Sports
Indian table tennis teams can be the big surprise at Paris 2024, says head coach Costantini
Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) Insisting that even the table tennis powerhouses are keen to avoid playing India in the earlier rounds thanks to their exploits in the last 12 months, the Indian team’s coach Massimo Costantini exuded confidence that the players could spring a few surprises in both the team and individual events at the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
India have qualified for both the men’s and women’s team events for the first time in the history of the Olympics and Costantini has been roped in to guide the players on the biggest stage. This will be his third stint with the Indian national team and the 66-year-old has witnessed the rise of Indian table tennis since he first came to India in 2009.
Under Costantini, India clinched a record eight medals, including three gold, at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and two bronze medals at the 2018 Asian Games.
“Qualifying for the team events is already an achievement because just 16 teams from across the world get to represent at the Olympics. It is difficult to say whether we will win a medal but I can definitely say that we can come up with a big surprise. There have been enough signals in the past six months that even teams like China are worried about playing against India early in the competition,” Costantini said during an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis.
The Indian women’s team pushed China to the brink at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan earlier this year with Ayhika Mukherjee and Sreeja Akula upsetting the world no. 1 and world no. 2 players respectively in the team’s 2-3 loss. Since then Sreeja has become the first Indian singles player to win a WTT Contender title in Lagos while the likes of Manika Batra and men’s stars including the experienced Achanta Sharath have struck form.
Costantini, whose second stint saw India win two Asian Games medals in 2018, has an excellent rapport with the Indian squad and has been closely following the development in Indian table tennis over the years. The Italian, who competed at the 1988 Olympics, felt that the start of Ultimate Table Tennis has been a game changer.
“UTT has provided Indian players an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience. The combination of having international coaches working with Indian coaches along with youth development programs has ensured that Indian players are ready to take on the best in the world,” he said.
Speaking about the team’s preparation for the Paris Olympics, Costantini said he was currently in the process of assessing the level at which the players are playing and also working out the doubles combinations for the team championships as the Indian contingent participates in a few WTT events across the globe. “Our aim is also to come up with good results in these events so that we can improve our rankings so that we can avoid playing the top four countries before the quarter-final stage as the rankings will get updated before the Games and will determine the draw,” he added.
The Indian men’s team are currently ranked 14th in the world while the women are ranked 11th.
Costantini said the team would also know their opponents in Paris way in advance and that will help them prepare better. “The gap between us and the top teams is not that big. Since we will know our opponents in advance and we have the data and research about all these teams, we will have time to prepare well and tactically work on bridging that small gap.”
–IANS
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Chennai, July 30 (IANS) Chennaiyin FC have announced a 22-member squad for the ongoing Durand Cup. The Marina Machans will begin their charge against the Indian Army on Wednesday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium in Jamshedpur.
The squad features a blend of senior team members and promising reserves, including notable players such as Vincy Barretto, Bikash Yumnam, Irfan Yadwad, Samik Mitra, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, and Sachu Siby. This mix of experience and youth is reflected in the roster, which comprises three goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders, and two forwards, ensuring a well-balanced team across all positions.
“It’s a very good team because it’s a mixture of senior team players from the ISL team and also the reserve team players and also the players who have been shortlisted who have got an opportunity to come and represent Chennaiyin FC in the Durand Cup,” said assistant coach Noel Wilson, who joined Owen Coyle’s coaching staff ahead of the new season.
Chennaiyin FC have been drawn alongside Indian Super League (ISL) side Jamshedpur FC, as well as the armed forces’ Indian Army and Assam Rifles in Group D of the Durand Cup 2024. All six games of the group stage will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, following which the group winners and, possibly, the second-placed team, will advance to the knockout stage.
The Marina Machans will take on Jamshedpur FC on August 4 after their first match in the tournament and they will conclude their group stage run against Assam Rifles on August 11.
Chennaiyin previously reached the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup in 2022 and 2023, and are looking to better their past performances this time around, as per assistant coach Wilson, “We are going there to win games. We are not going there to take part. As a team, we are going to be together, on the field, off the field. There’s going to be unity. We are going to go on the field and fight and give our 100 percent.”
First played 136 years ago, the Durand Cup is the oldest existing football club contest in Asia and the fifth-oldest in the world, adding to its alluring appeal. Hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society and the All India Football Federation, the cup has traditionally been the curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic football season.
The 133rd edition of the tournament, being played in 2024, is the third under the Asian Football Confederation umbrella. Presently, 24 teams participate in the competition: all 14 from the Indian Super League, plus invitees from the I-League, state leagues, armed forces, and foreign armed forces.
Chennaiyin FC Squad For Durand Cup 2024
Goalkeepers: Mohanraj K, Samik Mitra, Malhar Umesh Mohol
Defenders: Niketh N, Bikash Yumnam, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Rojjak Ali SK, YV Praful Kumar, Aby S, Shanu Stellus, Sachu Siby
Midfielders: Ngangom Raman Singh, Ganeshpandi S, Solaimalai R, Jayasurya, Vivek S, Karthik T, Vincy Barretto, Komal Thatal, Lalpekhlua
Forwards: Vishal R, Irfan Yadwad
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh broke an array of records at the 2024 Olympic Games when they became the first Indians to win a team medal in shooting with a bronze in the 10 m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at Chateauroux, near Paris.
Following their brilliant display of calmness, composure, and resilience, the entire country is congratulating the duo for what can only be dubbed as a historic day for India.
“I don’t understand shooting. The calmness on Manu and Sarabjot’s faces is scary. I’d have run around and tear up the whole venue celebrating my medal! True role models for all of us. #OlympicGames #shooting #ManuBhakar #Paris2024,” posted Tejaswin Shankar, India’s High Jump athlete, on ‘X’.
“Superb performance @realmanubhaker and #SarabjotSingh! India’s second medal!,” read the post by Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“Second medal for India! @realmanubhaker and @Sarabjotsingh30 ~ you both were clinical today at the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team bronze medal match! Your resilience throughout the event was incredible. Cherish this moment – it brings immense pride to our nation! @Media_SAI || @WeAreTeamIndia || #Paris2024 || #Olympics,” read the post by BCCI general secretary Jay Shah.
Team India defeated the South Korean duo of Lee Won Ho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal playoff in the Chateauroux.
Despite the Indians taking an early 8-2 lead, South Korea fought back into the match and put their opponents on their toes but were not able to put them down.
Manu Bhaker’s meteoric rise has seen her become one of the most loved athletes in the country, as she became the first Indian to win two individual medals in the same Olympics and the only one to achieve this feat for the country post-independence.
“History maker Manu Bhaker! You’ve amazed us once again. The entire nation is proud of you. Keep shining bright!,” said Olympic medallist boxer, Vijender Singh.
“Well done @realmanubhaker & Sarbjot . proud of you,” read the post by Harbhajan Singh.
Manu is just the third athlete in the country’s history to have won two individual medals at the Games (wrestler Sushil Kumar and shuttler PV Sindhu) and has the chance to further adding to the tally when she will return to action on August 2 in the qualification round of the women’s 25m pistol event.
“After not securing any medals in the last two Olympics, Indian shooters have made a remarkable comeback. Manu Bhaker now stands as the first-ever Indian to win two medals in consecutive Olympic match,” said the former Indian women hockey captain Rampal
“Meanwhile, Sarabjot has achieved a personal milestone following his individual match heartbreak. Truly inspiring performances all around!” she added.
–IANS
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Sports
Paris Olympics: 'You've done what no Indian shooting pair has done…', Abhinav Bindra's words of praise for Manu and Sarabjot
New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) After Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot won the historic bronze on Tuesday at the Paris Olympics, 2008 gold medallist Abhinav Bindra congratulated the young duo for winning India’s first shooting team event medal in Summer Games history.
“Manu & Sarabjot: You’ve done what no Indian shooting pair has done before. India’s first Olympic shooting team medal. Savour this moment, you’ve earned it! Proud,” Bindra posted on X.
Manu and Sarabjot defeated the South Korean duo of Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal playoff in the Chateauroux.
After the bronze medal win, Manu became the first Indian athlete to win two medals in the single edition of the Olympics. Her partner in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, Sarabjot bagged his first Olympic medal.
Overall, Manu became the third Indian — after wrestler Sushil Kumar and shuttler PV Sindhu — to win more than one individual medal in the Olympics.
Notably, Bindra was the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics when he won the 10m Air Rifle event in Beijing 2008.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Prime Minister, Narendra Modi congratulated Indian shooters, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh for clinching bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at Paris Olympics 2024.
Prime Minister on ‘X’ wrote, “Our shooters continue to make us proud! Congratulations to @realmanubhaker and Sarabjot Singh for winning the Bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the #Olympics . Both of them have shown great skills and teamwork. India is incredibly delighted.”
Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker also etched her name into the annals of Indian sports history, becoming the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. This achievement follows her earlier success, where she secured a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event, marking a significant milestone for Indian shooting.
–IANS
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Sports
Paris Olympics: Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh clinch bronze in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event (Ld)
Chateauroux, July 30 (IANS) Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo showcased resilience and composure, overcoming a slow start to defeat South Korea 16-10 in a thrilling match on Tuesday.
The contest began with the Indian pair on the back foot, losing the first series. However, Bhaker and Singh quickly regained their footing, displaying exceptional skill and teamwork. They took control by the third series, leading 4-2, and extended their advantage to 8-2 after five series. South Korea mounted a comeback attempt, narrowing the gap to 6-10 by the eighth series, but Bhaker and Singh remained unflinching. The Indian shooters sealed the victory with a decisive 16-10 margin, securing India’s second medal of the Games.
After the match, an elated Bhaker expressed her gratitude, saying, “I feel really proud and have a lot of gratitude. Thank you so much for all the blessings and love. We can only control what is in our hands. I had a chat with my father regarding this before coming here and decided we should keep fighting till the last shot,” said to the broadcasters.
Sarabjot Singh, celebrating his first Olympic medal, echoed her sentiments. “It feels great. The game was tough, but we were glad we could do it. There was a lot of pressure, but the crowd was great,” he said, acknowledging the support that spurred them on. The pair had entered the bronze medal match after finishing third in the qualifying round with a combined score of 580.
This bronze is a historic personal achievement for Bhaker, who became the first Indian to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. She had previously opened India’s medal account in Paris with a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
–IANS
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