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Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, bid an emotional farewell to his German coach Klaus Bartonietz, who ended their five-year partnership due to family commitments. Bartonietz, 75, guided Chopra to a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, a silver at the Paris Games, and several other medals.Chopra expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging Bartonietz's profound impact on his growth as an athlete and a person. "You are more than just a mentor to me," Chopra wrote. "Everything you taught has helped me grow both as an athlete and person."Bartonietz's quiet yet impactful presence was highlighted by Chopra. "You were one of the quietest in the stands, but your words to me rang the loudest in my ears when I threw," he said. "I will miss the pranks and the laughs we shared, but more than anything, I will miss US as a team."Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair confirmed that Bartonietz's contract expired after the Paris Olympics and a new coach will be appointed before the end of the year. "The AFI and Neeraj will together look for a coach for him," Nair said.Bartonietz initially joined as a biomechanics expert but later became Chopra's coach after Uwe Hohn's departure. Under Bartonietz's guidance, Chopra achieved remarkable success, including the Tokyo Olympics gold, Paris Games silver, world championship title, Diamond League championship, and Asian Games gold medal.Chopra's emotional farewell underscores the deep bond he shared with Bartonietz, who played a pivotal role in shaping his career. The search for a new coach will be crucial as Chopra aims to continue his dominance in javelin throwing.

Indian women's hockey team captain Salima Tete has identified fitness and mental toughness as key areas where the team needs to improve after a disappointing period following their historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.Since their success in Tokyo, the team has failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and has performed poorly in the FIH Pro League. Tete believes that a lack of fitness and mental resilience has contributed to these setbacks."We had to start from the beginning, from scratch," said Tete. "Fitness was an area that Harendra sir [chief coach Harendra Singh] had pointed out and which needs a lot of work."Tete acknowledged that the team had neglected fitness in the past, but under Singh's guidance, they have made significant progress. "We do work on our strength. I also noticed that we were not able to lift so much weight. The girls are now squatting more than 100kgs. This shows that we are working on our fitness."Mental toughness is another area where the team has focused on improving. They underwent an intensive mental strengthening and team building camp at the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala earlier this year."We didn't have mental experience," said Tete. "So, it [the camp] was very good. We didn't know how it was going to be. It was very hard but we handled it."Tete believes that the team has learned valuable lessons from their recent setbacks and is determined to bounce back. "We have learned that we won't get anything if we don't work hard. We won't be able to keep up."The team's focus is now on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and finishing on the podium. "A new season has started for Indian women's hockey," said Tete. "The aim is to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics and finish on the podium there."India will enter the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy as the defending champions, and Tete is confident that the team can retain their title. "We want to win this championship," she said. "We don't think about results, we just want to play our game."

Rani Rampal, the former captain of the Indian women's hockey team, has announced her retirement after a remarkable 16-year career. The 29-year-old forward, who hails from a humble background in Haryana, has been an inspiration to countless young athletes.Rampal made her international debut in 2008 at the age of 14, and quickly established herself as a key player for India. She has represented the country in over 250 matches, scoring 205 goals. Rampal was instrumental in India's historic fourth-place finish at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the team's best-ever performance at the Games.In recognition of her achievements, Rampal was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2020, India's highest sporting honor. She was also conferred the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian award, in the same year.Beyond her on-field accomplishments, Rampal has been a vocal advocate for women's empowerment and gender equality. She has used her platform to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.Rampal's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian women's hockey. She has been a role model for generations of players and has helped to raise the profile of the sport in India. Her legacy will continue to inspire young athletes for years to come.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, is set to bid farewell to his long-time coach, Klaus Bartonietz, after a successful five-year partnership. The 75-year-old German coach has decided to step down due to his age and family commitments."He (Bartonietz) is 75 and he now wants to be with his family and does not want too much travel also," an official from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) told PTI. "It is not that Neeraj wants to end the association, it is Bartonietz who has expressed his inability to continue as his (Neeraj's) coach."Chopra, 26, has been working with Bartonietz, a biomechanics expert, since 2019. The German initially joined as a biomechanical expert but later took over as Chopra's coach after Uwe Hohn's fallout with the AFI and the Sports Authority of India.Under Bartonietz's guidance, Chopra has achieved remarkable success. He won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the silver medal at the Paris Games, and became the world champion and Diamond League champion. He also won the gold medal at the Asian Games.Chopra's partnership with Bartonietz has been a key factor in his rise to the top of the javelin throwing world. Bartonietz's expertise in biomechanics has helped Chopra improve his technique and maximize his potential.The AFI is now looking for a new coach for Chopra. The federation is expected to announce the new coach in the coming weeks.

