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Neeraj Chopra, the trailblazing Indian javelin thrower, is poised to make history once again as he sets his sights on a second Olympic gold medal in Tokyo. His remarkable consistency will be put to the test after a season marred by a nagging adductor injury.Chopra's Olympic journey begins on Tuesday with the qualification round, where he is expected to secure a spot in the finals on August 8. A podium finish would make him only the fifth man in Olympic history to defend his javelin title and the first Indian to win two gold medals in an individual event at the Games.Eric Lemming (Sweden), Jonni Myyra (Finland), Jan Zelezny (Czech Republic), and Andreas Thorkildsen (Norway) are the only athletes to have successfully defended their Olympic javelin gold medals. Chopra, who idolizes Zelezny, will be eager to join this elite group.Despite competing in just three events this year, the 26-year-old world champion is back in top form. After finishing second in the Doha Diamond League with a season-best throw of 88.36m, Chopra withdrew from the Ostrava Golden Spike as a precautionary measure due to an adductor issue.He made a strong comeback by winning gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland with a throw of 85.97m. Chopra later opted out of the Paris Diamond League, emphasizing that it was not part of his competition schedule.His coach has dismissed concerns about Chopra's fitness, stating that his adductor is now fully recovered and that he has been training at high intensity. Chopra's consistency is evident in his record of sending his spear below 85m only twice in 15 competitions since his Tokyo Olympics triumph.Chopra's main rivals include Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic), Germany's Julian Weber, and former world champion Anderson Peters. Kishore Jena is the other Indian competing in the men's javelin, but he has struggled to cross the 80m mark since qualifying for the Olympics with an 87.54m throw at the Asian Games last year.Chopra's performance is expected to boost the morale of the Indian athletics contingent, which has yet to make a significant impact at the Tokyo Games.

Femke Bol, the Dutch sprinter, has become an internet sensation after her stunning performance in the 4x400 mixed relay at the Tokyo Olympics. Bol's impressive final lap propelled the Netherlands to victory, overtaking the heavily favored US team.Bol's rise to fame was not only due to her athletic prowess but also her unique voice, which has been compared to that of Mickey Mouse. The internet erupted with memes and trends after her post-race interview, where her high-pitched voice caught the attention of social media users.However, the "Mickey Mouse" voice heard in the viral interview was not from the Olympics but from the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this year, where Bol set the indoor 400 meters world record.Despite the speculation surrounding her voice, Bol's athletic achievements are undeniable. She has consistently broken records and won medals at major competitions. In Tokyo, she not only anchored the Netherlands to victory in the 4x400 mixed relay but also finished fourth in the women's 400 meters individual event.Bol's victory over the US team was particularly significant as the Americans had set the world record the night before and were expected to win easily. However, Bol's determination and impressive anchor leg proved too much for the US runners.The Netherlands' victory was a historic moment for the small country, and Bol's performance will be remembered for years to come. Her unique voice may have added to her popularity, but it is her athleticism and competitive spirit that have made her a true star.

Noah Lyles, the American sprinter, has emerged as a rising star in the world of athletics. His outspoken nature and unwavering belief in his abilities have made him a captivating figure.Lyles's rise to prominence began at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he captured three gold medals. However, it was his comments about the NBA that truly propelled him into the spotlight. Lyles criticized the league for labeling its winners as "world champions," arguing that the title should be reserved for those who compete on a global stage.Lyles's mindset is a testament to his ambition and determination. He believes that he is destined to become the fastest man in history, surpassing even the legendary Usain Bolt. While Bolt's records remain formidable, Lyles is confident that he can find his own path to greatness.Lyles recognizes that Bolt's unique physical attributes gave him an advantage in sprinting. However, he is determined to find his own way to the top. He believes that his confidence and unwavering belief in himself will be his greatest assets.Lyles's focus is not solely on the 100-meter dash. He also excels in the 200-meter event, which he affectionately refers to as "his wife." Lyles believes that he has a better chance of achieving perfection in the 200 meters than in the 100 meters.As the Tokyo Olympics approach, Lyles is poised to make a statement on the world stage. His outspoken nature and unwavering belief in himself have made him a polarizing figure, but there is no denying his talent and potential. Whether he can live up to the hype and surpass Bolt's legacy remains to be seen, but Lyles is determined to prove that he is the fastest man in the world.

Indian golfer Diksha Dagar, who is set to represent her country at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, was involved in a car accident on Tuesday night. However, despite the incident, Dagar is reportedly doing well and is expected to compete in her event as scheduled.According to Dagar's father and caddie, Colonel Naren Dagar, Diksha sustained no major injuries and is currently practicing for the Olympics. However, her mother has been hospitalized with a suspected spinal injury and will remain under observation for the next few days. The extent of her injuries will be determined after further tests and diagnosis.The accident occurred when the Dagar family's car was struck by another vehicle while returning from a function at India House. The family's driver was reportedly crossing an intersection when the light turned red, and an ambulance parked on the side obscured their view of an oncoming car. The other vehicle collided with the Dagar family's car from the side.This is Diksha Dagar's second Olympic appearance, and she is scheduled to compete in the women's golf tournament from August 7 to 10. The men's golf competition, featuring Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar, commenced on Thursday.Despite the setback, Diksha Dagar remains determined to perform well at the Olympics. Her father expressed confidence in her ability to overcome this adversity and represent India with pride.

