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The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has extended its support to several Indian athletes preparing for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The MOC has approved proposals from renowned sportspersons, including wrestler Vinesh Phogat, pistol shooter Arjun Cheema, paddler Manika Batra, and boxer Lovlina Borgohain.Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has received financial assistance for a competition and training camp in Madrid, Spain, followed by a training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France. She will compete in the Grand Prix in Spain in July before spending a week in training there. She will then head to Boulogne sur-Mer, France, for a 20-day training camp ahead of the Olympic Games.Pistol shooter Arjun Cheema has also secured approval for an 11-day training camp in Austria. The MOC has also approved overseas training camps for Indian javelin throwers Ajeet Singh and Sandeep Choudhary, who will train in Germany for 45 and 41 days, respectively.Para-Club and Discus Thrower Pranav Soorma's request for assistance under the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) to compete in the Para Athletics Championship in Krusevac, Serbia, and train for 10 days at the same location has also been approved.Triple jumper Eldhose Paul, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and table tennis players Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra have also received assistance to compete in various international tournaments. Manika Batra's proposal for assistance towards the purchase of a DHS Table to train in India and Para-Athlete Bhagyashree Jadhav's proposal for assistance towards procurement of wheelchair and shot-put equipment were also sanctioned.Wrestler Antim Panghal's request for assistance towards the boarding and lodging of her coach during the UWW 2nd Ranking Series and the training camp at Olympic Training Centre, Tata, Hungary, and badminton players Rakshitha Sree and Anmol Kharab's request for assistance to compete in the Kaohsiung Masters (BWF super 100) event were also approved.In addition, the MOC has promoted five TOPS Athletes to the Core Group from the Development Group. These are boxers Nishant Dev, Jaismine Lamboria, and Preeti Pawar as well as table Tennis players Manav Thakkar and Archana Kamath.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, India's rising star, faces a crucial encounter against Fabiano Caruana of the United States in the penultimate round of the Norway Chess Tournament. The tournament has witnessed Praggnanandhaa's brilliance and resilience, with two Classical victories and two Armageddon wins propelling him to third place.Praggnanandhaa's highlight has been his stunning triumphs over world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and No. 2 Caruana in Classical games. However, he has also faced setbacks in Armageddon matches. Carlsen, with 14.5 points, leads the tournament, followed by American Hikaru Nakamura with 13.5 points. Praggnanandhaa, on 12 points, is third, ahead of Firouzja Alireza of France.The final round will see Praggnanandhaa face Nakamura, and two draws could secure his place in the world's top 10 rankings. Carlsen faces Alireza in the next round and Caruana in the finale, with Nakamura as the only potential challenger.In the women's section, Wenjun Ju leads with 14.5 points, followed by Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine. R Vaishali and Tingjie Lei of China share third place. Koneru Humpy is fifth, while Pia Cramling of Sweden is last.Vaishali faces Lei in the penultimate round, while Humpy plays Ju. Muzychuk meets Cramling, who has performed admirably despite her age.

