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Avani shot a total of 1159 across the three stages of kneeling, prone and standing while Mona aggregated 1147.India's Avani Lekhara, centre, and Mona Agarwal, right, pose for photos after winning the gold medal and bronze medal repectively in the women's 10m air rifle (SH1) event at Paralympics 2024.Credit: PTI Photo Chateauroux: India's ace shooter Avani Lekhara entered the final of the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition after finishing the qualification in seventh place at the ongoing Paralympics here on Tuesday.The other Indian shooter in the field, Mona Agarwal, however, could not clear the qualification hurdle and ended in the 13th position.Avani shot a total of 1159 across the three stages of kneeling, prone and standing while Mona aggregated 1147.The top eight shooters from the qualification progress to the finals.This SH1 class is designated for athletes with lower limb impairment for competition in rifle shooting events.After kneeling and prone, Avani was holding on to the eighth position and Mona was 15th. Having started the standing stage with a disappointing 92, back-to back series of 96 lifted her into the seventh position, and a 97, in the last series, further brightened her prospects of reaching the final.The 22-year-old Avani, paralysed waist-down owing to a car accident that she suffered as an 11-year-old, claimed a landmark gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle SH1 event last Friday. In the same event, Mona bagged a bronze.She successfully defended her title three years after taking the Tokyo Games by storm, becoming the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games with a record score of 249.7 in the final.However, Avani could not replicate that form in the mixed 10m air prone SH1 event on Sunday, and ended the competition in the 11th position with a total score of 632.8.Also Read: Which country will win most medals at Paris Olympics?
Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo Journey: A Tale of Grace, Greatness, and Unwavering DeterminationNeeraj Chopra's journey to Olympic success wasn't a mere dream; it was the result of three years of relentless dedication and consistent performance. At just 26 years old, Chopra has delivered remarkable results at two World Championships, an Asian Games, and now, at the Tokyo Olympics, Indians are beginning to realize just how fortunate they are to witness such an extraordinary talent.The 2024 Olympics have exposed India's shortcomings in sports, with only four bronze medals across two disciplines and a series of heartbreaking 4th place finishes in the first ten days in Paris. The thought of a silver or gold medal seemed almost impossible, especially after the tragic turn of events with Vinesh Phogat. Yet, amidst the gloom and doubt, Neeraj Chopra emerged, delivering a silver medal on a day when Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem threw an Olympic record of 92.97m to win his country's first-ever individual gold medal.With an almost surreal confidence, India began to entertain the possibility of gold. This newfound ambition, the calm assurance, and the ease with which people now consider the idea of contending for gold, marks a significant shift in a nation that has long been self-conscious about its meager Olympic medal count.However, there were no guarantees—this was the Olympics, after all. But in these Games, India experienced both the best and worst of times, with Neeraj Chopra ensuring the former. In the wake of the Vinesh Phogat shock and with few medals outside of Chateauroux, Chopra became the nation's only beacon of hope for gold.India's golden era in hockey is a distant memory, and with just two individual golds in nearly a century of Olympic participation, there was little reason for India to dream of gold. Yet, Chopra's Tokyo journey was no fluke. It took three years of consistent brilliance for Indians to start believing in the exceptional talent they have in Neeraj Chopra—a true force in the world of track and field.Chopra is not one to indulge in the national pastime of underperforming on the global stage. His success stands in stark contrast to the self-criticism that often follows India's sports failures. Unaccustomed to such elite greatness, Indians are still getting used to the idea of seeing one of their own consistently on the podium, though they haven't yet developed an entitlement to gold every time—thankfully.The humble and unfazed Chopra has established a unique, toxicity-free bond with his countrymen. They watch him chase gold without overwhelming him with unrealistic expectations, while Chopra, in turn, consistently delivers performances that leave the nation in awe. He's managed to keep the often-criticized Indian sports fans grounded and content, even as the prospect of a 90+ meter throw in Paris looms.Unlike cricket, where millions of young Indians aspire to follow in the footsteps of their heroes, javelin isn't a sport