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Mirabai Chanu, India's weightlifting sensation, is poised to make her mark at the Paris Olympics. Despite a challenging journey marred by injuries and setbacks, Chanu remains determined to secure a medal on the grandest stage.Her unwavering faith and spiritual practices have been a constant source of strength for Chanu. Every Tuesday, she performs an elaborate puja, seeking divine guidance and energy. This ritual has become an integral part of her preparation, instilling a sense of belief and tranquility.As she enters the competition zone, Chanu transforms into a focused and determined athlete. Visualizing herself standing on the podium, she blocks out all distractions and pain. Her goal is clear: to make amends for her missed Asian Games medal and prove her resilience against a world-class field.Chanu's entry weight of 200kgs places her among the top contenders, alongside lifters from the United States, Thailand, Romania, and China. However, the absence of North Korea's Ri Song Gum, the Asian Games champion and world record holder, has opened up the competition.Despite lifting over 200kgs only once since Tokyo, Chanu remains confident in her abilities. Her recent return to competitive action at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, where she lifted 184kgs, has provided her with valuable experience.China's Hou Zhihui, the defending champion, is the runaway favorite. Her consistent 200kg lifts and impressive performances at major events make her a formidable opponent. The battle for the second spot will be intense, with Romania's Valentina Cambei, USA's Jourdan Delacruz, and Thailand's Surodchana Khambao all capable of challenging Chanu.Chanu's coach, Vijay Sharma, is optimistic about her chances. He believes that her mental strength and determination will carry her through the competition. "We don't expect an easy contest, but we have done the best we could," Sharma said. "Mira is in great mental space and will do her best."As Chanu approaches her 30th birthday, a medal in Paris would be the perfect gift to herself and a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu is determined to surpass her previous achievements in the upcoming Paris Games. After recovering from a six-month injury layoff, Chanu is targeting a lift of over 90kg in snatch, aiming for a total lift of 200kg to secure a medal.Chanu's journey back to competition began with a 184kg lift at the Phuket World Cup in April. Despite her best efforts of 88kg in snatch and 119kg in clean and jerk, she recognizes the need to improve her performance.Under the guidance of her long-time coach Vijay Kumar Sharma, Chanu is gradually increasing her training intensity. She is currently lifting 80-85% of her maximum capacity, with a target of 90kg plus in snatch for Paris.The injury phase has been a valuable learning experience for Chanu. She emphasizes the importance of following coaches' instructions, adopting proper techniques, and prioritizing rest and exercise. She believes that understanding her body and staying motivated are crucial for overcoming injuries.Despite the pressure of expectations, Chanu remains confident in her abilities. She acknowledges the challenges ahead but is determined to give her best performance and win a medal for India.Chanu is currently training at NNIS, Patiala, and will depart for Paris on July 7 for a training stint. Her unwavering determination and focus on improvement make her a formidable contender for success in the upcoming Games.

Giancarlo Stanton, the New York Yankees' slugger, is renowned for his dedication to extra work. Despite missing a significant number of games over the past five seasons due to injuries, Stanton remains committed to his rigorous training regimen.On Tuesday, Stanton spent 90 minutes at Steinbrenner Field engaged in an intense batting practice session against a pitching machine. The session began with teammate DJ LeMahieu for the first 20 minutes, after which Stanton continued solo, taking short breaks to pace around the batting cage or consult with hitting coach James Rowson."If I don't get my work in, then I'm just thinking about it all day," Stanton explained. "So, there's no point in being at home just thinking about doing this anyway."Stanton's dedication is evident in his slimmed-down physique. The 34-year-old continues to display his power, hitting opposite-field homers to right field during the final minutes of his batting practice."Whatever I need to get it to what I need to feel," Stanton said.Since joining the Yankees in 2018, Stanton has not played a full season. Injuries have plagued him, including a strained right biceps and posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee (2019), strained left hamstring (2020), strained left quadriceps (2021), right ankle inflammation and left Achilles tendinitis (2022), and strained left hamstring (2023).Despite these setbacks, Stanton remains optimistic. Over the past five years, he has hit .233 with 97 homers and 259 RBIs, a slight decline from his first nine seasons, when he averaged .265 with 302 homers and 772 RBIs.Stanton's determination and unwavering work ethic are a testament to his commitment to the game. As the Yankees prepare for the upcoming season, Stanton's presence and leadership will be invaluable.