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Sharath Kamal, the 41-year-old Indian table tennis legend, has pulled off a stunning upset at the prestigious Singapore Smash tournament. On Wednesday, he defeated world No. 13 Darko Jorgic of Slovenia 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9) to advance to the singles Round of 16.Kamal, who is currently ranked 88th in the world, displayed remarkable resilience after losing the first game. He fought back to claim the next three games, showcasing his exceptional skills and determination. This victory marks a significant comeback for Kamal, who has faced challenges in singles competition in recent times.The veteran paddler has been working tirelessly in the off-season to regain his peak form. His goal is to excel at the World Team Championships, which offer Paris Olympics spots. While he contributed to India's team success at the World Championships last month, his performance in Singapore suggests that he is returning to his best.After winning three qualifying rounds, Kamal defeated Nicolas Burgos 3-0 on Monday. His triumph over Jorgic further solidifies his resurgence. With the team spot for the Paris Games secured, Kamal's singles revival could make him a contender for individual representation in Paris.In the women's doubles, Asian Games bronze medallists Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee suffered a 3-1 (4-11, 14-12, 3-11, 9-11) defeat to the Romanian-Spanish pair of Adina Diaconu and Maria Xiao in the Round of 16.

Indian Shooters Aim for Paris 2024 Glory with New StrategyIn the wake of a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian shooting contingent is implementing a revised strategy for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Recognizing the need for a more balanced approach, the shooters will now prioritize rest and recovery in the lead-up to the event.National rifle coach Suma Shirur emphasized the importance of this "big change," explaining that the shooters will fly to Paris from home after a period of recharge. This contrasts with the extended training camp in Croatia prior to the Tokyo Games, which contributed to the team's lackluster performance.India's shooters have already secured a record 19 quota places for the Paris Olympics. After the domestic Olympic trials in April-May, the team will participate in the ISSF World Cup in Munich from May 31 to June 8. This will be their only competition before the Games.Following the World Cup, the shooters will have a brief training camp in Germany before returning to India for mental rejuvenation. Shirur believes this approach will allow the athletes to peak at the right time."After the Olympic trials, we'll be going to the Munich World Cup, which is the first and the last competition where the team gets a chance to be comfortable in the shoes of being an Olympian," Shirur said. "After the World Cup, we will have a short training camp in Germany. Shooters will have the chance to come back (to India) and emotionally recover, recharge and rejuvenate before we have a small camp and then fly to the Games."With a strong quota count and the momentum from last year's Asian Games, the Indian shooting team is focused on building an efficient path to Paris. Rifle shooters have been particularly successful in securing quotas early."The shooters are in a very good zone now, so now it's about sharpening things as we move forward," Shirur said. "Most of the work has been done since last year. Now, we just need to fine tune them and focus on how to perform. Self-regulation is one of the most important aspects we are going to be working on going forward, because no matter how you feel, you still need to be able to go out there and perform."

Russia's Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin has urged against boycotting the upcoming Paris Olympics despite the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) restrictions on Russian athletes. The IOC suspended Russia from the 2024 Games due to the Kremlin's offensive in Ukraine, but allowed Russian athletes to compete as neutrals if they do not support the war.Matytsin emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and participation in competitions. He acknowledged that the IOC's stance is unlikely to soften, but stressed the need for Russian athletes to have the opportunity to compete. He noted that different international federations have varying approaches to Russian participation, with some banning it outright and others allowing it under neutral status.Despite the ban, Matytsin believes the Olympics remain crucial for Russia. He stated that it is essential to provide athletes with a platform to showcase their abilities and demonstrate the country's sporting prowess. He added that the decision of whether or not to participate should be left to individual athletes, as each federation has its own regulations.Russia has previously condemned the IOC's restrictions as discriminatory and humiliating. However, it has not yet issued a formal recommendation to its athletes regarding participation in Paris. President Vladimir Putin has also refrained from providing guidance, stating that the conditions need to be carefully analyzed.The IOC's restrictions include a ban on Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems, as well as a prohibition on government officials attending the Games. Athletes from these countries must also not actively support the war or be affiliated with military or security agencies.Russia's participation in the Olympic movement has been limited in recent years due to state-sponsored doping scandals. The country was banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics and had its participation in the 2020 Summer Olympics restricted.

