Paris Paralympics 2024: Nishad Kumar: From Fields to Fame
From the fields of Himachal Pradesh to the Paralympic podium, Nishad Kumar surely jumped his way into the history pages—and our hearts. The high-jumping sensation of Badaun village was not only aiming for the sky but promisingly was determined to make it his stage and at Paris Paralympics 2024 he did exactly that, leaping over 2.04 m for a shiny silver medal. A Journey Unlike Any Other Nishad Kumar is no run-of-the-mill sports story. A six-year-old at the time, he was helping out on his family’s farm when an accident with the fodder-cutting machine took his right arm away. For most people, that would have been a psychological end to their life. But not Nishad. He got up and no sooner did he get up from the incident than he was sprinting and jumping his way through school competitions, leaving everyone-be they two arms or none-behind in dust. Rise Through the Ranks It was in 2017 that Nishad Kumar entered the world of para-athletics. Then came coaches Naseem Ahamed and Vikram Chaudhary, who saw that the lanky youngster was something special. Whittling away with serious training, while taking a cue from TV for the high jump technique, yes, TV, he traversed from 1.55 meters to soar over 2 meters. Tokyo Triumph Cut to Tokyo, where the ultimate test awaited Nishad Kumar amidst a sea of seriously talented competition. With a new coach, the inimitable Satyanarayan, he parlayed a heart as big as his jumps into a silver medal performance, nipping another American by the thinnest of margins. Podium At Paris Now the 24 year old Nishad Kumar secured a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 with his 2.04m leap. This was Nishad Kumar’s second podium finish. What’s Next? What’s next for Nishad, then? More records, more medals, maybe jumping over the moon one day. For sure, Nishad Kumar is not a high jumper. He is a high-flyer and all of us are just onlookers. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Bopanna equals best US Open mixed doubles performance by reaching semis
India’s Rohan Bopanna and Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi are through to the semi-finals of the US Open mixed doubles event after a three-set win over fourth seeds Matt Ebden/ Barbora Krejcikova. Bopanna and Sutjiadi, the eighth seeds, came from 0-3 down to claim the first set in a tiebreak. Ebden/ Krejcikova fought back to take the second set 6-2 and push the quarter-final into a match tiebreak. Also Read: Djokovic To Kick Off 2025 In Brisbane, Aiming For 25th Grand Slam Bopanna/ Sutjiadi ran off to an 8-2 lead in the tiebreak before Ebden/ Krejcikova win five points in a row to pull back to 7-8. The Indo-Indonesian duo then held on to take the next two points and complete the 7-6, 2-6, 10-7 in one hour and 33 minutes. Bopanna/ Sutjiadi to face Young/ Townsend in semi-finals on Tuesday Bopanna and Sutjiadi will next face the all-American duo of Donald Young and Taylor Townsend on Louis Armstrong’s Stadium on Tuesday for a place in the final. This is only the second time in his distinguished career that Bopanna has advanced to the last four in the US Open mixed doubles draw (after 2015). This also equals Sutjiadi’s best performance at a Major; she also reached the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon mixed doubles event last year. The Sportz Planet Desk,Haresh Ramchandani
Paris Paralympics 2024: Eight Medals-Countless Smiles!
