Indian boxing endured a turbulent year marred by coaching turmoil, crushing defeats, and a medal-less Paris Olympics campaign, all of it made worse by the national federation's negligence that brought unprecedented embarrassment to the country. There were very few positives to count in a year when, after a widely successful 2023, expectations were sky-high. Yet no boxer was able to add to the three bronze medals -- Vijender Singh (2008), M C Mary Kom (2012) and Lovlina Borgohain (2021) -- that India had secured in the previous editions of the Olympics. Nishant Dev, unlucky to miss out on an Olympic medal, was India's top performer but the likes of world champions Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina disappointed despite widely held belief that fortunes of women's boxing were following an upward trajectory. Outside the ring, the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) negligence cost India an Olympic quota even as administrators globally scrambled to retain the sport on the Olympic roster. Controversy and coaching crisis The dismal performance at the first World Qualifying Tournament, where all nine boxers failed to secure a spot at the Paris Games, prompted High Performance Director Bernard Dunne to resign from his position while still in Italy, less than four months before the Olympics. It wasn't just the defeats that were troubling, but the manner in which the boxers lost that was truly disheartening. Frequent knockouts and RSC out-classed defeats pointed to inherent technical flaws which had not been addressed. With the exception of Nishant, there was hardly any name in Indian boxing who could be spoken about as a success story. Adding to the woes, the country soon lost the women's 57kg Olympic quota, won by Parveen Hooda at the Asian Games last year, after the boxer was handed a 22-month suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for three whereabouts failures within a year. The 2022 World Championship bronze-medallist failed to submit her whereabouts for the period between April 2022 and March 2023, as mandated by WADA regulations. The BFI was also to blame for this unprecedented embarrassment given that federation is duly notified of such a lapse by the international body. The federation ought to have intervened to ensure that the athlete submitted the required details on time. As a result, India had to fight afresh for qualification in the women's 57kg category, the spot ultimately going to Jaismine Lamboria in the final Olympic Qualifiers. There were wholesale changes for this event with former Asian Games gold-medallist Amit Panghal replacing Deepak Bhoria in the 51kg category. Eventually Panghal and Nishant made the cut for the quadrennial spectacle along with Jaismine, adding to the three quotas won by Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Lovlina (75kg) last year. In all, six boxers qualified for Paris, a decline from the five men and four woman who represented India in the 2021 Tokyo Games. Barren Olympics, Nishant's heartbreak Heading into the big event on the back of two consecutive World Championship titles, Zareen was hailed as one of India's strongest medal contenders. However, in the fiercely competitive 50kg category, the Telangana boxer was completely outclassed by China's Wu Yu in a brutally one-sided bout. Zareen, unable to match the relentless pace of her opponent, later said that she had "not eaten for the last two days to maintain weight" and felt weak. A win away from a second consecutive Olympic medal, Lovlina too went down to a Chinese boxer. The Tokyo Games bronze winner couldn't get past familiar foe Li Qian. For Panghal, who was handed a fairly easy draw, it was deja vu as he made yet another pre-quarterfinal exit from the Olympics. The most heartbreaking loss, however, was endured by Nishant. The 23-year-old was defeated 1-4 by Mexico's Marco Verde Alvarez in the 71kg quarterfinal, despite appearing to dominate the bout. This outcome reignited the fierce debate and outrage over judging. The devastating result denied Nishant, the 2023 world championship bronze-medallist, a podium finish in his debut games as the Indian boxing contingent returned empty-handed from Paris. The sport has been dormant ever since. The boxers haven't competed in any tournament with the BFI deciding against sending a team for the Asian Championships. India joins World Boxing With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatening to leave boxing out of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if national federations continued to align themselves with the suspended International Boxing Association (IBA), India joined the breakaway World Boxing (WB). However, the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) voted against leaving the IBA to join the rival association. But BFI reaffirmed its support in WB, which also has the backing of the IOC, by successfully bidding for the hosting rights of the World Boxing Cup Finals next year. The sport's future though remains shrouded in uncertainty and it remains to be seen whether it can manage to hold its place in the Olympics. (With agency inputs)
