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Nishant Dev, India's boxing sensation, has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 71kg weight class boxer achieved this remarkable feat by reaching the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers on Friday.Dev's journey to the semifinals was marked by dominance and precision. In the quarterfinal, he faced Vasile Cebotari of Moldova, a fellow southpaw. Dev's sharp and accurate punches proved too much for Cebotari, as he secured a 5-0 victory. This triumph not only earned Dev a quota place but also marked India's fourth quota for the Paris Games.Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) had previously secured their Olympic berths. The 71kg weight class offered five quotas, and Dev's performance ensured India's presence in this category at the upcoming Games.Throughout the tournament, Dev has showcased his exceptional skills and composure. His ability to land punches judiciously and maintain his focus has been instrumental in his success. In the second round against Cebotari, despite facing some resistance, Dev remained composed and continued to deliver accurate shots.In the final three minutes, both boxers were visibly exhausted, but Dev's determination remained unwavering. He continued to land punches at will, forcing Cebotari to earn a point deduction for an illegal punch while Dev was down on the canvas.While India's quest for a quota in the women's 60kg ended with Ankushita Boro's defeat against Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden, the performances of Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) are eagerly anticipated later in the day.Dev's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of the Indian boxing fraternity. His quota place is a significant milestone for Indian boxing and sets the stage for a promising future at the Paris Olympics.

As the scorching Indian summer subsides, India's elite shooters embark on a crucial stage of their Olympic preparations at the ISSF World Cup (Pistol/Rifle) in Munich, Germany, commencing on Saturday.Despite the grueling month-long trials in New Delhi and Bhopal, several shooters initially expressed reluctance to participate in the World Cup, citing fatigue and a desire to focus on their Olympic preparations. However, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) made participation mandatory and reportedly resolved the contentious issue of personal coaches, paving the way for the Paris-bound marksmen to gauge their progress.The issue of personal coaches had been a major point of contention, with shooters seeking greater flexibility in their training arrangements. While the matter appears to have been temporarily resolved, many personal coaches will not accompany their wards to Munich due to the late notice.The World Cup will also serve as a litmus test for shooters who have displaced the original Paris quota winners in the national squad through a series of Olympic Selection Trials (OSTs). The federation will be keen to assess the performances of these shooters, including rookie Army man Sandeep Singh, who has emerged as a surprise contender in the 10m air rifle event.The NRAI faces a dilemma in selecting the Paris-bound team, as it must strictly adhere to its Olympic selection policy based on the OSTs. However, several Olympic quota winners who lost out to their compatriots during the trials have appealed to be considered for Paris, creating an unprecedented situation.The NRAI is expected to announce the Olympic contingent during the World Cup, a process that has been delayed. This delay has hindered shooters' ability to fine-tune their preparations, including critical ammunition testing.The World Cup in Munich provides an opportunity for shooters to connect with European manufacturers and test the ammunition they intend to use at the Olympics. The event will commence with men's and women's 10m air rifle, with the finals scheduled for Monday.

India's boxing contingent continued their impressive run at the Boxing World Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, with four boxers securing victories on Thursday. Sachin Siwach (57kg), Sanjeet Kumar (92kg), Amit Panghal (51kg), and Jaismine (women's 57kg) all advanced to the next round, boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Sachin Siwach, the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, began the day with a dominant 5-0 victory over Turkey's Olympian Batuhan Ciftci in the pre-quarterfinals. Siwach controlled the bout from the outset, earning unanimous verdicts in the first two rounds. Despite Ciftci's attempts at a comeback in the third round, Siwach remained composed and secured the win.Sanjeet Kumar, the 2021 Asian Championship gold medalist, also registered a 5-0 victory in the round of 32, defeating Luis Sanchez of Venezuela. Kumar dominated the first round, preventing Sanchez from gaining any momentum. Sanchez showed some resistance in the subsequent rounds, but Kumar's experience and counter-attacking punches proved too much for the Venezuelan.In the women's 57kg category, Jaismine continued her impressive form with a convincing 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan's Mahsati Hamzayeva in the round of 32. Jaismine controlled the bout from the start, not allowing Hamzayeva to mount any significant challenge.Amit Panghal, the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, completed a perfect day for India with a 4-1 victory over Mexico's Mauricio Ruiz in the 51kg category. Panghal faced some pressure in the first round but regained control in the final minute. He then turned the tide in the third round with a series of combination punches, securing the win.With these victories, Siwach, Sanjeet, Jaismine, and Panghal have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Siwach needs to win two more bouts to secure his spot, while Sanjeet, who received a bye in the round of 64, has a similar target. In the 57kg category, only three boxers will qualify for the Olympics, so Siwach's path to qualification is slightly more challenging.

