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India's Aruna Tanwar Suffers Heavy Defeat in Women's K 44-47kg Para Taekwondo at Paris ParalympicsIndian para taekwondo athlete Aruna Tanwar faced a crushing 0-19 defeat against Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkey in the round of 16 contest in the women's K 44-47kg category at the Paris Paralympics on Thursday.Tanwar proved to be no match for her Turkish opponent, who dominated the five-minute round, scoring points at will. Ekinci relentlessly executed body kicks, earning two points each for a total of 18 points. Tanwar also conceded a penalty point (gam-jeom) during the contest.The K44 category in para taekwondo is reserved for athletes with impairments in one arm above the elbow. Tanwar's defeat marks a disappointing end to her Paralympic campaign.Para taekwondo made its debut at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 and has quickly gained popularity. Athletes compete in five separate weight categories for each gender.Unlike able-bodied taekwondo, para taekwondo matches consist of a single round lasting up to five minutes. Kicks to the head and punches are prohibited due to the varying abilities of athletes to block.Athletes wear protective gear and "sensor socks" that detect points scored when hitting the opponent's torso. Regular kicks earn two points, turning kicks three points, and spinning kicks four points.Fouls such as head kicks, grabbing, pushing, kicks below the belt, or stepping out of bounds result in a gam-jeom, awarding a point to the opponent.

Pakistan Hockey Players Banned for Life for Seeking AsylumThree Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life after attempting to seek asylum in Europe. The players, Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman, along with physiotherapist Waqas, disappeared during the Nations Cup in the Netherlands and Poland last month.Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary-general Rana Mujahid confirmed the incident, stating that the players had informed the federation of their inability to attend a training camp due to domestic issues. However, it was later discovered that they had flown to the Netherlands again and sought political asylum.Mujahid expressed disappointment over the incident, noting that it would make it difficult for the PHF to obtain visas for international competitions in European countries. The PHF Congress has approved the lifetime ban and has requested the PHF president to work with the Pakistan consulate to bring the players back for disciplinary action.The PHF has also notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action. Mujahid acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the PHF, but emphasized that these issues did not justify abandoning the national team and damaging the country's reputation.The incident has raised concerns about the welfare of Pakistani athletes and the challenges they face in representing their country. The PHF is working to address these issues and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

Kush Maini, India's rising star in motorsport, has made significant strides in his Formula 1 aspirations with his second successful test with the Alpine F1 Team. The 21-year-old driver took to the iconic Imola circuit for a two-day test, showcasing his exceptional skills and potential.Maini, who is the sole Indian representative in the highly competitive Formula 2 series, impressed the Alpine team with his performance behind the wheel of the Alpine A522. The test provided him with valuable experience and feedback, as he completed 99 laps and covered close to 500 kilometers.This latest test follows Maini's impressive debut test with Red Bull Racing earlier this year. His consistent performances in Formula 2 and now two successful F1 tests have positioned him as a strong contender for a potential reserve driver role with Alpine for the 2025 season.Maini's performance at Imola was particularly noteworthy, as he demonstrated strong pace in both qualifying and race simulations. The team was impressed with his ability to adapt quickly to the car and provide valuable feedback.After the test, Maini expressed his gratitude to Alpine for the opportunity and his excitement for the future. "Can't thank Alpine enough for this opportunity. Very strong day, both qualification and race pace looked very good. Can't wait for the next one," he said.Maini's success at Imola comes at a crucial time, as the team's reserve driver spot recently became available. With his impressive performances, he has emerged as a strong candidate for the role.As the Formula 2 season resumes this weekend, Maini will return to action at Monza with renewed confidence. His recent F1 test experience will undoubtedly benefit him as he aims to continue his podium-winning streak.Maini's journey in motorsport has been marked by consistent progress and impressive performances. Within a span of three months, he has performed consistently at two F1 tests, represented Alpine at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and secured his first Formula 2 win at the Hungarian GP.As he continues to develop and showcase his talent, Kush Maini is poised to make a significant impact on the world of Formula 1. His determination, skill, and unwavering passion make him a rising star to watch in the years to come.

