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Harpal Singh Bedi, a veteran sports journalist who chronicled the highs and lows of Indian sports for over four decades, passed away on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 72.Bedi's illustrious career spanned eight Olympic Games, countless Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Cricket and Hockey World Cups, and national and international championships in various sports. He served as the national Olympic contingent's press attaché in 2012, where his wit and warmth charmed the media box.As the former sports editor of United News of India (UNI) and consulting editor of the Statesman newspaper, Bedi was a towering figure in Indian sports journalism. His expertise extended beyond reporting, as he mentored young journalists, easing their nerves with his trademark humor."Harpal Singh Bedi was a quintessential newsman, loved and respected," said veteran journalist and sports administrator G Rajaraman. "His finger was on the pulse of Indian sport and sports administration."Bedi's close friendship with legendary cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi often led to mistaken identities. "We are close friends you know, I am BSB, he is HSB. We go back a long way," the late spin great once quipped.An alumnus of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Bedi witnessed the transformation of India's sporting landscape, from P.T. Usha's fourth-place finish in the 1984 Olympics to Abhinav Bindra's historic gold medal in 2008.Bedi's reputation extended beyond India's borders. He became a popular figure with Pakistani journalists during tours with the Indian cricket team in 2004 and 2005. "His understanding of the Indo-Pak relationship was at par with the best foreign affairs experts," Rajaram recalled.Pakistani sports journalist Rasheed Shakoor fondly remembered Bedi's jovial personality. "He was a treasure trove of both news and jokes," Shakoor said. "It was so easy to become his friend."Despite his cheerful demeanor, Bedi's frustration was evident when the Indian hockey team underperformed. "The only journalist I knew who could laugh at himself," said Vijay Lokapally, former senior editor of 'The Hindu'. "The press box will not be the same without him."Bedi's health had declined in recent years, but his legacy as a respected and beloved sports journalist will endure.

Veteran table tennis player A Sharath Kamal expressed surprise and pride at being named India's flagbearer at the Paris Olympics, recognizing his years of dedication to the sport. The decision sparked controversy, with the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association expressing dissatisfaction.Kamal, 41, will become the first table tennis player to carry the Indian flag at the Olympics. He has competed in five previous Games and holds a record 10 national titles. At the Commonwealth Games, he has won 13 medals, including seven gold."I was pretty much surprised at first," Kamal said. "When I was the flagbearer at the Commonwealth Games, there was immense joy and so much pride. When it was announced first, it was a bit hard to believe because there are people like Neeraj Chopra who have won medals at the Olympics or who are expected to win... Beyond all of them, they thought about me."Kamal believes his selection reflects the recognition of his hard work and dedication to table tennis. "I do understand the thing behind that because of the timing of events for athletes. For me personally, getting there as a five-time Olympian, it really recognizes the toil I have done over the years not just for myself but also for the table tennis fraternity."Reigning Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won India's first track and field medal at the Tokyo Games, was widely expected to be named flagbearer. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) opted for Kamal, citing his experience and contributions to Indian sports.The decision has sparked debate, with some questioning whether a non-Olympic medalist should be given the honor. However, Kamal's supporters argue that his longevity, consistency, and dedication to his sport make him a worthy choice.

Dipa Karmakar, India's trailblazing gymnast, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian to win gold at the Asian Championships. Despite enduring a litany of challenges, including injuries, a doping ban, and Olympic qualification setbacks, Karmakar's unwavering determination and resilience have propelled her to this remarkable achievement.Karmakar's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Her fourth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she showcased her gravity-defying Produnova routine, catapulted her to national fame. However, injuries and a subsequent doping ban threatened to derail her career.Undeterred, Karmakar continued training relentlessly, even during her suspension. With the support of her coach, Bishweshwar Nandi, she switched to a less demanding routine to preserve her injury-prone body.At the Asian Championships, Karmakar faced stiff competition from athletes eager to secure Olympic qualification. Despite her best efforts, she narrowly missed out on a Paris berth. However, her gold medal victory served as a testament to her indomitable spirit and the power of perseverance.Karmakar's triumph is a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, dreams can be realized through hard work and unwavering belief. Her legacy as a pioneer in Indian gymnastics will continue to inspire generations to come.

