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The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has made a significant move by joining World Boxing, a breakaway organization from the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA). This decision aims to safeguard the future of boxing in the Olympics, as the IOC has threatened to exclude the sport from the 2028 Los Angeles Games if national federations continue to align with the IBA.BFI President Ajay Singh emphasized the importance of retaining boxing's Olympic status, stating, "It is absolutely vital to the sustainability of boxing that it retains its Olympics status, so we are delighted to join World Boxing." He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the WB Executive Board to shape the sport's future and provide a brighter outlook for boxers worldwide.World Boxing, led by former IBA presidential candidate Boris van der Vorst, was established in April 2023 with the goal of ensuring boxing's place in the Olympic movement. The BFI's membership application was approved by its General Assembly and will be ratified by World Boxing's Executive Board.Van der Vorst welcomed the BFI's decision, acknowledging India's significance in international boxing. He stated, "India is a very important country in international boxing and we look forward to welcoming the BFI into the growing World Boxing family. This is a very exciting development which will significantly increase our presence in Asia and I look forward to working closely with the BFI in delivering our common goals."On May 7, WB held its first formal meeting with the IOC, marking the beginning of a collaboration aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games. The IOC had de-recognized the IBA in 2019 due to ongoing financial, sports integrity, and governance issues.As a result, boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be overseen by the IOC, marking the second consecutive time that the IBA will have no involvement in the sport at the mega-event.

Former Indian shooting ace Jaspal Rana has vehemently criticized the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) decision to send Olympic-bound shooters to the World Cup in Munich, commencing on Friday. Rana, an Asian Games gold medalist, questioned the rationale behind selecting Olympic-bound shooters for the World Cup just before the quadrennial event.Rana emphasized that the World Cup will not benefit shooters in their Olympic preparations, as it is challenging to maintain peak performance for an extended period. "No player wants to perform badly in the World Cup. But if you're at your peak now, will you be at your peak after one month also? Which sports science center will tell you that players can stay at their peak for three months? You can't stay at peak level for long," Rana asserted.He further criticized the NRAI's inconsistent policy, stating, "The policy was wrong, and when you've made the policy, just stick to it. You're not sticking to your policy. If there is no ranking and point system in the Munich World Cup, why are you delaying the names of the selected shooters for the Olympics? Even if you have to adjust one to two players, then reveal the rest of the players so that they can start their preparations."Rana suggested that India should have followed the approach adopted by other countries like China and the USA, who have sent their second-string squads to the World Cup in Germany. "Other countries have sent their B or C category squad for the World Cup. Very less Olympic-bound shooters will participate in it. This is not an opportunity for the Olympic team," he said.With less than two months remaining for the Paris Olympics, there is still no clarity on India's shooting squad for the event. Rana expressed concern about the lack of leadership within the NRAI, stating, "I've failed to understand that if NRAI doesn't have the president, chairman of the selection committee, and policy-making committee, then how are they selecting the team? It could be one of the reasons that the chairman of the NRAI selection committee is not there, that's why they're delaying the announcement."Despite the challenges, Rana remains optimistic about the Indian shooters' performance in Paris. "Yes, we were well prepared last time. This time too, our preparations are pretty well. The only thing that went wrong last time was the postponement of the Games due to Covid-19. Our team was at its peak at the time of the Olympics (as per the original schedule in 2020). After that, due to a lot of problems, we couldn't manage it properly," he said. "I'm quite positive," Rana added, expressing his belief in India's medal chances at the Paris Olympics.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is seeking clarification from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regarding the rules for mixed team events at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This clarification could potentially impact India's Olympic selection process.NRAI has conducted four rounds of Olympic Selection Trials (OST) to select the shooting team, but the final squad announcement is pending. The trials produced some unexpected results, with 2022 World Champion Rudrankksh Patil finishing third in the 10m air rifle event, behind Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta.According to NRAI's selection policy, the top two shooters in the trials automatically qualify for the Olympics. However, for mixed team events, the ISSF rule for Paris Olympics states that if the number of mixed teams entered exceeds the available firing points, the Qualification Ranking for Olympic Games (QROG) will be used to determine the final entry list.The QROG considers the combined points of both members of the mixed team in their respective individual events. Rudrankksh currently ranks second in the QROG for 10m air rifle, while Babuta is 33rd and Singh is 48th. This means that Rudrankksh, who did not qualify for the Olympics individually, could have a better chance of qualifying for the mixed team event based on his QROG ranking.NRAI has sought clarification on the number of mixed teams that will be selected and the criteria that will be followed. The association has also issued fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for personal coaches who wish to accompany their wards during training in the lead-up to the Olympics.

Sandeep Singh's journey to the cusp of Olympic glory is a testament to his unwavering determination and natural talent. Hailing from a humble background in Punjab, Sandeep's childhood was marked by financial struggles and hard labor. However, his dream of an army career kept him motivated.Fate intervened when Sandeep first held an INSAS rifle at the Indian army's training ground in Fatehgarh. His exceptional marksmanship, producing a 2mm grouping at 300 meters, astounded instructors who recognized his innate ability. Thus began his career as a sports shooter.Despite a stop-start career, Sandeep's recent triumph at the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) has brought him within reach of his Olympic dream. His stunning scores in the 10m air rifle event propelled him to the top of the standings, edging out Olympic quota winners Arjun Babuta and Rudrankksh Patil.Sandeep's success has sparked controversy among his fellow shooters, who argue that his relative inexperience at the international level should disqualify him from Olympic selection. However, Sandeep remains confident in his abilities, citing his maturity and experience in pressure situations.His time spent guarding India's borders at the inhospitable Siachen Glacier has instilled in him a resilience that translates to his shooting performance. The challenges of breathing at high altitudes and the absence of enemy action forced him to focus on his inner strength.Despite a doping suspension and dismissal from the Army Marksmanship Unit, Sandeep's determination remained unwavering. With the support of his Commanding Officer, he resumed training and honed his skills. His consistent scores and match simulations in the lead-up to the OSTs paid off handsomely.Sandeep's Olympic aspirations extend beyond personal glory. He hopes to bring honor to his country and provide a better life for his family. His father, a laborer, has endured years of hardship, and Sandeep is eager to give him a comfortable retirement.

Indian boxers are determined to overcome recent setbacks and secure Olympic berths at the second World Qualification Tournament, starting Friday. Despite having four quotas initially, India's tally has dwindled to three due to Parveen Hooda's suspension. The previous world qualifiers saw a dismal performance, with only Nishant Dev advancing past the opening round.The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has made changes, bringing back Amit Panghal in the 51kg category. Panghal, a former Asian Games champion, is seeded second and has a potential quarterfinal clash with Liu Chuang of China or Anvarzhan Khodzhiev of Kyrgyzstan.Abhinash Jamwal will compete in the 63.5kg weight class, while Abhimanyu Loura will try his luck in 80kg. Nishant Dev, who narrowly missed out on a berth in Italy, is expected to return with a ticket to Paris in the 71kg category.In the women's competition, Ankushita Boro has moved down to 60kg, while Jaismine Lamboriya has been given a third shot in the 57kg category. National champion Arundhati Choudhary will compete in the 66kg weight class.Indian boxers are expected to add to their tally of three quotas, with 51 Olympic berths available at the tournament. "Our boxers are in a good mental position now," said Indian boxing coach CA Kuttappa. "The confidence from the sparring sessions has risen, and psychologists are playing a key role to keep them away from pressure."

Swapnil Kusale, a promising Indian shooter, has secured his spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a remarkable journey marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Kusale's Olympic quota was earned at the 2022 World Championships, where his fourth-place finish in the 50m rifle 3P event granted India its third quota.Despite facing health challenges, Kusale remained determined to hold onto his quota. A chronic tonsils issue plagued him, causing extreme pain, fever, and weakness. After identifying lactose intolerance as the trigger, Kusale eliminated milk products from his diet, significantly improving his condition.Kusale's career has been a testament to perseverance. After breaking through as a promising junior, he missed out on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. However, he bounced back to win his first individual World Cup medal in 2022. He also contributed to India's bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3P team event at the Cairo Worlds and their gold medal at the Asian Games.Recognizing the importance of physical fitness, Kusale focused on strengthening his build and improving his overall health. This enhanced his shooting technique and helped him overcome mental setbacks. In the past, Kusale had narrowly missed out on medals due to faltering in the final shots. However, he has worked tirelessly to rectify this issue and stay present in high-pressure situations.With Paris in his sights, Kusale is eager to represent his country at the Olympics. He believes that this is a new beginning and a chance to fulfill his dream.

