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India's boxing contingent continued their impressive run at the Boxing World Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, with four boxers securing victories on Thursday. Sachin Siwach (57kg), Sanjeet Kumar (92kg), Amit Panghal (51kg), and Jaismine (women's 57kg) all advanced to the next round, boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Sachin Siwach, the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, began the day with a dominant 5-0 victory over Turkey's Olympian Batuhan Ciftci in the pre-quarterfinals. Siwach controlled the bout from the outset, earning unanimous verdicts in the first two rounds. Despite Ciftci's attempts at a comeback in the third round, Siwach remained composed and secured the win.Sanjeet Kumar, the 2021 Asian Championship gold medalist, also registered a 5-0 victory in the round of 32, defeating Luis Sanchez of Venezuela. Kumar dominated the first round, preventing Sanchez from gaining any momentum. Sanchez showed some resistance in the subsequent rounds, but Kumar's experience and counter-attacking punches proved too much for the Venezuelan.In the women's 57kg category, Jaismine continued her impressive form with a convincing 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan's Mahsati Hamzayeva in the round of 32. Jaismine controlled the bout from the start, not allowing Hamzayeva to mount any significant challenge.Amit Panghal, the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, completed a perfect day for India with a 4-1 victory over Mexico's Mauricio Ruiz in the 51kg category. Panghal faced some pressure in the first round but regained control in the final minute. He then turned the tide in the third round with a series of combination punches, securing the win.With these victories, Siwach, Sanjeet, Jaismine, and Panghal have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Siwach needs to win two more bouts to secure his spot, while Sanjeet, who received a bye in the round of 64, has a similar target. In the 57kg category, only three boxers will qualify for the Olympics, so Siwach's path to qualification is slightly more challenging.

Former Indian shooting ace Jaspal Rana has vehemently criticized the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) decision to send Olympic-bound shooters to the World Cup in Munich, commencing on Friday. Rana, an Asian Games gold medalist, questioned the rationale behind selecting Olympic-bound shooters for the World Cup just before the quadrennial event.Rana emphasized that the World Cup will not benefit shooters in their Olympic preparations, as it is challenging to maintain peak performance for an extended period. "No player wants to perform badly in the World Cup. But if you're at your peak now, will you be at your peak after one month also? Which sports science center will tell you that players can stay at their peak for three months? You can't stay at peak level for long," Rana asserted.He further criticized the NRAI's inconsistent policy, stating, "The policy was wrong, and when you've made the policy, just stick to it. You're not sticking to your policy. If there is no ranking and point system in the Munich World Cup, why are you delaying the names of the selected shooters for the Olympics? Even if you have to adjust one to two players, then reveal the rest of the players so that they can start their preparations."Rana suggested that India should have followed the approach adopted by other countries like China and the USA, who have sent their second-string squads to the World Cup in Germany. "Other countries have sent their B or C category squad for the World Cup. Very less Olympic-bound shooters will participate in it. This is not an opportunity for the Olympic team," he said.With less than two months remaining for the Paris Olympics, there is still no clarity on India's shooting squad for the event. Rana expressed concern about the lack of leadership within the NRAI, stating, "I've failed to understand that if NRAI doesn't have the president, chairman of the selection committee, and policy-making committee, then how are they selecting the team? It could be one of the reasons that the chairman of the NRAI selection committee is not there, that's why they're delaying the announcement."Despite the challenges, Rana remains optimistic about the Indian shooters' performance in Paris. "Yes, we were well prepared last time. This time too, our preparations are pretty well. The only thing that went wrong last time was the postponement of the Games due to Covid-19. Our team was at its peak at the time of the Olympics (as per the original schedule in 2020). After that, due to a lot of problems, we couldn't manage it properly," he said. "I'm quite positive," Rana added, expressing his belief in India's medal chances at the Paris Olympics.

