TRULY TIMES 10 SPORTS JAMMU, FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 Olympics great chance for us to New mixed team events hold create history: Hockey defender Gurjit medal promise for The Tokyo Olympics will be the most gender equal Games ever. India’s mixed pairs have had a great run leading up to it As a pair, Saurabh That gives you confidence,” have a touch of familiarity The Indian women's hockey team defender Gurjit Kaur, Chaudhary and Manu said Panwar. for the Indians. Six out of the who has played 87 matches for the national side, is all set to Bhaker are not used to shoot- Panwar, who paired with 16 pairs including India are represent India in the Olympics for the first time in her ing from unfamiliar turf. But Moudgil in 2019 and won from Asia, a powerhouse in career. The defender expressed that the Tokyo Olympics is that is where India’s crack two World Cup golds, com- the sport. Three of those six a great chance for the Indian women's Hockey Team to cre- pistol combination was being bined with Elavenil for the pairs also competed together ate history. pushed to by Iranian Javad first time in senior World at the 2018 Jakarta Asian "When you play with the Indian team, you have to start Foroughi and Golnoush Cup, though they have shot Games, where Sharath and thinking about not just your game but also how you can Sebghatollahi in the mixed successfully as a pair since Batra bagged a historic carry the other players forward. And the way we are playing team air pistol final at the their junior days, including a bronze medal. In Tokyo, right now, it's a great chance for us to create history," said ISSF World Cup here in gold at the Junior World Cup therefore, the Indians might the 25-year-old in a Hockey India release. March. in 2018. well run into the higher- When asked about how she started playing the game of The two teenage pistol “With Ela, it’s jokes, ranked Korean pair of Lee hockey, Gurjit said, "I was born in a farmer's family in prodigies, paired up in 2019 laughter, all the time, some- Sang-su and Jeon Ji-hee, Miadi Kalan in Amritsar. Leave alone playing, the name for shooting’s newest format times even before a final,” whom they have the confi- Hockey was even alien to my family. My sister - Pradeep and went on a trip: shattering said Panwar. dence of beating twice—in and I had spent most of our early years in a private school reputations while winning all Unlike them, Chaudhary the Round of 16 of the Asian close to our village. four World Cup gold medals and Bhaker keep to them- Games and the final of the "We then moved to a boarding school in Kairon which on hand that year. selves. There are no words Asian qualification tourna- was around 70 kilometers from our home. It was here where When international com- exchanged even after getting ment in Doha that sealed my sister and I got a chance to try something new, Hockey. petition resumed after almost the job done. their Tokyo spot. I knew nothing about the game so the whole day I used to a year spent in suspension the scores levelled at 12-12, to bring gender parity in total athletes, courtesy more More medals? Of course, the Olympics just watch the other girls play. And that made me want to due to the pandemic, the Indian duo saved their shooting competitions at the women’s events as well as Like shooting, will provide a stiffer chal- play the game. That's how I took baby steps to get accus- Chaudhary and Bhaker had a best for the last two shots, on Olympics. nine new mixed team events. too will witness a mixed lenge, the biggest coming tomed with my newfound passion," she added. fight on their hands for the match-point. Chaudhary Women and the Olympics Other Indian pairs have doubles competition for the from the Chinese and Gurjit further expressed how the art of drag flicking first time since they paired fired 10.7 and Bhaker 10.5 Female athletes were impressed in the mixed team first time at the Olympics. Japanese, for the Indian pair helped her cement her place in the Indian team after making up. At the World Cup, the for a combined total of 21.2 excluded from the first mod- format too. India will have And while a singles medal ranked 19th in the world. But her Senior Team debut in 2014. Iranian duo had cruised to a to Iran’s 20.5 for their fifth ern in 1896 two pairs each in (rifle/pis- by an Indian paddler would rankings can hold little sig- "Drag flicks are an indispensable part of modern-day 10-6 lead (two points for World Cup gold on the trot. because Pierre de Coubertin, tol) mixed events. In six be a miraculous outcome, a nificance in mixed doubles. Hockey and drag flicks are something that helped me winning a set and first to 16 That golden run of who founded the Games, world cups from 2019, India