that sees thousands flocking to replicate Chopra's success. Yet, there is a growing realization that we are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime global phenomenon. Chopra carries no airs, preferring to spend his time training with athletes from various disciplines and devoting months to honing his craft in quiet isolation abroad.Chopra remains immune to controversies—political or personal—because he approaches them with sincerity and decency, snuffing out any attempts at creating mischief. This approach may be a bit dull for the sensationalism-driven Indian media, but it works spectacularly for Chopra.His love for javelin is unwavering, and he dedicates entire seasons to perfecting his technique, undistracted by fame or arrogance. He makes the occasional appearance in TV commercials, meets people with genuine warmth, supports friends like Vinesh Phogat in their times of need, and pursues excellence without succumbing to the trappings of celebrity.Make no mistake, Neeraj Chopra is aware of his unique position. He knows that he is adored as long as he continues to bring home medals. But he is not beholden to anyone's expectations. He doesn't flaunt false humility or bow down to those in power. Instead, he quietly goes about his business, delivering on the big stage time and time again.At the age of 20, Chopra said, "If you think about the big numbers and names, you're competing only against the others. To me, what's important is that I compete against the best I have within me and try to beat that. Everything else will fall in place." Within himself, Chopra found his ambition, and in Chopra, India found its symbol of graceful greatness.FAQs About Neeraj Chopra and His JourneyWhat made Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo journey special?Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo journey was the culmination of three years of relentless dedication and consistent performance, leading to a historic silver medal at the Olympics.How has Neeraj Chopra impacted Indian sports?Neeraj Chopra has changed the narrative around Indian sports, instilling belief in a nation that has long struggled with Olympic success.What was Neeraj Chopra's biggest achievement in Tokyo?Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics, reaffirming his status as one of India's greatest athletes.How does Neeraj Chopra handle pressure and expectations?Chopra remains calm and focused, avoiding unnecessary distractions and controversies, and dedicating himself entirely to his sport.What is Neeraj Chopra's approach to training?Chopra is known for his rigorous training regimen, often spending months abroad to perfect his technique and maintain consistency.Why is Neeraj Chopra's success significant for India?Chopra's success is significant because it represents a shift in India's mindset, from accepting mediocrity to believing in the possibility of Olympic greatness.How has Neeraj Chopra remained humble despite his fame?Chopra stays grounded by focusing on his love for javelin and avoiding the trappings of celebrity life, maintaining genuine relationships with those around him.What challenges did Neeraj Chopra face on his journey?Chopra faced the usual challenges of elite sports, including injuries and intense competition, but his determination and focus helped him overcome them.What advice has Neeraj Chopra given to aspiring athletes?Chopra emphasizes the importance of competing against oneself, striving to improve with each performance rather than focusing solely on beating others.What is Neeraj Chopra's legacy in Indian sports?Neeraj Chopra's legacy is that of a trailblazer who has redefined Indian sports, showing that consistent hard work and dedication can lead to global greatness.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is set to impose a three-year ban on wrestler Antim Panghal, according to a source who spoke to PTI on Thursday.Panghal's actions during the Olympics brought shame to the Indian contingent when she attempted to use her accreditation card to grant her sister access to the Athletes Village.On Wednesday, Panghal was eliminated from the Olympic competition after suffering a defeat in her first match in the women's 53kg weight class."The decision will be formally announced after she reaches India," the contingent source said.The breach of conduct was deemed serious enough to warrant their immediate return to India."Her sister was caught for impersonation and was taken to a police station to record her statement," a source had revealed last night.Also Read: Paris Olympics Day 13 Schedule
