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Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 witnessed a thrilling encounter between debutants Jaipur Patriots and U Mumba TT, with the former emerging victorious 9-6. Despite a spirited fightback from Manav Thakkar, Jaipur Patriots' international stars Cho Seung-min and Suthasini Sawettabut proved too strong.Cho, in his second UTT match, stunned African legend Quadri Aruna 3-0 in the opening men's singles. Suthasini followed suit, edging out Maria Xiao in a Golden Point thriller. Thakkar's valiant efforts, including a 2-1 victory over Snehit SFR, kept U Mumba TT in contention.However, Sutirtha Mukherjee's loss to Nithyashree Mani sealed the tie for Jaipur Patriots. Mani's composure and incredible shots proved decisive. Thakkar's performance earned him the Indian Player of the Tie award, while Cho and Mani claimed the Foreign Player of the Tie and DafaNews Shot of the Tie, respectively.In the earlier tie, Chennai Lions secured their first win of UTT 2024, defeating Dabang Delhi TTC 8-7. Achanta Sharath Kamal's victory over Andreas Levenko set the tone for Chennai Lions, who won the next three matches before Diya Chitale's clean sweep over Poymantee Baisya gave Dabang Delhi TTC a glimmer of hope.

Chennai Lions, led by Indian table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal, made a resounding comeback in Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, defeating Dabang Delhi TTC 8-7 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Sunday.Sharath, the league's top-ranked Indian male paddler, showcased his brilliance in a 2-1 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC's Andreas Levenko in the opening men's singles match. The home favorite unleashed a barrage of powerful smashes, leaving the Austrian debutant in his wake.Sharath's triumph set the tone for the tie, with his teammates following suit. Sakura Mori extended Chennai Lions' lead with a 2-1 win over Orawan Paranang in the first women's singles match. Mori displayed her resilience, maintaining control despite Paranang's repeated attempts to fight back.The mixed doubles match followed a similar pattern, with Sharath and Mori teaming up to defeat Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Paranang 2-1. The hosts sealed the tie in the next match, with Jules Rolland overcoming local boy Sathiyan in a thrilling two-game-to-one encounter.In the final match, Dabang Delhi TTC's Diyale Chitale made history. The Mumbai native, who had previously watched UTT as a fan, secured her first-ever victory in the league in her second year, defeating Poymantee Baisya 3-0.Chitale's impressive performance earned her the Indian Player of the Tie honor, while Mori claimed the Foreign Player of the Tie gong. Rolland was awarded the DafaNews Shot of the Tie award for his exceptional shot-making.Tomorrow's lone tie will feature PBG Bengaluru Smashers taking on Puneri Paltan TT at 17:00, with both teams aiming to make a significant impact in the tournament.

At the Silesia Diamond League meeting, Armand Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen etched their names into the history books with world-record-breaking performances.Duplantis, the Swedish pole vault sensation, soared to a new height of 6.26 meters, surpassing his previous record set just three weeks earlier at the Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old's exuberant celebration was met with thunderous applause and a handshake from Polish President Andrzej Duda."Everything came together perfectly," said Duplantis, who set his first world record in Poland in 2020. "I wanted to put on a good show for the crowd."In the 3,000 meters, Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian distance runner, stunned spectators with a time of 7min 17.55sec, shattering Daniel Komen's 28-year-old world record by over three seconds."It feels amazing," said Ingebrigtsen. "I hoped to challenge the record, but I never expected to run 7:17."Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the Olympic 800m champion, had hoped to break David Rudisha's world record, but his thunder was stolen by Canada's Marco Arop, who finished in 1:41.86.In the 200m, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo dominated the race, setting a meet record of 19.83sec. Femke Bol and Karsten Warholm also set meet records in the women's and men's 400m hurdles, respectively.Warholm, who lost his Olympic title in Paris, said, "I wanted to do well before the Diamond League final. It feels good to see the momentum going after the Olympics."The Silesia Diamond League meeting showcased the exceptional talent and determination of these world-class athletes, leaving an unforgettable mark on the sport of track and field.

Paris, the City of Lights, is set to host the opening ceremony of the Summer Paralympics on Wednesday, August 24th, 2024. The iconic Champs-Élysées avenue and the historic Place de la Concorde will serve as the grand stage for this momentous event.The Champs-Élysées, a two-kilometer-long tree-lined artery, is a symbol of French culture and celebration. It connects the Arc de Triomphe in the west with Place de la Concorde in the east, forming a single straight line. The avenue is adorned with cafes, palaces, and luxury shops, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.On Wednesday, the Champs-Élysées will transform into a vibrant parade ground, welcoming over 180 delegations and 4,400 para-athletes from around the world. The parade will be open to the public, allowing everyone to witness the spirit of unity and determination that defines the Paralympic Games.At the other end of the Champs-Élysées lies Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. This elegant paved square is defined by its towering obelisk, a gift from Egypt in 1830. The square has a somber past, having been the site of executions during the French Revolution. Today, it stands as a symbol of reconciliation and unity.The official parade for ticket holders will take place in Place de la Concorde, featuring protocol and artistic sequences. The ceremony will celebrate the resilience and achievements of para-athletes, showcasing their extraordinary abilities and inspiring the world.The opening ceremony of the Summer Paralympics in Paris promises to be a spectacle of grandeur and emotion. The Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde will provide a fitting backdrop for this celebration of human spirit and athleticism.

McLaren's Lando Norris emerged victorious at the Dutch Grand Prix, delivering a stunning performance that shattered Max Verstappen's undefeated streak at his home circuit. The British driver secured his second career victory, closing the gap on Verstappen in the world championship standings.Norris's triumph was a testament to the recent upgrades made to the McLaren, which proved to be the dominant force throughout the race weekend. Despite Verstappen's strong start, Norris gradually chipped away at his lead, overtaking him on lap 18.Verstappen's Red Bull struggled to match the pace of the McLaren, with the Dutchman complaining of a lack of grip from his tires. Norris capitalized on this weakness, extending his advantage to over 10 seconds by lap 40.The McLaren driver maintained his composure, producing the fastest lap of the race on his new set of tires. He eventually crossed the finish line with a comfortable margin of victory, leaving Verstappen to settle for second place.Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed the third podium spot after a thrilling battle with Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri. Red Bull's Sergio Perez finished sixth, further narrowing the gap in the constructors' championship.Norris's victory marks a significant shift in the Formula One landscape. The McLaren has emerged as a serious contender, challenging Red Bull's dominance. Verstappen's longest winless streak since 2020 has raised concerns within the Red Bull camp.As the F1 circus moves to Monza next weekend, the pressure will be on Verstappen to regain his winning form. Norris and the McLaren team will be eager to continue their momentum and challenge for the championship title.

India's surfing prowess continues to shine on the international stage as the nation claimed a silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup, a team event within the Asian Surfing Championships 2024. The victory comes on the heels of India securing its first-ever Asian Games quotas in surfing, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country.The Maruhaba Cup, held at the picturesque Thulusdhoo island in the Maldives, brought together elite surfers from across Asia to compete in a team format. India's team, comprising Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani, showcased their skills and determination throughout the competition.In the Heat 2 semi-final, India dominated the field, securing first place with a total score of 32.16. Chinese Taipei followed in second place with a score of 29.70, while South Korea finished third with a score of 27.74.The final saw India facing off against Asia's top surfing nations. Despite a valiant effort, the Indian team finished in second place with a team score of 24.13. Chinese Taipei (23.93) and China (22.10) were placed third and fourth respectively, while Japan emerged victorious with an impressive score of 58.40.India's silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup is a testament to the growing strength of surfing in the country. The team's performance not only secured a podium finish but also demonstrated India's potential to compete at the highest level of the sport.

Star Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who made history by winning two medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, recently met with legendary boxer and former Olympian Mary Kom. Bhaker, who secured bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event, is currently taking a break from shooting to recover from an injury.During their meeting, Bhaker and Kom shared their experiences at the Olympics and discussed the challenges and triumphs they faced. Bhaker also expressed her admiration for Kom's achievements, including her bronze medal in boxing at the London Olympics 2012.In a heartwarming gesture, Bhaker requested Kom to plan a workout session with her. "It was great catching up with you didi @mcmary.kom, and talking about the Olympics and more... Thank you for your wishes and blessings and let's plan a workout session soon!" Bhaker wrote on Instagram.Meanwhile, Mary Kom, an eight-time world champion, was initially appointed as India's Chef-de-Mission for the Paris Olympics. However, she had to step down due to personal commitments. "I consider it an honor to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it. However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons," Kom stated in a letter to IOA President PT Usha.Despite her absence as Chef-de-Mission, Kom expressed her support for the Indian athletes competing in Paris. "I am there to cheer on my country and the athletes competing in this Olympic Games, with great expectations," she added.Manu Bhaker's performance at the Paris Olympics was remarkable, as she became the first Indian athlete to win multiple individual medals at the Games. Her bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event showcased her exceptional talent and determination. She also came close to winning a third bronze in 25m pistol, finishing a creditable fourth.Bhaker's achievements have inspired countless young shooters in India and have cemented her place as one of the country's most promising athletes. Her meeting with Mary Kom, a true icon of Indian sports, is a testament to the camaraderie and support that exists within the Indian sporting community.