The Indian hockey team's recent Olympic success has dispelled the notion that they concede late goals, according to legendary hockey player Zafar Iqbal. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side has emerged as a formidable force in all aspects of the game, he believes.Iqbal, a gold medalist at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and captain of the 1982 Asian Games silver-winning Indian team, is optimistic about the sport's resurgence in India following the bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris."The general impression before was that India is a team that concedes goals late in games, but that has changed now," Iqbal said. "We are one of the best teams in the world in all aspects."Iqbal recalls the immense popularity of hockey in his era, with events like the Nehru Gold Cup and Asian Games drawing large crowds. He hopes that the recent Olympic success will reignite the passion for the sport in the country.The upcoming India vs. Germany matches at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on October 23 and 24 have generated excitement among hockey enthusiasts. Iqbal believes that Germany is a tough opponent, but he is confident that the Indians will be motivated to perform well."The facilities are top-notch, and I am sure the game will be filled with riveting action," he added. "I would like to take this opportunity to invite hockey fans to turn up in numbers to support our team."Another hockey legend, Harbinder Singh, is equally upbeat about the return of big matches to the national capital. He recalls playing for the national team at Shivaji Stadium in 1972, where the stadium was packed to capacity."I believe a lot of fans will turn up to cheer for India and Germany as well," said Singh, a gold winner at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and bronze medalist at the 1968 Mexico and 1972 Munich Games. "They will be witnessing a high-level international match after a decade after all."With the matches against Olympic silver winners Germany, international hockey is returning to New Delhi after a decade. The last time India played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium was during the Hockey World League Final Men's Round 4 in January 2014.Last year, Chennai hosted the Men's Asian Champions Trophy, while Ranchi organized the Women's Asian Champions Trophy and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier. In November 2024, Rajgir, a city in Bihar, will host the Women's Asian Champions Trophy.India's Olympic hockey medals are a testament to the country's rich history in the sport. The team clinched its first-ever Olympic gold medal in 1928, paving the way for many more triumphs in subsequent Olympics. Dhyan Chand emerged as the star with 15 goals.Singh believes that high-profile matches should be hosted at various venues across the country, giving people from all regions a chance to witness the team live in action and grow the following for the sport.

India's javelin throw sensation Neeraj Chopra has secured his spot in the prestigious Diamond League season finale, scheduled for September 14-15 in Brussels. Despite battling a persistent groin injury, Chopra's impressive performances throughout the season have earned him a place among the top four athletes in the overall standings.Chopra's journey to the Diamond League finale began with a second-place finish in Doha, where he threw 89.30m. He replicated this feat in Lausanne, finishing behind Grenada's Anderson Peters with a throw of 89.08m. These performances earned him 14 points, placing him fourth in the overall standings.The 26-year-old Haryana-born athlete has been grappling with a groin injury since before the Tokyo Olympics, which has hindered his pursuit of the elusive 90m mark. Despite this setback, Chopra has remained determined to overcome his physical challenges and regain his peak form.In the recently concluded Zurich meet, Peters emerged victorious with a throw of 90.61m, while German star Julian Weber finished second. Chopra opted to skip this meet to prioritize his recovery and preparation for the Diamond League finale.Chopra's participation in the Diamond League finale holds significant importance as the winner of each event is awarded a prestigious "Diamond Trophy," a cash prize of USD 30,000, and a wild card for the World Athletics Championships.The Indian javelin thrower has a strong track record in the Diamond League, having won the Lausanne leg in 2022 and 2023. He also finished second to Jakub Vadlejch in the winner-takes-all finale in Eugene, USA, last year.Chopra's immediate focus is on addressing his groin injury and regaining full fitness. He has expressed his determination to improve his technique and push the boundaries of his performance in the upcoming season.

