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Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin, who captured hearts at the Paris Olympics 2024 with her heartwarming medal-biting moment, has returned home to a new viral sensation. The 18-year-old silver medalist in the balance beam event has been spotted helping her parents serve food at their local restaurant in Hengyang, Hunan province.Zhou's Olympic journey began at the tender age of three when she discovered her passion for gymnastics. Specializing in the balance beam, she quickly rose through the ranks, winning an individual gold in the Chinese Championships in 2020. Her senior-level achievements include gold medals at the National Games of China and the World Championships.At the Paris Olympics, Zhou made history by qualifying ahead of legendary gymnast Simone Biles in the balance beam event. She went on to secure a silver medal with a total score of 14.100, just behind Italy's Alice D'Amato. Zhou's performance was particularly impressive as she outscored Biles, who finished outside the podium in fifth place.Zhou's Olympic moment of fame came after the medal ceremony when she was captured on camera trying to bite her silver medal, mimicking the actions of the Italian gymnasts who had done so before her. The wholesome moment went viral on social media, endearing Zhou to fans worldwide.Now, back home in Hengyang, Zhou has traded her Olympic uniform for an apron, helping her parents run their restaurant. In a heartwarming gesture, she has been serving food to customers in her Olympic uniform, promoting the family business and inspiring her community.Zhou's story is a testament to the dedication and perseverance required to achieve Olympic success. It also highlights the importance of family and community support in the lives of athletes. As she continues her gymnastics career, Zhou Yaqin remains an inspiration to young athletes and a symbol of the Olympic spirit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent interaction with the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics has ignited a surge of excitement and anticipation. India is poised to field its largest-ever contingent at the Paralympics, with 84 athletes set to compete in 12 sports. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering determination and exceptional talent of India's para-athletes.The Paris Paralympics, commencing on August 28th, will showcase the extraordinary abilities of these athletes. India's contingent will participate in archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo. The inclusion of para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo marks a significant expansion of India's participation in the Paralympics.Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, expressed his confidence in the athletes' abilities. He emphasized that the Indian para-athletes have consistently demonstrated that any obstacle can be overcome with willpower and dedication. Mandaviya highlighted the nation's unwavering support for the contingent and expressed optimism that they will bring glory to the country.At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India achieved its most successful performance, winning 19 medals. This included five gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals. The Indian contingent's performance at the 2022 Asian Para Games was equally impressive, with the athletes securing 111 medals. These achievements serve as a testament to the remarkable progress made by India's para-athletes.The Paris Paralympics will provide a platform for these athletes to showcase their exceptional skills and inspire the nation. The Indian contingent's participation in the Games is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of human potential.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions. After becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, her dreams were shattered when she was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight on the morning of the gold medal bout. Despite her disappointment, Vinesh has received an outpouring of support and adulation upon her return to India.However, her husband, Somvir Rathee, has raised concerns about false claims of cash prizes being made by certain organizations. In a social media post, Rathee clarified that Vinesh has not received any money from these entities. He urged well-wishers to refrain from spreading false news, as it harms both Vinesh and social values.Despite the setback, Vinesh was greeted with a grand welcome at the IGI airport in Delhi. Hundreds of supporters gathered to show their solidarity, including fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. Vinesh expressed her gratitude for the support, saying, "I thank the entire country for support."Vinesh's caravan then proceeded to her native village in Haryana, where she was met with more well-wishers. Congress leader Deepender Hooda presented her with a mace, a symbol of victory, which brought tears to her eyes.Vinesh's disqualification has sparked discussions about the strict weight regulations in wrestling. Some experts have argued that the 100-gram margin is too narrow and can lead to unfair disqualifications. Others have emphasized the importance of adhering to the rules and maintaining a healthy weight.Despite the controversy, Vinesh remains a role model for aspiring wrestlers and a source of inspiration for all Indians. Her resilience and determination have earned her the respect and admiration of the nation.