Eight medals in a single day. Who would have had ever even imagined it in the wildest of their dreams? Or let’s call it a dream. However our Indian athletes brought the dream into the reality on the eve of 2nd of September 2024 at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Well this is how the day unfolded. Silver Spin to Start the Day Grit, glory and a pinch of magic. Indian athletes belted out a record eight medals on the same day at the Paris Paralympics 2024 to keep the tricolor high and hearts bursting with pride. The day kicked off with Yogesh Kathuniya converting silver into history in the men’s discus F56 final that set the pace for the medal-packed marathon ahead. Golden Triumphs Nitesh Kumar and Sumit Antil Shine But it was just the beginning! The golden boy, Nitesh Kumar, stormed past Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the men’s singles SL3 final, clinching gold and securing a place in the legends’ book. Sumit Antil then unleashed his strong points in the men’s javelin F64 final and threw his way to gold with a Paralympic record of 70.59 meters. Silver Streaks: Badminton Battles Bring More Glory The silver lining in badminton came courtesy Suhas Yathiraj and Thulasimathi Murugesan, both of whom lost in a razor-edge cliffhanger in the final. Bronze Brigade: Archery and Badminton Heroes But the bronze brigade wasn’t to be left behind. Manisha Ramadass smashed her way to a third-place finish in the women’s singles SU5, while dynamic archery duo Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar hit the bullseye for bronze in the mixed compound event. Nithya Sre Sivan’s Last Minute Heroics As the day closed at the Paris Paralympics 2024, Nithya Sre Sivan’s victory in the women’s singles SH6 ensured India’s medal tally gleamed even brighter. A Day to Remember India’s athletes didn’t just win medals, they won hearts-a proof that Paris truly is the city of lights-and our para-athletes are its brightest stars! Here’s to more golden dreams and shining moments in the days to come. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Development and Integration of Sports Science in Training Programs in India
Investing in Sports Science Sports science integration into different training programs has come out to be immensely crucial for improving athletic performance and injury prevention in India. In 2024, major improvements were reported in the adoption of sports sciences across many sports disciplines. For example, a total of close to INR ₹150 crore or about $18 million has been sanctioned by the National Sports Development Fund of India to extend support for sports science initiatives related to technology upgrade and athlete support programs. Current Adoption and Benefits Elite athletes and national teams these days use data analytics to monitor and improve performances. Recent data indicates that roughly 70% of India’s elite athletes in cricket, hockey and athletics are adopting methods in sports science-sharply up from only 30% in 2020. The rise reflects increasing awareness about the use of biomechanical analysis, physiological tests and nutrition according to needs. Challenges at the Grassroots Level It is still integration, though, which remains rather unevenly distributed. So, grassroots and regional programs seldom have access to superior sports science resources. According to a 2024 survey by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), at the district level, 20% of the training centers reported having access to the sports science facilities, while 60% at the national level had access. Thus, the chasm indicates the requirement for further investments in sports science infrastructure at levels lower than the highest level of competition. Future Directions Another important aspect of successfully applying sports science would be complete cooperation between sports scientists, coaches and athletes. As this field is constantly in growth, creating an environment that appreciates evidence-based training practices is crucial for the future development in improving sports science in India. This will require further investment and education to narrow the gap between elite and grassroots levels and lift the overall standard of Indian sports. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Bopanna, Bhambri crash out of US Open in third round
India’s campaign in the men’s doubles event at the ongoing US Open in New York came to an end on Sunday with both Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri bowing out of the event with their respective partners. Bopanna/ Ebden, the second seeds and runners-up here last year, were defeated 1-6, 5-7 by 16th seeds Maximo Gonzalez/ Andres Molteni. The Indo-Aussie duo was unable to earn a single break point during the 66-minute encounter while Gonzalez/ Molteni converted three of three break point opportunities to advance to the quarter-finals. Bhambri/ Olivetti also go down in straight sets at the US Open Earlier on Sunday, Yuki Bhambri and French partner Albano Olivetti went down to top seeds Marcel Granollers/ Horacio Zeballos 2-6, 2-6 in another third-round clash. The Indo-French duo was also unable to earn a look at a break point while Granollers/ Zeballos converted four of seven break point chances during the 74-minute win. India’s hopes now will rest on Bopanna in the mixed doubles competition. Bopanna and Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi will take on fourth seeds Ebden/ Krejcikova in a quarter-final clash on Monday.
US Open 2024: Emma Navarro Upsets Coco Gauff In Fourth Round
Emma Navarro shocked the tennis world by defeating third-seeded Coco Gauff in a thrilling US Open fourth-round match, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Gauff, a strong contender for the title, struggled significantly with her serve, racking up 19 double faults throughout the match. Of these, 11 came in the decisive third set, a factor that heavily contributed to her unexpected loss. Navarro – A Rising Star Navarro, who had also beaten Gauff at Wimbledon in July, showed remarkable composure and skill in this match, continuing her impressive run at the tournament. Her victory advanced her to the quarter-finals, where she will face the 26th seed, Paula Badosa, who secured her spot after a dominant win earlier in the day. Heartbreak For Gauff This defeat for Gauff ended her hopes of becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the US Open title. Despite a strong second set, where Gauff fought back to level the match, her serving issues proved too costly in the end. Navarro – A Young Sensation Navarro’s triumph is historic, making her the youngest American woman to reach both the US Open and Wimbledon quarter-finals in the same year since Serena Williams did so in 2004. Her ability to break Gauff’s serve multiple times and capitalize on her opponent’s numerous errors were key to her success. With this win, Navarro is set to break into the world’s top 10 rankings, marking a significant milestone in her rapidly rising career. Her victory over Gauff solidified her status as one of the most promising young talents on the WTA Tour. The Sportz Planet Desk,Nitya Sutrave
Paris Paralympics 2024: Nishad Kumar Takes Silver in Men’s High Jump Event
India’s sole medal hope in athletics competitions at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Nishad Kumar, duly obliged as he won a silver medal in the Men’s High Jump T47 event. Kumar achieved a mark of 2.04 meters-a season record. Thrilling Competition Outcome The electrifying competition this morning earned Nishad Kumar a silver badge in the podium position. America’s Roderick Townsend-Roberts took gold with a season-best leap of 2.08m, with Russia’s Georgii Margiev in bronze. Consistency and Recognition This feat has become all the more exemplary since it has come as a repeat of the silver medal that Nishad Kumar had secured in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, proving his sustained brilliance in the sport. PM Modi Congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nishad Kumar via a social media post on twitter.com. He said the nation cherished Nishad Kumar’s greatness, determination, and passion to scale greater heights for such an achievement. “Congrats to @nishad_hj for his remarkable achievement in winning a Silver medal in the Men’s High Jump T47 event at the #Paralympics2024! He has shown us all that with passion and determination, everything is possible. India is elated.” tweeted the PM, exhorting support for the Indian contingent with #Cheer4Bharat. Inspiration and National Pride Performance by Nishad Kumar continued to instigate and motivate the Indian sporting fraternity to make them proud with their nation rising in the global Paralympic order. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ENG vs SL: Joe Root Breaks Record For Most Test Centuries
It all started in Headingly back in 2013 when Joe Root scored his maiden century against New Zealand in Test cricket. Fast forward to eleven years later, Joe Root is now England’s leading century-maker in Test cricket. On an unforgettable Saturday afternoon at Lord’s, the 33-year-old reached his 34th Test hundred to overtake Alastair Cook’s record. Root also became the first batsman since Michael Vaughan in 2004 to register centuries in both innings at the Home of Cricket, backing up his first-innings 143 with another brilliant knock. Joe Root’s 34 Test centuries for England Score Opponent Venue Date 104 New Zealand Headingley May 2013 180 Australia Lord’s July 2013 200no Sri Lanka Lord’s June 2014 154no India Trent Bridge July 2014 149no India The Oval August 2014 182no West Indies St George’s April 2015 134 Australia Sophia Gardens July 2015 130 Australia Trent Bridge August 2015 110 South Africa Wanderers January 2016 254 Pakistan Old Trafford July 2016 124 India Rajkot November 2016 190 South Africa Lord’s July 2017 136 West Indies Edgbaston August 2017 125 India The Oval September 2018 124 Sri Lanka Kandy November 2018 122 West Indies Gros Islet February 2019 226 New Zealand Hamilton November 2019 228 Sri Lanka Galle January 2021 186 Sri Lanka Galle January 2021 218 India Chennai February 2021 109 India Trent Bridge August 2021 180no India Lord’s August 2021 121 India Headingley August 2021 109 West Indies North Sound March 2022 153 West Indies Bridgetown March 2022 115no New Zealand Lord’s June 2022 176 New Zealand Trent Bridge June 2022 142no India Edgbaston July 2022 153no New Zealand Basin Reserve February 2023 118no Australia Edgbaston June 2023 122no India Ranchi February 2024 122 West Indies Trent Bridge July 2024 143 Sri Lanka Lord’s August 2024 TBC Sri Lanka Lord’s August 2024 Root has become only the third-ever cricketer to hit centuries in both innings in a Test at Lord’s. He had hit 143 in the first innings when England posted 427/10. Root also equalled legendary Younis Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara and Mahela Jayawardene’s Test century tally and is now only behind five cricketers in the exclusive list. Most Test hundreds Root took only 111 balls to reach a hundred, his fastest Test century, as England stretched their second innings lead past 480 in the second session. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Top Player Buys From Summer Transfer Window 2024
