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Manu Bhaker's Olympic Triumph and KBC AppearanceIndian shooting sensation Manu Bhaker has added another feather to her cap by appearing on the popular television show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). The Olympian, who recently returned from the Paris Olympics 2024 with two bronze medals, shared her experiences and insights on the show.During her conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan, Bhaker shed light on the intricate techniques involved in shooting at the highest level. She explained that shooters take extended pauses between shots to control their breathing and heart rate. This allows them to maintain composure and focus amidst the intense pressure of competition.Bhaker emphasized the importance of a strong foundation in shooting, which involves not only physical skills but also mental and emotional preparation. She revealed that she relies heavily on yoga, Surya Namaskar, and meditation to calm her nerves and improve her concentration."Controlling anxiousness or nervousness takes time and practice," Bhaker said. "To maintain focus, I rely heavily on yoga, Surya Namaskar, and meditation. I follow this routine with strict discipline."She also shared a specific breathing technique that she uses to regulate her heart rate. "I use a breathing technique with a 4:8 ratio: inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for eight seconds," Bhaker explained. "Mastering this through practice helps normalize my heart rate."Bhaker's appearance on KBC has garnered widespread attention and appreciation. It has not only highlighted her achievements but also provided a glimpse into the challenges and techniques involved in the sport of shooting.

India's Paralympic contingent is poised to make a strong push towards its target of 30 medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Friday's schedule promises a flurry of medal opportunities, particularly in athletics.In the Men's Javelin Throw F54 Final, Dipesh Kumar will be a strong contender for a podium finish. Praveen Kumar will aim for glory in the Men's High Jump T64 Final, while Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary will seek a medal in the Women's Javelin Throw F46 Final. Soman Rana and Hokato Hotozhe Sema will represent India in the Men's Shot Put F57 Final.Para-powerlifting will also feature prominently on Friday, with Kasthuri Rajamani competing in the Women's 67kg Final. India has a realistic chance of finishing among the top 12 teams in the Paris Paralympics 2024 medals tally. To achieve this, the contingent needs to maintain its momentum and secure a significant number of medals in the remaining days of competition.

India's Paralympic archery campaign suffered a setback as the Mixed Team Recurve Open duo of Harvinder Singh and Pooja Jatyan narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in a shoot-off.Harvinder, the reigning Paralympic champion in the Men's Individual Recurve Open, and Pooja began strongly, winning the first set 33-30. However, they faltered in the second set, scoring only 29 points, allowing Slovenia's Ziva Lavrinc and Dejan Fabcic to level the match.The Indian pair regained the lead in the third set with a 34-38 victory, but they failed to capitalize in the fourth set, scoring only 29 points to Slovenia's 34.In the shoot-off, Harvinder and Pooja scored 17 points, while Lavrinc and Fabcic scored 19, securing the bronze medal for Slovenia.Earlier, Harvinder and Pooja had lost to eventual gold medalists Elkisabetta Mijno and Stefano Travisani of Italy in the semifinals. The Indian duo had also faced a close 5-4 win over Australia's Taymon Kenton-Smith and Amanda Jennings in the quarterfinals.Despite the disappointment, Harvinder's historic gold medal in the Men's Individual Recurve Open remains a significant achievement for India in Paralympic archery.

India's Paralympic campaign in Tokyo ended on a bittersweet note as para-athletes Simran Sharma and Ashok narrowly missed out on podium finishes.Simran Sharma, who had stormed into the women's 100m T12 final, finished last among the four finalists with a timing of 12.31s. Cuba's Omara Durand Elias, the world record-holder, claimed gold with a time of 11.81s, followed by Ukraine's Oksana Boturchuk (12.17s) and Germany's Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt (12.26s).Powerlifter Ashok, competing in the men's 65kg final, finished sixth with a best lift of 199kg. He had successfully lifted 196kg in his first attempt and 199kg in his second, but failed to lift 206kg in his third and final attempt. China's Yi Zou won gold with a lift of 215kg, while Great Britain's Mark Swan took silver with 213kg and Algeria's Hocine Bettir claimed bronze with 209kg.Despite the disappointing results for Simran and Ashok, India's para-archery team made history by winning two medals at the Paralympics for the first time. Harvinder Singh won India's first-ever gold medal in para archery with a straight-set victory over Poland's Lukasz Ciszek in the men's individual recurve open final. The Indian para archery team also won a bronze medal in the mixed team recurve open event.India's overall performance at the Tokyo Paralympics was a testament to the growing strength and determination of its para-athletes. The country's record-breaking medal tally of 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes, is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of these exceptional individuals.

Indian para-athlete Ajeet Singh Yadav has etched his name in history by securing a silver medal in the javelin throw F46 final at the Paris Paralympics 2024. His remarkable achievement is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience in the face of adversity.Yadav's journey to the podium has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. In 2017, a life-altering accident left him with a severe injury to his left arm. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Yadav found solace in javelin throw. With unwavering focus and dedication, he transformed his misfortune into a source of inspiration.Four years after the accident, Yadav made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo, finishing eighth. Undeterred, he continued to train relentlessly, overcoming an elbow injury to claim the Para World title in Paris and a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.In 2024, Yadav's hard work culminated in a bronze medal at the world championships. His momentum carried him to the Paris Paralympics, where he delivered a stunning performance to secure a silver medal. His fifth-round throw of 65.62m surpassed that of his compatriot and world record holder Sundar Singh Gurjar.Yadav's triumph is not only a personal victory but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for countless others who have faced challenges in their lives. His story serves as a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.

