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Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has emphasized the need to move on from the euphoria of their Olympic bronze medal triumph and focus on retaining their Asian Champions Trophy title in Hulunbuir, China.Under Harmanpreet's leadership, India secured a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Paris, a feat not achieved in over half a century. However, the skipper believes it's time to turn the page and prepare for the Asian showpiece, which will be held from September 8 to 17."With a brief break after the Paris Olympics, the team is ready to take on the best hockey playing nations in Asia and prove its mettle," Harmanpreet said. "We had a good outing in Paris, but hockey is a very close game, we cannot rest on our laurels."India will face stiff competition from Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and hosts China in the Asian Champions Trophy. The team will begin their campaign against China on September 8, followed by a match against Japan on September 9.After a one-day break, India will take on Malaysia on September 11, followed by Korea on September 12 and arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals slated for September 16, with the final scheduled for September 17.India are the most successful team in the tournament with four titles, followed by Pakistan (3). India won the last edition in Chennai, beating Malaysia 4-3 in the final.Vice captain Vivek Sagar Prasad expressed confidence in the team's ability to defend their title, despite the presence of a few new players. "We will do our best to create a nurturing environment for them on the way to our title defense," he said.

India's Medal Hunt Continues at Paris Paralympics 2024After a remarkable start to the Paris Paralympics 2024, the Indian contingent is poised for more medal glory on Tuesday. Star shooter Avani Lekhara, who has already secured a gold medal, will return to action in the women's 50m rifle 3 position event.In athletics, India's high jump trio of Mariyappan Thangavelu, Shailesh Kumar, and Sharad Kumar will aim for podium finishes in the men's high jump T63 finals. Meanwhile, Ajeet Singh, Rinku, and Sundar Singh Gurjar will vie for medals in the F46 javelin throw final.The day's schedule also features para archery, with Pooja set to compete in the women's individual recurve open round of 16. If she qualifies, she will face off in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and potentially the bronze or gold medal matches later in the evening.Detailed Schedule:Para Shooting* 1:00 PM: Women's 50m Rifle 3 Position SH1 (Qualification) - Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal* 7:30 PM: Women's 50m Rifle 3 Position SH1 Finals (Subject to Qualification) - Avani Lekhara, Mona AgarwalPara Athletics* 2:28 PM: Women's Shot Put F34 (Finals) - Bhagyashri Madhavrao Jadhav* 10:38 PM: Women's 400m T20 (Final) - Deepthi Jeevanji* 11:50 PM: Men's High Jump T63 Finals - Mariyappan Thangavelu, Shailesh Kumar, Sharad Kumar* 12:13 AM (September 4): Men's Javelin Throw F46 Finals - Ajeet Singh, Rinku, Sundar Singh GurjarPara Archery* 3:20 PM: Women's Individual Recurve Open Round of 16 - Pooja vs TBD* 8:30 PM: Women's Individual Recurve Open Quarter-final (Subject to Qualification) - Pooja vs TBD* 9:38 PM: Women's Individual Recurve Open Semi-final (Subject to Qualification) - Pooja vs TBD* 10:27 PM: Women's Individual Recurve Open Bronze Medal Match (Subject to Qualification) - Pooja vs TBD* 10:44 PM: Women's Individual Recurve Open Gold Medal Match (Subject to Qualification) - Pooja vs TBD

Turkey's Pistol Sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec Trademarks Viral Olympic StanceTurkish Olympic pistol sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec has taken steps to protect the commercial use of his nonchalant stance at the Paris Games, which became a viral sensation worldwide. His coach, Erdinc Bilgili, revealed that they filed a trademark application with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office to prevent others from exploiting Dikec's pose without his consent.Dikec's seemingly effortless stance, with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, inspired a deluge of memes online. Some likened him to the fictional spy James Bond, while Tesla founder Elon Musk shared a video of himself imitating the pose. The stance also gained popularity among fellow athletes, with Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson replicating it after scoring against Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.The widespread imitation and commercialization of Dikec's pose prompted the trademark application. Bilgili stated that they had received information about numerous trademark registration initiatives carried out without Dikec's knowledge, leading them to file their own application. He added that the other applications had been rejected.Dikec's pose has become a symbol of his calm and collected demeanor under pressure. In an interview with AFP, he explained that the hand-in-pocket technique was simply a way to maintain stability and balance. "There's nothing more to it," he said.The Turkish trademark office has yet to comment on the application. However, various memorabilia bearing Dikec's likeness, including T-shirts, mugs, and mobile phone covers, have already gone on sale.Dikec's trademark application highlights the growing importance of protecting intellectual property in the digital age. As viral moments and images become increasingly valuable, athletes and other public figures are taking steps to safeguard their commercial rights.

India's Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar have etched their names in Paralympic history by securing a bronze medal in the mixed team compound archery competition at the Tokyo Paralympics. The duo's triumph marks India's second archery medal at the Paralympics, following Harvinder Singh's bronze in Tokyo 2020.The Indian pair faced a heart-wrenching defeat in the semifinals against Iran's Fatemeh Hemmati and Hadi Nori, losing in a dramatic shoot-off. However, they displayed remarkable resilience and determination in the bronze medal match against Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina.With just four arrows remaining, India trailed by a single point. Sarti showcased exceptional form, while Bonacina faced some challenges. However, Sheetal's 17-year-old shot was upgraded upon revision, giving India a crucial advantage.The Indian duo held their nerve and emerged victorious with a narrow 156-155 margin. Sheetal's composure and Rakesh's experience proved invaluable in securing the bronze medal.India's success in archery at the Paralympics is a testament to the growing strength and talent of the country's para-athletes. The bronze medal won by Sheetal and Rakesh is a source of pride and inspiration for the entire nation.

The Indian shooting contingent continued their impressive performance at the 2nd World Deaf Shooting Championship 2024 in Hanover, Germany, on Day Two, claiming a clean sweep of the 10m Air Rifle men's event and adding two more medals in the women's category.Dhanush Srikanth, Shourya Saini, and Mohammed Murtaza Vania dominated the men's 10m Air Rifle event, securing the gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. Dhanush set a double deaf-shooting world record, scoring 632.7 in the qualification round and 251.7 in the final, leaving his compatriot Saini trailing with a score of 249.9. Vania finished third with a score of 226.2.In the women's 10m Air Rifle event, Mahit Sandhu and Natasha Joshi added to India's medal tally, winning silver and bronze, respectively. Sandhu's impressive performance earned her a score of 249.1, while Joshi secured a score of 225.9.India's success at the championship continued on Day One, where they won four medals, including one gold, two silver, and one bronze. Anuya Prasad claimed the gold medal in the women's 10m Air Pistol, while Abhinav Deshwal and Shubham Vashist secured silver and bronze in the men's 10m Air Pistol event. The trio also teamed up with Chetan Sakpal to win the team silver medal in the same event.The Indian shooters will continue their quest for medals in the Air Rifle and Air Pistol disciplines at the championship, which will conclude on September 7. Their impressive performance thus far has showcased their talent and determination, and they will be aiming to add to their medal count in the remaining events.

Indian shooters Nihal Singh and Amir Ahmad Bhat narrowly missed out on qualifying for the final of the mixed 25m pistol (SH1) competition at the Paralympics in Tokyo on Monday. Singh finished 10th with a score of 569, while Bhat placed 11th with 568, falling short of the top eight who advanced to the medal round.In the precision stage, Singh impressed with a score of 287, placing him fourth. Bhat also performed well, scoring 286 to hold the eighth and final qualifying spot. However, both shooters struggled in the rapid stage, managing only 282 each. This resulted in aggregate scores that were insufficient to secure a place in the final.The SH1 classification in shooting allows athletes to hold their gun without difficulty and shoot from a standing or sitting position. They can use either a pistol or a rifle.This was the second consecutive day without a medal for the Indian shooting team at the Paralympics. In the first three days of competition, the team had secured four podium finishes, including a gold medal.Despite the disappointment, Singh and Bhat displayed commendable consistency in the qualification round. They will be hoping to improve their performance in future events and contribute to India's medal tally at the Paralympics.

Sheetal Devi, India's armless archery prodigy, has captivated the world with her remarkable performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Despite not securing a medal in the individual event, her unwavering determination and exceptional accuracy have earned her widespread admiration.Sheetal's journey to the Paralympics has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born without arms, she defied all odds to pursue her passion for archery. Using her toes to draw the bow and release the arrow, she has honed her skills to an astonishing level.At the Paris Games, Sheetal faced formidable opponents in the compound women's open category. In the last-16, she narrowly missed out on a quarterfinal berth, losing to Tokyo silver medalist Mariana Zuniga of Chile by a single point (137-138). However, her performance throughout the tournament showcased her resilience and unwavering spirit.Sheetal's inspiring story has resonated with people across the globe. Her determination to overcome adversity and achieve her dreams has made her a role model for countless individuals. Business tycoon Anand Mahindra was among those who were deeply moved by her performance.After witnessing Sheetal's viral video where she effortlessly hit a bullseye, Mahindra expressed his admiration on social media. He pledged to fulfill a promise he had made to her, offering her any car from his range customized to suit her needs. Sheetal, who will turn 18 next year, has graciously accepted the offer.Mahindra's gesture is a testament to the impact Sheetal's story has had on the nation and beyond. Her indomitable spirit and unwavering pursuit of excellence have inspired countless individuals to believe in their own abilities and strive for greatness.Sheetal Devi's journey is a reminder that true success lies not only in medals but in the courage, determination, and resilience we display in the face of challenges. Her story continues to inspire and motivate, proving that anything is possible with unwavering belief and a never-say-die attitude.

Rohan Sejwal, a young basketball prodigy from Bhopal, has overcome adversity to earn a spot on India's squad for the upcoming Junior Asian Basketball Championship in Jordan.Growing up in a humble background, Rohan's father, Sunil Sejwal, works as an auto driver. Despite financial constraints, Rohan's passion for basketball ignited at the tender age of 10.In 2020, Rohan's talent was recognized when he was selected for the NBA Junior program. He has since participated in numerous national competitions and Khelo India sports events, representing Madhya Pradesh in the Under 14 and Under 17 categories.Rohan's journey to the national team has been marked by hard work and determination. He has faced countless challenges, but his unwavering spirit has propelled him forward.The Junior Asian Basketball Championship will be held from September 2 to 9 in Jordan. India's team, which includes 12 talented young players, will be led by Rohan Sejwal.Rohan's selection is a testament to his exceptional skills and the power of perseverance. He is an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

In a thrilling UTT 2024 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, rising star Diya Chitale stunned World No. 26 Manika Batra, leading Dabang Delhi TTC to a remarkable 8-7 victory over table toppers PBG Bengaluru Smashers.Despite trailing 7-1, Dabang Delhi TTC staged a stunning comeback, winning seven consecutive games. Chitale's 3-0 (11-6, 11-10, 11-8) triumph over Batra proved pivotal.Earlier, PBG Bengaluru Smashers had dominated, with Alvaro Robles and Lily Zhang securing victories in the first men's and women's singles, respectively. However, Orawan Paranang and G Sathiyan sparked the Delhi-based franchise's resurgence with a 2-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-8) mixed doubles win over Manika and Robles.Sathiyan then blanked Jeet Chandra 3-0 (11-10, 11-6, 11-5), setting the stage for Chitale's heroics. The youngster's impressive performance against Batra showcased her immense potential.In another exciting clash, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis defeated debutants Jaipur Patriots 9-6. Ankur Bhattacharjee, Suthasini Sawettabut, Natalia Bajor, Anirban Ghosh, Joao Monteiro, and Bajor contributed to the victory.PBG Bengaluru Smashers remain atop the standings with 48 points, while Dabang Delhi TTC sits second with 41 points. Puneri Paltan Table Tennis is fourth with 28 points, and Jaipur Patriots is fifth with 25 points.