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Indian discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya has expressed the need to enhance his mental fortitude after securing a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics, marking his fifth consecutive second-place finish since the Tokyo Games.Kathuniya, 27, achieved a season-best throw of 42.22m in the discus throw F-56 event, but acknowledged that his mental strength has been lacking. "I have lacked in mental strength. I will have to build up more, just as it was before, in 2022. Since I got injured, due to cervical, it has come down," he said.The athlete, who competes from a seated position, has faced challenges including chickenpox and cervical radiculopathy. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to improve. "It's okay. I am still young. I can easily play two more Paralympics. I will do better. I will change my style this time. I have a World Championship next year. I will perform well next year," he said.Kathuniya's silver medal in Paris follows similar results at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, as well as the Asian Para Games last year. He believes that participating in more competitions leading up to the Paris Games would have been beneficial. "I think I made a mistake. I should have played a little more competition. I should have played more events. I was not ready. I played only two events this year. I should not have done that."Despite his recent string of silver medals, Kathuniya's hunger for success remains strong. "To be honest, my hunger will never end. Even if I hit 50m, my hunger will not end. I want to show the world that it was Yogesh Kathuniya who crossed 50m in a seated throw, the first person in the world."Kathuniya is now planning a two-month break, including a solo trip to Switzerland, to focus on his mental well-being. "I think my mind should be relaxed. And I will have to go away from sports once. So that I can focus more on mental strength."

Sports For All (SFA) is revolutionizing grassroots sports in India with the launch of the SFA Championships 2024-25. This grand event will span 10 cities across the country, engaging over 150,000 participants from 7000 of India's leading sporting schools. The championships will feature a staggering 31 sports, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.For the first time in its nine-year history, the SFA Championships will venture into Nagaland (Dimapur). Registrations are now open for this highly anticipated event.Since its inception in 2015, the SFA Championships have witnessed remarkable growth. Starting with Mumbai as the inaugural host, the championships have graced Hyderabad, Uttarakhand, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, Indore, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. The 2024 edition will commence on October 4 in Uttarakhand, culminating in the grand finale from December 6-16 in Jaipur.SFA's mission is to transform India into a nation that values and invests in sports culture. Rajas Joshi, Founding Member and Chief Operating Officer of SFA, emphasized, "Our commitment extends beyond organizing championships; it's about elevating grassroots and participative sports across India. By prioritizing athletes' needs and leveraging technology, we have created a unified platform to discover talent across multiple sports."The SFA Championships have ignited a passion for sports among over 350,000 young athletes from nearly 7000 schools. This initiative aims to foster a resilient and resurgent sporting nation by placing school sports in the spotlight.The championships will return to the national capital for the second time, taking place from October 5-15 in Delhi. Prestigious venues like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium will host the event. In the inaugural Delhi edition, over 6200 athletes from 500 schools participated, bringing glory to their institutions.SFA offers a wide range of sports for athletes aged 3-18, including basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, athletics, and many more. To enhance the experience and benefits for competing athletes, SFA has integrated technology into the championships. AI-powered match videos and tech-enabled fitness assessments provide athletes and coaches with detailed performance analytics, enabling them to make data-driven training decisions.The SFA Championships will also be showcased in a series on grassroots and participative sports on JioCinema, one of India's largest OTT platforms.

India's Nihal Singh and Rudransh Khandelwal narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 final at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Singh finished 19th with a score of 522, while Khandelwal placed 22nd with 517 points in the 60-shot qualification round.This setback comes after Singh's failure to reach the Mixed 25m Pistol (SH1) final, where he finished 10th in the qualification. Both Singh and Khandelwal had previously secured silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the Mixed 50m Pistol (SH1) at the Para-Shooting World Cup in March 2023.Despite their individual disappointments, the duo, along with Tokyo Paralympics medalist Singhraj Adhana, contributed to India's silver medal in the Mixed 50m Pistol team event.Khandelwal's journey to the Paralympics has been marked by resilience. After losing his left leg in a fireworks blast in 2015, he spent months recuperating at home. His parents encouraged him to try shooting, and he began training at a local range in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.India's Paralympic contingent has so far amassed 21 medals in Paris, surpassing its tally of 19 at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The current medal count stands at three gold, eight silver, and ten bronze.