Paris Olympics: Heartbreaking Disqualification for Vinesh PhogatIndian wrestler Vinesh Phogat faced a devastating setback at the Paris Olympics, as she was found marginally over the weight limit on the second day of competition in the 50 kg category. This disqualification means she will not compete for a medal on Wednesday evening.In an unfortunate turn of events, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics after being slightly above the 50 kg weight limit on the morning of her gold medal bout. Despite the Indian team's best efforts through the night, she was just a few grams over the required weight.The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed their regret in a statement: "It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand."Sources earlier indicated that Vinesh was approximately 100 grams over the permissible limit, leading to her disqualification. As per competition rules, this means she is not eligible even for a silver medal. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) later confirmed that Vinesh will be replaced by Yusneylis Guzman, the Cuban wrestler she defeated in the semi-final, in the gold-medal bout.The IOC statement read: "According to article 11 of the International Wrestling Rules, Vinesh will be replaced by the wrestler who lost against her in the Semifinal. Therefore Guzman Lopez Yusneylis (CUB) will compete in the Final. Repechage SUSAKI Yui (JPN) vs LIVACH Oksana (UKR) will become the Bronze Medal Match."Vinesh made the weight for Tuesday’s bouts, but competition rules require wrestlers to remain within their weight category on both days of the event.Also Read: Paris 2024 Olympics - Latest News, Schedules & Results
Paris Olympics 2024, Day 11 Live Updates: Vinesh Phogat stunned Olympic champion Yui Susaki and then won her quarterfinal bout as well in women's 50kg wrestling. She is now one win away from confirming her first Olympic medal. Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra qualified for the men's javelin final with a monster throw of 89.34m in his first attempt.Paris Olympics 2024, Day 11 Live Updates:Vinesh Phogat, looking for her first medal in her third Olympic appearance, started off in extraordinary fashion, stunning defending champion and the seemingly inconquerable Yui Susaki of Japan to go through to the women's 50kg quarterfinal. She then went on to win her quarterfinal bout as well and is now just one win away from confirming at least a silver medal for herself. Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra started his gold medal defence by qualifying for the final in men's javelin with a monster throw of 89.30m in his first attempt itself. Earlier, Meanwhile, the men's table tennis team lost to China in the pre-quarterfinal.Vinesh now faces 2018 world championship bronze medallist Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarterfinal. Vinesh was the medal contender at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 for India. Her campaign in 2016 came to an end due to a career-threatening injury during the tournament while she missed out on a medal in Tokyo and later revealed that she was managing another injury during the tournament.Day 10 turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions for India with athletes from the country finishing in fourth places in two different events. Badminton star Lakshya Sen, looking to become the first Indian man to win a singles medal at the Olympics and the third from his country to do so overall, got off to a good start but ultimately lost 21-13 16-21 11-21 defeat against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia. In shooting, Maheshwari Singh, Anant Jeet Singh reached the bronze medal match of mixed skeet, but lost in the medal encounter.In table tennis, India managed to seal a 3-2 win vs Romania in the team round of 16 and booked a quarter-final berth. In athletics, Kiran Pahal finished in seventh position in her Round 1 heat of women's 400m, and into the repechage stage. Meanwhile, Avinash Sable bagged fifth spot in men's 3000m steeplechase Round 1 Heat 2, and is through to the final. Nisha Dahiya was left extremely disappointed in wrestling, losing to North Korea's Pak Sol Gum in the quarters. She sustained a shoulder injury and is also out of repechage, which was confirmed after Pak's semi-final defeat.Also Read: Neeraj Chopra, who has gained unlikely stardom in India, closes in on another javelin success
India’s Neeraj Chopra has breezed through to the men’s javelin final after an impressive qualification round.The 26-year-old qualified in first place with a season-best throw of 89.34m.“It was a good throw. Maybe the biggest ever in qualifying for me. All the throwers look in good shape. The final will be a really good competition for sure,” he said after qualifying.Chopra will be looking to add yet another medal to his growing list of achievements in Paris, as he continues to cement himself as one of the brightest talents in track and field.After winning Olympic gold in Tokyo three years ago – the first Asian athlete to do so in the javelin – Chopra was crowned world champion in Budapest last year, becoming the first Indian to win a world title in a track and field event of any kind.It perhaps comes as no surprise, given his historic career to date, that the understated athlete has proven a hit back in India.Also Read: Which country will win most medals at Paris Olympics?
