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Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra revealed that he competed in the Diamond League Final despite sustaining a hand injury during training. The injury, a fractured fourth metacarpal in his left hand, was sustained on Monday, just days before the competition.Despite the setback, Chopra was determined to participate in the event, which was the final competition of the season. He explained that he wanted to end his season on the track, even if he couldn't meet his own expectations.Chopra's performance in Brussels was impressive, considering his injury. He threw 87.86m, finishing just one centimeter behind the winner, Anderson Peters of Grenada. It was the second consecutive year that Chopra finished as runner-up in the Diamond League Final.Reflecting on his season, Chopra acknowledged the challenges he faced, including the groin injury that has affected him all season. He expressed his determination to return fully fit and ready to go in 2025.Chopra's season has been a rollercoaster of emotions. After winning a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, he added a silver medal to his tally at the Paris Olympics. However, he has also faced setbacks, including injuries and the inability to reach the elusive 90m mark.Despite the challenges, Chopra remains optimistic about the future. He believes that the 2024 season has made him a better athlete and person. He thanked his supporters for their encouragement and expressed his excitement for the 2025 season.

Indian Formula 2 driver Kush Maini endured a harrowing crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix F2 feature race on Sunday. Starting fifth on the grid, Maini's car malfunctioned at the start, leaving him stranded on the grid. As the race commenced, several cars managed to avoid Maini, but a car from behind collided with his stalled vehicle, triggering a massive crash that brought out the red flag.Thankfully, Maini and all the drivers involved in the incident emerged unscathed. Maini, representing Invicta Racing, had qualified a promising fifth for the feature race. After failing to score points in the sprint race on Saturday, the Indian driver was eager to redeem himself. However, his race was cut short by the catastrophic incident, which saw cars flipping upside down.Spanish driver Pepe Marti and Danish-German driver Oliver Goethe were also significantly impacted by the crash. However, they too managed to escape without serious injuries. The fact that all drivers remained unharmed underscores the advancements in motorsport safety.Maini is currently in his second season in Formula 2 and is part of the Alpine F1 Team's driver academy, alongside Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. However, Ocon will be replaced by Australian rookie Jack Doohan in 2025. Maini is vying for a reserve driver role at Alpine for next season.After a strong start to the 2024 F2 season, Maini's performance plateaued mid-season, and he currently sits 11th in the Driver's Championship standings. His teammate, Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, leads the championship.Following the restart, the Azerbaijan GP feature race was won by Dutch driver Richard Verschoor, followed by France's Victor Martins and Italy's Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli is set to succeed Lewis Hamilton at Formula 1 team Mercedes in 2025.

Navdeep Singh's triumph at the Paris Paralympic Games, where he clinched the gold medal in the men's javelin throw F41 category, is a testament to his indomitable spirit and the power of perseverance. Born with dwarfism, Navdeep faced relentless taunts and discrimination throughout his life. However, he refused to let these challenges define him.Driven by an unwavering determination, Navdeep sought solace in sports. He discovered his passion for javelin throw and dedicated himself to honing his skills. Despite the lack of support and resources, he trained tirelessly, often facing ridicule and skepticism.Navdeep's journey to the Paralympics was marked by both triumph and adversity. He endured countless setbacks and injuries, but his resolve never wavered. His father, a constant source of encouragement, stood by him through thick and thin.In the lead-up to the Paris Games, Navdeep faced a particularly heartbreaking moment. He was told that he was a burden and that he should end his life. These cruel words only fueled his determination to prove his worth.At the Paralympics, Navdeep faced stiff competition. However, he remained focused and delivered a stunning performance, throwing a distance of 47.32 meters to secure the gold medal. His victory not only brought glory to India but also shattered the stigma surrounding dwarfism.Navdeep's triumph is a beacon of hope for countless individuals who face discrimination and adversity. It is a reminder that with determination and support, anything is possible. His story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of sports to transform lives.

