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Aditi Ashok, India's golfing prodigy, has carved a remarkable path in the sport, with her parents serving as her unwavering support system. Her journey began at the tender age of five, when a visit to a restaurant overlooking a golf range ignited her passion. Encouraged by her father, Ashok Gudlamani, and mother, Mash, Aditi quickly embraced the game.Ashok's father has played a pivotal role in her development, serving as her caddie during the Rio 2016 Olympics. In Tokyo 2020, her mother took over the caddie duties, guiding Aditi to a near-podium finish, where she narrowly missed out on a medal. The duo has alternated as caddies, with her father set to resume the role at the Paris 2024 Olympics."Tokyo 2020 was an incredible experience, and having my mom caddie for me was a lot of fun," Ashok said in an interview. "My dad and I tend to have more discussions about shot selection, as he knows my game well. My mom doesn't assist as much with decision-making, but that helps me become more decisive and composed on the course."Aditi's golfing achievements are a testament to her talent and dedication. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman golfer to participate in major multi-sport events, including the Asian Youth Games, Youth Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Olympic Games. Her career took off when she became the youngest Indian to win the Lalla Aicha Tour School title, securing her a spot on the Ladies European Tour in 2016. That same year, she made history by becoming the first Indian to win a Ladies European Tour title and later, the first Indian to compete on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.Despite missing out on an Olympic medal in 2020, Aditi remains focused on her goals. She continues to play on both the US LPGA and Ladies European Tours, with her parents alternating as her caddies. "I always give my best and move on to the next event," she said. "I keep doing the same week after week."Aditi's ability to focus on the process rather than outcomes has been a key to her success. She believes in the power of perseverance and continuous improvement. With her parents by her side, she is determined to make history at the Paris 2024 Olympics and bring glory to India.

Madhya Pradesh Government Rewards Hockey Star Vivek Sagar Prasad with Rs 1 Crore for Olympic BronzeThe Madhya Pradesh government has announced a reward of Rs 1 crore to hockey player Vivek Sagar Prasad, who was part of the Indian men's team that won a bronze medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. This marks India's second consecutive bronze medal in the Olympics, with the team defeating Spain 2-1 in a thrilling match.Chief Minister Mohan Yadav congratulated Prasad, who hails from Madhya Pradesh, for his exceptional performance. In a telephonic conversation with the player, Yadav expressed his pride and joy, saying, "It was a good performance. The entire nation is happy with all of you. Congratulations to you and the entire team for this success. The Madhya Pradesh government will transfer Rs 1 crore to your account as a reward."Prasad, a native of Itarsi in Narmadapuram district, is a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the state. He was also part of the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.Prasad's contribution to the Indian hockey team's success has been significant. His defensive skills and ability to read the game have made him a valuable asset to the team. He has played a crucial role in India's recent victories, including the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.The Madhya Pradesh government's reward is a testament to Prasad's hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. It is also a recognition of the state's commitment to promoting sports and supporting its athletes.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has been at the center of an Olympic gender eligibility controversy, will compete for gold in Paris on Friday. The boxing competition has been overshadowed by a dispute over whether Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting should be allowed to compete in the women's category.Khelif and Lin were disqualified from last year's world championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing unspecified gender eligibility tests. However, they were cleared to compete in Paris by the International Olympic Committee, which is running the boxing competition in the French capital.The 25-year-old Khelif and Lin both fought at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago without controversy. On Friday, Khelif will face China's Yang Liu in the 66kg final, while Lin will compete in a different weight category on Saturday.The penultimate evening of track and field action features the men's and women's 4x100m relays, the men's 400m hurdles, the women's 400m, and the final event of the heptathlon, the 800m.US sprint star Noah Lyles, who won the 100m earlier this week, could only manage bronze in his favored 200m on Thursday. Minutes after the race, won by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, Lyles revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19. The American later posted on social media that his Games were likely over.In Friday's women's 10,000m final, Dutch runner Sifan Hassan will attempt to defend her crown after coming up short in her bid for a historic long-distance treble. Defending champion and world record-holder Karsten Warholm is favored to defend his title in the men's 400m hurdles.In football, Thierry Henry's France will take on Spain in the men's final at the Parc des Princes. Henry, one of France's all-time great players, has led his country to the brink of their second football gold, 40 years after they won the title in Los Angeles.Spain came from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 in their semi-final in Marseille, giving them confidence that they can handle the pressure in the French capital.In diving, China is targeting gold in the women's 3m springboard as they close in on a clean sweep in Paris, with victories in all six events so far. Defending champions the Netherlands will take on China in the women's hockey final, chasing their fourth title in five Games.History will be made when the first Olympic medals are won in the breaking competition staged at La Concorde.

Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles' hopes of a 100m-200m double in Paris were dashed after he tested positive for COVID-19 two days before the 200m final. Lyles, who finished third in the 200m final, was taken off the track in a wheelchair following the race.In an Instagram post, Lyles expressed his disappointment, stating, "I believe this will be the end of my 2024 Olympics." He added, "It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart."Lyles' positive test means he will not participate in the 4x100m relay on Friday. The 27-year-old American, who has a history of asthma, was seen wearing a surgical mask before the 200m final.In an interview with NBC, Lyles revealed that he woke up feeling unwell on Tuesday morning. "I knew it was more than just being sore from the 100 (meters)," he said. "We tested and unfortunately, it came up that I was positive for COVID."Lyles admitted that his illness "definitely affected my performance," but expressed pride in his bronze medal finish. "We tried to keep this as close to the chest as possible," he said. "We didn't want everybody to go into a panic."USA Track and Field released a statement confirming Lyles' positive test and stating that they had "enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors."

Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat's Olympic gold medal hopes were dashed in the 57kg freestyle semifinal, as he succumbed to a dominant performance by Japanese top seed Rei Higuchi. The 21-year-old Sehrawat, who had impressed with two decisive victories in the earlier rounds, was outclassed by the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist.Higuchi's technical superiority was evident from the outset, as he swiftly attacked Sehrawat's legs to establish a 4-0 lead within seconds. The Japanese wrestler, a former world champion in the 61kg category, maintained relentless pressure, targeting Sehrawat's legs and executing effortless throw downs to accumulate six more points and end the contest in just over two minutes.Sehrawat's journey to the semifinals had been marked by impressive victories. He had demolished former world champion Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania by technical superiority, showcasing his agility and leg-hold dominance. In the pre-quarterfinal round, he had also secured an easy passage into the last-eight with a dominating performance against North Macedonian rival Vladimir Egorov.However, Higuchi proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for Sehrawat. The Japanese wrestler's superior technique and experience allowed him to control the bout and prevent Sehrawat from mounting any significant offense.Despite the setback, Sehrawat will have the opportunity to compete for a bronze medal. His performance in the Olympics has been a testament to his talent and determination, and he remains a promising prospect for Indian wrestling.

The 1,500m race at the Paris Olympics witnessed a thrilling upset as Cole Hocker of the US snatched the gold medal from front-running favorites Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway and Josh Kerr of Great Britain.Ingebrigtsen, the defending Olympic champion, and Kerr, the reigning World Champion, had engaged in a bitter rivalry leading up to the race. Ingebrigtsen's aggressive tactics to exhaust Kerr proved ineffective as Hocker surged past them on the inside lane in the final stretch.Ingebrigtsen, known for his sub-3:27 time close to the Olympics, lacked the explosive finish to secure a podium finish. He was pipped to bronze by Yared Nuguse, the second US runner.The race was a testament to the unique nature of the 1,500m, requiring both endurance and tactical prowess. Ingebrigtsen's Olympic record of 3:28.32 set in Tokyo was broken by the top four finishers.Despite his disappointment, Ingebrigtsen qualified for the 5,000m final as the fastest. However, the drama of the 1,500m race added to the allure of the event, with 80,000 fans witnessing the intense rivalry.The 1,500m has a rich history of memorable rivalries. In 1980, Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett engaged in a thrilling battle, with Coe ultimately claiming victory. At the 2000 Sydney Games, Hicham El Guerrouj was upset by Noah Ngeny in a close finish.Hocker's victory in Paris marked a new chapter in the annals of the 1,500m, proving that even the most formidable rivals can be overcome with a well-executed strategy and a determined spirit.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Disqualification: WFI President Demands Action Against Coaches and Support StaffIndia's wrestling contingent in Paris has come under fire after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics due to weight gain. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh has urged the central government to take strict action against those responsible for the incident.Phogat was disqualified hours before her gold medal bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States after she was found overweight from the permissible limit of 50kg. Singh believes it was the responsibility of Phogat's coaches and support staff to ensure she was within the weight limit."I don't think Vinesh is at fault here. She was performing wonderfully, and the entire responsibility here is of her coach and the supporting staff. A probe should be done to see how her weight increased. I urge the central government to take strict action against them," Singh told PTI.Singh revealed that he had requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and United World Wrestling (UWW) to allow Phogat some relaxation, but his request was denied. "The entire country was expecting a gold medal but she was disqualified due to her weight. I hope God will give her strength, and the entire nation is with her," he added.According to reports, Phogat gained a couple of kilos by Tuesday night. Her coaches and support staff took desperate measures to reduce her weight, including skipping, jogging, cycling, and even cutting her hair. However, nothing worked, and she was still found 100gm overweight.In international wrestling competitions, wrestlers must pass a weigh-in process at the start of the day. In non-medal matches, athletes are given 30 minutes to weigh in multiple times. However, if they are found to be even 1gm overweight, they are disqualified.Phogat had passed the weigh-in process on Tuesday and was allowed to participate in her bouts. She registered historic wins against Yui Susaki of Japan and Oksana Livach of Ukraine. However, she failed the weigh-in on Wednesday and was disqualified, nullifying all her previous results.The WFI president's demand for action against Phogat's coaches and support staff highlights the importance of proper weight management in wrestling. The incident serves as a reminder that athletes and their teams must adhere to the strict weight regulations to avoid disqualification and disappointment.

Vinesh Phogat, India's trailblazing wrestler, made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final. However, her triumph was short-lived as she was disqualified from the gold-medal bout on Wednesday due to being overweight.Phogat was scheduled to face American Sarah Hildebrand in the women's 50kg final at the Champ-de-Mars Arena. However, during the weigh-in, she was found to be a few grams over the 50kg limit.The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released a statement expressing regret over Phogat's disqualification. "Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning," the statement read.Phogat's disqualification is a major setback for India's Olympic hopes. She was one of the country's top medal contenders and her absence from the final will be a significant blow.The Indian team has requested privacy for Phogat at this time. "It would like to focus on the competitions on hand," the IOA statement said.Phogat's disqualification highlights the importance of weight management in wrestling. Wrestlers must adhere to strict weight limits in order to compete in their respective weight classes.Phogat's journey to the Olympic final was an inspiring one. She overcame numerous challenges, including injuries and personal setbacks, to reach the pinnacle of her sport. Her disqualification is a reminder that even the most talented athletes can face adversity.Despite the disappointment, Phogat's performance at the Olympics has been a source of pride for India. She has inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams in wrestling.

Armand Duplantis, the Swedish-American pole vaulter, has once again etched his name in the annals of sports history by breaking the world record for the ninth time. At the Stade de France in Paris, Duplantis soared over a height of 6.25 meters, surpassing his previous record of 6.24 meters set in April this year.Duplantis's journey to the top began in his backyard in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he grew up with a pole vault pit. Coached by his father, Greg, a former pole vaulter, and his mother, Helena, a former heptathlete, Duplantis developed a deep passion for the sport.In Tokyo three years ago, Duplantis won the Olympic gold medal, but his ambitions extended far beyond that. He sought to push the boundaries of human potential and shatter his own world records.On Monday night in Paris, Duplantis faced a formidable field of competitors, but he remained unfazed. He cleared 6.00 meters on his first attempt, securing the Olympic gold medal. With the gold already in his grasp, Duplantis set his sights on the world record.In his third and final attempt, Duplantis unleashed his explosive speed and planted the pole in the vault box with precision. He launched himself into the air, his body soaring upwards. The pole flexed and bent as he ascended, propelling him over the crossbar.As he landed on the foam mat, Duplantis erupted in celebration, knowing he had achieved the impossible once again. He had broken the world record for the ninth time, cementing his status as the greatest pole vaulter of all time.Duplantis's victory was not just a personal triumph but also a testament to his unwavering determination and the power of human ambition. He has shown the world that anything is possible if you dare to dream big and work relentlessly towards your goals.