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Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has made a triumphant start to her Olympic preparations, capturing the women's 50kg gold medal at the Grand Prix of Spain in Madrid. The victory marks a significant milestone in Phogat's journey towards the Paris Olympics in 2024.Phogat, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist, showcased her dominance throughout the tournament. In the final, she faced Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler now competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete. Phogat displayed her superior technique and determination, securing a 10-5 victory to claim the gold medal.The road to the final was equally impressive for Phogat. She began her campaign with a convincing 12-4 points victory over Pan American champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba. In the quarterfinals, she registered a win by fall against Madison Parks of Canada, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Phogat's semifinal bout against another Canadian, Katie Dutchak, was equally dominant, as she emerged victorious with a 9-4 points margin.Phogat's triumph in Madrid is a testament to her unwavering commitment and hard work. The 29-year-old former Asian Games gold medalist has been training relentlessly in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Her victory in Spain provides a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum as she gears up for the biggest stage in sports.After her successful outing in Spain, Phogat will travel to France for a 20-day training stint. This training camp will serve as a crucial step in her preparations for the Paris Games, where she will aim to add an Olympic medal to her impressive resume.

The Indian sporting landscape is witnessing a growing trend of elite athletes opting for personalized training under personal coaches, breaking away from the traditional national set-up. This shift is evident across various sports, including shooting, wrestling, athletics, table tennis, badminton, and boxing.Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, and world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat are among the prominent athletes who have embraced this approach. With government and sponsors providing financial support, more athletes are hiring personal trainers and physiotherapists to tailor their training programs.Dronacharya awardee badminton coach Vimal Kumar believes this shift is a sign of Indian sport's growth. However, he emphasizes that top athletes should invest their own resources in support staff rather than relying on government funds.In shooting, the trend has been particularly noticeable. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has allowed personal coaches to accompany their trainees at camps ahead of the Olympics. Former shooting international Deepali Deshpande, who has worked with both national and personal coaches, highlights the importance of providing support for athletes who may not make the national team.Wrestling has also seen a shift towards personalized training, with elite wrestlers opting to train at their academies in the absence of national camps. Star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have achieved success with personal coaches since 2018, inspiring others to follow suit.In table tennis, the friction between personal and national coaches flared up at the Tokyo Games. However, Italian coach Massimo Costantini has been roped in ahead of the Paris Olympics and has welcomed the presence of personal coaches.Badminton shuttlers, including Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, PV Sindhu, and Lakshya Sen, are also working under personalized training plans.While personal coaches provide individualized attention and tailored training programs, national coaches play a crucial role in preparing athletes for team events and providing guidance during competitions. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has identified "medal hopefuls" who will be allowed to bring personal coaches and support staff to the Paris Olympics, subject to availability of slots.

India's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Since gaining independence in 1947, India has participated in every edition of the Summer Olympics, showcasing its prowess in various sports.Early Dominance in Hockey:India's golden era in hockey began in 1928, when the team won its first Olympic gold medal. They went on to dominate the sport, winning six consecutive golds from 1928 to 1960. The team's success was largely attributed to legendary players like Dhyan Chand and Kishan Lal.Challenges and Setbacks:However, India's dominance in hockey faced challenges in the 1960s. In 1960, Pakistan defeated India for the first time in Olympic history, ending their golden run. The 1976 Montreal Olympics marked a turning point, as India failed to win a medal in hockey for the first time since 1928.Individual Successes:Despite the setbacks in hockey, India has produced several individual medalists in other sports. Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won the first individual medal for independent India in wrestling at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Milkha Singh narrowly missed out on a bronze in the 400m at the 1960 Rome Olympics.Women's Hockey and Other Sports:Women's hockey made its Olympic debut in 1980, and India's women's team has since made significant progress. They finished fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, their best performance to date. India has also seen success in other sports, including weightlifting (Karnam Malleswari), shooting (Abhinav Bindra), and wrestling (Sushil Kumar).Recent Successes:The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a historic one for India, as the country won a record seven medals. Neeraj Chopra became India's first Olympic gold medalist in athletics since 1900, while the men's hockey team won bronze, their first medal in the sport since 1980. PV Sindhu became a double Olympic medalist in badminton, and Lovlina Borgohain won bronze in boxing.Conclusion:India's Olympic journey has been a testament to the country's sporting prowess and resilience. From the golden era of hockey to the recent successes in various sports, India has consistently showcased its ability to compete at the highest level. As the country prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it will be hoping to continue its Olympic legacy and bring home more medals.

