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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.

George Russell's dominance in Formula 1 continued at the British Grand Prix, as he secured his second pole position in four races. The Mercedes driver outpaced his teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.171 seconds, with McLaren's Lando Norris completing an all-British top three.Russell's success was largely attributed to the wet weather conditions during qualifying. The Mercedes car has consistently performed well in cooler temperatures, as evidenced by Russell's pole position at the Canadian GP. The wet-to-dry qualifying session at Silverstone provided the ideal conditions for the Mercedes to excel on the soft tire runs.Max Verstappen, the championship leader, had a disappointing qualifying session by his standards. He went off into the gravel in Q1, potentially damaging his car's downforce. This incident hindered his performance throughout qualifying, leaving him in fourth place.With rain expected on Sunday, Russell is well-positioned to secure his second consecutive win after his victory at the Austrian GP. However, Hamilton, an eight-time winner at Silverstone, will be a formidable challenger. Norris, in the McLaren, has also shown impressive pace in recent races and could pose a threat to the Mercedes duo.Ferrari's struggles continued at Silverstone, with Nico Hulkenberg in the Haas outqualifying Carlos Sainz. Charles Leclerc failed to make it to Q3, further highlighting Ferrari's decline in performance. Lance Stroll also outqualified Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin team.Sergio Perez had a disastrous qualifying session, crashing into the gravel in Q1. This marked another Q1 elimination for the Mexican driver.

Indian Contingent Unconcerned by Lack of Air-Conditioning at Paris Olympics VillageDespite concerns raised by other nations, the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics has expressed no major worries about the lack of air-conditioning in the Games Village. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the 13-member sports science team appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), stated that most Indian athletes they consulted did not view the issue as a significant concern.The Games Village will not be air-conditioned due to the Paris organizers' commitment to sustainability. However, Pardiwala noted that the geothermal cooling system in place, which will maintain temperatures 5-7 degrees Celsius lower than ambient, along with the availability of fans in the rooms, should be sufficient for Indian athletes."We explored the option of portable AC units, but we have no such plans as of now," said Pardiwala. "The geothermal cooling system and fans should be quite okay for our athletes."Pardiwala also mentioned that the team has a sleep therapist, Dr. Monika Sharma, who will assist in managing temperature-related issues. Additionally, Indian athletes will have access to sleeping pods, which provide a dark and noise-free environment for rest and recovery.In the event of a heat wave during the Games, the IOA and sports ministry have contingency plans in place. "We're exploring emergency arrangements for air-conditioning if necessary," said Pardiwala.The Indian shooting contingent, which will be based in Chateauroux, has opted not to utilize the services of the IOA team. "They've told us they're happy with their current arrangements and would only require assistance in case of major injuries," said Pardiwala.

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani's quest for a hat-trick of Asian Billiards Championship titles was halted in the final by compatriot Dhruv Sitwala, who emerged victorious with a 5-2 scoreline in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.The match commenced with Dhruv setting the pace, scoring an impressive 103 points in the opening frame while Advani struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with no points. Advani improved in the second frame, scoring 36 points, but Dhruv maintained his dominance with another 100.Advani finally found his groove in the third frame, outplaying Dhruv with a remarkable 101. Dhruv, however, had an off-frame, scoring only two points. Advani continued his momentum in the fourth frame, scoring a perfect 100, while Dhruv managed only 11 points.Dhruv's consistency shone through as he scored 100 again in the fifth frame. His rival, unable to keep up, ended the frame with 64. In the final two frames, Dhruv continued his streak with 101 and a 100, while Advani managed to score 23 and 0 as Dhruv lifted the trophy."It was a thrilling match against a good friend of mine. Dhruv played the game really well and didn't give any gap to recover. However, it was good to be here in Saudi for the first time and I hope to come back again soon and hopefully lift the title," Advani said in a release."I have always said that I understand the unpredictable nature of the sport and the competition was packed with some very formidable opponents. It was a fiercely contested championship and I am glad that I was in the final with a highly-competitive opponent, where I fell short. Nevertheless, I am taking all the learnings as a lesson for my future tournaments," he added.

Indian athletes Avinash Sable and Kishore Jena are set to participate in the Paris leg of the Diamond League on Sunday, aiming to refine their preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.Sable, a renowned 3000m steeplechaser, has had a modest season thus far, competing in only two events. However, he is determined to rectify past errors and deliver a strong performance at the Olympics. He will face stiff competition from Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot, the reigning World Championships bronze medalist.Jena, a javelin thrower, has also endured a challenging season, but he is eager to improve upon his recent performances. He will compete against a formidable field that includes Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch and reigning Commonwealth Games medalist Arshad Nadeem.Despite their recent struggles, both Sable and Jena are confident in their abilities and are eager to acclimatize to the conditions in Paris, the host city of the Olympics. Athletics competitions at the Games commence on August 1st.Sable, who has a personal best of 8:11.20 in the 3000m steeplechase, is determined to make amends for his past disappointments. He believes that a different approach will lead to a memorable performance at the Olympics.Jena, with a personal best of 87.54m in the javelin throw, is also optimistic about his chances. He has been managing a minor ankle injury but is confident that it will not hinder his performance.The Paris Diamond League will provide Sable and Jena with a valuable opportunity to test their skills against world-class competition and gain valuable experience ahead of the Olympics.

Lovlina Borgohain, India's bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, has set her sights on a gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Her confidence stems from a string of impressive performances, including a gold medal at the 2023 World Boxing Championships and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games.Borgohain's transition from the Welterweight (69 kg) to the Middleweight (75 kg) category has been a game-changer for her. "I used to consistently win bronze, but since switching to the 75 kg category, I've seen remarkable improvement," she said. "Despite initial skepticism about weight gain, it has proven beneficial. I've won four consecutive gold medals in the National Games, National Championships, World Championships, and Asian Championships. This success gives me the confidence to aim for Olympic gold."In preparation for Paris 2024, Borgohain is leaving nothing to chance. "Every day and every session counts as we approach the Olympics," she said. "Setting a target and working diligently towards it motivates me. I structure my training to maximize productivity, ensuring each day brings me closer to my goal of winning gold."Borgohain's journey to boxing began with a childhood anecdote. "When I was young, I didn't know much about boxing," she said. "My father, who worked in tea plantations, brought home sweets one Sunday wrapped in a newspaper with an article about Muhammad Ali. That moment sparked my interest in boxing. My journey began with martial arts, and then I moved directly to competing in national boxing, using my martial arts knowledge to guide me."For aspiring athletes, Borgohain emphasizes the importance of discipline, focus, and sacrifice. "The journey is fraught with challenges, including injuries, but perseverance is key," she said. "Overcoming these obstacles is what makes a champion."Borgohain's achievements have earned her recognition as one of India's top boxers. She is an Arjuna Award winner and Khel Ratna awardee, joining the ranks of Vijender Singh and Mary Kom as Indian boxers to win an Olympic medal. As she prepares to compete in the women's 75kg event at Paris 2024, her recent victories solidify her status as a top contender for the gold medal.

Head coach Craig Fulton is well aware of the expectations from the Indian men's hockey team in the upcoming Paris Olympics. His mantra to his players is to play the game and not bother about the occasion."I agree that the expectations are higher after Tokyo bronze, but the bottom line is that the team has been progressing well. They are in the top eight and from 12th in London (2012) to 8th in Rio (2016) to bronze in Tokyo (2020). It was a big jump and now we are preparing for Paris," the South African coach told PTI Bhasha in an interview."My mantra to players is play the game, not the occasion. It's still a hockey match and rules have not changed," said the former Olympian who has represented his country in 1996 and 2004 Olympics.He said he's a "process driven" coach and all focus now is on the first game of the Paris Olympics against New Zealand. "We are training for that and we take one game at a time which is the most realistic way to do it," said the 50-year-old who was assistant coach of the Belgium team that won the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup in India.He did not get a full four-year cycle for the preparation of the team but has no complaints. "Yeah, you normally have a four year cycle from one Olympics to another to prepare. It's not an excuse but that's how it is. I think we did well in three months to qualify for the Olympics through Asian Games gold. The team is confident and playing well," said Fulton, a former winner of FIH coach of the year award.He believes in players who are ready to take a bullet for his teammates and his team bonding methods have yielded good results too. He took the team to South Africa where the players did mountain hiking, surfing, barbeque at the beach, etc."I believe that if someone is not playing well, you have to cover him up. At the end, If you want to do something special at the big stage, it's all about the chemistry between the players and how much they care for each other. "The bond and the trust needs to be there so that you can give 100 per cent for each other," said the coach who had guided Ireland to Olympic and World Cup qualification in 2016 and 2018.Fulton is not bothered by India's seventh finish at FIH Pro League or the current drop in the world ranking. India is placed at seventh position in the latest rankings. "We struggled a little bit in the Pro League but the main purpose there was the selection so there were lots of rotations and changes and that's all right. Our main goal was to get the right team for Paris," he said"Not bothered by the rankings as we were trying to improve the depth of our squad, so we gave new players opportunities. We try to win every game with whatever team we play and that's not an excuse. We had six draws and five wins and 10 points was the difference between 7th team and the winner, so it was really close," said Fulton.He feels mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who has the experience of working with top cricketers, has an important role to play. "Paddy has worked with high profile cricketers like Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli which also encouraged our players to open up to him. Mental skills are one of the things we needed to improve but the real challenge is to do it back to back and that is what we are focusing on," he added.His focus has been on creating a good defensive structure because that is the area where teams often make mistakes. "Focus is on basics like PCA (penalty corner attack) and PCD (penalty corner defense). In today's hockey, anyone can beat anyone on their days. So a lot comes down on the goalkeepers, PCA and PCD where you make many mistakes. It is the area where we are trying to make technical and tactical improvement. We have a good offense but we need to keep improving the consistency of defence," he said"Field goal numbers have improved from the last Pro League to this one. But in the last Pro League, PCA count was higher. So it's like a zig zag and we are trying to put it together in the Olympics," he added.On India getting a 'Pool of Death' with Australia, Argentina and Belgium in the same group, the coach said, "We have to win five games to be in the top four. First game against New Zealand is very important."

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.