top three finish in mixed At the they cement my position in the National side. It wasn't until the wins) in the mixed tea, final. Chaudhary and Bhaker was thought women should not have won nine gold, three doubles is realistic, where were seeded ninth but beat tour of Europe in 2017, where I had the opportunity to work A day before, Foroughi had halted in the recent World play sports at the highest silver and two bronze medals veteran Sharath Kamal will third seed Koreans in the with Toon Siepman," said Gurjit. stunned Chaudhary to win Cup in Osijek, Croatia 10 level at all. “No matter how in rifle and pistol mixed pair up with young Manika Round of 16. "He has trained Hockey greats like Sohail Abbas and gold in the individual event. days ago, against top-notch toughened a sportswoman events, beating world and Batra in Tokyo. Sharath and Batra, with an Mink van der Weerden. He taught me almost everything The two 19-year-old Russian combination of may be, her organism is not Olympic champions along Why? Because of the vol- age gap of 12 years, make for about drag-flicks. He asked me to change my technique a Indians responded as only Vitalina Batsarashkina – Rio cut out to sustain certain the way. In the New ume and the field. A total of a tricky opposition because little bit, and that has helped me to improve my game they could. Chaudhary, icy as Olympics silver medallist – shocks,” Coubertin had said World Cup, the world No.1 16 pairs will line up to com- of their different game tremendously," she added. always, shifted gears and and Artem Chernousov, then. Things have been slow rifle pair of Elavaneil pete in the mixed doubles in styles—Sharath with his Gurjit said that she has always tried to contribute as much began hitting high 10s. World Championship gold to change—in 1992, almost a Valarivan, 21 and No. 2 Tokyo, around half the num- solid power game and Batra as possible to the Indian team's progress throughout her Bhaker soon caught up. The medallist. The Russians hundred years after the first Divyansh Singh Panwar, 19, ber of participants for sin- with her ability to slow the career. sparse gathering of team- edged past 16-12 in the gold Olympics, there were exactly also shot gold. gles. All 16 pairs will battle game down by engaging in "After I started playing for India, I played in the Series in mates, coaches, and officials medal match. half the number of women’s “In individual events the in a direct knockout format rallies. “As a singles player, Canada, Hockey World League Round 2 as well as the at the Karni Singh Range The blip, however, will in events compared to men’s. pressure is more. In a mixed with no byes. “Which means it might be very, very diffi- semi-finals in 2017. Be it the 2018 Asian Games where we found its voice, knowing no way rob the Indian pistol Tokyo will see more team you can be a bit relaxed you’re actually three good cult for me to dream of win- won the Silver medal or the FIH Series Finals in Japan well the Indian pair has shooters of the tag of ‘hot women athletes than ever because you know that even matches away from being ning that Olympic medal. In where I was the top scorer with 11 goals, I always try to moved into a zone where favourites’ at Tokyo, in a before—they will make up if you don’t shoot well, you there,” Sharath said. mixed doubles, we stand a contribute to our team's progress as much as I can," signed they were unstoppable. With brand-new event introduced nearly half the number of have a partner to rely on. The field in Tokyo will chance,” Sharath said. off the defender. Glan Martins signs Tennis Hall of Famer Shirley Fry Irvin passes away at 94 Tokyo 2020: Pandemic did not impact my new long-term deal Olympics preparation, says PV Sindhu with FC Goa World champion PV in June – starting all three Sindhu says that the forced games in India’s World Cup break during the COVID-19 qualifiers. pandemic has actually made “It’s really exciting for me her a better player because it and my family to sign this gave her ample time to work on her technique and three-year deal with the skills. club,” Martins told the offi- The Rio 2016 silver cial FC Goa website after medalist's Olympic prepara- putting pen to paper until at tions last year hit a road- least 2024. block as the pandemic “I’ve grown so much here brought all the sporting at this club in a very short action to a standstill but time, both on and off the Sindhu said it was like a pitch. I would like to think blessing in disguise for her. "I think the (break during) that I am now more aware of pandemic was very useful what is expected of me, I because I got to learn more know what I need to bring to and focus more on my tech- the table. Tennis Hall of Famer then won three consecutive