Ace cueist Pankaj Advani of ONGC cemented his dominance in the Western India Billiards and Snooker Championships 2024 by securing a grand double. After triumphing in the billiards final earlier in the day, Advani showcased his unwavering resolve to overcome a formidable challenge from Railways' Kamal Chawla in the snooker final.The marathon final, which stretched over seven hours at the Khar Gymkhana billiards hall, witnessed a tense battle between the two seasoned cueists. Advani, a 27-time world champion, displayed his trademark composure to emerge victorious with a 6-4 scoreline. The frame scores stood at 11-72, 31-58, 95-40, 52-42, 69-43, 43-74, 22-59, 75-62, 84-58, and 58-10.Despite their reputation as top-class players, both Advani and Chawla exhibited a cautious approach, resulting in a lackluster performance that failed to ignite the enthusiasm of the spectators. The match was characterized by an abundance of safety play and a dearth of substantial breaks.Advani managed to produce only two breaks of note, a 69 in the third frame and a 55 in the eighth frame. Chawla, on the other hand, had breaks of 51 and 38 in the opening two frames, followed by efforts of 61 in the sixth frame and 40 in the eighth frame.In the semi-finals, Chawla defeated S Shrikrishna (BPCL) 5-2, while Advani eased past Faisal Khan (Railways) 5-1.Advani's victory marks his seventh consecutive title (4 snooker and 3 billiards) in Mumbai over the past two years, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest cueists of all time.

Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil, India's javelin thrower, has set his sights on improving his world record and defending his title in the Men's F64 category at the Paris Paralympics Games in 2024. Antil, along with Bhagyashree Jadhav (shot put, F34 category), will be the Indian flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics Games, which will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024.Antil, who lost one of his limbs in a road accident in 2015, has been on a remarkable journey since then. He set a world record thrice in the Tokyo Paralympics and won the gold medal with the best throw of 68.55 meters. He bettered it with a new world record throw of 70.83 meters at the 2023 Para World Championships and further improved it at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games (2023) to win the gold with an effort of 73.29 meters."My long-term goal is to achieve a distance of 80 meters, but in the Paris Paralympics, I will try to win the gold medal with an effort of 75 meters," the 26-year-old told PTI-Bhasha in an exclusive interview.Antil has been working hard on increasing his strength without changing his technique. He believes that his throws during practice have been quite consistent and that he can improve upon his previous record.When asked about the pressure of being defending champion and being the Indian flag bearer, Antil said, "There is no pressure right now, but things will be known after reaching Paris. Once you reach the Games village or at the competition venue, things become a little different. I will try to do my best without taking pressure.""I want to enjoy this moment. For the first time, such a large and strong contingent from India is going to the Paralympics, and I feel proud to be the flag bearer," he added.The Indian contingent comprises 84 athletes across 12 disciplines for the Paralympics. Antil, who is a Padma Shri awardee, said, "Being a flag bearer in an event like Paralympics is a different kind of emotion. This is the first time I will be a part of the opening ceremony of the Paralympics."After the Tokyo Paralympics, Antil focused more on practicing instead of participating in different competitions. He said, "I have participated in very limited competitions. I have spent more time in practice. Competitions keep going on, but my aim is to get a medal for India in the Paralympics, and my entire focus has been on this for the last three years."Antil prefers to practice in India rather than abroad. He said, "I went to Finland in 2018, but I did not feel much improvement there. I practice at SAI (Sports Authority of India) Sonipat center, which is equipped with a track for Javelin throw and world-class facilities."Antil is also a part of the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) since 2019 and is getting all kinds of help from it. "I have been a part of the TOPS scheme since 2019, and since that time, I have been getting prosthetic legs from abroad. Along with my prosthetics, TOPS provides everything I need for my game," he concluded.

Pakistan's javelin star Arshad Nadeem has revealed that he competed at the Paris Olympics 2024 with an injury, adding another layer to his remarkable gold medal triumph.Nadeem's 92.97m throw shattered the Olympic record and secured Pakistan's first gold medal at the Games since 1984. However, the victory came with a hidden struggle, as Nadeem disclosed during a visit to the Prime Minister's office in Islamabad."Just five minutes before I had to go to the call room, I felt a pain," Nadeem said. "I told my coach, and he said, 'kuch nahi hota, tu sher hai (there will be no issues, you are a lion).' I had actually picked up an injury while throwing on 21st July when we were training at Punjab Stadium."Despite the injury and the pressure of competing against reigning champion Neeraj Chopra of India, Nadeem maintained his composure. He credited his coach for keeping his morale high."During the first throw, I felt some pain and the doctor applied some medicine," Nadeem added. "I told him I didn't know if that would have any effect. The doctor also told me 'tum sher ho'. Both the doctor and coach told me the same words."Nadeem's injury revelation adds to the significance of his achievement. It underscores his determination and resilience, as well as the support he received from his team.The gold medal has been met with widespread celebration in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a grand reward of PKR 150 million to Nadeem, as well as a civil award. Chief Minister of the province of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, awarded Nadeem PKR 10 million, as well as a Honda Civic Car with a specially stylized number plate reading 'PAK 92.97'.Nadeem's triumph is a testament to the talent and dedication of Pakistani athletes. It is a moment of national pride and inspiration, and a reminder that even with adversity, anything is possible.