World championships medallist wrestler Vinesh Phogat has appealed for urgent assistance from the Sports Minister, Ministry of External Affairs, and other authorities after her visa for Spain was delayed. Phogat is scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix of Spain 2024 in Madrid, with her flight departing on Wednesday night. However, she has yet to receive her visa.In a social media post, Phogat expressed her concern and requested the intervention of the concerned authorities. She tagged the Ministry of External Affairs, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Consulate General of France in Bangalore in her post."Dear authorities, I'm requesting for urgent help. I applied for my Schengen visa in Bangalore on 24th June. I have to leave tonight for a competition in Spain on 6th July but have no information on my visa. Requesting @mansukhmandviya @BangaloreFrance @MEABharat to help," she posted.The competition in Spain is scheduled from July 5 to 7, with the women's event slated for July 6. Phogat is also scheduled to attend training camps in Madrid, Spain, and Boulogne sur-Mer, France.Phogat's visa delay has raised concerns about the efficiency of the visa application process for Indian athletes. The timely issuance of visas is crucial for athletes to participate in international competitions and represent their country.The Sports Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs have not yet responded to Phogat's request for assistance. However, it is expected that they will take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that Phogat can participate in the Grand Prix of Spain.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has once again suspended Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia for refusing to provide a urine sample for a dope test. This is the second time NADA has suspended Punia, after revoking his initial suspension on May 31st due to a lack of a "notice of charge."On April 23rd, NADA suspended Punia for refusing to give a urine sample during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10th. The World Governing body UWW also suspended him. Punia appealed the provisional suspension, and NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) revoked it on May 31st until NADA issued the notice of charge.On Sunday, NADA served the notice to Punia, stating that he is being charged with violating Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. Punia has until July 11th to request a hearing or accept the charge.Punia has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded to know NADA's response to his email where he sought an answer to why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.NADA explained that the chaperone/DCO had approached Punia and informed him that he was required to provide a urine sample. Despite several requests, Punia refused, stating that he would not provide the sample unless NADA replied to his email regarding the expired kits.NADA made it clear that if the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) is upheld, it will seek "disqualification of results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes." NADA may also recover financial costs associated with the ADRV or impose a fine.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, who had refused to provide a urine sample after the selection trials in March. The Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) of NADA revoked the suspension until NADA issues a formal Notice of Charge to Punia.Punia had challenged the provisional suspension through his lawyers, arguing that he did not refuse to provide a sample but merely requested an explanation from NADA regarding an expired kit used to collect his sample in December 2023.The ADDP order stated that the provisional suspension was revoked "at this stage when Notice of Charge is yet to be issued to the Athlete." The panel emphasized that it had not yet considered the merits of Punia's explanations or the counter-arguments presented by NADA.Punia's refusal to provide a sample stemmed from his dissatisfaction with NADA's handling of his previous request for clarification on the expired kit. He had expressed concerns about the integrity of the sample collection process and the potential impact on his reputation.The ADDP's decision to lift the provisional suspension allows Punia to resume training and competition while NADA completes its investigation. The agency is expected to issue a Notice of Charge if it believes there is sufficient evidence to support a violation of anti-doping rules.Punia's case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in anti-doping procedures. Athletes have the right to question the integrity of the testing process and to seek clarification on any concerns they may have. NADA, in turn, has the responsibility to ensure that its protocols are fair and consistent, and that athletes are treated with respect.

