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India's chess prodigy, D Gukesh, has emerged as a global sensation after becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the world title. Inspired by the resilience of MS Dhoni and Novak Djokovic under pressure, Gukesh attributes his success to their unwavering mental fortitude.At just 17, Gukesh shattered Garry Kasparov's 40-year-old record by winning the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto. This historic triumph grants him the opportunity to face reigning world champion Ding Liren of China later this year.Gukesh's admiration for Dhoni and Djokovic stems from their ability to perform at their peak under intense scrutiny. "They are big-game players who always come out on top and bring out their best when needed," he said. "That's why I'm attracted to them."While Dhoni led India to two World Cup victories and five IPL titles, Djokovic has amassed a record 24 Grand Slam titles. Gukesh also draws inspiration from Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion who recently forfeited his qualification spot for 2024."There are a lot of things you can learn from him," Gukesh said of Carlsen. "Not just chess, but also the mental attitude. He has one of the best mentalities in the world in any sport."Despite the inherent nervousness associated with chess, Gukesh believes that experience helps players manage their emotions. "We all get nervous, but with experience, we all learn how to deal with it," he said.Gukesh is eagerly anticipating his clash with Ding Liren and is confident in his preparations. The All India Chess Federation is exploring the possibility of hosting the world title contest in India.Kasparov, a legendary chess player, praised Gukesh's achievement, calling him "the Indian earthquake in Toronto." Gukesh expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, "Kasparov is one of my heroes, and to get a huge compliment from him means a lot."Beyond chess, Gukesh is an avid sports enthusiast, particularly enjoying tennis. "I like to play some sports, and generally, I am just in love with sports," he said.

India's cycling aspirations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics rest heavily on the expertise of French coach Kevin Sireau and a promising group of young cyclists who have already made their mark on the Asian and world junior circuits.Sireau, a two-time Olympic medalist, joined the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) in January and has quickly recognized the potential of India's cycling ecosystem. Under his guidance, the Indian quartet of Esow Alben, L Ronaldo Singh, Y Rojit Singh, and Jemsh Singh, who won a historic gold medal at the 2019 World Junior Track Cycling Championship, are now aiming for the Olympic podium.Ronaldo also became the first Indian to win an individual silver medal in the men's sprint race at the 2022 Asian Track Cycling Championship. India's strong performance at the Asian meet, where they won nine gold medals, further boosted their confidence.Sireau believes that India has the talent to succeed at the highest level. "In a big country like India, I believe we have many future talents," he said. "These guys have just started by winning the junior worlds. Now they are in the senior category and if they have to finish on the Olympic podium, a very high level has to be achieved."The Indian team has shown signs of improvement under Sireau's guidance, clocking a personal best of 44.451 seconds in the Asian Track Cycling Championship sprint race. While they are still behind the Olympic record of 41.369 seconds, they are not far from Australia's fourth-best time of 44.013 seconds."This year our target is the world championships in October," said Sireau. "We are driving all energies in that direction. I have discussed the roadmap for LA 2028 with CFI and doing things step by step. In the next three-four years you will see a big difference, I promise."Asian Cycling Confederation secretary general Onkar Singh is confident in Sireau's abilities. "From 149th rank to Category 1 in juniors in four years' time, speaks for itself," he said. "We are lucky to have a person like Kevin."Cyclist Rojit, who is supported by the government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme, praised Sireau's impact. "There has been a lot of difference since Kevin sir joined the team," he said. "He has changed how we train, what we eat and how we plan recovery. He has brought a new discipline and I am very happy for being able to learn from him."With Sireau's guidance and the determination of its young cyclists, India's cycling program is poised for success in the years leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Shanghai, China - The Indian archery trio of Tarundeep Rai, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Pravin Jadhav have secured a medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 after reaching the men's recurve final on Thursday.The Indian team, seeded second behind reigning world and Olympic champions South Korea, displayed their dominance by defeating Italy 5-1 in the semifinals without dropping a set. They will now face the top-seeded Korean trio of Kim Woojin, Lee Woo Seok, and Kim Je Deok in the gold medal match on Sunday.The Korean trio, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, defeated Chinese Taipei's Tan Chih-Chun, Lin Zih-Siang, and Tai Yu-Hsuan in straight sets 6-0 in the other semifinal.Earlier, the Indians received a first-round bye in the season-opening tournament. They overcame a first-set deficit to beat 15th-seeded Indonesia 5-3 in their opening clash. They then showcased their prowess against seventh-seeded Spain, dropping just one point in the first set before cruising to a 5-1 victory to reach the semifinals.Meanwhile, the Indian women's team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Bhajan Kaur, ranked sixth in the qualifiers, had a disappointing performance. They lost a 3-1 lead to Mexico in their opening clash. After receiving a bye in the first round, the Indian women's team held a 3-1 lead in the second set. However, their scores were below par, and they lost 3-5. They hit twice in the red ring 7 in the opening set, dropped down to the sixth ring in the third set, and managed two eights in the final set.