23 December,2024 12:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe year 2024 has been monumental for Indian sports, with the nation achieving unprecedented success on the global stage. From record-breaking performances at the Paris Paralympic Games to historic wins in chess, India has showcased its rising prowess in multiple disciplines. These remarkable feats, supported by groundbreaking initiatives and a renewed focus on athlete empowerment, reflect the nation's commitment to fostering sporting excellence and inspiring future generations. India concluded its participation in the Paris Olympic Games 2024 (July 26 to August 11) with a remarkable haul of 6 medals, including 1 silver and 5 bronze. The shooting discipline was pivotal in this achievement, with athletes Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Swapnil Kusale bringing home three bronze medals. Additionally, Neeraj Chopra earned a silver medal in Javelin Throw, Aman Sehrawat claimed a bronze in Wrestling, and the Indian Hockey Team successfully defended its bronze medal. In a moment of national pride, all medal-winning athletes were invited as special guests during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15, 2024. Following this, they interacted with the Hon'ble Prime Minister. The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, saw India making history with its largest-ever contingent. India's athletes delivered an exceptional performance, winning 29 medals, including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze, securing 18th place in the medal tally. This historic performance marks the country's best-ever achievement in Paralympic history. India's chess prowess reached new heights at the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, where the Indian Men's and Women's Chess Teams made history by winning gold medals. The men's team, with stellar players like Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vidit Gujrathi, dominated the competition, winning 10 out of 11 matches and defeating Slovenia in the final round. Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi earned individual gold medals for their exceptional performances. The Indian women's chess team, consisting of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Dshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, overcame early setbacks to defeat Azerbaijan in the final round, securing the title. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's young chess players for their historic achievement and the victorious teams were felicitated by the Prime Minster in New Delhi, celebrating this remarkable achievement in Indian chess history. In the end, D Gukesh also made history as the youngest World Chess Champion by defeating China's Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore held from November 25-December 12. At the age of 18 years, Gukesh became the youngest FIDE World Championship title winner in history. The ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women through Action) Women's Leagues have been conducted across 20 sports disciplines throughout the country, focusing on engaging women athletes from even the smallest towns and villages. With 766 competitions held so far, 83,763 women athletes have participated in the initiative, further strengthening India's commitment to empowering women in sports. The KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification) program has made significant strides in identifying young sports talent across India. Two phases of the program have been completed, utilizing modern technology and best practices. Over 1.8 lakh assessments have been conducted nationwide to identify school-going children between the ages of 9 and 18, ensuring a seamless and efficient talent identification system. The RESET (Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training) Programme was launched on 29th August 2024 to empower retired athletes. The program equips retired sportspersons with the necessary knowledge and skills, making them more employable in various career sectors. A total of 30 trainees from 14 States/UTs across 18 disciplines have completed the training so far. (With ANI inputs)
