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Sarabjot Singh, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy from Ambala, has set his sights firmly on the Paris Olympics. Despite his recent success at the Bhopal World Cup, where he won the individual 10m air pistol gold, Sarabjot remains focused on his ultimate goal: an Olympic medal."I like to celebrate only when I do things I've actually dreamt of," he said. "For me, it is not about winning World Cup medals, it is about winning the Olympic gold."Sarabjot's unwavering determination stems from years of visualization and a deep-seated passion for shooting. "Ek aag hoti hai bande ke andar (a fire burns inside one), that I want to do this," he said.His consistency and front sight focus, honed through tratak meditation, have been instrumental in his success. "It has done wonders for my front sight," he said. "I focus a lot on yoga and meditation."Despite his love for speed and cars, shooting remains Sarabjot's primary passion. "Shooting came later," he said. "I had a keen interest for racing and cars from a young age."However, Sarabjot's journey has not been without its challenges. Last year, a nagging shoulder issue threatened to derail his progress. "That was a difficult phase, the lowest point of my career so far," he said.Undeterred, Sarabjot persevered, skipping tournaments and undergoing rehabilitation. "My goal was to be at the Paris Olympics and win a medal there," he said. "That is what I had visualized."With the Paris quota secured, Sarabjot is now focused on fine-tuning his skills and preparing for the biggest stage of all. "Pressure is built from outside," he said. "In my mind, I had no pressure. I wasn't even thinking that I have to do well in these trials and stuff like that."Sarabjot's unwavering belief in himself and his unwavering pursuit of excellence make him a formidable contender for Olympic glory.

Sift Kaur Samra, India's rising star in 50m rifle 3 positions shooting, has secured her berth for the Paris Olympics after a remarkable performance at the Asian Games and World Cup. Her journey to the top has been marked by patience, resilience, and a carefree attitude.Last year, Samra made her mark at the Bhopal World Cup, winning her first senior individual medal. A year later, she emerged from the same venue as an Asian Games medalist, a world record holder, and an Olympic qualifier.Samra attributes her success to her improved patience. "I didn't have a lot of experience a year ago. My thinking was to just finish the matches. Now, I know how to handle aspects like wind and pressure," she said.Her patience was tested in the final qualification round of the Olympic trials. Despite not having a top finish to her name, Samra delivered her best round of 593, securing a top-two spot in the trials."I was a bit nervous at the start, but after the start, my confidence grew. My only thought was to correct the mistakes I had made in my previous matches and come back to the top," Samra said.Her breakthrough at the Asian Games, where she won individual gold and team silver, was followed by a silver at the Asian Championships. Her world record scores have shattered expectations."Why will I be surprised? I only started it. New generation, new techniques, new scores," Samra said when asked about her high scores.Her carefree attitude and ability to control pressure have been key factors in her success. "I do feel pressure, but controlling that pressure is what shooting is about," she said.Samra's patience has come with experience, not through traditional mental techniques. "I'm different from other people. I do nothing to help clear my mind — I watch movies, dance, talk to friends."With the pressure of Olympic qualification behind her, Samra is looking forward to shooting "for myself" at the Munich World Cup. She is confident in her ability to shoot well despite challenges like wind."When amid this strong breeze I could shoot 10s, it was a nice feeling. If I could manage such scores here, there (in Paris) it will be a bit easier," she said.Samra's journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to her talent, patience, and unwavering determination. She is a rising star in Indian shooting, and her future holds endless possibilities.

