#first silver medal for india

[nivea-ah]

I am so horribly disappointed by the Paris Olympics, I can't even frame a sentence without having to take a pause to just scream in fury.

Vinesh Phogat from India was the first wrestler ever, man or woman, to reach the finals and have the opportunity to play the Indian National Anthem at the Olympics. She usually always played in the under 53kg category but due to some issues, she went with under 50kg.

She then went on to ANNIHILATE all competition by winning so wonderfully, it made all Indians proud. She won the semifinals, progressed to finals and even had an opportunity to win it. However, at night, she realised she'd gained roughly 3kg and wouldn't be able to participate with that weight. She ran on a treadmill with thick jackets on, sat in a hot sauna, didn't eat or drink anything and, in desperation, cut her hair off. After all this effort, her reading was 50.1kg and she was eliminated from the Olympics.

The weight of 100g pushed her back to the last position, not even letting her get her well-deserved silver medal. Due to severe dehydration, she fainted on the venue and was later admitted in a hospital. Just today, she announced her retirement.

In spite of not winning the gold medal, she is a champion, not only because of her other accomplishments, but because of her relentless support and participation in the wrestlers' protest against the then chief of Wrestling Federation of India for sexual harrasment. She spent months on the streets of New Delhi to get the government to do something and nearly threw all her medals in the River Ganga to get the authorities to act. She was a champion through and through. Gold medallist or not, she truly is gold.

[aintnobodylikemydesigurl]

I'm so angry I could cry

Vinesh phogat (india) did not deserve her medal to be taken away. The gold was hers. She defeated japan's yui susaki, who has never been defeated by an international player and was the Tokyo olympics' champion in the round of 16. She was the first indian woman to reach wrestling finals at the olympics. And they dis qualified her for being 100 g overweight. That's literally 50.1 kg. Brown women can't win

AND INDIAN AUTHORITIES JUST ACCEPTED IT?? Didn't even challenge it??

Wrestling matches happen over two days. She reached semis on day 1. She met the weight category then. If you're not going to allow her to fight for the gold at least give her silver?? She earned that much

You can't tell me this was not sabotage. She did not deserve this for fighting for safe environment for other wrestlers. Shame on the WFI and our government

And fuck the olympics for allowing child rapists to participate but disqualifying a brown woman for being .1 kg overweight

Edit : on 8 August Vinesh has announced her retirement from wrestling. She said that she did not have the strength any longer and that wrestling has won against her. Sending all my love and support to her.. she will be remembered for her courage and bravery ❤️

[averagewriter-inthedark]

You Got It Bad 🏸 | Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd Headcanon

Edit posted on 2 Sep 24: omg when I posted this a few days ago America had yet to win a medal in badminton (Olympic & Paralympic) and today Team USA’s mixed doubles in badminton won the silver medal!! Congrats to Jayci Simon & Miles Krajewski for their win and making history!! The first ever medal in badminton for USA!!

Being married to Bob & becoming Olympians for the sport of Badminton would look like:

You and Bob met in flight school following your respected commissions into the Navy in 2011, became friends and colleagues, which them bloomed into lovers about a year later. You were the pilot, and he was your back seater---so it is no surprise your relationship worked so well considering you two were partners in the sky. After about two years of dating, Bob popped the famous question and you guys were wed within the year--the Navy sending you guys to bases as a package deal.

As most military instillations, there's a community gym and recreation center where active, reserve, and their families go to participate in intermural sports and activities. Many go for the typical bowling league and softball team or try a hand at flag football and ultimate. For you and Bob, badminton called yall's name.

Originating in British India and popular among countries in Europe and Asia, badminton made its Olympic debut in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. Now while at first glance badminton may look easy in comparison to other court sports with a net like tennis and volleyball, but badminton requires just as much speed, agility, and precision. Especially when the shuttlecock is flying at record speed from one opponent to the other. The better the motor skills, the better you are.

Of course in the beginning you guys were a little rusty. Figuring out the rules and the best way for you and Bob to coordinate moves. You were the better server, but Bob was better handling the back while you stayed close to the net.

What started as a fun, leisure activity became more serious as you continued to play. Like we're talking you put up a net in your backyard. Whenever you hosted gatherings, you can expect that at some point in the night people migrated to the backyard to play a game or two. And boy would it get intense whenever you and Bob were on opposite sides of the court. "I hope you enjoy losing, pretty boy." "Darling, I know you're always right....but tonight you are wrong."

Not only did you build a sweat when a game got intense, but you looked forward to spending time with your husband outside of work. Not having to deal with the stress of flying or anxiety of running missions. Badminton was a great way to relive the tension and stay active. After every game you shared a sweet kiss with your husband, exchanging praises of 'Great job,' and 'We'll get 'em next time."

You both were competitive and roughly a year after playing you drew attention when you decided to join a local circuit outside of intermural on base. Winning match after match, you guys came in second in your first tournament. A great introduction to the start of your athletic career in mixed doubles badminton---which by the way, shoutout to RedBull and Dunkin Doughnuts for the caffeine supply when balancing a military and sports career.

Now the Olympic Games....the greatest sporting stage the world has ever scene...was never something you envisioned when you and Bob picked up your rackets for the first time. You'd only been playing badminton for a few years, having started in 2014. By the time the Rio Games came around, you guys were no way in Olympic level standings. Sure you'd been in a handful of local tournaments, making the podium in all, but you'd only recently won your regional title for mixed doubles, set to compete in nationals. You had yet to play an international tournament.

That time would come in 2017, and while you came home with third place at you guys were motivated to do better. You wanted to win a World title. Especially to prove to people who thought badminton was not a sport of high popularity like tennis or volleyball--and something you only play as a unit in high school P.E. You and Bob were motivated to bring more eyes to badminton in America. And what better way than to dominate a world tour.

So, when you guys weren't in the sky you were on the court. In the gym. Coaching each other, studying competition, working on technique, rewatching matches from previous Olympics. The Tokyo Games became a goal. And you were determined to make them. The pressure was on considering the United States has never won a medal in any event in badminton. "So, the Olympics...pretty darn big if you ask me." "Baby, you should know that when we put our mind to something, we make it happen."

It got to the point where your family members and friends were asking y'all about progress and even buying you equipment as birthday presents. And with the amount of shuttlecocks you go through monthly it was a blessing to a whole bucket of them in your garage. Your rackets had y'alls callsign's on them and of course you had matching outfits. And soon you guys had to invest in a nice cabinet to display your medals, plaques, and trophies from your competitions. Having the 2018 BWF World Championship right in the center.

You and Bob became a household name in the sport in the American circuit. Not only because you two were dominated the competition, but also the fact you guys were married and Naval officers brought a lot of attention. People who followed the sport became fans and viewed you guys as a love story out of romance books. Friends/coworkers-to-lovers who become teammates and an unstoppable duo in their sport. Yeah, it wrote itself.

When the 2019 detachment came though that became the priority. As much as it pained you to put training for the Sudirman Cup on hold, you had an obligation to the Navy. Nonetheless, you packed up your equipment and made the drive down from Lemoore to San Diego. Once settled, you both were spending any free time at the base rec center, practicing even for 30 minutes if you had it.

Soon the rest of the team picked up your love for the sport and became intrigued. Natasha especially, who became invested in watching you two play against each other. Shocked to see how heated it got and the fact you were able to move so fast to save a rally. "You guys are really into this, huh?" "Yeah. We just started for fun years ago and well..it took off."

After the whole shit between Jake and Bradley where Mav did damage control by taking y'all to the beach for dogfight football, you and Bob whipped out the equipment and soon all 12 of ya paired up to play games. It pretty much turned into a bracket situation where duos were eliminated until two remained for the final round.

And who's suprised....you and Bob won. And because you guys were so good, the team practically interrogated you two to which the reveal of your side career surfaced.

"You mean to tell me," Jake squinted against the sun, "You two are pretty much famous badminton players and are on the road to making the Olympics next year?" "Yep, that's about right. We want to be the first Americans to win a medal in the sport."

Fast forward to the success of the Uranium mission and unexpected world pandemic that followed, you and Bob are homebound due to the Navy restricting all work to remote settings, leaving you all the time in the world to perfect your craft. You won the Sudirman Cup, putting your names once more as contenders for the Tokyo Games and had one more year to train due to the postponement. In that time you and the rest of the Top Gun detachment transferred to Fightertown permanently, further bonding the friendships formed and the team became y'alls biggest supporters.

Qualifying for the Olympics had to have ranked in your top three moments in life. Right in the middle between marrying Bob and the Uranium mission. You jumped in his arms, screaming in joy while he spun you around and let the tears flow, bringing his lips for a passionate kiss not caring who watched. Never had you thought picking up a random badminton racket to pass time and relieve stress after a long work day would lead you to competing in the greatest sporting event alongside the love of your life. Experiencing it with Bob made it all the better. "We're going to the Olympics, baby!!'

Stepping onto the court in Tokyo officially titled you and Bob as Olympians, and while you competed for the gold across the pacific, back home your friends and family gathered to watch it unfold decked in red, white, and blue. The Hard Deck, your hometown, Bob's hometown, the rec center back in Lemoore where you first began playing badminton, the entire damn Navy was cheering you on.

Goal #1: Become Olympians - Achieved. Goal #2: Become the 1st Americans to win a medal in badminton - Achieved. Goal #3: Become the 1st Americans to win a gold medal in badminton - Achieved.

Yeah, you read that right. Not only did you and Bob accomplish everything you set your eyes on, but you cemented yourself in history as the first Americans to win a medal in any event in the sport of badminton and it was the gold. You guys became Olympic champions. And you can best believe the whole world was shocked to their core during the intense, heart pounding, sweat inducing, on the edge of your seat gold medal match against the #1 team in the world. You had already proven yourself to be the team to watch out for after knocking out the other leading pairs in the quarter and semi-finals, but to walk away with the gold after losing the first match, winning the second and tying the score each time until it ended with you scoring the golden point of 30.