23 December,2024 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGolf superstar Tiger Woods was thrilled by son Charlie's first hole-in-one, but Team Langer got the better of the Woods duo in a playoff for the PNC Championship family golf event crown on Sunday. The ace by 15-year-old Charlie Woods at the 176-yard, par-three fourth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando briefly lifted the duo into the solo lead in the 36-hole two-player scramble event. The youngster watched his seven-iron shot as far as he could, but it took the cheers from the crowd to let him know it had landed some six feet from the pin and rolled into the cup. A beaming Tiger Woods gave his son a hard hug, then a playful shove in celebration. "It was a perfect seven-iron, so just kind of hit it," Charlie Woods told Golf Channel as he walked toward the fourth green. CHARLIE WOODS GETS HIS FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE RIGHT IN FRONT OF TIGER!📺 : Peacock and Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/hbUVshSbYT — NBC Sports (@NBCSports) December 22, 2024 "It was awesome! I didn't think it went in." The elder Woods called it "an unbelievable moment". "That two-hole stretch, that was his first eagle he ever made out there on three, and then his first hole-in-one," the 15-time major champion said. After grabbing a share of the overnight lead with a first-round 59, the Woods duo combined for a 57 on Sunday and a record-setting 36-hole score of 28-under. But two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer and his son Jason, who were in the three-way tie for the lead to start the day, posted the same score. Also Read: Tiger Woods opts out of Hero World Challenge in Bahamas At the first playoff hole, Bernhard Langer curled in an eagle putt to seal the duo's second straight victory in the 20-team event. Langer has now won six PNC titles -- four with Jason and two with son Stefan. Despite the tournament's laid-back atmosphere, there were plenty of fireworks on Sunday. Paddy Harrington, son of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, also had a hole-in-one, saying his ace at the par-three eighth was the first of his life. "I've never been as excited," Padraig Harrington said. "I've never hit a shot that I've been as excited." The event was a chance for Tiger Woods, who turns 49 on December 30, to get a taste of some friendly competition for the first time since he missed the cut at the British Open at Royal Troon. Woods, whose 82 US PGA Tour titles are tied with Sam Snead for most in history, has said he has a long way to go to be ready to return to elite tournament play after undergoing a sixth back surgery in September. He also continues to deal with lower leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash, but was able to walk rather than use a cart for both rounds in Orlando, where the rules would have allowed it. "I did a few things here and there," Woods said, but added that for him the week "is all about family". "This is about bonding and it's about having a great time, and we did that," said Woods, whose daughter Sam caddied for him. (With AFP inputs)
23 December,2024 11:16 AM IST | Miami | mid-day online correspondentSantissimo, trained by Pesi Shroff, put in a sensational gallop in the hands of champion British jockey Oisin Murphy, to authoritatively win the HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1), the feature event of Sunday's eight-race card at the Mahalaxmi racetrack. Racing an unperturbed second behind runaway leader Shambala (P Trevor up) all the way until the final turn, Murphy nudged the three-year-old colt soon after turning for home. Santissimo gradually bridged the gap, and when Murphy asked him to really go for the kill, the Gusto - Beldon Hill colt unleashed such a sensational gallop that it was all over bar the shouting. In solitary glory Santissimo sailed away for a comfortable three-length victory. Shambala and P Trevor rather courageously held on to second place despite shortening strides, as neither African Gold nor Psychic Star, despite all-out efforts by their riders, could get to his haunches. Santissimo, bred at the Track Supreme farm, clocked 1m:35.412s for the mile trip. Owners' prideSantissimo raced in the colours of Gautam Lala who owns him in partnership with Kishore P Rungta, Joydeep Datta Gupta, Saleem Fazelbhoy and Achuthan Siddharth. "Winning a Classic at home (Mumbai) is a great thing--it's a top-of-the-world feeling," Gautam Lala said after the trophy presentation ceremony. The other owners expressed their admiration for trainer Pesi Shroff and his wife Tina for taking good care of Santissimo and planning his racing career. Jock talkInterestingly, this was Oisin Murphy's third visit to India since last year, and he kept up the unique record of riding a Classic winner for trainer Shroff during every visit. Last season he won the Indian 1000 Guineas and Oaks astride Jendayi, and added the 2000 Guineas this season. Murphy said he was very pleased with Santissimo's performance. "I was never worried in the race because I was riding a very good horse, trained by Pesi shroff," he said, before adding, "Pesi also picked up a Classic last Sunday, so that tells you what a great trainer he is." Family affair"I am blessed with good horses, and a very good team," Pesi Shroff said after collecting the trophy, reserving special praise for his assistants Tushar Nemane and Imran, before making clear his family is also part of his team. "My wife Tina is the force behind my stable," Shroff said,"son Yohan plays the strategist, and my daughter Anya is the lucky charm."