Anjum Moudgil, a seasoned Indian shooter, has overcome adversity to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event. After a tumultuous year marked by poor performances and missed opportunities, Moudgil has emerged stronger than ever, proving her resilience and determination.Moudgil's journey to redemption began with a string of impressive performances in 2022, including two World Cup medals and a No. 1 ranking in her discipline. However, a series of disappointing outings in 2023 left her feeling shattered and on the brink of despair."It was a very difficult time," Moudgil said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I felt like I had failed myself and everyone who believed in me."Undeterred, Moudgil resolved to rebuild her confidence and regain her form. She took a break from training and spent time alone in Budapest, focusing on the fundamentals of her sport."I had to go back to the basics and figure out what I was doing wrong," Moudgil explained. "I needed to find my own way back."With the support of her husband and fellow shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Moudgil gradually regained her composure and began to train with renewed vigor."Aish has been a great friend and mentor," Moudgil said. "He helped me believe in myself again."At the Olympic selection trials, Moudgil faced a tough challenge, but she rose to the occasion, finishing among the top two in all four rounds. Her performance earned her a spot alongside Sift Kaur Samra in the Indian team for Paris."I'm so grateful for this opportunity," Moudgil said. "I've worked so hard to get back to this point, and I'm determined to make the most of it."Moudgil's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams. Despite setbacks and disappointments, she has emerged as a stronger and more determined athlete, ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Olympian Anjum Moudgil and Paris Olympic Games quota winner Swapnil Kusale emerged victorious in the women's and men's 50m rifle 3-positions events, respectively, at the ongoing Olympic Selection Trials (OST) in Bhopal on Thursday.In the men's 50m rifle 3P final, Kusale, who had finished second in the qualification round with a score of 587, shot 463.7 to secure the gold medal. Akhil Sheoran claimed the silver with 461.6, while local lad Aishwary Tomar took the bronze with 451.9.In the women's 3P final, Moudgil shot 463.9 to clinch the gold medal, leaving India No. 1 Sift Kaur Samra in second place with 462.0. Ashi Chouksey finished third with 447.3 points.The OST also witnessed the qualification rounds for other events. In women's 10m air pistol OST T3 qualification, Olympian Manu Bhaker topped the standings with a score of 577, followed by Palak (576), Esha Singh (576), Surbhi Rao (574), and Rhythm Sangwan (573).In men's 10m air pistol OST T3 qualification, Arjun Singh Cheema finished first with 583 points, ahead of Ravinder Singh (581), Sarabjot Singh (581), Naveen (579), and Varun Tomar (577).In women's 10m air rifle OST T3 qualification, Elavenil Valarivan emerged as the top qualifier with 634.4 points, followed by Tilottama Sen (632.4), Ramita (630.8), Nancy (629.4), and Mehuli Ghosh (628.4).In men's 10m air rifle OST T3 qualification, Arjun Babuta finished first with 632.2 points, ahead of Rudrankksh Patil (632.0), Sandeep Singh (631.6), Divyansh Singh Panwar (631.4), and Sri Karthik Sabari Raj (630.5).The Olympic Selection Trials will continue with further events in the coming days, with the top performers aiming to secure their places in the Indian shooting contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Olympian Manu Bhaker and Paris quota winner Vijayveer Sidhu emerged victorious in the fourth and final Olympic Selection Trial (OST) for 25m pistol events in Bhopal on Tuesday.Manu, under the guidance of legendary pistol shooter Jaspal Rana, showcased her dominance by equaling the world record with a score of 42 in the women's 25m Pistol OST T4 final. Vijayveer, on the other hand, secured a score of 34 in the decider of the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol OST T4 to claim victory.Manu's consistent performance throughout the trials was evident as she won two and finished second in the other two. She was the only shooter among the selected five to maintain a score above 580 in the qualification round. Abhidnya Patil (35) and Simranpreet Kaur Brar (30) secured the second and third podium positions, respectively.In the men's rapid fire event, Vijayveer took an early lead and maintained it until the final series to register his first outright victory in the trials. Anish Bhanwala (30) and Adarsh Singh (25) finished second and third, respectively. Anish, however, emerged as the most successful shooter in the event, having won two trials and finished second in the other two.The qualification rounds for the men's and women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event will take place on Wednesday, with local hopes Aishwary Tomar and Ashi Chouksey set to participate.

