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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."

Vinesh Phogat, India's star wrestler, has secured her place in the Paris Olympics Qualification tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, after winning the 50kg weight category at the selection trials. However, her participation in the trials was marked by controversy as she demanded a written assurance from the authorities that a final trial will be held in the 53kg weight class before the Olympics.Phogat, who won the gold medal in the 50kg category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, initially refused to compete in the 50kg trials, citing her desire to participate in both the 50kg and 53kg categories. This led to a delay in the start of the trials, as officials discussed her request.Eventually, the ad-hoc committee for wrestling agreed to Phogat's demand, allowing her to compete in both weight categories on Monday. Phogat defeated Shivani 11-6 in the 50kg category, but lost to Anju by technical superiority 0-10 in the 53kg bout.Phogat's demand for a written assurance stems from her previous allegations of sexual harassment against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She fears that if the WFI regains control, the federation may change the selection policy and prevent her from competing in the 53kg category at the Olympics.The IOA ad-hoc panel has already announced that a final trial will be held to pick India's representative in the 53kg category. The best four wrestlers in the weight class will compete in trials near the Games, and the winner will face Antim Panghal, who has already earned an Olympic quota in that category. The winner of that bout will represent India at the Olympics.Phogat's participation in the trials and her demand for a written assurance highlight the ongoing power struggle within the WFI. The federation has been embroiled in controversy since Phogat's allegations against Singh, and the ad-hoc committee was appointed to oversee the sport until the matter is resolved.

The New York Islanders extended their winning streak to six games with a dominant 6-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, solidifying their playoff position.Kyle Palmieri opened the scoring for the Islanders just 7:28 into the game, marking his 20th goal of the season and his sixth time reaching that milestone in his career. The Islanders continued their offensive onslaught in the first period, with Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson adding goals to give New York a commanding 3-0 lead.The Islanders' top line of Horvat, Nelson, and Mathew Barzal played a pivotal role in the victory, combining for six points. Horvat extended his goal streak to three games, while Nelson scored his team-leading 29th goal of the season. Barzal contributed two assists, showcasing the Islanders' depth and offensive firepower.Pierre Engvall and Cal Clutterbuck also found the net for New York, while Semyon Varlamov made 22 saves to earn his first win since December 13th. The Islanders have now outscored their opponents 11-0 in the first 20 minutes during their winning streak.For the Ducks, Alex Killorn extended his goal streak to four games, but it was not enough to prevent their third loss in four games. Lukas Dostal made 13 saves for Anaheim, who have been outscored 12-3 in their last two outings.The Islanders' victory moves them into the Eastern Conference's second and final wild card spot, just two weeks after being seven points back. The Islanders and Detroit Red Wings are now tied with 74 points, but the Islanders have one game in hand."We were ready for them. We played a good game and jumped on them early," said Islanders coach Patrick Roy. "All four lines are playing well. The defensemen are moving the puck fast, and it's what's making us successful."The Islanders will remain in Southern California to face the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, while the Ducks will open a four-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

In a thrilling encounter at the Crypto.com Arena, the Milwaukee Bucks emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Clippers, 124-117, snapping their two-game losing streak. Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge for the Bucks, combining for 69 points and 17 assists.Lillard exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of his 35 points, including three crucial 3-pointers. Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP, contributed 34 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, showcasing his all-around brilliance.The Bucks' dynamic duo became only the second pair of teammates since 1980 to record at least 30 points and 10 assists each in the same game. Their seamless connection and ability to create for each other proved unstoppable for the Clippers."It's how we work in practice," said Antetokounmpo. "We got a lot of good shots down the stretch. Tonight it worked, and it's something we're going to have to do moving forward."Malik Beasley added 17 points for the Bucks, who overcame the absence of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for the Clippers. James Harden, playing without his own star teammates, struggled with his shot, finishing with 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting.Norman Powell led the Clippers with 26 points, while Russell Westbrook remained sidelined due to injury. Despite missing over 57 points per game from their lineup, the Clippers put up a valiant fight, keeping the game close until the final minutes."Those two guys, they're great players, and we understand that," said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue of Lillard and Antetokounmpo. "They had a good game. I thought Dame set the tone early and then took over the game late. Once he got going, it was hard to stop him."The Bucks' victory marked their first on their California road trip and snapped the Clippers' three-game winning streak. Both teams will face off again on Tuesday night, with the Clippers hosting Minnesota and the Bucks traveling to Sacramento.