Indian para-athlete Amisha narrowly missed out on a medal in the F46 Shot Put final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics, finishing 14th with a personal best of 9.25 m. The podium was dominated by Noelle Malkamaki of the USA, who set a new world record with a throw of 14.06 m, Mariia Shpatkivska of Ukraine with an area record of 12.35 m, and Holly Robinson of New Zealand with a throw of 11.88 m.In the men's up to 49 kg para-lifting category, India's Parmjeet Kumar also failed to secure a medal, finishing eighth with a best lift of 150 kg. The gold medal went to Jordan's Qarada Omar Sami Hamadeh (181 kg), followed by Turkey's Abdullah Kayapinar (180 kg) and Vietnam's Le Van Cong (171 kg).Despite these setbacks, the Indian contingent has already amassed 21 medals (three gold, eight silver, and ten bronze) and is poised to extend its record medal haul in a single edition of the Paralympics. In the Tokyo edition, India recorded its best-ever medal tally of 19 (five gold, eight silver, and six bronze).On Wednesday, para-athlete Sachin Khilari clinched the silver medal in the men's shot put F46 final with a throw of 16.32 m, setting an area record. However, he narrowly missed the gold by 0.6 m.Over the past few days, the Indian contingent has won 13 medals, including golds for Avani Lekhara in the women's 10m air rifle and Sumit Antil in the men's javelin throw F64, silver medals for Manish Narwal in the men's 10m air pistol SH1 and Nishad Kumar in the men's high jump T47, and bronze medals for Mona Agarwal in the women's 10m air rifle, Rubina Francis in the women's 10m air pistol SH-1, Preeti Pal in the women's 100m T35, Yogesh Kathuniya in the men's discus throw F56, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi in the mixed team compound archery, Nithya Sre Sivan in the women's SH6 para-badminton, Nitesh in the men's singles SL3 para-badminton, Thulasimathi Murugesan in the women's singles SU5 para-badminton, and Manisha in the women's singles SU5 para-badminton.

Indian Table Tennis Squad Announced for Asian ChampionshipsVeteran Sharath Kamal and star player Manika Batra will lead the Indian contingent at the upcoming 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships, scheduled to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan from October 7 to 13.The Indian Table Tennis Federation (TTFI) has named a strong squad for the tournament, which will serve as a crucial qualification event for the World Table Tennis Championships and the Asian Games.The men's team, captained by Sharath Kamal, includes Manav Thakkar, Harmeet Desai, G. Sathiyan, and Manush Shah. The women's team, led by Manika Batra, comprises Sreeja Akula, Ayhika Mukherjee, Diya Chital, and Sutirtha Mukherjee.The selection process was based on world ranking, international experience, and performance at the national level. The Indian team has been training under the guidance of foreign expert Massimo Constantini, who has been working to enhance their skills and strategies."I am hopeful they will put their best foot forward in the Astana championships," said Constantini.The Indian team had a successful outing at the Paris Olympics, with the women's team reaching the quarterfinals and the men's team losing to China in the round of 16. It was the first time that India qualified for team events at the Olympics.The Asian Championships hold significant importance for the Indian team as it provides an opportunity to qualify for major international tournaments. The team will be aiming to perform well and secure a berth in the World Table Tennis Championships and the Asian Games.

India's Sachin Sarjerao Khilari has etched his name in Paralympic history by securing a silver medal in the men's shot put F46 event at the ongoing Games in Paris. With an Asian record distance of 16.32m, Khilari showcased his exceptional athleticism and determination.Khilari's triumph marks the 11th medal for India in para-athletics at these Games. The 34-year-old athlete had previously won a gold medal at the World Para-Athletics Championships in Japan in May, setting an Asian record of 16.30m.In Paris, Khilari's best throw came in his second attempt, surpassing his own previous record. Canada's Greg Stewart, the defending Paralympic champion, retained his gold with a throw of 16.38m. Luka Bakovic of Croatia claimed the bronze with a distance of 16.27m.Khilari's success is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the support he has received. The F46 classification is designed for athletes with arm deficiency, impaired muscle power, or impaired passive range of movement in arms. Khilari competes in a standing position despite having an impaired left hand.His journey to the Paralympic podium has been marked by hard work, dedication, and a belief in his abilities. Khilari's silver medal is a source of pride for India and an inspiration to athletes around the world.

Indian Cyclists Arshad Shaik and Jyoti Gaderiya Finish Respectably at ParalympicsIndian cyclists Arshad Shaik and Jyoti Gaderiya showcased their determination and resilience at the Paralympics in Paris on Wednesday, competing in their respective cycling events.Gaderiya, competing in the women's C1 individual time trial, faced a challenging 5.8km course. Despite finishing in 16th and last position, she displayed unwavering spirit, completing the race in 30 minutes and 0.16 seconds. Germany's Maike Hausberger emerged victorious, securing the gold medal with a time of 21:30.45. Britain's Frances Brown and Sweden's Anna Beck followed closely, claiming silver and bronze with times of 21:46.18 and 21:54.71, respectively.In the men's C2 time trial, Arshad Shaik also faced a demanding 5.8km course. Despite finishing 11th and last, he demonstrated his tenacity, crossing the finish line in 25:20.11. France's Alexandre Leaute dominated the event, winning the gold medal with an impressive time of 19:24.25. Belgium's Ewoud Vromant and Australia's Darren Hicks secured silver and bronze with times of 19:26.45 and 19:26.61, respectively.Athletes in the women's C1 and men's C2 classes typically have limb deficiencies, impaired muscle power or range of motion, or impairments affecting coordination. Jyoti Gaderiya's journey to the Paralympics has been marked by adversity. Following a bike accident in May 2016, she underwent a left leg amputation. Despite this setback, she has persevered, and the Paralympics marks her participation in four events.Arshad Shaik has also faced challenges, having suffered multiple injuries, including a left leg above-knee amputation, in a road accident in 2004 at the age of 11. His determination and resilience have propelled him to the Paralympics, where he continues to inspire others.

Sangram Singh, India's pioneering male wrestler and former ambassador of the Wrestling Federation of India, is embarking on a new chapter in his illustrious career. On September 21, he will step into the octagon at the Gama International Fighting Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, to face Ali Raza Nasir of Pakistan.This momentous occasion marks Singh's transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts (MMA), a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport. Singh envisions a future where Indian athletes excel on the global MMA stage and have ample opportunities to develop their careers."My journey from wrestling to MMA isn't just for me," Singh said. "I hope to build the sport in India and pave the way for our young fighters to compete internationally. I want to inspire them to believe that with hard work and determination, they too can achieve greatness."Singh's foray into MMA is not merely a personal pursuit but also a strategic move to elevate the sport in India. He believes that MMA has the potential to revolutionize combat sports, including boxing and wrestling."As a sportsman, it's essential to stay abreast of the latest trends in the sport," Singh explained. "MMA is gaining immense popularity worldwide, and I see it having a significant impact on the entire combat sports landscape."Singh's impressive wrestling credentials have earned him accolades both nationally and internationally. His transition to MMA is expected to further enhance the stature of Indian athletes in the global combat sports community.Growing up, Singh was inspired by his brother's wrestling prowess. Despite being diagnosed with arthritis, he overcame adversity to become a world-renowned wrestler. In 2012, he was crowned the World's Best Professional Wrestler, and he also triumphed in the 2015 and 2016 Commonwealth Heavyweight Championships.Throughout his career, Singh has been a role model and motivator for countless young people. His success in wrestling and his subsequent transition to MMA demonstrate his unwavering determination and his commitment to promoting combat sports in India.

India's Paralympic contingent is poised to make history at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, with a packed schedule of events on September 4th. The day promises to be filled with thrilling competitions and medal-winning opportunities for the Indian athletes.In table tennis, Tokyo Paralympics silver medalist Bhavina Patel will take center stage in the women's singles class 4 quarter-finals. She will face a formidable opponent in Zhou Ying of China, but Patel's determination and skill make her a strong contender for a podium finish.The men's shot put F46 event will witness a trio of Indian athletes vying for glory. Mohd Yasser, Rohit Kumar, and Sachin Sarjerao Khilari will all be in action, aiming to secure a place on the medal stand. In the women's shot put F46, Amisha Rawat will represent India and strive to add to the country's medal tally.Powerlifting will also be a key focus for India, with Parmjeet Kumar competing in the men's 49kg category and Sakina Khatun in the women's 45kg category. Both athletes have proven their mettle in previous competitions and will be looking to make their mark in Paris.Archery will see Harvinder Singh take on Tseng Lung-hui of Taiwan in the men's recurve pre-quarterfinal. Singh's precision and focus will be crucial as he aims to advance to the next round.Cycling will also feature Indian representation, with Arshad Shaik competing in the men's C2 Individual Road Time Trial and Jyoti Gaderiya in the women's C1-3 Individual Road Time Trial. Both athletes will be determined to showcase their endurance and speed on the cycling track.In shooting, Nihal Singh and Rudransh Khandelwal will participate in the mixed 50m pistol SH1 qualification and final, aiming to secure a spot on the podium.The day's schedule also includes the men's club throw F51, where Dharambir, Pranav Soorma, and Amit Kumar Saroha will represent India. In the women's 100m T12 heat, Simran will be looking to qualify for the next round.With such a diverse and talented contingent, India has a strong chance of achieving its best-ever medal tally at the Paralympics. The athletes' dedication, determination, and unwavering spirit will undoubtedly inspire the nation and bring glory to the country.