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh has etched his name in history as the youngest challenger to the world title after his triumph at the prestigious Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto. The 17-year-old is the first Indian since the legendary Viswanathan Anand to win the tournament, a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.Gukesh's father, Dr. Rajinikanth, a surgeon by profession, made a bold decision to quit his practice to support his son's chess aspirations. This risky move, initially met with opposition from family, has now borne fruit. "It was a tense moment as the game was fluctuating," Rajinikanth recalled about the decisive tie. "We were not sure about the result and felt that he should better prepare for the tiebreaks next day."However, fate had a different plan. The organizer informed Rajinikanth that the match was over, much to their surprise. "There was a 15-minute delay in broadcast so we weren't aware of the situation," he added.Gukesh's victory has not only brought him international acclaim but has also inspired young chess players in Tamil Nadu. The legendary Viswanathan Anand, a role model for Gukesh, has played a significant role in fostering the chess culture in the state.Upon his return from Toronto, Gukesh received a rousing reception from fans at the Chennai airport. Hundreds of students from his school, Velammal Vidyalaya, lined up to greet the champion. "I feel very happy for this homecoming, this is a special achievement," Gukesh said. "I was in a good space since the beginning of the tournament, I had full confidence that I will emerge top in this tournament and luck was on my side as well."Gukesh's triumph is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of his family and coaches. It is a moment of pride for India and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring chess players around the world.

The Kansas City Royals emerged victorious in their Wednesday night clash against the Toronto Blue Jays, securing a 3-2 victory at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals' triumph was fueled by a solid pitching performance and timely hitting, bouncing back from their loss in the series opener.Alec Marsh, the Royals' starting pitcher, showcased his dominance, allowing only two hits in 4.1 innings before exiting the game due to a line drive off his forearm. Four relievers, including John Schreiber and James McArthur, stepped up to complete the six-hitter, limiting the Blue Jays' offensive output.The Royals' offense got off to a strong start, capitalizing on walks by Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodríguez. Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez delivered key hits to drive in runs, giving Kansas City an early 2-0 lead.In the second inning, Kyle Isbel's double and a misplay by Addison Barger allowed Garcia to single in another run, extending the Royals' advantage to 3-0.The Blue Jays managed to get on the board in the fifth inning when George Springer connected for a solo home run off reliever Angel Zerpa. Toronto further chipped away at the deficit in the sixth inning with an RBI groundout from Ernie Clement, narrowing the gap to 3-2.However, the Royals' bullpen held firm, preventing the Blue Jays from tying or taking the lead. Schreiber earned the win in relief, while McArthur secured his sixth save of the season.