Put it in the history books.

And three years later in a sold out crowd with your friend and family in the city of love, you and Bob continued your romantic journey of love, dedication and partnership when you defended your gold medal, adding a second to your cabinet with the promise of a third when the Games return to the Los Angeles 😉

[darkesttiimelines]

Throughout history, women have left an undeniable impact on society with their hard work, creativity, and dedication to progress. Unfortunately, their accomplishments have often gone unnoticed, been undervalued, or even stolen. Despite these challenges, brave women of today continue to push boundaries, break barriers, and pave the way for a more fair and equal world. It's our duty to keep going, so that future generations of women can inherit a kinder, more just, and supportive world. By following in the footsteps of the incredible women who came before us, we can create a world where every woman can flourish and succeed, and where their contributions are recognized and celebrated.

Joan of Arc is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronation of Charles VII of France during the Hundred Years' War. Claiming to be acting under divine guidance, she became a military leader who transcended gender roles and gained recognition as a savior of France. She was put on trial by Bishop Pierre Cauchon on accusations of heresy, which included blaspheming by wearing men's clothes, acting upon visions that were demonic, and refusing to submit her words and deeds to the judgment of the church. She was declared guilty and burned at the stake on 30 May 1431, aged about nineteen.

Rani Lakshmibai was the Maharani consort of the princely state of Jhansi from 1843 to 1853. She was one of the leading figures in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 became a symbol of resistance to the British rule in India for Indian nationalists. When the Maharaja died in 1853, the British East India Company under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie refused to recognize the claim of his adpoted heir and annexed Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse. She rode into battle with her infant son strapped to her back, and died in June 1858 after being mortally wounded during the British counterattack at Gwalior.

Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose work was instrumental in the discovery of the structure of DNA. Her contributions were largely overlooked by her male colleagues, James Watson and Francis Crick, who used her data without her permission or acknowledgement. This theft of her intellectual property and erasure of her contributions is a prime example of the systemic sexism that has historically plagued the scientific community.

Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress and inventor who co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology during World War II that was used to guide torpedoes. However, her contributions were largely ignored and dismissed by male engineers and the military at the time. It was only later in life that she received recognition for her scientific achievements.

Emma Weyant is an American competitive swimmer. She was the US national champion at the individual medley. She qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in the 400m individual medley and won the silver medal in this event. Weyant finished second in the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. She was beaten by William (Lia) Thomas, a fetishist, who when competing as a member of the Penn men's team, which was 2018-19, ranked 554th in the 200 freestyle, 65th in the 500 freestyle and 32nd in the 1650 freestyle. Weyant is the fastest swimmer in the 500-yard freestyle and had her position stolen by a man.

Maryna Viazovska is a Ukrainian mathematician who made a breakthrough in sphere packing, solving the centuries-old mathematical problem known as the densest packing of spheres in dimensions 8 and 24. She was awarded the Fields Medal in July 2022, making her the second woman (after Maryam Mirzakhani), the second person born in the Ukrainian SSR and the first with a degree from a Ukrainian university to ever receive it.

Hannie Schaft was a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II who played a crucial role in the resistance movement against Nazi occupation. Schaft was a former university student who dropped out because she refused to sign a pledge of loyalty to Germany. Nazis arrested and killed her in 1945, just three weeks before the war ended in Europe. According to lore, Schaft’s last words were, “I’m a better shot,” after initially only being wounded by her executioner.

Shakuntala Devi was an Indian mathematician and mental calculator who was known as the "Human Computer" for her exceptional ability to perform complex mathematical calculations in her head. Her extraordinary abilities earned her a place in the 1982 Guinness Book of Records. Her lesser known achievement is that in 1977 she wrote what is considered to be the first book in India on homosexuality titled “The World of Homosexuals.”  

J. K. Rowling is a British author and philanthropist. She wrote Harry Potter, a seven-volume children's fantasy series published from 1997 to 2007. Known for her philanthropy, she was doxxed and harassed after coming out with support for women's and gay rights in 2020. Rowling secretly donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to save 100 female lawyers and their families facing murder in Afghanistan. In 2022, she funded a women's only rape shelter in Edinburgh.

[fortuna-majoris]

People who don't understand the hype about Neeraj Chopra need to re-evaluate his performance

Like, the 22 year old commissioned army officer shows up to his first Olympics, in a discipline where his country hasn't medalled once and in a sport that no one from his Continent has placed first in. He shows up, works hard and qualifies for Finals and then he fucking wins. And he doesn't stop, he continues winning, he wins World Athletics Championship 2023 (got silver in the 2022), 2022 Asian Games (where he and his teammates were subjected to many unfair rules and his first throw (which could've broken the world record) wasn't even counted). All of this when he had just recovered from a surgery to his right elbow (2019). Now this man 26 of age, qualifies for the finals in Just 1 fucking throw with his second best of the season. He is also considered a Favourite to win, all of this when today, (7, August), 3 years ago, most of the people in his country didn't even know that Javelin was an Olympic sport.

