Upon reaching the event Manu was showered with gifts and garlands. She was thankful for the amount of support she has received from her hometown and took the time to acknowledge that.
Published Date – 25 August 2024, 03:32 PM
photo – IANS
Jhajjar: Manu Bhaker’s 2024 Paris Olympics campaign has seen her being honoured and celebrated across the country. The 22-year old reached her hometown of Jhajjar on Sunday and was felicitated by the District Commissioner for her achievements.
Upon reaching the event Manu was showered with gifts and garlands. She was thankful for the amount of support she has received from her hometown and took the time to acknowledge that.
“You always need support from a lot of people, it can’t be just attributed to any one individual. I started in my village and I got a lot of support from my school, family and then my district helped me out a lot. I was facing a license issue but they sorted it out quickly and from there I started improving as a shooter,” said Manu to reporters.
Manu Bhaker created history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic campaign post independence. She also is the first Indian woman to win a medal in single’s shooting at the event.
Despite the record breaking performance, Manu still is not satisfied with her performance and will be aiming for gold next time out.
“The aim is to always go for gold but these bronze medals have given me teachings for the future and my aim will always be to go for gold,” she added.
Manu also went on to confirm that she is currently on a three month long break. She is facing a slight injury issue and will only be returning to competition after tending to it. “I have taken a three month long break, I was facing a slight injury issue so I will have to address that. After that I will return to training and the timeframe for me to return to competitions is five months,”said Manu.
India won six medals at the Paris Games out of which three medals came from the Jhajjar District. In addition to the two medals won by Manu, Wrestler Aman Sehrawat also claimed bronze in the men’s wrestling freestyle 57kg.
DC Shakti Singh confirmed that Aman will be coming to Jhajjar on Tuesday and will be felicitated as well upon his arrival.
“It is a very proud moment for us, our district’s daughter has won two medals in the Olympics. She created history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single campaign. India won six medals at the Olympics out of which three are from Jhajjar district. Aman Sehrawat also won a medal. We are very happy that she won the medal and hopefully she keeps working hard and makes the nation proud,” said Jhajjar District Commissioner, captain Shakti Singh.
A soldier of the craftsman rank in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian army, Petkar suffered debilitating injuries when the army camp he was staying at in Srinagar came under aerial attack during the 1965 war with Pakistan.
Updated On – 25 August 2024, 04:09 PM
Muralikant Petkar, the man who launched a billion Indian dreams in Paralympics
Mumbai: As the largest-ever Indian contingent left the country for Paris to participate in the upcoming 2024 Paralympic Games starting on August 28, all of the participants will be dreaming of winning the biggest prize in their respective sports discipline — a gold medal.
The contingent is expected to break the record for India’s best-ever medal haul in Paris 2024 with Paralympic Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia, himself a two-time gold medallist in javelin throw at the Games, predicting the country to bag more than 25 medals. India is hoping to improve on the 19 medals won in the 2020 Games in Tokyo, which included five gold.
While members of the 84-strong contingent gunning for gold medals at the Games, many of them may not be aware of the person who launched these billion dreams — India’s first gold medallist at the Paralympic Games.
Murlikant Rajaram Petkar made history in the 1972 Paralympic Games in Heidelberg, Germany when he won a gold medal in the Men’s 50m Freestyle 3 competition, twice improving on the World Record on his way to a golden triumph. In the final, he clocked 37.331 seconds and set a new World Record after breaking the previous record in his first race in Heidelberg.
A soldier of the craftsman rank in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian army, Petkar suffered debilitating injuries when the army camp he was staying at in Srinagar came under aerial attack during the 1965 war with Pakistan.
Petkar, who was 28 when he won the historic gold medal, took to the swimming pool in times when disabled people did not get much support from the government and society. He was advised to participate in sports to speed up his rehabilitation after suffering the injury.
He had to surmount many hurdles to participate in the Paralympic Games of 1972, and one of those who extended him monetary help was former India cricket captain Vijay Merchant, who was at that time heading an NGO for disabled people and arranged for Petkar’s ticket to Germany.
Petkar’s story is one of the resilience and hardship of a boy from rural Maharashtra who set pulses racing with his masterful achievements in the swimming pool and gained tremendous adulation in the immediate aftermath of his Paralympic Games triumph.
However, his achievement as the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in either the Olympics or Paralympic Games was forgotten by people for decades and was not even part of the toughest of general knowledge quiz contests. He did not even get an Arjuna Award for his achievements. The fact that India did not win another gold at the Paralympic Games till 2004 when Jhakharia won in Athens too did not bring out his story into the limelight.