23 December,2024 06:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviTyson Fury insisted Oleksandr Usyk got an early Christmas gift from the judges after the Ukrainian won their heavyweight championship rematch overnight on Saturday. The “Gypsy King”, who was non-committal about his future, insisted he had won the fight that was scored 116-112 by all three officials in a unanimous decision. The 36-year-old Fury, unbeaten until he first met Usyk in their four-belt unification fight in May, departs Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena with two defeats on his record. “Listen, it is what it is. I’m not going to cry over spilt milk, it’s happened now,” said Fury. “I know boxing, I’ve been in it all my life — you can’t change no decisions. But I feel a little bit hard done by, actually a lot.” He added: “There was a little bit of Christmas spirit in there. He got a little Christmas gift.” Asked whether the public would see him fight again, Fury said: “You might do, you might not do. Who knows?” Promoter Frank Warren also claimed victory for Fury, calling the decision “nuts.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 December,2024 06:21 AM IST | Riyadh | AFPA small field of six three-year-olds will face the starter in the Gr 1, HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas, the feature event of Sunday's eight-race card at Mahalaxmi. African Gold, unbeaten in five starts, will be the most fancied despite the fact that statistical data is not exactly in favour of outstation horses encountering the Mahalaxmi racetrack for the first time. But the Multidimensional - Botswana three-year-old trained by Parvati Byramji, may prove a hard nut to crack over the mile trip. Santissimo is expected to put up a stiff fight in the hands of Irishman Oisin Murphy who, surprisingly, hasn't been given an acclimatizing ride before the big race. It will perhaps be an uphill task for Psychic Star who will attempt to win her straight third group race in less than a month. Shambala has taken a dramatic jump in fitness when winning his last race, and may put up a bold show though he will be venturing beyond six furlongs for the first time. Also Read: A fraction of his IQ! First race at 1 pm.Selections: Trouvaille Trophy (For 5y&o, Class V; 1400m)Northbound 1, Precioso 2, High Spirit 3. KM Munshi Trophy (Class II; 1200m)Fighton 1, Ataash 2. Ahead Of My Time Trophy (For 2y, Maidens; 1000m)Diligence 1, Marissa 2, Elusive Art 3. Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa-Area Trophy (Class III; 2000m)Alexandros 1, Eaton Square 2, Booster Shot 3. Gulamhusein Essaji Trophy (Class IV; 1600m)Ataturk 1, Substantial 2, Scaramouche 3. Faiz Jasdanwalla Trophy (For 3y, Maidens, Class IV; 1400m)Red Mist 1, Star Impact 2, Chardikala 3. HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas - Gr 1 (For 3y; 1600m)African Gold 1, Santissimo 2, Psychic Star 3. Lagarde Trophy (For 4y&o, Class IV; 1200m)Axlrod 1, The General 2, Majestic Warrior 3. RecommendationsBest bet: Red Mist (6-2)Upsets: Milli (1-2) & Rush (8-7) Today's poolsSuper jackpot pool: 3,4,5,6,7,8Jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8Treble pools: I - 2,3,4; II - 5,6,7Tanala pool: All races.
22 December,2024 03:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviThe picturesque Qutub Golf Course will play host to the inaugural Qutab Golf League (QGL) on January 4. While golf lovers in the Capital love the fact that the venue is one with a difference (one of the few courses open to public), the league also has a Mumbai connection. Mighty Pathans are owned by Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and Victorious Endeavours are owned by Rahul Mehta, whose sports development company is headquartered in Mumbai. Also Read: Mumbai fourth with win over Chennaiyin When asked what made him get involved in a Delhi-based league, Mehta said: “We are a company that is open to expanding our horizons. After an enriching experience of featuring in the Delhi Golf Club League in October, we are keen on carrying it further. Our interest in the QGL is also a step in trying to explore all options in developing the sport, where all stakeholders, including amateurs and professionals, benefit from it.” The other interest Mehta has in this Delhi-based league is golf tourism. “With golf leagues mushrooming in all big cities in the country, we are also looking at golf tourism. In short, we are here to stay on course for a long game.” Each team will comprise 16 players, 12 of whom will be picked by owners and the remaining four procured through an auction that took place on Wednesday. A total of 160 players will contest in the QGL. The QGL is brainchild of Game of Life Sports (GOLS) promoted by avid golf lovers Amit Kharbanda and Samant Sikka who have partnered with Digraj Golf Inc.
