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Eight Over-Age Athletes Detected at National Junior Athletics ChampionshipsOn the penultimate day of the 22nd National Junior U20 Federation Athletics Championships, eight athletes were reportedly found to be over the age limit. Their results have been withheld, and they have undergone bone tests at a local hospital.In addition, an athlete who won a silver medal was discovered to have participated under a different name using a fake Aadhar card. An expert committee of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and the Uttar Pradesh Athletics Association (UPAA) is investigating these cases."Eight athletes have been found over age based on their certificates and physical appearances," said PK Srivastava, CEO of UPAA. "Bone tests have been conducted, and the results are pending.""The results of these athletes will be released only after the bone test results are available. If any of them have qualified for the Asian Championships in Dubai next month, they will be allowed to participate only if they pass the tests," he added.AFI has implemented age verification measures for the U20 championships this year. The committee found that the eight athletes had manipulated their certificates and had different ages according to their Aadhar cards and other documents. They were allowed to participate temporarily, but their results are subject to the bone test outcomes.National Records SetOdisha's Bapi Hansda set a meet record in the men's 400m, clocking 46.90 seconds. Haryana's Aarti won the women's 10,000m race walk event with a national record time of 47:21.04. Both athletes have achieved the qualifying standards for the Asian Championships.

Mohammed Hussamuddin, India's World Championships bronze medalist, made a disappointing return to competitive boxing after an injury lay-off, losing 0-4 to Ireland's Jude Gallagher in the men's 57kg clash at the 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Busto Arsizio, Italy.Hussamuddin, who had earlier received a first-round bye, was competing for the first time since the 2023 World Championships quarterfinals when he injured his left knee. He took some time to settle in, allowing his opponent, Birmingham CWG champion Gallagher, to take a lead with his technical prowess.The youngster used speed and agility to his advantage, pocketing the first round 5-0. Hussamuddin tried to cover lost ground in round two, but his comeback became even more difficult after he was handed a one-point deduction for dropping his head.The 22-year-old Gallagher maintained his composure in the third round, preventing Hussamuddin from attacking and eventually winning the bout.India fielded nine boxers in the competition, but only Nishant Dev (71kg) remains in the fray to seal a quota. He will be in action in the pre-quarterfinals on Sunday.India has already secured four quotas for Paris 2024 with Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) confirming their berths with impressive performances at the Asian Games.

Indian Paralympic legend Devendra Jhajharia has been elected as the new president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). The 42-year-old javelin thrower, who has won three Paralympic medals, including two golds and a silver, takes over from Deepa Malik, a Paralympics silver medalist athlete.Jhajharia's election comes after a period of turmoil for the PCI. In February, the Sports Ministry suspended the government recognition of the PCI due to delays in holding elections and non-compliance with guidelines. The Sports Ministry had also criticized the PCI's decision to hold the election on March 28 as "willful, intentional, and without any valid reason."Following the suspension, the PCI announced that the elections would be held on March 9 in New Delhi. The Sports Ministry subsequently revoked the suspension of the PCI with immediate effect, citing the PCI's commitment to hosting the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup later this month.Jhajharia's election is a significant step for the PCI. The three-time Paralympic medalist is a respected figure in the Paralympic movement and is expected to bring stability and leadership to the organization. He has pledged to work towards the development of para-sports in India and to ensure that Indian athletes have the best possible support and opportunities to succeed at the highest level.

