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Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson of YFLO Delhi and Trustee of M3M Foundation, is set to represent India at the prestigious IUKL World Championship 2024 in Kettlebell Lifting. This global event, organized by the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL), will be held in Corfu, Greece, from October 10 to 14, 2024.Dr. Kanodia's participation marks a significant milestone in her sporting journey. In 2021, she won a silver medal at the IUKL World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. This year, she returns to the international stage alongside her son, Kiaan Kanodia, who will compete in the 6 kg category.Dr. Kanodia's passion for sports stems from her ancestral village, Tauru in Haryana, India, where sports have been a cornerstone of community life. She believes in the transformative power of sports and has dedicated herself to promoting youth empowerment through sports and the arts.Under her leadership, YFLO Delhi and M3M Foundation have supported 47 scholars from 9 states across India in 24 different sports disciplines. These scholars have collectively won 33 international medals, 61 national medals, and 48 state-level medals.Dr. Kanodia's flagship program, "Lakshya," aims to nurture the potential of children and youth, empowering them to become confident individuals and fostering sustained engagement in sports and the arts. By 2025, the program aims to impact the lives of over 500 young athletes.Dr. Kanodia's journey to the IUKL World Championship is a testament to her perseverance and passion for sports. She hopes to inspire others to embrace the joy of sports and the lifelong benefits it brings. Together with her son, Kiaan, she aims to make India proud and continue to elevate India's presence on the global sports stage.

Kenyan middle-distance runner Kipyegon Bett, a former world bronze medalist in the 800 meters, passed away at the age of 26 due to kidney and liver failure. Bett's promising career was cut short in 2018 when he was banned for four years by the World Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO).Despite denying the use of performance-enhancing drugs, Bett's ban prevented him from competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships. His sister, Purity Kirui, revealed that Bett struggled with depression and alcohol abuse following his suspension.In the days leading up to his death, Bett was hospitalized in his hometown of Kericho with kidney problems. His condition worsened, and he was readmitted to the hospital on Friday. Doctors discovered that his liver was also failing, and despite treatment, both organs failed, leading to his passing on Sunday morning.Bett's death is a tragic loss for Kenyan athletics. He won the world Under-20 800m title in 2016 and the bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships. He also triumphed in the Shanghai Diamond League meet in 2017, defeating compatriot David Rudisha, the Olympic gold medalist and world record holder.Kenya's reputation as a track and field powerhouse has been tarnished by numerous doping scandals. In the past three years alone, approximately 80 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned. Bett's death serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of doping and the need for a clean and fair sport.

Swapnil Kusale's father, Suresh Kusale, has expressed disappointment over the Maharashtra government's prize money of Rs 2 crore for his son's bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. He believes the amount is insufficient compared to the rewards given by other states like Haryana.Suresh Kusale claims that Haryana offers Rs 5 crore to its Olympic medalists, regardless of the medal's color. He questions why Maharashtra has established a prize money structure that does not adequately recognize the rarity of an Olympic medal from the state.He points out that Swapnil is only the second individual Olympic medalist from Maharashtra in 72 years, after wrestler K D Jadhav in 1952. He argues that such a rare achievement deserves a more substantial reward.Suresh Kusale also criticizes the government's decision to award Rs 5 crore to gold medalists, Rs 3 crore to silver medalists, and Rs 2 crore to bronze medalists. He believes this criteria is unfair, as it does not account for the fact that only a handful of athletes from Maharashtra have won individual Olympic medals.He suggests that the government should consider naming the 50-meter-three-position rifle shooting arena at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi after his son. He also demands a flat near the stadium for Swapnil's convenience in training.Suresh Kusale's concerns highlight the need for a more equitable and merit-based approach to rewarding Olympic medalists in Maharashtra. He believes that the state should recognize the exceptional achievements of its athletes and provide them with the support they need to continue their success.

Dipa Karmakar, India's Gymnastics Trailblazer, Retires After Illustrious CareerIndian gymnastics icon Dipa Karmakar, who captivated the nation with her historic Olympic performance, has announced her retirement from the sport. The 31-year-old, who became the first Indian female gymnast to compete at the Olympics, leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and achievement.Karmakar's journey to the pinnacle of gymnastics began at a young age. Her exceptional talent and unwavering determination propelled her to the international stage, where she made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the vault event, she executed the daring "Produnova" vault, a move that had only been successfully performed by a handful of gymnasts before.Despite a valiant effort, Karmakar narrowly missed out on a bronze medal by a mere 0.15 points. Her fourth-place finish was a testament to her skill and resilience, and it ignited a surge of pride and admiration across India.In a heartfelt statement, Karmakar expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout her career. "Gymnastics has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for every moment," she said. "This decision is not easy, but it feels like the right time."Karmakar's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian gymnastics. She has been a role model for countless young athletes, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and break barriers. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

The Indian hockey team has been on a steady upward trajectory since their bronze medal triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Their impressive performance continued at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they reached the semi-finals before falling short. However, they bounced back in the bronze medal match, defeating Spain 2-1 to secure a podium finish.The team's success continued at the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy, where they emerged victorious after defeating China in the final. This victory further solidified their position as a rising force in international hockey.Hardik Singh, a key member of the Indian squad, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of the Olympic medal. "We were told the medal had iron from the Eiffel Tower, but I hope that's true," he said. "They had one job, which was to make a good quality medal, but that's not the case."Despite his disappointment with the medal, Singh remains proud of his achievement. "This is still my biggest achievement," he said. "I have a tattoo of the Olympic rings, but I've kept it incomplete. My wish is to complete it when I win the gold medal next time."Singh also shared an anecdote about an encounter with social media personality Dolly Chaiwala at an airport. "I saw it with my own eyes," he said. "People were getting themselves clicked with him and didn't recognize us. We started looking at each other, feeling awkward."This incident highlights the growing popularity of internet stars and the potential for them to overshadow athletes who have achieved significant accomplishments.As the Indian hockey team looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, they will be determined to continue their upward trajectory and challenge for the gold medal. With their current form and determination, they have the potential to make history and bring home the ultimate prize.

Ralf Schumacher's Villa Sale Sparks Controversy with Ex-Wife CoraFormer Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has reignited a controversy with his ex-wife Cora after listing their former villa for sale. The GBP 4 million (approximately $5 million) property in Hallwang, Austria, was once home to Ralf, Cora, and their son David.The villa was previously listed for sale but failed to find a buyer. The latest listing has angered Cora, who took to Instagram to express her frustration. She accused Ralf of "twisting the facts" and "throwing her into a wrong light." Cora claims that the photos of the house were circulated online a decade ago when Ralf first attempted to sell it.The controversy comes amid ongoing speculation about the health of Ralf's brother, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. In November 2023, Ralf suggested that Michael may never fully recover from his 2013 skiing accident. Michael sustained a serious head injury after falling and hitting his head on a rock.Ralf described the accident as a "very bad and drastic experience" for the family. He recalled Michael's role as his mentor and coach, saying, "He taught me everything about karting. He shared all that he learned in seven years. I had the honor to learn from the best."The sale of the villa has brought to light the ongoing tensions between Ralf and Cora. The couple divorced in 2015, and Ralf has since declared his homosexuality. Cora's Instagram post suggests that the controversy surrounding the villa sale is just the latest chapter in their ongoing dispute.

Indian pistol shooter Divanshi has once again proven her dominance in the women's 25m standard pistol event, securing her second individual gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru. This remarkable achievement was accompanied by a clean sweep of the event, with teammates Parisha Gupta and Manvi Jain claiming silver and bronze, respectively.Divanshi's victory was a testament to her exceptional precision and focus, as she outshot her rivals with a score of 564 out of 600. Gupta, with a score of 559, and Jain, with 557, also showcased their impressive skills, marking India's first-ever clean sweep in this competition.In the corresponding junior men's event, Suraj Sharma emerged victorious with a score of 571, narrowly defeating Poland's Ivan Rakistski, who shot 568 for silver. Mukesh Nelavalli, who has already accumulated four gold medals in the championship, settled for bronze after a countback, despite shooting the same score as Rakistski.Other notable performances from the Indian contingent included Harsimar Singh Rattha, Raajwardan Singh Patil, and Pradhyumn Singh, who finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively, in the junior men's event.In the junior women's 50m rifle prone event, Melvina Joel Gladson was the highest-ranked Indian finisher, placing 14th with a score of 617.5. Prachi Gaikwad, Khushi, Aadhya Agrawal, and Anoushka Thokur also competed, finishing in the top 35.In the team competition, Melvina, Prachi, and Anoushka's combined score of 1846.1 secured a sixth-place finish for India in the prone event.India's young shooters have been in impressive form throughout the championship, amassing a total of 21 medals, including 13 gold, two silver, and six bronze. This tally places India firmly at the top of the standings, with Norway and China trailing behind.

Rising Indian archer Vaishnavi Pawar, backed by the Punit Balan Group, has made a remarkable impact on the international stage. At the 2024 Asian Youth Archery Championship in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei, Vaishnavi played a pivotal role in the Indian team's silver medal triumph in the recurve U-18 women's team category.As the lead shooter for the three-member Indian team, which also included Pranjal Tholiya and Jannat, Vaishnavi displayed exceptional composure under pressure. In the semi-final, they faced the formidable South Korea and emerged victorious in a thrilling shoot-off.The Indian team faced a similar challenge in the gold medal match against the hosts. After trailing 2-4, they fought back to force a shoot-off, but ultimately settled for silver."Representing India alongside my teammates is an honor," said Vaishnavi. "Beating South Korea in the semi-finals was a significant achievement, and we are determined to continue improving. I am grateful for the support of the Punit Balan Group, which has been invaluable in my journey."Vaishnavi, who hails from Malkapur Village in Maharashtra, has been training in Pune. Her talent caught the attention of the Punit Balan Group, which extended financial assistance to support her training and competition expenses."Vaishnavi's performance in Chinese Taipei is a testament to her hard work and dedication," said Punit Balan, chairman and managing director of Punit Balan Group. "We are proud to support her and believe she has the potential to achieve great things in the future."In addition to her team success, Vaishnavi also reached the quarter-finals in the individual category. Her impressive performance at the Asian Youth Archery Championship has further solidified her status as a rising star in Indian archery.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has ignited speculation about his potential appearance at WWE Bad Blood 2024 with a cryptic Instagram post. The legendary wrestler confirmed his presence in Georgia, the host city of the event, just a day before its commencement.Johnson's last WWE appearance was at WrestleMania 40, where he teamed up with Roman Reigns. His return to Bad Blood would mark a significant moment for fans eager to witness the icon in action once again.The Rock's Instagram post was ostensibly a message of support for the Apalachee High School Wildcats, who were affected by a mass shooting a month ago. However, his presence in Georgia has fueled rumors of a possible WWE appearance.The Bad Blood 2024 match card features several high-profile encounters, including a Tag Team Match pitting Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. CM Punk and Drew McIntyre will clash in a brutal Hell in a Cell Match, while Liv Morgan will defend her Women's World Championship against Rhea Ripley.Other notable matches include a One on One Grudge Match between Damian Priest and Finn Balor, and a WWE Women's Championship Match between Nia Jax and Bayley.Johnson's potential involvement in Bad Blood would add an extra layer of excitement to an already stacked event. Fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing the People's Champion return to the ring and deliver another unforgettable performance.