22 December,2024 08:06 AM IST | New Delhi | Neeru BhatiaIndia has been awarded the hosting rights for next year’s Junior World Cup involving competitions in rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) said on Saturday. Also Read: Man Utd ‘more in control’ under Amorim: Bournemouth boss Iraola This will be the country’s third top International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) event in recent times after the senior World Cup in Bhopal in 2023 and the season-ending World Cup Final earlier this year, reinforcing India’s stature as one of the sport’s top destinations in the world. The dates of the tournament though are yet to be finalised. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 December,2024 08:01 AM IST | New Delhi | PTISunday's HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1) at the Mahalaxmi racetrack has only six runners in the fray. This is one of the smallest 2000 Guineas fields in several years--and there is a reason. African Gold, the Multidimensional - Botswana three-year-old trained by the Bangalore-based trainer Ms Parvati Byramji, has arrived at Mahalaxmi for the big race. Ms Ameeta Mehra, owner of the Usha stud, is keeping her fingers crossed for a back-to-back 2000 Guineas victory after Synthesis last year ended a 13-year drought in this race for her farm. "Hope Usha (stud) can do it again this year! I believe African Gold has a good chance to win," Ameeta Mehra told mid-day on Friday, "in fact, if African Gold were to win, it would make his sire (father) Multidimensional one of the rare few stallions to sire the winner of all the Indian Classics, including the Sprinters', Stayers', the Super Mile and the Invitation Cup!" African Gold has won all his five starts, including the Colts' Championship Stakes both at Bangalore and Hyderabad. The champion horse, however, will have to contend with the champion trainer--Pesi Shroff, who has pitched in three of the five horses taking him on. Among them is Santissimo (Gusto - Beldon Hill), who was involved in a photo finish with African Gold in their only encounter more than four months ago at Bangalore over the same trip (1600m). Shroff is clearly leaving nothing to chance, going by the fact that he has asked Irish jockey Oisin Murphy to specially fly in to ride Santissimo on Sunday. The champion western India trainer has also pitched in Psychic Star (Multitude - Psychic Light), incidentally, the only filly in the fray, who just last Sunday won the JSK1 Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr 1) in great style. Psychic Star's transformation of form has been incredible--she took four stars to win her first race, and then quickly won group 2 and group 1 races in a span of only three weeks. Psychic Star was also bred at the Usha stud. "Psychic Star is a game filly, and extremely talented," said Ameeta, "however, she is running within a week, and is facing specialist milers." Yes, that's true, but it is also true that the owners of Psychic Star (Ameeta is one on them) have paid a hefty late entry fee of Rs seven lakh to get her into the 2000 Guineas fray. So one thing is certain: despite the towering presence of African Gold--and the smallest field size in several years--the HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1) will have every horse and jockey going hell for leather for the winning honours.
21 December,2024 07:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviIndia’s Jyoshna Sabar created a new youth Asian record for total lift on her way to winning the gold medal in the 40 kg weight category at Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships here on Friday. Jyoshna won the top prize in the 40kg youth girls category by heaving 135kg (60kg snatch + 75kg clean and jerk). Payal too claimed gold in the youth girls 45kg section with a total lift of 155kg (70 snatch + 85 clean and jerk). Another Indian athlete named Payal won bronze in the junior girls 45kg, managing a total of 155kg (70 snatch + 85 clean and jerk), while Babulal Hembrom ended third in the 49kg youth boys, lifting 197 (88 snatch + 109 clean and jerk). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 December,2024 07:01 AM IST | Doha | PTIThe dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty left a lasting impression, but Lakshya Sen's meltdown in the Paris Olympics' bronze medal match was frustration at its peak in a bitter-sweet season for Indian badminton during which moments of brilliance were often overshadowed by heartbreaks. It was both the best and worst of times for Satwik and Chirag, who reached four finals and won two titles, raising hopes for a historic Olympic medal. However, their campaign ended in disappointment with a quarterfinal exit in Paris. The Asian Games champions solidified their status as one of the world's top pairs with titles at the French Open Super 750 and Thailand Super 500 and runners-up