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The Indian junior women's hockey team displayed resilience and determination in their fifth match of their European tour, despite suffering a 4-6 defeat to Germany. After conceding six goals in the first half, India rallied back with four goals in the second half, showcasing their fighting spirit.Germany started the match aggressively, scoring early in the first quarter and doubling their lead soon after. India's defense held strong, successfully defending multiple penalty corners. However, Germany managed to score a third goal before the end of the first quarter.The second quarter saw India start brightly, but they were unable to find the back of the net. Germany extended their lead to 6-0 in the third quarter, including a successful penalty corner conversion.Undeterred, India fought back in the final quarter. Sanjana Horo scored India's first goal, followed by another from Horo and goals from Binima Dhan and Kanika Siwach. India's late surge reduced the margin to 4-6, but it was not enough to secure a victory.On Sunday, India lost 0-1 to Germany in their fourth match. Germany scored early in the first quarter, and despite India's efforts to equalize, they were unable to find the net. Germany nearly doubled their lead in the final quarter, but India's goalkeeper denied their penalty stroke. India's final chance came in the form of a penalty corner, but they failed to convert it, resulting in a 0-1 defeat.India will face Dutch club side Oranje Rood in Breda, Netherlands on May 29 in their next match.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian men's hockey team to a thrilling 5-4 victory over Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Antwerp. Singh's sensational hat-trick proved decisive in the hard-fought encounter.India made a strong start, dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities. Araijeet Singh Hundal opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a brilliant field goal. However, Argentina responded quickly, with Federico Monja leveling the score just two minutes later.India regained the lead in the 18th minute through Gurjant Singh's excellent field goal. Argentina once again equalized in the 24th minute through Nicolas Keenan. The first half ended with India holding a narrow 3-2 advantage, thanks to Harmanpreet's penalty corner goal in the final minute.The second half was equally intense, with both teams displaying quick-fire hockey. India earned a penalty corner in the third quarter but failed to convert. Argentina also had their chances but were denied by the Indian defense.The fourth quarter proved to be decisive. India was awarded a penalty stroke with 10 minutes remaining, which Harmanpreet converted to extend India's lead to 4-2. Two minutes later, India was awarded another penalty stroke, which Harmanpreet again successfully converted.Argentina fought back valiantly, with Tadeo Marucci and Lucas Martinez scoring in quick succession to set up an exciting finish. However, India held on to secure a hard-earned victory.Harmanpreet's hat-trick was the highlight of the match, showcasing his exceptional drag-flicking skills. The Indian defense also played a crucial role, with goalkeeper Krishan Pathak making several key saves.India will next face Germany on June 1 in their next FIH Hockey Pro League match.

Charles Leclerc's emotional victory at the Monaco Grand Prix was a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. The Monegasque driver had endured a string of misfortunes in his home race, but on Sunday, he finally broke the curse and triumphed in front of his adoring fans.Leclerc's victory was a testament to his unwavering determination and the unwavering support of his team. Despite starting on pole position twice before, he had never managed to finish on the podium in Monaco. But this time, everything fell into place.The race itself was a relatively dull affair, with Leclerc dominating from start to finish. However, the emotional weight of the occasion was evident in Leclerc's voice as he spoke to the media after the race."It's the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula One driver one day," he said. "And it was such a difficult race emotionally because already 15 laps to the end you are just hoping nothing happens, already the emotions were coming."Leclerc's victory was particularly poignant as it came just days after the anniversary of his father's death. He admitted that he had been thinking of his father a lot during the race and that his victory was a tribute to his memory."I was thinking of my dad a lot more than I thought usually while driving -- obviously he's given everything for me to be here," he said. "It was our dream for me to race here and to win and so it's unbelievable."Leclerc's victory was also a major boost for Ferrari, who have struggled for consistency in recent years. The team's last win came at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, and Leclerc's triumph in Monaco will give them renewed hope for the rest of the season."It's really difficult, at first, I thought we had quite a lot of margin, but we knew there was 78 laps to do on the same tyre which was very difficult," Leclerc said. "We did a great management of the tyres, there was a big part of the race where we had to manage the gap with George and in the last ten laps I called to push a bit more and the car felt amazing."Leclerc's victory was a fitting tribute to his talent and dedication. It was also a reminder that even in the face of adversity, dreams can come true.

The Delhi Summer Athletic meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium concluded on Sunday with a significant number of athletes withdrawing from participation due to the presence of National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) officials.On Friday, the first day of the meet, several athletes either "Did Not Start" or "Did Not Finish" in various events, particularly in throwing events. NADA officials had arrived to collect samples, prompting many athletes to stay away.On Sunday, the exodus continued as more athletes pulled out across events. The women's steeplechase, women's hammer throw, and men's pole vault could not be conducted due to a lack of participants. In the men's hammer, only one athlete competed, while the lone participant in the women's hammer did not report.The men's triple jump saw no medallists as two jumpers withdrew and three registered 'no mark'. In discus, only half of the eight entrants took part. In men's 800m, six out of 19 participants did not start.The most significant withdrawals occurred in the men's 5,000m and boys U-18 1,000m. In 5,000m, only six of the 20 athletes competed, while the 1,000m race saw 14 DNS and three DNF in a field of 25. In women's 5,000m, five of the nine athletes pulled out.The Delhi Athletics Association (DAA), the organizers of the meet, stated that the results may be updated after receiving reports from NADA and the age verification committee. The result of the U18 shot put bronze medallist who evaded the testers has been withheld, and the boys' discus result has also been "withheld" due to complaints of overage.The meet was intended to select the Delhi team for the National Youth Athletics Championships in Chhattisgarh from June 15. The DAA had obtained undertakings from all participants with the names of their coaches, following the Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) announcement that coaches would also be punished if an athlete is suspended for doping.India has recorded the highest number of doping offenders in the world in 2022, according to a recent World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) report. India tested 3,865 samples that year, and 125 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF). India is also the second worst country in doping cases among minors, as per a 10-year study conducted by WADA, behind Russia.

Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Senior Championships. The 30-year-old gymnast clinched the coveted title in the women's vault event, showcasing her exceptional skills and determination.Karmakar's triumph is a testament to her unwavering spirit and resilience. After serving a 21-month suspension for a doping offense, she made a remarkable comeback to the sport last year. Her victory in Uzbekistan is a testament to her hard work and dedication.In the vault final, Karmakar displayed her signature Produnova vault, a highly complex and dangerous maneuver that requires immense strength and precision. She executed the vault with remarkable accuracy, earning an average score of 13.566.North Korea's Kim Son Hyang and Jo Kyong Byol claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Karmakar's victory is a significant milestone for Indian gymnastics, as it marks the first time an Indian gymnast has won a gold medal at the Asian Senior Championships.Prior to Karmakar's triumph, Indian gymnasts had achieved notable success at the Asian Championships. Ashish Kumar won a bronze medal in the individual floor exercise in 2015, while Pranati Nayak secured bronze medals in the vault event in 2019 and 2022.Karmakar's victory is a source of inspiration for aspiring gymnasts in India and around the world. Her determination and perseverance serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) is facing a financial dilemma after the Delhi High Court appointed an ad-hoc committee to manage its affairs. The court's decision stems from a plea by the Rajasthan Equestrian Association (REA), which challenged the EFI Executive Committee's attempt to extend its term, claiming it violated the Sports Code.The EFI contends that it has received exemptions from the Sports Ministry, exempting it from certain provisions of the Sports Code. However, the court has ruled that the EFI must pay a hefty fee to the ad-hoc committee, which includes Rs 5 lakh per month to the chairperson and Rs 1 lakh each to two members.This financial burden has raised concerns within the EFI, which has an annual revenue of only Rs 2 crore. An EFI source expressed that diverting funds to pay the committee's fees would significantly impact the growth of the sport, as it would force the EFI to reduce coaching camps and tournaments.The EFI legal team is exploring legal options to challenge the court's order, arguing that it has not fully considered the financial implications. The source also questioned why elections have not been held despite the Sports Ministry's support for them.Meanwhile, the EFI website has experienced technical difficulties, which the source attributed to a glitch that is being rectified.

Nitu Ghanghas, the 23-year-old Haryana boxer and world champion in the 48 kg class, is currently training at the Bhiwani Boxing Club with her sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Despite missing out on the Paris Olympics in the 54 kg division, Nitu remains determined to continue her boxing journey.Nitu's passion for boxing began in childhood, inspired by the legendary Mary Kom. She faced numerous challenges and disappointments along the way, but with the support of her family, she persevered. Her determination and fighting spirit have earned her recognition as a potential successor to Mary Kom.While Nitu excelled in the 48 kg class, she had to upgrade to the 54 kg class to qualify for the Asian Games and Paris Olympics. However, Preeti Pawar secured the spot for Hangzhou 2023 and a Paris Olympics quota. Despite this setback, Nitu remains focused on her goal of representing India at the Los Angeles Olympics."I am confident that I have the mettle to make it to Los Angeles Olympics in 2028," said Nitu. "My immediate target is the world championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in October this year."Nitu's journey has been marked by challenges, including financial difficulties and societal disapproval. However, her father's unwavering support and her own resilience have enabled her to overcome these obstacles.Nitu's aggressive style and natural left-handedness make her a formidable opponent. With age on her side and intense training, she is expected to make a significant impact on the boxing scene in the years to come.

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra's participation in the Ostrava Golden Spike 2024 athletics meet in the Czech Republic on May 28 has been canceled due to a muscle injury sustained in training two weeks ago. The organizers confirmed the news, stating that Chopra will attend the event as a guest.Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, began his 2024 season with a silver medal at the Doha Diamond League on May 10, throwing an impressive 88.36 meters. He then returned to domestic competition after almost three years, winning gold in the Federation Cup on May 15 with a throw of 82.27m.Chopra's injury is a setback in his preparations for the Paris Olympic Games, where he aims to defend his gold medal. The organizers expressed their disappointment but noted that they had received a message from Chopra informing them of his withdrawal.European champion Julian Weber from Germany will replace Chopra in the competition. Weber threw 88.37 meters on Friday, the third-best performance of the year. The organizers believe this will provide a significant challenge for Jakub Vadlejch before the European Championships in Rome.Chopra's absence from the Ostrava Golden Spike is a reminder of the challenges athletes face in maintaining peak performance. Despite this setback, he remains one of India's brightest medal hopes for the Paris Olympics.

Ravi Dahiya, India's former 57kg wrestling champion, faces an uncertain future after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) decided against holding final selection trials for the Paris Olympics. The decision has left Dahiya, who has been struggling with a knee injury, without a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.Dahiya's career has been on a downward spiral in recent years. After being the country's top wrestler in his weight class, he has lost consecutive domestic selection trials. The knee injury, which required surgery last year, has also taken a toll on his performance.Despite the setbacks, Dahiya remains optimistic. He has been working hard to regain his fitness and has been pleading with WFI officials to reconsider their decision. He has even met with the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials to state his case.However, WFI officials have indicated that the decision is unlikely to be reversed. They argue that there is not enough time left before the Budapest Ranking Series, which will serve as the final qualifying event for the Olympics.Dahiya's situation is a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in India. Despite their sacrifices and hard work, they can be left at the mercy of bureaucratic decisions that can derail their dreams.Dahiya's story is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to fight for his Olympic dream. He knows that the odds are stacked against him, but he is not giving up hope.