Nikhat Zareen, India's two-time world champion boxer, is preparing for her long-awaited Olympic debut in Paris with a unique approach. As the Games draw near, she has adopted an "energy-saving mode" to ensure a calm and focused mindset.Zareen, a medal favorite in the 50kg category, believes that activities like social media detox, solitude, and indulging in sweets on cheat days are essential for her mental well-being. She has also found solace in binge-watching Netflix's "Heeramandi.""The feeling of being an Olympian hasn't sunk in yet," Zareen said. "But as days pass, the nervousness increases. I train my brain to focus on a good performance."The 27-year-old from Hyderabad has a remarkable track record, including a junior world championship and consecutive senior world titles in 2022 and 2023. Her undefeated 2022 season has fueled her hopes for a similar peak in Paris.Zareen acknowledges the pressure that comes with competition. "Every competition brings nervousness," she said. "You have expectations from yourself and others. I cope with it by working hard, staying focused, and having a calm mind."Her energy-saving mode includes limiting social interactions, indulging in her sweet tooth, and engaging in activities that bring her joy. "I listen to music, watch movies, and do grocery shopping," she said. "It helps me stay calm."Zareen's journey to the Olympics has been marked by both triumph and disappointment. She narrowly missed out on qualifying for Tokyo 2020, but her determination remained unwavering. "The setback made me resolute," she said. "Qualifying for Paris was a dream come true."While training is crucial, Zareen emphasizes the importance of mental preparation in boxing. "It's a lonely sport," she said. "You have to fight your battles alone in the ring."She finds solace in the fact that women's boxing is now gaining recognition and financial rewards. "Mary Kom's Olympic medal in 2012 inspired me," she said. "The rewards for international performances are motivating people to succeed."Despite the uncertainty surrounding boxing's Olympic status, Zareen remains hopeful. "I believe boxing will stay in the Olympics," she said. "I'm confident that IOC and IBA will find a solution."

Nethra Kumanan, India's lone female sailor with an Olympic berth, candidly reflects on her disappointing Asian Games performance, where she narrowly missed a podium finish and an Olympic quota. "It was a huge slap in the face," she admits.Despite setbacks in several qualifying events, Nethra persevered and secured her Paris Games berth at the "last minute" of the Last Chance Regatta. Finishing among the top three sailors from the Emerging Nations Program (ENP) in the women's dinghy ILCA 6 in Hyeres, France, she earned her second Olympic appearance."It feels incredible," Nethra says. "It's mostly been a relief, because I've known I've been capable of this since last year."For the Tokyo Games, Nethra qualified as the best Asian in the continental qualifying event. However, for Paris, she faced a series of disappointments in four qualifying events. The closest she came was at the second Worlds this year, where she was "two points away from making it."The long road to qualification tested her patience and mental resolve. "It's been a lot of reflection, a lot of work," she says. "It's been hard dealing with it, but I'm happy I found a way."The fourth-place finish at the Asian Games was particularly disheartening. With the help of her psychologist, Nethra delved into introspection. "I've always had to work hard on how to deal with my mind and stress," she says. "But at some point, I had to accept that this is the hand I've been dealt, and I had to deal with it."Despite the setbacks, Nethra believes she is a more skilled and experienced sailor heading into Paris than she was in Tokyo, where she finished 35th. "I know I am capable of results in the top half at these Games," she says. "My level has certainly improved. I'm faster, a lot more experienced."World Sailing's ENP program has been instrumental in her qualification quest, providing financial support and coaching assistance. Nethra also credits her training base in Gran Canaria and her Hungarian coach, Tamas Eszes.With an additional French coach in Marseille, where the sailing events will be held at the Olympics, Nethra is confident in her preparation. "I feel like I will be better prepared for this Olympics than I was in Tokyo," she says. "I'll be training at the venue and have the inputs of a local coach."Nethra's focus is now on performance rather than simply participating in the Olympics. "The first one was an incredible experience, and that's what I took from it," she says. "Now I know more of what to expect in terms of pressure and grandeur. I'll be focussed more on performance in Paris rather than just being at the Olympics."