Nishant Dev, India's Olympic-bound boxer in the 71kg weight category, exudes an unwavering confidence that stems from his belief in his exceptional abilities. He attributes his success to a harmonious blend of speed, timing, and power, which he considers a divine gift.Dev's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2021, he made a remarkable debut at the World Championships, reaching the light middleweight quarterfinals. Two years later, he secured a bronze medal at the same event, solidifying his status as one of India's most promising boxers.When asked to elaborate on his strengths, Dev confidently stated, "I am god-gifted. I have everything in me. Power, speed, and timing. But the main thing is skills. If you have that, you can win against any kind of boxer."Dev's path to the Olympics was not without its challenges. He had struggled with a persistent shoulder niggle for years. However, he overcame this obstacle through rigorous training and unwavering determination.At the final qualifying event in Bangkok, Dev showcased his dominance, securing his place in the Paris Games. He had previously narrowly missed out at the previous qualifiers after a heartbreaking loss to Omari Jones of the USA.Reflecting on that defeat, Dev admitted that it fueled his anger and determination. "I have done a lot of work for the competition. I have changed my strategy a bit. This time, I put in the effort from the very first second of the very first round and continued till the last second of the bout. I took out my anger from America (the bout against Jones). I had a lot of confidence that I will win this time."While Dev acknowledges his natural talent, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. "Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard as well. I used my skills, I hit more body shots to completely exhaust my opponent, drain him of his energy. I have a lot of power inside me, but you cannot win a boxing match on the basis of just power. You will have to add small things in it, like speed, timing, power, boxing mind as well. So I mixed up all these things."Dev's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, determined to make India proud on the world stage.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa put up a valiant fight against world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the eighth round of the Norway Chess Tournament, but ultimately succumbed to the Norwegian's superior experience. However, Praggnanandhaa's elder sister, Vaishali, emerged victorious against overnight leader Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine in the women's section.Carlsen's victory extended his lead to a full point over Hikaru Nakamura of the United States, who suffered a defeat against Firouzja Alireza of France. Meanwhile, World Champion Ding Liren of China continued his disappointing run, losing to Fabiano Caruana of the United States.With just two rounds remaining in the six-player double round-robin tournament, Carlsen holds a commanding lead with 14.5 points, followed by Nakamura with 13.5 points. Praggnanandhaa sits in third place with 12 points, while Alireza trails him by a full point. Caruana occupies fifth place with nine points, while Liren languishes at the bottom with 4.5 points.In the women's section, world champion Wenjun Ju of China surged ahead of the field with 14.5 points after defeating Pia Cramling of Sweden. Muzychuk's loss to Vaishali dropped her to second place with 13 points, 1.5 points ahead of Vaishali and Tingjie Lei of China. Koneru Humpy of India remains in fifth place with eight points.All three games in the men's category ended in draws in the Classical format, leading to Armageddon games as per tournament rules. Carlsen struggled to break down Praggnanandhaa's solid defense in the Classical game, eventually reaching a theoretically drawn rooks and pawns endgame. However, in the return game, Praggnanandhaa's inexperience showed as he lost several pawns and eventually succumbed to Carlsen's superior endgame technique.Nakamura remained within striking distance of Carlsen despite his loss to Alireza. The Frenchman played an impressive game and will fancy his chances in the remaining rounds. Vaishali defeated Muzychuk for the second time in the tournament in the Armageddon game, taking advantage of her better-placed rooks to secure the victory.Humpy's hopes of a comeback were dashed by her loss to Tingjie Lei. The Indian star, known for her resilience, now needs two wins to finish the tournament on a high note.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa continues to make waves in the chess world, adding another high-profile scalp to his growing list of victories. At the prestigious Norway Chess Tournament, Praggnanandhaa defeated world champion Ding Liren in an armageddon game, securing a remarkable triumph.Praggnanandhaa's victory over Ding Liren comes on the heels of his impressive wins against Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana earlier in the tournament. The young Indian prodigy has been in scintillating form, showcasing his exceptional talent and strategic prowess.In the armageddon game against Ding Liren, Praggnanandhaa drew the traditional game, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. However, in the sudden death format, Praggnanandhaa seized the initiative and emerged victorious, demonstrating his nerves of steel and ability to perform under pressure.Praggnanandhaa's recent performances have garnered widespread praise from the chess community. Former world champion Gary Kasparov lauded his tenacity and resilience, while Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra hailed his stunning victory over Carlsen.Meanwhile, Hikaru Nakamura also made a significant move in the tournament, edging closer to leader Magnus Carlsen. Nakamura won an armageddon thriller against Carlsen, narrowing the gap to just half a point.In another exciting encounter, Fabiano Caruana and Alireza Firouzja engaged in a roller coaster of emotions. Caruana's bold knight sacrifice nearly backfired, but he managed to salvage a draw in the classical game. However, Firouzja dominated the armageddon game, leaving Caruana with no chance of recovery.Praggnanandhaa's remarkable run of victories has cemented his status as one of the most promising young chess players in the world. His ability to defeat top-ranked opponents consistently demonstrates his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As he continues to rise through the ranks, Praggnanandhaa is poised to make even greater strides in the chess world.