Inset: the new football season, the summer transfer window of 2024 has thrown up some splashing deals. Headlining this was Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid on a free transfer after his contract with PSG expired. Mbappe will be an important figure for Los Blancos, having won 15 trophies and scoring 334 goals. Here are the other big name buys across Europe’s top football leagues. Julian Alvarez: Atletico Madrid’s New Star Striker Atletico Madrid made a statement by luring Julian Alvarez away from Manchester City for €75 million. Alvarez is the versatile and creative World Cup-winning Argentinian forward to fit well in Diego Simeone’s side. Barcelona’s Big Return – Dani Olmo Barcelona welcomed back Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for €55 million. The sparkling Euro 2024 campaign saw Olmo come back to his La Masia roots and immediately caused ripples in their attack. Boost at the Back for Arsenal-Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a whopping €45m to back up their defense. The Italian center-back is expected to solidify the Gunners’ leaky defense this season. Bayern Munich’s New Attacking Option-Michael Olise Bayern Munich acquired the services of Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for a reported €53m. The young Frenchie wingman brings pace and flair to the Bavarian attack. Chelsea’s Bright Future-Pedro Neto Chelsea’s signing of the season has to be Portuguese winger Pedro Neto, captured from Wolves for €60m. He puts to paper a seven-year contract as the Blues invest in their future. Gundogan Returns to Manchester City Ilkay Gundogan makes a quick return to Manchester City from Barcelona. The experienced midfielder comes in on a free transfer, boosting the depth of midfield at City. Matthijs De Ligt: Manchester United’s Savior at the Back Backline problems saw Manchester United sign Matthijs De Ligt from Bayern Munich in a deal estimated at a value of €45 million. The Dutchman is reunited with Erik Ten Hag as he brings stability to United’s backline. Liverpool’s Bargain Deal – Federico Chiesa Liverpool pulled a bargain as they signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus for a mere €12 million. He might be injury-prone, but Chiesa is a high-potential player. Juventus Strengthens Midfield – Douglas Luiz This was followed by the signing of Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa for a price tag of €51.5 million. Given his sterling displays at Villa and regular showings with the Brazilian national team, the Bianconeri will be reliant upon him quite well. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
US Open 2024: Novak Djokovic Knocked Out Of Third Round By Popyrin
For the first time since 2002, none of the “Big Three” of men’s tennis – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer – claimed a Grand Slam title. Biggest Victory for Popyrin An angry Novak Djokovic failed in his bid to create a record 25th Grand Slam title as he lost to Alexei Popyrin. Australian Popyrin secured the biggest win of his career as he defeated the second-seeded Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the US Open on Friday. Third Time’s the Charm “Third time lucky, I guess,” said Popyrin in his on-court interview, having been beaten by Djokovic at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon earlier in the season. The 24-year-old Australian took full advantage of a stunning collapse from the top-seeded Serb, who has rarely been as sloppy with 14 double faults a record for him in a Grand Slam match. Djokovic labors in wake of Olympic triumph Djokovic, who arrived in New York with a gold medal from Paris, never looked energetic and failed to jump at his opponent throughout the match. The Serbian showed glimpses of his spirit in the third set after going down two sets, but the Australian managed to snap out of it quickly. A beautiful forehand winner finally sealed the deal in the fourth set for Popyrin. This was Djokovic’s earliest U.S Open defeat since 2006. Djokovic later admitted this as an ‘awful’ U.S Open loss. Popyrin Advances to the Next Round With the victory, Popyrin moves into the round of 16, where he will face American Frances Tiafoe. Djokovic’s defeat also guarantees that, for the first time since 2002, one of the so-called “Big Three” of men’s tennis-Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer-will not capture a Grand Slam title this year. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye