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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.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh is determined to reclaim the Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, paying tribute to the country and legendary players. After winning a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020, ending a 41-year Olympic medal drought, India is aiming for the top prize in Paris."We are striving to elevate our legacy. Winning gold would be a tribute to India and our seniors," said Harmanpreet in an exclusive interview with JioCinema's 'The Dreamers.'Former captain Manpreet Singh, who led India to the historic bronze in Tokyo, shared similar sentiments. "Seeing our flag on the right, I felt we could strive harder to place it at the center next time, with our anthem playing. This marks the beginning of our renewed journey."Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh emphasized the team's relentless drive and unity. "Someone somewhere is training to beat you. That thought pushes me out of my comfort zone. I am driven by the desire not to disappoint our country.""Indian hockey once relied on individual brilliance, but now we play as a cohesive unit, which has been key to our success," added Sreejesh.Chief coach Craig Fulton explained the team's mentality and strategy. "There isn't a team that this Indian team hasn't beaten. Our philosophy is to defend, counter, and win. We have a team that can defend against the best and counterattack from anywhere."India's resurgence in hockey has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the team's determination, unity, and strategic approach. The team's success has rekindled the passion for hockey in India and inspired a new generation of players.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, is in peak physical condition and poised to secure a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics, according to Spencer Mackay, head of strength and conditioning at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS).Chopra, 26, underwent rehabilitation at IIS for an elbow injury prior to his historic Olympic gold medal victory in Tokyo 2021. Despite a recent adductor niggle, Mackay emphasizes that Chopra's past injuries are no longer a concern."He is in excellent physical condition and well-prepared," Mackay stated. "When the Olympic finals begin, Neeraj will be in a fantastic position to win another medal for the country."Chopra resumed competitions in June after a month-long break, claiming gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland. He also secured a gold medal at the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.Mackay highlights the importance of sports science and rehabilitation in modern athletic training. "India has a lot of scope to enhance the performance of their athletes," he said. "As long as the scope for sports training supplemented with sports science, development of coaches, the scope for India to massively increase the medal haul come the next Olympics games is going to be clear."IIS has become a hub for Indian athletes seeking injury recovery and rehabilitation. Mackay emphasizes the tailored approach to rehab programs based on individual athlete data and psychological factors."We also have in mind the psychological aspect of an athlete suffering a specific injury and the way he or she suffered it in mind," Mackay explained. "If we have more contact with them, we can do more based on the capability of the athlete and how much we have been able to expose him or her to development over time being a key component of the rehabilitation process during the injury situation."Chopra's absence from the Paris Diamond League on Sunday indicates his focus on the Olympics. Mackay remains confident in Chopra's abilities and the support provided by IIS. "We are happy to be in a situation where we have been able to affect athlete rehabilitation in a positive way and to see them returning back to the performance level they had before, is an incredibly rewarding position."

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has clarified that the Paris Diamond League on Sunday was never a part of his competition calendar this year. The statement came after a media report stated that Chopra pulled out of the event due to an adductor niggle that has been troubling him for the past couple of months.Chopra took to social media to clarify that there was no question of a withdrawal when he had not even entered his name for the event. "Hello, everyone. Just to clarify: the #ParisDL wasn't part of my competition calendar this season, so I haven't 'withdrawn' from it. I'm focusing on getting ready for the Olympic Games," Chopra posted.The 26-year-old was exempted from last week's National Inter-State Championships, which was a mandatory event for all Indian athletes, by the Athletics Federation Of India (AFI). The AFI said the relaxation was given to him due to the short turnaround time between the domestic event and the Diamond League on July 7.However, Chopra had indicated last month that his schedule would be decided according to the state of his body. "We had a discussion that I would play in the National Inter-State Championships (June 27-30) and it's going to be held in Panchkula in Haryana but it was very near to the Paris Olympics," Chopra had said."Since I was playing in Doha which is near to India. Moreover, there is Paris Diamond League (on July 7) between National Inter-State and Olympics. So, we decided to compete here (Federation Cup)," Chopra had said."Further competition schedule will be decided later according to situation and my body. Otherwise, I will go to Paris from there (after competing in Turku)."Chopra, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a track and field medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had won the gold at the at the Paavo Nurmi Games last month. Following this, he had opened up about his adductor niggle which has affected his season, saying he will consult "different doctors" after the Paris Olympics.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn from the upcoming Paris Diamond League due to a persistent adductor niggle. The injury has been bothering Chopra for the past few months, and he has decided to prioritize his training and recovery.In an interview with ESPN, Chopra explained that he is focusing on strengthening his blocking leg, which is crucial for transferring the momentum from his run-up to his throwing arm. He said, "I need to strengthen my blocking leg when I throw because that's when my groin gets pulled. We're working on that to see how we can reduce the impact on the groin and control the pressure on it."Chopra admitted that he could have competed in more events, but he realized that his health is paramount. He said, "I could have competed in more events for sure and that was the plan. But I have realized that my health is paramount, that comes first. Even if I feel the slightest discomfort or like I am pushing myself too much in training, I've learnt to pause for a bit."The block phase is a critical maneuver in javelin throwing, as it is the point at which the pace generated by the run-up is transferred to the hip and then to the throwing arm. Chopra said that he has become wiser over the years and no longer puts himself at risk to fulfill commitments like he used to do before his Olympic gold."Back then, if I had an entry in a competition, I would definitely go and compete no matter what happened. But now with more experience, I am better placed to make correct decisions," he said.Chopra expressed satisfaction with his performance at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, where he topped the field with a throw of 85.97m. However, he acknowledged that there was room for improvement. "I was happy with my performance in Turku, but I felt there was more work to do. I was slow on the runway compared to my normal speed. I want that speed back and for that, I need proper confidence that I am fully fit and that my groin is fit. I want to feel confident when I run on the runway," he said.Chopra's decision to withdraw from the Paris Diamond League is a precautionary measure to ensure that he is fully fit for the upcoming Paris Olympics. He is expected to consult with different doctors after the Games to address the adductor niggle.

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has once again proven his dominance in the chess world by securing his 10th Leon Masters title in Leon, Spain. The 54-year-old Indian chess legend defeated Spaniard Jaime Santos Latasa 3-1 in the finals, showcasing his exceptional skills and strategic prowess.Anand's victory marks a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career, as he has now won the Leon Masters more times than any other player. The tournament, which featured four players, provided a challenging test for Anand, who faced off against his compatriot Arjun Erigaise, the world number four, and Bulgarian Veselin Topalov.The format of the tournament consisted of four games of 20 minutes each, with a 10-second increment after every move. Anand's path to victory was not without its challenges. In the second semifinal, Erigaise suffered a surprising defeat to Santos Latasa, setting up a thrilling final between Anand and the Spaniard.In the first game of the final, Santos Latasa pushed Anand hard, but the Indian maestro held his ground. The second game ended in a draw, with Santos Latasa holding an extra pawn in a complex position. However, Anand's brilliance shone through in the third game, where he outplayed his opponent with black pieces out of an Italian opening.The technical genius of Anand was evident as he created problems for Santos Latasa that proved increasingly difficult to solve. The game lasted 45 moves, with Anand securing a crucial victory. In the final game, Santos Latasa faced the daunting task of winning on demand as black. Anand seized the initiative early on, trading the Queens out of a Rossolimo opening and securing a fine position.Despite Santos Latasa's attempts to create complications, Anand remained determined and closed out the game in 37 moves, securing his 10th Leon Masters title. Anand's victory is a testament to his enduring skill and strategic brilliance, solidifying his status as one of the greatest chess players of all time.

Bangkok, June 28, 2024 – In an exhilarating bout at the Xian Top King/Grassroots boxing show, Tao Zhang of China emerged victorious over India’s Rohit Choudary to claim the WBC Asia Continental Super-welterweight title. The highly anticipated match concluded with...

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic champion, shattered her own 400m hurdles world record at the US trials in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday. Her astonishing time of 50.65sec, bettering her previous best of 50.68, secured her place at the Paris Olympics in sensational style.McLaughlin-Levrone's victory was a testament to her dominance in the event. She surged ahead of her rivals from the start, producing a devastating burst of speed down the stretch to finish well ahead of Anna Cockrell (52.64sec) and Jasmine Jones (52.77sec)."Honestly, praise God," McLaughlin-Levrone said after her jaw-dropping performance. "I was not expecting that, but he can do anything -- anything's possible in Christ. I'm just amazed, baffled, and shocked."The 24-year-old's victory marks her third Olympic appearance, following her participation in the 2016 Rio Games and the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games. Based on her performance in Eugene, McLaughlin-Levrone is poised to add to her collection of major championship victories, having won gold medals in Tokyo and at the world championships two years ago.In the men's 400m hurdles, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Rai Benjamin sealed his place in Paris with a commanding victory in a world-leading 46.47sec. Benjamin's early lead and blistering pace proved too much for his rivals, as he crossed the finish line approximately 10m ahead of C.J. Allen (47.81sec) and Trevor Bassitt (47.82sec).The 26-year-old Benjamin is eager to challenge Norwegian hurdling king Karsten Warholm, the reigning Olympic and world champion.In the women's 100m hurdles, Masai Russell produced the race of her life to book her ticket to Paris, winning in a world-leading 12.25sec. Russell's victory was a culmination of hard work and perseverance, as she overcame doubts and criticism to achieve her goal."I can't even talk right now, I've got so many emotions because this has been the hardest season of my life," the 24-year-old Russell said after her victory. "People were doubting me, saying all these things about me. But I just stayed true to myself, stayed true to my work and my craft."However, there was disappointment for two veterans of US sprint hurdling. 2019 world champion Nia Ali missed out after finishing fourth, while Keni Harrison, the 2020 Olympic silver medalist, finished sixth.In other events, two-time Olympic champion Christian Taylor failed to qualify in the triple jump, while Will Claye, silver medalist behind Taylor in 2012 and 2016, also failed to make the cut. Salif Mane won the event with a leap of 17.52m, followed by Russell Robinson and Donald Scott.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the Sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday, outpacing the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Verstappen maintained his lead from the start, but Norris briefly overtook him with a bold move on Lap 5. However, Verstappen swiftly regained the position, allowing Piastri to pass Norris.Behind the top three, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton sandwiched Carlos Sainz, followed by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. Sainz made a decisive move on Russell at Turn 4, while Hamilton held off Leclerc, Perez, Kevin Magnussen, and Lance Stroll.Norris, determined to challenge Verstappen, closed in on the Red Bull and overtook him at Turn 3. But Verstappen responded with a lunge at Turn 4, where Norris' exit was compromised, allowing Piastri to slip past.Verstappen commented on his performance, stating, "It was a good first lap, but once the DRS opens, it's hard to get out of it. A few exciting battles, but once we cleared the DRS, I could do a bit more of my own race."He acknowledged the challenge posed by McLaren, saying, "They have two cars pushing flat-out. We had to work for it. A few things to think about where we could do better, especially for tomorrow."The Sprint race sets the grid for Sunday's main event, where Verstappen will aim to extend his championship lead. The longer race distance and tire wear will present additional challenges, making the outcome unpredictable.