Badminton

Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months due to whereabouts failures, effectively barring him from competing in the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced the suspension on Tuesday, citing Bhagat's violation of anti-doping regulations.Bhagat, an SL3 athlete, was found to have committed three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period. This breach of regulations resulted in a suspension from March 1, 2024, as determined by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division.Bhagat appealed the decision to the CAS Appeals Division, but his appeal was dismissed on July 29, 2024. The CAS Appeals Division upheld the original suspension, which is now in effect.Bhagat's suspension is a significant blow to the Indian para badminton team. He is a highly decorated athlete, having won a gold medal in the men's singles SL3 category at the Tokyo Paralympics. He also holds multiple World Championships and Asian Para Games titles.The suspension highlights the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations in sports. Whereabouts failures occur when an athlete fails to provide accurate information about their location for drug testing purposes. This can hinder the effectiveness of anti-doping programs and undermine the integrity of competition.Bhagat's suspension serves as a reminder that all athletes, regardless of their status or achievements, must comply with anti-doping rules. The consequences of violating these regulations can be severe, as evidenced by Bhagat's ineligibility for the Paris Paralympic Games.

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has come to the defense of badminton legend Prakash Padukone, who recently called for players to take responsibility for India's disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics. Padukone's comments came after Lakshya Sen squandered two opportunities to win a medal, losing in the semifinals and bronze medal match.Gavaskar argues that Padukone's remarks were justified, as players today receive ample support from federations and the government. He believes that players should be held accountable for their performances, rather than making excuses.Gavaskar also criticized Lakshya Sen's performance, saying that he "lost his trend of thought and concentration" in crucial moments. He emphasized the importance of mental toughness and focus, which cannot be taught by coaches but must come from within the athlete.This was the first time in 16 years that India did not win a medal in badminton at the Olympics. Earlier, double-Olympic medalist PV Sindhu suffered a shocking exit in the pre-quarters, while the Asian Games champion pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were stunned in the quarters.Gavaskar's comments have sparked a debate, with some criticizing Padukone for being too harsh on Lakshya Sen. However, Gavaskar maintains that his remarks were well-intentioned and aimed at motivating players to perform better in the future.

Prakash Padukone's comments on Lakshya Sen's loss at the Paris Olympics 2024 have sparked controversy. Padukone, the former coach and mentor of the badminton team, expressed disappointment and urged players to "step up and win as expected."These remarks drew mixed reactions. Ashwini Ponnappa, a fellow badminton player, responded with a fiery reply. However, Olympic medallist Abhinav Bindra, who was present at the Olympics as part of the Athletes Commission, partially agreed with Padukone.Bindra emphasized collective accountability, stating, "An athlete is very much part of it. So I don't completely disagree with what Mr. Padukone said." He also highlighted the need for responsible spending on athletes and ensuring that funds are utilized effectively.Padukone further stressed the importance of mental training for athletes to handle pressure situations. He suggested implementing a system similar to China's, where they develop multiple players instead of relying on a single star."We cannot remain satisfied just having one player. We need to focus on the next line, maybe even the third line," Padukone said. "There is a lot of talent, but a combined effort is required."He also emphasized the need for players to take responsibility and be accountable for their performance. "Not just ask for whatever you ask for. Once you are given that, you also have to be accountable," he said.Padukone's comments have sparked a debate about the expectations placed on Indian athletes, the need for mental training, and the importance of developing a robust talent pipeline.

The Paris Olympics 2024 has been a bittersweet experience for Indian sports fans. After the high of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where India returned with a record seven medals, the expectation was that at the Paris Olympics, the haul would be bigger. However, following a string of narrow misses and some unlucky incidents (like the Vinesh Phogat disqualification), India won six medals.Badminton was one sport where India has fared well in the last three editions. Starting from the 2012 Olympics, Indian badminton stars have returned with at least one medal. However, this time there were no medals. The star duo of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty could not enter the semi-finals. Singles player Lakshya Sen became the first Indian male shuttler to enter the Olympic semi-final but lost crucial matches despite being in a strong situation.Amid such displays, badminton legend Prakash Padukone said that It was time for the badminton stars to bring home good results as there was enough support from the government and other stakeholders. The comment was criticised by many. Former Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar, however, has supported Prakash Padukone and critisiced Lakshya Sen's mental block.Gavaskar felt that Lakshya had lost his "thought and concentration". "For those who watched both the semifinal and the bronze medal matches, it did appear that Lakshya had lost his trend of thought and concentration in the way he looked at his racquet as he sipped from his water bottle in between points or at the changeovers," Gavaskar wrote."I could be completely wrong, but on TV, it looked like a blank expression, and that's usually a sign that the mind has wandered. Concentration and focus are things that no coach or trainer can ever teach. It can be developed over the years by the athlete by observing other champions and having an inner resolve, but there's no specific program for it. Yes, mind trainers are around, but they can only do so much and not more. It's got to be within the athlete."

A month ago, Kolkata Knight Riders' rising star Angkrish Raghuvanshi sparked controversy with a tweet mocking badminton ace Saina Nehwal's comments on cricket's perceived lack of risk. Nehwal, in a recent interview, had called for more support and facilities for non-cricket sports, citing the sport's popularity despite its lower level of challenge compared to badminton, basketball, and tennis.Raghuvanshi's tweet, which he later deleted, read: "Let's see how she goes when Bumrah bowls 150k's bumpers at her head." The tweet drew widespread criticism, prompting Raghuvanshi to remove it.In a recent podcast interview, Nehwal responded to Raghuvanshi's tweet, stating that she would not be able to face Bumrah's bowling without proper training, just as Bumrah would not be able to handle her 300kmph smash in badminton."Why would I face Jasprit Bumrah anyways? If I had been playing for 8 years maybe I would have answered Jasprit Bumrah," Nehwal said. "If Jasprit Bumrah plays badminton with me maybe he won't be able to take my smash."Nehwal emphasized the need for equal support and facilities for all sports, arguing that it would lead to greater success at the global level. "How many badminton academies do we have? (And then) think about how many in cricket...If that many academies are there (for badminton), best facilities, why won't we get quality players," she said.Nehwal's comments have sparked a debate about the importance of supporting non-cricket sports in India. While cricket remains the most popular sport in the country, many argue that other sports deserve equal attention and resources to foster a more diverse and successful sporting culture.

KKR's Angkrish Raghuvanshi Mocks Saina Nehwal, Sparking Debate on Sports InequalityKolkata Knight Riders batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has ignited a heated debate on sports inequality in India after mocking badminton star Saina Nehwal on social media. The controversy erupted after Nehwal claimed that sports like badminton, tennis, and basketball require greater physical exertion than cricket, while criticizing fans for prioritizing cricket over other sports.In a now-deleted post on social media, Raghuvanshi took a jab at Nehwal, writing, "Let's see how she goes when Bumrah bowls 150k's bumper at her head." Nehwal responded indirectly, asserting that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah would struggle to handle her smash."How will you become Virat at that level? How will you become Rohit Sharma? So many players have to become like them. They can't. Only a few of them are like that. But I just feel that it's more of a skill-based sport. And bowlers, I agree. I won't die there. Why would I face Jasprit Bumrah anyways? If I had been playing for 8 years maybe I would have answered Jasprit Bumrah," Nehwal said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast."If Jasprit Bumrah plays badminton with me maybe he won't be able to take my smash. We should not fight with ourselves in our own country for these things. That's what I want to say. Every sport is best in its place. But I want to say give value to other sports as well. Otherwise, where will we get sporting culture from? And cricket, Bollywood will always be our focus," added the 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist.Nehwal also highlighted the disparity in facilities and support between cricket and other sports in India, contributing to the country's struggles to win medals at the Olympics.Raghuvanshi, who made his IPL debut in 2024 and had a successful season with KKR, has since apologized for his comments. However, the incident has sparked a wider discussion about the need for greater recognition and support for non-cricket sports in India.

Tanmay Garg and Shantanu Barve, two 23-year-old Indian expats living in Paris, found themselves immersed in the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite their contrasting interests in sports, they shared a common desire to witness the spectacle firsthand.Garg, an investment banker from New Delhi, had little knowledge of badminton but was eager to experience the Olympic atmosphere. Barve, on the other hand, was a passionate badminton enthusiast from Pune, eager to witness the sport's finest athletes in action.Together, they secured tickets to watch India's Lakshya Sen compete in the badminton semifinals. As they waited for Sen's match, Barve patiently explained the intricacies of badminton to Garg, covering everything from scoring to court dimensions.By the time Sen took to the court against Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, Garg had transformed into a badminton expert. He eagerly shared his newfound knowledge with Barve, even interjecting with cricket analogies to illustrate the game's dynamics.Barve was thrilled to witness Sen's remarkable performance, having purchased the tickets months in advance without knowing the lineup. He was equally impressed by Spain's Carolina Marin, despite her unfortunate injury. Garg, too, was captivated by the intensity of the competition and the proximity of an Indian athlete to an Olympic medal.Their Olympic experience extended beyond badminton. They marveled at the architectural grandeur of the Eiffel Tower, soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the Champs-Élysées, and sampled the delectable pastries at local patisseries.As they bid farewell to the Olympics, Garg and Barve reflected on their unforgettable journey. They had not only witnessed sporting excellence but had also forged a deeper bond through their shared experience.

The Paris Olympics 2024 have been a rollercoaster of emotions for India, with both triumphs and disappointments. The Indian contingent has secured five medals so far, including four bronze and one silver. However, there have been some near misses and controversies that have left a bittersweet taste.One of the most heartbreaking moments came in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final, where Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight. This shattered her hopes of a medal and left the Indian contingent in shock.Another disappointment came in badminton, where India's medal hopes were pinned on Lakshya Sen. However, he lost the bronze medal match, leaving India without a medal in the sport. This led to criticism from former badminton player Prakash Padukone, who called on the players to take responsibility for their losses.However, this statement sparked a debate, with some players criticizing Padukone for blaming Lakshya. Olympics Expert Tejaswin Shankar argued that coaches should also take responsibility for their players' performances.Despite these setbacks, India has had some notable successes. Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in the men's javelin throw, becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in athletics since 1900. The Indian women's hockey team also made history by reaching the semifinals for the first time.The Paris Olympics 2024 have been a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian athletes. While there have been disappointments, there have also been moments of triumph. The Indian contingent will continue to strive for success in the remaining events, hoping to add to their medal tally and make the nation proud.

At the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics, Chinese badminton star He Bing Jiao etched her name in the annals of sportsmanship with a heartwarming gesture towards her injured rival, Carolina Marin. After securing the silver medal in the women's singles competition, Bing Jiao held aloft a pin representing Spain, Marin's home country, during the medal ceremony. This act of solidarity and respect resonated deeply with the sporting world.Marin, a former Olympic champion, was forced to withdraw from her semifinal match against Bing Jiao due to a devastating knee injury. The incident occurred during the second game when Marin landed awkwardly on her surgically repaired knee. Despite her injury, Marin returned to the court and played two more points before retiring, ending her hopes of a second Olympic gold.Bing Jiao's tribute to Marin was widely lauded as a testament to the true spirit of sportsmanship. In the final, Bing Jiao faced South Korea's An Se Young, ultimately losing in straight sets to take the silver medal.PV Sindhu, who has also faced major injuries in the past, expressed her support for Marin via a heartfelt social media post. "To one of my greatest rivals and dearest friends on the tour, I am sending all the positive energy in the world your way," Sindhu wrote. "Your willpower, sheer determination, and uncanny ability to put players under pressure are unmatched."Bing Jiao and Sindhu's actions are a testament to the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists among top athletes, despite the intense competition on the court. Their gestures serve as a reminder that sportsmanship and empathy transcend the boundaries of victory and defeat.