Antim Panghal, India's 53kg wrestling sensation, is set to make her long-awaited return to competition at the International Ranking Series in Budapest from June 6. The world championships bronze medalist has been absent from the mat since October 2022, raising questions about her form and fitness ahead of the Paris Olympics.With no national camp being held, Antim has been training at her base in Hisar. Her coach, Bhagat Singh, insists that she is fully fit and eager to prove herself in Budapest. However, her rivals have demanded selection trials to assess her readiness for the Olympics.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided not to hold trials, instead sending quota winners directly to Paris. This decision has drawn criticism from some wrestlers and coaches, who believe that trials are essential to ensure the best possible team is selected.Antim's return to competition will be closely watched, as she aims to silence her critics and demonstrate her fitness for the Olympics. She will face stiff competition in Budapest, with several top wrestlers vying for ranking points.Meanwhile, other Indian wrestlers, including Ravi Dahiya, Sarita Mor, and Shivanee Pawar, have requested WFI to send their entries for the Budapest ranking series. These wrestlers, who had hoped to challenge the quota winners for an Olympic berth, are keen to prove their form in an international event.The Budapest ranking series will provide a crucial opportunity for Indian wrestlers to assess their progress and prepare for the Paris Olympics. Antim Panghal's performance will be particularly scrutinized, as she seeks to prove that she is ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Ravi Dahiya, India's former 57kg wrestling champion, faces an uncertain future after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) decided against holding final selection trials for the Paris Olympics. The decision has left Dahiya, who has been struggling with a knee injury, without a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.Dahiya's career has been on a downward spiral in recent years. After being the country's top wrestler in his weight class, he has lost consecutive domestic selection trials. The knee injury, which required surgery last year, has also taken a toll on his performance.Despite the setbacks, Dahiya remains optimistic. He has been working hard to regain his fitness and has been pleading with WFI officials to reconsider their decision. He has even met with the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials to state his case.However, WFI officials have indicated that the decision is unlikely to be reversed. They argue that there is not enough time left before the Budapest Ranking Series, which will serve as the final qualifying event for the Olympics.Dahiya's situation is a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in India. Despite their sacrifices and hard work, they can be left at the mercy of bureaucratic decisions that can derail their dreams.Dahiya's story is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to fight for his Olympic dream. He knows that the odds are stacked against him, but he is not giving up hope.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced that no selection trials will be held for the Paris Olympics, and the six wrestlers who have secured quotas for the country will represent India in Paris. This decision has come as a surprise to many wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, who were preparing for the trials.The five women wrestlers who have earned Olympic berths are Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Anshu Malik (57kg). Aman Sehrawat (57kg) is the only male wrestler to have secured a quota.WFI president Sanjay Singh stated that the seven-member selection committee unanimously decided to exempt quota-earning wrestlers from trials for the Paris Olympics, citing "a one-time exception in the current peculiar circumstances." The committee members, including chief coaches Jagmander Singh (men) and Virender Singh (women), believed that conducting trials at this short notice could impact the wrestlers' performance at the Olympics and increase the risk of injuries."Five wrestlers had written to us to not hold trials as it will affect their preparation. They will have to reduce weight and it will shift their focus on trials. Since there is little time left for the Paris Olympics, the selection committee has decided to not hold trials and select the quota winners for the Olympics team, as WFI has been doing previously," said Singh.The decision has disappointed Ravi Dahiya, who was hoping to challenge Aman in the selection trials. Dahiya, who is recovering from an ACL surgery, had lost to Aman in the selection trials in March for the two qualification competitions for Paris Olympics."I was preparing for the trials because we were told that the Paris Olympics team will be selected through trials. Now suddenly they are saying that there will be no trials. I don't know what to say," Dahiya told Hindustan Times."I was injured for a long time and it has taken time to recover. Since then I have been focusing on my training. The Paris Olympics is all I have been preparing for.. aur kya hai batao aap (What else is there for me?) It is very disappointing. I am trying to reach out to WFI. I will decide on my next step tomorrow," said Dahiya.The decision has also affected other wrestlers, including Sarita Mor, who was preparing to challenge Anshu Malik for a Paris berth. "We just came back today from a training stint in the US," said her husband and coach Rahul Mor. "Now they are saying that there is little time for Paris, but the trials were to take place only after all the qualifiers were over. So why this change of decision?"Vinesh Phogat, on the other hand, felt that the WFI's decision vindicated her call to compete in two weight classes for the Olympic qualification trials in Patiala. "A lot of people criticized me when I trialled in two weight categories (50kg and 53kg) in March but I knew WFI will be up to some mischief later," said Vinesh. "That's why I participated in two weight divisions in Patiala. All this while, we were told there will be a trial but suddenly they announce there won't be any trial. Is it fair to the wrestlers who appeared in the 53kg trials?"The WFI's decision has raised questions about the fairness of the selection process and the impact it will have on the wrestlers' morale. It remains to be seen if any wrestler will challenge the decision in court.