Representing one’s country at the international level is an incredible achievement, and doing so despite a disability requires extraordinary grit and determination. Ekta Bhyan, a remarkable para-athlete, has brought immense pride to India with her achievements. She competes in three different para-sports: discus throw, club throw, and para-table tennis, showcasing her versatility and dedication. Speaking about her inspiration behind choosing para-discus throw, "It was in 2016 that I participated in my first nationals and the credit goes to my coach, Mr. Amit Saroha (Arjuna awardee). He mentored me and gave me coaching for the events (discus throw and club throw). It was a life-changing moment for me when I won my first gold at the national in 2016 at Panchkula", Ekta Bhyan told Mid-Day. She also opened up about the challenges para-athletes face in India. "There are many challenges that para-athletes face in our country, that are mainly because of infrastructure which is not disabled friendly. Also, the transportation is not wheelchair-friendly. So it is difficult for a disabled person to start his para-sports career." When asked if there are any different coaching methods followed to train a para-athlete, "There are not a huge number of coaches who can train para-athletes in our country. But with the passage of time, the picture is getting better", Ekta Bhyan told mid-day. "Many able-bodied coaches who are giving coaching to able-bodied athletes are also open to training para-athletes. Also, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and other states are recruiting para-athletes as coaches. So, this is something where awareness is playing a great role", added Bhyan. Multi-talented Ekta Bhyan will participate in the UTT Para Table Tennis National Ranking Championship which will kick start on November 26th at Abhay Prashal Sports Club in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Also Read: IND vs AUS 1st Test | "Australia Mata ki Jay", says an Australian fan after Sudhir hails India, WATCH Speaking about her preparations, "My preparations are going great for the UTT Para Table Tennis National Ranking event and I'm very excited because it is my second national ranking event and I'm looking forward to it to improve my rankings." Ekta Bhyan also opened up about the challenges of playing three different sports and labelled para-table tennis as her favourite among the three. "My main event is club throw because it is specially designed for persons having disabilities in all the forelimbs. As I have a quadriplegic disability, I chose club throw as my main event", said Bhyan. "There are challenges because it's been 10 years that I'm into para-athletics. Table Tennis is a completely different sport than that of discus throw or club throw, but with continuous practice and hard work, you understand the skills and techniques for the new game as well." "I find table tennis very interesting and I'm doing well at the international level. The only thing I find difficult is that the coaching for para-table tennis is not easily available in our country. In para-athletics, there are many coaches available, but you won't find a coach who can understand the problems of playing table tennis while being in a wheelchair", added Bhyan. The athlete also opened up on her diet and routine. "There is a very strict diet and routine that we have to follow, especially because of disability we are prone to weight gain. Being a wheelchair user, you can't train every muscle so we have to follow strict diet and workout plans." Being an athlete who competes in three different sports, Ekta spoke about her challenges. "The main challenge that I face for club and discus throw is that I have a quadriplegic disability. This is the category for athletes having poor forelimbs. In this severe impairment, I need the assistance of two people, on and off the field, even while travelling. It is financially demanding. I'm fortunate that I have enough sponsorship from the Welspun Super Sports Women Program to pursue my sports career." "I'm very thankful to the Welspun Super Sports Women Program for providing all the support. It is not only the financial help that Welspun is providing me, but they're also providing the right nutrition and accessibility for wheelchairs which is very expensive. I'm very thankful to Welspun Super Sports Women Program for supporting para-athletes because there are very few organizations supporting women with disabilities." Ekta Bhyan had clinched a gold medal for club throw in the 2018 Asian Para Games. In the 2023 edition held in China, the athlete managed to win a bronze medal in the same event. Apart from this, she claimed a bronze medal for club throw in the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris in 2023. Ekta Bhyan also has 10 gold and two bronze medals to her name for discus and club throw in the National Para Athletics Championships.
22 November,2024 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Sujay ShivalkarA new-look Indian women’s hockey team started its 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification journey with a scintillating, unbeaten performance during its title-defending Asian Champions Trophy campaign here. It marked a resurrection for the side that had been left deflated after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics this year. It marks a fresh beginning for the team and coach Harendra Singh. Since taking over in April, Harendra’s vision has been crystal clear — to qualify for the 2028 Games. Also Read: Hamilton didn’t want to return after Brazil flop Chief coach Harendra Singh congratulates star striker Deepika. Pics/Hockey India Good start by new skipper He always believed and emphasised that a successful ACT campaign will be the right start for the team’s journey towards the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. And he couldn’t have asked for more from his wards. “I truly believe this victory will inspire more young girls to take up hockey and further elevate the sport in India. We are thrilled to be able to bring this win to our fans and our nation,” said new captain Salima Tete after the brilliant campaign. Harendra’s primary focus since taking charge has been to improve the team’s fitness, and fortitude and the Indian players performance at the ACT was a testament to the fact that they have worked tremendously on these core areas and lived upto their coach’s expectation. “While we celebrate this win, our focus remains on long-term goals. We are working hard every day, trusting the process, and staying dedicated to delivering our best in every tournament. Our ultimate aim is to bring more laurels to India and make the country proud,” added Tete. The Indians were impressive in most departments of the game and remained unbeaten in seven matches, including the semi-final and final. The resolute show by the defensive line was also one of the hallmarks of India’s performance as they conceded just two goals in seven games, while scoring as many as 29 themselves. Out of these 29 goals, 15 were field goals, 12 from penalty corners and two from strokes. Sensational Deepika The ACT produced many stars for India, the prominent among them was 20-year-old young striker Deepika, who was the tournament’s highest scorer with 11 goals to her name, including four from field play, six from penalty corners and one penalty stroke. In fact, five Indians were there among the top-10 scorers — Deepika, Sangita Kumari (4 goals), Preeti Dubey (3), Navneet Kaur (3) and Lalrmsiami (3). Harendra worked extensively on the fitness of the players and that was clearly visible in their fast-paced, one-touch hockey that trouble opponents, including reigning Olympic silver-medallists China whom they beat 1-0 in the final. Next up, the players will rub shoulders with the world’s best in the Hockey India League, starting in Ranchi on January 12. 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 November,2024 07:43 AM IST | Rajgir (Bihar) | PTILewis Hamilton has admitted that he briefly considered walking away from Mercedes before the season’s conclusion after a poor Sao Paulo GP. The seven-time world champion, who will leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season, spoke about his turbulent 2023-24 campaign and his readiness to close his 12-year chapter with Mercedes. After crossing the Sau Paulo finish, Hamilton made cryptic remarks over the radio, hinting at an emotional farewell to the team. He told Sky Sports that he “could happily go and take a holiday.” Also Read: Modern tennis is bland: Kyrgios Mercedes later downplayed his comments, but Hamilton revealed at a press conference in Las Vegas that his feelings at the time were genuine. “In the moment that’s how I felt, like I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend,” Hamilton said. “It’s frustrating when you have a season like this, which I’m pretty sure I won’t have again—or at least I’ll work towards not having again.” Hamilton’s emotional weekend was compounded by remarks from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff in the recently published book, Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane. Wolff said he “liked” Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari as it prevented the difficult situation of parting ways with the 105-time race winner down the line. 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 November,2024 07:39 AM IST | Las Vegas | IANSAs Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios prepares to step back onto the court after a two-year injury hiatus, he has said that modern tennis is a bit “bland at the moment” as new crop of players are each other’s best mates. The seven-time ATP Tour titlist Kyrgios, who has not played a professional ATP match since June 2023, has been hampered by injuries. He will return at next month’s Brisbane International (December 29 to January 5, 2025). Also Read: Sat-Chi, Lakshya in quarters, Sindhu shocked “It’s a very interesting time in the tennis world. We see, Djokovic, he’s at the tail end of his career. He’s still a phenomenal player. But Nadal, literally, it’s officially his last ever time we’re going to see him on the court. Federer gone. There’s some amazing players still out there, but the game’s a bit bland,” Kyrgios told Nova 100’s Jase and Lauren radio show. “Everyone’s liking each other, and everyone’s best mates. I just hate that. You look at our sports; they’re rough as anything. AFL, NRL. That’s why we watch, we watch for entertainment, we watch for bad blood. I’m all for being friends off the court, but there’s too much respect at the moment in the tennis world,” he added. 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 November,2024 07:37 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSStar Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen progressed to the quarter-finals with a straight-game win, but two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu’s campaign ended in the second round of the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament here on Thursday. Lakshya, who missed out on a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, looked at his lethal best while disposing off Rasmus Gemke of Denmark 21-6, 21-18 in a 46-minute men’s singles second round match. Lakshya will have his work cut out in the quarter-finals as he will be up against third seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark, who defeated Japan’s Takuma Obayashi 21-15 21-18 in his second round match. Also Read: Pujara backs KL Rahul to bat at No. 3 Lakshya Sen However, it turned out to be another disappointing outing for Sindhu as she lost to Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min in a hard-fought women’s singles contest. World No.19 Sindhu, who dispatched the higher-ranked Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-17, 21-19 in the opening round, fought valiantly before going down 21-16, 17-21, 23-21 to Min in a match that lasted one hour and nine minutes. It was curtains for the other two surviving Indian women’s singles players as Anupama Upadhyaya and Malvika Bansod crashed out in the second round. While Anupama lost 7-21 14-21 to Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira, Malvika was thrashed 9-21 9-21 by eight-seeded Supanida Katethong of Thailand. The women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand was no match for second seeded Chinese pair of Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, 11-16, 11-21 in a second-round match, lasting just 43 minutes. Defending champs Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who returned to action after a break following the Paris Olympics, moved to the quarter-finals with a 21-19, 21-15 win over Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Soggard. They will meet second seeded Danes Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen next. 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 November,2024 07:35 AM IST | Shenzhen | PTIThe lush green Mahalaxmi racetrack is all set to play host to the thunder of hooves as the Mumbai racing season (2024-25) gets underway on Sunday (Nov 24). The action-packed season, with 26 race days spread over four-and-a-half months, will attract the best equine talent of the country, thanks to the highest stakes offered (approximately Rs 15 crore, including the value of trophies). The prospectus for the upcoming season published by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) makes it clear there will be six "special" race days in aid of charity, and 20 "regular" race days featuring five Group 1 races, three Group 2 races and 8 Group 3 races. Racing under the lights, which has gained more and more popularity as "family outings" with every passing year, will be conducted on 11 days in the latter half of the season. Also Read: Skipper Rohit to join India squad in Perth on Sunday The race club has adopted an open door policy--welcoming trainers and horses from all over the country, making sure the race-lovers will witness the highest level of competition. The Classics (all Group 1) schedule will be as follows: JSK1 Indian 1000 Guineas (Sun, Dec 15), HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas (Sun, Dec 22), Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Sat, Jan 11) & HPSL Indian Derby (Sun, Feb 2). The Group 1 Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (PBMM), also known as "juvenile Derby", is slated for Sunday, Feb 23. Over 700 horses are expected to participate during the season under the care of over 40 trainers, and nearly 60 jockeys will be seen in action--43 of them local boys, including 8 apprentice riders; with 16 jockeys from other racing centers of the country likely to make frequent visits. The season will sign off in style, with fashion and food--and glamour and glitz--celebrating the final weekend (April 5 & 6) under the lights thanks to a generous contribution from Zavaray Poonawalla, former chairman of the club, and Derby sponsor HPSL. The DatesNovember 2024: Sun, 24th.December 2024: Sun, 1st; Sun, 8th; Sun, 15th; Sun, 22nd; Fri, 27th; Sun, 29th.January 2025: Sun, 5th; Thu, 9th; Sat, 11th; Thu, 16th; Thu, 23rd.February 2025: Sat, 1st; Sun, 2nd; Sun, 9th; Sun, 16th; Thu, 20th; Sun, 23rd; Wed, 26th.March 2025: Thu, 6th; Sun, 16th; Thu, 20th; Sun, 23rd; Sun, 30th.April 2025: Sat, 5th; Sun, 6th.(Total: 26 days)
22 November,2024 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviJan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier won their respective matches as Germany defeated Canada 2-0 to storm into the semifinals for the Davis Cup finals here on Wednesday. Germany came through the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019 getting the better of Canada with ease. Altmaier overcame a nervous start to get past Gabriel Diallo 7-6(5) 6-4 in straight sets before Struff somehow found a way to close out a thrilling encounter against Denis Shapovalov 4-6 7-5 7-6(5). “Today I think both players deserved to win,” Struff said. “But I’m happy to get it over the line at the end. Denis was playing amazingly, coming out firing, he was serving so well the whole match. It was tough to return. Even in the tiebreak, he hit some winners. It was very close,” said Struff after the match. Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy | "You might see Shami here as well": Jasprit Bumrah The victory set up a semifinal encounter between Germany and the Netherlands after the Dutch knocked out Spain and ended Rafael Nadal’s tennis career on Tuesday night. Struff was excited to be playing against old sporting foes. “It will be amazing,” he said. “It’s a big step for us to go from the quarters to the semis. We want to win and go to the finals now." "Netherlands played an amazing tie. We expect tough opposition. We know the Germans and the Dutch have a little rivalry and the Dutch guys have amazing fans so I’m looking forward to it,” added the German star. Shapovalov will rue missed opportunities against an opponent who also defeated him in a third-set tiebreak in this competition in 2022. The Canadian was unstoppable at times, hitting 27 aces and 24 winners. But he also gave up 13 free points with double faults, including a gift to hand the match to his opponent. Earlier, in the opening match, both players looked apprehensive during the first set. Altmaier let a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak slip before getting over the line 7-5. A better second set ensued and it was only when the German battled back from 15-40 down to break the Canadian in the tenth game that the match was won. Altmaier also revealed that the German team went to the stadium last night to experience Rafael Nadal’s last tennis match. “We watched the whole first set,” he said. “We all had tears when we saw the images. I have been watching him since we were very young boys, so it's just something super touching, super memorable.” 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 November,2024 02:28 PM IST | Malaga (Spain) | IANSYoung striker Deepika turned out to be the star once again with a fine reverse hit goal as India retained their women’s Asian Champions Trophy title after edging past Olympic silver medallist China 1-0 in a pulsating final here Wednesday. Deepika scored the winner for India from a penalty corner in the 31st minute to finish as the tournament’s highest goal getter with 11 strikes. India had earlier stunned China 3-0 in the league stages of the tournament. Also Read: ‘I have left a legacy’ It was India’s third ACT title after winning the top honours in 2016 and 2023. The Indian team are now the most successful side in the tournament’s history alongside South Korea with three titles each. China, on the other hand, will have to settle for their third runner-up finish. Japan finished third after defeating Malaysia 4-1 in the third-fourth place classification match earlier in the day. 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 November,2024 07:22 AM IST | Rajgir (Bihar) | PTIRafael Nadal said he has left both a sporting and personal legacy after retiring from professional tennis on Tuesday at the Davis Cup. The 38-year-old was beaten in the opening singles rubber of the quarter-finals as Netherlands defeated Spain 2-1 to reach the final four. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, enjoyed a glittering and historic career over the past 23 years. “I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one,” Nadal told fans in Malaga in a speech during a ceremony to honour his retirement. “I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same.” Also Read: Choked up with Nadal’s retirement: Williams pays touching tribute to Rafa Nadal paid credit to many who have helped him along the way, including his uncle Toni Nadal, who coached him as a child and for a large part of his career. “The titles, the numbers are there, so people probably know that, but the way that I would like to be remembered more is like a good person, from a small village in Mallorca,” continued Nadal. “I had the luck that I had my uncle that was a tennis coach in my village when I was a very, very small kid, and a great family that supports me in every moment... I just want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved [even] more than what I had dreamed,” he added. Nadal was celebrated with a video montage on the many screens around the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga where over 10,000 fans saw his career come to a close. Former rival Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and other tennis greats left messages in the video, alongside former Spanish football stars including Raul and Andres Iniesta, who retired from playing in October. “I leave the world of professional tennis having encountered many good friends along the way,” said Nadal in his emotional speech. The Spaniard said he hoped to be a “good ambassador” for tennis in the years to come and was not afraid to begin his retirement. “I am calm because I have received an education to take on what is coming next,” he explained. 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 November,2024 07:20 AM IST | Malaga (Spain) | AFPFormer American tennis star Serena Williams has paid tribute to Rafael Nadal with a touching video after the 22-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis. Serena posted a video on Instagram in which she can be seen donning a Nadal t-shirt and his signature headband. She captioned the video, “@rafaelnadal Congratulations on a career that most won’t dare to dream of. I feel so fortunate to have been able to play when you were playing and being Great. You inspired me to be better, to play harder, for fight, to never give up, and to win more. Also Read: Pep agrees to City contract extension “No excuses, just play the sport. Your legacy will never die. Wow to see your career from the beginning to today was an honor Champ! Long live Rafa!” she further wrote. Why am I getting so choked up. With @RafaelNadal retirement. I’m not good at goodbyes — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 19, 2024 Williams later posted on X, “Why am I getting so choked up. With @RafaelNadal retirement. I’m not good at goodbyes.” 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 November,2024 07:18 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSStar Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen progressed to the second round with wins at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament here on Wednesday. In-form Malvika Bansod, ranked 36th in the world defeated Denmark’s World No. 21 Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt 20-22, 23-21, 21-16. Also Read: Curator doesn’t expect Perth pitch to develop snake cracks World No. 19 Sindhu dispatched the higher-ranked Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-17, 21-19 in 50 minutes, notching up her 20th win in 21 meetings. The 29-year-old will next face Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min, while Malvika will meet eighth-seeded Supanida Katethong. Lakshya, meanwhile, avenged his Olympic bronze medal loss with a 21-14, 13-21, 21-13 win over seventh seed Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia. 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 November,2024 07:11 AM IST | Shenzhen (China) | PTIADVERTISEMENT
