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Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's return to India after her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign was met with an overwhelming reception from the crowd. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the IGI airport in New Delhi to give a rousing welcome to Vinesh, who was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final at the Olympics. Vinesh's appeal against her disqualification was also rejected by the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).Amid this grand welcome in Delhi, a very heartwarming moment was captured from Vinesh's native village in Haryana. Upon arriving at Balali, Haryana, Vinesh hugged her uncle and mentor Mahavir Singh Phogat, and the duo shared a very emotional moment. During Vinesh's disqualification at the Olympics, Mahavir was constantly extending support to Vinesh.This particular hug between the duo left all the netizens and fans emotional. On August 8, Vinesh penned an emotional note to announce her decision to retire from wrestling. However, after seeing such a warm reception from the fans, she stated that she has got the courage to pick up the threads and get on with life."As I got love from my fellow Indians, my village, and my family members, I guess I would get some courage to make this wound heal. Maybe, I could return to wrestling," Vinesh told the media."I just want to say that missing the Olympic medal is the biggest wound in my life. I don't know how much time it would take to heal this wound. I don't know if I would pursue wrestling or not, but the kind of courage I got today (Saturday), I want to use that in the right direction," she added.Vinesh and fellow Olympians Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have been protesting for more than a year against the Wrestling Federation of India and its former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers."Our fight has not ended, and the fight will continue, and I pray to God that the truth will prevail," said Vinesh.

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem's historic gold medal victory in the men's javelin throw at the Paris Olympics 2024 has sparked comparisons to the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy rivalry between India and Australia. Nadeem's record-breaking throw of 92.97m dethroned defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India, who settled for silver with a throw of 89.45m.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has ignited the debate, claiming that the rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra has surpassed the magnitude of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ali argues that the India-Pakistan rivalry transcends all other sporting contests, including the Ashes between England and Australia."The whole world knows that India vs Pakistan is on one side and everything else is on the other side. Even Ashes isn't that big," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali believes that the rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra will draw massive crowds regardless of the venue. "When Neeraj and Arshad compete in javelin, the whole world will be in front of the television, and the stadium will be full," he added.Nadeem's gold medal was Pakistan's first in 40 years since the men's team won it in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The victory has ignited a sense of national pride in Pakistan and has further fueled the rivalry with India.While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a bilateral cricket series, the rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra extends beyond the confines of a single sport. It represents the intense competition and national pride that exists between India and Pakistan.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's journey at the Paris Olympics 2024 may have ended without a medal, but the outpouring of love and respect from her fans has made her mother believe that it outweighs any gold medal.Upon her arrival in India on Saturday, Vinesh was greeted by a roaring crowd at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears as she was welcomed by family and loved ones."Everyone from our village and nearby areas have come here to welcome her. We will felicitate her... she is a champion for me. The country has given her more honor than a gold medal," said her mother, Premlata, to ANI.Premlata also revealed that she had prepared Vinesh's favorite meal to welcome her home. Vinesh is expected to travel to her native village Balali later in the day.Despite qualifying for the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final, Vinesh was not allowed to compete due to weighing in 100gm over the weight limit on the second day. However, her mother believes that this setback will only fuel her determination to win an Olympic gold medal."Preparations are underway in her native village to welcome her... She couldn't win the medal but we will work hard and surely win the Olympic gold medal," said Vinesh's brother, Harinder Punia.Vinesh has previously paid tribute to her mother's unwavering spirit, revealing that she was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer just two months after her father's death."Seeing my mother's hardships, never-give-up attitude, and fighting spirit is what makes me the way I am. She taught me to fight for what is rightfully mine. When I think about courage, I think about her, and it is this courage that helps me fight every fight without thinking about the outcome," Vinesh had written.Vinesh's journey may have ended in Paris without a medal, but the love and support she has received from her fans and family have made it a victory in its own right.

