Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic Dream Dashed by Weight Mishap
Today, the world saw how cruel sports can be. It takes you up, gives you glamour and hopes, and all of a sudden it shatters you down within no time. The same happened with Vinesh Phogat. Vinesh Phogat’s dream of an Olympic medal has come crashing down as she failed to make weight for her final bout in the women’s 50kg. Disqualified from the competition, she will not be allowed to compete in the final and the confirmed silver medal will also be taken away from her. First Reaction From The Industry Expert Dr. Amol Patil, a renowned sports physician and wellness consultant, said while speaking to The Sportz Planet, “Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification is a tragic outcome of a systemic failure in athlete preparation. Weight management in combat sports is a complex issue, but it’s clear that a scientific, athlete-centered approach is essential. It’s perplexing why India’s central sports science team wasn’t involved earlier to address the weight issue. We need to prioritize athlete health and performance by implementing evidence-based strategies with integration of technology. This incident demands a thorough review of our sports science support system.“ Dr. Patil’s Opinion The role of the support staff cannot be overstated. Coaches, nutritionists and physicians must work in tandem to create personalized weight management plans. Regular check-ins and adjustments to the plan are essential to ensure the athlete stays on track. The Indian Olympic Association’s central sports science team should play a more proactive role in providing expertise and support to athletes across all disciplines. It’s crucial to remember that weight management is not solely about achieving the target weight; it’s about optimizing performance and protecting athlete health. By adopting a scientific, athlete-centered approach, India can not only prevent future disqualifications but also enhance the overall performance of its athletes. The time for reactive measures is over. It’s time for a proactive, evidence-based approach to weight management in Indian sports. An Unfortunate History India, unfortunately, has a history of grappling with weigh-in issues in combat sports. The absence of a structured, scientific approach to weight management is a glaring gap in our sports science support system. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for a paradigm shift in how we prepare our athletes. Solution Central to addressing this issue is the implementation of regular, comprehensive monitoring. Segmental body composition analysis can provide invaluable insights into an athlete’s body composition, allowing for tailored nutrition and hydration plans. This data-driven approach, when combined with the expertise of nutritionists, physicians, and coaches, can significantly reduce the risk of last-minute weight crises. Furthermore, athletes must be educated about the dangers of rapid weight loss and the importance of gradual, sustainable weight management. A strong emphasis on nutrition, hydration, and recovery is paramount. Athletes should be encouraged to maintain a healthy weight throughout the year, rather than resorting to extreme measures in the lead-up to competitions. This was the first time Phogat has been disqualified, and it was a big, somber moment for Olympic wrestling. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Vinesh Phogat Aims For Gold In 50 kg Wrestling Final
A year of protest against the federation chief. Slept on pavements for 40 days. Was beaten, dragged by the police. Nearly immersed all her medals in the Ganga. Underwent knee surgery. Sealed her Olympic spot after an unforgiving qualification process. Became the 1st Indian woman wrestler to qualify for three successive Olympics. And now at Paris Olympics 2024, she’s beaten the unbeatable defending champ, won two more bouts to become the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling Olympic final. Words fail to appreciate what Vinesh Phogat has just done. Historic Achievement Vinesh Phogat has created history by becoming the first Indian woman to make it to an Olympic wrestling final. Phogat achieved this feat by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman 5-0 in the semifinal of the women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Tuesday, 07th August, 2024. Dominant In The Semifinal Vinesh Phogat, participating in the 50 kg weight category for the first time, showed her class when she won the bout through a points decision. The win assured India of a medal in the event and took Phogat into the gold-medal match to be held on Wednesday, where she will face USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. Story Of The Semi-Final In the semifinal bout, Phogat first got her point due to passivity by Guzman. Later on, availing a second passivity warning against her opponent in the second round, she bagged four points and cemented her position for the final. Here’s Phogat’s journey to the semi-finals of Paris 2024. Impressive Form At Paris 2024 Phogat’s journey to the final of the Paris Olympics 2024 has been excellent. Barely a few days ago, she had made news when she beat defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the round of 16. She then carried her fine form into the next round by beating Ukraine’s Oksana Livach in the quarterfinals. Awaits Gold-Medal Bout With her recent performance, Vinesh Phogat is now only the second Indian woman wrestler to secure an Olympic medal after Sakshi Malik managed the feat. The wrestling fraternity and Indian sports enthusiasts keenly await her performance in the final bout as she aims to bring home a piece of gold. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Avinash Sable Qualifies for Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Final
Indian runner Avinash Sable timed 8:15.43 and finished 5th on Monday 05th August, 2024. Aggressive is the word to describe this race; Sable, leading right up to the 1000m mark, eased into the top four. Sable stayed in front with Kenyan runner Abraham Kibiwot and the Ethiopian Samuel Fireru throughout most of the race but fell into third place as the race continued. He maintained a decent pace, though and at the bell remained in contention, being joined by Kibiwott, Fireru, and Japan’s Ryuji Miura, who had moved his way into the top five that would guarantee a place in the final. Last Lap and Performance Although overtaken by four competitors in the home straight, Sable clung to 5th position, with the discernibility of those athletically top separating themselves ahead and the rest behind. Significantly, Sable’s performance included the likelihood of being even better had he not checked too many times to see his position while the race was on. Impressive Pre-Olympics Form Sable takes solid form going into the Olympics in Paris. Ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, he bettered his personal best to 8:09:91 at the Paris Diamond League, which on 7 July got him the 6th place at a top-class field. This was the first time in his career that Sable made it under that 8:10 time. Confidence/Competitive Edge Some of his confidence came ahead of the Diamond League, where he stated that he was in the best shape of his career. The tight competition at the Diamond League was emphasized by a close finish, with all the runners from 4th to 6th position finishing within 0.50s of each other. Looking Ahead to the Final Sable’s progression and recent performances set a promising tone as he prepares for the final, with the men’s 3000m steeplechase event being one of the anticipated highlights of the Paris Olympics 2024. Also read about how Avinash Sable dreamt big here. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Avinash Sable; A Small Town Boy Who Dreamt Big
Avinash Sable recently made headlines. The Indian steeplechase runner will now head towards the finals of Paris Olympics 2024. On 5th of August, 2024, Avinash Sable timed 8:15.43 in the men’s 3000m steeplechase event and ended in the top 5 and secured a spot in the final. Here’s a bit of his backstory. Early Life Born on 13 September 1994, in Mandwa, Beed district of Maharashtra, Avinash Sable’s childhood was spent entirely in a village upbringing. With his family members being farmers, he would often run or walk the 6 km between his home and school due to the lack of transportation facilities in his village. These experiences instilled in him the habit that he is pursuing today. Military Service and Athletic Transition Sable joined the 5 Mahar regiment of the Indian Army after his 12th standard. His service included a tough stint at Siachen Glacier from 2013 to 2014, followed by postings in the deserts of north-western Rajasthan and Sikkim from 2015. During this time, he was initiated into cross-country running by fellow colleagues, which eventually led to his steeplechase training. Breakthrough Avinash Sable’s potential was spotted in January 2017 during a cross-country race in Hyderabad by Army coach Amrish Kumar. Sable was far from being an athlete then. He weighed around 76 kgs then. Under Kumar’s guidance, he lost 20 kgs in three months that set the track for his success in athletics. After the setback of the ankle injury that ruled him out of the Asian Games qualification, Sable broke the 37-year-old national record at the Open National Championships in 2018 with a timing of 8:29.80. On his streak of record-setting, in 2019 he started the year with a new national record of 8:28.94 at the Federation Cup and took a silver at the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha. International Recognition In 2019 Avinash Sable became the first Indian male steeplechaser since way back in 1991 to qualify for the World Championships. At the World Championships, he bettered his national record to 8:21.37 and finished the final in 13th place. In 2020, he set a national record at the Delhi Half Marathon and finished seventh at the Summer Olympics in a national record time of 8:18.12. Again, in 2022, Sable broke other national records at the Indian Grand Prix with a timing of 8:16.21 and at the Meeting International Mohamed VI with 8:12.48. His performance in the Commonwealth Games sealed him a silver with a national record time of 8:11.20. Achievements and Future Prospects In 2023, Sable finished 35th at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships and took gold in the steeplechase and silver in the 5000 meters at the Asian Games. Avinash Sable is going to be a watched athlete heading into the finals of Paris Olympics 2024 as he eyes to strike gold for India. He will compete in the final on the night of 7th August (8th Aug) at 1:13 am IST. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Novak Djokovic Set To Play His First Olympic Final
