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North Korea has made history by winning its first-ever Olympic diving medal, a silver in the women's synchronized 10-meter platform event. The victory marks a significant achievement for the nation, which has long been overshadowed by China's dominance in the sport.China continued its reign in diving, securing its 50th Olympic gold medal in the discipline. Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan, the reigning Olympic champions, led the competition from the start, amassing a commanding lead after just two dives.North Korea's Jin Mi Jo and Mi Rae Kim finished a distant second, but their performance was nonetheless impressive. It was the nation's second medal of the Paris Games, following a silver in mixed doubles table tennis.Despite their disappointment at not winning gold, Kim expressed their determination to challenge China in the future. "We really wanted to give gold to our country, but the performance was not done as we expected," she said. "The next time we do it, we will try hard for the gold."Great Britain's Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson claimed the bronze medal, while Mexico's Alejandra Orozco and Gabriela Agundez finished fifth. Orozco, a four-time Olympian, plans to retire after the Games.Ukrainian divers Kseniia Bailo and Sofiia Lyskun competed with heavy hearts, dedicating their performance to those suffering in their war-torn homeland. Despite finishing second-to-last, they received warm cheers from the crowd."I'm happy to be in the Olympics because I compete today for my country, for soldiers and for athletes and coaches who died in war," said Bailo. "I'm really proud of me."China's dominance in diving remains unchallenged, as they continue to sweep the Olympic pool. However, North Korea's historic silver medal and the resilience of the Ukrainian divers serve as reminders that the sport is about more than just winning.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in athletics, has a dedicated supporter who has embarked on an extraordinary journey to witness his triumph at the Paris Olympics 2024. Fayis Asraf Ali, a cyclist from Kerala, has pedaled over 22,000 kilometers across 30 countries in the past two years to reach Paris for the Summer Games.Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, will lead a 29-member Indian athletics contingent at the Paris Games. The contingent will compete in 16 medal events, with the track and field events taking place at the iconic Stade de France.Chopra's journey to Paris has been marked by consistent success. After his historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, he won the Diamond League title in 2022 and the Asian Games gold medal in 2023. He arrives in Paris as the reigning world champion in javelin throw.Joining Chopra in the men's javelin competition will be Kishore Jena, who won silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. Other notable members of the Indian athletics contingent include Muhammed Anas, who will make his third Olympic appearance, and steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, who will make her Olympic debut.The Indian athletics squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics includes:Men:* Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase)* Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw)* Kishore Jena (javelin throw)* Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put)* Praveen Chithravel (triple jump)* Abdulla Aboobacker (triple jump)* Sarvesh Kushare (high jump)* Akshdeep Singh (20km race walk)* Vikash Singh (20km race walk)* Paramjeet Singh Bisht (20km race walk)* Muhammed Anas (4x400m relay)* Muhammed Ajmal (4x400m relay)* Amoj Jacob (4x400m relay)* Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan (4x400m relay)* Rajesh Ramesh (4x400m relay)* Mijo Chacko Kurian (4x400m relay)* Suraj Panwar (race walk mixed marathon)* Jeswin Aldrin (long jump)Women:* Kiran Pahal (400m)* Parul Chaudhary (3000m steeplechase and 5,000m)* Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles)* Annu Rani (javelin throw)* Jyothika Sri Dandi (4x400m relay)* Subha Venkatesan (4x400m relay)* Vithya Ramraj (4x400m relay)* MR Poovamma (4x400m relay)* Prachi (4x400m relay)* Priyanka Goswami (20km race walk and race walk mixed marathon)* Ankita Dhyani (5000m)

The 2024 Summer Paris Olympic Games have already witnessed a plethora of record-breaking performances, showcasing the extraordinary talent and athleticism of the world's finest athletes. With just a few weeks remaining, the anticipation for more breathtaking feats is palpable.In the pool, Australia's Kaylee McKeown shattered her own Olympic record in the women's 100m backstroke, clocking in at 57.33 seconds. Ireland's Daniel Wiffen also made history, breaking the Olympic record in the men's 800m freestyle with a time of 7:38.19.Mollie O'Callaghan of Australia continued her impressive run, setting a new Olympic record in the women's 200m freestyle with a time of 1:53.27. France's Léon Marchand etched his name in the record books by breaking the Olympic record in the men's 400m individual medley, finishing in 4:02.95.Gretchen Walsh from the United States made waves in the women's 100m butterfly, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 55.37 seconds. China's Pan Zhanle also set a new Olympic record in the men's 100m freestyle, clocking in at 46.92 seconds.The Australian women's 4x100 freestyle relay team broke their own Olympic record, finishing in 3:28.92. In surfing, Brazil's Gabriel Medina earned the highest-ever single wave score in Olympic history, scoring 9.90 in the fifth heat of the men's surfing event.Shooting also saw its share of record-breaking performances. Britain's Nathan Hales set a new Olympic record in the men's trap with a score of 48. China's Sheng Lihao broke the Olympic record in the men's 10-meter air rifle with a score of 252.In archery, South Korea's Lim Si-hyeon broke the world record in the women's 72 arrows, 70-meter round with a score of 694. Her team also broke the Olympic record in the women's 216 arrows, 70-meter round with a score of 2,046.Rugby sevens witnessed some remarkable achievements as well. Maddison Levi of Australia broke the Olympic record for the number of tries at a single Olympic Game, scoring 11. The New Zealand rugby team also set a new Olympic record, scoring 55-5 against China.As the 2024 Summer Paris Olympic Games draw to a close, the world eagerly awaits more thrilling performances and the possibility of even more records being shattered.

Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the Olympics, draws inspiration from M S Dhoni. Like Dhoni, Kusale is also a railway ticket collector. The 29-year-old from Maharashtra has been competing in international events since 2012 but had to wait 12 years to make his Olympics debut.Kusale relates to Dhoni's calm and patient demeanor, which are essential qualities for a shooter. He has watched Dhoni's biopic multiple times and hopes to emulate his achievements. A top-three finish in the 50m rifle three positions final would certainly elevate Kusale's status in Indian sport."I admire Dhoni for the person that he is," Kusale said. "My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was."Kusale has been working for Central Railways since 2015. He qualified for the final with a score of 590, the most inner 10s among the three shooters who shot the same score.Kusale's family has also been a source of inspiration. His father and brother are teachers, while his mother is the sarpanch of their village.Aishwary Pratap Tomar, another Indian shooter, finished 11th in the qualification round.National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan is optimistic about Kusale's chances in the final. "He is in a good frame of mind," Ohlyan said. "We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient. He is good technically and physically."Kusale's journey to the Olympics has been a long one, but he is now on the cusp of making history. With his calm demeanor and unwavering determination, he has the potential to become one of India's most successful shooters.

India's equestrian journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics began with a historic milestone as Anush Agarwalla became the first Indian to compete in dressage at the Summer Games. The 24-year-old from Kolkata, who has been honing his skills in Germany since the age of 17, achieved the Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) four times to secure a quota for India.In the Dressage Grand Prix Individual Qualifier round held at the iconic Chateau de Versailles, Agarwalla and his horse, Sir Caramello Old, performed a series of intricate movements to music. The judges awarded them a total of 66.444 penalty points, placing them ninth in their group. Only the top two riders from each group advanced to the final.Despite not progressing to the next stage, Agarwalla's performance marked a significant achievement for Indian equestrian. He joined an illustrious list of Indian horsemen who have represented the country in the Olympics, including Fouaad Mirza (Eventing, 2020 Tokyo Games), Imtiaz Anees (Eventing, 2000 Sydney Games), and Indrajit Lamba (Eventing, 1996 Atlanta Games).Dressage, the most advanced form of horse training, requires exceptional coordination and artistry between horse and rider. Judges evaluate the ease and fluidity of their movements, as well as their obedience and responsiveness to commands.Agarwalla's achievement comes on the heels of India's success in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the Indian squad won gold in Team Dressage. This victory showcased the growing strength of Indian equestrian and the potential for future success on the international stage.

In a time when women's hockey tournaments in Tamil Nadu, organized by private clubs, are scarce, a group of 15 dedicated women have been successfully organizing a tournament for the past three years in Chennai. The 'We are for Hockey' Trophy, held at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, has attracted 16 teams from various parts of the state in its recently concluded fourth edition (July 25 to 27).The tournament has received an overwhelming response, with teams from Erode, Tirunelveli, Vellore, and Kovilpatti participating. Former Tamil Nadu players, J. Rekha and Lakshmi Vaikunth, president and secretary of 'We are for Hockey' Club, are the driving force behind this initiative. They have been tirelessly handling all aspects of the tournament with enthusiasm and dedication.Lakshmi Vaikunth, the secretary of the club, has faced challenges in securing sponsorship for the tournament. "It has been quite hectic for the last few weeks, running for sponsors and other things," she said. Despite the difficulties, the group has managed to raise funds to offer cash prizes to the winners: Rs. 30,000 for first place, 20,000 for second, and Rs. 10,000 for third.The 'We are for Hockey' Club is committed to promoting women's hockey and showcasing the talent of young girls. "Through our tournament, we want a Tamil Nadu player to represent India at the Olympics," said Lakshmi. The club also aims to make the event an All-India one, similar to the MCC-Murugappa tournament.The Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Chennai Hockey Association (CHA) have extended their support to the tournament. However, Rekha suggests that CHA could further contribute by conducting a women's league, as it did in 2018-19.The 'We are for Hockey' Club is an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of sports to empower women. Their dedication and hard work have created a platform for young hockey players to showcase their skills and aspire for greater heights.

Ace Indian archer Deepika Kumari has advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the women's individual event at the Olympic Games in Paris. Her impressive performance on Wednesday saw her emerge victorious in two consecutive matches.In her first match, Deepika faced a tough challenge from Reena Parnat of Estonia. The match went down to a shoot-off, where Deepika's nerves held strong as she secured a 9-8 victory.The second match against Quinty Roeffen of the Netherlands proved to be less challenging for Deepika. She dominated the match, winning 6-2. Deepika's consistent shooting and her opponent's occasional errors contributed to her success.Deepika's next hurdle will be Michelle Kroppen of Germany in the pre-quarterfinals on Saturday. The German archer is a formidable opponent, but Deepika's recent form suggests that she is well-prepared for the challenge.Deepika's journey to the pre-quarterfinals has been a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite a disappointing performance in the team event, she has bounced back with two impressive victories. Her ability to perform under pressure and her unwavering focus have been key to her success.As Deepika continues her quest for an Olympic medal, she will be hoping to maintain her momentum and overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Her performance in the pre-quarterfinals will be crucial in determining her chances of reaching the podium.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has commenced her quest for a second consecutive Games medal with a confident victory in her opening bout at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The Indian boxer outpunched Norway's Sunniva Hofstad 5-0 in the 75kg category, moving one step closer to adding to her Tokyo bronze, which she claimed in the 69kg category.Borgohain's path to the podium is not without challenges. She will face top-seeded Chinese boxer Li Qian in the quarterfinals on August 4. A victory in this bout would guarantee her at least a bronze medal.In her opening bout, Borgohain displayed composure and precision, keeping her distance and landing clean blows on counter-attack. Despite Hofstad's attempts to engage in a slugfest, Borgohain maintained her composure and avoided falling into her opponent's trap.Borgohain's performance is a testament to her resilience and ability to overcome adversity. In Tokyo, she defeated world champion Chen Nien-Chin in the quarterfinals to secure her bronze medal.Her opponent in the quarterfinals, Li Qian, is a formidable opponent. She won a silver medal in the 75kg category at the Tokyo Games and a bronze in the 2016 Rio Games. She also claimed a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.The Indian boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games has been mixed so far. Three of the six boxers in contention have already been eliminated, including former Asian Games champion Amit Panghal (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg).Apart from Borgohain, the Indian boxing contingent still in contention includes world champion Nikhat Zareen (women's 50kg) and Nishant Dev (men's 71kg).

China's table tennis world number one Wang Chuqin suffered a shocking defeat in the men's Olympic singles on Wednesday, a day after having his bat broken. The incident occurred after Wang won mixed doubles gold on Tuesday in Paris, but his elation quickly turned to anger when a photographer accidentally snapped his bat while jostling to take a picture.Less than 24 hours later, Wang went out in the round of 32 of the singles after a 4-2 defeat to Truls Moregard of Sweden. The 26th-ranked Moregard sank to the floor in disbelief and put his hands on his head, before doing a tour of the crowd, who rose in appreciation after roaring on the underdog throughout.It capped a mixed couple of days for Wang, 24. With his playing partner Sun Yingsha, they beat North Korea in the mixed doubles final, but Wang admitted he "lost control of my emotions a little" after his bat was broken. A familiar bat and its grip can be of vital importance to table tennis players.Wang, however, refused to blame his replacement bat for his stunning defeat to the unheralded Moregard, 22. "It didn't really have an influence on the match," he told AFP. "It was just that my opponent played really, really well."Wang will next compete in the men's team event. The triumphant Moregard said he "had a feeling I could beat him today", having never done so before in eight previous attempts. "I've almost never taken a set against Wang so it's crazy to win here at the Olympics," the Swede, into the last 16 for the first time, told AFP.Moregard, who is coached by his older brother Malte, said Wang was not at his best -- but said it had nothing to do with the Chinese player's bat. "I think you have 10 rackets at least and 500 rubbers here, so it doesn't matter if you lose your bat. I mean, I don't know which one is my first or third, so it doesn't matter," he said.Wang may have lost, but China remains the undoubted superpower of table tennis, having won 32 of the 37 available golds since it became an Olympic sport.