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem's historic Olympic gold in the men's javelin final has sparked a wave of celebration and recognition. Among the unique gifts bestowed upon the 27-year-old was a buffalo from his father-in-law, a traditional honor in his hometown.Nadeem's close rival and friend, Neeraj Chopra, India's silver medalist in the same event, shared his experience of receiving similar gifts. "I was once gifted desi ghee," said Chopra. "In Haryana, we often receive gifts like 10kg or 50kg of desi ghee or ladoos."Chopra explained that these gifts symbolize strength and are common in regions where circle kabaddi and wrestling are popular. "Ghee is believed to enhance strength, which is crucial in our sports," he said. "Buffalos are also gifted, and wrestlers and kabaddi players may receive Bullet motorbikes or tractors."Nadeem's Olympic record throw of 92.97m left Chopra with the challenge of crossing the 90m mark to defend his title. Despite a groin injury, Chopra managed a season-best throw of 89.45m, just short of his goal."I had no doubt I could better Arshad's throw," said Chopra. "Improving by 3-4m is not significant in javelin. However, my body couldn't keep up with my mental readiness."Chopra acknowledged that his legwork on the runway was subpar, affecting his overall performance. "I tried to compensate with effort, but it's ineffective without proper technique," he said. "I've managed my injury, and it hasn't worsened."Nadeem's victory and the unique gifts he received have highlighted the cultural significance of sports in Pakistan and India. The camaraderie between Nadeem and Chopra showcases the spirit of sportsmanship and the shared passion for excellence in javelin.

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem: A Tale of Sportsmanship and Mutual RespectIndia's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem are fierce competitors on the javelin field, but off the ground, they share an unbreakable bond. Their mutual respect and admiration transcend the outcome of any competition.In the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, Arshad claimed the gold medal in the javelin throw event, while Neeraj secured the silver. Despite the rivalry, their camaraderie was evident in a post-medal ceremony interview.When asked who he would cast as Arshad in a biopic, Neeraj suggested Amitabh Bachchan, citing his height and stature. Arshad, in turn, proposed Shah Rukh Khan for Neeraj's biopic.Neeraj's silver medal performance in Paris was a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite falling short of retaining his gold, he acknowledged his physical limitations and vowed to improve."Mentally I was ready, but physically, I was retraining myself. My legwork on the runway was not how it should have been," Neeraj said.He also announced his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League, scheduled to begin on August 22.The bond between Neeraj and Arshad is a beacon of sportsmanship and camaraderie. It demonstrates that even in the face of intense competition, respect and friendship can prevail.

P.R. Sreejesh, the legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper, has announced his retirement from international hockey after the Paris Olympics. His decision, made through a series of comic strips on social media, was a testament to his clarity of thought and meticulous planning.Sreejesh's journey began in 2004 when he made his junior India debut against Australia. He played his first game for the national team at the 2006 SAF Games and went on to win the Junior Asia Cup title in 2008 as the 'Goalkeeper of the Tournament.'Throughout his career, Sreejesh has been a beacon of excellence. He was instrumental in India's victory in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy and the 2014 Asian Games. He was handed the reins of the team for the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first goalkeeper to captain India.Sreejesh's crowning achievement came at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he led India to a historic bronze medal, ending a 41-year medal drought. He was also recognized as the 'Man with Lightning Reflexes' at the end of the 2023-24 season of FIH Pro League.Beyond the field, Sreejesh has been a mentor to generations of Indian hockey players. He played a crucial role in guiding the Junior World Cup-winning side in 2016, sharing his experience and expertise with Vikas Dahiya and Krishan Pathak.Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey. He has been a role model for aspiring athletes, a source of inspiration for fans, and a symbol of the sport's resurgence in India. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of hockey players.