Gunnar Henderson's impressive performance continued as the Baltimore Orioles secured a 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Henderson's three hits and three RBIs played a crucial role in the Orioles' triumph, despite Mike Trout's historic 10th home run of the season.Henderson, batting leadoff for the second consecutive day, set the tone for Baltimore with a solo homer in the third inning. His eighth home run of the season placed him second in the American League. Adley Rutschman contributed with two hits and an RBI, marking his 12th multihit game of the year.The Orioles took an early 6-0 lead, but the Angels staged a late rally. Trout's solo shot in the sixth ignited the comeback, followed by homers from Taylor Ward and Zach Neto. In the ninth inning, Ehire Adrianza's infield single and Logan O'Hoppe's grounder brought the Angels within a run.However, Orioles closer Craig Kimbrell preserved the victory with a strikeout of Jo Adell, who was caught stealing second. Kimbrell's 424th career save tied him with John Franco for sixth on the all-time list.Dean Kremer pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Orioles, allowing only three hits and two runs while striking out 10. Tyler Anderson started for the Angels, surrendering two runs and four hits in five innings.The Orioles will return home for a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics, with Corbin Burnes scheduled to start Friday night. The Angels will host the Minnesota Twins in a weekend series, with Patrick Sandoval taking the mound in the opener.

Amit Panghal, India's star boxer, endured a tumultuous two-year absence from the national team due to a controversial evaluation system. The system, implemented by former High Performance Director Bernard Dunne, favored Deepak Bhoria over Panghal, despite Panghal's impressive track record.Panghal's exclusion took a heavy toll on his mental and physical well-being. He lost motivation, struggled to maintain weight, and even contemplated depression. However, his unwavering determination to qualify for the Paris Olympics kept him going.With Dunne's departure, Panghal's fortunes changed. He returned to the national team and regained his top spot in the flyweight category. A gold medal at the Strandja Memorial tournament boosted his confidence.Panghal will have his final chance to qualify for Paris at the World Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok. He faces a tough challenge, but he is confident in his abilities. He has been preparing diligently, studying his opponents, and working on his technique and endurance.Panghal's journey has been marked by adversity and resilience. Despite the setbacks, he has remained focused on his Olympic dream. With the support of his coach and childhood friends, he is determined to make up for lost time and secure a place in Paris.

Asian Games champion Sift Kaur Samra and in-form Niraj Kumar emerged victorious in the first leg of the Olympic Selection Trials in the 50m 3 Position (3P) event at the Karni Singh Shooting Range.Sift, who placed second in the qualification round, showcased her prowess in the final, particularly in the prone round, where she gained a significant lead. Despite Ashi Chouksey's strong performance in the kneeling round, Sift's consistency and resilience in the prone and standing segments secured her the top spot with a cumulative score of 466.3 points.In the men's competition, Niraj Kumar outperformed overnight leader and quota holder Swapnil Kusale, who finished second. Niraj's consistent performance throughout the kneeling, prone, and standing stages, including a crucial recovery in the standing series, earned him the victory with a score of 462.2 points.The qualification rounds for the 10m air rifle and pistol events also took place on Wednesday. Sandeep Singh and Tilottama Sen emerged as the top performers in the men's and women's 10m rifle events, respectively. In the 10m air pistol, Paris quota holder Varun Tomar led the men's field, while Rhythm Sangwan topped the women's category.

India vs Pakistan: Shahzaib Rindh's Gesture of Unity After Karate Combat VictoryThe intense rivalry between India and Pakistan extends beyond cricket, as witnessed in the recent Karate Combat match between Rana Singh of India and Shahzaib Rindh of Pakistan. The match, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Rindh, was not only a display of athleticism but also a powerful message of peace and unity.After the match, Rindh's gesture of holding both the Pakistani and Indian flags became a viral sensation on social media. When asked about his actions, Rindh explained, "This fight was for peace. We are not enemies, we are together. Together we can do anything. This fight is for Pakistan and India's friendship and being closer."Rindh's message resonated with fans from both countries, who praised him for his sportsmanship and his commitment to promoting peace. The match presenter, unable to contain his admiration, thanked Rindh for his gesture.Rindh's victory was not only a personal triumph but also a victory for Pakistan. After returning home, he expressed his disappointment with the government's lack of support for its athletes. "If our heroes are supported accordingly, they can become role models for our youth," he said.Rindh's next goal is to win the world title in Dubai. "It is happening soon in Dubai and I will go there and bring Pakistan the world title," he declared.Rindh's victory and his message of unity serve as a reminder that sports can transcend national boundaries and bring people together. His gesture of holding both flags is a symbol of hope for a future where India and Pakistan can coexist peacefully and work together for the betterment of both nations.