Manpreet Singh, the 32-year-old Indian hockey legend, is determined to continue his illustrious career despite the team's recent Olympic success. With two consecutive Olympic medals under his belt, Manpreet is hungry for more and believes the team could have achieved even greater heights in Paris."It feels great to win back-to-back medals, but the way we played all through in Paris, we know we could have gone all the way," Manpreet told The Hindu. "We were very close to the final, and we will always think about what we could have done differently in the semifinal."Since relinquishing the captaincy after the Tokyo Olympics, Manpreet has experienced a resurgence in his form and performance. He attributes this to a change in mindset and the freedom to play his natural game."Earlier, I always had high expectations from myself. During Graham's (Reid) time, I had started playing simple hockey — simple passes, no risks. When Craig (Fulton) took charge, he said you have full freedom to show your natural game and play the way you want — going up, dribbling, and dodging — but do it 100 percent, no half measures," Manpreet explained."Even if someone makes a mistake, we will cover it as a team, watch videos, see how it could be done better. And it's not just me, it's for everyone, we have the license to go anywhere if we see space. Plus, I have matured too!"With the Asian Champions Trophy approaching, Manpreet is eager to get back to the grind. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining his fitness at his age but is determined to stay competitive."I want to get back to my fitness regime and get better because you cannot survive in modern hockey without it. But I also know that I have to be careful, it gets more difficult every year, and I need to be serious about it," Manpreet said."Yes, it is very difficult — when you compete with 18-19-year-olds, who are obviously fitter and stronger, you have to be mentally and physically tough enough and not give up, beat them, and prove yourself. I know I have to put in extra effort and be more careful even when not in camp – I know sweets or junk food will affect me more than the other guy, I will have to sweat out much more to burn it off. I love pizza, but I last had a bite several months ago. I haven't touched ice cream or sweets or aerated drinks for ages. But you do what you have to do."Manpreet's passion for hockey is evident in his unwavering commitment to the sport. He is driven by the desire to inspire his daughter and leave a lasting legacy in Indian hockey."It feels good to have her in the stands, you know someone is watching you all the time and cheering. A father is a role model for every kid, and I want to keep getting better for her so that when she grows up, she will know what her father did and be proud. I just want to do that for her," an emotional Manpreet said.

India's Sharuk Khan has etched his name in the annals of Indian athletics by shattering the national U20 record in the 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. The 18-year-old prodigy from Uttar Pradesh clocked an impressive 8 minutes 45.12 seconds to finish sixth in his heat race, securing a berth in the final scheduled for August 31.Khan's remarkable feat eclipses the previous national U20 record held by Rajesh of Rajasthan, who had clocked 8:50.12 seconds at the Federation Cup National Senior Championships in May. Khan's earlier personal best stood at 8:51.75 seconds, set at the Asian U20 Championships in Korea last year.The young athlete's exceptional performance is a testament to his unwavering determination and rigorous training. His qualification for the final places him among the world's elite U20 steeplechasers.In another notable achievement for India, Jay Kumar has qualified for the men's 400m final after finishing third in his semifinal heat race with a personal best time of 46.96 seconds. Kumar's impressive performance bodes well for India's medal hopes in the event.The World Athletics U20 Championships is a prestigious event that showcases the talents of the world's most promising young athletes. India's strong showing at the championships is a testament to the growing depth and quality of Indian athletics.

Gujarat has been battered by incessant rainfall over the past few days, leading to severe flooding in several cities. Vadodara has been particularly hard-hit, with low-lying areas submerged after the Vishwamitri River breached its banks.Indian women's cricket team spinner Radha Yadav shared her harrowing experience on social media, revealing that she was trapped in a "very bad situation" due to the flooding. She expressed her gratitude to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescuing her and others.The relentless rains have claimed 26 lives in Gujarat, with 19 fatalities occurring on Wednesday alone. Around 17,800 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas.The deceased include seven individuals who were swept away while crossing an overflowing causeway in Morbi district. Their bodies have since been recovered.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation and offer the Centre's support in tackling the natural disaster.Districts in the Saurashtra region, including Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar, have received heavy rainfall, with Bhanvad taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district recording the highest precipitation at 185 mm.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of extremely heavy rains in isolated parts of Saurashtra on Thursday.Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and the Army have been deployed to rescue stranded residents and relocate them to safer places.

