Neeraj Chopra Targets World Championship Podium, Aims for 90m Mark

Neeraj Chopra Targets World Championship Podium, Aims for 90m Mark

India’s Olympic javelin star Neeraj Chopra has set his sights on a podium finish at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, aiming to add to his impressive medal collection. After a successful season that saw him secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and a second-place finish at the Diamond League finale in Brussels, Chopra is determined to continue his winning streak.

Despite battling an adductor muscle niggle throughout the year, Chopra remains optimistic about his fitness. He plans to consult with doctors to determine the best course of action for his injury, but assures that he will be fully fit for the upcoming season.

Chopra’s focus is not only on his physical health but also on refining his technique. He acknowledges the need for improvement and will work closely with his renowned German biomechanics expert, Klaus Bartonietz, to enhance his performance.

Reflecting on India’s Olympic performance, Chopra expressed satisfaction with the overall medal count but noted the potential for further improvement. He highlighted the numerous fourth-place finishes and believes that with continued effort, India can achieve even greater success in future Olympic Games.

Chopra’s ultimate goal is to break the 90m mark, a feat he has come close to achieving in the past. He remains determined to surpass his personal best and establish himself as one of the world’s top javelin throwers.

Indian U-17 Women Wrestlers Stranded in Jordan After Missing Flight

Indian U-17 Women Wrestlers Stranded in Jordan After Missing Flight

The Indian Under-17 women’s wrestling team faced an unfortunate setback at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, after missing their scheduled flight back home following their triumphant performance at the World Championships. The team, comprising nine wrestlers and three coaches, was booked on separate flights, leading to the confusion and delay.

The coaches, Jai Bhagwan, Shilpi Sheoran, and Rekha Rani, were scheduled to depart on an Emirates flight (EK904) at 6:10 pm with a stopover in Dubai. Their connecting flight was set for 3:55 am, with an estimated arrival time of 9:05 am in Delhi.

However, the wrestlers’ flight (QR401) with Qatar Airways was initially scheduled to depart at 8:30 pm and arrive in Doha at 11:10 pm. However, the flight status indicated that it had departed at 6:18 pm, raising concerns about whether it had been rescheduled.

Sources within the Indian contingent expressed frustration over the separate flight arrangements for the coaches and wrestlers, particularly given the young age of the athletes. “The young women wrestlers have missed the flight. There is a lot of confusion what actually happened. The young wrestlers should not have been booked in a separate flight. SAI should have booked them in the same flight. They are kids,” said a source.

Efforts were underway to secure the wrestlers on the first available flight, with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) working to make arrangements for their overnight stay. “See, the WFI is suspended. We are not in full control. We never book young wrestlers and coaches in separate flights. Arrangements are now being made for wrestlers’ overnight stay, there is no flight available for Saturday. They will be booked in the first available flight,” said a WFI official.

The Indian women’s wrestling team had a remarkable performance at the World Championships, winning its first-ever team title with 185 points. They secured five gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals, entering nine weight categories.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Dream Ends in Heartbreak

Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic Dream Ends in Heartbreak

Vinesh Phogat’s illustrious wrestling career came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. The 29-year-old, who has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade, was disqualified from the final due to being 100 grams overweight.

Phogat had qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 50kg weight category, having dropped down from her usual 53kg. She faced a daunting task in her opening bout against defending champion Yui Susaki, who had been unbeaten since 2010. However, Phogat pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory, leaving her in tears of joy.

She continued her impressive run by defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarter-final and Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman in the semi-final. But her hopes of a gold medal were dashed when she failed to make weight for the final.

Phogat’s disqualification sent shockwaves through the wrestling community. She immediately announced her retirement, citing the incident as the final straw in a series of setbacks. Last year, she had been involved in protests against the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Singh.

Former Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra expressed his sympathy for Phogat, but emphasized the importance of adhering to the rules of the sport. “Sport is always governed by rules,” he said. “If you don’t govern sport by rules then there is no sport.”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was scheduled to give its verdict on Phogat’s appeal for a joint silver medal on Saturday, but the decision has been postponed.

Phogat’s disqualification marks a sad end to a remarkable career. She has won two World Championship bronze medals, three Commonwealth Games gold medals, and multiple medals in Asian Games and Asian Championships. Her determination and fighting spirit have inspired countless young wrestlers in India.

Lebrun Brothers: French Table Tennis's Rising Stars

Lebrun Brothers: French Table Tennis’s Rising Stars

In the heart of Paris, the Lebrun brothers, Felix and Alexis, are making history in French table tennis. Their journey began at a tender age, with Felix’s unwavering desire to join his father in the sport.

Growing up in a family of paddlers, the brothers were exposed to the game from an early age. Their father, Stephane, and uncle, Christophe Legout, were both accomplished table tennis players. While they dabbled in other sports, ping pong remained their true calling.

Felix, the younger brother, quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the world No.5 and the only non-Chinese player in the top five. Alexis, ranked 16th, has also made his mark, notably defeating the then world No.1 Fan Zhendong last year.

Together, they led the French team to silver at the World Team Championships in Busan, losing only to China. Their rise to global stardom is attributed to their intense training with each other during the Covid pandemic and the guidance of their first coach, Nathanael Molin.

Felix has captured the 2023 European Games gold and several WTT Contender titles, while Alexis has won three consecutive national titles. Their success has made them future challengers to the Chinese dominance in the sport.

Despite their sibling rivalry, the Lebruns share a close bond. Alexis is proud of his brother’s achievements, while Felix acknowledges his brother’s superiority in official matches.

Off the court, they spend time together traveling, playing games, and discussing table tennis. Their mother, Dominique, is overjoyed by their success and the strong bond they share.

The Lebrun brothers are determined to continue their ascent in the rankings, win major tournaments, and break new ground in world table tennis. Their journey is a testament to their talent, hard work, and the unwavering support of their family.

Neeraj Chopra Confident of Strong Return to Outdoor Competition

Neeraj Chopra Confident of Strong Return to Outdoor Competition

Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, is gearing up for his return to outdoor competition in 2024. The 26-year-old is currently training in Turkey and is confident of being in top form for the upcoming season.

Chopra’s preparation for the Tokyo Olympics was hampered by injuries, but he has since bounced back strongly. He won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships and set a new personal best of 89.94 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League meet.

“I want to be in the best possible shape before Paris,” Chopra said. “My training sessions have gone off really well so far. I always lay stress on fitness along with strength and technique.”

Chopra is not setting any specific targets for the upcoming season, but he is confident of continuing his good form.

“I have won medals in two World Championships, threw my personal best, won a dream Diamond League title, and even defended my gold at the Asian Games,” he said. “All in all, I have been in great space and want to carry forward that momentum from May onwards.”

Chopra is aware of the increasing competition in javelin throw, but he is not fazed by it.

“What matters to me is staying 100 percent fit, being consistent during the season, and delivering on the day that matters,” he said. “I think there are mistakes to fix and looking at the increasing competition all around, one has to keep improving.”

Chopra is a role model for young athletes in India and is an inspiration to many. He is a true champion and a credit to his country.

B Sai Praneeth Announces Retirement from International Badminton

B Sai Praneeth Announces Retirement from International Badminton

B Sai Praneeth, the former world number 10 and bronze medalist at the 2019 World Championships, has announced his retirement from international badminton. The 31-year-old from Hyderabad has been battling nagging injuries since the Tokyo Olympics and has decided to hang up his boots.

Praneeth’s career spanned over two decades, during which he achieved some notable milestones. He won the Singapore Open Super Series in 2017 and became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinals of the World Championships in 2019. He also represented India at the Tokyo Olympics but failed to make a mark, losing all his matches in the group stage.

Despite the setbacks, Praneeth remained a respected figure in the badminton world. He was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to produce stunning upsets. He defeated some of the top players in the world, including Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, and Viktor Axelsen.

Praneeth’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian badminton. He was one of the most successful male shuttlers in the country and his achievements inspired a generation of young players. He will be remembered as a true champion and a role model for aspiring badminton players.

In his retirement announcement, Praneeth expressed his gratitude to his family, coaches, and the Badminton Association of India for their support throughout his career. He also thanked his fans for their unwavering belief in him.

Praneeth is now set to embark on a new chapter in his life. He will be joining the Triangle Badminton Academy in the USA as a head coach next month. He is excited about this new challenge and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with young players.

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