The Golden Boy of India deserves all of the hype he is getting. His critics don't know about the hope and joy that his Gold to brought every Indians hearts in 2021.

[hussyknee]

Two weeks ago, female wrestler Vinesh Phogat became the first woman from India to make the Olympic finals—and was promptly disqualified for being 100 grams overweight.

On August 9, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from the sport of wrestling in a post on X. After the previous day’s incidents, it was a message that many had been expecting.

Vinesh experienced the highest of highs at the Paris Olympics. She defeated an unbeaten Olympic champion wrestler who was considered not just the favourite in her weight division but across every weight division at the quadrennial event. She became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. However, Vinesh also faced the lowest of lows at the Olympics. No one had ever reached an Olympic final only to be denied the chance to compete because they had failed to make weight on the day of the competition.

Vinesh had taken her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking at least to be awarded a silver medal by virtue of reaching the final. If she had succeeded, she would have set a precedent, but, much to the disappointment of the nation, her appeal was turned down by the sole arbitrator, Annabelle Bennett.

...

Vinesh has always been a fighter. Tragedy has followed her, yet somehow, against the odds, she has emerged victorious.

When she was nine, her father was shot dead by someone in her village, believed to be a mentally disturbed relative, just outside their front door. Her mother, a young widow, refused the custom of marrying her husband’s brother. She battled cancer single-handedly. Through it all, she raised a firebrand daughter, who refused to back down.

Her cousins, who grew up near her home, were the more famous girls of the family. Geeta and Babita were among the first to win gold at the Commonwealth Games. They had a movie made about them — Dangal — which made the ‘Phogat sisters’ iconic in Indian sports.

Vinesh didn’t feature in that movie. The events described in it took place too early in her career. But she wouldn’t be satisfied with being one of the Phogat sisters — she would become ‘The Phogat’ sister.

Talk to any of her peers .— and even some of her rivals in Indian wrestling – and there is, in some cases, grudging, genuine respect. She is considered the most instinctive and natural wrestler India has ever produced in women’s freestyle wrestling.

Her career is as much a highlight reel as anything out of a movie. No one in women’s wrestling compares. No Indian woman wrestler has won three Commonwealth gold medals as she did in 2014, 2018, and 2022. No one has won an Asian Games gold medal as she did in 2018. No one has won two World Championships medals as she did in 2019 and 2022.

The one medal missing from her collection is the Olympic medal — which she fought bitterly for.

...

Vinesh has had terrible luck at the Olympics — the only competition that seems to matter to Indians. In 2016, she was one of the favourites in the Indian team before her knee was bent out of shape in the quarterfinals. In 2020, she was one of the world’s favourites to medal in the women’s 53kg weight class. Then, suddenly, a freak weight cut left her physically and psychologically broken, unable to coordinate her movements on the mat. She lost to a wrestler she had beaten comfortably just a month before. Now, in Paris, another poor weight cut left her at the lowest point of her wrestling career.

Her battles, though, haven’t been restricted to the mat. Perhaps the most significant one Vinesh has fought has been for the safety of young girls in the sport. In pursuing this fight, she took on one of the most powerful men in Indian sports — Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

When her rivals were preparing for the Olympics, Vinesh was fighting on the streets of New Delhi, where she, and few other fellow wrestlers, accused Brij Bhushan, a five-time member of parliament and the long-time president of the Wrestling Federation, of sexual harassment.

The longer she stayed on the streets, the slimmer her chances on the mat became. Yet, she continued to prioritise what she felt was right. In doing so, Vinesh showed the kind of courage almost uniformly lacking in most sportspersons in India. Most of them, as the saying goes, “crawl when asked to bend.” Vinesh’s spine has been ramrod straight. She had the courage to take on the system without caring about the consequences. She displayed it even though it cost her what she loved the most — the chance to wrestle.

Only when her protest was forced off the streets and entered the court did Vinesh finally get a chance to compete.

This article delves into her struggle to rein in her weight as the Olympic timeline unfolded. It's horrifying to read.

TW for fatphobia and people with eating disorders and body dysmorphia: fatphobia:

Even as she had been winning, Vinesh’s nutritionist had been nervously monitoring her food and fluid intake.

She had a celebratory glass of juice in the morning right after she had first made weight – 300 grams. She had another couple of litres of fluid to rehydrate herself before her bout - another 2000 grams of body weight gained. A couple of light snacks throughout the day to keep her energy up meant 700 grams more.

By the time Vinesh was done with her day’s competition, she weighed 52.7 kg.

August 7:

As the hours rolled into the night, it was clear that something had gone very wrong. After weeks of dehydration, the human body, once it gets rehydrated, simply refuses to give up water. Even urination becomes impossible.

Vinesh didn’t sleep all through the night of August 6. She was on the treadmill for six hours and in the sauna for another three. She didn’t consume a bite of food or drink a drop of water. Every few hours, she stood on a weighing scale. The numbers were getting smaller but not fast enough. In desperation, her coaches trimmed the elastic in the bottom of her costume. They thought of chopping her hair and then did it.

But the scale didn’t budge.

The function of weight classes is to prevent outsized mismatches in strength due to body mass and minimize injury. Pathologizing what is clearly water weight to this extent and subjecting athletes to this kind of psychological torture due to minute variables is simply making what is essentially a safety measure into a punitive arbitrary criteria that has huge implications for racialized fatphobia for female athletes and the reinforcement of toxic diet culture across the board. It's misogynistic, unscientific and fucked. This article goes into more detail about Phogat's career-long battle with her weight— a yo-yo of losing too much, and then too little. Indistinguishable from an eating disorder, only one imposed by the standards of international sports.

You will never convince me that a white athlete would have been disqualified in the lightest weight category for a weight less than a bar of soap. The disqualification retroactively places her dead last, which is added cruelty. The refusal to revise this and even award her a joint silver is just adding racist insult to racist injury.

Phogat spoke two days ago about her devastation at being disqualified by racism and fatphobia with a three page post on twitter.

And on top of all of this, because the Indian National Congress political party welcomed her with a road show that outshone the alt-right BJP's own planned welcome, the Hindutvas in her own country have launched a hate campaign against her.

This copy-paste has "disqualified in Rio 2016" trending on twitter. It's doubly cruel and fatphobic because she wasn't disqualified for being overweight, she sustained a knee injury.

After the witch hunt against Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, I'm just so fucking done with the Olympics. The outsize importance of this competition is nothing but an anvil to break entire careers on and offers female athletes of colour on a platter for all the world's vultures.

[xtruss]

Paris 2024 Athletics: Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Wins Gold In Men’s Javelin Throw, Setting New Olympic Record

— By Annie Fast | 08 August 2024

Picture By Getty Images

It was a record-breaking night at the Stade de France in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 men’s javelin throw final as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem set a new Olympic record throw of 92.97m, dominating the field to earn Gold - his first Olympic medal. This win marks Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics.

India’s Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo 2020 defending Gold Medallist, threw a season’s best 89.45 to earn silver. Grenada’s Anderson Peters threw 88.54 to take bronze.

Nadeem is no stranger to making Olympic history, at Tokyo 2020 he was the first Pakistani athlete to qualify for an Olympic athletics final, eventually finishing fifth. At Paris 2024 he has added another page, competing with the support of an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship.

[regina-bithyniae]

The Olympics - Gold Medal in Value Over Replacement event?

Was genuinely surprised to see Japan in third place but that's probably unfair of me - large country with the money for a training program, shouldn't be a shock.

Australia in fourth place is probably the bigger Value Over Replacement, also rich, but a relatively tiny population (26m), as is the Netherlands (17.7m). France, Britain, Italy, and Germany unimpressive in comparison.

All the former European great powers in general, actually, should be ashamed. But none quite like India.

Losing to North Korea at the olympics! To Lithiania! Barely beating out Kosovo, Cyprus and Fiji!

---

How would one assess Value Over Replacement? I'd approach like this:

Use Gold Medals, Total Medals, and/or a points system (Bronze = 1, Silver = 3, Gold = 9) as outcome.

Regress Outcome ~ Intercept + GDP + Population + Residual

GDP and Population are the simplest explanatory variables, because larger population gives you more people to draw genetic freaks who are not normal from, though Working Age population would be superior.

I'd first think that GDP is the better value to get "ability to afford Olympic facilities" from, since you have more wriggle room on a larger national budget.

GDP/Capita might still be better, and does also capture Elite Human Capital.

After fitting the model, order countries from greatest to smallest residual to see who outperforms their regressors best.

[scrapesaladofficial]