India's Deaf Shooting Team Shines at World Championship, Pranjali Dhumal Bags BronzeIndia's deaf shooting team has made a remarkable start at the 2nd World Deaf Shooting Championship 2024 in Hanover, Germany, with Pranjali Dhumal clinching a bronze medal in the Women's 25m Pistol event.Dhumal's impressive performance saw her qualify for the finals with a deaf world record and deaf world championship record of 571. In the finals, she displayed nerves of steel, hitting three out of five shots in the eighth series to edge out Lana Skeledzija by a single point and secure the bronze medal. She finished with a score of 29, behind the Ukrainian pair of Sofiia Olenych and Halyna Mosina, who secured gold and silver respectively.Anuya Prasad also put in a strong performance, finishing fifth in the finals with a score of 21 after qualifying with a score of 558. Vedika Sharma, the third Indian shooter, ended the qualification with a score of 473.The Indian team's success continued in the men's 10m Air Pistol event, where Abhinav Deshwal won silver and Shubham Vashist won bronze. The duo also teamed up with Chetan Sakpal to clinch the team silver medal.The 16-member Indian Deaf Shooting team has made a bright start to the championship, which runs until September 7, 2024. Indian shooters will compete in the Air Rifle and Air Pistol disciplines. The squad includes top shooters like Dhanush Srikanth and is accompanied by an interpreter and coaches Preeti Sharma (Pistol) and Sanjeev Rajput (Rifle).

Simran Sharma, India's reigning world champion in the women's 100m - T12, has secured her place in the final at the Paris Paralympics. Accompanied by her guide Abhay Singh, the 24-year-old finished second in semifinal 2 with a time of 12.33 seconds at the Stade de France on Thursday.Simran's journey to the final was not without its challenges. Born prematurely, she spent the first 10 weeks of her life in an incubator, where it was discovered that she had visual impairment. Despite the obstacles, Simran's determination and resilience have propelled her to the pinnacle of her sport.Coached by her husband Gajendra Singh, an Army Service Corps officer, Simran trains at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Her hard work and dedication have paid off, as she has consistently dominated the National Championship and Indian Open in both the 100m and 200m since 2022.Simran's success on the international stage is equally impressive. She won two silver medals at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year and clinched the T12 200m gold in style at the World Championships in Japan in June. Her performance at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to her unwavering spirit and the support of her team.In the semifinal, Simran finished behind Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt of Germany, who clocked 12.26 seconds. Omara Durand of Cuba topped the first semifinal with a time of 12.01 seconds. As per the rules, the first-placed runner in each semifinal and the next two fastest advanced to the final. Simran's time of 12.33 seconds was the third fastest overall, securing her a spot in the final.Simran's journey from being mocked for her visual impairment to winning gold at the World Para Athletics Championships and now reaching the Paralympics final is an inspiration to all. Her story is a reminder that with determination and support, anything is possible.

Para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji returned to India on Thursday as a national hero after securing a bronze medal in the women's 400m T20 final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics. Jeevanji, making her Paralympic debut, showcased exceptional speed and determination throughout the competition.In the final, Jeevanji started strongly but faced a challenge in the final phase of the race. Despite her best efforts, she finished behind Ukraine's Yuliia Shuliar (gold) and Turkey's Aysel Onder (silver). However, her time of 55.82s was enough to secure a podium finish and add to India's growing medal tally.Jeevanji's bronze medal is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She qualified for the final with a sensational run in the qualification round, finishing first in her heat with a time of 55.45s. Her performance in Paris has not only brought glory to India but also inspired countless aspiring athletes.India's Paralympic contingent has enjoyed a remarkable run in Paris, with several athletes achieving podium finishes. Para-athletes Dharambir and Pranav Soorma claimed gold and silver medals, respectively, in the men's club throw F51 final. Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar also secured silver and bronze medals in the men's javelin throw F46 event.In addition to Jeevanji's bronze, India has also won gold medals in para archery, para shooting, and para-shuttle. Para-archer Harvinder Singh made history by winning India's first-ever gold medal in para archery at the Paralympics. Para-shooter Avani Lekhra and javelin thrower Sumit Antil also contributed to India's gold medal count.The Indian contingent's success at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to the country's growing support for para-sports. The athletes' achievements have not only brought pride to the nation but also raised awareness about the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities.

India's Paralympic Contingent Aims for Record-Breaking Performance in ParisIndia's Paralympic contingent is poised to make history at the Paris Paralympics 2024, aiming to surpass their previous best tally of 25 medals. With several promising athletes in contention, the Indian team is confident of achieving their ambitious goal.On Thursday, September 5, India will have a busy schedule with athletes competing in shooting, archery, athletics, power-lifting, and judo. In shooting, Sidhartha Basu and Mona Agarwal will participate in the Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1 event, while Pooja and Harvinder Singh will represent India in the Mixed Team Recurve Open (Pre Quarterfinals).Athletics holds another medal opportunity for India, with Arvind competing in the Men's Shot Put F35. In archery, Pooja and Harvinder Singh will face Amanda Jennings and Taymon Kenton-Smith of Australia in the Mixed Team Recurve Open (Pre Quarterfinals). If they qualify, they will advance to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and potentially the medal matches.Power-lifter Ashok will compete in the Men's up to 65kg final, while judokas Kokila and Kapil Parmar will participate in the Women's 48kg J2 and Men's 60kg J1 events, respectively.India's Paralympic contingent has already made a strong start to the Games, with several athletes securing medals in various events. The team's determination and resilience are evident, and they are eager to continue their success in Paris.The Indian government and sports authorities have provided significant support to the Paralympic contingent, ensuring that athletes have access to world-class training facilities and resources. The team's performance at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they are determined to make India proud.