In a nail-biting finale, Indian archers Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi brought home bronze in the mixed compound archery event at the Paris Paralympic Games. The 39-year-old Kumar and 17-year-old Devi, both from Jammu and Kashmir, defeated Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina with a scoreline of 156-155, marking India's second ever medal in archery at the Paralympic Games. The young Sheetal, born with a rare medical condition, proved to be an unstoppable force on the global stage, while Rakesh, despite a debilitating spinal cord injury, displayed incredible resilience and determination.
Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi: India's Archery Medalists at the Paris Paralympics
In a nail-biting finale at the Paris Paralympic Games, Indian archers Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi clinched the bronze medal in the mixed compound archery event, marking India's second-ever Paralympic archery medal. The victory showcases the indomitable spirit and exceptional talent of these remarkable athletes.
Rakesh Kumar: Overcoming Spinal Cord Injury
Rakesh Kumar, 39, hails from Jammu and Kashmir. At the age of 17, he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury that left him wheelchair-bound. However, his determination to pursue his passion for archery never wavered. Despite the physical challenges, Rakesh trained relentlessly, honing his skills and conquering adversity.
Sheetal Devi: Rising Star with a Rare Condition
Sheetal Devi, 17, is also from Jammu and Kashmir. She was born with a rare medical condition that affected her growth and development. However, her love for archery ignited at a young age. With unwavering support from her family and coaches, Sheetal pursued the sport with an unyielding determination.
Paris Paralympics: Historic Achievement
At the Paris Paralympics, the duo of Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi made history. In a thrilling final against Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina, the Indians prevailed with a scoreline of 156-155. Their victory brought immense joy and pride to India, demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and unwavering spirit.
FAQs
Compound archery uses a compound bow with a pulley system that reduces the holding weight for the archer, allowing for increased accuracy and power.
Through rigorous training and unwavering determination, Rakesh Kumar regained his strength and precision, adapting his shooting technique to his physical limitations.
Sheetal Devi was born with achondroplasia, a genetic condition that affects bone growth and development. However, she has defied the odds and excelled in archery.
Before Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi's bronze medal, India's only previous Paralympic archery medal was a silver won by Deepa Malik in the 2016 Rio Games.
The victory of Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes and the growing inclusivity of sports for individuals with disabilities.
After the ODI series loss, Australia showed its dominance in the shortest format with a victory in the first T20I against Pakistan. Pakistan, high on confidence after the ODI series win, gave a tough fight but fell short in the seven-over shootout. Maxwell's brilliance with both bat and ball was the main highlight of the match. Australia will now look to continue their winning streak in the second T20I, while Pakistan will try to bounce back at the SCG.
At UFC 309, President-Elect Donald Trump was seen in attendance alongside other high-profile celebrities such as Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Jr., and more. Along the way to his seat, Trump even shared a handshake with WWE's Triple H, cementing his longstanding connection with the wrestling organization. Trump's continued support for UFC and his focus on promoting hypermasculine tones align with his political strategies and appeal to male voters. This was not the first time Trump has been involved with UFC and it seems that his ties to the sport will continue even during his presidency.
Despite his victory at UFC 309, Bo Nickal did not impress in his bout against Paul Craig, according to Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier. The former NCAA wrestling star showed caution and did not utilize his takedown skills, leading the crowd to chant "overrated." While Nickal has the potential to reach the top in MMA, he needs more time to develop before facing a fighter like Khamzat Chimaev.
Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat earned a spot in the World Boxing Council (WBC) world rankings after a convincing victory over Brazilian fighter Whindersson Nunes. Goyat, who was born on November 11, 1991, has been dominating the sport with his explosive and tactical fighting style. He previously won the prestigious WBC Asia "Honorary Boxer of the Year" award in 2017 and defeated Chinese boxer Xu Can, who went on to become a World Boxing Association world champion. Goyat's latest victory solidifies his place as one of India's top professional boxers and the first Indian to be ranked by the WBC.
In an exhilarating showdown, West Indies claimed a nail-biting victory over England in the fourth T20 international, winning by five wickets in a successful chase of 219. The thrilling match had fans on the edge of their seats as the West Indies team staged an impressive comeback to seal the victory. This win marks a major upset in the series, as England had previously dominated with three consecutive wins.
Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal thrashed Poland 5-1 in a Nations League match, securing their place in the quarter-finals. With this result, Portugal have wrapped up the top spot in Group A1 with a game to spare. Despite Poland starting strongly, it was Portugal who dominated in the second half, scoring four goals in the last 20 minutes. Ronaldo, who had a quiet first half, came alive after the break and played a crucial role in his team's victory.
The West Indies and England are set to clash in the 4th T20 of their closely contested five-game series in St. Lucia. The visitors currently hold a 3-0 lead and will be looking to continue their dominance, while the West Indies will be hoping to bounce back and narrow the gap. Stay tuned for score updates and insightful analysis on this exciting match.
In a tightly contested T20I match between Pakistan and Australia, Pakistan's newly appointed captain Mohammed Rizwan made a crucial mistake by allowing three bowlers to bowl two overs each instead of one or two, as per the revised regulations. This went unnoticed by the umpires and match referee, as Australia posted a strong total of 93/4. Despite some late resistance, Pakistan's batting collapsed, giving Australia a 29-run victory. Glenn Maxwell played a key role for Australia, surpassing 10,000 T20I runs and leading the team to victory.
Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat made history by becoming the first Indian to win a fight on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Netflix event. Goyat defeated Whindersson Nunes in a super-middleweight bout by a unanimous decision, with a dominating 60-54 score in the six-round, non-title fight. This victory solidifies Goyat's spot in the WBC rankings and showcases the rising talent of Indian boxers on the global stage.
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh have welcomed a baby boy, expanding their family with their second child. While details about the birth are yet to be confirmed, fans eagerly await an official announcement from the couple. Rohit's absence from the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy has sparked speculation about his availability as captain, leaving vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah to potentially lead the team. This also opens the door for a new opener, with both Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul in contention for the role. Fans and the cricketing fraternity eagerly await Rohit's updates on his son's birth and his availability for the highly awaited tournament.