Rising javelin star Kishore Kumar Jena is poised to make a mark at the upcoming Paris Olympics, following his impressive performance at the Asian Games and his recent training regimen.Jena, who hails from a farming family in Odisha, has been making waves in the javelin throw since his toe-to-toe battle with Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra at the world athletics meet in Budapest last year. At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Jena and Chopra made history by securing a javelin one-two finish.With the Paris Olympics just over 130 days away, Jena is confident that India can win multiple javelin medals. "As per rule, three players can compete from one country in javelin throw. That increases the probability of winning more medals in Paris," he said.Jena's training at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala has been instrumental in his progress. He has been working on improving his core and shoulder strength through various weight training exercises.Jena's season has started on a positive note, and he is optimistic about his performance in 2024. "I believe 2024 will be a great season for me. Practice is going well, and I am getting support from every quarter," he said.Jena's target for the Doha leg of the Diamond League season in May is to continue improving his results and overcome his weaknesses. He values the guidance and support of Chopra, who he considers a mentor rather than a competitor.During the Hangzhou Asian Games, Jena's personal best throw of 87.54m pushed Chopra to give his all, resulting in a monster throw of 88.88m and a gold medal for the Olympic champion. Jena's silver medal and qualification for Paris 2024 were significant achievements."At that time, I was happy that I had qualified for Paris 2024. I went up to him (Chopra) and even told him that I have qualified. He boosted my confidence saying I can post a bigger throw," Jena recalled.Jena's aim at his maiden Olympics is to achieve his personal best. "Like everyone, my aim is to win a medal, but that is not entirely under my control," he said.

John Cena's "Naked" Oscars Appearance Sparks WrestleMania 40 SpeculationJohn Cena's unexpected appearance at the 96th Academy Awards, where he presented the award for Best Costume Design, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Cena's seemingly "naked" appearance, strategically covered by an oversized envelope, has become a viral sensation on social media.The incident has also reignited speculation about a potential WrestleMania 40 match between Cena and fellow WWE legend The Rock. During a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Rock was asked about the missed opportunity to promote the event. However, he jokingly stated that he would only consider fighting Cena if he was "fully naked."Cena's appearance at the Oscars was part of a skit with host Jimmy Kimmel, who had earlier joked about the possibility of a streaker running across the stage. Cena's response, "The male body is not a joke," drew laughter from the audience.The incident has sparked a debate about the importance of costumes in films. Cena emphasized that costumes are "the most important thing there is," highlighting their role in storytelling and character development.The Rock's comments have added fuel to the rumors of a WrestleMania 40 match between the two icons. While The Rock has downplayed the possibility, Cena's appearance at the Oscars has certainly raised eyebrows.Whether or not a Cena-Rock match materializes, the incident has undoubtedly generated buzz for WrestleMania 40. Cena's "naked" appearance has become a memorable moment in Oscars history, while The Rock's playful comments have kept the speculation alive.

India's men's hockey team has slipped one spot to fourth in the latest FIH world rankings, while Germany has moved up to third place following their impressive performance at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. India had already qualified for the Paris Olympics through an Asian Games gold last year and did not participate in the Olympic Qualifiers.Germany, on the other hand, went unbeaten at the Olympic Qualifiers in Oman and followed that up with two wins and two draws against Argentina and a young Belgian side during the Santiago del Estero mini tournament in the FIH Pro League to surpass India.Netherlands continues to sit at the top of the rankings, while Belgium holds on to second place. Australia has leapfrogged England into fifth place, while Argentina and Spain remain in seventh and eighth positions respectively.In the Women's Rankings, India is ranked ninth, while Netherlands remains clear of the chasing pack. Argentina and Germany have moved ahead of Australia into second and third places, while Australia is now fourth. Belgium has dropped a place to fifth, while England remains sixth. Spain has closed the gap to England thanks to a strong showing at the Olympic Qualifiers in Valencia, where they finished second to qualify for Paris.The closely contested nature of international women's hockey is evident, with less than 100 points separating England on sixth and India on ninth.

Kush Maini, the Indian-British racing driver, has made a triumphant start to the 2024 Formula 2 season by securing his first pole position of the year at the Bahrain International Circuit. This marks a significant milestone for Maini, who had a challenging 2023 season without any wins, poles, or fastest laps.Maini's pole-winning performance was a testament to his hard work and determination. He topped the timesheets in qualifying with a blistering lap time of 1:41.274, edging out his rivals by a narrow margin. This achievement is a testament to his raw speed and ability to extract the maximum from his car.The 22-year-old driver expressed his elation at securing the pole position, stating, "It's an amazing feeling to start the season with a pole. I've been working hard over the winter, and it's great to see it pay off." Maini acknowledged the challenges he faced in 2023 but remained optimistic about his prospects for the upcoming season.Maini's pole position is a positive sign for his team, Campos Racing. The Spanish outfit has been working diligently to improve its performance, and Maini's success is a reflection of their efforts. The team will be hoping to build on this momentum and challenge for race wins and podium finishes throughout the season.The 2024 Formula 2 season promises to be an exciting one, with a talented field of drivers competing for the championship. Maini's pole position has put him in a strong position to challenge for the title, and he will be eager to convert his early success into race victories.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has approved a series of proposals to support Indian athletes in their preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games.Weightlifting:Mirabai Chanu, India's silver medalist in weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics, will train at La Ferte-Milon, Paris, ahead of the Games. The MOC has approved her proposal to travel to Paris nearly a month before her event to acclimatize to the weather and prepare for the competition. Her training camp expenses, including airfare, visa costs, accommodation, food, training costs, and medical insurance, will be covered under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) funding.Equestrian:Equestrian player Anush Agarwalla has received approval for his proposal to compete in eight competitions and purchase equipment for his horses. TOPS will cover his and his coach's accommodation costs, entry fees, horse feed costs, coach fees, and horse groom costs.Judo:Judoka Asmita Dey's proposal for financial assistance to participate in the Grand Prix, Austria, has been approved.Shooting:Shooter Arjun Singh Cheema's request for financial assistance towards participation in the ISAS Dortmund Competition has also been approved.Tennis:Newly inducted Indian tennis ace Sumit Nagal's request for financial assistance towards participation in two international competitions along with expenditure for his support staff has been approved. Their airfare, accommodation cost, coaching fees, and physio/fitness coach/mental trainer fees will be covered under TOPS funding.Other Approvals:Other proposals approved by the MOC include financial assistance towards hiring a video analyst for badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, extension of the contract for weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga's physiotherapist, and financial assistance towards buying equipment for track athlete Amoj Jacob.

The Commonwealth Games trials proved to be a turning point for 20-year-old wrestler Aman Sehrawat. Facing Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Aman suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat. However, this setback ignited a fire within him, as he realized the need to overcome the mental pressure that had hindered his performance.Inspired by Dahiya, Aman had always looked up to him as a mentor and guide. But to achieve his Olympic dream, he knew he had to break free from the reverence he held for his idol. Since the trials, Aman has meticulously studied the replay of that match, identifying his weaknesses and vowing to avoid repeating the same mistakes."I realized I was not competing with a free mind," Aman said. "I was playing with the pressure of competing against an Olympic medalist. He was dictating the pace, and I was simply getting drawn into his gameplan."To prepare for the Olympic qualifiers, Aman stopped sparring with Dahiya and focused on improving his technique and mental fortitude. He drew inspiration from Dahiya's journey, knowing that if his mentor could overcome adversity to win an Olympic medal, so could he."Beating him in the trials was not easy," Aman admitted. "I have not gone a single day without watching the replay of the CWG trials, including today. I worked on my weaknesses and stopped sparring with him. We were training with different partners."Their similar wrestling styles resulted in a thrilling high-scoring bout in the Olympic qualifier trials, where Aman emerged victorious with a narrow 14-13 margin. Despite his triumph, Aman acknowledged Dahiya's struggles after returning from injury."You know it is not easy when you have surgery and do not compete enough," Aman said. "Ravi gained weight after injury, and it has taken him time to return to the mat."Aman is now determined to secure an Olympic quota and continue the legacy of his weight class, which has produced renowned wrestlers like Yogeshwar Dutt and Ravi Dahiya.Similarly, 22-year-old Sujeet Kalkal carries the weight of representing India in the 65kg category, previously dominated by Bajrang Punia. Despite not facing Punia in the trials, Sujeet displayed composure and defeated Rohit by superiority in the final."I have been working on this trial for a long time," Sujeet said. "I won titles in National Games and National Championships. So, I kept giving myself small goals and prepared along the way for the trials."Sujeet's technical prowess and international experience, including victories over world-class wrestlers, give him confidence in his ability to succeed on the international stage."This is a weight class where you need speed, stamina, strength, everything," Sujeet said. "I am young and still developing my strength and improving day by day. My game is technical like most international competitors."