Paris Paralympics 2024: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates Indian Para-Badminton Team for Historical Podium Finish At The Games
In the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the felicitation of the Indian Para-Badminton team was carried out in New Delhi for its spectacular performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The contingent returned to India with their best-ever performance in Para-Badminton, securing a total of five medals-one Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze. Appreciation Expressing his pride, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes: “You have made the entire nation proud with your outstanding performance. Your dedication and spirit have set a new benchmark for Indian sports” He also encouraged those who narrowly missed out on medals, underlining that their experiences weren’t a loss: “We haven’t lost medals, we have gained invaluable experience. I am confident that in the future Paralympics, our medal count will further rise, and each of you will emerge as winners.” he assured. India’s Steady Progress in Sports Dr. Mandaviya also spoke of the gradual rise of India at international sports over a decade and elaborated, “In the last 10 years, we have continuously improved our performance, proving our mettle on the global stage,” He reassured the government of its commitment to increasing support for para-athletes by providing better facilities, training, and opportunities to excel. Medal Winners The champions in Para-Badminton were Nitesh Kumar (Gold), Suhas LY (Silver), Thulasimathi Murugesan (Silver), Nithya Sre (Bronze), and Manisha Ramadass (Bronze). Their efforts helped India overtake the number of medals it won at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a total of 20 medals so far as of September 3, 2024. Recognition of Support by Government The athletes thanked the government, especially for its support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which helped to provide them with facilities and resources that were imperative to win on the international front. Notably, the Government of India sanctioned 19 exposure trips abroad for the 13 para shuttlers who played in the games, proving a strong support system for the winners. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: From Sangli to Silver: Sachin Khilari’s Shot Put Heroics
There’s a new underdog story in town, and it’s packing a punch. Sachin Khilari, India’s shot put sensation, has just snagged a dazzling silver medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, launching his way into the spotlight with a throw of 16.32 meters. It was an incredibly nail-biting finish, falling a mere 0.06 meters short of gold. From Village to Podium Born and brought up in Karagani village, Sangli, Maharashtra, Sachin’s life may have appeared to be going off track after a school accident left him with a disability in his left hand. However, rather than letting this setback weigh him down, he decided to toss his troubles aside and dive head-first into para athletics in 2015. Sachin then tried his shot at the NAtional games and struck gold in 2017. Talk about a comeback! A Blockbuster Journey The journey of Sachin from a small village to the grand stage of the Paralympics is nothing less than a Bollywood blockbuster. He is not only breaking records but is breaking them comprehensively. His silver medal in Paris is India’s 21st medal of the Games-a new national record. And, oh yeah-forget that he is also a mechanical engineer and a part-time educator. Who knew shot puts and chalkboards go so well together? The Silver-Shot Superstar A heart as big as the size of his throws itself; Sachin’s story goes on to prove that none of the toughest throws in life can stand a chance against sheer determination. Here’s to Sachin-the silver-shot superhero of the Paralympics! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
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
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
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
Meet Sheetal Devi: An Inspirational Archer from India With No Arms
With the start of the Paris Paralympics 2024, all eyes are on 17-year-old Indian archer Sheetal Devi. Born with phocomelia, a rare disorder that leads to undeveloped or missing limbs, Sheetal has been competing internationally without using her arms. Hailing from Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal had first seen archery when she was 15. With not many resources at hand, her way into the sport was unimaginable. But in 2022, coaches Kuldeep Vedwan and Abhilasha Chaudhary looked beyond that and started training her, making adjustments in the techniques to suit her peculiar skills. Innovative Training and Breakthrough With a customized bow fabricated locally, Sheetal’s coaches at the academy got her to shoot arrows with her legs and back. Starting with basic exercises using a rubber band, she soon began hitting 50-meter targets with a proper bow. Two years later, she scored six perfect 10s and captured gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games. Achievements Sheetal has also been the first lady armless archer who won a medal in the Para World Championships. Sheetal has not gone back home since her training began in Katra. Sheetal is fully aware of what is expected from her and would like to carry on with her winning streak in the Paris 2024 Paralympics. All Eyes on Paris In the run-up to Paralympics, Sheetal Devi stands tall as a harbinger of hope and determination, an inspiration for many. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