Neeraj Chopra, India's javelin superstar, has had a season of near misses, culminating in a second-place finish at the 2024 Diamond League final. Despite his consistent performances, Chopra has narrowly missed out on top honors throughout the season.At the Kuortane Games 2021, Chopra's last finish outside the top two, he has since secured a string of podium finishes. However, his 2024 campaign has been marked by a series of second-place finishes, including the Paris Olympics, Doha Diamond League, and Lausanne Diamond League.In the Diamond League final, Chopra produced a best throw of 87.86m, falling short of Anderson Peters' winning throw by a mere 0.01m. Peters, making a comeback after an injury, claimed the Diamond Trophy with an 87.87m throw.Despite his narrow miss, Chopra earned USD 12,000 (INR 10.06 lakh) in the grand finale of the Diamond League series. He finished the season with 14 points, securing fourth place in the overall standings.Chopra's consistent performances have earned him over INR 20 lakh in prize money from the Diamond League series. However, he did not receive any cash incentive for his silver medal at the Paris Olympics, as cash rewards were only given to Olympic champions.Despite his near misses, Chopra remains a formidable force in javelin throwing. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering pursuit of excellence. As he looks ahead to the 2028 Summer Games, Chopra will undoubtedly be aiming to convert his silver into gold and add to India's Olympic medal tally.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has once again proven his dominance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing pole position for the fourth consecutive year. The Monegasque driver, fresh off his victory at Monza, will be joined on the front row by McLaren's rising star, Oscar Piastri.However, reigning world champion Max Verstappen's recent struggles continued as the Red Bull driver could only manage sixth place on the grid. Verstappen, who has not won a race in six attempts, will be eager to break his losing streak in Baku.Lando Norris, Verstappen's closest rival in the championship standings, suffered a major setback by being eliminated in the first qualifying session. The McLaren driver will start from a lowly 17th position, making his task of closing the 62-point gap to Verstappen an even more daunting one.Leclerc's Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz, will start alongside Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull on the second row. George Russell, in the Mercedes, will occupy the third row alongside Verstappen.Norris acknowledged the challenges he faces from the back of the grid, especially on the narrow streets of Baku, where overtaking is notoriously difficult. "I'm not expecting a lot from 17th, but we will put in a good plan tonight and do our best," said the Briton.With Leclerc in pole position and Verstappen starting further down the grid, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be an intriguing battle for supremacy. The narrow and unpredictable nature of the Baku City Circuit could lead to unexpected twists and turns, making it a race that is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Navdeep Singh's remarkable journey to Paralympic gold in the men's javelin F41 final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics has been marked not only by his athletic prowess but also by his unbridled passion and determination.Initially securing a silver medal, Navdeep's triumph was elevated to gold after Iran's Sadegh Beit Sayah was disqualified for displaying a controversial flag. The moment was captured on camera, revealing Navdeep's raw frustration and the use of strong language.Despite the initial setback, Navdeep's aggression has drawn comparisons to star Indian batter Virat Kohli. However, in a recent podcast, the 23-year-old javelin thrower revealed his admiration for Rohit Sharma."I'm a Rohit Sharma fan," Navdeep declared when asked about his preference between Kohli and MS Dhoni. "I like his batting, especially when he scored a double century."Navdeep's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi was another highlight of his Paralympic experience. The javelin thrower presented Modi with a cap and requested an autograph on his left arm, his throwing arm.Modi, known for his humility, obliged and signed the autograph. He also inquired about the viral video of Navdeep's outburst after his victory."Have you seen your video or not?" Modi asked. "How do you perform with such aggression?"Navdeep responded, "Last time (Tokyo Paralympics), I had finished fourth. Before leaving for Paris, I had promised you, so the promise has been fulfilled."Navdeep's journey to Paralympic gold is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the power of determination. His aggression, while not always conventional, is a reflection of his intense desire to succeed and his unwavering belief in his abilities.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian cricketer, has ventured into the world of chess with the launch of his newly minted team, the American Gambits. The team's entry into the Global Chess League (GCL) marks a significant milestone for Ashwin and his co-owners.The American Gambits' anthem, titled "Make The World Go," embodies the team's bold and fearless approach to the game. Composed by acclaimed music director Charan Raj and performed by Karthik Chennojirao (KC), the anthem captures the unity, intensity, and strategic depth that the Gambits aspire to showcase on the global stage.Leading the team is Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, a renowned chess prodigy who recently secured third place at the Speed Chess Championship. Nakamura's strategic prowess and fearless play are expected to drive the team's ambitions. Joining him are Jan-Krzysztof Duda, known for his aggressive style and recent victories, and Vladislav Artemiev, whose calculated approach complements the team's strategy.The team also boasts a strong women's contingent, with Bibisara Assaubayeva, the reigning women's world rapid champion, bringing a quick and efficient playstyle. Elisabeth Paehtz's experience adds depth and stability to the team, while young prodigy Jonas Buhl Bjerre represents focus and unity.Lending expertise from the sidelines is RB Ramesh, renowned for coaching the illustrious R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali. Ramesh's guidance will be invaluable as the team navigates the challenges of the GCL.Ashwin expressed his excitement about the new venture, stating, "For us, chess is all about bringing out the best on the board—driven by passion, ridden by strategic bent of mind, and perfectly playing the role of a gambit. We as a team want to popularize and promote chess in India and globally. The anthem encapsulates that spirit of fearlessness and ultimate triumph. We are excited and waiting to show the world how we will play boldly."Nakamura emphasized the team's ethos, stating, "Chess is not just about moving pieces on a board—it's about precision, timing, and the ability to remain fearless in the face of overwhelming odds. This season, we're ready to push boundaries and make bold sacrifices to claim victory. The anthem represents everything we stand for."The American Gambits are poised to make a significant impact on the GCL with their impressive roster and dynamic vision. Their bold and fearless approach, coupled with the expertise of their coaching staff, promises to make them a formidable force in the world of chess.