Tony Estanguet, the former Olympic canoeing champion, has been at the helm of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee since 2017. His mission: to deliver a spectacular event that showcases the best of France and sets new standards for innovation.Estanguet's journey began a decade ago when Paris was awarded the Games. Since then, the Organizing Committee has worked tirelessly to prepare for the event, which will open on July 26, 2024.One of the key innovations of Paris 2024 is the opening ceremony, which will take place not in a stadium but on the Seine River. The ceremony will feature a parade of athletes on 90 boats, showcasing the city's iconic landmarks."The opening ceremony has to demonstrate that it won't be Games as usual," Estanguet said. "We want to showcase the best of France, and we believe that the best platform to welcome the athletes of the world is not inside the stadium, but in the city."Other innovations include the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the fan experience and the creation of a "Games in the City" concept, which will bring sporting events to the heart of Paris.Estanguet is confident that Paris 2024 will be a memorable event. "We have demonstrated that we controlled the time and controlled the budget," he said. "France is ready for Paris 2024."

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.

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.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman paddler to break into the top 25 of the world rankings. The 28-year-old rose to a career-best singles ranking of 24 following her impressive performance at the Saudi Smash tournament.Batra's journey to the top has been marked by determination and resilience. She began playing table tennis at the age of four and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a national champion at the age of 16. In 2018, she made history by winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal in both the individual and team categories.Batra's success at the Saudi Smash was a testament to her hard work and dedication. She shocked multiple-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Wang Manyu of China on her way to the quarterfinals, becoming the first Indian woman to advance that far in the tournament. Her run in Jeddah earned her 350 points, propelling her up 15 spots in the world rankings.The ranking boost has come at a crucial time for Batra, who is aiming to secure a berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "An extreme confidence boost on the road to Paris 2024," she wrote on Instagram. "Breaking into the Top-25 and achieving the best rank ever achieved by an Indian in women's singles of the ITTF Ranking."Batra's success is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the growing strength of Indian table tennis. She has inspired a new generation of players and shown that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

Parveen Hooda, one of India's four Olympic-bound boxers, is embracing the final stretch of her preparation for the Paris Games. Despite the sacrifices and challenges, she remains focused on her dream of Olympic glory.Hooda's journey to the Olympics has been marked by steady progress and unwavering determination. From her breakthrough victory over Sarita Devi in 2019 to her recent medal-winning performances at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Games, she has consistently proven her mettle.The 24-year-old boxer has identified the need to enhance her technical skills in preparation for Paris. She has expanded her repertoire beyond her signature counterattacking style, improving her ability to initiate attacks and fight effectively at all ranges.Hooda's transformation has also extended to her mental fortitude. She has worked diligently with a psychologist to strengthen her mental resilience, recognizing the importance of handling pressure in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.Despite the intense training and sacrifices, Hooda remains grounded and focused on her ultimate goal. She has limited her phone usage, minimized social interactions, and adopted a strict diet to maintain her weight.Hooda's unwavering determination and belief in her abilities have been instrumental in her success. She is confident in her ability to perform well in Paris, knowing that she has overcome numerous challenges and gained invaluable experience along the way.