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Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Jaismine Lamboria has taken a significant step towards securing an Olympic quota for India at the World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand. The 22-year-old, who dropped down from 60kg, dominated Ana Marija Milisic of Switzerland in the round of 16, winning by a unanimous decision (5-0) in the 57kg weight class.With four quota places available in the women's 57kg category, Lamboria needs to win her quarterfinal on Sunday to book her ticket to the Paris Games and reclaim the quota for India. Parveen Hooda had initially secured the quota at the 2023 Asian Games, but her suspension for whereabouts failure forced India to surrender it.Lamboria, who had competed in the Asian Games and the first World qualifiers in 60kg, was allowed to participate in the 57kg event as a reserve. The bout against Milisic started cautiously, but Lamboria soon showcased her technical superiority, repeatedly jabbing her opponent.Despite Milisic's attempts to retaliate, Lamboria maintained distance with her long reach. She unleashed a combination of punches on a helpless Milisic, forcing the referee to give the Swiss a standing count. The bout resumed, but the outcome was clear.In the men's 57kg, former youth world champion Sachin Siwach fought valiantly but lost 0-5 to Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam of the Philippines in the semifinals. However, Siwach will have another chance to secure an Olympic berth as the 57kg category offers three quotas. The two losing semifinalists will face off in a box-off on Sunday for the remaining quota.Nishant Dev (71kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) have already secured their passage to Paris.

Mike Tyson's highly anticipated return to the ring against YouTube sensation Jake Paul has been postponed due to a recent health scare experienced by the former heavyweight champion.Tyson, 55, was rushed to a hospital after experiencing nausea and dizziness on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday. The incident occurred just under two months before his scheduled July 20 fight with Paul in Texas.According to a statement released by fight organizers on Friday, Tyson was diagnosed with an "ulcer flare up" and advised to limit his training in the coming weeks."The recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations," the statement said.Both Tyson and Paul agreed that it was fair to postpone the fight to ensure that both athletes have adequate time to prepare and compete at their best."The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself," the statement added.A new date for the fight is expected to be announced by June 7.Tyson's health scare has raised concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of a boxing match at his age. However, the former champion has expressed confidence in his recovery and determination to return to the ring.Paul, 25, has also expressed his support for Tyson and said he is willing to wait for the fight to be rescheduled.The postponement of the Tyson-Paul fight is a setback for boxing fans who were eagerly anticipating the clash between the legendary heavyweight and the rising social media star. However, the health and safety of the athletes remains paramount, and the decision to postpone the fight is a prudent one.

The world's largest democratic exercise, the 18th Lok Sabha elections, concluded on June 1 after a marathon seven-phase polling process. The final phase witnessed 57 parliamentary constituencies going to the polls, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the 906 candidates in the fray. Over 10.06 crore electors were eligible to cast their votes in this phase.The election process was marred by a tragic incident as heatwave conditions claimed the lives of at least 61 people across India on May 31. Of these, 23 were poll personnel involved in the final phase of the election. The heatwave also led to at least 40 suspected heat-related deaths among poll staff in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.In the Northeast, floods and landslips killed 17 people in Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya over the past 48 hours, bringing the rainfall-related death toll in the region to 17 since Wednesday.Despite the challenges, the Lok Sabha Secretariat took a host of measures to welcome the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha. Guideposts were set up at all three domestic terminals at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and railway stations from June 4 to June 9 to assist the incoming MPs.In international news, President Joe Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Mideast war.The Congress party announced that it will not participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on television channels, stating that it does not want to indulge in speculation and slugfests for TRP.In other news, former US President Donald Trump launched into attacks on the judge in his criminal trial and continued to undermine New York's criminal justice system as he tried to repackage his conviction on 34 felony charges as fuel, not an impediment, to his latest White House bid.A bomb scare on a Vistara flight from Delhi to Srinagar halted air traffic for two hours at Srinagar International Airport. However, the call turned out to be a hoax.In sports news, Dimitrios Diamantakos, the Indian Super League's Golden Boot award winner this season, will leave Kerala Blasters FC after two years with the club.

