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Wednesday, September 4, 2024

How many medals India won at Paralympics 2024?

At the Paris Paralympics 2024, Indian para-athletes made history by surpassing the previous record of 19 medals set at the Tokyo Paralympics.

 India has delivered its best performance ever at the Paris Paralympics 2024, surpassing the medal count from the Tokyo Paralympics. This achievement is largely due to the outstanding efforts of India's track and field athletes.

 On the sixth day of the event, India's competitors secured five medals—two silver and three bronze—at the prestigious Stade de France, propelling the nation to 19th place in the overall standings. 

  How many medals India won at Paralympics 2024?

  

India's medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 reached 20—comprising 3 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze—surpassing the previous record of 19 medals set at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. At the Tokyo Paralympics, India had won 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals.

 Stoke Mandeville/New York 1984 to Paris 2024: 
Full List of India medal winners in Paralympics history


India medal winners at Paralympics history
Athlete Medal Sport Event Games
Sharad Kumar Silver Athletics Men's High Jump - T63 Paris 2024
Ajeet Singh Silver Athletics Men's Javelin Throw - F46 Paris 2024
Mariyappan Thangavelu Bronze Athletics Men's High Jump - T63 Paris 2024
Sundar Singh Gurjar Bronze Athletics Men's Javelin Throw - F46 Paris 2024
Deepthi Jeevanji Bronze Athletics Women's 400m - T20 Paris 2024
Sumit Gold Athletics Men's Javelin Throw- F64 Paris 2024
Suhas Silver Badminton Men's singles SL4 Paris 2024
Thulasimathi MURUGESAN Silver Badminton Women's singles SU5 Paris 2024
Manisha RAMADASS Bronze Badminton Women's Singles SU5 Paris 2024
Nithya Sre SUMATHY SIVAN Bronze Badminton Women's Singles SH6 Paris 2024
India Bronze Archery Mixed Team Compound Open Paris 2024
Nitesh Kumar Gold Badminton Men’s singles SL3 Paris 2024
Yogesh Kathuniya Silver Athletics Men's discus throw F56 Paris 2024
Avani Lekhara Gold Shooting Women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 Paris 2024
Mona Agarwal Bronze Shooting Women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 Paris 2024
Preethi Pal Bronze Athletics Women's 100m T35 Paris 2024
Manish Narwal Silver Shooting Men's 10m air pistol SH1 Paris 2024
Rubina Francis Bronze Shooting Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1 Paris 2024
Preethi Pal Bronze Athletics Women's 200m T35 Paris 2024
Nishad Kumar Silver Athletics Men's high jump T47 Paris 2024
Bhavina Patel Silver Table Tennis Women's singles class 4 Tokyo 2020
Nishad Kumar Silver Athletics Men’s high jump T47 Tokyo 2020
Avani Lekhara Gold Shooting Women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 Tokyo 2020
Devendra Jhajharia Silver Athletics Men's javelin throw F46 Tokyo 2020
Sundar Singh Gurjar Bronze Athletics Men's javelin throw F46 Tokyo 2020
Yogesh Kathuniya Silver Athletics Men's discus throw F56 Tokyo 2020
Sumit Antil Gold Athletics Men's javelin throw F64 Tokyo 2020
Singhraj Adhana Bronze Shooting Men's 10m air pistol SH1 Tokyo 2020
Mariyappan Thangavelu Silver Athletics Men's high jump T42 Tokyo 2020
Sharad Kumar Bronze Athletics Men's high jump T42 Tokyo 2020
Praveen Kumar Silver Athletics Men's high jump T64 Tokyo 2020
Avani Lekhara Bronze Shooting Women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 Tokyo 2020
Harvinder Singh Bronze Archery Men's individual recurve - open Tokyo 2020
Manish Narwal Gold Shooting Men's 50m pistol SH1 Tokyo 2020
Singhraj Adhana Silver Shooting Men's 50m pistol SH1 Tokyo 2020
Pramod Bhagat Gold Badminton Men's singles SL3 Tokyo 2020
Manoj Sarkar Bronze Badminton Men's singles SL3 Tokyo 2020
Suhas Yathiraj Silver Badminton Men's singles SL4 Tokyo 2020
Krishna Nagar Gold Badminton Men's singles SH6 Tokyo 2020
Mariyappan Thangavelu Gold Athletics Men's high jump F42 Rio 2016
Varun Singh Bhati Bronze Athletics Men's high jump F42 Rio 2016
Devendra Jhajharia Gold Athletics Men's javelin throw F46 Rio 2016
Deepa Malik Silver Athletics Women's shot put F53 Rio 2016
Girisha N Gowda Silver Athletics Men's high jump F42 London 2012
Devendra Jhajharia Gold Athletics Men's javelin throw F44/ 46 Athens 2004
Rajinder Singh Rahelu Bronze Powerlifting Men's 56 kg Athens 2004
Bhimrao Kesarkar Silver Athletics Men's javelin throw L6 Stoke Mandeville/New York 1984
Joginder Singh Bedi Bronze Athletics Men's javelin throw L6 Stoke Mandeville/New York 1984
Joginder Singh Bedi Silver Athletics Men's shot put L6 Stoke Mandeville/New York 1984
Joginder Singh Bedi Bronze Athletics Men's discus throw L6 Stoke Mandeville/New York 1984
Murlikant Petkar Gold Swimming Men's 50m freestyle 3 Heidelberg 1972

