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India's Men's Table Tennis Team Bows Out of Paris Olympics After Loss to China

India’s Men’s Table Tennis Team Bows Out of Paris Olympics After Loss to China

By August 6, 2024 0

India’s Olympic hopes in men’s table tennis were dashed on Tuesday as they succumbed to a 0-3 defeat against table tennis powerhouse China in the pre-quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics.

The Indian duo of Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar faced an uphill battle in the opening doubles match, losing 2-11 3-11 7-11 to the formidable Chinese pair of Ma Long and Chuqin Wang.

Veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal, India’s lone medal hope, displayed resilience in the first singles against Olympic champion Fan Zhendong. Sharath stunned the Chinese star by winning the first game 11-9. However, Zhendong regrouped and showcased his class, outplaying Sharath 11-7 11-7 11-5 in the subsequent three games.

With India trailing 0-2, the onus fell on 24-year-old Manav Thakkar to salvage the tie. However, Thakkar struggled against Chuqin, losing 9-11 6-11 9-11.

The Indian women’s team had earlier made history by defeating higher-ranked Romania 3-2 in a thrilling quarterfinal encounter. Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamat displayed exceptional skill and determination to secure India’s place in the quarterfinals.

Despite the disappointing result, the Indian men’s team can take solace in their spirited performance against one of the world’s strongest table tennis nations. Sharath Kamal’s resilience and the young players’ determination bode well for the future of Indian table tennis.

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Mirabai Chanu Faces Uphill Battle for Second Olympic Medal

Mirabai Chanu Faces Uphill Battle for Second Olympic Medal

By August 6, 2024 0

Mirabai Chanu, India’s weightlifting icon, faces a daunting task as she aims to become the nation’s first double Olympic medalist in the sport. However, her path to glory is fraught with challenges, including a lingering hip injury and a formidable field of competitors.

Chanu’s Olympic journey has been marred by injuries and workload management issues. Since her silver medal performance in Tokyo, she has endured a disappointing cycle, with her best effort being a 201kg lift at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

In her preferred 49kg weight category, Chanu faces an uphill battle for a podium finish. Reigning Olympic champion Hou Zhihui of China is the overwhelming favorite to retain her title. Other contenders include Jourdan Delacruz of the USA, Surodchana Khambao of Thailand, and Mihaela Cambei of Romania.

Despite concerns about her fitness, Chanu and her coach, Vijay Sharma, insist that she has fully recovered from her hip injury. However, her recent performances have fallen short of her personal bests, raising doubts about her ability to surpass the 200kg mark.

Chanu’s main obstacle lies within herself. Her snatch performance has been inconsistent, and her clean and jerk has also been underwhelming. While she has shown resilience and determination in the past, she must overcome these technical hurdles to challenge for a medal.

The 49kg event at the Paris Olympics promises to be a fiercely competitive contest. Chanu’s entry weight of 200kg places her alongside Delacruz and Khambao, while Zhihui and Cambei have set higher entry weights.

Despite the odds stacked against her, Chanu remains a formidable competitor. Her fighting spirit and unwavering determination could propel her to another historic performance. However, she must summon her best form and overcome her physical limitations to achieve her Olympic dream.

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Ryan Harris Appointed as South Australia's New Men's Head Coach

Ryan Harris Appointed as South Australia’s New Men’s Head Coach

By August 6, 2024 0

Ryan Harris, a former Australian fast bowler, has been appointed as the new head coach of South Australia’s men’s cricket team. Harris, who played for South Australia during his playing career, has been serving as the interim head coach since Jason Gillespie’s departure earlier this year.

Harris’ appointment comes after a thorough recruitment process, and he will take over the role full-time immediately as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The decision to split the head coach role for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) has not yet been confirmed, but it is understood that this is becoming increasingly likely.

Harris expressed his excitement and honor at being appointed as the head coach of South Australia, where he began his first-class playing career over two decades ago. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve great things and is eager to build on the progress made last season.

Under the leadership of new captain Nathan McSweeney, the South Australian team has developed a strong sense of self-belief. Harris plans to work closely with the players to ensure that they are well-prepared for the upcoming season.

South Australia finished fifth in the Sheffield Shield last season, an improvement from their fourth-place finish in 2022-23. However, they finished bottom in the Marsh Cup after reaching the final the previous season.

Harris brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. After retiring from playing, he worked with the Australia men’s under-19 team at the 2018 and 2020 World Cups. He has also worked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals. Additionally, he had stints as a consultant with the Australian men’s team while Justin Langer was coach.

In 2021, Harris was appointed as Queensland Cricket’s pathway manager. He applied to be the head coach of Australia Women when Matthew Mott left, having had a short-term stint as bowling coach on a tour of New Zealand in 2021. However, he was overlooked for the role and returned to South Australia as their bowling coach.

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India's Batting Woes Threaten Series Defeat in Sri Lanka

India’s Batting Woes Threaten Series Defeat in Sri Lanka

By August 6, 2024 0

India’s batting woes have put them on the brink of a series defeat against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI series. The onus is on the Indian batters, particularly Virat Kohli, to step up and counter the spin challenge posed by the Lankan bowlers.

Kohli, who has been subdued in the first two matches, needs to rediscover his form to provide stability to the Indian middle order. His dismissals to leg-spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay have raised concerns about his ability to handle the turning ball.

Other Indian batters have also struggled against the Lankan spinners. Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul have failed to rotate the strike effectively and have been trapped in front of the wicket.

In contrast, Rohit Sharma has shown how to tackle the spin challenge. His well-calculated strokes have allowed him to score runs at a brisk pace. His colleagues need to take a cue from his approach and play with more confidence and planning.

From a combination perspective, the Indian team management may consider replacing Dube with Riyan Parag. Parag’s spin bowling could be more effective than Dube’s medium pace on the turning tracks in Colombo.

The Indian bowlers also need to improve their performance in the death overs. They have failed to apply finishing touches to the Lankan innings after reducing them to precarious positions.

If India is to avoid their first ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years, they need to find a way to counter the spin challenge and improve their batting and bowling performances.

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India's Olympic Near Misses: Five Athletes Finish Fourth in Paris 2024

India’s Olympic Near Misses: Five Athletes Finish Fourth in Paris 2024

By August 6, 2024 0

India’s Olympic journey in Paris 2024 was marked by a series of near misses, with five athletes finishing just shy of the podium. Arjun Babuta, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Ankita Bhakat, Manu Bhaker, and Lakshya Sen all came agonizingly close to securing a medal, but ultimately fell short.

Babuta narrowly missed out on a bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting, finishing fourth with a score of 208.4. In the mixed team archery event, Bommadevara and Bhakat made history by becoming the first Indian archers to reach the semi-finals, but lost in the bronze medal match to the USA.

Manu Bhaker, who had won two Olympic medals in previous editions, came close to a third in the women’s 25m pistol shooting final. However, a series of poor shots near the end caused her to drop to fourth place after a shoot-off against Hungary’s Veronika Major.

Badminton star Lakshya Sen’s hopes of becoming the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal were dashed in the semi-finals by Denmark’s Victor Axelsen. In the bronze medal match, he lost to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, crushing his dreams of a podium finish.

India’s shooting contingent also faced disappointment in the mixed skeet bronze-medal match. Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka lost by a single point to China, finishing fourth overall.

Despite these near misses, the Indian athletes displayed immense skill and determination. They join a list of 17 other Indian athletes who have finished fourth in their respective events at the Olympics, including wrestling legend Randhir Shinde, track and field icon Milkha Singh, and tennis duo Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati.

These fourth-place finishes serve as a testament to the growing competitiveness of Indian athletes on the global stage. While they may not have reached the podium, their performances have inspired a nation and set the stage for future Olympic success.

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Novak Djokovic Wins Olympic Gold, Calls It 'Biggest Sporting Achievement'

Novak Djokovic Wins Olympic Gold, Calls It ‘Biggest Sporting Achievement’

By August 6, 2024 0

Novak Djokovic’s Olympic dream finally came true as he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling men’s singles final at the Paris Olympics. The Serbian legend, who had previously won all four Grand Slams multiple times, called the gold medal his “biggest sporting achievement.”