The Science of Athlete Recovery: A Sport-Specific Approach
The process of athlete recovery is as complex as it can get, depending on which sport they take part in. For instance, an endurance athlete, like that marathon runner, will need prolonged muscle recovery and cardiovascular revamping. On the other hand, sprinters require fast muscle repair and nervous system recovery. These contrasting recovery methods are what make the difference in their performance in the field with a view of ensuring the athlete is at their very best while back in the sport. Age Recovery also depends on the athlete’s age. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Indian contingent had athletes from 14-year-old swimming sensation Dhinidhi Desinghu to 44-year-old tennis legend Rohan Bopanna. Recovery for a competition to a teenage swimmer like Desinghu contradicts a 44-year-old veteran like Bopanna. Younger athletes may recover more quickly due to their age, while older athletes often require more focused strategies to maintain their physical condition. The Complexities of Female Athlete Recovery The added complications of female athletes and recovery are mostly related to the effects of the menstrual cycle on biomarkers and the associated signals that stimulate hormonal activity. This can have an effect on sleep and muscle repair as well. Therefore, a female athlete’s ability to perform at their best through different stages of life makes it necessary to have some special challenges in the recuperation plan. More and more, recovery plans are taking into account sport-specific methods, needs based on age and needs based on gender. The development of the history of sports scoping science has been one that lays it very clear—recovery is not one-size-fits-all. It needs an individual prescription in which the specifics of each athlete are taken in. Only then will there be a possibility of optimal sports performance and longevity. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Manu Bhaker’s Net Worth Soars to Rs 12 Crore After Paris Olympics 2024
Manu Bhaker set the tricolor flying high with her stellar performance at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bhaker won a couple of bronze medals in shooting, bringing home laurels that inspire millions across India and beyond with her performances as one of the most promising athletes. Apart from her sporting success, Manu Bhaker has also been in the limelight for her financial gains post Paris 2024. Manu Bhaker’s Net Worth Soars As of 2024, the real net worth of Manu Bhaker is reportedly an incredible Rs 12 crore by Deccan Herald and Wikipedia. This young girl has mostly contributed much bulk wealth towards her illustrious shooting career and a string of lucrative endorsement deals. The big brands are interested in her star power, with Manu Bhaker having sealed sponsorships with Nothing India and Performax. True enough, her brand value is reaching the rooftop and it is now believed that in today’s time, Manu Bhaker charges around Rs 1.5 crore for any kind of advertisement. Endorsements Boost Brand Value Endorsements have now become a robust part of Manu Bhaker’s financial portfolio. According to MoneyControl, the range of endorsement fees for a female athlete in India ranges between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 30 lakh. And Manu Bhaker falls nowhere short of it. Her brand associations with major corporates have concretized her place in the long-nurtured dream of sports marketing. Manu Bhaker’s net worth was quoted to be around Rs 60 lakh before her achievements at Paris Olympics 2024, which shows rapid financial escalation with every accomplishment. The meteoric rise of Manu Bhaker in the sporting field, regarding money earned and reputation, becomes an inspiration toward dedication for the sport and a very promising future ahead. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Why Countries Vie for Summer Olympics: A Peep into the Motives Behind the Bid
With the road to LA28 being paved, cities around the world finalize their bids, which are driven by motives stretching beyond the sporting spectacle itself. The idea is that hosting the Olympics is an honor of great potential benefit associated with it, despite its being extremely expensive. Pride and National Image One major reason countries would want to host the Olympics is to develop national pride and enhance their image on the international platform. Take the instance of the Paris Olympics 2024, which emphasized the active culture and resilience amid political unrest France is facing. This was the opportunity to be part of French people under one same pride that united citizens during that moment, which echoes the bigger picture effect that hosting the Games adds to national morale. Similarly, past host cities, like Barcelona and Tokyo, used the Olympics to regain their position on the world stage and generate infrastructure that would endure for generations. Economic Development and Infrastructure The financial cost of hosting the Olympics can be crippling in the short term, as the costs almost always end up being far higher than the projected budgets. Still, the potential for long-term economic benefit is too high to ignore. New infrastructure, such as transportation systems and sports venues, can induce further development. For instance, it was Tokyo’s 1964 Games that paved the way for extensive improvements in transport