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P Shayaamnikhil, a 31-year-old chess prodigy from Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu, has finally achieved his long-awaited dream of becoming India's 85th Grandmaster (GM). After a 12-year wait, Shayaamnikhil secured his third and final GM norm at the recently concluded Dubai Police Masters chess tournament.Shayaamnikhil's journey to GM status began at the tender age of eight when he was introduced to the game by his parents. Despite facing financial constraints, he relocated to Chennai to pursue his chess aspirations under the guidance of renowned coach K Visweswaran.In 2011, at the age of 19, Shayaamnikhil earned his first GM norm at the Mumbai Mayors Cup. He followed it up with a second norm at the Indian championship. However, completing the rating requirement proved to be an elusive goal for the next 12 years.Shayaamnikhil faced numerous setbacks and missed opportunities during this period. He narrowly missed his final norm at the Dubai Open in 2012 and struggled to find success in tournaments in Vietnam and the UAE.Undeterred, Shayaamnikhil remained determined to achieve his GM title. In 2017, he began competing in Europe, hoping to secure the elusive norm. However, he faced further disappointments, including a missed opportunity at a tournament in France just before the Dubai Police Masters.With unwavering resolve, Shayaamnikhil entered the Dubai Police Masters with a renewed sense of purpose. He needed just one win and eight draws to complete his GM title. In a nail-biting final round, Shayaamnikhil conjured the necessary victory, securing his third GM norm and the coveted 2500 ELO rating points.Shayaamnikhil's triumph is a testament to his perseverance and unwavering belief in his abilities. He credits his parents, coach, and the support of his fellow players for his success."I started playing at the age of eight, my parents taught me but I could not play any tournament for three years. Winning the under-13 State championship opened up opportunities for me as I could play Asian and age group world championship," Shayaamnikhil recalled."Now that the title is done, I can play more freely," he added.

Star Indian javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena have been granted direct entry into the Federation Cup finals in Bhubaneswar on May 15th. This decision was made as both athletes have consistently surpassed the minimum qualification mark of 75m throughout their careers.Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, recently finished second at the Doha Diamond League with an impressive throw of 88.38m. Jena, the Asian Games silver medalist, made his Diamond League debut but was eliminated after three rounds with a best throw of 76.31m.DP Manu, who placed sixth at the 2023 World Championships, will also compete directly in the finals. He aims to qualify for the Paris Olympics by achieving a mark of 85.50m.According to Indian athletics head coach Radhakrishnan Nair, "All those who have crossed 75m will not compete in the qualifying round on Tuesday. There are nine of them from among those who had made entries, including Neeraj and Jena. They will directly compete in the final on Wednesday."The remaining athletes with marks below 75m will participate in the qualifying round, with the top three joining the nine above-75m throwers in the final.The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is eagerly anticipating Chopra's first competitive outing in India in three years. "The AFI is not at all surprised at Neeraj taking part in the Federation Cup. His participation in domestic events is undoubtedly a positive development for Indian athletics," stated a senior AFI official.Chopra has reportedly arrived in India from Doha but will only arrive in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Jena, the Asian Games medalist, is expected to arrive later on Monday.Nair downplayed the injury sustained by men's 4x400m relay squad member Rajesh Ramesh, who withdrew during the second leg of the first round qualifying heat in the Bahamas earlier this month. Ramesh was replaced by Arokia Rajiv, who was also not fully fit, in the second round of the Olympic qualifying heat, and the Indian team secured a Paris ticket."Ramesh's injury is not a hamstring pull, it's related to a tendon in the thigh. So, it is not a major injury. He is expected to start training in 10-15 days. Rajiv will also be alright soon," Nair said. "There should not be any problem in Olympics preparation."A total of 19 track and field athletes have qualified for Paris, and Nair announced that the team will train in Spala, Poland, for four weeks before traveling to Paris for the Olympics. Track and field events commence on August 1st."The team will train in Spala before Olympics and we will reach Paris three or four days before the competition starts," he said.The AFI remains hopeful of the mixed 4x400m relay team's Paris qualification despite its failure in the Bahamas during the World Relays. Only two slots remain available."Our mixed 4x400m team will take part in the Asian Relays (May 20-21 in Bangkok) and we can qualify for Paris if we run below 3 minutes 14 seconds, and we feel we can do that," Nair added.The AFI is reportedly preparing a strategic plan with the goal of winning multiple medals in the 2036 Olympics, regardless of whether India wins the right to host the Games.

Rose Zhang, the 20-year-old Stanford product, has finally delivered on the immense expectations surrounding her since her professional debut last year. On Sunday, she captured the Cognizant Founders Cup, her first LPGA Tour victory, with a stunning birdie run on the final five holes.Zhang's triumph ended Nelly Korda's record-tying winning streak of five consecutive events. Korda, who had struggled in the final two rounds, finished tied for seventh.Zhang's victory was a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite a shaky start where she almost fell on her rear end, she managed to make par and maintain her composure.As the round progressed, Zhang and Madelene Sagstrom engaged in a stroke-play duel, with the rest of the field trailing behind. Sagstrom held a three-shot lead after 13 holes, but Zhang's birdies on 14, 15, 17, and 18 propelled her to victory.Sagstrom, who had been seeking her first victory since 2020, was left heartbroken by the outcome. However, she acknowledged Zhang's exceptional play and expressed her satisfaction with her own performance.Zhang's victory is a significant milestone in her young career. It reignited her passion for the game and proved that she has the talent and determination to compete at the highest level.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Seth Lugo's dominant performance on the mound and Hunter Renfroe's timely hit against his former team propelled the Kansas City Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.Lugo, in his first season with the Royals, showcased his exceptional pitching prowess by striking out a career-high 12 batters over eight impressive innings. He allowed only one run on five hits, continuing his remarkable start to the season. Lugo's ERA now stands at a stellar 1.66, the best in the American League.The Royals' offense provided ample support for Lugo in the fourth inning. Renfroe, who played for the Angels last season, delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded, driving in Nelson Velasquez and Freddie Fermin. Michael Massey added another RBI with a sacrifice bunt, giving Kansas City a 4-0 lead.The Angels managed to chip away at the deficit in the sixth inning when Willie Calhoun hit an RBI double. Calhoun struck again in the ninth with a solo homer, but it was too little too late for Los Angeles.Patrick Sandoval, the Angels' starting pitcher, pitched into the seventh inning but allowed 11 hits and four runs during the Royals' fourth-inning rally. Sandoval has now lost five of his last seven starts.The Royals' victory marked their third in the four-game series against the Angels. Kansas City's Brady Singer will take the mound in Seattle on Monday for the series opener against the Mariners. The Angels, meanwhile, will host the St. Louis Cardinals in Anaheim on Monday, with Jose Soriano scheduled to start.

India's Olympic wrestling hopes have been dampened after only one male freestyle wrestler, Aman Sehrawat, qualified for the Paris Games. Sujeet Kalkal and Jaideep Ahlawat's losses in the repechage rounds at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul dashed India's chances of sending more men to the Olympics.Wrestling was India's most successful sport at the Tokyo Olympics, with Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia winning silver and bronze medals, respectively. However, the sport has been plagued by turmoil in the past year due to protests and a lack of national camps.Sujeet's failure to qualify also ends Punia's hopes of competing in Paris. Dahiya remains in contention, but he will have to prove his worth in selection trials scheduled for June 10.In women's wrestling, India has secured quotas through Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, and Reetika Hooda. Vinesh, who has been at the forefront of the wrestling protests, has the option to compete in either 50kg or 53kg.WFI president Sanjay Singh emphasized that Vinesh must choose one weight class for the trials. "She has to choose between 50kg and 53kg; whichever weight she gives her weigh-in, she can compete in that," Singh said.Despite the challenges, India's wrestlers remain determined to make their mark in Paris. However, the lack of preparation and turmoil within the sport have raised concerns about their ability to replicate their success from Tokyo.

Parveen Hooda, one of India's four Olympic-bound boxers, is embracing the final stretch of her preparation for the Paris Games. Despite the sacrifices and challenges, she remains focused on her dream of Olympic glory.Hooda's journey to the Olympics has been marked by steady progress and unwavering determination. From her breakthrough victory over Sarita Devi in 2019 to her recent medal-winning performances at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Games, she has consistently proven her mettle.The 24-year-old boxer has identified the need to enhance her technical skills in preparation for Paris. She has expanded her repertoire beyond her signature counterattacking style, improving her ability to initiate attacks and fight effectively at all ranges.Hooda's transformation has also extended to her mental fortitude. She has worked diligently with a psychologist to strengthen her mental resilience, recognizing the importance of handling pressure in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.Despite the intense training and sacrifices, Hooda remains grounded and focused on her ultimate goal. She has limited her phone usage, minimized social interactions, and adopted a strict diet to maintain her weight.Hooda's unwavering determination and belief in her abilities have been instrumental in her success. She is confident in her ability to perform well in Paris, knowing that she has overcome numerous challenges and gained invaluable experience along the way.

With the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaching, the Indian men's hockey team is intensifying its preparations to end a 44-year gold medal drought. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh has revealed that the team is in the "last stages of an intense training block" as they aim to secure a top-four finish in Pool B and progress to the quarterfinals.India faces a formidable challenge in Pool B, which includes reigning Olympic champions Belgium, world number three Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. The team will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia."We are in the last stages of an intense training block right now," said Harmanpreet. "The team has worked on the areas we felt needed attention after the Tour of Australia. Soon, we will head to Europe to play some essential matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 to test ourselves against some tough opponents like Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain."Vice-captain Hardik Singh expressed his excitement for the Olympics, stating, "The team is leaving no stone unturned in our endeavor to change the color of our previous medal and clinch Gold at the Olympics this time. We have players like PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh who could be playing their fourth Olympics along with quite a few players who could be playing their third Olympics, including our Captain. Their experience has been instrumental in molding some of the younger players we have in the squad right now."India has a rich history in hockey at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals. The team's last Olympic medal was a bronze in Tokyo 2020.As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, the Indian men's hockey team is determined to make history and bring home the gold medal that has eluded them for over four decades.

India's R Praggnanandhaa continues to impress in the Superbet rapid and blitz chess tournament, securing another victory over world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway. However, Wei Yi of China has extended his lead to a commanding 2.5 points after the first day of blitz.With nine rounds remaining in the blitz event, Wei Yi has accumulated an impressive 20.5 points, including seven wins on the opening day. The Chinese prodigy appears unstoppable and is poised to claim the first leg of the Grand Chess Tour unless a significant setback occurs.Carlsen, with 18 points, trails Wei Yi by a significant margin. Praggnanandhaa's consistent victories over the world champion in rapid chess have contributed to Carlsen's current position. However, Praggnanandhaa remains behind the leaders with 14.5 points, making it a two-horse race for the title.Arjun Erigaisi of India occupies fourth place with 14 points, followed by Duda Jan-Krzysztof of Poland with 13 points. Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and Vincent Keymer of Germany are in sixth and seventh place, respectively, with 12.5 and 11.5 points.Anish Giri of Holland has improved his position to ninth with 10.5 points. In contrast, world championship challenger D. Gukesh of India continues to struggle, languishing at the bottom of the standings with 9.5 points.Carlsen has acknowledged that his nervous system was affected by his second-round loss to Praggnanandhaa. The world number one managed to secure six points out of nine, a respectable result, but he suffered another blunder against Abdusattorov after his defeat to the Indian prodigy.Wei Yi began the day with a loss to Gukesh but quickly recovered, conceding only a draw to Carlsen while winning the remaining seven games. Gukesh had a challenging day despite his strong start against the tournament leader, scoring only 2.5 points.Arjun's victories over Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh keep him in contention for a podium finish. Despite losses to Wei Yi and Carlsen, Arjun secured five wins and two draws in his other games, giving him optimism for the final day.

Atlanta's Max Fried and two relievers combined for a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings before New York's J.D. Martinez homered to spoil the bid as the Braves beat the Mets 4-1 on Saturday. Fried opened with seven no-hit innings, and Joe Jiménez worked around a pair of walks in the eighth before Raisel Iglesias retired the first two batters of the ninth. Martinez homered just over the wall in right field on the next pitch off Iglesias, who walked Jeff McNeil and allowed an infield single to Harrison Bader before retiring Brett Baty on a fly to center.The Braves have not thrown a no-hitter since Kent Mercker's gem against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8, 1994. The no-hitter drought is the fourth-longest in the majors. The Braves have the second-most wins and second-lowest ERA in baseball since 1994, a span in which Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz pitched for the team.In other MLB action, the Blue Jays overcame a six-run deficit to beat the Twins 10-8, the Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Nationals, the Rays beat the Yankees 7-2, the Phillies extended their winning streak to 13 games with an 8-3 win over the Marlins, the Orioles edged the Diamondbacks 5-4 in 11 innings, the Tigers beat the Astros 8-2, the White Sox topped the Guardians 3-1, the Pirates edged the Cubs 10-9, the Giants beat the Reds 5-1, and the Brewers defeated the Cardinals 5-3.