Others

Paris Olympic double medalist Manu Bhaker is considering skipping the upcoming World Cup in New Delhi in October due to a planned three-month break from shooting. The 22-year-old made history in Paris, becoming the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals in shooting. She earned bronze in both the women's 10m air pistol and the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh.Bhaker's coach, Jaspal Rana, confirmed her decision to take a break. "I am not sure whether she will be at the Shooting World Cup in October because she is taking a three-month break. It's a normal break, she has been training for a long time," Rana told PTI Videos.The Shooting World Cup is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from October 13 to 18. Rana, who played a crucial role in Bhaker's Olympic success, said they will focus on peaking at the 2026 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games after her break.Bhaker's decision to take a break highlights the importance of rest and recovery for athletes. Despite her recent success, she recognizes the need to recharge and prepare for future challenges. The three-month break will allow her to physically and mentally reset, ensuring she returns to competition stronger and more motivated.The Indian shooting contingent has performed exceptionally well in recent international events, including the Paris Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Bhaker's decision to take a break is a testament to the team's commitment to long-term success and their understanding of the importance of athlete well-being.

The Indian compound women's archery team continued their dominance this season, securing a hattrick of World Cup gold medals with a victory over Estonia in the third stage of the event on Saturday. The trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, and Parneet Kaur, who had qualified as the top seed, defeated Estonia's Lisell Jaatma, Meeri-Marita Paas, and Maris Tetsmann, 232-229 in a one-sided final.This victory marks the third consecutive World Cup gold medal for the Indian women's compound team, having previously won the Stage 1 and Stage 2 gold medals in Shanghai and Yecheon in April and May respectively. Their consistent performance has solidified their position as one of the top teams in the world.In addition to the women's team's success, Indian male compound archer Priyansh is also in contention for a bronze medal later in the day. In the recurve section, Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara are also in the hunt for two medals, having advanced to their respective individual semifinals.The Indian archery team's impressive performance at the World Cup is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Their success is a source of pride for the nation and inspires young archers to strive for excellence.

Former Indian shooting ace Jaspal Rana has vehemently criticized the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) decision to send Olympic-bound shooters to the World Cup in Munich, commencing on Friday. Rana, an Asian Games gold medalist, questioned the rationale behind selecting Olympic-bound shooters for the World Cup just before the quadrennial event.Rana emphasized that the World Cup will not benefit shooters in their Olympic preparations, as it is challenging to maintain peak performance for an extended period. "No player wants to perform badly in the World Cup. But if you're at your peak now, will you be at your peak after one month also? Which sports science center will tell you that players can stay at their peak for three months? You can't stay at peak level for long," Rana asserted.He further criticized the NRAI's inconsistent policy, stating, "The policy was wrong, and when you've made the policy, just stick to it. You're not sticking to your policy. If there is no ranking and point system in the Munich World Cup, why are you delaying the names of the selected shooters for the Olympics? Even if you have to adjust one to two players, then reveal the rest of the players so that they can start their preparations."Rana suggested that India should have followed the approach adopted by other countries like China and the USA, who have sent their second-string squads to the World Cup in Germany. "Other countries have sent their B or C category squad for the World Cup. Very less Olympic-bound shooters will participate in it. This is not an opportunity for the Olympic team," he said.With less than two months remaining for the Paris Olympics, there is still no clarity on India's shooting squad for the event. Rana expressed concern about the lack of leadership within the NRAI, stating, "I've failed to understand that if NRAI doesn't have the president, chairman of the selection committee, and policy-making committee, then how are they selecting the team? It could be one of the reasons that the chairman of the NRAI selection committee is not there, that's why they're delaying the announcement."Despite the challenges, Rana remains optimistic about the Indian shooters' performance in Paris. "Yes, we were well prepared last time. This time too, our preparations are pretty well. The only thing that went wrong last time was the postponement of the Games due to Covid-19. Our team was at its peak at the time of the Olympics (as per the original schedule in 2020). After that, due to a lot of problems, we couldn't manage it properly," he said. "I'm quite positive," Rana added, expressing his belief in India's medal chances at the Paris Olympics.

The Indian women's compound archery team continued their golden run, securing their third consecutive Archery World Cup gold medal at the stage two event in Antalya, Turkey. The trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Swami dominated the Turkish team of Hazal Burun, Ayse Bera Suzer, and Begum Yuva, winning 232-226 in a lopsided final.The Indian team, ranked number one in the world, showcased their superiority from the outset, winning the first end and maintaining their lead throughout the match. They did not drop a single set, sealing the gold with a comfortable six-point margin.This victory marks a hat-trick of World Cup gold medals for Jyothi, Parneet, and Aditi, who had previously triumphed at the season-opening World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai and the stage four event in Paris last year.The Indian team's success is a testament to their consistent performance and unwavering determination. They have established themselves as a formidable force in compound archery, consistently delivering podium finishes at major international events.In addition to the women's team gold, India is also eyeing a second gold medal in the compound mixed team event. Jyothi and Priyansh will face the USA in the final later in the day, aiming to add to India's medal tally.

Sift Kaur Samra, India's rising star in 50m rifle 3 positions shooting, has secured her berth for the Paris Olympics after a remarkable performance at the Asian Games and World Cup. Her journey to the top has been marked by patience, resilience, and a carefree attitude.Last year, Samra made her mark at the Bhopal World Cup, winning her first senior individual medal. A year later, she emerged from the same venue as an Asian Games medalist, a world record holder, and an Olympic qualifier.Samra attributes her success to her improved patience. "I didn't have a lot of experience a year ago. My thinking was to just finish the matches. Now, I know how to handle aspects like wind and pressure," she said.Her patience was tested in the final qualification round of the Olympic trials. Despite not having a top finish to her name, Samra delivered her best round of 593, securing a top-two spot in the trials."I was a bit nervous at the start, but after the start, my confidence grew. My only thought was to correct the mistakes I had made in my previous matches and come back to the top," Samra said.Her breakthrough at the Asian Games, where she won individual gold and team silver, was followed by a silver at the Asian Championships. Her world record scores have shattered expectations."Why will I be surprised? I only started it. New generation, new techniques, new scores," Samra said when asked about her high scores.Her carefree attitude and ability to control pressure have been key factors in her success. "I do feel pressure, but controlling that pressure is what shooting is about," she said.Samra's patience has come with experience, not through traditional mental techniques. "I'm different from other people. I do nothing to help clear my mind — I watch movies, dance, talk to friends."With the pressure of Olympic qualification behind her, Samra is looking forward to shooting "for myself" at the Munich World Cup. She is confident in her ability to shoot well despite challenges like wind."When amid this strong breeze I could shoot 10s, it was a nice feeling. If I could manage such scores here, there (in Paris) it will be a bit easier," she said.Samra's journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to her talent, patience, and unwavering determination. She is a rising star in Indian shooting, and her future holds endless possibilities.

Chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has garnered praise from legendary grandmaster Gary Kasparov for his quick and efficient autograph-signing technique. In a video posted on Twitter, Kasparov remarked, "Smart lad; a fast and short signature means your hand doesn't get sore so quickly!"Praggnanandhaa's rise to stardom has been meteoric. In 2023, he became the youngest player to reach the World Cup final, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand. His impressive victories over Magnus Carlsen in 2022 brought India's chess prowess into the spotlight.The Chennai-based prodigy began his chess journey at the tender age of 5. By 12, he had become India's youngest and the world's second-youngest Grandmaster. Praggnanandhaa's love for mathematics and his ability to unwind with Tamil music and television shows add to his multifaceted personality.In 2023, Praggnanandhaa secured a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. His achievements have cemented his status as one of the most promising young chess players in the world.Kasparov's praise for Praggnanandhaa's autograph-signing technique highlights the importance of efficiency and practicality in the world of chess. The ability to conserve energy and maintain focus during long tournaments can give players a competitive edge.Praggnanandhaa's success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent. As he continues to climb the ranks of chess, he is sure to inspire future generations of players and bring further glory to India on the global stage.

