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Aditi Ashok, India's golfing prodigy, has carved a remarkable path in the sport, with her parents serving as her unwavering support system. Her journey began at the tender age of five, when a visit to a restaurant overlooking a golf range ignited her passion. Encouraged by her father, Ashok Gudlamani, and mother, Mash, Aditi quickly embraced the game.Ashok's father has played a pivotal role in her development, serving as her caddie during the Rio 2016 Olympics. In Tokyo 2020, her mother took over the caddie duties, guiding Aditi to a near-podium finish, where she narrowly missed out on a medal. The duo has alternated as caddies, with her father set to resume the role at the Paris 2024 Olympics."Tokyo 2020 was an incredible experience, and having my mom caddie for me was a lot of fun," Ashok said in an interview. "My dad and I tend to have more discussions about shot selection, as he knows my game well. My mom doesn't assist as much with decision-making, but that helps me become more decisive and composed on the course."Aditi's golfing achievements are a testament to her talent and dedication. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman golfer to participate in major multi-sport events, including the Asian Youth Games, Youth Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games. Her career took off when she became the youngest Indian to win the Lalla Aicha Tour School title, securing her a spot on the Ladies European Tour in 2016. That same year, she made history by becoming the first Indian to win a Ladies European Tour title and later, the first Indian to compete on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.Despite missing out on an Olympic medal in 2020, Aditi remains focused on her goals. She continues to play on both the US LPGA and Ladies European Tours, with her parents alternating as her caddies. "I always give my best and move on to the next event," she said. "I keep doing the same week after week."Aditi's ability to focus on the process rather than outcomes has been a key to her success. She believes in the power of perseverance and continuous improvement. With her parents by her side, she is determined to make history at the Paris 2024 Olympics and bring glory to India.

India's Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar have made a promising start in the women's individual stroke play golf event at the Paris Olympics. Aditi finished tied for 13th spot with a par score of 72, while Diksha was tied seventh with a score of one-under-par 71.Aditi, who finished fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, began strongly with a birdie on the third hole. However, she dropped a shot on the eighth hole before recovering with another birdie on the ninth. A birdie on the 13th hole gave her a chance to finish in the top 10, but a double bogey on the final hole dropped her back to par.Diksha, a two-time Deaflympics gold medalist, had a more consistent round. She birdied the seventh, 11th, and 14th holes, but bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes to finish tied for seventh.French golfer Celine Boutier leads the pack after Round 1 with a seven-under-par score of 65.Both Aditi and Diksha have all to play for in the next three rounds. With their experience and determination, they will be hoping to challenge for a medal in Paris.

Indian golfer Diksha Dagar, who is set to represent her country at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, was involved in a car accident on Tuesday night. However, despite the incident, Dagar is reportedly doing well and is expected to compete in her event as scheduled.According to Dagar's father and caddie, Colonel Naren Dagar, Diksha sustained no major injuries and is currently practicing for the Olympics. However, her mother has been hospitalized with a suspected spinal injury and will remain under observation for the next few days. The extent of her injuries will be determined after further tests and diagnosis.The accident occurred when the Dagar family's car was struck by another vehicle while returning from a function at India House. The family's driver was reportedly crossing an intersection when the light turned red, and an ambulance parked on the side obscured their view of an oncoming car. The other vehicle collided with the Dagar family's car from the side.This is Diksha Dagar's second Olympic appearance, and she is scheduled to compete in the women's golf tournament from August 7 to 10. The men's golf competition, featuring Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar, commenced on Thursday.Despite the setback, Diksha Dagar remains determined to perform well at the Olympics. Her father expressed confidence in her ability to overcome this adversity and represent India with pride.

