Others

Reetika Hooda, India's rising wrestling sensation, has etched her name in history by securing an Olympic quota in the 76kg weight division for the Paris Games. This marks the first time India will be represented in this weight class at the Olympics.Hooda's journey to the top has been marked by unwavering determination and a fearless spirit. She believes in facing the toughest opponents to achieve greatness. Her recent success at the Olympic qualifiers in Bishkek, where she overcame formidable wrestlers like Davaanasan Enkh Amar and Juan Wang, is a testament to her exceptional talent.National coach Virender Singh Dahiya hails Hooda as the brightest Indian talent in women's wrestling. He praises her physical strength and mental fortitude, noting that she remains composed even when trailing in bouts.Hooda's inspiration stems from Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik and two-time world champion Amit Elor. She admires Elor's technical prowess and calm demeanor during matches.Her coach at Chotu Ram Stadium, Mandeep Singh, highlights Hooda's positive mindset and unwavering belief in her abilities. He credits her with never shying away from strong opponents and constantly striving to improve.The turning point in Hooda's career came with her gold medal victory at the U23 World Championships in 2023. This triumph instilled in her the belief that she could achieve Olympic glory.Hooda's mother has played a crucial role in her success, providing unwavering support and meticulous attention to her diet and hydration.With her Olympic quota secured, Hooda's focus now shifts to winning an Olympic medal. Her unwavering determination and exceptional talent make her a formidable contender for the podium in Paris.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese star pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, continues to impress in his first Major League Baseball season. On Wednesday night, Yamamoto threw six scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading the Dodgers to an 8-0 victory.Yamamoto, who signed a $325 million, 12-year contract with the Dodgers during the offseason, has been dominant in his past six starts. After a rough outing in his first appearance, he has now lowered his ERA to 2.91. Against the Diamondbacks, he allowed only five hits and two walks while striking out five batters.The Dodgers' offense provided ample support for Yamamoto, scoring five runs in the second inning. Rookie Andy Pages hit a two-run homer, while Austin Barnes and Mookie Betts added RBI doubles and singles, respectively. Will Smith also contributed a solo homer in the third inning.Pages, who is on an eight-game hitting streak, has been a key contributor for the Dodgers since his call-up. He now has 10 RBIs in 14 games. Betts, the reigning National League MVP, had three hits in the game, while Miguel Rojas added two.The Diamondbacks' offense struggled against Yamamoto and the Dodgers' bullpen. Jordan Montgomery, who was pushed back one day after a bee infestation delayed Tuesday's game, gave up six runs on six hits and three walks in three innings. Blake Walston, making his MLB debut, allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief.The Dodgers have now won eight of their past 10 games and took two of three games in the series against the Diamondbacks. They will return home for a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, while the Diamondbacks will host the San Diego Padres.

American boxer Ryan Garcia's stunning victory over Devin Haney last month has been marred by allegations of doping. ESPN reported that Garcia tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine on the day before and the morning of the April 20 bout. The report also suggests that Garcia may have tested positive for another banned substance, 19-norandrosterone, although this result is unconfirmed.Ostarine is a performance-enhancing drug used to prevent muscle loss and improve lean body mass. It is commonly used in the treatment of women with breast cancer. Garcia's positive test results have raised questions about the legitimacy of his victory over Haney, who retained his WBC super-lightweight title.Garcia has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the allegations are "fake news." He has suggested that a tainted herbal supplement may be responsible for the positive test result. However, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), which oversees drug-testing in boxing and mixed martial arts, has confirmed the authenticity of the test results.The allegations against Garcia have sent shockwaves through the boxing world. If proven true, they could result in Garcia facing a lengthy suspension and potentially losing his victory over Haney. The incident has also raised concerns about the prevalence of doping in boxing and the need for stricter drug-testing measures.Garcia's case is a reminder that even the most talented athletes are not immune to the temptation of using performance-enhancing drugs. It is essential for boxing authorities to continue to crack down on doping and ensure that the sport remains fair and competitive.