The match was a tense affair, with neither player able to break the other’s serve. Both the first and second sets went to tie-breakers, with Djokovic prevailing both times. The Serbian’s experience and composure proved crucial in the end, as he held his nerve to win 7-6(7), 7-6(5).

Alcaraz, who is widely regarded as the future of men’s tennis, put up a valiant fight but was ultimately unable to match Djokovic’s consistency. The Spaniard’s serve, which has been a major weapon for him throughout his career, let him down at crucial moments.

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who congratulated Djokovic on his triumph, highlighted Alcaraz’s service as the key factor in the match. “Alcaraz has what it takes, but to truly dominate for years on all surfaces, he’ll need to step up his serve,” Tendulkar said.

Djokovic, who is now 37 years old, admitted that winning the Olympic gold medal was the pinnacle of his career. “This is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had and the most special feeling,” he said. “I thought carrying the flag at the opening ceremony for my country at the 2012 Olympics was the best feeling an athlete could have until today.”

Djokovic’s victory marks a historic moment in tennis history. He is now the first man to win all four Grand Slams, the Olympic gold medal, and the ATP Finals. This achievement cements his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

Categories: Tennis
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Pollard's Monstrous Six Nearly Takes Out Commentators at 'The Hundred'

Pollard’s Monstrous Six Nearly Takes Out Commentators at ‘The Hundred’

By August 6, 2024 0

Kieron Pollard’s Monstrous Six Nearly Takes Out Commentators at ‘The Hundred’

The inaugural edition of ‘The Hundred’ tournament in England has witnessed some extraordinary hitting, and Kieron Pollard’s colossal six at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Monday nearly had disastrous consequences for the commentators.

Representing Southern Brave, the West Indian power-hitter unleashed a thunderous blow off Welsh Fire’s Haris Rauf, sending the ball soaring towards backward square leg. The commentary box, situated at ground level in that direction, was directly in the firing line.

As the ball hurtled towards the glass window, commentators Kumar Sangakkara and Robert Croft instinctively ducked for cover, their evasive maneuvers captured on camera. Fortunately, the ball narrowly missed the window and struck the electronic boundary board instead.

Pollard’s six was a testament to his immense power and timing. He ended his innings with 17 runs off 12 deliveries, contributing to Southern Brave’s total of 139.

In response, Welsh Fire struggled to keep up with the pace, eventually being bowled out for 97 with five balls remaining. The comprehensive 42-run victory gave Southern Brave a resounding start to their campaign.

The incident involving the commentators highlighted the potential dangers associated with the high-octane nature of ‘The Hundred.’ The tournament’s shorter format and smaller boundaries encourage aggressive batting, leading to the possibility of balls flying into unexpected areas.

However, the quick reflexes of Sangakkara and Croft prevented a potentially serious accident. Their evasive action served as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in cricket, especially when the ball is traveling at such high speeds.

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Saint Lucia's Alfred Targets Olympic Sprint Double, Ingebrigtsen-Kerr Clash Looms

Saint Lucia’s Alfred Targets Olympic Sprint Double, Ingebrigtsen-Kerr Clash Looms

By August 6, 2024 0

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred is poised to make history on Tuesday as she aims for an Olympic sprint double in the 200m, following her triumph in the 100m. The tiny Caribbean island nation has never had an Olympic medalist before Alfred’s groundbreaking victory.

Alfred’s quest for a double mirrors that of Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah, who achieved the feat at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics. Alfred faces stiff competition from US sprinter Gabrielle Thomas, who boasts the world’s fastest time this year.

Meanwhile, the men’s 1500m promises a thrilling showdown between Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Great Britain’s Josh Kerr. Ingebrigtsen has been critical of Kerr’s absence from certain events, while Kerr has vowed to prove his worth on the track.

In boxing, Algeria’s Imane Khelif is at the center of a gender controversy after being disqualified from last year’s world championships. However, the IOC has cleared her to compete in Paris, where she is guaranteed at least a bronze medal.

The women’s football competition is heating up, with World Cup holders Spain and four-time gold medalists the United States on course for a potential final showdown. Spain faces Brazil in the semifinals, while the rejuvenated USA under new coach Emma Hayes takes on Germany.

Track cycling powerhouse Great Britain has already secured gold in the women’s team sprint and will seek to repeat their success in the men’s event. China’s divers are also aiming for a fifth gold in the women’s 10m platform.

In surfing, France’s Kauli Vaast and the United States’ Caroline Marks have already claimed gold medals in the men’s and women’s events, respectively. The USA now leads the overall medal table with 21 golds, ahead of China.

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Jhye Richardson Set for Domestic Return in Top End T20 Tournament

Jhye Richardson Set for Domestic Return in Top End T20 Tournament

By August 6, 2024 0

Jhye Richardson, a promising Australian fast bowler, is poised to make his long-awaited return to domestic cricket in the upcoming Top End T20 tournament in Darwin. Richardson, who has been sidelined with injuries since January, has been included in the Perth Scorchers’ squad for the tournament.

Richardson’s inclusion is a significant boost for the Scorchers, who are fielding a young squad featuring players on the fringes of the Big Bash League (BBL) and Western Australia sides. The 26-year-old has not played a competitive match in Australia since injuring himself during the BBL, but he made a brief appearance for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.

Despite his recent injury setbacks, Richardson remains a highly regarded bowler. He was awarded a Cricket Australia contract in March and has been part of an Australia training camp in Brisbane this week. However, selectors have opted to take a long-term view with Richardson, hoping that he can overcome the injury issues that have hampered his international career.

“He’s fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities,” national selector George Bailey said last month. “I think he’ll get opportunities again across the summer.”

Richardson will be joined in the Scorchers’ squad by fellow quick Matt Kelly, who also missed the latter part of last season due to injury. Batter Sam Fanning has been named captain, while Baxter Holt, who recently moved to Western Australia from New South Wales, is also included.

“We also see this tournament as an opportunity for Jhye and Kells [Matt Kelly] to find touch in a competitive environment,” stand-in coach Tim MacDonald said. “They didn’t play a lot of cricket last year but they’re a big part of what we do at the Scorchers and WA, so we’re looking forward to seeing both of them back in action.”

The Top End competition will provide Richardson with a valuable opportunity to regain match fitness and prove his readiness for a return to international cricket. The tournament features a strong field of teams, including Northern Territory Strike, Pakistan A, ACT, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, and a Bangladesh High Performance side.

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Beatrice Chebet Wins Olympic 5,000m Gold, Thwarting Hassan's Treble Dream

Beatrice Chebet Wins Olympic 5,000m Gold, Thwarting Hassan’s Treble Dream

By August 6, 2024 0

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet emerged victorious in the Olympic women’s 5,000m on Monday, shattering Sifan Hassan’s aspirations of a historic long-distance treble. Chebet, known as “the smiling assassin,” displayed tactical brilliance, patiently biding her time before unleashing a devastating surge past compatriot Faith Kipyegon in the final stretch.

Chebet’s triumph marked the culmination of a remarkable season for the 24-year-old Kenyan. In May, she shattered the world record in the 10,000m in Eugene, Oregon. Her victory in Tokyo extended her dominance in the distance running scene.

Hassan, the reigning 5,000m world champion, had her sights set on becoming the first woman to win the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon gold at the same Olympics. However, her strategy of staying at the back of the pack proved ineffective against the relentless pace of Chebet and Kipyegon.

Kipyegon initially crossed the line in second place but was disqualified for an alleged shove on Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. After an appeal from Kenyan officials, Kipyegon was reinstated, relegating Hassan to the bronze medal position.

Chebet’s victory was a testament to her tactical acumen and unwavering determination. She explained her strategy, saying, “I knew Faith is very strong so I had to go hard from 400 meters out. When she pushed, I thought, ‘Let me follow her and see if I can secure second.’ If I followed Faith, I thought I would get the silver.”

“Then at 400 meters to go I felt strong, so I pushed, then kicked again at 300 meters. Luckily I was able to win.”

Chebet’s triumph adds another chapter to Kenya’s rich history in distance running. She will now set her sights on claiming Hassan’s Olympic 10,000m crown when the race takes place on Friday.

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