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The Indian men's hockey team suffered a disappointing 1-4 defeat against Belgium in their second match of the European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24. Despite a valiant effort, India was unable to overcome a strong Belgian side that dominated the match from start to finish.In the opening quarter, Belgium showcased their attacking prowess, but India's defense held firm, absorbing the pressure and preventing any clear-cut chances. As the quarter progressed, India began to gain momentum, pushing Belgium back into their own half. However, both teams failed to break the deadlock, and the first quarter ended goalless.The second quarter saw Belgium take the lead through Felix Denayer, who found space inside the area and finished from close range. India responded with a penalty corner, but Harmanpreet's shot was well-blocked by the Belgian goalkeeper. Despite repeated attacks, India was unable to find an equalizer before halftime.After the break, India started aggressively, but Belgium's defense remained resolute. The third quarter saw plenty of action on both ends, but it was Belgium who doubled their lead through Alexander Hendrickx, who successfully converted a penalty corner.With 15 minutes remaining, Belgium extended their lead to 3-0 through Cedric Charlier, who scored a fine field goal. India finally got on the scoreboard through Abhishek, who found the back of the net in the 55th minute. However, Belgium sealed the victory with a penalty stroke converted by Hendrickx in the 60th minute.The match marked a significant milestone for Jarmanpreet Singh, who completed 100 international caps for India. Despite the defeat, India will look to bounce back in their next match against Great Britain on Sunday.

Tejas Shirse, India's fastest male hurdler, has embarked on a remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Maharashtra to breaking the national record in Finland. Despite facing challenges such as living out of a suitcase and overcoming loneliness, Shirse has grown both as an athlete and an individual.A key catalyst in his growth has been Finnish hurdler Elmo Lakka, who shared valuable insights with Shirse. Lakka's advice on taking off from a farther distance and snapping the lead leg with the hamstring has significantly improved Shirse's technique.Shirse has also made technical adjustments to his posture at the hurdles, standing taller and keeping his body forward to maintain momentum. Despite an injury to his left shin, he has managed to surpass his previous best time of 13.60s thrice in Europe.While his coach believes meeting the Paris qualification mark of 13.27s may be unrealistic at this stage, Shirse remains optimistic. He has set his sights on the Olympics, driven by his belief that anything is possible.

Indian Weightlifter Preetismita Bhoi Shatters Youth World Record in PeruLima, Peru - Indian weightlifter Preetismita Bhoi has etched her name in history by setting a new youth world record in the 40 kg weight category at the 2024 IWF Youth World Weightlifting Championships in Lima, Peru. This remarkable achievement marks the first time an Indian lifter has broken a youth world record.Competing in the 40kg weight class, the 15-year-old Bhoi displayed exceptional strength and technique. She lifted an impressive 57 kg in snatch and 76 kg in clean & jerk, totaling 133 kg. Notably, her clean & jerk lift surpassed the previous world record by one kilogram.Bhoi's triumph was not an isolated success. India secured both gold and silver medals in the weight class, with compatriot Jyoshna Sabar claiming the silver. This achievement is a testament to the growing strength of Indian weightlifting."I am overjoyed to have set a new world record," said Bhoi, who hails from Odisha. "This is a dream come true. I am grateful for the support of my coaches, family, and the federation. I will continue to work hard and strive for even greater heights."Indian Weightlifting Federation president Sahdev Yadav expressed his elation over Bhoi's record-breaking performance. "Her achievement is a testament to her unwavering dedication and countless hours of training," he said. "We have exceptional weightlifters in India, and it is inspiring to witness their success on the world stage. Preetismita is a role model for aspiring weightlifters."India's success at the Youth World Weightlifting Championships extended beyond Bhoi's record-breaking feat. On the opening day of the event, Indian athletes claimed a total of three gold, three silver, and five bronze medals. Payal (45 kg) won a silver medal, while Babulal Hembrom (49 kg) secured a bronze medal in the youth boys category.Last year, India won one silver and four bronze medals at the World Youth Championships. The impressive performance of Indian weightlifters at this year's event highlights the country's growing dominance in the sport.

Indian boxers are determined to overcome recent setbacks and secure Olympic berths at the second World Qualification Tournament, starting Friday. Despite having four quotas initially, India's tally has dwindled to three due to Parveen Hooda's suspension. The previous world qualifiers saw a dismal performance, with only Nishant Dev advancing past the opening round.The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has made changes, bringing back Amit Panghal in the 51kg category. Panghal, a former Asian Games champion, is seeded second and has a potential quarterfinal clash with Liu Chuang of China or Anvarzhan Khodzhiev of Kyrgyzstan.Abhinash Jamwal will compete in the 63.5kg weight class, while Abhimanyu Loura will try his luck in 80kg. Nishant Dev, who narrowly missed out on a berth in Italy, is expected to return with a ticket to Paris in the 71kg category.In the women's competition, Ankushita Boro has moved down to 60kg, while Jaismine Lamboriya has been given a third shot in the 57kg category. National champion Arundhati Choudhary will compete in the 66kg weight class.Indian boxers are expected to add to their tally of three quotas, with 51 Olympic berths available at the tournament. "Our boxers are in a good mental position now," said Indian boxing coach CA Kuttappa. "The confidence from the sparring sessions has risen, and psychologists are playing a key role to keep them away from pressure."

Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, anticipates a challenging Monaco Grand Prix weekend as his rivals intensify their pursuit of his title defense. The Dutchman, who has won three of the season's opening seven races, acknowledges the threat posed by Ferrari and McLaren."It's one of the more difficult tracks for us," said Verstappen. "Ferrari has always been very strong here, and McLaren has ramped up their performance lately."Verstappen's concerns stem from the Monaco circuit's unique characteristics. The narrow, winding streets and high kerbs pose a challenge for Red Bull's car, which struggles over bumps. Last year's Singapore Grand Prix, another street circuit with high kerbs, was the only event where Red Bull failed to secure a podium finish."Our car normally struggles a bit over bumps and kerbs," admitted Verstappen. "We've worked on it, but I don't think it's going to be an easy weekend."Verstappen's rivals are also gaining momentum. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari trails him by 48 points in the drivers' championship, while Lando Norris of McLaren has emerged as a potential threat after claiming his maiden victory in Miami.Verstappen hopes to extend his record-equalling sequence of eight pole positions to nine in Saturday's qualifying session, which is crucial for success in Monaco. However, he recognizes the need for a flawless performance throughout the weekend."Monaco is never straightforward," said Verstappen. "You need to get everything to work, and there's always a lot of disruption."Verstappen is determined to avoid a repeat of his experience at Imola, where he recovered from a poor start to win by a narrow margin. "We have to be at our best," he said. "In the last few races, we haven't been operating at that level."

Michael Schumacher's family has emerged victorious in a legal battle against a German tabloid magazine that published a fabricated interview with the former Formula One champion. The magazine, 'Die Aktuelle,' claimed to have conducted an interview with Schumacher in April 2023, marking the first time he had spoken publicly since suffering a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013.However, the article, titled "Michael Schumacher, the First Interview," contained quotes that were generated by artificial intelligence (AI). A spokesperson for the Schumacher family confirmed the success of the legal action but declined to provide further details.According to German tabloid Bild, the family was awarded 200,000 euros ($220,000) in compensation, although the family spokesperson did not confirm this amount. The publisher of 'Die Aktuelle' has since issued a public apology to Schumacher and his family.The editor-in-chief of the magazine, Anne Hoffmann, was dismissed following the publication of the article. Germany's press council (DP) condemned the interview, stating that the "serious misleading of the readership is likely to damage the credibility of the media."Schumacher has not been seen in public since the accident and has been receiving care at his family home in Switzerland. The German driver, who retired from Formula One in 2012, holds the record for seven world championships, a feat he shares with British driver Lewis Hamilton.