nique and skills so I would “I feel like I’m in a posi- Shirley Fry Irvin, who won major titles — Wimbledon say definitely it has Midfielder Glan Martins Goa colours for the first time tion now where I’m finally three consecutive major and the U.S. (helped)," the Indian bad- has signed a new three-year in February in a game against starting to realise my poten- titles in the 1950s to com- Championships that year, minton superstar said in a contract at FC Goa following NorthEast United. tial and give my all for the plete a career Grand Slam, and the Australian virtual interaction. his impressive debut in the Since then, Martins has cause.” has died at 94. Championships in 1957, "It did not impact my Her death Tuesday was before retiring for good. preparation much for the Indian Super League, last started in 12 of the 14 match- Juan Ferrando, FC Goa’s Olympics because I think season. es he has been available for head coach also expressed confirmed by the Fry also won 13 Grand International Tennis Hall of Slam doubles titles. From I've got enough time. it." back to the country," she The new deal will see the the club, including 5 of the 6 his delight with Glan’s new Fame, where she was a 1946 to 1956, she finished Generally it's more like The world number seven said. Indian international wear the AFC Champions League contract. 1970 inductee. She lived in the year ranked in the top when you go for a tourna- is the lone Indian to have Sindhu however said she orange outfit till the summer games the Gaurs played in “He wanted to play, to par- Naples. 10 nine times. ment come back and train." qualified for the women’s would miss the spectators as of 2024. April. ticipate. He wanted to get in Competing as Shirley Fry grew up in Akron, "Most of the time, we singles in Tokyo Olympics the Olympics would be held The central midfielder Martins has impressed in and make a difference. That’s Fry, she won her first Ohio, and in 1941, at age don't have enough time to and finds herself in an easy behind closed door to curb became a vital cog in Juan midfield with his tenacious something I really value – Grand Slam singles title at 14, she made the first of 16 train. So I think this was the group J with lower-ranked the spread of COVID-19. Ferrando’s side in the second and energetic displays, help- someone who has the drive the French Open in 1951, consecutive appearances at first time that we've got Polikarpova Ksenia of "I'm going to miss a lot of when she beat her friend the U.S. National enough time to actually Israel and Hong Kong's fans. Back then in Rio it half of the season following a ing the Gaurs qualify for the and has character to take train and get ready for the Cheung Ngan Yi. was very different. But I deadline day switch from playoffs for a record fourth- decisions on the field. and doubles partner Doris Championships. She’s one Hart. of 10 women to win singles Olympics. "I'm sure there will be think we have to get used to ATK Mohun Bagan in time running. “I am so happy to have She came out of retire- titles at all four major "I don't think it has expectations, responsibili- the situation, the new nor- January. His displays at the centre him now back in the team for ment at age 28 in 1956 championships. impacted on my prepara- ties like always but I just mal. Overall, we are also The man from Velsao has of the park didn’t go unno- the long run. He is a real pro- when she was invited to Following retirement tions -- not at all. In fact, hope that with your love practising in a way where looked completely at home ticed as he saw himself being fessional who improves our represent the United States from tennis, she married I've actually learned a lot and support, I'm gonna be you know we need to get ever since donning the FC awarded his first national cap team.” in the Wightman Cup. She and had four children. more, and I'm prepared for there, get a medal and come used to it," she concluded. Tokyo Olympics Opening ceremony might be Touching 40, India’s TT great Sharath Kamal Anand starts attended by less than 1000 VIPs in person: Report No-CCastling hits peak ahead of Tokyo Olympics event with win A Sharath Kamal thought chance of a dream Olympic the Olympics in Tokyo medal remains in mixed dou- would be his fourth and last bles alongside Manika Batra. but considering that he has The duo won the Asian qual- never felt better and fitter in ifying event earlier this year his career spanning almost but since then, the two have two decades, the 39-year-old not got much time to practice Indian table tennis great is together. They only spent reconsidering his future three days in Sonepat before plans now. Speaking to PTI Manika returned to her train- two days before his depar- ing base in Pune. ture for