finishes at the Malaysia Super 1000 and India Super 750 but the Olympics remained an elusive dream for the second time in eight years. The heartbreaking loss saw their Danish coach Mathias Boe resign but the return of Malaysia's Tan Kim Her, who is credited with bringing Satwik and Chirag together, by the end of the year, provided a much-needed boost. For Sen, it was a case of so near and yet so far. He was the beacon of hope for India at Paris. His journey to the semifinals at the French Open and All England Champions early in the year revived his sagging form and reignited dreams of a maiden Olympic medal. However, the 23-year-old from Almora fell agonisingly short in the bronze medal match at the Olympics, a loss that will weigh heavily on him for a good amount of time. After a challenging return to the circuit, Sen's title win at the Syed Modi International offered optimism for the upcoming season. Disappointment was also in store for PV Sindhu, India's two-time Olympic medallist, who endured another challenging year in 2024. Chasing the holy grail of lost form, Sindhu made multiple changes to her coaching staff and moved base to Bengaluru at the end of last year to train under the legendary Prakash Padukone but early exits from tournaments continued, highlighting her struggles with form and fitness. Sindhu showed flashes of her brilliance, reaching the Malaysia Masters final but her dream of an Olympic treble was dashed following a pre-quarterfinal exit, marking her first medal-less campaign in eight years. The 29-year-old from Hyderabad, however, closed her season on a high by clinching the Syed Modi International title and is all set to tie the nuptial knot by the end of this month. For HS Prannoy, the season was one of perseverance and adversity. While his compatriots fell to superior opponents, Prannoy struggled with his health once again. Battling a relapse of a nagging gut-related issue and a bout of chikungunya just ahead of the Olympics, the determined shuttler managed to reach the knockout stages in Paris, albeit far from his best. Indian shuttlers' medal-less show at the Olympics prompted a disappointed Padukone, the 1980 former All England champion, to call for greater accountability from the players. Ashwini-Tanisha, Gayatri-Treesa show promise The two women's doubles pairs -- Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, and Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly -- delivered promising performances that kept Indian badminton's momentum intact. Ashwini and Tanisha's qualification for the Paris Olympics was nothing short of miraculous, considering their modest ranking at the start of the year. While they exited early in Paris, their title win at the Guwahati Masters reinforced the belief in their partnership. Gayatri and Treesa, on the other hand, overcame the disappointment of missing Olympic qualification to claim their maiden Super 300 title at the Syed Modi International. Their qualification for the World Tour Finals capped a breakthrough year. Emerging talents hold promise for future While they may not yet be on the level of established stars like PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, several young shuttlers have shown promising performances, signalling a bright future for Indian badminton. Among the rising talents, Anmol Kharb and Tanvi Sharma stood out. National champion Anmol played a crucial role in India's historic gold medal win at the Asian Team Championships and reached the final of the Guwahati Masters, highlighting her growing potential. Tanvi, the national runner-up, also made her mark with a maiden final appearance at the Super 100 Odisha Masters, where Rithvik Sanjeevi Satish Kumar claimed his first BWF title. Other promising players such as Arundhati Reddy, Devika Sihag, Isharani Baruah, Ashmita Chaliha, Malvika Bansod, and Tanvi Patri also held out hope for the future. Malvika, in particular, impressed with fearless performances against higher-ranked opponents, finishing as the runner-up at the Hylo Open Super 300. Para shuttlers shine at Paris Kumar Nitish led India's para shuttlers to an outstanding performance at the Paris Paralympics, securing five medals, including a gold, two silvers, and two bronzes, marking the country's best-ever showing at the Games. Although five-time world champion and defending gold-medallist Pramod Bhagat's suspension by Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) due to a whereabouts clause failure was a setback, Nitish rose to the challenge, clinching gold in the SL3 category and retaining the title for India. Other medalists included Suhas Yathiraj (silver, SL4), Thulasimathi Murugesan (silver, SU5), Manisha Ramadass (silver, SU5), and Nithya Sre Sivan (bronze, SH6), who all contributed in keeping India's flag flying high in Paris. (With agency inputs)
20 December,2024 02:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