Ten big moments of the 2024 Olympics

End of the road: Cuba's Mijain Lopez removes his shoes as a signal that he is retiring from wrestling (Punit PARANJPE) From a colorful, sometimes controversial opening ceremony to boxers caught up in a gender row to respectful bows on the gymnastics podium, the 2024 Olympics served up many memorable moments. AFP Sport looks at 10 of the best: Rain on opening ceremony parade -- Organizers promised a spectacular opening ceremony and the rain-soaked boat parade on the River Seine ended up making global headlines, but not for the expected reasons. Church leaders, conservatives and even US presidential candidate Donald Trump were left outraged by a scene involving drag queens and lesbian DJ Barbara Butch that appeared to parody Jesus's Last Supper. Artistic director Thomas Jolly denied any such intention. He and others involved ended up facing vicious online harassment that led to police complaints. Djokovic's roar of approval -- Novak Djokovic stunned Carlos Alcaraz in a memorable men's final to clinch tennis gold and become only the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam of all four majors plus Olympic gold. The 37-year-old celebrated with a roar which echoed around Roland Garros before the tearful Serb clambered into the player's box to embrace his wife Jelena and two children. "There is no greater inspiration than representing your country," said the 24-time Grand Slam title winner. Alcaraz was also in tears, claiming he "had let Spain down". Biles bows to 'queen' Andrade -- Simone Biles may have been the star of the show but she was widely praised for bowing to her arch-rival Rebeca Andrade on the podium. Biles said it was "just the right thing to do" after she and team-mate Jordan Chiles finished in silver and bronze medal position respectively behind the Brazilian in the floor final. "Rebeca's so amazing, she's queen," said Biles. Romanian Ana Barbosu was later awarded the bronze medal after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Chiles should not have been upgraded from her initial fifth-place finish. Lyles just in time -- World champion Noah Lyles roared to victory in 9.79sec to claim gold in a dramatic men's Olympic 100m final in the closest finish in modern history -- just five thousandths of a second separated him from Jamaica's Kishane Thompson. "I'm the man amongst all of them. I'm the wolf amongst wolves," said Lyles whose victory was only confirmed after a photo-finish. Not cricket as Pakistan top India at javelin -- Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem won the men's javelin title, his country's first individual gold at an Olympics, with a Games record of 92.97m. In second place was India's defending champion Neeraj Chopra. "Rivalry is there when it comes to cricket matches, other sports, the two countries have a rivalry, but it's a good thing for the young people in both countries to watch our sport and follow us. It's a positive thing for both countries," said Nadeem. North-South Korea podium selfie goes viral -- Images of Olympic table tennis players from North Korea and South Korea taking a selfie together on the medal podium went viral in South Korea, hailed as a rare show of cross-border unity. After South Korea won bronze and North Korea silver in the mixed doubles behind China, South Korea's Lim Jong-hoon took a group photo after the medal ceremony. North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong, the South's Shin Yu-bin and the victorious Chinese team Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha all beamed into Lim's phone, a South Korean-made Samsung. "A selfie with both Koreas' national flags and a Samsung phone," said the widely read daily JongAng Ilbo. Dreams come Trew -- Australian skateboarding sensation Arisa Trew, just 14, won the women's park event to become her country's youngest ever gold medallist. Trew nailed a high-risk and high-speed final round in her trademark pink helmet, bringing the crowd to their feet at a sun-drenched Place de la Concorde. The event also featured 11-year-old Zheng Haohao, the youngest athlete ever to represent China at the Olympics. "Skateboarding in the Olympic Games isn't much different from skateboarding in my neighbourhood. It's just more spectators," she told reporters. Gender-row boxer beats 'bullying' -- On a raucous night at Roland Garros, the storied home of the French Open, Algerian gender-row boxer Imane Khelif claimed gold and used her platform to hit back at "attacks" and "bullying" before defiantly declaring "I am a woman like any other." Together with Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who also fought in Paris, Khelif was disqualified from last year's world championships after they failed gender eligibility tests. However they were cleared to compete in Paris, setting the stage for one of the biggest controversies of the Games. "I am fully qualified to take part, I am a woman like any other. I was born a woman, lived a woman and competed as a woman," said the 25-year-old. High five for Cuban wrestler -- Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez made Olympic history when he became the first athlete to win five consecutive individual golds in the same event, bettering the records of Games icons such as Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps. The soon-to-be 42-year-old then placed his shoes in the centre of the mat to signify his intention to retire. "Wrestling has been the love of my life, for all of my life," he said. Cool hand Yusuf -- Turkish Olympic shooting silver medallist Yusuf Dikec became an overnight sensation for his casual style during competition. His eye-catching posture saw the marksman wearing standard glasses, a team T-shirt and with his left hand casually tucked in his pocket. Other than his pistol, he notably had none of the specialised equipment used by athletes in the hyper-precise event, like headphones, special lenses or a hat. "The name's Dikec. Yusuf Dikec," said a social media post in reference to cinema icon James Bond. Read the full article

[lavtaekwondoplayer]

Lav Kumar Software Developer

Lav Kumar is a talented and dedicated Taekwondo player from Patna, India. With a passion for martial arts that began at age six, he has rapidly risen through the ranks, earning numerous accolades and recognition. Lav's impressive skills and perseverance have garnered him silver medals at the prestigious Taekwondo FIT India Championships and the Varanasi Taekwondo Championship. His training regimen is rigorous, with a focus on physical conditioning, technical drills, and sparring. Lav's mental preparation is equally strong, with visualization techniques, meditation, and positive self-talk helping him stay focused and confident. Despite facing challenges like injuries and balancing academics with training, Lav remains committed to his craft. His most memorable moments include winning his first national-level medal and being selected for the Indian Taekwondo team. With his sights set on international competitions, Lav Kumar is an inspiration to aspiring martial artists, showcasing the power of hard work, discipline, and determination.

[trustednewstribune]

Neeraj Chopra’s Mother Praises Arshad Nadeem: “He’s Also Like My Child”

The Paris Olympics witnessed a historic moment as India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem claimed the top two spots in the javelin throw event, finishing 1-2 in a thrilling competition. While Chopra took home the silver medal, his mother, Saroj Devi, had nothing but praise for both athletes, delivering a heartwarming message that resonated across borders.

In an interview with ANI, Saroj Devi expressed her pride in Neeraj’s achievement, saying, “Silver bhi gold lag raha hai” (Silver feels like gold). Despite her son not clinching the gold, she emphasized that she was equally proud of Arshad Nadeem’s accomplishment. “I am happy with the silver; the guy who got gold (Arshad Nadeem) is also my child. Everyone goes there after doing a lot of hard work,” she added.

Arshad Nadeem set a new Olympic record with a remarkable throw of 92.97 meters, surpassing the previous mark held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen since 2008. Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion, secured the silver with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters, while Anderson Peters of Grenada claimed the bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters.

Neeraj’s father, Satish Chopra, also congratulated Nadeem on his victory, acknowledging that every athlete has their day. “Today, it was Arshad’s day. Twelve players were competing, and Arshad won the gold. Many congratulations to him,” he said.

Neeraj Chopra, who has been battling a groin injury, admitted that he has been struggling with his performance in recent years. Despite fouling on five of his six attempts, Chopra graciously congratulated Nadeem and praised his performance.

This victory marked Pakistan’s first-ever gold medal in track and field, adding another layer to the already intense sports rivalry between India and Pakistan. As Nadeem reflected on the competition, he noted how eagerly fans from both nations had anticipated this face-off in the javelin event. “People back home in Pakistan and even in India were eager to see us both throwing the javelin and beating each other. I’m happy to see Chopra earning silver,” Nadeem said through a translator.

The mutual respect and camaraderie displayed by the athletes and their families offer a refreshing reminder of the shared humanity that transcends national rivalries, making this Olympic moment one to remember.

[werindialive]

'First time I've lost to Arshad Nadeem': Neeraj Chopra 'won't be at peace' unless he eclipses Paris Olympics silver 

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in athletics, has once again set his sights on the highest accolades after a rare defeat to his Pakistani rival, Arshad Nadeem. The recent setback has only fueled Chopra's determination to achieve greater success, especially as he looks towards the Paris Olympics. 

Chopra has built a reputation as one of the most consistent and dominant javelin throwers on the global stage. However, his recent defeat to Nadeem has stirred something within him. "This is the first time I've lost to Arshad Nadeem," Chopra candidly remarked, highlighting the significance of the loss. The defeat has left Chopra unsatisfied, and he's made it clear that he will not be at peace until he surpasses this performance, particularly with the Paris Olympics on the horizon. 

The rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem has been brewing for years, with both  the athletes pushing each other to new heights. While Chopra has often had the upper hand, Nadeem's recent victory marks a turning point in their competitive relationship. This defeat, however, has only intensified the Chopra's resolve. He views it as a stepping stone, a momentary setback that will propel him to train harder, refine his technique, and ultimately, reclaim his dominance in the sport. 

Chopra's focus is now firmly set on the Paris Olympics, where he aims not just to win but to eclipse his previous achievements. The silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics was a significant milestone, but Chopra believes he can do better. He has his eyes on the gold, and he’s determined to leave no stone unturned in his preparation. 

As one of India's most celebrated athletes, Chopra carries the hopes and dreams of millions. His journey is not just about personal glory but also about inspiring the next generation of athletes in India. The defeat to Nadeem, while disappointing, is a reminder that even the best athletes face challenges. What sets Chopra apart is his unwavering commitment to overcoming these challenges and emerging stronger. 

In the coming months, as Chopra gears up for the Paris Olympics, fans and critics alike will be watching closely. One thing is certain: Neeraj Chopra won’t rest until he has eclipsed his previous achievements and once again stood at the pinnacle of his sport. For more sports news, subscribe to our newsletter. 

[colonelrajyavardhanrathore]

Unveiling India’s Shooting Stars at the Olympics

India have won six medals in shooting at the Olympics. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore started with a silver at Athens 2004 while Manu Bhaker won two at Paris 2024.

India’s journey in the realm of Olympic shooting sports has been nothing short of remarkable, with a constellation of talented athletes making their mark on the global stage. Among these luminaries stands Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, a true icon whose achievements have brought glory and recognition to the nation.

Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore: A Jewel in India’s Olympic Crown

Journey to Olympic Glory

Colonel Rathore’s tryst with Olympic glory began in earnest when he represented India in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Competing in the double trap shooting event, Rathore clinched the silver medal, marking a historic moment for Indian sports. His achievement not only brought home India’s first individual silver medal in over a century but also inspired a generation of aspiring athletes across the country.

Impact on Indian Shooting Sports

Colonel Rathore’s influence extends beyond his individual achievements. He has been instrumental in elevating the status of shooting sports in India, advocating for better infrastructure, training facilities, and support systems for athletes. His efforts have borne fruit, with India consistently producing talented shooters who compete and excel on the global stage.

India’s Rising Stars in Shooting

While Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore remains an iconic figure, he is not alone in India’s journey of excellence in shooting sports. The country has seen a surge of young talent emerging in various disciplines of shooting, each with the potential to carve their own place in history.

Emerging Talents and Achievements

Infrastructure and Support Systems

The rise of these shooting stars can be attributed to a concerted effort by various stakeholders to enhance training facilities, coaching expertise, and financial support. Institutes like the Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation and Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance have played pivotal roles in nurturing talent and providing them with the necessary resources to excel.

