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Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded wrestler Vinesh Phogat for her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics, where she became the first Indian woman grappler to reach the final. During a meeting with Indian athletes and medal winners at his residence, PM Modi acknowledged Vinesh's achievement, stating that it was a matter of immense pride for the nation.Vinesh's historic feat was unfortunately marred by her disqualification from the women's 50 kg gold medal bout due to being weighed "few grams over" the permissible limits on the morning of the final match. The heartbreaking setback prompted Vinesh to announce her retirement from wrestling on social media.Despite the disappointment, Vinesh's illustrious career boasts three Commonwealth Games golds, two World Championships bronze medals, and one Asian Games gold medal. She also emerged as the Asian champion in 2021.Vinesh appealed her Olympic disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), seeking a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category. However, the Ad-Hoc Division of the CAS dismissed her petition, dashing her hopes of securing her maiden Olympic medal.India's contingent at the Paris Games comprised 117 athletes competing across 16 sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis.The Indian team secured six medals at the Paris Olympics, including one silver and five bronze. While expectations were high for a historic performance, India narrowly missed surpassing its previous best at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they won seven medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze) and ranked 48th.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic heartbreak took a dramatic turn as her coach, Woller Akos, revealed the harrowing ordeal she endured the night before the 50kg final at the Paris Olympics 2024.After an inspiring victory over reigning Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the quarterfinals, Vinesh faced a grueling weight-cut session. For five hours, she and her coaching staff desperately tried to shed 100 grams of excess weight. Despite cutting her hair and drawing blood, Vinesh's weight remained stubbornly high.As the clock ticked down, Akos and his team resorted to extreme measures. From midnight to 5:30 AM, Vinesh underwent intense cardio and wrestling drills, collapsing at one point. She spent an hour in the sauna, but not a drop of sweat appeared."I don't intentionally write dramatic details, but I only remember thinking that she might die," Akos wrote in a now-deleted post.Vinesh was eventually hospitalized, and her disqualification from the final sent shockwaves through the Indian wrestling contingent and the nation.Despite the crushing disappointment, Vinesh remained positive. "Coach, don't be sad because you told me that if I find myself in any difficult situation and need extra energy, I should think that I beat the best woman wrestler in the world," she told Akos. "I achieved my goal, I proved that I am one of the best in the world."Vinesh's disqualification meant she would not receive a silver medal, leading to her retirement announcement. Her team appealed to the CAS, but their plea was dismissed.Akos's revelation sheds light on the extreme sacrifices athletes make in pursuit of Olympic glory. Vinesh's ordeal serves as a reminder of the physical and mental toll that elite competition can take.

Arshad Nadeem's historic Olympic triumph has etched Pakistan's name in the annals of sporting glory. The 27-year-old javelin thrower shattered the Games record with a monstrous 92.97m throw, securing Pakistan's first individual Olympic gold medal and the country's first gold since 1984.Nadeem's journey to the podium was not without its challenges. Just minutes before his record-breaking performance, he felt a sharp pain. However, his coach and doctor instilled confidence in him, urging him to unleash his inner "lion."Despite the injury, Nadeem's determination was unwavering. His second throw soared through the air, eclipsing the previous Olympic record by a significant margin. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause as Nadeem realized he had secured gold.Nadeem's triumph is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the support of his team. He had sustained the injury during training in Lahore, but kept it a secret to avoid any distractions."I felt some pain after my first throw," Nadeem revealed. "But the doctor and coach told me, 'You are a lion.' Their words gave me the strength to push through."Nadeem's victory has sparked jubilation across Pakistan. He has been hailed as a national hero and received a state banquet at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.Nadeem's achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes in Pakistan and around the world. His story demonstrates that with determination and resilience, anything is possible.

Gurjant Singh, the unsung hero behind Harmanpreet Singh's Olympic scoring prowess, played a pivotal role in India's bronze medal triumph in Paris. As a forward, Gurjant's primary responsibility was to create scoring opportunities for his team, which he did with aplomb.Despite being a regular member of the Indian hockey squad, Gurjant's journey has been marked by injuries. In 2019, he underwent surgery for a nose injury, followed by another surgery for a groin injury and sports hernia in 2020. These setbacks kept him out of action for extended periods.Upon his return from the Tokyo Olympics, where he won a bronze medal, Gurjant faced another setback in the form of a hip injury. However, he has been injury-free since March 2022, which has allowed him to regain his form and earn the trust of chief coach Craig Fulton.Under Fulton, Gurjant's role has evolved. While he was primarily a forward in Tokyo, he now plays both as a midfielder and a striker. This versatility has proven invaluable, especially when injuries have forced players to switch positions.In the Paris Olympics, Gurjant's ability to play multiple positions was crucial. When defender Amit Rohidas was suspended for the semi-final against Germany, Gurjant seamlessly filled in as a midfielder. This allowed India to maintain their tactical balance and ultimately secure a place in the bronze medal match.Gurjant's contributions to the Indian hockey team cannot be overstated. His ability to create scoring opportunities, his versatility, and his resilience in the face of injuries have made him an indispensable member of the squad. As India looks to build on its recent success, Gurjant Singh will undoubtedly play a key role in their future endeavors.

Indian Sports Icons Extend Heartfelt Wishes on 78th Independence DayOn the occasion of India's 78th Independence Day, the nation's sports icons have come together to express their heartfelt greetings and patriotic sentiments. From cricket legends to Olympic and Paralympic champions, athletes have taken to social media to share their messages of unity, pride, and gratitude.Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, known for his unwavering passion for the game and his country, shared a poignant message on Twitter. "Sportspersons aren't the only ones playing for India," he wrote. "Every Indian who does their job with honesty and sincerity is a key player for Team India. So, when the national anthem plays today, know that it's for you."Olympic medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal echoed Tendulkar's sentiments, emphasizing the value of freedom both on and off the field. "As a sportsperson, I've learned the value of freedom on the field, but it's the freedom of our nation that gives us the strength to dream big," she tweeted.Indian men's hockey stalwart PR Sreejesh expressed his pride in being an Indian and wished everyone a memorable Independence Day. "May the spirit of freedom and patriotism fill your heart with pride," he wrote.Indian men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir shared a powerful message, reminding everyone of the sacrifices made by those who fought for India's independence. "Freedom comes at a price. Our heroes pay it everyday with their blood! Never forget," he tweeted.Ex-India women's cricket captain Mithali Raj penned a heartfelt message, honoring the nation's journey and the strength found in unity. "Every time our tricolour flutters in the wind, it tells a story of resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of freedom," she wrote.Paralympics champion shuttler Pramod Bhagat also conveyed his greetings, urging everyone to reflect on the nation's journey and contribute towards a brighter future. "Together, we are unstoppable!" he tweeted.Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad emphasized the importance of unity and equality, while former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh expressed his pride in standing with the tricolor.The theme of this year's Independence Day celebration, 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047,' aims to propel the country towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by the year 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag and delivered the customary address to the nation from the Red Fort's ramparts.

Kabaddi, a sport deeply ingrained in Indian culture, took center stage on Independence Day as Pro Kabaddi League stars Pardeep Narwal and Maninder Singh graced the Mumbai Public School for a special flag hoisting ceremony.The event, supported by Disney Star in collaboration with Yuva Unstoppable, celebrated the nation's independence and the enduring legacy of kabaddi. After the ceremony, Narwal and Singh, renowned for their exceptional skills, engaged in a lively kabaddi session with the school's team."Kabaddi is an integral part of India's heritage," said Narwal. "It's heartening to witness the enthusiasm for the sport among the youth. Today's ceremony has been a memorable experience."Singh echoed Narwal's sentiments, emphasizing the widespread appeal of kabaddi. "Every corner of our country resonates with the passion for kabaddi," he said. "The support we receive from fans fuels our motivation."The Pro Kabaddi League, a testament to the sport's popularity, will hold its Season 11 Player Auction on August 15 and 16 in Mumbai. The event will feature India's top kabaddi players vying for contracts with various teams.Disney Star, through its CSR initiative, The School Transformation Program, has been instrumental in transforming government schools across India. The program aims to enhance educational opportunities for students through interventions such as STEM labs, digital classrooms, and sports facilities.The Mumbai Public School, one of the beneficiaries of the program, received gifts and a token of appreciation from the Pro Kabaddi League. The event concluded with a cultural program organized by the school.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a reception at his residence in New Delhi to honor the Indian contingent that returned from the recently concluded Paris Olympics with a remarkable haul of six medals. The contingent included history-making shooter Manu Bhaker, who showcased the pistol with which she clinched two bronze medals.The Indian men's hockey team, which secured its second consecutive bronze at the Paris Games, presented the Prime Minister with a stick signed by all the players. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh and featuring the recently retired PR Sreejesh, posed with the Prime Minister, proudly displaying their bronze medals.Bhaker, who became the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics, enthusiastically explained to the Prime Minister the intricacies of the pistol she used to shoot down two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed event.Sarabjot Singh, Bhaker's teammate in the 10m air pistol mixed event, also engaged in a conversation with the Prime Minister. Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions, shared his experiences with the Prime Minister.Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, who secured a bronze in the men's freestyle 57kg category, presented the Prime Minister with an India jersey bearing his signature.Silver medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was absent from the reception as he had traveled to Germany for medical consultation and potential participation in the Diamond League Meetings in Europe.Prime Minister Modi addressed the contingent members and interacted with several of them, including shuttler Lakshya Sen. Tokyo Olympics medallists Lovlina Borgohain (boxing) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting) were also present at the reception.Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha accompanied the contingent.Earlier in the day, the contingent members attended the historic Red Fort, where Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.

Indian shooting sensation Manu Bhaker has etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Bhaker shared her journey to the podium at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, where she secured two bronze medals.Bhaker's Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 ended in heartbreak due to a pistol malfunction. However, she returned to Paris with a renewed determination and a meticulously planned training regime. "We trained in a way that we were hoping for medals," she revealed. "We planned in a way that things turn out good and this worked in our favour this time."Bhaker's success in Paris is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the growing popularity of shooting in India. "Any achievement is enough to give us motivation," she said. "I think India has a huge amount of talent. I think it will take some time but we will have great talents in the future."Bhaker's medals are particularly inspiring for young girls who aspire to pursue shooting as a career. "I think the parents would be much more flexible with the girls, and the people would accept shooting more after this celebration," she added.The 22-year-old's bronze medals came in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event, where she partnered with Sarabjot Singh. She narrowly missed out on a third bronze in the 25m pistol, finishing a commendable fourth.Bhaker's achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also set a new benchmark for Indian shooters. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering focus serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has confirmed that wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been dismissed. The decision, which came as a surprise to both Phogat and the IOA, was announced on Wednesday, August 16.According to IOA advocate Vidushpat Singhania, CAS has not provided a reason for dismissing Phogat's appeal. He added that the decision can be appealed against at the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days."No detailed order has come yet. Only a single-line order has come so far that her appeal has been dismissed. They have not cited a reason why it has been dismissed or why did they take so much time...We were both surprised and disappointed that a decision came last evening and her appeal was dismissed... We hope that the detailed order will come in 10-15 days... CAS decision can be appealed against at the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days. The 30-day time will begin after a detailed order comes. Harish Salve is with us, he will guide us. We will sit with him, draft an appeal and file it...," Singhania said.Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the Tokyo Olympics on August 7 after exceeding the weight limit. She was found to be 100 grams over the limit during the weigh-in.Following her disqualification, Phogat appealed to CAS, requesting that she be awarded the silver medal. However, her appeal has now been dismissed.The verdict was originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 13, but was delayed to August 16. The decision was announced on Wednesday, August 16.Phogat's disqualification and subsequent appeal have been a major talking point in the Indian sporting community. Many have expressed support for Phogat, while others have questioned the fairness of the decision.The IOA has stated that it will continue to support Phogat and will explore all legal options available to her.