The 2024 Paralympics in Paris commenced with a grand opening ceremony, marking the beginning of 11 days of fierce competition. French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open, igniting the spirit of the athletes and spectators alike.The ceremony, held in the heart of Paris at the Place de la Concorde, was a vibrant spectacle. The 4,400 athletes from 168 delegations marched into the arena, with host nation France receiving a thunderous ovation. The atmosphere was electric as the sun set, casting a warm glow over the proceedings.In a poignant moment, French singer Lucky Love, who is missing his left arm below the elbow, performed a moving rendition of his song "My Ability." The performance, accompanied by both able-bodied and disabled dancers, symbolized the spirit of inclusion and diversity that the Paralympics represents.International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons expressed his hope for an "inclusion revolution" before Macron officially declared the Games open. The ceremony culminated in the lighting of the cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens, a symbol of the Paralympic flame.The Paralympics will utilize 18 of the 35 Olympic venues, including the Grand Palais and the Stade de France. Ticket sales have surged since the Olympics, with over two million of the 2.5 million available tickets sold.Host nation France aims to improve upon its 11 gold medals from 2021, while Paralympic powerhouse China remains a formidable force. Ukraine, despite the ongoing war, has sent a team of 140 athletes to compete.Notable athletes to watch include American sprinter/high jumper Ezra Frech, Iranian sitting volleyball legend Morteza Mehrzad, and Italian fencer Beatrice "Bebe" Vio.The Paralympics not only showcases athleticism but also serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities. IPC president Parsons believes the Paris Games will bring these issues to the forefront of global priorities.

Afghanistan Bans Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for Violating Islamic LawAfghanistan's Taliban government has prohibited mixed martial arts (MMA) within the country, citing its incompatibility with Islamic principles. The decision was made following an investigation by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which concluded that MMA contravenes Islamic law (sharia).According to a statement released by the Taliban's sports authority, "It was found that the sport is problematic with respect to sharia and it has many aspects which are contradictory to the teachings of Islam." The authority emphasized that the ban was necessary to uphold Islamic values.An official from the sports authority further explained that MMA was deemed too violent and posed a risk of injury or death. This aligns with the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law, which has led to the implementation of various regulations on behavior and dress.The ban on MMA has sparked concern among Afghan athletes, as martial arts are popular sports in the country. Four Afghan athletes who competed at the Paris Games were martial arts practitioners. However, MMA has not been recognized as an Olympic sport due to safety concerns.The Taliban's decision to ban MMA highlights the challenges faced by athletes in Afghanistan under the current regime. The government's strict adherence to Islamic law has restricted participation in certain sports and activities, particularly for women.

India's para athletics team is poised to make a strong showing at the upcoming Paralympics in Paris, with head coach Satyanarayana expressing confidence in securing 10 medals, including five golds. The team of 84 athletes, the largest contingent India has ever sent to the Paralympics, has undergone rigorous training in preparation for the event.Satyanarayana emphasized the team's goal of converting silver and bronze medals from the Tokyo Paralympics into gold this time around. He praised the athletes' dedication and noted that many have already arrived in Paris to acclimatize and continue their training.Among the athletes expected to excel are Sumit Antil, the reigning world record holder in men's javelin F64; Mariyappan Thangavelu, the 2016 Paralympic gold medalist in men's high jump T42; and Deepthi Jeevanji, the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships bronze medalist in women's 400m T20.Other medal contenders include Sachin Khilari (men's shotput F46), Ekta Bhyan (women's club throw F52), and Simran Sharma (women's 200m T12).In the Tokyo Paralympics, India finished 24th in the overall medal tally with 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes. In athletics, the team won eight medals, including one gold, five silvers, and two bronzes.The Indian para athletics team is determined to surpass their previous performance and make history at the Paris Paralympics. With their intense training and unwavering determination, they aim to bring glory to India and inspire countless others.