Veteran table tennis player A Sharath Kamal expressed surprise and pride at being named India's flagbearer at the Paris Olympics, recognizing his years of dedication to the sport. The decision sparked controversy, with the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association expressing dissatisfaction.Kamal, 41, will become the first table tennis player to carry the Indian flag at the Olympics. He has competed in five previous Games and holds a record 10 national titles. At the Commonwealth Games, he has won 13 medals, including seven gold."I was pretty much surprised at first," Kamal said. "When I was the flagbearer at the Commonwealth Games, there was immense joy and so much pride. When it was announced first, it was a bit hard to believe because there are people like Neeraj Chopra who have won medals at the Olympics or who are expected to win... Beyond all of them, they thought about me."Kamal believes his selection reflects the recognition of his hard work and dedication to table tennis. "I do understand the thing behind that because of the timing of events for athletes. For me personally, getting there as a five-time Olympian, it really recognizes the toil I have done over the years not just for myself but also for the table tennis fraternity."Reigning Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won India's first track and field medal at the Tokyo Games, was widely expected to be named flagbearer. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) opted for Kamal, citing his experience and contributions to Indian sports.The decision has sparked debate, with some questioning whether a non-Olympic medalist should be given the honor. However, Kamal's supporters argue that his longevity, consistency, and dedication to his sport make him a worthy choice.

Nishant Dev, India's boxing sensation, has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 71kg weight class boxer achieved this remarkable feat by reaching the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers on Friday.Dev's journey to the semifinals was marked by dominance and precision. In the quarterfinal, he faced Vasile Cebotari of Moldova, a fellow southpaw. Dev's sharp and accurate punches proved too much for Cebotari, as he secured a 5-0 victory. This triumph not only earned Dev a quota place but also marked India's fourth quota for the Paris Games.Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) had previously secured their Olympic berths. The 71kg weight class offered five quotas, and Dev's performance ensured India's presence in this category at the upcoming Games.Throughout the tournament, Dev has showcased his exceptional skills and composure. His ability to land punches judiciously and maintain his focus has been instrumental in his success. In the second round against Cebotari, despite facing some resistance, Dev remained composed and continued to deliver accurate shots.In the final three minutes, both boxers were visibly exhausted, but Dev's determination remained unwavering. He continued to land punches at will, forcing Cebotari to earn a point deduction for an illegal punch while Dev was down on the canvas.While India's quest for a quota in the women's 60kg ended with Ankushita Boro's defeat against Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden, the performances of Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) are eagerly anticipated later in the day.Dev's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of the Indian boxing fraternity. His quota place is a significant milestone for Indian boxing and sets the stage for a promising future at the Paris Olympics.

The Sports Ministry has approved a comprehensive training plan for several elite Indian athletes in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has sanctioned proposals for Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, and a host of other athletes across various disciplines.Chopra, who made history as India's first track and field Olympic medalist in Tokyo, will embark on a 60-day training stint in Europe from May 29 to July 28. Accompanied by coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha, he will train at various venues across the continent. The financial assistance under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) will cover expenses such as airfare, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, and local transport.Vinesh Phogat, who will compete in the 50kg division in Paris, has received approval for the inclusion of strength and conditioning coach Wayne Patrick Lombard in her international training camp in Hungary from June 10 to 21. She will also participate in the United World Wrestling 2nd Ranking Series - Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial from June 6 to 9 in Budapest.Long jumper Shaili Singh's request to extend her training camp in Europe to June 23 has been granted. She will train in Lisbon, Paris, Athens, and Geneva under the guidance of coach Bobby George.Shotgun shooters Rajeshwari Kumari and Maheshwari Chauhan have been permitted to take their personal coaches to a training camp in Italy in June. Rajeshwari's coach David Kostelecky will accompany her from June 1 to 14, while Maheshwari's coach Riccardo Fillipelli will train her from May 31 to June 11.Badminton bronze medalist HS Prannoy has received financial assistance to engage trainer Rohan George Mathews on a full-time basis from June 20 to July 22 in Hyderabad. He will also utilize the services of a center that provides recovery products such as Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and Red Light therapy.Other athletes who have received MOC approval include recurve archer Atanu Das, sailor Vishnu Sarvanan, and para powerlifter Ashok.The Sports Ministry's support for these athletes underscores its commitment to providing them with the necessary resources to excel on the international stage and bring glory to India at the Paris Olympics.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has made a significant move by joining World Boxing, a breakaway organization from the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA). This decision aims to safeguard the future of boxing in the Olympics, as the IOC has threatened to exclude the sport from the 2028 Los Angeles Games if national federations continue to align with the IBA.BFI President Ajay Singh emphasized the importance of retaining boxing's Olympic status, stating, "It is absolutely vital to the sustainability of boxing that it retains its Olympics status, so we are delighted to join World Boxing." He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the WB Executive Board to shape the sport's future and provide a brighter outlook for boxers worldwide.World Boxing, led by former IBA presidential candidate Boris van der Vorst, was established in April 2023 with the goal of ensuring boxing's place in the Olympic movement. The BFI's membership application was approved by its General Assembly and will be ratified by World Boxing's Executive Board.Van der Vorst welcomed the BFI's decision, acknowledging India's significance in international boxing. He stated, "India is a very important country in international boxing and we look forward to welcoming the BFI into the growing World Boxing family. This is a very exciting development which will significantly increase our presence in Asia and I look forward to working closely with the BFI in delivering our common goals."On May 7, WB held its first formal meeting with the IOC, marking the beginning of a collaboration aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games. The IOC had de-recognized the IBA in 2019 due to ongoing financial, sports integrity, and governance issues.As a result, boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be overseen by the IOC, marking the second consecutive time that the IBA will have no involvement in the sport at the mega-event.

Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali continued her impressive run at the Norway Chess Tournament in Stavanger, defeating veteran Swedish GM Pia Cramling in the fourth round. Vaishali's victory extended her lead to 2.5 points, with 8.5 points overall. She is now followed by Women's World Champion Wenjun Ju of China and Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine.Muzychuk secured her first win of the tournament by defeating Koneru Humpy, while Wenjun overcame her compatriot Tingjie Lei in the Armageddon tiebreaker. With six rounds remaining in the double round-robin format, Lei sits fourth with five points, ahead of Humpy and Cramling.In the men's section, world number one Magnus Carlsen outplayed his arch-rival Fabiano Caruana of the United States. Firouzja Alireza of France also emerged victorious, defeating reigning world champion Ding Liren of China.Nakamura leads the men's standings with seven points, followed by Alireza with 6.5 points. Carlsen is third with six points, while Praggnanandhaa has slipped to fourth with 5.5 points. Caruana is fifth with five points, and Liren trails with just 2.5 points.Vaishali's victory against Cramling was a testament to her perseverance. Playing with the black pieces in a Grunfeld defense, she equalized effortlessly and guided the game into a heavy piece endgame. Cramling's pawn structure issues provided Vaishali with an opportunity, and a blunder by the Swedish GM resulted in a lost rook and pawns endgame.Humpy's loss to Muzychuk followed a similar pattern. The rook and pawns endgame should have ended in a draw, but a late blunder by Humpy handed the victory to Muzychuk. This was Muzychuk's first classical chess victory in nearly seven months.In the men's section, Nakamura capitalized on Praggnanandhaa's unforced errors. The Indian's Nimzo Indian defense led to a dynamic balance, but Praggnanandhaa's optimism in the middle game led to a knight sacrifice. Nakamura converted his material advantage into a full point after 86 moves.Carlsen's victory over Caruana was a masterclass in endgame play. Outplaying his opponent from a balanced position, Carlsen capitalized on a blunder by Caruana in the final stages of the game.

As the scorching Indian summer subsides, India's elite shooters embark on a crucial stage of their Olympic preparations at the ISSF World Cup (Pistol/Rifle) in Munich, Germany, commencing on Saturday.Despite the grueling month-long trials in New Delhi and Bhopal, several shooters initially expressed reluctance to participate in the World Cup, citing fatigue and a desire to focus on their Olympic preparations. However, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) made participation mandatory and reportedly resolved the contentious issue of personal coaches, paving the way for the Paris-bound marksmen to gauge their progress.The issue of personal coaches had been a major point of contention, with shooters seeking greater flexibility in their training arrangements. While the matter appears to have been temporarily resolved, many personal coaches will not accompany their wards to Munich due to the late notice.The World Cup will also serve as a litmus test for shooters who have displaced the original Paris quota winners in the national squad through a series of Olympic Selection Trials (OSTs). The federation will be keen to assess the performances of these shooters, including rookie Army man Sandeep Singh, who has emerged as a surprise contender in the 10m air rifle event.The NRAI faces a dilemma in selecting the Paris-bound team, as it must strictly adhere to its Olympic selection policy based on the OSTs. However, several Olympic quota winners who lost out to their compatriots during the trials have appealed to be considered for Paris, creating an unprecedented situation.The NRAI is expected to announce the Olympic contingent during the World Cup, a process that has been delayed. This delay has hindered shooters' ability to fine-tune their preparations, including critical ammunition testing.The World Cup in Munich provides an opportunity for shooters to connect with European manufacturers and test the ammunition they intend to use at the Olympics. The event will commence with men's and women's 10m air rifle, with the finals scheduled for Monday.