India's race walkers endured a disappointing outing at the Tokyo Olympics, with Vikash Singh and Paramjeet Singh finishing well down the field in the men's 20km event. Vikash Singh crossed the line in 30th place with a time of 1 hour 22 minutes and 36 seconds, while Paramjeet Singh finished 37th in 1:23:48.The race was won by Ecuador's Brian Daniel Pintado in 1:18:55, with Brazil's Caio Bonfim and reigning world champion Alvaro Martin of Spain taking the silver and bronze medals respectively. Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Massimo Stano of Italy finished fourth.The Indian contingent's performance was particularly disappointing given that national record-holder Akshdeep Singh was forced to withdraw after the 6km mark. Singh had been expected to challenge for a top-10 finish, but his withdrawal left India with only two representatives in the race.The best performance by an Indian in the Olympics in the 20km race walk remains KT Irfan's 10th-place finish in the 2012 London Games, where he clocked a time of 1:20:21.Later in the day, Priyanka Goswami will compete in the women's 20km race walk event, where she will be hoping to improve on India's disappointing performance in the men's event.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has commenced her quest for a second consecutive Games medal with a confident victory in her opening bout at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The Indian boxer outpunched Norway's Sunniva Hofstad 5-0 in the 75kg category, moving one step closer to adding to her Tokyo bronze, which she claimed in the 69kg category.Borgohain's path to the podium is not without challenges. She will face top-seeded Chinese boxer Li Qian in the quarterfinals on August 4. A victory in this bout would guarantee her at least a bronze medal.In her opening bout, Borgohain displayed composure and precision, keeping her distance and landing clean blows on counter-attack. Despite Hofstad's attempts to engage in a slugfest, Borgohain maintained her composure and avoided falling into her opponent's trap.Borgohain's performance is a testament to her resilience and ability to overcome adversity. In Tokyo, she defeated world champion Chen Nien-Chin in the quarterfinals to secure her bronze medal.Her opponent in the quarterfinals, Li Qian, is a formidable opponent. She won a silver medal in the 75kg category at the Tokyo Games and a bronze in the 2016 Rio Games. She also claimed a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.The Indian boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games has been mixed so far. Three of the six boxers in contention have already been eliminated, including former Asian Games champion Amit Panghal (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg).Apart from Borgohain, the Indian boxing contingent still in contention includes world champion Nikhat Zareen (women's 50kg) and Nishant Dev (men's 71kg).

India's archery campaign at the Tokyo Olympics came to an end on Monday as the men's team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Pravin Jadhav, and Tarundeep Rai lost their quarter-final to Turkey. The Indian trio, ranked second in the world, were unable to match the performance of their Turkish counterparts, going down 2-6 on points.The match started poorly for India, with Bommadevara scoring a disappointing 7 in the first set. Turkey took advantage of India's shaky start, taking the first set 57-53. India's hopes of a comeback were dashed in the second set, as they were outscored 55-52.The third set saw India finally find their rhythm, taking the set 55-54. However, Turkey regained control in the fourth set, closing out the match with a 58-54 victory.The loss marked the end of India's archery campaign at the Tokyo Olympics. The women's team had also crashed out in the quarter-finals, losing to South Korea.India's failure to progress past the quarter-finals stage at the Olympics archery continues. The team has now failed to reach the semi-finals in four consecutive Olympic Games.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, will face Anna Hursey of Great Britain in the women's singles opening round at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal, a six-time Olympian, will take on Deni Kozul of Slovenia in the men's singles.Manika, seeded 18th, made history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the round of 32 in singles. She recently achieved a career-best world ranking of No. 24.In other opening round matches, Harmeet Desai will face Abo Yaman of Jordan in men's singles, while Sreeja Akula, seeded 16th, will play Christina Kallberg of Sweden.Sharath Kamal, 41, is leading a six-member Indian contingent, making his fifth Olympic appearance. Manika will participate in her third consecutive Games.Gnanasekaran Sathiyan, a member of India's gold medal-winning men's teams at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been selected as a reserve player.In the women's team event, 11th-seeded India will face fourth-seeded Romania in their opening match. The team includes Manika, Sreeja, and Archana Kamath.The Indian men's team, comprising Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet, will face a tough challenge against top-ranked China in their opening round.The Paris Games will mark the first time that India will compete in the team event at the Olympics. The men's and women's team events in table tennis were introduced at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Neeraj Chopra's journey to Olympic gold was not without its challenges. After a disappointing experience with his previous coach, Uwe Hohn, Neeraj sought the guidance of German biomechanics expert Klaus Bartonietz. Despite their age difference, the two formed a strong bond based on mutual respect and a shared passion for javelin throwing.Klaus's approach to coaching is characterized by a focus on simplicity and innovation. He believes in empowering Neeraj to make decisions about his training, while providing expert guidance and support. This collaborative approach has allowed Neeraj to develop his own unique style and reach the pinnacle of his sport.Beyond their professional relationship, Klaus and Neeraj share a deep friendship. They engage in playful banter, exchange cultural insights, and support each other through life's ups and downs. This camaraderie has created a positive and supportive environment that has contributed to Neeraj's success.Neeraj's training regimen is meticulously planned with input from Klaus and his physiotherapist, Ishaan Marwaha. They carefully consider objectives, logistics, and competition schedules to ensure optimal preparation. Neeraj's dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to experiment and push his limits.While training is a serious endeavor, the trio also finds time for fun and relaxation. Neeraj's love for Punjabi music often leads to impromptu dance sessions, and he has even taught Klaus a few Hindi words. Their off days are spent recovering, planning, and occasionally indulging in movie nights.As Neeraj prepares for the Paris Olympics, he and his team are focused on maintaining their winning formula. They believe in Neeraj's ability to perform under pressure and are confident that he can achieve another podium finish. Their bond, built on trust, respect, and a shared love for the sport, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in his continued success.