India finished 48th in the Tokyo Olympics medals table with 1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals. This total tally of seven medals marks India's best performance at the Olympics to date. The expectations for the Paris Olympics are high, with hopes of rising from the top 50 in Tokyo to potentially breaking into the top 30. However, according to medal projections by Nielsen's Gracenote Sports, a provider of statistical analysis, India is not expected to be in the top 30.As usual, the United States is anticipated to win the most medals, although China may surpass them in terms of gold medals, according to Gracenote's predictions. The United States is projected to win 112 medals in total, comprising 39 gold, 32 silver, and 41 bronze. China is expected to secure 86 medals, including 34 gold, 27 silver, and 25 bronze.In the Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 due to the pandemic, the United States topped both the overall medal count and the gold medal tally, leaving China in second place. Gracenote bases its rankings on the total number of medals won, although some other rankings prioritize the number of gold medals earned.The United States is projected to lead the medal count for the eighth consecutive Summer Games. The last time the US did not top the overall medal count was in 1992 in Barcelona, when the Unified Team, comprised of athletes from the dissolved Soviet Union, took the top spot. The last time the US didn't secure the highest number of gold medals was in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics.Following the United States and China, the countries expected to perform well in both overall and gold medal counts are: Britain (63 total, 17 gold), France (60 total, 27 gold), Australia (54 total, 15 gold), Japan (47 total, 13 gold), Italy (46 total, 11 gold), Germany (35 total, 11 gold), Netherlands (34 total, 16 gold), and South Korea (26 total, 9 gold).Rounding out the top 20 are: Canada (21 total, 7 gold), Hungary (20 total, 7 gold), Brazil (18 total, 8 gold), Spain (18 total, 5 gold), Poland (17 total, 3 gold), Denmark (14 total, 5 gold), Turkey (14 total, 4 gold), New Zealand (14 total, 4 gold), Ukraine (13 total, 2 gold), and Ethiopia (12 total, 6 gold).France, as the host nation, is expected to see its medal count soar, potentially tripling their gold medal haul from the Tokyo Games. The medals for the Paris Olympics will be unique, featuring a small piece of the iconic Eiffel Tower embedded within them.Hosting the Olympics often leads to increased investment in sports and the advantage of competing on home turf, boosting athletes' performances. For instance, Japan achieved a record-breaking 58 total medals, including 27 gold, when they hosted the Tokyo Olympics. However, their medal count is likely to decrease this time around.The suspension of Russian and Belarusian participation due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is expected to have an impact. In the previous Tokyo Olympics, over 300 Russian athletes competed, but this time, their numbers may be reduced to just a handful, competing as 'Neutral Athletes' and not representing their respective countries. The IOC has mandated that any medals won by these athletes will not be included in the official medal table.Also Read: Paris 2024 Olympics - Latest News, Schedules & Results
Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI are in the final stages of negotiating his salary. Once his remuneration is settled, the BCCI will officially announce him as India's next head coach. Following Rahul Dravid's departure after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, Gambhir emerged as the leading candidate for the position. He was among the two applicants, along with WV Raman, who underwent interviews conducted by the Cricket Advisory Committee consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik. Numerous reports strongly indicate that Gambhir is set to assume the role.Recently, Gambhir was seen filming a farewell video at Eden Gardens, marking the end of his tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he played a pivotal role in their IPL championship after a decade. Despite Gambhir's apparent candidacy, the delay in the announcement primarily stems from ongoing negotiations over his salary. According to reports from The Indian Express, these negotiations are nearing conclusion.The BCCI had advertised the position with negotiable remuneration based on experience. Gambhir is expected to command a higher salary than his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, who earned approximately 12 crore annually.This will mark Gambhir's first national-level coaching assignment, having previously served as mentor for teams in the IPL. Currently, India's team in Zimbabwe is under the guidance of NCA head VVS Laxman. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed India's upcoming white-ball series in Sri Lanka will have a new head coach in charge.Additionally, the BCCI plans to invite applications for the team’s support staff following the end of tenures for batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip post-T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Gambhir is expected to have autonomy in selecting his support staff once the application process is completed.
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