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic turned in a great performance to finally make an Olympic final, beating Lorenzo Musetti of Italy 6-4, 6-2 at Paris Olympics 2024 to set up a highly anticipated showdown for the gold medal. The Missing Piece: Olympic Gold With 24 Grand Slams under his belt, Djokovic is still wrestling to bring home that elusive Olympic Gold medal throughout his illustrious career. He still lacks a gold medal as the missing pinnacle of an otherwise exquisite set of achievements. Djokovic’s journey to the final made for a big milestone in the quest for the Paris Olympics 2024 glory. DJOKOVIC’S ROAD TO THE FINAL Round Opponent Score Winner 1st Round Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-0, 6-1 Djokovic 2nd Round Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-1, 6-4 Djokovic 3rd Round Dominik Koepfer (GER) 7-5, 6-3 Djokovic Quarter Final Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6-3, 7-6 Djokovic Semi Final Lorenzo Musetti (ITL) 6-4, 6-2 Djokovic ALCARAZ’S ROAD TO THE FINAL Round Opponent Score Winner 1st Round Hady Habib (LEB) 6-3, 6-1 Alcaraz 2nd Round Tallon Griekspoor (NED) 6-1, 7-6 Alcaraz 3rd Round Roman Safiullin (AIN) 6-4, 6-2 Alcaraz Quarter Final Tommy Paul (USA) 6-3, 7-6 Alcaraz Semi Final Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) 6-1, 6-1 Alcaraz Final Face-off with Carlos Alcaraz for the Gold Djokovic is set to meet Carlos Alcaraz, Spain’s rising star, in a Sunday blockbuster final. If one player in the draw has the same level of raw talent and youthful energy as Djokovic, it is Alcaraz, and he will provide a strong challenge to the experienced Serb. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: High Brand Value for Manu Bhaker as She Shines at Games
With less than a week until bagging two medals in the finals at the Paris Olympics 2024 and still on the verge of her third final, Manu Bhaker’s surging popularity gets a lot of eyeballs from big brands. Having already won two bronzes in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events and the strong chance of a third medal coming in the 25m air pistol, Bhaker’s market price has gone up exponentially. Endorsement Fee Surge The endorsement fees for Manu Bhaker were earlier INR 20-25 lakh. With the recent successes, the amount increased dramatically, which can be noted to as high as INR 1.5 crore presently. This steep hike thus mirrors the increasing recognition and commercial potential accruing to her successes. Rise in Interest from Brands The management team of Manu Bhaker has been deluged with endorsement offers, with about 40 inquiries within less than a week. While the focus has shifted to long-term endorsement deals, there are openings also for short-term digital engagements. Commercial Success Manu Bhaker’s exceptional performances at Paris Olympics 2024 has not only added to her stature in the sporting world but also elevated her as a major commercial asset, placing her among some of the other top athletes who have made a difference in the game and beyond. As Manu Bhaker gears up for another the final showdown at Paris 2024, there’s a speculation that her brand value is going to shoot up more and more in the times ahead. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Breakdancing Set to Make Olympic Debut
In what will be a milestone event for the sport, breakdancing is due to make its Olympic debut at the Paris Olympics 2024. This will be in celebration of perhaps the most important milestone reached by a dance style born in the Bronx yet, which is now set to shine on the widest stage of them all. From the Streets to the Olympics Out of the 1970s block parties in New York, breakdancing, or simply “breaking,” was born—a distillation of the streets in toto filled with the energy of DJ-led nights. In very little time, it had become one of the most distinctive elements of African American culture. By the 1980s, it would have people all over the globe getting into gangs like the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew. This rise continued into the 1990s, culminating in its historic addition to the Olympics. The Road to Paris The Olympic journey began in 2018, with an amazing premiere at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. The overwhelmingly exceptional response and sky-high viewer ratings absolutely guaranteed its place in the lineup for Paris 2024. This is the first time a dance sport has ever made the lineup of the Olympic Games. A Shift in Olympic Tradition Including breakdancing is a radical move for an organization that has traditionally been wedded to well-established and very traditional sports clubs. The community-driven, informal structure upon which breakdancing is based is quite radical and also different from the model taken by the Olympics. Yet, this move has generally been received with a huge degree of enthusiasm as well as skepticism. Competition Details and Schedule The breakdancing battles will be held for two days in a row at different times at Paris Olympics 2024. Competitions start on August 9, 2024 at 4–6 pm with women’s events for the qualifications and 8–10 pm for the final rounds with men’s competitions following a day later on August 10, 2024 at the same time for qualifications and final rounds. Looking Ahead Having breakdance in the Olympics is like merging athleticism with artistry, and it brings in a sense of new excitement for the Games. Surely, breakdancing will leave an indelible mark on the Paris Olympics 2024 and authenticate the fact that it really deserves to be on the Olympic stage. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Historic All-Indian Clash in Badminton Knockout Stage