Future Prospects and Goals

As India looks ahead to future Olympic campaigns and international competitions, the focus remains on nurturing and supporting its burgeoning shooting talent. The aim is not only to maintain the momentum but also to surpass previous achievements, aiming for more medals and global recognition.

Conclusion

Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore’s journey from a military officer to an Olympic medalist and beyond is a saga of perseverance, passion, and patriotism. His contributions to Indian sports, particularly in shooting, have left an indelible mark and continue to inspire generations of athletes.

As India celebrates its shooting stars and prepares for future challenges, the legacy of Colonel Rathore serves as a guiding light, reminding us of what is possible with dedication, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

[slowdancingtorock]

Ireland - Day 39

Today was incredibly unremarkable. Barely anything interesting happened. Because the student were once again not interested in any early activities I could come in late to work. I "fixed" our printers because they suddenly decided to refuse to work (relatable sentiment but still). Wr handled the coffee breaks, chatted with the teachers a little about globalization and the gender pay gap (that was exhausting because some of them are too dense to understand that people sometimes break laws).

After work I devoured my dinner and watched the rebroadcast of the Chess World Cup. I am very happy for Magnus to have now won every single tournament there is at least once but I'd hate for him to retire from classical chess. Classical chess without Magnus Carlsen is like my analogies - just not that exciting. Overall I am really happy with the World Cup overall. Pragg getting the silver medal and a guaranteed spot in the candidates is amazing for the new generation of chess players and India of course. Also Fabi getting the bronze medal is just a testament to all these bombshells of preparation that he tends to drop on his opponents. I hope he doesn't choke during the candidates again.

After I finished watching the rebroadcast I met with my German folks at yet another pub. Wr didn't drink much and opted to check out the harbour. It was great, we had a good time but the evening concluded rather quickly as we all had at least 45 minutes of commute back to our respective accommodations. Dublin at night is fucking weird. So many strange characters roaming about and talking all kinds of nonsense. I also learned why all the streets smell like weed and... other things in the morning.

My song of the day is Ain't No Rest for the Wicked. Lord knows I barely got any rest in the past few days. But also the first two verses resonate very well with my way back from Malahide. God that was uncomfortable.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Yogesh Kathuniya in Hangzhou (Image: Rohan Chowdhury) The world’s largest single Para sport event is set to take place in India for the first time, as New Delhi hosts the 2025 Para Athletics World Championships. Scheduled from 26 September to 5 October 2025 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, this landmark event marks a significant milestone in the growth of Para sports in the country. The announcement was made by World Para Athletics (WPA) on 19 December 2024. The 2025 edition will be the 12th Para Athletics World Championships and the fourth time the event is being held in Asia, following successful editions in Doha (2015), Dubai (2019), and Kobe (2024). The event is expected to attract over 1,000 athletes from more than 100 nations, making it the largest international Para sport event ever hosted in India. In addition to the championships, New Delhi will host a World Para Athletics Grand Prix for the first time next year. The Grand Prix is scheduled from 11 to 13 March 2025, providing fans an early taste of the excitement of Para athletics ahead of the world championships. Two-time Paralympics and World Championships silver medallist Yogesh Kathuniya expressed his excitement about the World Championships being hosted on home soil. “I am really excited that the World Championships are happening in India. It opens up a lot of future opportunities to host more such international events,” he said exclusively to RevSportz. Highlighting the advantages of competing at home, Kathuniya added, “It makes it easier for us, because it is the home ground, and we know the grounds in and out. The traveling is less, and you get home support.” Kathuniya also emphasised the positive societal impacts of the event. “Many people will be able to see the events from the stands, and it’ll increase awareness for Para sports among the masses. It will influence many young Para athletes to take up the sport more seriously as well,” he remarked. Paul Fitzgerald, Head of World Para Athletics, emphasised the significance of hosting the championships in India. “We are delighted to announce that the first major championships of the new Paralympic cycle towards Los Angeles 2028 will be hosted in New Delhi. This event represents a massive opportunity to grow our sport, expand our fan base, and impact society’s perception of persons with disabilities in the world’s most populous nation,” he said. [International Paralympic Committee] Fitzgerald praised India’s remarkable progress in Para athletics over the past decade, highlighting the country’s achievements, including winning two silver medals at the Doha 2015 World Championships, and 17 medals—including six gold—at the 2024 Worlds in Kobe. “This success reflects the work of the National Paralympic Committee of India and the investment being made in sports, particularly Para athletics, in the country. We believe this event will leave a lasting legacy, making Para sports more visible and accessible to everyone,” he added. The National Paralympic Committee of India (NPC India) expressed pride in hosting the event. “This historic event marks a significant milestone in India’s journey to becoming a global sporting powerhouse and strengthens our bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” NPC India said in a statement. “With a population of over 60 million persons with disabilities, this event is a crucial step in fostering inclusivity, empowering athletes, and expanding opportunities for athletes with disabilities. This event will showcase India’s unparalleled growth in the field of Para sports and align with the vision of a ‘New India’ as emphasized by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.” The post World Championships on home soil will inspire young Para athletes – Yogesh Kathuniya appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link