CATEGORIES

DREAMING OF A BIG 'CHASE'

Kho Kho, India's thrilling indigenous sport, is chasing an Olympic dream. With the success of the inaugural Kho Kho World Championship, which saw participation from 20 nations, hopes are high for its inclusion in global sporting events.

THE KING OF POOL

Nurturing talent is a journey fraught with challenges, more so when it involves the sacrifices of a single mother. In India, there are countless inspiring stories of mothers who have gone above and beyond to shape their children into international athletes. Among these remarkable women stands VJ Shantymol, a former international athlete who defied the odds to guide her son, Olympian swimmer Sajan Prakash, to unparalleled heights in the world of competitive swimming.

RISING STAR

India is steadily cementing its place as a global chess superpower, with young talents like D. Gukesh and WGM Vantika Agarwal leading the charge. While Gukesh upholds Viswanathan Anand's legacy, Vantika, at just 22, shines as a trailblazer among women players, with her recent Arjuna Award and Chess Olympiad gold medal underscoring her rise to prominence.

Developing a mindset as vital as physical fitness

Sports Champ recently organised a workshop titled Psychology in Sports, conducted by Dr Swaroop Savanur, a Mental Conditioning and Peak Performance Coach. Dr Savanur, a senior sports psychology consultant and founder of MyMental Coach, covered various aspects during the session. Here are some key highlights from the workshop:

AVOID EARLY SPECIALISATION

Dr Jean Cote, a professor and director of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University at Kingston in Canada speaks about sports psychology and says experiencing multiple sports not only enhances your physical and mental abilities but also allows you to find the one you are truly passionate about. Excerpts:

SPORTS GADGETS

Sports gadgets are transforming the way athletes train, recover, and enjoy their favourite activities.

The journey of pickleball in India

In 2007, pickleball was introduced to India by Sunil Valavalkar, who recognised the potential of this dynamic sport.

Every sport needs its HEROES

Arvind Prabhoo, president of AIPA and IPF feels that India's performance at the recently concluded World Pickleball Championship (WPC) series has created a new wave of role models.

'Talent is not the only defining factor in sports'

Dr Joe Baker is the Tannenbaum Researcher in Sports Science, Data Modelling, and Sports Analytics at the University of Toronto, Canada.

NEW ERA IN INDIAN CHESS

Every child who takes up Chess dreams of becoming the World Champion. On 12 December 2024, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju achieved this. His historic triumph in the 2024 World Cheess Championship Match not only crowned him the youngest undisputed World Champion but also ushered in a new era of hope and possibilities for Indian Chess

ICONIC STADIUM

From the ancient grandeur of the Roman Colosseum to the cuttingedge design of Beijing's Bird's Nest, stadiums around the world hold rich histories and enduring legacies. These structures not only host epic events but also reflect the cultural, political, and architectural advancements of their eras.

JUNIOR TALENT RARELY GUARANTEES ELITE SUCCESS

Dr Tania Cassidy, is a professor of sports coaching at the School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her research focus is pedagogy, and she uses educational theories to explore the interconnections between coach, athlete, content, and context. During the Sports Champ Talk Show with Chief Editor Bhushan Thakur, she spoke about talent identification, luck factors, and the early and later bloomers in sports. Excerpts:

PURVA EYES GLOBAL SUCCESS

With over 50 medals to her name, including the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Award, Purva Kinare shares her journey in Yoga and her hopes for representing India in future international competitions.

Ayush Shukla eyes Olympic dream

After claiming India’s first-ever bronze in the World Junior Taekwondo Championship, 17-year-old Ayush Shukla from Ahmedabad is now looking ahead to bigger challenges, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

SCALING HEIGHTS

Shreya Nankar, a 22-year-old from Pune, has excelled in wall climbing and academics, earning over 40 medals in national competitions while pursuing her master’s degree at Arizona University, USA. Recently honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award, she continues to inspire with her exceptional achievements.

Channelise your energy in the proper manner

Tell us about your childhood and liking for sports at an early age

India's fabulous fifth

India secured their fifth Asian Champions Trophy Hockey title with a 1-0 win over China, extending their record in the prestigious tournament. Jugraj Singh's crucial goal brought home the victory, while captain Harmanpreet Singh led the team to their sixth overall title, capping off a dominant campaign.

WINNING TOGETHER

Dr Deepa Malik, former president of the Paralympic Committee of India and a silver medall at the Paralympic Games underscores the pivotal role of collective efforts, meticulous plannin talent discovery, and international exposure in India's remarkable performance at the Pa Paralympics.

KAPIL'S BRONZE BLITZ

Triumph Amidst The Roar

MAKING OF A CHAMPION

Becoming an Olympic gold medallist is no easy feat. For coaches, the process is a long and arduous journey that demands immense dedication, perseverance, and skill.

ATHLETE AND MENTAL HEALTH

‘The Weight of Gold’ is a documentary that depicts the mental health struggles of athletes competing at the highest level of sports.

'ATHLETES ARE NOT PREPARED FOR LIFE BEYOND SPORTS CAREER'

Dr Deb Agnew is an associate professor in the College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. She teaches sociology of sports in the Bachelor of Sports and Active Recreation programme.

PARIS TRANSFORMS INTO A CITY FOR ALL

Paris is enhancing accessibility with 17 new Enhanced Accessibility Neighbourhoods, upgraded transport infrastructure, and 1,000 accessible taxis. These measures are part of a broader effort to improve mobility and ensure key services are easily reachable for everyone

Sarvesh leaps into Olympic history

Sarvesh Kushare, a high jumper from Maharashtra, made history as the first Indian to qualify for the Olympic Games in his event. Though he didn’t reach the finals, his experience in Paris has sparked hopes for future victories in upcoming Asian and World Championships.

PARIS CULTURAL OLYMPIAD

The Cultural Olympiad is a multidisciplinary artistic and cultural programme that runs before and during the Games, concluding on 8 September 2024.

Panagon's Basketball Revolution

From street courts to national recognition: How Panagon is transforming French basketball culture

Pioneering AI Initiatives for Athlete Well-being

Paris 2024 marks the first time AI has been used to provide safe online spaces for a large number of athletes competing in various sports simultaneously

No Target is Too Far

Swapnil Kusale’s story is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the unyielding support of one’s mentors. His journey from a small village in Maharashtra to the Olympic podium serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country, reminding them that with the right guidance and dedication, no target is too far to hit

Epic Stories of Olympic Triumph

Explore the silver screen's portrayal of Olympic heroes with our round-up of inspiring films that showcase legendary athletes and their unforgettable moments of triumph and perseverance

HISTORY OF TRACK CYCLING

Track cycling dates back to at least 1870.