India's junior hockey teams concluded their European tour with mixed results, showcasing their potential and resilience. The men's team secured a thrilling shootout victory over Germany, while the women's team played to a 2-2 draw against Orange Rood club.The men's team, led by captain Vivek Sagar Prasad, faced a tough challenge against Germany in their final match of the tour. After a goalless first half, Mukesh Toppo broke the deadlock for India in the 33rd minute with a rebound from a penalty corner. However, Germany equalized four minutes into the fourth quarter, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.In the shootout, Gurjot Singh, Dilraj Singh, and Manmeet Singh converted their attempts, while Germany managed only one successful penalty. This gave India a 3-1 victory in the shootout and a much-needed boost after three consecutive losses on the tour.The women's team, captained by Suman Devi Thoudam, also faced a challenging match against Orange Rood. After a quiet first quarter, Sanjana Horo gave India the lead in the 18th minute. However, Orange Rood responded strongly in the third quarter, earning three penalty corners and scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead.Undeterred, India fought back in the final quarter and equalized through Anisha Sahu in the 58th minute. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, giving India a solitary draw on their tour.Overall, the European tour provided valuable experience for both the men's and women's junior hockey teams. The men's team showed their ability to compete against top European sides, while the women's team demonstrated their resilience and determination.

18-year-old Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has achieved a historic milestone by securing his first classical victory over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen. This triumph, which occurred in Round 3 of Norway Chess, marks a significant moment in Praggnanandhaa's career and underscores his exceptional talent.Praggnanandhaa's victory was not a fluke but rather the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. He has previously defeated Carlsen in faster time controls, but this classical win is a testament to his growing maturity and skill. Playing with the Black pieces, Praggnanandhaa exploited an inaccuracy in Carlsen's opening and seized the initiative.Carlsen's attempt to throw off Praggnanandhaa with a dubious opening choice backfired, as the Indian maintained a high level of accuracy throughout the game. Praggnanandhaa's superior calculation skills and gumption allowed him to outwit Carlsen and secure the win in 37 moves.Praggnanandhaa's victory is a significant achievement for Indian chess and a testament to the rising talent of young players. It also highlights the changing landscape of chess, where younger players are increasingly challenging the established elite.Praggnanandhaa's win came on the birthday of fellow Indian prodigy D Gukesh, who recently qualified for the World Championship challenger's tournament. This coincidence adds to the significance of Praggnanandhaa's victory and underscores the bright future of Indian chess.Despite his historic win, Praggnanandhaa remains humble and focused. He recognizes the importance of not letting emotions affect his performance and is determined to continue improving his game.

Dipa Karmakar, India's trailblazing gymnast, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian to win gold at the Asian Championships. Despite enduring a litany of challenges, including injuries, a doping ban, and Olympic qualification setbacks, Karmakar's unwavering determination and resilience have propelled her to this remarkable achievement.Karmakar's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Her fourth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she showcased her gravity-defying Produnova routine, catapulted her to national fame. However, injuries and a subsequent doping ban threatened to derail her career.Undeterred, Karmakar continued training relentlessly, even during her suspension. With the support of her coach, Bishweshwar Nandi, she switched to a less demanding routine to preserve her injury-prone body.At the Asian Championships, Karmakar faced stiff competition from athletes eager to secure Olympic qualification. Despite her best efforts, she narrowly missed out on a Paris berth. However, her gold medal victory served as a testament to her indomitable spirit and the power of perseverance.Karmakar's triumph is a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, dreams can be realized through hard work and unwavering belief. Her legacy as a pioneer in Indian gymnastics will continue to inspire generations to come.

As the scorching heatwave grips India, athletes across the country are facing extreme conditions that hinder their training and performance. Recent incidents, such as an athlete collapsing on a burning track in Delhi and javelin throwers struggling in the stifling heat of Bhubaneswar, highlight the challenges posed by the rising temperatures.With the national capital breaching the 50°C barrier and northern and central India experiencing a punishing heatwave, outdoor training has become an ordeal for athletes. Distance running coach Amrish Kumar suggests that athletes train at high altitude to build lung capacity and endurance while avoiding the heat.However, not all athletes can afford to relocate or change their training schedules. To cope with the extreme conditions, some coaches have adjusted their session timings to beat the heat. Gaurav Tyagi, who coaches steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, has shifted his morning sessions to 4:30 am and evening sessions to 5:30 pm.Another solution is to build indoor facilities that protect athletes from the sun and heat. India currently has one such facility in Bhubaneswar, which can accommodate 120 residential trainees and host various track and field events. Experts believe that India needs more such stadiums to provide athletes with year-round training opportunities.Triple jumper Poorva Sawant suggests having one indoor facility in each metro city as a starting point. This would address the challenges of training in Delhi, where extreme weather conditions and pollution make it difficult for athletes to perform at their best.Para high jumper Sharad Kumar emphasizes the need for basic facilities at stadiums, such as water coolers, clean grounds, and covered areas for rest. Javelin coach Vipin Kasana laments the lack of such facilities at the JLN Stadium in Delhi.In coastal cities, athletes face the additional challenge of humidity, which can be equally debilitating. Indoor facilities would provide a much-needed respite from both heat and humidity.As India aims to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure that supports the development of world-class athletes. Indoor facilities would allow athletes to train consistently throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is seeking clarification from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regarding the rules for mixed team events at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This clarification could potentially impact India's Olympic selection process.NRAI has conducted four rounds of Olympic Selection Trials (OST) to select the shooting team, but the final squad announcement is pending. The trials produced some unexpected results, with 2022 World Champion Rudrankksh Patil finishing third in the 10m air rifle event, behind Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta.According to NRAI's selection policy, the top two shooters in the trials automatically qualify for the Olympics. However, for mixed team events, the ISSF rule for Paris Olympics states that if the number of mixed teams entered exceeds the available firing points, the Qualification Ranking for Olympic Games (QROG) will be used to determine the final entry list.The QROG considers the combined points of both members of the mixed team in their respective individual events. Rudrankksh currently ranks second in the QROG for 10m air rifle, while Babuta is 33rd and Singh is 48th. This means that Rudrankksh, who did not qualify for the Olympics individually, could have a better chance of qualifying for the mixed team event based on his QROG ranking.NRAI has sought clarification on the number of mixed teams that will be selected and the criteria that will be followed. The association has also issued fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for personal coaches who wish to accompany their wards during training in the lead-up to the Olympics.

MotoGP has officially announced the postponement of the 2024 Indian Grand Prix, originally scheduled for September. The race will now return to the Buddh International Circuit in March 2025.The decision was made in consultation with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, which remains committed to MotoGP's long-term presence in India. The state government cited operational considerations and the need for optimal weather conditions for both spectators and riders.The inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2023 was marred by extreme heat and humidity, leading to a shortened race and health concerns for riders and marshals. The move to March 2025 is expected to provide more favorable weather conditions.The Indian GP will likely serve as the season opener for the 2025 season, replacing the postponed Kazakhstan GP. The inaugural Kazakhstan GP will now take place in September 2024 as the first race on the Asian leg of the MotoGP calendar.The Indian GP has faced financial challenges in recent months, with promoters Fairstreet Sports facing delays in fulfilling obligations related to the 2023 race. The Uttar Pradesh government has stepped in to support the event through its investment wing, Invest UP.Despite the postponement, MotoGP remains committed to India as a key market. The sport has a seven-year contract with Fairstreet Sports for the Indian race. However, attendance at the 2023 event was below expectations, with only 58,000 spectators attending the main race.The postponement of the 2024 Indian Grand Prix is a setback for MotoGP's plans in India, but the sport remains optimistic about the long-term potential of the market. The move to March 2025 is expected to address the operational and weather-related challenges that plagued the 2023 event.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's impressive run at the Norway Chess tournament came to an end in the second round, as he succumbed to World Champion Ding Liren in the Armageddon tie-breaker. The highly anticipated clash between the two ended in a draw under normal time control, setting the stage for a thrilling tie-breaker.In the Armageddon game, Liren emerged victorious, showcasing his exceptional skills under pressure. The Chinese GM's triumph marked a significant moment in the tournament, as he overcame Praggnanandhaa's 2-0 head-to-head advantage.Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen continued his dominance, securing a crucial victory in the Armageddon game against Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen's exceptional skill under pressure was evident as he added to his impressive Armageddon record and took the lead in the tournament standings with 3 points.Alireza Firouzja also impressed, drawing his classical game against Fabiano Caruana before showcasing his abilities in speed chess to bag 1.5 points in the Armageddon game.In the women's section, R Vaishali made history by defeating fellow Indian Koneru Humpy in a classical game. Vaishali's victory marked her first classical win in the tournament and propelled her to the position of India's number two female player on the live rating list.The other two classical matches between Lei Tingjie and Pia Cramling, as well as Ju Wenjun and Anna Muzychuk, ended in hard-fought draws. However, the Chinese duo of Wenjun and Tingjie emerged victorious in their respective Armageddon games.The Norway Chess tournament continues to provide thrilling action, with the world's top players showcasing their exceptional skills. Praggnanandhaa's loss to Liren may have been a setback, but it serves as a reminder of the intense competition at the highest level of chess.