India's Paralympic Contingent Boosted by Corporate SupportThe Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is sending its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympics, with 84 athletes competing in 12 sports. This is a testament to the growing support for para-athletes in India, with many corporates stepping in to assist the players.PCI president Devendra Jhajharia expressed his appreciation for the increasing support during the send-off ceremony. "I would like to thank the Government of India, sponsors, and the corporates who have come together to support our athletes," Jhajharia said.One of the key supporters is Shrachi Group, which has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting para-athletes through a partnership with the PCI. Shrachi Group Executive Director Poonam Tharar said, "Our vision is to give support to the para-athletes which they deserve. Shrachi Sports wanted to make sure that the message reaches the masses, para athletes get the required support."The support from corporates has given a huge boost to the morale of the athletes. Jhajharia said, "The support given to para-athletes in recent times has given a huge boost to the morale of the athletes."The Paralympics will commence on August 28 and promise to showcase the exceptional talents and dedication of India's para-athletes. The contingent will compete in archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo.

Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling star, has received an outpouring of love and support since her return from the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite the heartbreak of being disqualified from the women's 50kg wrestling final, Vinesh's resilience and determination have inspired the nation.Upon her arrival at the New Delhi airport on Saturday, Vinesh was greeted by a throng of supporters. Her journey to her family's village, Babali, was a testament to the immense admiration she holds in her community. Thousands lined the streets, cheering and showering her with affection.On Monday, Vinesh celebrated Raksha Bandhan with her brother. A heartwarming video emerged on social media, showing Vinesh holding a bundle of Rs 500 notes. "I am almost 30 years old. Last year he gave me Rs 500. After that this (points to a bundle of currency note). He has earned this much money only in his whole life (jokingly), which he has given to me," Vinesh said, eliciting laughter from her brother.Vinesh's journey from Delhi to Balali was a testament to her popularity. She was felicitated by supporters and 'khap' panchayats in several villages, extending her 135km-long journey to nearly 13 hours.Despite the disappointment of her disqualification, Vinesh has remained steadfast in her resolve to fight for justice. Her appeal against the disqualification was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but she has vowed to continue her battle against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)."Our fight has not ended and it will continue," Vinesh declared. "We have been fighting a battle for one year. It will continue and by God's grace, the truth will prevail."Vinesh's unwavering spirit has resonated with the nation. She has become a symbol of resilience and determination, inspiring countless young athletes to pursue their dreams. Her legacy as a two-time CWG gold medallist, Asian Games champion, and eight-time Asian Championships medallist will continue to inspire generations to come.

Manu Bhaker and Jaspal Rana, a formidable duo in Indian shooting, have forged an unbreakable bond that has propelled them to Olympic glory. Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooting prodigy, describes Rana as a father figure who provides unwavering support and protection.Rana, a strict disciplinarian, believes his role extends beyond coaching. He aims to shield Bhaker from external pressures and even from herself. "My work is to protect her," he explains. "Sometimes, it means pushing her limits and reminding her of her capabilities."Bhaker's journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. The Tokyo Olympics proved to be a disaster, with a malfunctioning weapon and disappointing performances. However, Rana's unwavering belief in her abilities helped her overcome the heartbreak."Tokyo taught me a lot," Bhaker reflects. "It made me realize the importance of preparation and mental health." Rana's guidance played a crucial role in her recovery, instilling in her a renewed determination to succeed.Despite her shooting prowess, Bhaker also values education. She scored exceptionally well in her 12th standard exams and pursued a degree at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi University. Rana strongly encourages his wards to prioritize education, believing it provides a safety net for their future.Bhaker's academic achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes. She emphasizes the importance of balancing sports and education, as it fosters a well-rounded development.Rana's unwavering support extends beyond shooting. He has encouraged Bhaker to pursue a course at the prestigious Nalanda University, a testament to his belief in her intellectual capabilities.The bond between Bhaker and Rana is a testament to the power of mentorship and the transformative impact it can have on an athlete's career. Together, they have overcome adversity and achieved Olympic success, setting an example for future generations of shooters.