The Canterbury Crusaders' dismal start to the Super Rugby Pacific season continued on Saturday as they were stunned 20-10 by the Fijian Drua in Lautoka. The seven-time defending champions have now lost their first three matches under new head coach Rob Penney, equaling their worst start to a season since the competition's inaugural year in 1996.The Crusaders dominated the opening 20 minutes, taking an early 10-0 lead through a try from Fijian-born winger Sevu Reece. However, the Drua gradually gained momentum and leveled the scores just before halftime with a try from winger Selestino Ravutaumada.The second half belonged to the Drua, who took control of the game and scored two unanswered tries. Scrum-half Frank Lomani crossed the line early in the half, and fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula added a late penalty goal to seal the victory.Captain Scott Barrett admitted that the humid conditions in Fiji played a role in the Crusaders' error-ridden performance. "We just weren't sharp and clinical like we'd hope," he said. "We were clear on our game plan, it was pretty simple, but we just didn't execute."The result piles more pressure on Penney, who replaced Scott Robertson as head coach after Robertson left to coach the New Zealand All Blacks. Penney's side has now lost to the Waikato Chiefs, New South Wales Waratahs, and Drua in their opening three matches.Meanwhile, the Wellington Hurricanes remained unbeaten with a 29-21 victory over the Auckland Blues in Wellington. Winger Josh Moorby scored two tries for the Hurricanes, while Kini Naholo and Riley Higgins also crossed the line.The Western Force joined the Crusaders as the only other winless team after going down 22-19 to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. The Force led 14-0 but conceded the next 22 points to the Brumbies, who have opened the season with two wins from three games.

Valeri Nichushkin's triumphant return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup after a two-month absence proved pivotal in their 2-1 overtime victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. The Russian winger netted the game-winning goal just 2:32 into the extra period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity created by Kirill Kaprizov's hooking penalty.Nichushkin's return marked a significant boost for the Avalanche, who have been without his scoring prowess since January 10th. His presence on the ice was immediately felt, as he showcased his signature speed and physicality.Nathan MacKinnon continued his remarkable home point streak, extending it to 32 games with two assists. The Avalanche captain is now tied with Guy Lafleur for the third-longest home point run in NHL history.The Avalanche's victory was not without its challenges. The Wild, despite playing their second game in as many nights, showed resilience and determination. Devon Toews appeared to have tied the game with just over two minutes remaining in regulation, but the goal was overturned upon review for offside.Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson put in a valiant effort in net, making several key saves to keep his team in the game. However, Alexandar Georgiev proved to be the difference-maker, stopping a penalty shot from Mats Zuccarello late in the third period.The Avalanche's victory was a testament to their depth and resilience. Despite making several roster moves at the trade deadline, they were able to seamlessly integrate their new additions into the lineup. Casey Mittelstadt, Brandon Duhaime, Yakov Trenin, and Sean Walker all contributed to the team's success.For the Wild, the loss was a setback in their pursuit of a playoff berth. They remain on the fringe of the playoff picture, but will need to find consistency in their play to secure a spot in the postseason.

Lance Lynn's return to the St. Louis Cardinals was marred by an early ejection in his first spring training start. The incident occurred during a game against the Washington Nationals on Friday night, when Lynn exchanged words with home plate umpire Ángel Hernández.According to reports, the altercation began when Hernández allegedly made comments towards the Cardinals' dugout. Lynn responded by defending his teammates, leading to a heated exchange. Hernández then ejected Lynn from the game, prompting the pitcher to throw a few more pitches in the bullpen before being ordered to leave.Lynn's ejection came in the third inning, which was scheduled to be his last frame. He had allowed four runs on three hits and three walks in a combined two innings of work. The Cardinals' manager, Oliver Marmol, was also ejected during the incident.Lynn's ejection is a significant development for the Cardinals, who are counting on the veteran right-hander to be a key part of their rotation this season. Lynn was part of the Cardinals' World Series title in 2011 and played his first six big league seasons with the team. He has since played with five other teams before re-signing with St. Louis in November.The incident also highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding Hernández, who has been criticized for his umpiring decisions in the past. In 2018, he had three calls at first base overturned by video reviews during Game 3 of the AL Division Series between the New York Yankees and Boston.Despite the ejection, Lynn remains confident in his abilities and is eager to contribute to the Cardinals' success. He is guaranteed $11 million as part of his deal, getting $10 million this season with a $10 million team option for 2025 that includes a $1 million buyout.

