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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.

McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced a disappointing Friday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Norris struggling to 17th place and Piastri finishing fifth in second free practice. The team found themselves well off the pace set by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who topped the timesheets ahead of Red Bull's Sergio Perez.Norris admitted that McLaren had a lot of work to do overnight to find a solution to their performance deficit. "We're quite a long way off," he said. "I'm having to push way too much to try and get a lap time."Norris acknowledged that Piastri's performance was more representative of McLaren's true pace, but he remained optimistic that the team could improve. "I think if we nail it, we're just about there," he said. "But I'm sure they're not even close to nailing it yet."Norris dismissed an incident with Alpine's Pierre Gasly as a factor in his poor showing. "It's just that here, you don't deploy the power until very late so he's clearly misjudged it," he said. "It didn't matter. I'd done my lap already."McLaren had announced their intention to introduce team orders to support Norris's title bid, but the driver emphasized that he did not want to rely on others. "I don't want to be in a position where I'm relying on someone else to do something for me," he said.Assessing the team's pace, Norris identified Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull as the frontrunners. "There's a good three or four-tenths gap back to us," he said. "So, we have a lot of work to do."Piastri, who had a more positive day, said that it was difficult to gauge McLaren's true pace due to the evolving track conditions. "Ferrari look strong and Red Bull are quick," he said. "But our long runs look competitive."

Avinash Sable, India's steeplechase star, is set to make his Diamond League Final debut in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday, September 14. The event marks a significant opportunity for Sable to redeem himself after a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where he finished 11th.The Diamond League Final, held over two days for the first time, will feature an elite field of athletes from across the globe, including a record number of Olympic medalists. Sable's participation in the men's 3000m steeplechase event is a testament to his impressive season, which saw him finish 14th in the overall Diamond League standings.Despite not initially qualifying for the final, Sable's inclusion was secured after four athletes ranked higher than him withdrew due to injuries. This opportunity is particularly significant as it marks the first time two Indians will compete in the Diamond League finale.Sable's journey to the Diamond League Final has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He set a new national record in the 3000m steeplechase earlier this year, but his Olympic performance fell short of expectations. However, Sable remains determined to prove his worth on the global stage.The Diamond League Final will be a challenging test for Sable, who will face stiff competition from the likes of Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and world champion Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya. Nevertheless, Sable's determination and resilience make him a formidable contender.The event will be telecast live on Sports18 3 and Sports18 1 HD TV channels in India, and live-streamed on the JioCinema app and website.

The National Basketball Association (NBA), ACG, a global leader in pharmaceutical solutions, and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) have joined forces to launch the ACG Jr. NBA program, a nationwide 3v3 tournament for the top U-14 players across India. This initiative marks the largest school-based basketball program in the country.The ACG Jr. NBA program will feature boys' and girls' divisions with teams representing schools from across the country. The tournament will tip off on Tuesday, September 24, with tournaments in Chennai and Mumbai. It will then visit Aizawl, Delhi, Kolkata, and Ludhiana.The top eight boys' and girls' teams from each city will compete in a league phase within each city. The top three boys' and girls' teams and one all-star team from each of the boys' and girls' divisions will advance to the league finals early next year. The dates of the remaining city tournaments, league phases, and league finals will be announced later."Over the past decade, we've engaged millions of children through the Jr. NBA program, and we look forward to expanding our development efforts in India alongside our partners and providing more opportunities for boys and girls to play the game and maximize their potential," said NBA Asia Strategy Head and NBA India Country Head Rajah Chaudhry.In addition to the ACG Jr. NBA program, the collaboration aims to enhance youth basketball development at the local level, expand elite talent identification nationally, and provide new development opportunities for players, coaches, and referees at all levels. This collaboration builds on the prior association between the NBA and ACG, which included the launch of ACG-NBA Jump, a nationwide basketball talent search program. This marks the first time BFI will serve as an ACG Jr. NBA partner."This initiative goes beyond the game – it's about building character, instilling values, and offering young athletes a platform to grow and shine," said ACG Managing Director Karan Singh.The announcement was made at a press conference in Mumbai by BFI President Aadhav Arjuna, NBA Asia Strategy Head and NBA India Country Head Rajah Chaudhry, ACG Chief Marketing Officer Alex Robertson, and CEO of Skechers South Asia Pvt. Ltd. Rahul Vira.The Jr. NBA program has reached more than 14 million youth and 15,000 physical education instructors across 35 cities in India since 2013. The ACG Jr. NBA program is part of the NBA's broader basketball development initiatives in India, which include NBA Basketball School and Basketball Without Borders Asia.