Esteban Ocon and Alpine have mutually agreed to part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 Formula One season. The French constructor expressed gratitude for Ocon's contributions over the past five years, highlighting his historic victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.Ocon, 27, expressed his appreciation for the team's support and acknowledged the challenges and triumphs they shared. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to Alpine for the remainder of the 2023 season.The announcement follows a controversial incident at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Ocon's attempt to overtake teammate Pierre Gasly resulted in a collision. Alpine management expressed disappointment with Ocon's actions, which compromised the team's race strategy.Ocon's future beyond 2024 remains uncertain, with the driver indicating that an announcement will be made in due course. Speculation suggests that he may join Aston Martin or Williams, teams that have expressed interest in his services.Alpine, meanwhile, is expected to retain Fernando Alonso for the 2024 season. The team is also reportedly considering Oscar Piastri, the reigning Formula 2 champion, as a potential replacement for Ocon.The separation between Ocon and Alpine marks the end of an era for the French constructor. Ocon has been a key figure in the team's resurgence, helping them secure their first Grand Prix victory since their rebranding from Renault in 2021.However, the team's recent struggles and Ocon's desire for a fresh challenge have led to this amicable parting of ways. Both parties will be eager to finish the 2023 season on a high note before embarking on new chapters in their respective careers.

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.

In the ongoing Norway Chess tournament, the Indian duo of R Praggnanandhaaa and R Vaishali faced setbacks in their respective sections. Meanwhile, world champion Magnus Carlsen extended his lead to 12 points, securing the sole lead after defeating Ding Liren.Praggnanandhaaa's hopes were dashed by Firouzja Alireza of France in the Armageddon tiebreaker. Despite a challenging Classical game, Praggnanandhaa faltered in the return game, allowing Alireza to claim victory.In the women's section, Vaishali suffered a loss to world champion Wenjun Ju of China. Ju's technical prowess and endgame strategy proved too strong for Vaishali.Carlsen, however, maintained his dominance, capitalizing on his double Bishops to launch an attack on Ding Liren's king side. A blunder by Liren allowed Carlsen to finish the game with a queen sacrifice.Fabiano Caruana also contributed to Carlsen's lead by defeating compatriot Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen now leads the tournament with 12 points, followed by Nakamura with 11 points. Praggnanandhaa remains in third place with 9.5 points.In the women's section, Wenjun Ju and Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine share the lead with 10.5 points each. Vaishali is now in third place with 10 points, while Koneru Humpy suffered another loss to Pia Cramling of Sweden.With four rounds remaining in both sections, the tournament remains highly competitive. Carlsen is the clear favorite in the men's section, while the women's section is still wide open.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has taken the chess world by storm with his stunning victories over world number one Magnus Carlsen and world number two Fabiano Caruana at the ongoing Norway Chess competition.Praggnanandhaa, just 18 years old, has become the first player to defeat both Carlsen and Caruana in classical chess in the same tournament. His heroics have propelled him into the top ten of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rankings.In round three, Praggnanandhaa used white pieces to outplay Carlsen, the five-time World Champion. The Indian teenager displayed intelligent moves and tactical prowess to secure a memorable victory.Just a day later, Praggnanandhaa faced Caruana in round five and emerged victorious once again. This time, he used black pieces to neutralize Caruana's aggressive play and eventually forced a resignation.Praggnanandhaa's achievements have garnered praise from across the globe, including from Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. "Incredible Praggnanandhaa! Beating both World No.1 Magnus Carlsen and No.2 Fabiano Caruana in classical chess at #NorwayChess is mindblowing," Adani tweeted.While Praggnanandhaa has been making headlines in the main event, his sister Vaishali has also been impressive in the Norway Chess Women's Tournament. She has extended her lead to 8.5 points after defeating legendary Pia Cramling.Meanwhile, local hero Carlsen registered a narrow victory over Caruana in the main event, while Alireza Firouzja stunned reigning World Champion Ding Liren.Norway Chess 2024, which commenced on May 27 and will conclude on June 7, has brought together the world's elite chess players for a super-tournament. The event features both the Norway Chess tournament and the Norway Chess Women's Tournament, showcasing the best male and female players globally.