Dhiraj Bommadevara, the lone Indian recurve archer to secure an Olympic quota for Paris 2024, played a pivotal role in India's historic triumph at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. The Indian men's recurve team, comprising Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Ramesh Jadhav, defeated archery powerhouse Korea in the title round, reclaiming the gold medal after a 14-year hiatus.Bommadevara, a beneficiary of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), also bagged a bronze medal in the mixed team event alongside Ankita Bhakat. India's victory over Mexico in straight sets marked their second medal in Shanghai.In an exclusive interview with SAI Media, Bommadevara shared his insights on the team's success, their mindset, and their aspirations for the Paris Olympics.On the Historic Gold Medal:"We're overjoyed," Bommadevara exclaimed. "We executed our plan and maintained our focus throughout the competition."On the Team's Mindset:"We focused solely on our game and ignored our opponents," Bommadevara explained. "We maintained clear communication and supported each other through every situation."On Team Bonding:"Tarundeep Rai, Pravin, and I are all from the Indian Army, so we spend a lot of time together," Bommadevara said. "We've developed a strong chemistry that translates into our performances."On Being the Youngest Member:"I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from my experienced teammates," Bommadevara stated. "I'm constantly striving to improve and avoid repeating mistakes."On India's Chances at Paris 2024:"Our chances are promising," Bommadevara asserted. "We're working towards converting our individual quota into a team quota. Our priority is to qualify as a team and then give our best in Paris. We're not setting expectations but preparing for every scenario."On the Impact of Tarundeep Rai:"Tarundeep Rai's experience is invaluable," Bommadevara said. "He shares his tactical and philosophical insights, which helps us immensely. His dedication inspires us to push ourselves."On the Mental Strength of Indian Archers:"We're focused on improving ourselves rather than comparing ourselves to others," Bommadevara explained. "We learn from our mistakes and strive to perform better."On the Impact of the Compound Team:"Our compound team is world-class," Bommadevara said. "Their success motivates us to raise our own standards. Jyothi Surekha's ability to handle pressure in various events is truly inspiring."On the Support from TOPS:"TOPS has provided me with financial stability and allowed me to focus solely on my game," Bommadevara said. "It has alleviated the financial burden on my family and enabled me to pursue my Olympic dream."

In a historic triumph, the Indian men's recurve archery team stunned reigning Olympic champions South Korea 5-1 (57-57, 57-55, 55-53) to claim the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. This victory marks India's first World Cup men's team gold in 14 years and significantly boosts their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.The Indian trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav displayed remarkable resilience and precision against a formidable Korean team that included Tokyo Games gold medalists Kim Je-deok and Kim Woo-jin. Despite the absence of a coach due to a rule violation, the Indians remained composed and focused on their own performance.In the first set, both teams tied 1-1 with a score of 57. However, the Indians seized the momentum in the second set, delivering four 10s (three Xs) to Korea's two 8s, winning 57-55. They maintained their dominance in the third set, scoring 55-53, as the Koreans struggled to find a 10.Dhiraj Bommadevara, who has already secured an individual Paris Games quota, expressed his delight at the team's achievement. "This result gives us a big boost in the Olympic year," he said. "This medal feels good, especially with the amount of work we've been doing in the past couple of years, keeping just this Olympics in mind."The Indian men's team's victory is a testament to their hard work and determination. With two more spots available through world rankings and three more at the final qualification tournament, they are well-positioned to secure a quota for the Paris Olympics.Meanwhile, Deepika Kumari made a triumphant return to the World Cup stage after two years, winning the women's recurve silver medal. She defeated Korean archers Jeon Hunyoung and Nam Suhyeon before falling to Lim Si-hyeon in the final.

Tarundeep Rai, India's veteran archer, has made a remarkable comeback after being excluded from the Asian Games team last year. The snub ignited a fire within him, leading him to adopt drastic lifestyle changes and intensify his training.Rai, a three-time Olympian, was devastated by his omission from the Hangzhou Asian Games despite his strong performances. "I was boiling with anger," he recalled. "I decided to give it one last shot."To regain his fitness and competitiveness, Rai embarked on a strict diet and dedicated more time to the gym. He shed 12kg in two months, determined to prove his worth.His efforts paid off when he made the cut for the Indian team for the World Cup and Olympics after a two-month trial. In Shanghai, Rai and his teammates Dhiraj Bommadevara and Pravin Jadhav created history by defeating reigning Olympic champions South Korea to win the World Cup gold.Rai attributed their success to their unwavering focus and the inclusion of a sports psychologist. "We didn't think about winning over Korea," he said. "We just went there to replicate what we have been doing at practice."The victory marked the first time an Indian men's team had defeated archery powerhouse Korea in a World Cup final. It also boosted their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.Rai, who began his international career in 2003, is now in the best shape of his life. "I feel amazing right now," he said. "I've got this childlike energy that keeps me going."His journey serves as an inspiration to athletes of all ages, proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.