Training has been suspended across Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres since mid-March to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Mirabai Chanu, on Monday, requested Sports Minster Kiren Rijiju to allow resumption of training at the earliest. Weigtlifting national coach Vijay Sharma said social distancing can be ensured at the training hall in Patiala.
Hitting the target with monotonous regularity, Indian shooters' dominance in a phenomenal 2019, at times, made world events look like domestic tourneys. Indian shooting's best show at the Olympics remains the two medals won at London in 2012, but if the shooters' exploits in recent months are anything to go by, the country can easily emulate or better that in Tokyo.
Nikhat's form augurs well for India with the Olympics coming up next year.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) put in place 14 high-level expert committees, which have been mandated to identify the country's medal prospects and provide them with specialised training in the run up to the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games to be held later this year.
Top Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar will return to competition after a long lay-off of nearly two years due to injury as she features in the upcoming FIG World Cup to be held at Mersin, Turkey from July 6-8.
Seema Punia would once again be one of India's strongest bets for a medal when she hurls the discus one last time at the Commonwealth Games next month.
The ranges are bursting at the seams with young talent and Indian shooting's present state could be a harbinger of hope for a perfect future.
'Yes, that's (Olympics medal) the target, but it will be a long and tough journey ahead'
With Mirabai not in medal contention, weightlifting Worlds set to be an underwhelming affair for India
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
Competing in his first Olympics, Chopra took just a few seconds to make to the final round, to be held on Saturday, sending the spear well past the qualifying mark of 83.50 metres during the Group A qualifications.
Chanu ended India's over two-decade-long wait for a weightlifting medal at the Olympics.
Now, boxer Gaurav Bidhuri cries foul at exclusion from Olympic qualifiers' trial.
The Manipur girl will captain the women's hockey team for the Afro-Asian Games and Asia Cup.
The Railway player has been named captain of the Indian women;s hockey team for the Test series against Russia.
If Sumit Malik's B sample also returns positive, he can be banned from the sport.
Services' wrestler Satender Malik launched a physical assault on referee Jagbir Singh after losing the 125kg final during the trials for the Commonwealth Games, prompting the national federation to impose a life ban on him, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Both tested positive for banned substances at the Commonwealth Games.
Besides, the BAI also recommended renowned National Institute of Sports (NIS)-certified coaches -- S Murlidharan and Bhaskar Babu -- for the Dronacharya Award.
Commonwealth Games medal prospect B Premeelavalli cited family problems for her late withdrawal from the team.
Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Viren Rasquinha and Prabhjot Singh were dropped from the Indian squad for the upcoming Pakistan series and Commonwealth Games.
Unheralded Abha Khatua equalled the women's shot put national record of 18.06m while winning silver in a surprise performance.
Chanu has consistently improved in the section to stay in contention for medals at top events.
Former badminton World No 1 Lee Chong Wei has been nominated for Malaysia's 2014 sportsman of the year award.
The International Weightlifting Federation dropped the doping charge against Indian weightlifter K Sanjita Chanu due to "non-conformities" in the handling of her sample but the Commonwealth Games gold-medallist has demanded an apology and compensation for the "trauma" she has endured. The IWF made the decision based on the recommendation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The 26-year-old, who claimed innocence since the beginning, was informed about the final verdict via an e-mail, signed by IWF's legal counsel Lilla Sagi.
India would be looking for at least half a dozen medals in the July 28 to August 8 Games.
'I would like to thank the Government, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and most importantly, my family, who has been there for me and motivated me along this journey'
Competing in his maiden world championship, Negi, a former national champion, lost 1-4 to the sixth seed.
India's badminton doubles specialist N Sikki Reddy on Saturday heaved a sigh of relief after returning negative for COVID-19 barely two days after testing positive for the contagious disease, saying she was "shocked" by the not-so-kind reactions her initial result attracted.
The 25-year-old, who shot to fame by becoming the second Indian to win an ITTF event -- the Belgium Open in 2016, is a strong medal hope in the Gold Coast Games starting April 4. He has also won a gold in the ITTF Challenge -- Spanish Open last year in the men's singles category.
Indian weightlifter B Prameelavalli said she pulled out of the Commonwealth Games because of an injury and the positive dope test was a surprise for her.
Continuing its hire and fire policy, the IHF sacked Rajinder Singh Jr and appointed the former Olympian for yet another stint with the national team.
Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain will look to find their footing in new weight categories with the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approaching.
Despite a poor showing at the Commonwealth Games, the ace Indian long jumper climbed a notch in the IAAF rankings.
Some selectors and a top functionary are threatening to quit if coach Rajinder Singh is not shown the door immediately.
Full-back William Xalco will replace the Namdhari defender, who is down with chicken pox, in Indian hockey team at the Commonwealth Games.
The IHF dropped Gagan Ajit Singh, Viren Rasquinha, Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh for the Pakistan series and Commonwealth Games
Aiming to secure berths in the world championship squad, close to 400 boxers, including the likes of five-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa and former world bronze-winner Gaurav Bidhuri, will be competing in the National Men's Championships starting in Bellary on Wednesday.
Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang on what made him start the Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation way back in 2011 when he himself in the midst of his own shooting career.
The 23-year-old, a bronze-winner in the 10m air pistol and the 50m pistol events of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast earlier this year, shot a score of 564 to finish on top.
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