But Murlikant Petkar emerged in our conscience once again in 2012 when the Paralympic Games in London were televised in India and people were mesmerised watching HN Girisha winning a silver medal in the Men’s High Jump F42. At that time even the PCI administration had no idea about Petkar’s achievement.
The legendary swimmer finally got due recognition from the government when he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018.
Born on November 1, 1944, at Peth Islampur in Sangli district of Maharashtra, Petkar’s life was progressing on an upward trajectory as he was emerging as a boxer of repute in the Services and bagged a silver medal in the International Services Sports Meet at Tokyo, Japan in 1964.
On returning to his home base in Secunderabad, he was given a short vacation and a trip to Jammu and Kashmir as a reward for bringing laurels to his Army Unit. The visit to Kashmir was arranged by his Unit Commandant and his stay was scheduled at the army camps in Srinagar.
It was during this vacation that Petkar’s life took a drastic turn. Not a frontline soldier, Petkar was caught in a war between India and Pakistan and the camp in Srinagar where he was staying came under enemy attack.
“I was out for tea in the afternoon when a siren was blown to indicate an aerial attack. I tried to rush back to my room but firing had already started,” recollects Petkar, who received multiple bullet injuries and was also run over by an army vehicle in the chaos.
Rendered paraplegic for life, the young army soldier did not wallow in grief for long and launched a second innings that took him to greater heights than he could probably have achieved as a boxer. Within three years of his injury, Petkar represented India in the 1968 Paralympic Games in table tennis and reached the second round in men’s singles.
Petkar moved to INHS Asvini, the Navy hospital in Mumbai (then Bombay) for rehabilitation and was asked by the physiotherapist there to take up swimming as part of the programme.
That changed his life once again as the upper body strength that he had gained as a boxer helped him in swimming and Petkar soon became the best in his class in the world, eventually winning the gold medal in the 1972 Paralympic Games.
“I was always confident of my abilities and gave my best in the first race itself and set a world record. The final was quite tough. Normally I am not bothered about the lane I swim and set the world record from the first lane. But for the final, I wanted the middle lanes (3rd or 4th) and I got the third. I thought it was a good omen and gave it my best shot,” says Petkar of his competition in 1972.
While the gold in the 1972 Games was his crowning glory, Petkar won a lot of other medals for India.
In a career spanning two decades, Petkar won medals at the Stoke Mandeville International Paraplegic Meet held in England where he consistently outdid his records and won the General Championship Cup for five consecutive years (1969-73); the 3rd Commonwealth Paraplegic Games held at Edinburgh, Scotland, where he bagged gold in 50m freestyle swimming, silver in javelin throw and bronze in shot put and the International FESPIC Games in Hong Kong in 1982 where he created another world record in 50m swimming.
However, he would always regret the fact that he could not participate in another Paralympic Games and win more medals for India.
After his retirement, he set up a swimming pool for disabled people in Pune and ran it successfully for many years. Currently, the 79-year-old Petkar is spending his retired life in Pune where his son Arjun is posted.
And every time an Indian contingent leaves for para-sports events, Murlikant Petkar is one of the many extending his wishes to the participants, telling them to win laurels for the country and tread the path that he paved decades ago in Germany — a path towards Paralympic gold medal.
The multipurpose stadium, built in 2002, has witnessed many important international matches.
Published Date – 25 August 2024, 07:27 PM
Gachibowli Stadium
New Delhi: A new-look Gachibowli Athletic Stadium in the historic city of Hyderabad will welcome the players and spectators alike as the three-nation Intercontinental Cup kicks off on September 3.
The multipurpose stadium, built in 2002, has witnessed many important international matches. It includes the Afro-Asian Games in 2003 and the high-voltage AFC Challenge Cup when the Blue Tigers defeated Myanmar in a historic semi-final that paved the way for an ultimate spot in the final rounds of the Asian Cup 2011 edition.
International football has returned to Gachibowli thanks to the initiative taken by the All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey and Chief Minister of Telangana A Revanth Reddy. The CM, a huge sports lover, extended all necessary help for the successful conduct of the Intercontinental Cup.
The government of Telangana has so far spent more than Rs. 15 crore to uplift the facilities of the Gachibowli Stadium on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup. The renovation work is in full swing as the new dressing rooms, officials’ rooms, and 18 thousand new bucket seats will be ready to greet the players, officials, and spectators when hosts India, Syria and Mauritius arrive in Hyderabad for the tournament to be played in the FIFA window.
Syria are currently the best-ranked team in the FIFA table at 93, followed by India (124) and Mauritius (179). India, the champions of the 2023 edition in Bhubaneswar, are eager to defend the title and players will arrive on August 31 for the preparatory camp under the head coach Manolo Márquez.