The Paris Olympics 2024 knockout is now set for an exciting all-Indian clash between Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy in what had already been a landmark moment for badminton in India. Lakshya Sen, though, stole the limelight of that round by defeating the third seed and medal contender Jonatan Christie of Indonesia during the group stages in a display of his scorching talent. Prannoy, however, had to fight a difficult path to victory over Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in three intense games. Road to the Quarterfinals It is not about a patriotic battle; one of these players will advance to the quarterfinals to face the winner of the possible encounter between the fifth seed, Kodai Naraoka, and the 12th seed, Chou Tien Chen. Lakshya and Prannoy are both standing in contention to create history by picking up India’s first-ever men’s badminton medal at the Olympics, providing an added layer of intrigue to their showdown. Represented India in Other Disciplines The round of 16 is not only reserved for men’s singles in the representation from India. There is also a representation in women’s singles through seasoned P.V. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, and in men’s doubles through Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, a dynamic duo that made it through the group stages. Head-to-Head Record Date Tournament Player 1 Player 2 Winner Tue 1/17/2023 India Open 2023 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Wed 1/11/2023 Malaysia Open 2023 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen HS Prannoy Thu 10/20/2022 Denmark Open 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Thu 8/25/2022 World Championships 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen HS Prannoy Wed 6/15/2022 Indonesia Open 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen HS Prannoy Fri 3/11/2022 German Open 2022 HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Fri 1/14/2022 India Open HS Prannoy Lakshya Sen Lakshya Sen Now, coming to the head-to-head record, Lakshya Sen is marginally ahead of H.S. Prannoy with a record of 4-3. Their last battle was at the India Open in January 2023, when Lakshya dominated and won comprehensively 21-14, 21-15. In this match, two stalwarts will face off against each other, and both will come up with their best performance in the court. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: A Triple Treat For India As Kusale Bags Bronze
Swapnil Kusale bagged a bronze in the men’s rifle 50m 3 position final—during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Chateauroux Shooting Range on Thursday. As It Happened The 28-year-old marksman tallied 451.4 en route to the finish of four rounds of the elimination stage. Yukun Liu of China took the gold while Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine finished with the silver medal. Through most of the kneeling position series, he floated around in sixth place. A strong first two series in the prone position bumped him up to fourth place. Kusale had already claimed third position with a good gap, posting 51.4 and 50.4 in his two series at the standing rounds to give him a comfortable cushion going into the elimination round as the shots of 9.4 and 9.9 in the second and third shots were good enough for third place. Still, the gap to Kulish in second was too great to close from fourth spot as he had to settle for bronze. Read about Swapnil Kusale’s journey to the Paris Olympics 2024 here. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: The Overall Leading Medal Holders At The Games
The Paris Olympics 2024 has so far been a celebration of extraordinary talent and human spirit, having athletes from around the world as they compete for the ultimate glory. The same is the case with every edition of Olympics. Among these incredible individuals, one name shines brighter than the rest: Michael Phelps. This American swimmer is often referred to as the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) when it comes to Olympic achievements. Michael Phelps: The Greatest of All Time Michael Phelps’ story is one of relentless dedication and unmatched success. Over the course of five Olympic Games, starting from the 2000 Sydney Olympics and then in the 2016 Rio Games, Phelps amassed a jaw-dropping 28 Olympic medals. This record-breaking collection includes 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, making him the most decorated Olympian in history. His crowning moment came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he astonishingly won eight gold medals, setting the record for the most golds won at a single Summer Games. Larisa Latynina Phelps isn’t the only legend in Olympic history. Among female athletes, the former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina stands tall. Competing in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, Latynina won a total of 18 medals, including nine golds, five silvers, and four bronzes. Her achievements set the gold standard in gymnastics and remained unmatched until Phelps surpassed her record. Other Olympians And Their Records Other remarkable Olympians include Soviet gymnast Nikolay Andrianov, who earned 15 medals across three Games, and three athletes tied with 13 medals each: Soviet gymnast Boris Shakhlin, Italian fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, and Japanese gymnast Takashi Ono. These athletes have left an indelible mark on the history of the Olympics. The United States: A Dominant Force The United States leads the pack with an impressive total of over 3,000 Olympic medals, including 1,179 golds. The U.S. is followed by the Soviet Union with 1,204 medals (473 golds) and Germany with 1,058 medals (342 golds). The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye