "At your age, it's hard to cover the whole table with just your forehand," he says. "So we have to work on your backhand, make that our goal for the Olympics."Sharath acknowledges the value of Chris's guidance. "I need somebody to keep pushing me, getting me out of my comfort zone. Chris is that guy. To keep moving and to stay active is the German way."Rajath, a former player turned performance analyst, provides Sharath with technical insights and helps him break down old habits. "Since I've been playing the game for a long time, certain old habits linger," says Sharath. "But the game has changed. So, he sits down with videos of my play, breaks down those old habits and says 'okay we can't be doing that any longer'."The sibling dynamics between Sharath and Rajath can sometimes be challenging. "Obviously Rajath has a lot of respect for me as a player," says Sharath. "But I want him to tell me what he really thinks."Despite the occasional sibling rivalry, Rajath's calm demeanor helps Sharath stay focused. "What's best about him is he's really calm, so it also helps me stay calm when he's around," says Sharath.Chris and Rajath will both be by Sharath's side in Paris. Chris admires Sharath's dedication and perseverance. "For an athlete of his age to push himself toward a fresh goal is just so inspiring to watch," he says. "I can't say there are too many like him."

The Paris Olympics, scheduled for 2024, is fast approaching, and nations worldwide are eagerly announcing their flag bearers for the prestigious sporting event. Team USA has made a significant announcement, naming the legendary LeBron James as their male flag bearer. The grand ceremony will take place on Friday along the River Seine, with James representing the male contingent of Team USA. The female flag bearer will be revealed on Tuesday."It's an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together," said James, the Los Angeles Lakers power forward, in a statement from the USOPC.India has also unveiled its flag bearers for the Paris Olympics: two-time Olympic medalist and 2019 World Champion in badminton, PV Sindhu, and veteran Table Tennis player Sharath Kamal. Sindhu, currently ranked World No. 12, has been a dominant force in Indian badminton for years. Her silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics against Spain's Carolina Marin made her the first Indian badminton player to reach the final of the showpiece event."I am also delighted to announce that India's only woman to win two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu, as the female Flag-bearer alongside Table Tennis ace A Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony," said IOA president PT Usha.Japan has selected B-Boy Shigekix and fencer Emura Misaki as its flag bearers for the mega sporting event. Shigekix expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating that it was a significant recognition not only for him but also for the entire breaking community.