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Suma Shirur, the legendary Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian Shooting team, has been bestowed with the prestigious Coach of the Year (Female) award at the Indian Sports Honours 2024. This accolade recognizes her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting and her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.As the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, Shirur has played a pivotal role in guiding the Indian shooting team to unprecedented success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Under her mentorship, India's shooters have claimed three Olympic medals, including a historic gold medal for Avani Lekhara in the Women's 10m event at the Paralympics.Shirur's coaching philosophy emphasizes resilience, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She has created a nurturing environment where athletes can thrive and reach their full potential. Her dedication to developing young talent is evident through her Lakshya Shooting Club, which has mentored over 200 national-level shooters.Beyond her coaching achievements, Shirur is a passionate advocate for gender parity in sports. She believes that every athlete, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to excel. Her efforts have inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams in shooting and other sports.The Indian Sports Honours is a prestigious event that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Indian athletes, coaches, and teams. The esteemed jury panel, led by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, carefully selected Shirur for this award based on her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting.In accepting the award, Shirur expressed her gratitude and emphasized her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in Indian sports. She said, "This honor is not just mine but belongs to every athlete and team member who worked alongside me. Our journey was defined by dedication, and this award reinforces our shared goal of lifting Indian shooting to new heights."Suma Shirur's achievements and unwavering dedication to Indian shooting and gender equality serve as an inspiration to athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts alike. Her legacy will continue to shape the future of Indian sports for generations to come.

India's Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is set to embark on an off-season training stint in South Africa later this month. The 26-year-old javelin star will spend 31 days in Potchefstroom, a city known for its high-altitude training facilities.Chopra's training will be funded by the Sports Ministry, which has approved the expenditure for his lodging, boarding, and training costs. The ministry stated that Chopra will begin his training early in preparation for next year's competitions.Chopra has a history of training in Potchefstroom, having spent time there ahead of the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. He also competed in a competition there in January 2020, where he finished first with a throw of 87.86m.Despite battling an adductor muscle niggle throughout the year, Chopra managed to secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and compete in the Diamond League Final. He has since parted ways with his German coach, Klaus Bartonietz, and is expected to appoint a new coach before the end of the year.Chopra's primary goal for next year is to defend his World Championships gold in Tokyo and improve his technique to reach the 90m mark. He currently holds a personal best of 89.94m, just 6cm short of the coveted milestone.

Australian breakdancer Rachael "Raygun" Gunn has announced her retirement from competition following a barrage of criticism and mockery after her performance at the Paris Olympics. Gunn's unconventional routine, which included kangaroo hops and sprinkler imitations, drew widespread ridicule and became a subject of late-night talk show jokes.The 37-year-old Gunn, a university lecturer, faced intense scrutiny and conspiracy theories questioning her qualification for the Australian Olympic team. The backlash, she said, had been "really upsetting" and prompted her decision to end her competitive career."I'm not going to compete anymore," Gunn told Australian radio station 2DayFM. "I was going to keep competing for sure, but that seems like a really difficult thing for me to do now. The level of scrutiny that's going to be there... it's just not going to be the same experience."Gunn had previously condemned the "pretty devastating" hatred directed at her after the Olympics. "I went out there and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all," she said in a video message.Despite the mockery, Gunn received support from fellow Australian Olympians and even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. She emphasized that she would continue to dance, albeit not in competition. "I still dance, and I still break. But, you know, that's like in my living room with my partner," she said."Dancing is so much fun, and it makes you feel good. I don't think people should feel crap about the way that they dance. If you get out there, and you have fun on the dance floor then just own it."Ironically, Gunn briefly topped the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) rankings in September after winning the Oceania Championship. The sport of breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris but will not be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has attributed her resilience and patience to the challenges she faced early in her career. Bhaker, 22, made history at the Paris Games by becoming the first Indian since Independence to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.Despite her success, Bhaker remains unfazed by criticism, choosing to focus solely on her career. After taking a break from shooting post-Olympics, she is now pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh."I'm grateful for the setbacks I've faced," Bhaker said. "They've taught me patience and resilience. I don't let social media chatter bother me. My focus is on my sport."Bhaker expressed gratitude for the support she has received throughout her journey, particularly from those who have helped her stay mentally and physically prepared. She also acknowledged the importance of setting realistic goals and taking breaks to reset."This break is a pause, not a complete stop," she explained. "I'm still preparing for future competitions. I'm in constant touch with my coach, Jaspal Rana, and we're planning strategies for the future."Bhaker emphasized that she has maintained her fitness during her break. "I've been monitoring my fitness regularly," she said. "I'm grateful to DAV United Foundation for their support and recognition."Bhaker's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, resilience, and a unwavering focus on one's goals.

Indian Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker has announced her plans to resume training in November and return to competitive shooting next year. Bhaker, who won two medals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, shared her intentions during a media interaction in Delhi ahead of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final.Bhaker's decision to take a break from shooting after the Olympics was a pre-planned move, as advised by her coach Jaspal Rana. "I do feel like competing, but before the Olympics, my coach had told me to take three months off since I was facing injuries due to pistol recoil," she explained.During her break, Bhaker has enjoyed spending time with her family and indulging in homemade food. "I am happy that I got a chance to spend time with my family after a long time. I eat homemade food and enjoy it a lot," she said.Bhaker expressed her excitement about the upcoming ISSF World Cup Final, which she believes is a valuable platform for young shooters. "To play here is a big experience in itself. Players should make the most out of it, give their best, and not be afraid," she advised.At the Paris Olympics, Bhaker and her partner Sarabjot Singh secured bronze in the 10 M Air Pistol Mixed team event, defeating South Korea's Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal play-off match. Bhaker also opened India's medal tally in the Olympics by securing third place in the women's individual 10m air pistol event, becoming the first-ever woman shooter to win an Olympic medal for India.Following that, Sarabjot Singh and Bhaker won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol (mixed team) event, which was India's first-ever shooting team medal. In her final event, Bhaker narrowly missed out on a historic grand treble and finished fourth in the women's 25m pistol shooting event.Bhaker's achievements at the Paris Olympics have cemented her status as one of India's most promising shooting talents. Her return to training in November and competitive shooting next year is eagerly anticipated by fans and supporters alike.

Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen's Olympic debut ended in disappointment as she bowed out in the preliminary stage of the 50kg women's boxing competition. Despite being a strong medal contender, Zareen suffered an unanimous decision loss to top seed and reigning Asian Games champion Wu Yu of China.Zareen acknowledged that it was not her day, but vowed to return stronger. She expressed her disappointment at losing to boxers she had previously defeated, but emphasized the need to accept reality and move forward.The two-time world champion revealed that she is currently searching for a personal coach to help her improve her game. Zareen believes that a personal coach will provide her with the necessary guidance and support to become a better boxer.She also expressed her desire to train abroad, citing the benefits of facing different styles of boxers and pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Zareen identified strength as an area she needs to improve upon.The future of boxing at the Olympics remains uncertain due to the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, Zareen is hopeful that the World Boxing Council (WBC), which has the backing of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will unveil new weight categories in the near future.Zareen expressed her preference for the 52kg category, which she considers her most comfortable weight. She is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new weight categories and is determined to make a strong comeback.

Dipa Karmakar, India's Gymnastics Trailblazer, Retires After Illustrious CareerIndian gymnastics icon Dipa Karmakar, who captivated the nation with her historic Olympic performance, has announced her retirement from the sport. The 31-year-old, who became the first Indian female gymnast to compete at the Olympics, leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and achievement.Karmakar's journey to the pinnacle of gymnastics began at a young age. Her exceptional talent and unwavering determination propelled her to the international stage, where she made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the vault event, she executed the daring "Produnova" vault, a move that had only been successfully performed by a handful of gymnasts before.Despite a valiant effort, Karmakar narrowly missed out on a bronze medal by a mere 0.15 points. Her fourth-place finish was a testament to her skill and resilience, and it ignited a surge of pride and admiration across India.In a heartfelt statement, Karmakar expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout her career. "Gymnastics has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for every moment," she said. "This decision is not easy, but it feels like the right time."Karmakar's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian gymnastics. She has been a role model for countless young athletes, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and break barriers. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Six-time world champion boxer M C Mary Kom has weighed in on the controversy surrounding wrestler Vinesh Phogat's Olympic heartbreak, emphasizing the importance of weight management as an athlete's responsibility.Mary Kom, who is India's only woman boxer with an Olympic medal, expressed disappointment over Phogat's disqualification for being 100gm over the prescribed limit. She stressed that weight management is crucial for athletes and that it is their duty to adhere to the regulations."I felt so disappointed in the sense that I have also done the same (weight management) for the last so many years. Weight is important, that is my responsibility. I cannot blame anyone," Mary Kom said.She added, "I do not want to say this in her case. I am saying this in my case only. If I do not cut the weight properly then how will I play? I am there to win a medal and that is what I think."Mary Kom has previously spoken about her own weight cut routines and the challenges involved. She started her career as a pin-weight (46kg) boxer before moving to the flyweight (51kg) division.Phogat, who was considered a gold medal contender in Paris, went to extreme lengths to lose weight, including skipping meals and fluids, working out overnight, and cutting her hair. However, her efforts proved futile.She challenged her disqualification, calling the rules inhumane, but her appeal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Phogat subsequently retired from wrestling and joined politics, contesting the Haryana assembly elections on a Congress ticket.Mary Kom also expressed concern over India's poor performance in boxing at the Paris Olympics, where the contingent failed to win a single medal. She said she wants to meet with the national federation and sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to discuss the issues and understand what went wrong."We know what the result was, it was so, so bad. I want to know what is lacking," Mary Kom said. "I will meet the boxers too if the situation demands. If the sports minister has the knowledge (about the issues) I want to discuss that also."Mary Kom reiterated her desire to continue boxing professionally and expressed her hope for opportunities to fight. "I have not retired yet but I want to compete. I am trying to get opportunities, waiting for my chance to fight pro. I just want to come back," she said.