Indian Sports: Post-Tokyo Blues Linger as Paris 2024 LoomsThe Indian sporting landscape has been grappling with a sense of disappointment following the Tokyo Olympics. The nation's medal count, which had witnessed a surge in recent years, has plateaued, leaving many questioning the progress made.At the 2020 Tokyo Games, India secured seven medals, including one gold, two silvers, and four bronzes. While this represented a significant improvement over previous Olympic performances, it fell short of the expectations raised by the country's recent sporting successes.The lack of a significant medal haul in Paris 2024 has raised concerns about the state of Indian sports. Critics argue that the post-Tokyo lull is a sign of complacency and a lack of investment in grassroots development.One area of particular concern is the absence of a clear medal contender in the upcoming Olympics. While India has traditionally excelled in shooting, wrestling, and badminton, there are no obvious favorites in these disciplines for Paris 2024.The Indian government has acknowledged the need to address these challenges. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced plans to increase funding for sports infrastructure and training programs. However, experts believe that more needs to be done to create a sustainable sporting ecosystem.The lack of a robust grassroots system has been identified as a major impediment to India's sporting progress. Many talented athletes from rural areas lack access to proper coaching and facilities, limiting their potential.Furthermore, the focus on a few select sports has led to the neglect of other disciplines. India has a rich sporting heritage in traditional games such as kabaddi and kho-kho, but these sports have received little attention from the government and sports federations.As Paris 2024 approaches, Indian sports administrators face a daunting task. They must address the systemic issues that have hindered the country's sporting progress and create a comprehensive plan to ensure future success.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has confirmed that wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been dismissed. The decision, which came as a surprise to both Phogat and the IOA, was announced on Wednesday, August 16.According to IOA advocate Vidushpat Singhania, CAS has not provided a reason for dismissing Phogat's appeal. He added that the decision can be appealed against at the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days."No detailed order has come yet. Only a single-line order has come so far that her appeal has been dismissed. They have not cited a reason why it has been dismissed or why did they take so much time...We were both surprised and disappointed that a decision came last evening and her appeal was dismissed... We hope that the detailed order will come in 10-15 days... CAS decision can be appealed against at the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days. The 30-day time will begin after a detailed order comes. Harish Salve is with us, he will guide us. We will sit with him, draft an appeal and file it...," Singhania said.Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the Tokyo Olympics on August 7 after exceeding the weight limit. She was found to be 100 grams over the limit during the weigh-in.Following her disqualification, Phogat appealed to CAS, requesting that she be awarded the silver medal. However, her appeal has now been dismissed.The verdict was originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 13, but was delayed to August 16. The decision was announced on Wednesday, August 16.Phogat's disqualification and subsequent appeal have been a major talking point in the Indian sporting community. Many have expressed support for Phogat, while others have questioned the fairness of the decision.The IOA has stated that it will continue to support Phogat and will explore all legal options available to her.

Vinesh Phogat's heartbreaking disqualification at the Tokyo Olympics resonated deeply with Japanese wrestler Rei Higuchi, who had faced a similar fate at the Asian Olympic qualifiers. Higuchi, who went on to win gold in the men's freestyle 57kg at the Paris Olympics 2024, extended his support to Phogat, urging her to stay strong and ignore the negativity surrounding her.Phogat, a 29-year-old Indian wrestler, was disqualified hours before her gold medal bout in the women's 50kg category for being 100 grams over the permissible weight limit. The incident left a profound impact on Phogat, who announced her retirement the following morning.Higuchi, who had also missed the Tokyo Olympics after failing to make weight at the Asian Olympic qualifiers, understood Phogat's pain and frustration. He posted a message on social media, encouraging her to stay positive and not let the setback define her."I posted it without knowing whether anyone would be interested," Higuchi said. "I thought I could best understand how the Indian athlete felt because I made the same mistake. I gave it my all and experienced the same frustration and despair. I posted this in the hope that Vinesh doesn't care what people around her say. I just wanted her to take it slow and go forward from there."While Higuchi sympathizes with Phogat's situation, he believes that the United World Wrestling rules clearly state that wrestlers who fail to make weight are disqualified and given the last spot. "Unfortunately, the current rules won't allow me to support that decision," he said when asked whether Phogat should receive the silver medal.However, Higuchi expressed his disapproval of the two-day weigh-in process in wrestling events. "I don't like the rules where you have to make weight for the second day, but we play sports by the rules. And the rules are the same for everyone," he added.As the world awaits the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) verdict on Phogat's matter, Higuchi remains hopeful that she will find the strength to overcome this setback and continue her wrestling career.