Amidst the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, an Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) who was abducted from his home in Thoubal district on Friday morning was rescued the same evening after an hours-long search operation launched by security forces in the state.The abducted officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly taken by a group of unidentified armed men. The incident sparked concerns about the safety of security personnel in the region.Upon receiving information about the abduction, security forces immediately launched a massive search operation involving the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police. The operation was conducted in coordination with intelligence agencies.After hours of intense search, the abducted officer was located in a remote area of Thoubal district. A swift operation was launched to rescue him, and he was successfully recovered without any injuries.The rescue operation was hailed as a major success for the security forces, who have been facing challenges in maintaining law and order in the conflict-ridden state. The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in Manipur and the need for continued vigilance by the authorities.Meanwhile, in a separate development, representatives from OpenAI, the Artificial Intelligence firm that developed ChatGPT, met with officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI) in February. The meeting was held to discuss ways to ensure that ChatGPT is not misused in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and to explore potential collaborations between OpenAI and the ECI.The ECI has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of AI-powered tools in the election, including the spread of misinformation and the manipulation of public opinion. OpenAI has assured the ECI that it is committed to preventing such misuse and is working on developing safeguards to ensure the responsible use of its technology.The meeting between OpenAI and the ECI is a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by AI in the electoral process. It demonstrates the ECI's proactive approach to ensuring the integrity and fairness of the upcoming election.

France's Six Nations title hopes have been extinguished after a disappointing start to the tournament. With three rounds played, the team has recorded a win, a draw, and a loss, marking the earliest exit from title contention under coach Fabien Galthié.The team's poor form has raised concerns, especially considering their strong performance at the Rugby World Cup just five months ago. Galthié has responded by making eight significant changes to the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Wales, including three debuts.Among the changes, hooker Julien Marchand, locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, captain Gregory Alldritt, scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec, and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey have been brought in. Thomas Ramos has switched to flyhalf, while Nicolas Depoortere and Léo Barré will make their test debuts in midfield and fullback, respectively.Meafou's inclusion has generated excitement among French fans. The 2.03-meter, 145-kilogram prop has been a key player for Toulouse, helping them win three Top 14s and the 2021 European Cup. He received French citizenship last November and has been training with the national team for nearly a year.Meanwhile, Wales has also struggled in the Six Nations, losing 10 of their last 11 matches. They have made several changes to their lineup, including dropping experienced centers George North and Nick Tompkins in favor of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin. Captain Dafydd Jenkins has also been moved to the blindside flank to accommodate Will Rowlands.Despite their struggles, both teams are determined to secure a victory in their upcoming match. France will be looking to regain their form and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with, while Wales will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.

England's Jamie George has vowed to defend Twickenham "like every Englishman would" when Ireland visits on Saturday for a crucial Six Nations clash. Ireland, the reigning champions, are seeking a fifth consecutive victory over England and a bonus-point win that would secure their title retention with a game to spare. They also aim to become the first team in the men's Six Nations era to achieve back-to-back Grand Slams.Despite Ireland's impressive form, George remains confident in England's ability to upset the odds. "We believe that we're going to win," he declared. "We don't want anyone, any opposition, to come to Twickenham and have an easy ride."George emphasized the importance of home advantage, stating, "This is England. This is Twickenham. This is home. And we're going to defend our home, like every Englishman would." He acknowledged Ireland's strength but expressed his team's determination to prove their worth.England coach Steve Borthwick has labeled Ireland the best team in the world on current form, but George believes his side can challenge them. "If we get our things right then we are going to come out on the positive end of the result," he said. "That is genuinely what I believe and I have seen some positive signs this week that we are going to be going in the right direction."Ireland's recent record is impressive, with 23 wins in their last 25 Tests. However, England pushed South Africa, the reigning World Cup champions, to the limit in their semi-final loss last year. George believes this experience will serve them well against Ireland.