Amidst the emotional scenes of young shooters and their families at the National Shooting Centre in New Delhi, Ramita Jindal emerged as a beacon of hope and determination. The 20-year-old shooter from Kurukshetra, Haryana, secured a coveted quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women's 10m air rifle event.Ramita's journey to Paris was far from straightforward. After three rounds of qualification, she found herself trailing behind Tilottama Sen, Nancy, and Elavenil Valarivan. However, in the crucial fourth and final round, Ramita displayed nerves of steel and shot an incredible 636.4, the highest score of the trials.This remarkable performance propelled Ramita to the top of the standings, earning her a place in the Indian contingent for the Paris Games. Her parents, who had accompanied her to Delhi, were overjoyed and praised her resilience.Ramita's success is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She trains at the Sports Science Centre in Chennai alongside Tokyo Olympian Elavenil and has consistently performed well at the international level. In 2022, she won a gold medal at the junior World Championships, and in 2023, she claimed bronze at the Asian Championships and Asian Games.Despite her achievements, Ramita remains humble and focused. She credits her ability to sustain good series and maintain a high standard of scores to her improved mental strength. She also admires Tokyo Olympian Anjum Moudgil and aspires to compete in both 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3P in the future.Ramita's qualification for the Paris Olympics is a significant moment for Indian shooting. It marks the first time that an Indian woman has secured an Olympic quota in the 10m air rifle event since 2012. Her success is an inspiration to young shooters across the country and a testament to the growing strength of Indian shooting.

Elavenil Valarivan's resurgence in shooting has reached new heights, as she emerged victorious in the Olympic selection trials with a remarkable score of 254.3. This triumph marks a significant milestone in her journey towards the Paris Olympics, where she aims to make her second Games appearance.Beyond the medals and accolades, Elavenil's true triumph lies in rediscovering her joy in shooting. After enduring the lows of the Tokyo Olympics, she has found renewed passion and a thirst for learning. "I'm just enjoying the sport right now," she says. "There are no longer days where I'm not happy shooting."This newfound joy has fueled her determination to improve and push her limits. She has embraced the challenges of the trials, overcoming a poor first qualification round and fending off competition from younger challengers. "I'm glad things are turning around and getting back to the way I want it to be," she says.Elavenil's journey has not been without its setbacks. The disappointment of missing out on the Asian Games team last year could have easily derailed her progress. However, she used it as motivation, winning the Rio World Cup gold and the National Championship in quick succession.Through it all, Elavenil has learned the importance of mental strength. "Tokyo has taught me to be mentally strong," she says. "That is playing a big part in my consistency and performance." She has also developed a strong support system, including a psychologist who has helped her navigate the emotional rollercoaster of elite sport.As she prepares for Paris, Elavenil is confident in her abilities and the lessons she has learned along the way. "There are going to be ups and downs," she says. "It is about how you accept the downs and push through it." With her newfound joy and determination, Elavenil Valarivan is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage once again.

Olympian shooter Manu Bhaker has emerged as the most successful athlete in the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) Rifle/Pistol, winning four titles across two events. On the concluding day of the trials in Bhopal, Bhaker triumphed in the women's 10m air pistol OST T4 match, adding to her previous victory in the women's 25m sports pistol.Bhaker's dominance in the 10m air pistol event was evident as she shot 240.8 in the final, leaving Hangzhou Asian Games champion Palak a distant 4.4 points behind in second place. Rhythm Sangwan secured the third spot.In the women's 10m air rifle OST T4, Elavenil Valarivan set a new benchmark by scoring 254.3, surpassing the current world record of 254.0 held by China's Han Jiayu. Ramita and Mehuli Ghosh finished second and third, respectively.Divyansh Panwar claimed the men's air rifle OST T4 title with a score of 253.3, just 0.4 below his own world record. Arjun Babuta and Rudrankksh Patil took the second and third spots.Ravinder Singh emerged victorious in the men's 10m air pistol OST T4 final with a score of 242.2. Varun Tomar and Sarabjot Singh finished second and third, respectively.The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) conducted a series of four trials in Delhi and Bhopal to select the squad for the Paris Olympics. The top-three scores in the trials, along with Paris Olympics quota bonus points, will determine the Indian squad for the Summer Games.Indian shooters will next compete in the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich from May 31 to June 08.