In a pivotal matchup between the top two teams in the AL East, the New York Yankees emerged victorious over the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 on Wednesday night. Luis Gil, the Yankees' starting pitcher, delivered a dominant performance, outdueling Corbin Burnes, the Orioles' ace.Gil, in his longest outing of the season, allowed only two hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five batters and never allowed a runner to advance past first base. His impressive outing helped the Yankees avoid a sweep in the four-game series.The game's lone scoring came in the fifth inning when Oswaldo Cabrera launched a two-run homer over the right-field wall. The homer, which was upheld after a brief review, proved to be the difference in the low-scoring affair.Burnes, who was traded to Baltimore from Milwaukee this offseason, pitched well but was unable to match Gil's dominance. He allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, striking out six and walking one.The Yankees' bullpen, led by closer Clay Holmes, was equally impressive. Holmes pitched the final five outs, striking out Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman with two on to end the eighth inning. He then worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to secure his 10th save in 11 chances.The victory keeps the Yankees and Orioles virtually tied for first place in the AL East, with the Orioles holding a slight percentage point advantage.

Mike Tyson, the legendary boxer, has shared his insights on the importance of adversity and resilience in shaping personal growth. In an episode of "Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios," Tyson emphasized that his greatest lessons came not from his victories but from his mistakes and setbacks.Tyson's journey began with an impressive 19-bout winning streak, making him the youngest heavyweight champion in history. However, he acknowledges that his early success did not teach him as much as the challenges he faced later on."Adversity is the greatest teacher," Tyson said. "It's what makes people champions, not that they win, but that they lose and don't get discouraged."Tyson's daughter, Milan, an aspiring tennis pro, has also experienced the value of learning from defeat. Despite winning her first tournament at a young age, she went through a period of losses that tested her resolve."She never got discouraged," Tyson said. "That's what makes people champions, not that they win, but that they lose and don't get discouraged."Kyrgios, a tennis star himself, echoed Tyson's sentiments, noting that in tennis, "you're losing every week. You have to become a good loser."Tyson drew parallels between boxing and life, emphasizing the importance of discipline and perseverance."I wasn't born Mike Tyson," he said. "I got knocked out a lot. I had to learn the rules, I had to learn the game, I had to learn discipline. It's OK if you get knocked down 100 times, but never give up."Tyson also addressed his past struggles with substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors. He acknowledged that these experiences have shaped him into the person he is today."I trained hard, and I partied hard," he said. "If I didn't do that, I wouldn't be Mike Tyson. That makes me who I am now. ... That's because I have flaws."Tyson concluded the conversation with a message of hope and encouragement."Life is about flaws, and learning from our flaws," he said. "Life is not perfection ... it doesn't work like that. This whole planet is one big school, and we're students. And just like school, some people learn quicker than others, and some learn really, really late. Everybody learns, even if appears that they don't."

In a thrilling midweek matchup, the Kansas City Royals emerged victorious over the Toronto Blue Jays, claiming a 6-1 victory at Rogers Centre. Seth Lugo, the Royals' starting pitcher, delivered a stellar performance, allowing only one hit through seven innings. His impressive outing included eight strikeouts and two walks, lowering his ERA to a remarkable 1.60.The Royals' offense came alive in the sixth inning, breaking the scoreless tie. Kyle Isbel's double ignited the rally, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Maikel Garcia. Michael Massey's RBI groundout gave Kansas City the lead, and Vinnie Pasquantino's double extended the advantage. Salvador Perez's timely single drove in another run, putting the Royals up 2-0.Toronto's lone run came in the seventh inning when Danny Jansen connected for a solo home run off Lugo. However, the Royals responded swiftly in the eighth inning with Massey's three-run homer off Nate Pearson. Massey's blast marked his second home run in as many games, giving him four RBIs on the night.Chris Bassitt, the Blue Jays' starter, had a solid outing through five innings, but his performance faltered in the sixth. He allowed three runs on four hits in six innings, ultimately taking the loss.The Royals' defense also played a crucial role in the victory. Bobby Witt Jr. made a highlight-reel play in the sixth inning, sliding to stop a ground ball and throwing from one knee to retire Bo Bichette.With this win, the Royals improved their record to 5-2 against the Blue Jays this season. They will next face the Texas Rangers on Friday, with Brady Singer scheduled to start for Kansas City. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will travel to Washington to take on the Nationals in a three-game series, with Yusei Kikuchi expected to start the opener.

The Indian Grand Prix 1 in Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium marked the commencement of the domestic athletics season, but the performances fell short of expectations for athletes aiming to qualify for the Paris Olympics.Despite the lowkey performances, the season is still in its early stages, and athletes have five more AFI-sanctioned events to meet the June 30 deadline for Paris qualification. Among those hoping to improve their performances are jumpers Shaili Singh, Eldhose Paul, Praveen Chithravel, and Abdulla Aboobacker.Shaili Singh, the women's long jump hopeful, won in Bengaluru with an opening jump of 6.52m, but it fell short of the automatic qualification mark of 6.86m. She has struggled to find consistency at the senior level, despite flashes of brilliance.In the men's triple jump, Commonwealth Games champion Eldhose Paul and Asian Games bronze medalist Praveen Chithravel failed to breach the Paris qualifying mark of 17.22m. Chithravel, who has crossed 17m this year, remains India's best hope in the event.Other Indian athletes yet to qualify for Paris include javelin thrower Annu Rani and 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji. Rani, who won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games, has been training in Europe under the guidance of Werner Daniels. Yarraji, a serial national record breaker, is likely to qualify on rankings, as she is currently 18th on the 'Road to Paris' list.With the qualification clock ticking, Indian athletes will be looking to raise their performances in the upcoming events and secure their spots at the Paris Olympics.

Chhatrasal Stadium Hostel Evacuated After Coach AssaultThe prestigious Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, renowned for its wrestling academy, has been rocked by a shocking incident that has led to the evacuation of the hostel. On Tuesday night, an international referee and coach, Jaiveer Dahiya, was allegedly beaten up by a trainee wrestler.According to coaches at the center, the incident occurred around 11 pm when a wrestler attacked Dahiya with sticks in the presence of his friends. The coach sustained severe injuries to his head and chin, requiring multiple stitches. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute during training.Despite the severity of the assault, Dahiya declined to file a complaint, claiming he had fallen down the stairs. However, the stadium administration took immediate action, closing the hostel and ordering the wrestlers to vacate the premises.The incident has raised concerns about the safety and discipline at the stadium. In 2021, the Chhatrasal Stadium gained notoriety when junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar was murdered within its premises. Double Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar was arrested for his involvement in the assault.The stadium, operated by the Delhi government, is a multisport facility that also offers training in athletics, basketball, archery, and football. The wrestling academy has produced numerous national and international champions, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya.Following the hostel evacuation, only a select group of top wrestlers, including Dahiya, Aman Sehrawat, Deepak Punia, and Sumit Malik, have been permitted to continue training at the stadium. The remaining wrestlers have been asked to find alternative accommodations.The Deputy Director of Education (Sports), Manish Jain, has not responded to requests for comment on the incident. The investigation into the assault is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.

Indian boxers Aryan, Yashwardhan Singh, Priyanshu, and Sahil have stormed into the semifinals of the Asian U-22 & Youth Boxing Championships 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan.Aryan kicked off India's campaign with a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Uzbekistan's Juraev Shakarboy in the 51kg category. Yashwardhan (63.5kg) displayed resilience, overcoming an early setback to secure a 4-1 win against Iran's Mirahmadi Babaheidari.Priyanshu (71kg) and Sahil (80kg) made light work of their opponents, securing referee stop the contest (RSC) victories against Chinese Taipei's Wu Yu En and Turkmenistan's Yklymov Abdyrahma, respectively.However, Jatin's journey in the 57kg category came to an end with a 1-4 loss to Uzbekistan's A Nodirbek.In the youth category, Aryan (92kg), Nisha (52kg), Akansha Phalaswal (70kg), and Rudrika (75kg) will compete in their respective quarterfinal bouts later today.On Tuesday, Jugnoo (86kg), Tammana (50kg), and Preeti (54kg) secured victories to advance to the U-22 semifinals.On Thursday, eight U-22 pugilists will take the ring for their quarterfinal bouts: M Jadumani Singh (51kg), Ashish (54kg), Nikhil (57kg), Ajay Kumar (63.5kg), Ankush (71kg), and Dhruv Singh (80kg) in the men's category, while Guddi (48kg) and Poonam (57kg) will represent India in the women's section.The finals for the youth and U-22 categories will be held on May 6 and 7, respectively.