Bhavani Devi, India's pioneering sabre fencer, faces a bittersweet reality as the 2024 Paris Olympics approach. Despite her relentless training and recent achievements, she will not be competing in the Games.After her historic Olympic debut in Tokyo, Bhavani relocated to Orleans, France, to train under renowned coach Christian Bauer. The move has transformed her understanding of the sport, leading to a career-high ranking of world No. 32. She became the first Indian fencer to win an Asian Championship medal in 2023, defeating reigning world champion Misaki Emura.However, her Olympic hopes were dashed at the Asia Oceania Zonal qualifiers in April. The disappointment has been profound, leaving Bhavani struggling to cope. "It's really painful," she confides. "I'm trying to let it pass."Bhavani's training regimen is grueling, with 35 hours of intense practice each week. On weekends, her body aches from the constant lunging, thrusting, and parrying. Yet, she finds solace in the physical exertion, using it to process her lost opportunity.Despite the setback, Bhavani remains determined. She believes that her improved skills and the support of her training partners, including her former Tokyo Olympics opponent Manon Brunet, will propel her forward."I've learnt so much," she says. "I'm learning to weave in more techniques, provocation, and working off my opponent's repertoire."Bhavani's absence from the Paris Olympics is a blow to Indian fencing. However, she remains hopeful for the future. At 30 years old, she knows that time is on her side. Five of the top 10 female sabre fencers are aged 30 or above, including 38-year-old Sofya Velikaya, who has medalled at the last three Games.Bhavani's journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of Indian athletes. While the pain of missing out on the Olympics lingers, she is committed to continuing her pursuit of excellence and inspiring future generations of fencers.

Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra has set his sights firmly on the Paris Olympic Games, scheduled to commence on July 26 in France. Competing in his first domestic competition since his historic gold medal triumph at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Chopra showcased his dominance by securing the gold medal with a throw of 82.27m."Winning an Olympic gold medal is far more glorious than breaking the 90m barrier," Chopra asserted. "I will undoubtedly break that barrier, but my primary focus right now is to make a significant impact at the Paris Games."Chopra acknowledged that he had anticipated a strong challenge from Manu DP, but DP's rhythm faltered, preventing him from surpassing the 85m mark. Manu DP of Karnataka finished second, while Uttam Patil of Maharashtra claimed third place with a throw of 78.39m.Asian Games medalist Kishore Kumar Jena finished fifth with a throw of 75.49m, while Shivpal Singh, another prominent thrower, was eliminated in the preliminary round. Only the top eight athletes advanced to the medal round.Chopra commenced his 2024 season with a second-place finish (88.36m) at the Doha Diamond League. Following his domestic competition in Bhubaneswar, he plans to compete in Europe as part of his preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.He has meticulously planned his Olympic preparations, including competitions in Ostrava (Czech Republic) on May 28 and Turku (Finland) in June. After these events, he will evaluate his fitness and make further decisions. "I will assess how my body and mind respond to these high-quality competitions and then make a call," he explained.Chopra's personal best and national record of 89.94m was set in 2022. The champion thrower expressed his confidence in breaking the 90m barrier on a good day. "I prefer to prioritize winning over distance," he emphasized.As the "golden boy" of Indian track and field, Chopra was thrilled to witness the enthusiasm of young fans at Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium. "I'm excited to see so many supporters at the stadium," he remarked.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra made a triumphant return to Indian soil, claiming the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the Federation Cup in Patiala. Despite a slow start, Chopra's spear soared through the evening sky, securing him victory in his first competitive outing in India in three years.The 26-year-old superstar initially struggled to find his rhythm, trailing in second place after the first three rounds. However, in the fourth round, he unleashed a mighty throw of 82.27m, taking the lead. With DP Manu, his closest rival, having completed his final throw, Chopra opted to skip the final round, confident in his lead.Chopra's last domestic competition was at the same event in 2021, where he won gold with a throw of 87.80m. Since then, he has achieved remarkable success on the international stage, including a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the Diamond League title in 2022, and the world championship in 2023. He also successfully defended his Asian Games gold in China.Despite his impressive achievements, Chopra is yet to surpass the 90m mark. His personal best and national record stands at 89.94m. However, his performance at the Federation Cup demonstrates his continued dominance in the sport and his unwavering determination to reach even greater heights.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman paddler to break into the top 25 of the world rankings. The 28-year-old rose to a career-best singles ranking of 24 following her impressive performance at the Saudi Smash tournament.Batra's journey to the top has been marked by determination and resilience. She began playing table tennis at the age of four and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a national champion at the age of 16. In 2018, she made history by winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal in both the individual and team categories.Batra's success at the Saudi Smash was a testament to her hard work and dedication. She shocked multiple-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Wang Manyu of China on her way to the quarterfinals, becoming the first Indian woman to advance that far in the tournament. Her run in Jeddah earned her 350 points, propelling her up 15 spots in the world rankings.The ranking boost has come at a crucial time for Batra, who is aiming to secure a berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "An extreme confidence boost on the road to Paris 2024," she wrote on Instagram. "Breaking into the Top-25 and achieving the best rank ever achieved by an Indian in women's singles of the ITTF Ranking."Batra's success is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the growing strength of Indian table tennis. She has inspired a new generation of players and shown that anything is possible with hard work and determination.