The Hyderabad meet will be the fourth edition of the Intercontinental Cup. India won the inaugural tournament in 2018 in Mumbai and regained the title in 2023. In between, North Korea bagged the title in 2019 in Ahmedabad.
Intercontinental Cup fixtures (all matches will kick-off at 7.30 pm):
September 3: India vs Mauritius (Sports 18 3 & JioCinema)
September 6: Syria vs Mauritius (JioCinema)
September 9: India vs Syria (Sports 18 3 & JioCinema)
Akhil Rabindra of Hyderabad Blackbirds finished second behind Alister Yoong of Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the Indian Racing League (IRL) at the Madras International Circuit, in Chennai on Sunday.
Updated On – 25 August 2024, 11:35 PM
Hyderabad Blackbirds Akhil Rabindra (2nd left) in Chennai on Sunday.
Hyderabad: Akhil Rabindra of Hyderabad Blackbirds finished second after an impressive drive in the Indian Racing League (IRL) at the Madras International Circuit, in Chennai on Sunday.
Malaysian Alister Yoong showcased his racing pedigree with a lights-to-flag win for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in round one of the IRL. Starting from the pole position, Yoong, the 21-year-old son of former Formula 1 driver, Alex, enjoyed an untroubled run after seeing off an early challenge from Hyderabad Blackbirds’ Akhil Rabindra who eventually settled for P2.
Czech Republic’s Gabriela Jilkova, representing Goa Aces JA Racing finished third a race that turned out to be processional with track positions at the front remaining unchanged throughout the 25 minutes 1 lap outing. “I had a beautiful car today. Absolutely no issues. So, yeah, I had a good start, and it is nice to win,” said Yoong.
Results: Indian Racing League Race-2 (Driver B – 25mins 1 lap): 1. Alister Yoong (Malaysia, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (27:15.226); 2. Akhil Rabindra (India, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:19.810); 3. Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing) (27:35.127).
Rounak defeated Laksh Chengappa Machangada Aiyappa in the Under-19 men’s singles final of the Kotak India Junior International Series at Kotak Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy on Sunday.
Published Date – 25 August 2024, 11:44 PM
Medal winners of the Kotak India Junior International Series at the Kotak Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad on Sunday.
Hyderabad: Shuttler Rounak Chouhan clinched the Under-19 men’s singles title in the Kotak India Junior International Series at Kotak Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad on Sunday.
In the final, Rounak overcame compatriot Laksh Chengappa Machangada Aiyappa’s challenge to secure a 25-23, 16-21, 22-20 win in a closely fought match. In the women’s final, Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan of Indonesia defeated top seed Navya Kanderi 21-14, 21-19 to emerge victorious.
I am eager to regroup with my cricketing friends and continue to entertain my fans as we create new memories together, says the former Indian opener
Published Date – 26 August 2024, 01:39 PM
Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan
New Delhi: Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan on Monday joined the Legends League Cricket (LLC) following his retirement from international cricket.
Having announced his retirement on Saturday, the 38-year-old southpaw can now compete in T20 leagues outside the IPL.
“My body is still conditioned for the demands of the game, and while I’m at ease with my decision, cricket is an inseparable part of who I am, it will never go out of me. I am eager to regroup with my cricketing friends and continue to entertain my fans as we create new memories together,” said Dhawan in a statement.
Dhawan represented India in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20s, aggregating 12,286 international runs. The Legends League Cricket will be staged in September.
Hyderabad’s Sneha Singh secured her spot in the top 95 of LPGA Stage Two competition.
Published Date – 26 August 2024, 11:45 PM
Sneha Singh
Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s Sneha Singh showcased her golfing prowess by qualifying for the LPGA Stage Two after an impressive performance at the Pre-Qualifier in California, USA on Monday.
Competing against 329 players across three challenging courses—Dinah Shore, Indian Wells and Arnold Palmer—Sneha finished with a four-day total of 1-over-par. Sneha shot rounds of 74, 72, 72, and 71, for a total score of 289 to secure her spot in the top 95. The 2023 WGAI Order of Merit winner and current No. 2 in the 2024 WGAI Rankings, Sneha has also made her mark in the Thai LPGA, Taiwan LPGA, and LET events this year, continuing her journey toward global golfing success.
India won a record 19 medals, including five gold, in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 for a 24th-place finish in the overall rankings
Published Date – 27 August 2024, 12:58 PM
Indian contingents for the Paris Paralympics departs, in New Delhi.