India's cycling aspirations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics rest heavily on the expertise of French coach Kevin Sireau and a promising group of young cyclists who have already made their mark on the Asian and world junior circuits.Sireau, a two-time Olympic medalist, joined the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) in January and has quickly recognized the potential of India's cycling ecosystem. Under his guidance, the Indian quartet of Esow Alben, L Ronaldo Singh, Y Rojit Singh, and Jemsh Singh, who won a historic gold medal at the 2019 World Junior Track Cycling Championship, are now aiming for the Olympic podium.Ronaldo also became the first Indian to win an individual silver medal in the men's sprint race at the 2022 Asian Track Cycling Championship. India's strong performance at the Asian meet, where they won nine gold medals, further boosted their confidence.Sireau believes that India has the talent to succeed at the highest level. "In a big country like India, I believe we have many future talents," he said. "These guys have just started by winning the junior worlds. Now they are in the senior category and if they have to finish on the Olympic podium, a very high level has to be achieved."The Indian team has shown signs of improvement under Sireau's guidance, clocking a personal best of 44.451 seconds in the Asian Track Cycling Championship sprint race. While they are still behind the Olympic record of 41.369 seconds, they are not far from Australia's fourth-best time of 44.013 seconds."This year our target is the world championships in October," said Sireau. "We are driving all energies in that direction. I have discussed the roadmap for LA 2028 with CFI and doing things step by step. In the next three-four years you will see a big difference, I promise."Asian Cycling Confederation secretary general Onkar Singh is confident in Sireau's abilities. "From 149th rank to Category 1 in juniors in four years' time, speaks for itself," he said. "We are lucky to have a person like Kevin."Cyclist Rojit, who is supported by the government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme, praised Sireau's impact. "There has been a lot of difference since Kevin sir joined the team," he said. "He has changed how we train, what we eat and how we plan recovery. He has brought a new discipline and I am very happy for being able to learn from him."With Sireau's guidance and the determination of its young cyclists, India's cycling program is poised for success in the years leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Defending an Olympic title is a daunting task, as Neeraj Chopra will discover when he steps onto the runway in Paris with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. The Indian javelin thrower, who won gold in Tokyo in 2021, will be aiming to become only the second man in history to successfully defend an Olympic javelin title.Michael Johnson, the legendary American sprinter who won four Olympic gold medals and eight world championships, knows what it takes to defend an Olympic title. He successfully defended his 400m title in Sydney in 2000, despite battling injuries in the lead-up to the Games."It is very difficult when you are the defending champion," Johnson said. "It comes with its own pressure. Sometimes when an athlete is not expected to win, it's easier to do than when they are expected to win."Chopra will be carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders in Paris. But Johnson believes that the Indian star has the mental strength to handle the pressure."He has the whole of India wanting him to win," Johnson said. "Not all athletes have done it. I was able to do it and it can be done. It comes with an advantage that you know that you can win. You have done it before. You also carry the champion's confidence."Chopra has been in impressive form since his Olympic triumph. He is the reigning world champion and has consistently medalled in major meets. Johnson believes that Chopra is capable of great things in Paris."He is flying high," Johnson said. "Going by his performances in the last two years, he has been spurred by his sensational Tokyo Olympics gold."Johnson also stressed the importance of managing expectations."Expectations will always weigh on you," he said. "It's just about how you manage it. You have your own expectations, fans have expectations, and the whole country has its expectations. Trying to pretend that it's not there and doesn't exist is a mistake. The key is to manage those expectations, especially in the moment when you are preparing to focus on only the things you can control."Johnson is looking forward to some good performances in the Paris Olympics, especially with the energy of the fans coming back after the Covid-restricted Tokyo Games."Lot of athletes told me that they missed the energy of the fans in the stadium," he said. "The thing about the Olympics is that all events are thrilling because the stakes are high. These are your best athletes at their best. They have all trained for this moment. Everybody wants to be the champion but only one will get the gold medal. So, there will be last minute drama. You are going to have athletes trying to show up in Paris not believing they can win gold and they can leave Paris with a gold medal. It's an amazing story when that happens."