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Vinesh Phogat's Olympic dream was not just about personal glory; it was a battle for a greater cause. The wrestler spent the past year leading protests against alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the former President of the Wrestlers' Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Her historic qualification for the Olympic finals is a testament to her resilience and determination.Phogat's victory over reigning Olympic and world champion, two-time European Games medallist, and Pan-American Games champion is a remarkable achievement. It guarantees her at least a silver medal in the Paris Olympics. This triumph is particularly sweet for the 29-year-old from Haryana, who had vowed to win a medal and show it to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.In November 2023, Phogat declared, "I will fight. I will look him in the eye and bring back a medal. I have a reason to fight. If I train well, I can win a medal. No one can stop me."Fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia revealed Phogat's motivation: "She said, 'I am fighting for the future generation of wrestlers. Not for myself, my career is done and this is my last Olympics. I want to fight for the young women wrestlers who will come and fight for them so that they can wrestle safely.'"Phogat's historic semi-final win follows a long sit-in protest in Delhi last year, where she and other athletes accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Despite facing vilification and police detention, Phogat remained steadfast in her fight.Her victory is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of standing up for what is right. Phogat's journey from protestor to Olympic medalist is an inspiring story of redemption and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, dreams can be achieved.

Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo has publicly addressed his ongoing rift with his mother, Angelica Yulo, in a viral TikTok video. The Filipino gymnast accused his mother of misappropriating funds from his bank account, which she had access to. Yulo also confirmed that his girlfriend, Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose, is a significant factor in the estrangement.Yulo's historic performance at the Paris Olympics 2024, where he became the first Filipino to win two gold medals, has been overshadowed by the family drama. In the TikTok video, Yulo, sitting alongside San Jose, detailed the financial discrepancies."My mother had access to my bank account and my monthly allowances for gymnastics," Yulo said. "When I finally gained control of the account, I discovered she had been draining it. I have bank statements showing the withdrawals she made."Yulo also questioned the whereabouts of a six-figure incentive he was supposed to receive from an earlier tournament. "I wouldn't have known she had received them if I hadn't looked for them myself," he said. "I have never received those incentives."Angelica Yulo has responded to her son's allegations, claiming she transferred the money out of his account for safekeeping. However, Yulo has accused her of lying about the amount of incentive money he received."The issue here is not on how little or big the amount was that she handled, but her hiding and handling it without my consent," Yulo emphasized.The rift between Yulo and his mother has also been attributed to his relationship with San Jose. Angelica Yulo has expressed disapproval of her son's girlfriend, claiming she is the root cause of their estrangement.Yulo defended San Jose, stating that she has her own income and that his mother's judgment of her is based on cultural differences. "Chloe grew up in Australia, and that's the culture she knows," he said. "It's very different from how we move, talk, and dress in the Philippines."The ongoing family drama has cast a shadow over Yulo's remarkable athletic achievements. The gymnast has expressed hope for reconciliation but has also set boundaries to protect his relationship with San Jose.

The Paris Olympics has been embroiled in a gender controversy involving Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting. Despite the controversy, Khelif has advanced to the final of the women's 66kg category, guaranteeing herself at least a silver medal.Khelif's victory over Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi-final was met with thunderous applause from the Algerian-dominated crowd at Roland Garros. The 25-year-old boxer has faced scrutiny over her gender eligibility, but has been cleared to compete by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Khelif's journey to the final has been marked by controversy. In her opening bout, she defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, leaving the Italian in tears and with a broken nose. The incident sparked a debate about Khelif's gender, with some questioning her eligibility.However, the IOC has defended Khelif and Lin, stating that they were born and raised as women and have passports that reflect their gender. The IOC is organizing boxing at the Games due to concerns about the International Boxing Association's (IBA) financial, governance, and ethical issues.Despite the controversy, Khelif has remained focused on her goal of winning a medal. She expressed her determination to achieve her dream and thanked her team for their support. "I am very proud of this new achievement," she said. "I gave everything I had. We worked as a team for years and the dream has become a reality."Khelif will face China's Yang Liu in the final, while Lin is guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the women's 57kg division. The gender controversy has cast a shadow over the boxing competition, but Khelif and Lin have shown resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has secured a spot in the gold medal match of the women's Freestyle 50kg event at the Paris Olympics. Phogat's historic victory came after an emphatic 5-0 win over Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba in the semifinals.Phogat's journey to the gold medal match began with an impressive win over Yui Susaki in the round of 16, boosting her confidence. The Indian wrestler has been in top form throughout the tournament, showcasing her exceptional skills and determination.Meanwhile, the Indian women's table tennis team, comprising Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra, and Archana Girish Kamath, will face Germany in the quarterfinals. The team will be aiming to continue their impressive run and secure a spot in the semifinals.Another Indian wrestler, Antim Panghal, will also be in action on Wednesday. Panghal will start her campaign against Zyenep Yetgil in the pre-quarterfinals of the women's Freestyle 53kg event.India's medal hopes also rest on weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who will compete in the women's 49kg event. Chanu, who won a silver medal in Tokyo, will be aiming to become India's first weightlifter to win two Olympic medals. However, she faces a challenging field and lingering fitness concerns.