Paris: Battered by life but not beaten by its many challenges, an 84-strong contingent of Indian para-athletes, the largest ever in the country’s history and a heady mix of youth and experience, would be eyeing an unparalleled gold rush when the Paralympic Games begin here on Wednesday.
India won a record 19 medals, including five gold, in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 for a 24th-place finish in the overall rankings. Three years on, the country’s target is more than 25 medals with a double-digit haul in gold. What has fuelled this ambition is the size of the contingent and the exceptional performances in the past one year.
India won a record 111 medals, including 29 gold, at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games last year. This was followed by unprecedented success at the World Para Athletics Championships in May where the country snared 17 medals, including half a dozen gold for a sixth-place finish in the overall standings.
Several medal winners in Hangzhou are in this Paralympics team, including top stars like world record-holding javelin thrower Sumit Antil (F64) and rifle shooter Avani Lekhara (10m Air Rifle Standing SH1). Both of them would be defending their gold medals won in Tokyo.
The Games, as much a celebration of sporting skills as human endurance, club athletes with similar functional abilities in terms of movement, coordination and balance into various classifications. The “degree and nature of their eligible impairments” decide these groups.
For India, the para-athletics team has been a major medal giver in the past and this time too, it is expected to be the biggest contributor with as many as 38 names in fray. Other top medal contenders include the likes of para-archer Sheetal Devi, who shoots with her legs as she was born without arms, landmine blast survivors Hokato Sema (shot putter) and Narayana Konganapalle (rower) and several other accident amputees. India is competing in 12 sports this time, as against nine by a 54-member team in Tokyo.
Shooter Manish Narwal and shuttler Krishna Nagar are also among those who would be looking to defend their gold medals won in Tokyo. Antil, whose left leg was amputated owing to an accident when he was 17, had also won gold in the para world championships in May and he is hoping to cross the 75m mark in Paris at the same venue where his able-bodied counterpart Neeraj Chopra won an Olympic silver earlier this month.
Lekhara was the best performer in Tokyo with one gold and a bronze and one of the two athletes to win two medals, the other being Singhraj Adhana (silver and bronze). Adhana, however, could not make the current team. Lekhara was the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal. She is now primed to join the club of three medal winners in the Paralympics.
Current Paralympics Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia, a javelin thrower, is the most decorated Indian Paralympian with two gold (2004 Athens and 2016 Rio) and a silver (2021 Tokyo). Joginder Singh Bedi won three medals in the 1984 Paralympics (silver in shot put, a bronze each in javelin and discus throw).
Deepthi Jeevanji (women’s 400m T20; intellectual disability), Rio Olympics gold-medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu (men’s high jump – T63), whose right leg was disabled after being run over by a bus, and Yogesh Kathuniya (men’s Discus Throw – F56), born with a neurological disorder that damaged his nervous system, would be also aiming to add to their existing Paralympic medal tally.
The cricketer’s heartfelt message comes as no surprise to his fans, who witnessed his fondness for the city and its people
Updated On – 27 August 2024, 02:27 PM
The former captain of the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) took to his Instagram on Tuesday to share a post, reminiscing about his favourite place in the city.
Hyderabad: Australian cricketer David Warner has once again expressed his deep affection for Hyderabad, a city that holds a special place in his heart.
The former captain of the Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) took to his Instagram on Tuesday to share a post, reminiscing about his favourite place in the city.
In an Instagram story, Warner posted a picture of the iconic Charminar, with the caption, “Miss one of my favourite places.” This heartfelt message comes as no surprise to his fans, who have witnessed Warner’s fondness for the city and its people throughout and after his time during the IPL.
Warner played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the IPL and led the team to their first and only IPL title in 2016. He was released by SRH ahead of the IPL 2022 auction before the Delhi Capitals picked him for a homecoming.
He played for the Delhi-based franchise from 2009 to 2013. Despite his move to Delhi Capitals, Warner’s bond with Hyderabad remains strong, as evidenced by his frequent social media posts about the city and its culture.
Top-order batter Yastika Bhatia and spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil were also included in the squad subject to fitness
Published Date – 27 August 2024, 01:50 PM
Harmanpreet Kaur
New Delhi: The big-hitting Harmanpreet Kaur will lead a 15-member Indian squad unveiled on Tuesday for the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE from October 3.
Top-order batter Yastika Bhatia and spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil were also included in the squad subject to fitness. Star batter Smriti Mandhana has been named Harmanpreet’s deputy.
The ICC event was shifted to the UAE from Bangladesh following unrest in the South Asian nation owing to a students’ protest. India, placed in Group A along with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, will be aiming for their maiden T20 World Cup trophy.