the Tokyo Games, Manika and Sharath need The Tokyo Olympics the international guests for the world number 32 finds to win three games to win an opening ceremony is likely to the ceremony. himself at the peak of his ganza, he has gained some- Muscat Open. His previous Olympic medal but it will be be attended by less than 1000 On Wednesday, Tokyo game. Earlier, the goal was thing. title had come way back in a tall order for the Asian VIPs and foreign dignitaries reported its highest number to stop after the 2022 Asian "I remember Athens 2004, 2010. Games bronze medallists. in person, a sharp reduction of new COVID-19 cases in and I didn't know how to prepare "I got to 30th in the world "We should get four-five from the previously decided almost six months with 1,149 for the sake of his young at all. 2008 Beijing I slowly rankings in 2019 but in the days in Japan together and figure of 10,000 amid rise in new infections coming to family but he can't rule him- understood what was last couple of years, I feel at hopefully we would be fully COVID-19 cases here, the light. self out from the Paris required at that level and the top of my game, beating ready. We have been study- local media reported on It was the highest one-day Olympics in 2024. He says if 2016 I prepared really well so many top-level players ing our opponents all this Former world champion move to protect the king and Thursday. total for the city since Germany's world number 10 but didn't get the results consistently. In 2010, I while instead of going defeated activate the rook?. It's the 'Kyodo News', quoting January 22. Timo Boll can play in his unfortunately, also I was played well but I wasn't this straight into the match and Russian Grandmaster only time in chess a player sources, reported that the The National Stadium can 40s, he can too. coming from an injury (hip). consistent. "Game wise, figuring it out. It is going to Vladimir Kramnik in the first can move two pieces in one organisers have been accommodate 68,000 people "According to my wife, This time I feel I have gotten body wise, I am in the right be very difficult (even in game of their four-game move. attempting to cut the number but the ceremony will be lim- this is my last Olympics better as a player and my space. Now I have under- mixed doubles). Even the match for the Sparkassen The Indian maestro will of people physically attend- ited to Games' guests, includ- (laughs), but let's see how rankings reflect that. In stood how the mind reacts, first round will be tough Trophy here. take on Kramnik, also a for- ing the ceremony at the ing International Olympic the body holds up till the 2016, my game was at a how to handle pressure and since we will be playing a Playing with white pieces, mer world champion, in the National Stadium on July 23. Committee representatives CWG and Asian Games next level where I could not play anxiety. Physically, I have top-8 team." Anand needed 66 moves to second game on Thursday The Games will open in a and foreign dignitaries. year. I feel I am at the peak the round of 16 or the quar- really worked hard to be The table tennis contin- beat Kramnik late on night. state of emergency due to the The Games will be held of my game physically as terfinals in the Olympics. here," said Sharath who is gent could not travel for Wednesday in a match played Anand had returned to coronavirus pandemic even without spectators in Tokyo, well as mentally," he said. But now on a good day, I can feeling good about his training and competition as part of the "No-Castling" over-the-board action in the as efforts are being made to Chiba, Kanagawa and Sharath has missed only do that," he said. prospects in Tokyo after a ahead of the Olympics due to Chess devised by the Russian Croatia Grand Chess Tour ensure that Japan's Emperor Saitama. one Olympic Games Sharath ended a decade 25-day national camp in Covid-19 related restric- GM. tournament in Zagreb last Naruhito attends the ceremo- Under the new state of (London 2012) since his long wait for an ITTF title, Sonepat. Reaching the round tions. Sharath feels not play- Castling is not allowed in week. ny to declare the event open. emergency, restaurants and debut at Athens in 2004. before the COVID-19- of 16 or quarterfinals in ing in a similar environment this format in an effort to He finished second overall U.S. first lady Jill Biden is bars have been told to not Every time he has been a induced break in March last Tokyo is a definite possibili- will be their biggest chal- make the game more interest- (Rapid and Blitz combined) also expected to be among serve alcohol. part of the sporting extrava- year, with a win at the ty, said Sharath whose best lenge in Tokyo. ing. Castling is a special in that event.