Others

The Tokyo Olympics left a lasting impact on the Indian shooting contingent, with many shooters still carrying the scars of a disappointing performance. Deepali Deshpande, the former national coach, described the environment as "depressing," while Anjum Moudgil called it a "controversial end."Only four rifle and pistol shooters from the 14 who competed in Tokyo have a chance to redeem themselves in Paris: Anjum Moudgil, Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar. Each of these shooters has taken different paths since Tokyo, with Manu reuniting with her personal coach, Anjum experimenting with training coach-less, and Elavenil sticking with the same coaching setup.Anjum has identified two key lessons from Tokyo: to focus solely on herself and to cut the chaos. She has worked on creating a small but positive support group and will approach Paris with a more focused mindset. Elavenil, on the other hand, is feeling the pressure of the nation's expectations but is determined not to let it affect her preparation.Manu, who was a teenager during Tokyo, wants to embrace the chaos and chatter this time around. She plans to continue being herself and doing the things she loves, including playing the violin. She also hopes to play table tennis at the Games Village, something she was unable to do in Tokyo due to the pandemic.The build-up to Paris has a different look, with the shooting events taking place in Chateauroux, where the Indian team had a training camp last year. The absence of the pressure and unusual circumstances that plagued Tokyo is expected to create a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for the shooters."I'm hoping that Paris has a lot to give, and I have a lot to give to Paris as well," said Elavenil.

India's mixed 4x400 relay team made history at the inaugural Asian Relay Championships, setting a new national record of 3 minutes 14.12 seconds to claim the gold medal. The quartet of Muhammed Ajmal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Amoj Jacob, and Subha Venkatesan dominated the race, leading in all four legs. Sri Lanka and Vietnam finished second and third, respectively.While the victory was a significant achievement, the team narrowly missed their target of qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Only sixteen teams will compete in the mixed 4x400m relay event in Paris, and India currently sits in 21st place in the Road to Paris list of World Athletics.To qualify, India needed to finish in the top 16 by June 30th. Fourteen teams have already secured their spots through the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, leaving only two spots available based on best timings. Czech Republic and Italy currently occupy the 15th and 16th positions, with India trailing behind.Despite the setback, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) remains optimistic. They may consider sending the mixed 4x400m relay team to international competitions before the June 30th deadline to improve their ranking.India will also compete in the men's and women's 4x400m relay races on Day 2 of the Asian Relay Championships. In the Bahamas, the Indian mixed 4x400m relay team failed to make the Paris cut in the heat race of first-round qualifiers. However, both the men's and women's 4x400m relay teams later qualified for Paris during the second-round qualification heat race.

Four Indian wrestlers who have secured quota berths for the Paris Olympics have appealed to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to exempt them from selection trials, citing the proximity of the Games and the potential impact on their preparation.Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Anshu Malik (57kg) have individually written to the WFI, requesting their selection without trials. They argue that with only 10 weeks remaining before the Olympics, every day of training is crucial and that preparing for additional competitions would disrupt their plans."It leaves us with just 10 weeks of preparation time before the event, which is already less considering the timelines. Every single day of training is very important for me. Around this crucial time, preparing for another competition again affects my training plan, my diet, weight maintenance, and I will lose out on a lot of practice sessions because of this," one wrestler wrote in their letter.The wrestlers also expressed concerns about the risk of injuries at this stage. "It is too close to the Paris Olympics. If trials are held, all our focus will be on that instead of preparation towards Paris," said one wrestler.The WFI has scheduled a selection committee meeting on Tuesday to discuss the wrestlers' request. A member of the committee acknowledged the wrestlers' concerns and stated that all aspects would be considered."There is no doubt the Paris Olympics are very close and you want the wrestlers to completely focus on preparation at this point. The selection committee will look into every aspect," said the member.If the trials are not held, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya will not have a second chance to qualify in the 57kg category.India has a strong tradition in wrestling, having won at least one medal in the last four Olympics. The country's wrestlers have won a total of seven medals in the sport.

Amidst the emotional scenes of young shooters and their families at the National Shooting Centre in New Delhi, Ramita Jindal emerged as a beacon of hope and determination. The 20-year-old shooter from Kurukshetra, Haryana, secured a coveted quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women's 10m air rifle event.Ramita's journey to Paris was far from straightforward. After three rounds of qualification, she found herself trailing behind Tilottama Sen, Nancy, and Elavenil Valarivan. However, in the crucial fourth and final round, Ramita displayed nerves of steel and shot an incredible 636.4, the highest score of the trials.This remarkable performance propelled Ramita to the top of the standings, earning her a place in the Indian contingent for the Paris Games. Her parents, who had accompanied her to Delhi, were overjoyed and praised her resilience.Ramita's success is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She trains at the Sports Science Centre in Chennai alongside Tokyo Olympian Elavenil and has consistently performed well at the international level. In 2022, she won a gold medal at the junior World Championships, and in 2023, she claimed bronze at the Asian Championships and Asian Games.Despite her achievements, Ramita remains humble and focused. She credits her ability to sustain good series and maintain a high standard of scores to her improved mental strength. She also admires Tokyo Olympian Anjum Moudgil and aspires to compete in both 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3P in the future.Ramita's qualification for the Paris Olympics is a significant moment for Indian shooting. It marks the first time that an Indian woman has secured an Olympic quota in the 10m air rifle event since 2012. Her success is an inspiration to young shooters across the country and a testament to the growing strength of Indian shooting.

Elavenil Valarivan's resurgence in shooting has reached new heights, as she emerged victorious in the Olympic selection trials with a remarkable score of 254.3. This triumph marks a significant milestone in her journey towards the Paris Olympics, where she aims to make her second Games appearance.Beyond the medals and accolades, Elavenil's true triumph lies in rediscovering her joy in shooting. After enduring the lows of the Tokyo Olympics, she has found renewed passion and a thirst for learning. "I'm just enjoying the sport right now," she says. "There are no longer days where I'm not happy shooting."This newfound joy has fueled her determination to improve and push her limits. She has embraced the challenges of the trials, overcoming a poor first qualification round and fending off competition from younger challengers. "I'm glad things are turning around and getting back to the way I want it to be," she says.Elavenil's journey has not been without its setbacks. The disappointment of missing out on the Asian Games team last year could have easily derailed her progress. However, she used it as motivation, winning the Rio World Cup gold and the National Championship in quick succession.Through it all, Elavenil has learned the importance of mental strength. "Tokyo has taught me to be mentally strong," she says. "That is playing a big part in my consistency and performance." She has also developed a strong support system, including a psychologist who has helped her navigate the emotional rollercoaster of elite sport.As she prepares for Paris, Elavenil is confident in her abilities and the lessons she has learned along the way. "There are going to be ups and downs," she says. "It is about how you accept the downs and push through it." With her newfound joy and determination, Elavenil Valarivan is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage once again.

India Bags Medals at World Para Athletics ChampionshipsIndia's para-athletes have made a strong start at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, securing a silver and a bronze medal on Sunday.Nishad Kumar, a Tokyo Paralympics silver medalist, cleared 1.99m in the men's T47 high jump final to finish second behind American Roderick Townsend, who won gold with a jump of 2.05m. Kumar's silver is India's first medal at the championships.Preethi Pal added a bronze to India's tally in the women's T35 200m final, clocking a time of 30.49 seconds. The T35 category is for athletes with coordination impairments.Deepthi Jeevanji also impressed, qualifying for the women's T20 400m final after winning her heat race in an Asian record time of 56.18 seconds. The T20 category is for athletes with intellectual impairment.India's performance has been encouraging, with the team currently ranked 29th in the medal tally. China leads the standings with 26 podium finishes, including 10 gold medals.The championships will continue until May 25, and India will be hoping to add to its medal count in the coming days.

Olympian shooter Manu Bhaker has emerged as the most successful athlete in the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) Rifle/Pistol, winning four titles across two events. On the concluding day of the trials in Bhopal, Bhaker triumphed in the women's 10m air pistol OST T4 match, adding to her previous victory in the women's 25m sports pistol.Bhaker's dominance in the 10m air pistol event was evident as she shot 240.8 in the final, leaving Hangzhou Asian Games champion Palak a distant 4.4 points behind in second place. Rhythm Sangwan secured the third spot.In the women's 10m air rifle OST T4, Elavenil Valarivan set a new benchmark by scoring 254.3, surpassing the current world record of 254.0 held by China's Han Jiayu. Ramita and Mehuli Ghosh finished second and third, respectively.Divyansh Panwar claimed the men's air rifle OST T4 title with a score of 253.3, just 0.4 below his own world record. Arjun Babuta and Rudrankksh Patil took the second and third spots.Ravinder Singh emerged victorious in the men's 10m air pistol OST T4 final with a score of 242.2. Varun Tomar and Sarabjot Singh finished second and third, respectively.The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) conducted a series of four trials in Delhi and Bhopal to select the squad for the Paris Olympics. The top-three scores in the trials, along with Paris Olympics quota bonus points, will determine the Indian squad for the Summer Games.Indian shooters will next compete in the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich from May 31 to June 08.

Tyson Fury's Undefeated Reign Ends in Epic Clash with Oleksandr UsykIn a historic boxing showdown, Tyson Fury's undefeated record crumbled as he lost a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The highly anticipated undisputed heavyweight clash saw Fury dominate the early rounds, but Usyk's relentless pressure and technical brilliance proved too much to overcome.Fury, known as the "Gypsy King," had been undefeated in 36 professional bouts and was aiming to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. However, Usyk, the reigning IBF, WBA, and WBO titleholder, showcased his exceptional skills and nearly knocked Fury out in the ninth round.Despite the loss, Fury remained defiant, stating that he would consider a rematch with Usyk, which is tentatively scheduled for October. However, he also hinted at the possibility of retirement, acknowledging his age and the potential risks associated with continuing his boxing career."I'll have a holiday, go home, put it to the wife and kids I'll see what I want to do," Fury said. "I'm 36 in a few months. I've been boxing since I've been a child so it is what it is."Fury's future remains uncertain, but his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time is secure. His unpredictable nature and willingness to take on any challenge have made him a fan favorite, and his rivalry with Usyk is sure to continue to captivate the boxing world.

The Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, renowned for producing Olympic medalists in wrestling, has been marred by a recent incident of violence. A coach was allegedly assaulted by a wrestler in the hostel, leaving him with severe injuries. The incident has raised concerns about the deteriorating discipline and safety at the center.Despite its past glory, Chhatrasal has faced challenges in recent years. The murder of wrestler Sagar Dhankar in 2019, involving Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar, cast a shadow over the stadium's reputation. The latest attack has revived memories of that tragedy.Coaches and trainees at Chhatrasal have expressed fear and concern, with some claiming that the incident was not an isolated case. They point to issues of indiscipline, disobedience, and power struggles within the center. The lack of experienced coaches and frequent administrative changes have also contributed to the decline.Former Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt has criticized the lack of discipline at Chhatrasal, contrasting it with the strict environment he experienced during his training. He believes that the center has lost its authority and that trainees are now allowed to behave as they please.Insiders have also raised concerns about the misuse of hostel facilities by former trainees who continue to occupy rooms despite getting jobs. Senior wrestlers are also accused of influencing juniors and engaging in power politics. The lack of a proper admission process and the absence of a designated administrator have further exacerbated the situation.The Delhi government has issued a directive on discipline and accountability in response to the incident. Trainees have been asked to vacate the hostel, and only U-14, U-17, and U19 competitors, along with current internationals, are being recalled. The government is also looking to hire more coaches.Despite the challenges, Chhatrasal remains a breeding ground for talented wrestlers. The recent Paris Olympics quota winner, Aman Sehrawat, is a testament to the center's potential. However, for the wrestlers to truly thrive, the issues of discipline, safety, and administration need to be addressed.