Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain have been named India's flag and baton bearers for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Both athletes are celebrated for their achievements in weightlifting and boxing, respectively, and are considered strong medal contenders for India at the upcoming Games.
Lovlina Borgohain secured India's first medal at the Commonwealth Games by directly entering the women's 75kg boxing semifinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze. This marks her first CWG medal, adding to her Olympic, World, and Asian championships accolades.
India's women's hockey team faces a challenging opening match against Olympic silver medallists China in the FIH Hockey World Cup. The crucial Pool D encounter in Amstelveen will set the tone for India's campaign, with both teams also set to meet at the upcoming Asian Games. India, buoyed by recent strong performances and an experienced squad, aims to improve on past World Cup finishes and secure a positive start against a formidable Chinese side.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Tokyo Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain for winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, highlighting her as an inspiration for young athletes in Assam.
Former Indian boxing coach Mohammed Ali Qamar believes the country's women's boxing squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games is one of its best ever, with each of the seven members capable of securing a medal, though he cautioned that draws would be crucial.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu has reached her first Super 750 semifinal in nearly three years at the Japan Open after Nozomi Okuhara withdrew. She will now face Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei in the semifinals.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. He will face a formidable field of javelin throwers, including Commonwealth Games champion Rumesh Pathirage, Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, and world champions. This marks Chopra's third competition since returning from injury, following his silver medal win at the recent Commonwealth Games.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has reached her first final in over two years at the Japan Open after her opponent, Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei, retired due to injury during their women's singles semifinal. Sindhu was leading the match when Chen pulled out, setting up a final clash against either Akane Yamaguchi or Putri Kusuma Wardani.
India's Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has secured a medal at the Commonwealth Games after receiving a direct entry into the women's 75kg semifinals. With the pressure of a podium finish lifted, Borgohain is now solely focused on winning the gold medal, crediting her recent training and renewed confidence.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi believes India's ambitious target of 30-40 medals at the 2036 Olympics is a 'distant prospect', citing significant delays in talent identification, scouting, and critical infrastructure improvements.
India's Women's Hockey team, buoyed by a draw against China, is set to face South Africa in their second World Cup match. A win is crucial for their qualification hopes for the second round. Coach Sjoerd Marijne acknowledges areas for improvement, particularly in ball possession, despite strong performances from key players like Deepika and Navneet Kaur.
Indian badminton star P V Sindhu was defeated by local favourite Chen Yufei in a gruelling three-game match at the China Open second round. Sindhu, who recently won the Japan Open, lost 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in a closely contested encounter that lasted nearly 90 minutes.
Indian badminton ace P V Sindhu was eliminated from the China Open after a tough three-game loss to local favourite and world number four Chen Yufei in the second round. Despite winning the first game, Sindhu couldn't maintain her lead, eventually losing 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in a match lasting nearly 90 minutes.
As an admirer of Japan for close to half a century, I care for Japan and expect Suga to respect the sentiment of his people and cancel the Olympics without further delay, says Rajaram Panda.
Former Asian silver medallist and Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has been suspended for 10 years by NADA for a second doping offence involving methandienone, potentially ending his career. This follows a previous ban in 2022 which was reduced to one year after he claimed contaminated supplements.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar attributes his country's hockey decline to the absence of a robust domestic structure, contrasting it with India's strategic investment in grassroots and domestic ecosystems after failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. He highlights India's subsequent success and calls for similar foundational changes in Pakistan.
'If the Olympics were to spread infection, then what are the Olympics for?'
Former India drag-flicker Jugraj Singh has lauded current captain Harmanpreet Singh as a 'trump card' for the upcoming FIH World Cup, citing his aggressive playing style and consistent performance in crucial moments. Jugraj, who sees his own reflection in Harmanpreet's game, rates him among the world's top three drag-flickers and believes the team is well-prepared to end India's long wait for a World Cup medal.
Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar believes India's women pugilists are a stronger bet for an Olympic medal than their male counterparts and should be prioritised in the overall planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, following their record-shattering Commonwealth Games performance.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21.
The Indian men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is determined to end a 51-year World Cup drought, beginning their campaign against Wales with genuine optimism following recent Olympic bronze medals and an Asia Cup title.
Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare achieved a historic third-place finish in his Diamond League debut in Monaco, clearing 2.26m. This remarkable performance places him among an exclusive group of four Indians to have secured a top-three spot in the prestigious athletics event, alongside Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar, and Vikas Gowda. He also outperformed several world champions in the process.
Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh believes his side is capable of ending the country's five-decade-long World Cup medal drought, drawing parallels with the team's success at the Tokyo Olympics.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has reached her first final in over two years at the Japan Open. Her opponent, Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei of China, retired midway through their women's singles semifinal due to a hamstring injury. Sindhu was leading 21-19, 15-10 when Chen was forced to pull out. Sindhu will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Japan's Akane Yamaguchi and Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani.
The total number of Games-related COVID infections has risen to 67 with the addition of nine more cases to the official list.
Japan government says no truth to report of possible Olympics cancellation.
Sania Mirza and Sumit Nagal failed to make the cut for the mixed doubles event due to their low combined ranking of 153.
Chhote Lal Yadav, the recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award, has been instrumental in extending the career of boxing legend MC Mary Kom and transforming Jaismine Lamboria into a world champion, attributing his success to a personalised coaching philosophy.
Athletics Federation of India's selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla has dismissed concerns over Neeraj Chopra's recent silver medal, stating that the "country's greatest athlete" should not be scrutinised for an occasional silver after consistently delivering gold for a decade.
'During the grass court season, I unfortunately experienced a setback with my knee, and have accepted that I must withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games.'
Foreign media will be monitored via GPS and will not be allowed to visit the houses of local friends or other unregistered areas, Hashimoto added, according to the Asahi and other local media.
Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is set to renew his rivalry with Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League, with both athletes vying for a spot in the prestigious DL grand finale in Brussels.
Veteran Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh, despite numerous accolades including Olympic medals, is determined to win a World Cup medal before concluding his illustrious career after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Tokyo 2020 organisers will hold meetings with the Japanese government and local Tokyo Metropolitan Government in September to work through various scenarios.
The IOA also said that the decision will now relieve the Indian athletes of having to train amidst lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Indian women's hockey team, unbeaten in the FIH Women's World Cup, faces England in their final Pool D match. A draw secures India's top spot, but England desperately needs a win to advance. India's strong attacking and defensive performances have built confidence, though coach Sjoerd Marijne warns against complacency, highlighting England's previous victory over India and their strong play. The team aims to continue its impressive run and potentially secure a podium finish.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a season-best throw of 85.83m. Debutant Yashvir Singh surprised with a personal best of 85.41m on his final attempt, earning a bronze medal. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won gold with an 89.75m throw despite challenging cold and windy conditions.
Savita Punia's journey from a shy youngster dependent on her mother to a confident veteran goalkeeper and mentor reflects hockey's profound impact on her life.
'All of them had at least 2 negative tests before arrival'