The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) has expressed outrage after the Indian High Commission denied visas to its three players and a referee for the IBSF U-18 and U-21 World Championships in Bengaluru. The tournament commenced on Saturday, leaving the Pakistani contingent stranded.PBSA official Alamgir Sheikh lamented the lack of visas, stating that the players had secured necessary clearances from the Pakistani government and sports board. "We applied to the Indian High Commission on time, but they refused to issue visas, depriving our squad of the opportunity to compete," Sheikh said.The affected players, Ahsan Ramazan, Hasnain Akhtar, and Hamza Illyas, were considered strong contenders for success in the world events. Sheikh emphasized their recent achievements and expressed disappointment at their inability to showcase their skills.Adding to the frustration, referee Naveed Kapadia was also denied a visa despite being nominated by the IBSF to supervise the tournament. Sheikh condemned the decision, calling it a violation of international sporting norms.The PBSA has lodged formal complaints with the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and the Indian Billiards and Snooker body. Sheikh urged the authorities to intervene and ensure that Pakistani athletes are not discriminated against in future events.The incident has raised concerns about the politicization of sports and the impact it can have on young athletes. The PBSA has vowed to continue its efforts to secure visas for its players and ensure their participation in international competitions.

Tokyo Paralympics silver medalist Bhavina Patel is determined to upgrade her medal to gold at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, which commence on August 28. Patel, who became the first Indian paddler to win a medal in the Class 4 event at Tokyo, expressed her confidence in challenging the dominance of Chinese opponents."Chinese players are humans, and so are we," Patel asserted. "China does not matter to me. I have beaten a Chinese player before, so there's no pressure on me to face them. I have changed my tactics accordingly and will deploy my best plans against them."Patel, a Commonwealth Games champion and Asian Games medalist, emphasized her focus on giving her best. "There is no nervousness. I just have to give my best. When we think about giving our best, nothing else comes to mind," she said.Her doubles partner, Sonalben Patel, echoed her sentiments, stating, "Bhavina and I have put in a double amount of effort in our training as partners. We will try our utmost to return home with a medal."Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist in men's singles badminton SH6 event, Krishna Nagar, expressed his aim to replicate his performance. "I hope everything will be fine in Paris, and I will try to win gold for India again. I will give it my all to defend my gold from Tokyo. Preparations went well, I feel positive, and will look to play safe," he said.Debutant shot putter Sachin Khilari set high expectations for himself. "There is a lot of excitement in me. I have been preparing for the Paralympics for 1.5 years. I performed well at the World Championship, and I expect a gold medal out of myself because I have worked hard to earn it," he said.Discus throw athlete Sakshi Kasana, also making her debut, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity. "I have worked tirelessly hard for this moment to come true. Representing your nation at the Paralympics is the biggest thing for any athlete, so I hope my four years of hard work pays off."PCI President and legendary para javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia predicted a strong performance from India. "I have 20 years of experience in para sports. I have taken 3 medals. I know each player and their performances individually. We have received support from PM Modi, and 50 players from the TOPS scheme are going," he said."Many players got help under CSR activity. We will be winning more than 25 medals. India will be in the top 20 in the medal tally." Jhajharia also expressed confidence in Sumit Antil defending his gold medal. "Sumit will definitely defend his gold medal. He is fit, not under any kind of injury, and has a high level of confidence in himself. The national anthem will definitely be played, and Sumit will win gold," Jhajharia said.India has sent an 84-member team, the largest ever for Paralympics, to Paris, where the Games will be held from August 28 to September 8.