Indian boxing sensation Neeraj Goyat, the reigning WBC Asia titleholder, is poised to make his debut with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in a highly anticipated matchup against Brazilian social media star Whindersson Nunes. This electrifying bout will be part of the undercard for the blockbuster event featuring Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano 2, scheduled for Saturday, July 20.Goyat, a trailblazing figure in Indian boxing, will step into the ring for a six-round super middleweight clash at 165 lbs. against Nunes, a charismatic and skilled fighter with a record of 2-2-1 (1 KO). The undercard also boasts other exciting matchups, including Sylve versus Schofield and Chavez Jr. versus Till.The main event promises an explosive 8-round heavyweight showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, while the highly anticipated women's boxing rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for the undisputed super lightweight world title will be contested over 10 rounds. The event will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Goyat, who has made history as India's leading boxer, expressed his excitement and determination: "I'm fighting to make history and make my country proud. Thank you to Nakisa and the entire MVP team and of course Netflix for this opportunity to shine on the biggest stage imaginable. I hope all Indians around the world tune in for this historic event."Nunes, a Brazilian icon with a massive social media following, is eager to prove his mettle in the ring: "I grew up watching big names in boxing, so having the opportunity to be part of this card and challenge myself in this sport is an honor. Boxing is more than just a fight: it's an art that requires a lot of technique, timing, and strategy. I have been preparing myself daily with my coaches to present my best version of a fighter in Texas and, once again, defend and make my country proud."Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions, are thrilled about the global appeal of this event: "By featuring two more international stars in Neeraj Goyat and Whindersson Nunes, alongside the rest of our historic card, we're strategically supplementing Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor versus Serrano 2 to drive patriotic engagement with the event from two of the biggest countries in the world."These matchups not only promise thrilling fights but also aim to unite fans worldwide for an unforgettable experience and promote the sport of boxing globally.

Tony Estanguet, the former Olympic canoeing champion, has been at the helm of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee since 2017. His mission: to deliver a spectacular event that showcases the best of France and sets new standards for innovation.Estanguet's journey began a decade ago when Paris was awarded the Games. Since then, the Organizing Committee has worked tirelessly to prepare for the event, which will open on July 26, 2024.One of the key innovations of Paris 2024 is the opening ceremony, which will take place not in a stadium but on the Seine River. The ceremony will feature a parade of athletes on 90 boats, showcasing the city's iconic landmarks."The opening ceremony has to demonstrate that it won't be Games as usual," Estanguet said. "We want to showcase the best of France, and we believe that the best platform to welcome the athletes of the world is not inside the stadium, but in the city."Other innovations include the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the fan experience and the creation of a "Games in the City" concept, which will bring sporting events to the heart of Paris.Estanguet is confident that Paris 2024 will be a memorable event. "We have demonstrated that we controlled the time and controlled the budget," he said. "France is ready for Paris 2024."

The Paris Olympics shooting selection trials witnessed a fierce battle for spots, with nine out of 16 quotas in rifle and pistol events changing hands. The onus was on quota winners to defend their places, but even world championship medallists like Rudrankksh Patil, Mehuli Ghosh, and Akhil Sheoran were swept aside.Rhythm Sangwan and Esha Singh swapped places in the 10m pistol and 25m pistol events, respectively. However, the biggest casualty was Rudrankksh, the 2022 world champion and only the second Indian air rifle shooter after Abhinav Bindra to win a world title. Mehuli and Sheoran, who had secured Olympic quotas with bronze medals at the world championships, also lost their places.The selection trials were held over four rounds in Delhi and Bhopal, with the shooters' three best scores considered. The bonus points for quota winners were reduced to level the playing field.The new policy was introduced after the debacle in Tokyo, where shooters who had performed well in the qualification cycle failed to deliver at the Olympics. The trials were designed to select the team based on current form.In men's 10m air rifle, Sandeep Singh emerged as the surprise topper, ahead of quota winner Arjun Babuta and Rudrankksh. In women's 10m air rifle, Tokyo Olympian Elavenil came to the fore, while Asian Games medallist Ramita Jindal grabbed the second place. In men's rifle 3P, Aishwary Pratap Tomar topped and sealed his place, beside Swapnil Kusale.The final call to pick the team remains with the NRAI selection committee, but it will be difficult to make any changes considering that the team has been selected through a policy. Paris will put the new policy to test, and India will hope that the Worlds medallists are not missed too much.