Author: S Kannan

Celebrated wrestler Bajrang Punia is in the dock and has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after failing to provide a urine sample after trials were held at NIS Patiala on March 10. These trials were for the Asian Championship and Asian Olympic qualifiers held in Bishkek last month. News of Bajrang’s suspension was first reported on Sunday by The Tribune, a daily newspaper. It is well known that Bajrang has been in the news for wrong reasons, which included his debacle at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year. He had spent more time on…

Winds of change are blowing across Indian women’s hockey with Hockey India appointing Salime Tete as captain for the FIH Pro League, to be held in Europe. The 24-member squad announced on Thursday has three changes, but the main one was bringing in a new skipper. Goalkeeper Savita Punia is still in the super-size squad, and to be relieved of the captaincy is not something she needs to be ashamed of. For the best part of her career, Savita has been a fantastic goalkeeper with a proven track record. She took over from Rani Rampal after the Tokyo Olympics, where…

Twelve years may seem like a long time before the Olympic host city is named for the 2036 Summer Games. Yet, if one goes by the recent media statements from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, the news that “almost 10 countries” are willing to host the 2036 Games adds a twist. From an Indian point of view, the desire to host has been repeatedly expressed by the highest authority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and has the backing of all. Obviously, at this time of the year, when General Elections for the Lok Sabha are on in the country,…

WARNING: MOTORSPORT CAN BE DANGEROUS. This is one signage which you will notice at even the smallest racing circuit, be it karting, nascent racing or high-octane Formula One. Who would have known this warning would indeed foreshadow pain and agony. Some dates are unforgettable, despite being unpleasant and having left you with horrible memories. May 1, 1994 was one such, for Ayrton Senna, the most-loved of Formula One drivers, was killed on this date at the San Marino Grand Prix. A day before, there had been the first shock, when Austria’s Roland Ratzenberger succumbed to his injuries after a crash.…

No sponsor, no government support, shooting alone. That’s the success story of Maheshwari Chauhan, who clinched a record 21st quota place for India in shooting at the Paris Olympics. On Sunday, at the high intensity ISSF Final Olympic Qualification Championship finale in Doha, the 27-year-old from Jalore Rajasthan, shot with focus to win a silver and crown herself in glory. Just two hours after the historic win, which fetched India a second shooting quota in women’s skeet, Maheshwari had to be egged on to speak about her journey. After all, one had not heard too much about her, till this…

Cherubic lass Maheshwari Chauhan sealed the 21st quota place for India in shooting by winning a silver medal at the ISSF high pressure event in Doha on Sunday. In the high stakes and high-pressure final, where the Indian was in ice cool mode, it all boiled down to a shoot-off with Francisca Chadid. “I am happy and thrilled,” said Maheshwari after the final. Indeed, someone less heard of till this week, Maheshwari could smile after she won silver. It sufficed on all accounts, a medal plus a quota for India. Shotgun events in India have not been a strength, traditionally,…

Was Rafael Nadal missing clay, or was clay missing the connoisseur? On Saturday evening in Madrid, a city better known for its football teams and Bullfighting and where tickets are sold at massive prices, Nadal rolled back the years. This is the Nadal tennis fans have missed for over 16 months, the one who had muscled his way past rivals. Against Alex de Minaur, an opponent Nadal had lost to a week earlier, he was in beast mode. Before animal-rights activists get annoyed, this was the Spaniard fired up. His eyes had lit up even as he was walking through…

Call it a marathon or call it a trial by fire, for the Indian shooters who have won quota places for the Paris Olympics, the first set of trials which concluded at the Karni Singh ranges in the outskirts of New Delhi was a hard experience. Overall, 20 marksmen have made the cut for Paris, but the trials for the shotgun marksmen will be held later. Over the last 10 days, with two trials in each event having gone through, it has been gruelling, indeed. But then, nobody has complained. Varun Tomar from the Indian Army, who won a quota…

For a man who has won 22 Grand Slam titles in a decorated career; winning even one match on the ATP Tour has generated enormous excitement. No guesses, Rafael Nadal has again shown to hordes of fans the flicker can sometimes be brighter than a flame, as he defeated Darwin Blanch 6-1, 6-0. Usually, this kind of a result from Rafa would have found mention of just a few paras in newspapers. No, this is the era of social media, where Nadal still commands respect. Mercifully, tennis fan are less toxic, in comparison to ‘cricket fans’ or trolls, despite their…

Worship is personal and does not have to always be expressed outwardly. This act of praying, inward or outward, can be in your own home or at a religious institution, no matter what the faith. On this day, April 24, there are special prayers for a genius who gave us immense ecstatic moments. He provided us unadulterated joy, he made us forget our pain and sorrow, and he instilled faith, in a different way. Still wondering who this is? Sachin Tendulkar, in case you suddenly blanked out, for worship, religion and prayers have today become so controversial. Thank God, one…