Aditi Ashok, India's top female golfer, is gearing up for her third Olympic Games in Paris. Having competed in two previous Olympics, she is determined to make the most of this opportunity.Ashok's journey to the Olympics began at the age of 14 when she set her sights on Rio 2016. She worked tirelessly to improve her amateur ranking and secure sponsor invites to professional events. In Rio, she finished 41st despite being only 18 years old and having limited professional experience.In Tokyo 2020, Ashok showcased her maturity and skill, finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on a medal. This performance gave her immense confidence and proved that she could compete with the world's best.Heading into Paris 2024, Ashok is focused on her driving, which she believes is key to her success. She has been working on improving her speed and accuracy off the tee. Despite the pressure of expectations, Ashok remains composed and focused on her game plan.Ashok is excited to compete at Le Golf National, the storied venue for the Paris Olympics. She believes the course's open layout and potential for windy conditions will provide a challenging but enjoyable experience.Reflecting on her previous Olympic experiences, Ashok emphasizes the importance of staying present and committed to every shot. She believes her game is strong enough to keep her in contention and is eager to make the most of this opportunity.

Renowned clubmaker and golf coach Sundeep Verma is set to make his third Olympic Games appearance, this time as the coach of leading Indian professional Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Paris 2024 Games. Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour champion, will be making his Olympic debut as part of a four-member Indian golf team that also includes Shubhankar Sharma, Aditi Ashok, and Diksha Dagar.Verma, with over 25 years of experience in the golf industry, has worked with some of India's top golfers, including Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Singh Rai, Shiv Kapur, and Shubhankar Sharma. He accompanied Chawrasia to the Rio 2016 Olympics and Diksha to the Tokyo 2020 Games, playing a crucial role in their performances.Bhullar, who is eager to make a mark in his maiden Olympic appearance, expressed his confidence in Verma's guidance. "It was quite natural to pick Sundeep as my coach. He has worked with me during my early professional days and has always been a valuable source of advice. His experience at the Olympic venue and his understanding of the game will be invaluable to me. I am confident that with him on my side, I will deliver a remarkable performance in Paris," said Bhullar.Verma, who was also the coach of the Indian amateur golf team at the Eisenhower Trophy in 2022, is excited to share his knowledge and experience with Bhullar. "I am happy to be accompanying Bhullar to Paris. I would love to pass on the learnings from Rio and Tokyo to him. He is an accomplished golfer with the right temperament and attacking mindset to perform well in big events like the Olympic Games. We will give it our best shot to return with a medal from Paris," said Verma.Bhullar's participation in the Paris Olympics has been supported by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which has covered his expenses for airfare, boarding and lodging, registration fees, and training at the Olympic venue. He will depart for Paris along with Verma on July 28.

Shubhankar Sharma, India's rising golf star, is brimming with confidence as he sets his sights on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The 28-year-old, who recently finished tied 19th at the Open Championship, believes a medal is within reach.Sharma's optimism stems from his impressive performance at Royal Troon, where he battled through challenging conditions to secure a top-20 finish. The experience, he says, has put him in an "Olympics mindset.""You could not take any shot for granted at The Open last week," Sharma said. "It was a grind from the first tee shot to the last putt, and that's what I would expect at the Olympics as well."Sharma is also buoyed by his recent form, which includes a top-5 finish at the Italian Open and 15 birdies over the weekend at the Scottish Open. He attributes his improvement to hard work and a renewed focus on his game."I have started seeing the reward for those hours," Sharma said. "I'm looking forward to Le Golf National."The Le Golf National, the venue for the Olympic golf tournament, is known for its challenging layout. Sharma believes his ball-striking ability will be crucial to success there."It can easily separate the boys from men," Sharma said. "You need to be a superior ball-striker to do well there, as you needed to do at Royal Troon."Sharma is aware of the underdog status of the Indian golf team, but he is determined to make a mark."I honestly think the Olympics can create a very different kind of motivation," Sharma said. "I am very aware of what kind of a spotlight a good performance in France by any one of us would put on Indian golf."Sharma will be joined by Gaganjeet Bhullar in the men's event, while Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's event. The golf competition at the Tokyo Olympics begins on Thursday, August 1.

Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs, two of India's most promising golfers, will lead a contingent of seven Indians at the €300,000 Amundi German Masters. The tournament, held at the Seddiner See course near Berlin, will feature 132 players competing in a 72-hole event.Dagar, who will also represent India at the Paris Olympics, has had a stellar 2023 season, finishing third in the LET Order of Merit and winning the Czech Ladies Open. She was also third at the Amundi German Masters and the Hero Women's Indian Open.Urs, meanwhile, finished T-7 last week in the Aramco Series Korea. Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik, and Amandeep Drall will be looking to regain their LET Tour cards, while Sneha Singh, the 2023 Hero Order of Merit winner, will be hoping to make a mark on the international stage. Amateur Avani Prashanth, who played in the event last year, is also expected to turn pro at the end of the year.Defending champion Kristyna Napoleaova of the Czech Republic will be among the favorites, along with former Order of Merit winners Trichat Cheenglab and Lee-Anne Pace. Four winners from the 2024 LET season, including Bronte Law, Alexandra Forsterling, Mariajo Uribe, and Manon De Roey, will also be vying for the title.The cut will be applied after 36 holes, with the top 60 and ties advancing to the final two rounds. The tournament will provide a valuable opportunity for the Indian golfers to gain experience and compete against some of the best players in Europe.

Indian golf is set to make a grand debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with leading professionals Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar poised to represent the nation. Ranked 47th and 52nd respectively on the Olympic Golf Rankings, the duo is expected to secure their spots among the 60 elite golfers teeing off at the prestigious Le Golf National on August 1.Bolstered by the unwavering support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports' Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Sharma and Bhullar are confident in maintaining their high rankings and qualifying for the Games. Sharma, recently upgraded to the TOPS Core group, expressed his gratitude for the government's initiative, acknowledging the unique financial challenges faced by golfers."TOPS is a remarkable program that empowers athletes representing India at the highest level," Sharma said. "Golf involves significant expenses, so any support from the government is invaluable. I am determined to meet the nation's expectations and give my all in the Olympics."The financial assistance provided by TOPS will cover Sharma's participation in nine DP World Tour events, two Major championships (the United States Open and British Open), coaching fees, physiotherapy and dietetic services, travel expenses, and living allowances.Sharma has meticulously planned his preparation for the Olympics, following a rigorous schedule. "I am content with my progress and confident in my abilities," he said. "It's not about overcoming challenges but about executing a flawless week. I am optimistic about our chances."Sharma holds immense respect for his senior on the professional circuit, Gaganjeet Bhullar. "Gagan is a champion, and I admire his winning mindset," Sharma said. "Together, we can inspire each other to bring glory to India in Paris."Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour champion and 2006 Asian Games silver medalist, is equally eager to excel in Paris. "Being included in TOPS is an honor," Bhullar said. "While I have received support from sponsors, there are still areas that need strengthening. I plan to enhance my team with a psychologist, caddie, and fitness coach.""Shubhankar is younger, but I have witnessed his talent firsthand," Bhullar added. "We are both excited for our Olympic debut. Golf is unpredictable, and a few exceptional rounds can significantly impact the outcome."With the support of TOPS and their unwavering determination, Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar are poised to make history as India's first Olympic golfers. Their journey to Paris 2024 is a testament to their talent, hard work, and the unwavering support of the Indian government.

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma displayed resilience on Friday, making the cut at the Volvo China Open in Beijing despite a challenging second round. The 27-year-old carded a one-over 73, bringing his total score to five-under for 36 holes.Sharma's round started promisingly with a birdie on the ninth hole. However, he encountered setbacks on the back nine, dropping shots on the 12th and 14th holes. Despite these setbacks, Sharma remained composed and finished the day in a tie for 32nd place.Fellow Indian golfer Om Prakash, who had a promising start with a 70 on the first day, faltered in the second round. He carded a two-over 75, missing the cut by a narrow margin. Prakash's round was marred by a double bogey, two bogeys, and two birdies.At the top of the leaderboard, Sebastian Soderberg continued his impressive form. The Swede shot a blistering seven-under 65, propelled by six birdies on the back nine. Soderberg now holds a commanding three-shot lead over England's Paul Warring, who is at 13-under. Italian Guido Migliozzi is in third place at 12-under.Sharma's performance at the Volvo China Open is a testament to his determination and skill. Despite facing challenges, he managed to make the cut and remains in contention for a top finish. The tournament concludes on Sunday, and Sharma will be hoping to continue his strong play and secure a podium spot.