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India's Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is set to embark on an off-season training stint in South Africa later this month. The 26-year-old javelin star will spend 31 days in Potchefstroom, a city known for its high-altitude training facilities.Chopra's training will be funded by the Sports Ministry, which has approved the expenditure for his lodging, boarding, and training costs. The ministry stated that Chopra will begin his training early in preparation for next year's competitions.Chopra has a history of training in Potchefstroom, having spent time there ahead of the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. He also competed in a competition there in January 2020, where he finished first with a throw of 87.86m.Despite battling an adductor muscle niggle throughout the year, Chopra managed to secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and compete in the Diamond League Final. He has since parted ways with his German coach, Klaus Bartonietz, and is expected to appoint a new coach before the end of the year.Chopra's primary goal for next year is to defend his World Championships gold in Tokyo and improve his technique to reach the 90m mark. He currently holds a personal best of 89.94m, just 6cm short of the coveted milestone.

Manu Bhaker and Jaspal Rana's unique training regimen has been instrumental in their success in shooting. During each training session, they set a specific target score. If Manu fails to achieve it, she incurs a fine equivalent to the deficit in points. This fine is either donated or used to purchase items for distribution to people in need.Rana's coaching methods are unconventional and demanding. He pushes Manu to her limits, both technically and mentally. This approach has helped Manu regain her focus and love for shooting after a period of setbacks.After a bitter public fallout, Manu reached out to Rana, seeking his guidance once again. Rana's unwavering belief in her potential and his rigorous training methods have played a crucial role in Manu's redemption.In preparation for the Chateauroux competition, Rana subjected Manu to intense training in conditions that simulated the warm temperatures inside the ranges. This meticulous preparation paid off, as Manu secured a bronze medal.Rana's passion for the sport is matched by Manu's dedication. Their journey has been marked by challenges, but they have emerged stronger and more determined. Rana believes that Manu has the potential to push her limits even further and achieve greater success in the future.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu is determined to surpass her previous achievements in the upcoming Paris Games. After recovering from a six-month injury layoff, Chanu is targeting a lift of over 90kg in snatch, aiming for a total lift of 200kg to secure a medal.Chanu's journey back to competition began with a 184kg lift at the Phuket World Cup in April. Despite her best efforts of 88kg in snatch and 119kg in clean and jerk, she recognizes the need to improve her performance.Under the guidance of her long-time coach Vijay Kumar Sharma, Chanu is gradually increasing her training intensity. She is currently lifting 80-85% of her maximum capacity, with a target of 90kg plus in snatch for Paris.The injury phase has been a valuable learning experience for Chanu. She emphasizes the importance of following coaches' instructions, adopting proper techniques, and prioritizing rest and exercise. She believes that understanding her body and staying motivated are crucial for overcoming injuries.Despite the pressure of expectations, Chanu remains confident in her abilities. She acknowledges the challenges ahead but is determined to give her best performance and win a medal for India.Chanu is currently training at NNIS, Patiala, and will depart for Paris on July 7 for a training stint. Her unwavering determination and focus on improvement make her a formidable contender for success in the upcoming Games.

As the scorching heatwave grips India, athletes across the country are facing extreme conditions that hinder their training and performance. Recent incidents, such as an athlete collapsing on a burning track in Delhi and javelin throwers struggling in the stifling heat of Bhubaneswar, highlight the challenges posed by the rising temperatures.With the national capital breaching the 50°C barrier and northern and central India experiencing a punishing heatwave, outdoor training has become an ordeal for athletes. Distance running coach Amrish Kumar suggests that athletes train at high altitude to build lung capacity and endurance while avoiding the heat.However, not all athletes can afford to relocate or change their training schedules. To cope with the extreme conditions, some coaches have adjusted their session timings to beat the heat. Gaurav Tyagi, who coaches steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, has shifted his morning sessions to 4:30 am and evening sessions to 5:30 pm.Another solution is to build indoor facilities that protect athletes from the sun and heat. India currently has one such facility in Bhubaneswar, which can accommodate 120 residential trainees and host various track and field events. Experts believe that India needs more such stadiums to provide athletes with year-round training opportunities.Triple jumper Poorva Sawant suggests having one indoor facility in each metro city as a starting point. This would address the challenges of training in Delhi, where extreme weather conditions and pollution make it difficult for athletes to perform at their best.Para high jumper Sharad Kumar emphasizes the need for basic facilities at stadiums, such as water coolers, clean grounds, and covered areas for rest. Javelin coach Vipin Kasana laments the lack of such facilities at the JLN Stadium in Delhi.In coastal cities, athletes face the additional challenge of humidity, which can be equally debilitating. Indoor facilities would provide a much-needed respite from both heat and humidity.As India aims to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure that supports the development of world-class athletes. Indoor facilities would allow athletes to train consistently throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.

Murali Sreeshankar, India's star long jumper, is embarking on a strategic approach for the upcoming season, prioritizing the Paris Olympics over extensive travel and competition. After a grueling schedule last year, Sreeshankar has opted to start his season later and focus on targeted events.Last season, Sreeshankar competed in 10 events over seven months, including training stints in the US and Greece. Despite impressive performances, including a personal best of 8.41m and medals at the Asian Athletics Championships and Asian Games, the rigorous schedule took its toll.This season, Sreeshankar's father and coach, S Murali, has devised a plan to conserve energy and optimize performance for the Paris Olympics. The season will begin with the Shanghai Diamond League on April 27, followed by the Doha Diamond League on May 10. Sreeshankar will then train in Cyprus for 40 days before returning for the Inter-state competition in June.In addition to reducing travel and competition, Sreeshankar is also experimenting with a new runup technique. He will transition from a static start to a running start, which is expected to increase his speed on the runway and potentially lead to longer jumps."If you want to go big at the Olympics, you have to do something extraordinary," said Murali. "The target is to go beyond the 8.50m mark, and for that, we have to do something different."Sreeshankar's training conditions in Palakkad have been favorable, and he is confident in his preparation. "Training conditions are very good here now," said Murali. "We have almost all the facilities here."With the Paris Olympics as his primary focus, Sreeshankar is determined to make the most of his opportunities and deliver a memorable performance on the world's biggest stage.