Legendary double trap marksman Peter Wilson, who guided his compatriot Nathan Hales to trap gold at the recent Paris Olympics, has expressed interest in coaching the Indian shooting team for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Wilson, 37, is a decorated shooter who won a gold medal in double trap at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the youngest competitor to achieve this feat. He holds the world record in double trap and transitioned to shooting after a snowboarding accident prevented him from playing cricket.After double trap was removed from the Olympic program, Wilson turned to coaching the Great Britain trap team. His most notable success came in Paris, where his protégé Nathan Hales won gold with an Olympic record, ending a 12-year drought for Great Britain in the event.Wilson has expressed his desire to work with the Indian team, both the senior squad for the LA Games and the juniors for the next 8-12 years. He emphasized his unwavering pursuit of success and his belief that continental championships like the Asian Games and World Cups are stepping stones towards Olympic glory.Wilson's coaching credentials are impeccable. He was trained by the legendary Ahmad Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family and the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medalist in double trap. India's Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore finished second behind Al Maktoum in Athens.India has been without a foreign trap coach for some time, with most shooters at the Paris Olympics relying on personal coaches. Marcello Dradi of Italy was the last trap coach hired by the Sports Authority of India and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).NRAI secretary-general Sultan Singh confirmed that Wilson's CV has been received and that a decision on the coaching setup for all shooting events will be made soon. He indicated that the selection committee may meet before the NRAI president's election on September 14 if necessary.Other potential candidates for the job include Daniele Di Spigno, Italy's double trap stalwart, and David Kostelecky, the personal coach of Indian trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari. However, the NRAI is committed to selecting the best coach available to meet the team's requirements.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic silver medalist in javelin throw, is currently training in Switzerland to prepare for his upcoming competitions. Despite battling a long-standing groin injury, Chopra remains confident in his abilities and aims to improve his distance.Chopra's injury has limited his training sessions, but he has managed to maintain his form and consistency. He plans to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 22 and will continue through the season before undergoing surgery for his groin issue.Despite his injury, Chopra believes he could have surpassed Arshad Nadeem's Olympic record throw of 92.97m. However, he acknowledges that his physical limitations prevented him from pushing himself to the limit.Chopra's performance in Paris was affected by the fast track at the Stade de France, which caused him to foul more often than usual. He also struggled with his legwork on the runway, which hindered his ability to generate power in his throws.Despite the challenges, Chopra is satisfied with his silver medal and believes it is a testament to his resilience and determination. He is eager to improve his distance and cross the 90m barrier, but recognizes that he needs to be injury-free to achieve his goals.Chopra's consistency at major competitions has raised the bar for Indian athletics and drummed up interest in javelin throw. His performance in Paris, even while battling an injury, is a reminder of his exceptional talent and the bright future of Indian sports.

The Indian Paralympic contingent, despite the absence of star shuttler Pramod Bhagat, remains optimistic about achieving a medal haul of at least 25 at the upcoming Paralympics in Paris. With an 84-member contingent competing across 12 disciplines, the Indian team is aiming to surpass its performance at the Tokyo Paralympics, where it won 19 medals, including five gold.Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympics gold medalist in javelin throw, expressed confidence in the team's abilities. "The target of 25 medals is based on our current contingent of 84 players. Pramod Bhagat is not included in this," Jhajharia said.While Bhagat's suspension for breaching the BWF's anti-doping whereabouts clause is a setback, Jhajharia believes the team has the potential to overcome this challenge. "Pramod being a gold medal winner of the last Games not being in the Indian team is extremely sad and unfortunate, but we cannot do anything," he said.Jhajharia's confidence stems from the team's rigorous training and preparation. "I have kept this target after closely monitoring our players," he said. "We have worked hard on their physical fitness and mental strength."The Indian contingent includes 47 new players, who are eager to make their mark on the Paralympic stage. Jhajharia expects the highest medal haul from the athletics team, which comprises 38 track and field athletes."Each and every player of our contingent is a medal prospect," Jhajharia said. "We have 38 track and field athletes and I am expecting the most medals from them."The Indian team will also compete in Blind Judo, Para Sailing, and Para Cycling for the first time, expanding its presence in various sports. Jhajharia believes this increased participation will contribute to the team's overall medal tally."I have set a target of 25 medals and to be in the top 20 in the medal table, but we will win more medals than this," Jhajharia said. "We had 56 players in the Tokyo Paralympics, this time 84 players will compete."With a strong contingent and a determined spirit, the Indian Paralympic team is poised to make a significant impact in Paris and bring glory to the nation.