infrastructure through the construction of the Bullet Train. In contrast, costs can be heavy. Greece slipped into a financial crisis as it struggled to pay off billions of dollars in debts run up hosting the 2004 Olympics. Rio de Janeiro missed the 2016 financial targets for its Olympics. Tourism and Trade This can also help in improving tourism and trade. The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona gave the tourist profile a drastic makeover, turning the city into one of the top destinations in Europe. Similarly, the 2008 Olympics in China helped facilitate entry into the World Trade Organization, opening up new trade opportunities. These long-term gains thus show how hosts could cash in through their exposure to the world. The Road to LA28 With the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 in the future, it remains banked on the exploitation of existing infrastructure to avoid falling into the financial pitfalls of previous host cities. As LA keeps this balance between cost and opportunity, it can set a precedent for future hosts. As nations like India weigh their bids for 2036, they shall look at the successes and challenges of past hosts to help navigate the complex decision of whether to embrace this global event. Although the task of hosting the Summer Olympics is both extremely expensive and a logistical nightmare, potential returns in citizens’ pride and global image, together with long-term economic benefits, make the Olympic opportunity quite attractive to many countries around the world. As the Road to LA28 unfolds, future hosts will be watching closely to get a feel for what the ultimate return on their investment is. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
LA28: Los Angeles Is Preparing to Host LA28 with a Legacy of Community Impact and Gender Equality.
After the glittering, star-studded closing ceremony at Paris Olympics 2024, the Olympic flag was finally passed to Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Olympic Games. However, the impact of the LA28 Games is already being felt across the city, with Los Angeles continuing to reap the benefits accruable from its sporting legacy, dating back to the 1984 Olympics. A Legacy of Accessibility to Youth The 1984 Olympic Games impacted Los Angeles long before the event started. Out of the surplus accrued from the 1984 Games, a foundation—the LA84 Foundation—was established, which has become very influential in local youths’ participation in sports, with a special focus on young girls and women. Their programs have reached over 3 million young people from the year 1984 to the year 2017, with female participation gladly standing at 42 percent. More recently, the PlayLA program allowed youth of all abilities and backgrounds to engage in sport activities at an affordable cost. This initiative was funded by the IOC and the LA28 Organizing Committee and developed by the LA City Recreation and Parks Department. To date, since 2018, it has given over 500,000 young people an opportunity, thus setting the tone for the upcoming Games with resonance in inclusivity and accessibility. Progress in Gender Equality It was the Games that did many firsts in terms of women in sport. Front and center were the first-ever ladies competing in the Olympic women’s marathon, artistic swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics, as well as totally new disciplines for both men and women like 3000 and 400m hurdles, road cycling, and shooting. The representation would be a then-record high of 23% females, setting the stage for future equality in sports. Fast-forward to Paris 2024, where the IOC nailed an exact 50:50 split between male and female athletes, further sealing the gains that began several decades ago in Los Angeles. The dedication to this gender equality continues to inspire the upcoming LA28 Games—the promise of a stage where athletic excellence knows no gender. Preserving Venue Legacy What organizers are touting with LA28 is sustainability and “radical reuse.” That means no new permanent venues will be built in Los Angeles for the games. Actually, 21 out of the 26 existing venues used during the 1984 Games are still operating today. This means that sports, cultural, and leisure activities at these locations can still be used by athletes and citizens alike. One of the most iconic venues is the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which has an Olympic legacy second to none—hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1932 and 1984 Games, besides track and field events. The Coliseum will have once again been one of the primary venues for the LA28 Games, continuing to grow its legendary status as an Olympic landmark. Social, Economic and Environmental Legacies Though its legacy extends down the playing field, the path-breaking new financial model of the Los Angeles 1984 Games was set through corporate sponsorships, which future Games followed. These Games set in motion a youth movement to spread Olympic values, fostered neighborhood volunteer engagement, and initiated city-wide environmental projects. More than 20,000 trees and bushes were planted in Los Angeles under clean-up initiatives, showing that there is some concern for the environment through the Games. It is in the process of building on this rich heritage, making sure that when the 2028 Games come, the spirit of the Olympics leaves a mark that will be remembered here in Los Angeles City, just like it happened 40 years ago. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye