A new book, "Heroes: The Changemakers of Indian Sports" by journalist-author Thirumoy Banerjee, chronicles the inspiring journeys of 15 Indian athletes, including Manu Bhaker, C A Bhavani Devi, Nikhat Zareen, Aman Kumar Kadyan, and Sumit Antil. It highlights their determination, resilience, and triumphs over setbacks, offering insights into their paths to success and celebrating their unwavering spirit.
Navdeep Singh's journey to the gold medal was filled with dramatic twists and turns.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district to support the 'Maidan Cup' initiative, aimed at transforming the Maoist-affected region into a sports hub. The initiative has developed around 50 school playgrounds and benefits over 5,000 children, promoting sports like kabaddi, kho-kho, athletics, and volleyball.
Legendary athlete Anju Bobby George believes it's just a matter of time before Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra delivers for the country at the big stage -- the Asian Games and 2028 Los Angles Olympic Games.
Neeraj, who will look to defend his javelin throw title in Tokyo, and Arshad were expected to mark their first face-off this year at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland in August.
Jhajharia, himself a para-javelin throw legend with double Paralympics gold in F46 category, said when Chopra breaks the barrier of 90m, he will do it by a big margin, going past the elusive mark by 3 to 4 metres.
Javelin thrower Sachin Yadav of Uttar Pradesh, 18-year-old high jumper Pooja Singh of Haryana and long distance runner Sawan Barwal of Himachal Pradesh rewrote National Games records and won gold medals on the concluding day of athletics competition. Yadav sent his spear to a Games-record distance of 84.39m in his fifth attempt, while Pooja cleared 1.84m to defend the women's high jump gold. Barwal won the men's 5000m in a time of 13 minutes and 45.93 seconds, bettering the earlier Games record.
Neeraj Chopra may have clinched the Golden Spike title in his maiden appearance at the meet, but the former Olympic champion was far from satisfied with his performance.
Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, has criticised a segment of coaches for being egoistic, using outdated training methods, and being abusive. He shared his own experiences and those of other athletes to highlight the issues within the coaching system.
Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil alleges that a significant portion of coaches are egoistic, use outdated training methods, and are sometimes abusive. Antil cites his own experiences and those of other athletes to support his claims, highlighting issues such as the lure of prize money and the lack of responsibility taken for athletes who don't succeed.
His first throw of 88.39 metres earned him automatic qualification for the final.
'No one had thought that a para-athlete can throw 70m when I started the game. Now, I am able to do it. So, we will try to throw 75m or 80m.'
Animesh Kujur of Odisha emerged as the star of the Indian Athletics Series, winning both the 100m and 200m races. Tajinderpal Singh Toor won the shot put, and Hima Das returned to the track after a two-year absence.
Neeraj Chopra pipped two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada for the top spot in the 2024
Neeraj Chopra has ended his decade long partnership with JSW Sports to launch his own athlete management firm, Vel Sports.
Before Rani, Kashinath Naik and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra had won a bronze and a gold in men's javelin throw in the 2010 and 2018 editions respectively.
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.
Annu Rani swelled India's medal tally at the Asian Games, winning a bronze in the women's javelin throw with a personal best of 59.53 metres, in Incheon, on Wednesday.
D P Manu, who finished sixth at the World Championships last year, is yet to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Anju Bobby George says Parul Chaudhary among ones to watch out for
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has been named a Laureus ambassador, joining other sports icons like Neeraj Chopra and Yuvraj Singh in promoting the power of sport for social change.
Karnataka continues to lead the Khelo India Tribal Games with impressive performances in race walking and middle-distance running, while Chhattisgarh secures a spot in the football final.
Sumit Antil clinched a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games javelin throw F64 event with a world record effort of 73.29m.
'In Doha, the 90m throw was really good, but technically I don't want to say that was perfect.'
Neeraj-led four Indians to compete in Doha Diamond League on May 16
India's world champion Neeraj Chopra dethroned Grenada's Anderson Peters to reclaim the number one spot in men's javelin throw world rankings following a string of brilliant performances on the international stage recently.
Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar continued India's splendid showing in athletics at the Tokyo Paralympics by winning the silver and bronze medal respectively in the men's javelin throw F46 event in Tokyo on Monday.
Clearly, Chopra was not at his best in the season's Diamond League grand finale. He had three legal throws out of the six attempts.
Chopra and Nadeem will be facing each other one year after the mouth-watering men's javelin competition in Paris on August 8, 2024, when the Pakistani had beaten the Indian for the gold with a stunning 92.97m throw.
The maiden edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event will be teeming with stars as the likes of Anderson Peters of Grenada and Thomas Rohler of Germany are taking part.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar participated in an event in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district as part of a grassroots sports initiative aimed at transforming the once Maoist hotbed into a thriving sports hub and opening new avenues for the youth.
Outperforming the likes of Neeraj Chopra and Julian Weber in his debut World Championship is a nice feeling but India's new-found javelin throw talent Sachin Yadav says it cannot make up for the disappointment of "letting slip" an unlikely bronze after a strong start.
The AFI started National Open Javelin Throw Championships in 2018 and its third edition is scheduled in October this year.
'I'm looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon.'
Rinku Hooda and Ajeet Singh finished third and fourth respectively in the men's F46 javelin throw final on Friday, but the result was put on hold after India lodged a protest that Herath was ineligible to compete in the category.
Neeraj Chopra made it look effortless as he sealed his spot at the World Athletics Championships with a stunning first throw in Tokyo on Wednesday.
'I wanted to step out there and give my best for India despite all the challenges but it wasn't my night.'
'Family members asked me not to come empty-handed, I am sure they'd be happy'
The pipping ceremony of Olympic gold medallist and Lt. Colonel (Honorary) Neeraj Chopra was held on Wednesday in New Delhi, marking another significant milestone in his decorated career.
Another Indian in the final Sandeep Chaudhary finished fourth with a season-best of 62.20m.