Defending champions India continued their unbeaten run in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in a thrilling encounter in Hulunbuir on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The victory propelled India into the semifinals of the six-team round-robin competition.Pakistan drew first blood through Ahmad Nadeem's goal in the 8th minute, but India responded swiftly with two penalty corner conversions from Harmanpreet Singh in the 13th and 19th minutes. The match was a tense affair, with both teams creating numerous chances but failing to capitalize.India's defense, led by goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, stood firm against Pakistan's relentless attacks. The Indian midfield, anchored by Manpreet Singh, controlled the tempo of the game and created several scoring opportunities for the forwards.Pakistan, despite their early lead, struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to penetrate India's defense consistently. Their penalty corner conversion rate was also poor, with only one successful attempt out of five.The victory was a significant one for India, as it extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament to five matches. They have now qualified for the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Japan and Malaysia.Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup and improve their performance if they want to qualify for the semifinals. They have one more match remaining in the round-robin stage, against Japan on September 16.

Paralympian Navdeep Singh's triumph at the 2024 Paralympic Games has not only brought glory to India but also showcased his multifaceted personality. After securing the gold medal in the men's javelin F41 final, Singh's aggressive celebration became an instant viral sensation.Beyond his athletic prowess, Singh's fun-loving side emerged during an interview on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast. When asked about his favorite Bollywood movie, Singh surprisingly chose the horror-comedy "Stree 2." His preference for actress Tamannaah Bhatia over Shraddha Kapoor elicited laughter from the hosts.Singh's versatility extended to mimicry, but he respectfully declined a request to imitate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I can't. I respect him a lot. He is the pride of our country, so it won't be right to mimic him," he stated.Singh's encounter with PM Modi was equally memorable. Modi teased him about his wild celebration, prompting Singh to explain his determination to fulfill his promise of victory. He also requested Modi's autograph on his left arm, his throwing arm, which Modi graciously granted.Singh's journey to Paralympic glory has been marked by both determination and a sense of humor. His success has not only inspired countless individuals but also highlighted the importance of embracing one's unique qualities.