Indian hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh urged his team to seize their second chance at an Olympic medal in Paris 2024, despite their heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Germany in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.Sreejesh, who will retire from international hockey after the bronze medal match against Spain on Thursday, emphasized the importance of securing a medal for the country. "It's a medal match, and it's not about me; it's about the country, the 19 players, and the staff," he said. "We have one last opportunity to play, to get a medal for our country, and we should focus on that rather than dwelling on what happened today."The veteran custodian acknowledged that India missed several chances, including penalty corners. "We had our opportunities but couldn't convert many of them. You can see it in the scoreline. It's a matter of homework," he said. "They did a wonderful job against Harman, how to tackle him. He's one of the best drag-flickers in the world, and that's what they did against us."Despite the setback, Sreejesh praised his team's fighting spirit. "My players have done a wonderful job. They fought back, they really stood tall. Unfortunately, we couldn't finish it the way we wanted. It's not an easy deal," he said.Sreejesh expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back against Spain in the bronze medal match. "We are tough. I believe we will bounce back in a better way. This consultation will have to be about how to fight that bronze medal match more than discussing this loss," he said. "We need to look at this match also because from there we will realize what went wrong and what we can do better. Because a lot of the opposition look into these kinds of matches, they learn how they can hurt us in certain ways. So we need to find that out and we need to block that.""Spain is not an easy team. They are real fighters. The way they played in the quarterfinals showed that we can't be in a relaxing chair," Sreejesh added.

Mirabai Chanu, India's weightlifting sensation, is poised to make her mark at the Paris Olympics. Despite a challenging journey marred by injuries and setbacks, Chanu remains determined to secure a medal on the grandest stage.Her unwavering faith and spiritual practices have been a constant source of strength for Chanu. Every Tuesday, she performs an elaborate puja, seeking divine guidance and energy. This ritual has become an integral part of her preparation, instilling a sense of belief and tranquility.As she enters the competition zone, Chanu transforms into a focused and determined athlete. Visualizing herself standing on the podium, she blocks out all distractions and pain. Her goal is clear: to make amends for her missed Asian Games medal and prove her resilience against a world-class field.Chanu's entry weight of 200kgs places her among the top contenders, alongside lifters from the United States, Thailand, Romania, and China. However, the absence of North Korea's Ri Song Gum, the Asian Games champion and world record holder, has opened up the competition.Despite lifting over 200kgs only once since Tokyo, Chanu remains confident in her abilities. Her recent return to competitive action at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, where she lifted 184kgs, has provided her with valuable experience.China's Hou Zhihui, the defending champion, is the runaway favorite. Her consistent 200kg lifts and impressive performances at major events make her a formidable opponent. The battle for the second spot will be intense, with Romania's Valentina Cambei, USA's Jourdan Delacruz, and Thailand's Surodchana Khambao all capable of challenging Chanu.Chanu's coach, Vijay Sharma, is optimistic about her chances. He believes that her mental strength and determination will carry her through the competition. "We don't expect an easy contest, but we have done the best we could," Sharma said. "Mira is in great mental space and will do her best."As Chanu approaches her 30th birthday, a medal in Paris would be the perfect gift to herself and a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication.

In a thrilling semifinal clash at the Paris Olympics, Germany rallied from behind to defeat India 3-2 in the men's hockey competition. The match swung like a pendulum, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.India started brightly, earning seven penalty corners in the opening quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted the sixth one to give India an early lead. However, Germany responded with a crisp shot from Peillat Gonzalez off their first short corner.The second quarter saw Germany take the lead through a stroke, awarded after a goal-bound ball hit Jarmanpreet Singh's foot. India fought back in the third quarter, with Sukhjeet Singh leveling the scores off a Harmanpreet deflection.The final period was a tense affair, with both teams desperate for a win. Germany regained the lead through Marco Miltkau's deflection, and despite India's best efforts, they could not find an equalizer.India's bronze medal hopes remain alive, as they will face the loser of the other semifinal between Australia and Belgium in the third-place match on Thursday.

India's shooting contingent has made history at the Paris Olympics, ending a two-decade medal drought with three bronze medals. The performance marks a significant turnaround for the sport in the country, which had failed to win any medals at the previous two Olympics.The team's success can be attributed to a comprehensive overhaul of its preparation strategy after the Tokyo Olympics. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) implemented a system that prioritized athlete-centric training, coach-driven guidance, and administrative support.Sports science, mental training, strength and conditioning, and nutrition were meticulously incorporated into the program. Beijing Olympics champion Abhinav Bindra was brought in as a mentor to provide motivation and guidance.The introduction of Olympic selection trials and the removal of bonus points ensured a level playing field for all athletes. This resulted in a highly competitive team that included some of the world's top shooters.At the Olympics, India's shooters displayed remarkable consistency, with multiple athletes qualifying for finals. Manu Bhaker emerged as a star, winning two bronze medals in the air pistol individual and mixed events. Swapnil Kusale also secured a bronze in the 50m rifle three positions.The team's success has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired a new generation of shooters. The NRAI's focus on personal coaches and a positive team environment has fostered a culture of excellence that is likely to drive the growth of the sport in the years to come.

Quan Hongchan, the 17-year-old diving prodigy from China, has continued her dominance in the sport by securing her second gold medal at the Paris Olympics. This victory marks her third Olympic gold and maintains China's unblemished record in diving at the Games.In the women's 10m platform event, Quan showcased her exceptional skills, amassing a winning total of 425.60 points. Her teammate, Chen Yuxi, finished closely behind with 420.70 points, securing the silver medal. North Korea's Kim Mi Rae claimed the bronze with a score of 372.10.Quan's triumph in Paris adds to her impressive resume, which includes a gold medal in the 10m platform at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and a gold in the women's synchronized 10m platform in Paris with Chen.China's dominance in diving remains unchallenged, as they have swept all five gold medals awarded in the sport so far at the Paris Olympics. With three more golds still up for grabs, China is poised to extend its reign at the top of the diving world.In Tokyo, China's divers showcased their superiority by winning all but one of the eight titles, with Britain claiming the remaining gold.Quan Hongchan's remarkable achievements at such a young age have solidified her status as one of the greatest divers of all time. Her exceptional talent and unwavering determination have made her a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide.