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Manu Bhaker's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions. In Tokyo 2020, a technical glitch with her pistol shattered her dreams of reaching the final. Three years later, Bhaker has not only redeemed herself but has also become the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics since the nation's independence.In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Bhaker reflected on her remarkable achievement. "Victory cannot teach you what defeat teaches you," she said. "From Tokyo, the journey has been full of ups and downs. I've tried my best in performing in all the competitions, but sometimes you just can't keep up."Bhaker's success is a testament to her unwavering determination and the guidance of her coach, Jaspal Rana. "The planning part was definitely entirely Jaspal sir's programme," she said. "He planned it according to if my shoulder is in good shape. I always look at him whenever I lack courage or I want to feel more confident."Confidence is crucial in major competitions, and Bhaker credits her family, friends, and training environment for instilling it in her. "When you come to a major Games, confidence plays a huge part," she said. "It comes from the roots, from my family, from my friends, from the atmosphere I trained in the last two-three years, and from my coach."Bhaker's journey at Paris 2024 may not be over yet. She is set to participate in the 25m air pistol events, where she will aim to add to her medal tally. Her achievements have already made her a role model for aspiring shooters and a source of pride for India.

North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong made history by winning their country's first Olympic medal in eight years, claiming silver in the mixed doubles table tennis event at the Paris Games. The duo's impressive performance came after a hard-fought 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8 defeat to China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha.China, the undisputed table tennis powerhouse, has dominated the sport at the Olympics, winning 32 of the 37 available gold medals since its inception. However, they missed out on the mixed doubles title in Tokyo three years ago. Wang and Sun rectified that with their victory, setting the stage for a potential clean sweep of table tennis golds in Paris.North Korea, which skipped the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to train with the Chinese team in preparation for Paris. Kim acknowledged the invaluable lessons they learned from the world's best."We had some time with the Chinese team, which is the world's best," said Kim. "Of course it wasn't enough in the end. We had a good performance but there are some regrets. We learned a lot from them."Despite their defeat, Ri and Kim remained optimistic, vowing to return stronger. "We hope to do better next time and win the gold," said Kim.Wang and Sun, who have not lost outside China in four years, faced an unfamiliar challenge in the North Korean pair. "It's quite rare to have a North Korean pair in international competition," said Sun. "We had never played them before. They have strengths and they have been able to beat a lot of opponents. They have a distinctive style."After a close first game, China took control, but North Korea fought back to level the match. China regained the lead, but North Korea once again showed their resilience. Ultimately, the Chinese pair prevailed, but Sun admitted that the loss in Tokyo had motivated them."All of us were so devoted, we invested a lot," said Sun. "Every match we had certain difficulties but we backed each other up and we got to the final and beat such a good team."

In the heart of Paris, the Olympic Games witnessed a bittersweet tale of sibling rivalry and resilience. Hifumi Abe, the reigning 66kg judo champion, found solace in victory after his sister Uta's shocking defeat.Uta Abe, a four-time world champion, had been undefeated since 2019. However, in Paris, she stumbled in the second round, shattering their hopes of a sibling gold medal sweep. Hifumi, driven by his sister's loss, vowed to fight for her honor."It was a hard day," said Hifumi, "but I felt I had to work hard for my sister. I had no choice but to do my best as the older brother."The Abe siblings are not alone in their Olympic family legacy. History is replete with blood relations gracing the podium. The Swedish father-son duo of Oscar and Alfred Swahn won 15 shooting medals across three Games. Indian hockey legends Dhyan Chand and his brother Roop Singh, along with Dhyan's son Ashok Kumar, are Olympic medalists.In Paris, Ukrainian twins Maryna and Vladyslava Aleksiiva are aiming to surpass their artistic swimming bronze from Tokyo. Despite the horrors of war in their homeland, they have found solace in their sport."We wanted to showcase our resilience," said Vladyslava. "Our music is cheerful and heroic, reflecting our determination to overcome adversity."The Sinkovic brothers, Valent and Martin, are Croatia's hopes in men's rowing. They have won gold and silver medals in previous Games and are looking to add to their tally."We wouldn't last this long if we weren't brothers," said Valent.South Korea's Yeo Seo-jeong and her father Yeo Hong-chul, an Olympic medalist in gymnastics, share a special bond. Yeo Seo-jeong hopes to emulate her father's success in Paris.British runner Jake Wightman will face the challenge of defending his 1500m title. His father Geoff, a former marathon runner, will be commentating on the race.Tatsuru Saito, the son of two-time Olympic judo champion Hitoshi Saito, will carry his father's legacy in the men's 100+ kg event.The Paris Olympics is a testament to the power of family and the indomitable spirit of athletes who overcome adversity to achieve their dreams.

Pin trading, an Olympic tradition dating back to 1896, has become an unofficial sport at the Games. Athletes, officials, and media members eagerly seek out rare and coveted pins, creating a vibrant and social atmosphere in the Olympic Village.Naomi Osaka, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams are among the high-profile athletes who have expressed their enthusiasm for pin trading. Osaka has vowed to "beg" for a Haitian pin, while Murray has embarked on a mission to find the smallest country's representative in the Village.The allure of pin trading lies in its ability to foster connections and break the ice. Athletes from different nations exchange pins, sharing their experiences and creating lasting memories. For some, like Don Bigsby, pin trading has become a lifelong passion. He has attended 20 Olympic Games and founded "Olympin," a forum for collectors to trade pins and memorabilia.Certain pins become highly sought-after, such as the 1996 Atlanta pin featuring onion rings for the Olympic rings and the 2002 Salt Lake City pin with a green Jell-O design. At the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles' custom heart-shaped pins were a hot commodity.Serena Williams, who began collecting pins at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, cherishes her collection, particularly pins from Thailand and North Korea. Former Indian shooter Anjali Bhagwat recalls the excitement of hunting for pins in the Olympic Village, creating a sense of camaraderie among athletes.Pin trading not only provides a fun and social activity but also serves as a tangible reminder of the Olympic experience. For Bigsby, his collection represents a lifetime of memories and friendships forged around the world.

Aditi Ashok, India's top female golfer, is gearing up for her third Olympic Games in Paris. Having competed in two previous Olympics, she is determined to make the most of this opportunity.Ashok's journey to the Olympics began at the age of 14 when she set her sights on Rio 2016. She worked tirelessly to improve her amateur ranking and secure sponsor invites to professional events. In Rio, she finished 41st despite being only 18 years old and having limited professional experience.In Tokyo 2020, Ashok showcased her maturity and skill, finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on a medal. This performance gave her immense confidence and proved that she could compete with the world's best.Heading into Paris 2024, Ashok is focused on her driving, which she believes is key to her success. She has been working on improving her speed and accuracy off the tee. Despite the pressure of expectations, Ashok remains composed and focused on her game plan.Ashok is excited to compete at Le Golf National, the storied venue for the Paris Olympics. She believes the course's open layout and potential for windy conditions will provide a challenging but enjoyable experience.Reflecting on her previous Olympic experiences, Ashok emphasizes the importance of staying present and committed to every shot. She believes her game is strong enough to keep her in contention and is eager to make the most of this opportunity.

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, both 22-year-old Indian shooters, have etched their names in history by winning the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed event at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Chateauroux, France.Bhaker, a seasoned Olympian, displayed her experience and composure throughout the competition. She guided her younger teammate, Sarabjot, who was making his Olympic debut, through the intricacies of the event.The Indian duo faced a tough challenge in the bronze medal match against Korea's Lee Won-ho and Oh Ye-jin. However, they remained unfazed and dominated the match with a score of 16-10.Bhaker's steady shooting and Sarabjot's quick recovery from an initial setback proved crucial for their victory. Bhaker's ability to maintain her focus and execute precise shots under pressure was evident throughout the match.Sarabjot, despite being a first-time Olympian, showed remarkable resilience and composure. He quickly regained his composure after a shaky start and contributed significantly to the team's success.The bronze medal is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both Bhaker and Sarabjot. It is also a significant achievement for India, as it marks the country's first medal in the mixed event at the ISSF World Cup.The victory has not only boosted the confidence of the Indian shooters but has also inspired other athletes at the Games. Indian shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy expressed his admiration for Bhaker's performance, saying, "To win two medals, not only one, is not easy."Bhaker and Sarabjot's success is a reminder of the potential of Indian shooters and the bright future that lies ahead for the sport in the country.

Former world number one boxer Amit Panghal's hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics were dashed on Tuesday as he suffered a disappointing 1-4 loss to Zambia's Patrick Chinyemba in the 51kg pre-quarterfinal bout.Panghal, who had received an opening round bye, faced a determined Zambian opponent in Chinyemba, the reigning African Games champion. The Indian boxer struggled to find his rhythm in the opening round, as Chinyemba took the initiative and put him under pressure.Despite trailing on three cards, Panghal fought back in the second round, but his punches lacked the accuracy and power to trouble Chinyemba. The Zambian boxer continued to dominate the bout, taking the second round 3-2.In the final three minutes, both boxers exchanged heavy blows, but Panghal was unable to make a significant impact. The Indian boxer, who had suffered a similar exit in the Tokyo Olympics, failed to impress any of the judges and ultimately bowed out of the competition.Panghal's defeat marks a setback for Indian boxing, which has been struggling to maintain its dominance in recent years. The 2019 world championship silver medallist had been one of India's brightest hopes for a medal in Paris, but his early exit has raised concerns about the team's overall performance.

After a 16-year drought, the U.S. men's gymnastics team has finally ascended to the Olympic podium, capturing a bronze medal in the team event at the Tokyo Games. The triumph marks a significant milestone for the team, which has endured years of setbacks and disappointments.The bronze medalists, Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Fred Richard, displayed unwavering determination and resilience throughout the competition. Coach Sam Mikulak praised their flawless execution, highlighting their ability to avoid any falls and showcase their unwavering spirit.Nedoroscik, a pommel horse specialist, delivered a flawless performance under immense pressure, securing the team's medal. Richard's exceptional high bar routine and the contributions of Juda and Hong on the vault also played a pivotal role in their success."Stephen was in the hardest seat of the entire competition," said Brett McClure, the team's high-performance director. "He knew that if he hit his routine, we would likely medal. And he did it."Malone, who had a shaky start during the qualifying rounds, redeemed himself in the finals, putting aside his mistakes and focusing on delivering for his team. "The first night was a fluke for Brody," said McClure. "He turned it around like he always does."The U.S. men's gymnastics team's bronze medal is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in themselves. Their triumph serves as an inspiration to aspiring gymnasts and a reminder that even after years of adversity, success can be achieved through perseverance and teamwork.

India's Olympic shooting woes continued on Tuesday as trap shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman failed to qualify for the final round, finishing 21st among 30 marksmen. Despite shooting two perfect scores of 25 in the last two qualification rounds, Tondaiman's aggregate score of 118/125 fell short of the top-six shooters who shot 123 each.Tondaiman, 37, had a disappointing start to the qualification round on Monday, shooting 22, 25, and 21. However, he rebounded with two perfect-25s on Tuesday, but it was too little too late.In the women's trap event, Rajeshwari Kumari and Shreyasi Singh also struggled. Rajeshwari shot 68 out of 75 over three rounds of qualification on Day 1, while Shreyasi was further down at 22nd. The two will play two more rounds of qualification on Wednesday before the top-six finalists are decided.Meanwhile, pistol shooter Manu Bhaker added a second bronze to her kitty in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, partnering with Sarabjot Singh.