  

How did India's javelin throwers continue to superb show at Paralympics 2024?

  

India's javelin throwers maintained their dominance, with Ajeet Singh and world record holder Sundar Singh Gurjar winning silver and bronze, respectively, in the F46 category. Ajeet Singh threw 65.62m, while Gurjar registered a 64.96m throw.

The F46 category is designated for athletes with moderate movement impairment in one or both arms or the absence of limbs.
Impressive performances by India's high jumpers
In the T63 high jump finals, Sharad Kumar and Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu won silver and bronze with jumps of 1.88m and 1.85m, respectively.
The T63 category includes athletes with moderate movement impairment in one leg or those with limbs absent above the knee.
Deepthi Jeevanji's remarkable Bronze in the 400m (T20) event
World champion sprinter Deepthi Jeevanji added another bronze to India’s tally in the women's 400m (T20) event. The 20-year-old, competing in her first Paralympics, clocked 55.82 seconds, finishing behind Ukraine's Yuliia Shuliar (55.16 seconds) and Turkey's world record holder Aysel Onder (55.23 seconds).
Who is Deepthi Jeevanji?
Deepthi Jeevanji, the daughter of farm labourers from Kalleda Village in Telangana's Warangal district, was diagnosed with intellectual impairment. She was discovered by one of her teachers at a school athletics meet. Despite facing societal taunts due to her condition, her village now celebrates her success.
Jeevanji won gold at the Asian Para Games last year and broke the world record at the Para World Championships in May this year, securing another gold. She has been supported by national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, after starting her training under Nagpuri Ramesh.
The T20 category is designated for athletes with intellectual impairment.
Paralympics 2024 medal tally and India's position on the medal table. 
Paralympics 2024 medal tally
Rank Team Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 China 53 40 22 115
2 Great Britain 30 18 13 61
3 United States 20 22 11 53
4 Brazil 14 11 23 48
5 France 11 12 15 38
6 Italy 10 8 17 35
7 Ukraine 9 15 21 45
8 Australia 9 9 14 32
9 Netherlands 9 5 4 18
10 Uzbekistan 6 4 4 14
11 Spain 5 7 13 25
12 Japan 5 6 8 19
13 Switzerland 5 2 2 9
14 South Korea 4 7 8 19
15 Germany 4 5 10 19
16 Thailand 4 4 6 14
17 Colombia 4 4 5 13
18 Israel 4 1 2 7
19 India 3 7 10 20
20 Poland 3 3 4 10
21 Slovakia 3 2 0 5
22 Azerbaijan 3 1 1 5
23 Cuba 3 1 0 4
24 Iran 2 7 3 12
25 Turkey 2 6 3 11
26 Canada 2 4 7 13
27 Hong Kong, China 2 3 1 6
28 Tunisia 2 3 0 5
29 Ethiopia 2 1 0 3
29 Latvia 2 1 0 3
29 Singapore 2 1 0 3
32 Argentina 2 0 5 7
33 Algeria 2 0 2 4
34 Portugal 2 0 1 3
35 Indonesia 1 6 5 12
36 Greece 1 3 5 9
36 Mexico 1 3 5 9
38 Czechia 1 3 2 6
38 Denmark 1 3 2 6
40 Norway 1 2 3 6
41 Mongolia 1 2 0 3
42 Belgium 1 1 1 3
42 Malaysia 1 1 1 3
44 Hungary 1 1 0 2
44 Venezuela 1 1 0 2
46 Georgia 1 0 2 3
47 Ecuador 1 0 1 2
47 South Africa 1 0 1 2
49 Bulgaria 1 0 0 1
49 Costa Rica 1 0 0 1
49 Namibia 1 0 0 1
49 Peru 1 0 0 1
49 Slovenia 1 0 0 1
54 New Zealand 0 3 2 5
55 Morocco 0 2 4 6
56 Ireland 0 2 2 4
56 Chinese Taipei 0 2 2 4
58 Serbia 0 2 1 3
59 Austria 0 1 1 2
60 Cyprus 0 1 0 1
60 Finland 0 1 0 1
60 Kazakhstan 0 1 0 1
60 Kenya 0 1 0 1
60 Sri Lanka 0 1 0 1
65 Chile 0 0 3 3
66 Refugee Paralympic Team 0 0 2 2
67 Iraq 0 0 1 1
67 Kuwait 0 0 1 1
67 Montenegro 0 0 1 1
67 Mauritius 0 0 1 1
67 Nepal 0 0 1 1
67 Nigeria 0 0 1 1

Monday, September 2, 2024

The 16-driver field for the NASCAR Playoffs has been finalized.

Chase Briscoe raced his way into the playoff field with a victory in the final regular-season race of the year in Darlington.

Chase Briscoe, driver of the (14) HighPoint.com Ford, Ross Chastain, driver of the (1) Busch Retro Chevrolet, and Kyle Larson, driver of the (5) HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2024.

Chase Briscoe secured his spot in the NASCAR playoff field with a victory at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1, during the final regular-season race of the year.

This marked Briscoe’s first Cup win since his triumph at Phoenix Raceway in March 2022. The victory was crucial for Briscoe to earn his place in the NASCAR playoffs, which feature a field of 16 drivers.

Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, also needed a win at Darlington. He made a late push to challenge Briscoe, but Briscoe managed to maintain his lead, finishing strong to take the checkered flag.

 

“For all 320 employees, everybody, to be able to race for a championship in their final year, man, unbelievable,” Briscoe remarked after the race. “This group, the day we found out the team wasn’t going to exist anymore, we went to the shop floor, looked at each other, and said, ‘We’re in this till the end. We’re not giving up.’ We kept saying all week we had one bullet left in the chamber, and that bullet hit.”

Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Ty Gibbs and Martin Truex Jr. also secured playoff spots on the final day. Truex, 44, plans to retire after this NASCAR season, capping an 18-year career with 34 Cup Series victories.

 

Meanwhile, Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Ross Chastain needed a win at Darlington to qualify for the playoffs but fell short.

“We weren’t good enough, simple as that; last two-thirds of the race I said I hope the 11 [Denny Hamlin] and 5 [Kyle Larson] stay up there because the 14 (Briscoe) is fast,” Wallace said after the Darlington race.
Tyler Reddick clinched the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship, the first of his career.

Chase Briscoe drove his way into the NASCAR playoff field with a victory at the final regular-season race of the year at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1.

   

It was Briscoe’s first Cup victory since winning at Phoenix Raceway in March 2022. Briscoe needed the win to earn a spot in the NASCAR playoffs, which will include 16 drivers.

Kyle Busch, the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series champion, also needed a win at Darlington Briscoe and made a late move to challenge Briscoe. However, Briscoe was able to get wide, finish strong, and earn the checkered flag.
 
 

“For all 320 employees, everybody, to be able to race for a championship in their final year, man, unbelievable,” Briscoe said after the race. “This group, the day that we found out that the team wasn’t going to exist anymore, we went over to the shop floor, we all looked at each other and said, ‘We’re in this till the end. We’re not going to give this up.' We kept saying all week we got one bullet left in the chamber. That bullet hit.”
Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Ty Gibbs and Martin Truex Jr. also clinched playoff spots on the final day. Truex, 44, plans to retire after this NASCAR season after an 18-year career and 34 career victories in the Cup Series.

Chris Buescher, Bubba Wallace, and Ross Chastain needed a victory at Darlington to qualify for the playoffs but came up short.

   

“We weren’t good enough, simple as that; last two-thirds of the race I said I hope the 11 [Denny Hamlin] and 5 [Kyle Larson] stay up there because the 14 (Briscoe) is fast,” Wallace said after the Darlington race.
Tyler Reddick clinched the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship, the first of his career.

 

Reddick, who drives the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, won races at Talladega Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway this season. He had 11 top-five finishes and 18 top-10 finishes.

 

“Yeah, it’s just a testament to all the hard work that everyone at 23XI, here at the race track, week in and week out, back at Airspeed, puts into this,” Reddick said after the Darlington race. “We’re on year four of their goals, right? It’s just been really, really fun the last two years to be a part of this process, building up to where we want to be.”

On Aug. 24, Burton qualified for the playoffs after winning the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. Entering the race, Burton was not among the top 20 in points, but now he can win a title. The playoffs begin on Sept. 8, at the Quaker State 400 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. There will be three rounds of 16 before the field is pared to 12 for three rounds.

 

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship is scheduled for Nov. 10 at the Phoenix Raceway at 3 p.m. ET. Larson is the favorite to win the title, followed by Hamlin, Reddick, and Blaney.

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs field consists of:

1. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet: 2,040 points

2. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: 2,032 points

3. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota: 2,028 points

4. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet: 2,022 points

5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford: 2,018 points

6. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: 2,015 points

7. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet: 2,014 points

8. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford: 2,008 points

9. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford: 2,007 points

10. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford: 2,007 points

11. Daniel Suárez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet: 2,006 points

12. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet: 2,005 points

13. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford: 2,005 points

14. Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford: 2,005 points

15. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: 2,004 points

16. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: 2,004 points


Friday, August 30, 2024

49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have finalized a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

Sources indicate that the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk have finalized a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

49ers and Brandon Aiyuk Finalize Major Contract Extension

The high-stakes contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk have reached a pivotal resolution, concluding with a significant long-term commitment. On Thursday, the 49ers and Aiyuk finalized a four-year, $120 million extension, keeping him in San Francisco through the 2028 season. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news, revealing that the terms of the new deal closely mirror the initial offer made by the 49ers on August 12.

Key Terms of the Extension

The agreement includes $76 million guaranteed, with $47 million set to be paid to Aiyuk before April 1, 2025. This deal positions Aiyuk among the top earners in the NFL, placing him alongside Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill as the fifth-highest-paid receiver, with an impressive average annual value of $30 million per season.

Negotiation Tensions and Resolution

The extension follows a period of heightened tension. On Wednesday, the 49ers had publicly declared Aiyuk's health, with coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expressing their expectation for him to participate in practice. However, Aiyuk missed both Wednesday and Thursday practices, which raised concerns about potential team discipline.

Despite these issues, the new deal, finalized on Thursday, allows Aiyuk to focus on preparing for the season opener against the New York Jets on September 9.


Trade Requests and Negotiation Challenges

The road to this agreement was not without its hurdles. Nearly two years of negotiations were marked by skepticism, especially after Aiyuk requested a trade on July 23, just before the start of training camp. This request sparked serious trade discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots. For a trade to materialize, any interested team would need to meet both the 49ers' and Aiyuk's substantial contract demands. While these teams were capable of meeting one of the criteria, none could fulfill both, leading the Niners and Aiyuk back to the negotiating table.

Impact on the 49ers and Future Outlook

With Aiyuk secured, the 49ers not only retain their top receiver but also maintain a core offensive group alongside quarterback Brock Purdy for the next five years. In the 2023 season, Aiyuk had a standout year, leading the Niners with 1,342 receiving yards and ranking ninth in the NFL for receiving yards per game (83.9). He also ranked second in yards per reception (17.9) and first in yards per target (12.9), earning a second-team All-Pro selection.

His return allows the 49ers to potentially keep the same starting offensive lineup as last year, with Aiyuk joining forces with fellow wideouts Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings, while rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing continue to develop.

As the 49ers set their sights on securing their sixth Lombardi Trophy, Aiyuk's presence is a crucial component in their quest for NFL dominance.

Botic van de Zandschulp pulled off a major upset, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.  

Botic van de Zandschulp pulled off a major upset, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.  


Carlos Alcaraz Stunned in Early US Open Exit: A Closer Look

In a surprising turn of events at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz, a heavy favorite to clinch the title, faced an early exit from the tournament. The top seed, who had been on a remarkable run this summer, struggled to find his footing against Botic van de Zandschulp, a 28-year-old from the Netherlands, resulting in a defeat that left many spectators and analysts stunned.

The Unexpected Upset

Alcaraz, who had been a dominant force in tennis this year with wins at both the French Open and Wimbledon, and a silver medal at the Olympics, entered the US Open with high expectations. However, he was upset by Van de Zandschulp in a match that saw Alcaraz’s internal struggles become as evident as his external battle against his lower-ranked opponent.

Match Breakdown

From the outset, it was clear that Alcaraz was struggling to find his rhythm. Van de Zandschulp dominated the first set, taking advantage of Alcaraz’s offensive struggles. Despite a valiant effort to rally in the third set, fueled in part by a double fault from Van de Zandschulp, Alcaraz's errors allowed his opponent to maintain control and ultimately secure the win.

Alcaraz's frustration was palpable as he gestured to his head, signaling his mental confusion to his coach. The mental toll of his demanding summer schedule seemed to weigh heavily on him, contributing to his unexpected early exit.

Van de Zandschulp's Victory

For Van de Zandschulp, the win was a significant breakthrough. Known for his strong net play, he utilized this strength to outmaneuver Alcaraz throughout the match. Despite acknowledging his nerves, Van de Zandschulp emphasized the importance of staying calm when facing top players like Alcaraz.

A Rare Early Exit

Alcaraz’s early departure from the US Open marks a rare instance for a top-seeded player. Since the retirement of Patrick Rafter in 1999, this early loss is considered one of the most surprising upsets involving a top favorite. Historically, Alcaraz had maintained a strong record against lower-ranked opponents in Grand Slam tournaments, making this early exit even more unexpected.

Reflections and Future Outlook

Alcaraz’s grueling summer schedule, including his intense matches and the emotional toll of his Olympic silver medal loss to Novak Djokovic, may have contributed to his fatigue. This early exit prompts a reflection on whether his busy season impacted his performance at the US Open.

As the tennis world digests this surprising result, Alcaraz will undoubtedly regroup and strategize for future tournaments. Meanwhile, Van de Zandschulp’s victory stands out as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport and the emerging talent ready to make their mark.

Colorado has undeniable talent, but they still have much to prove.

 

Colorado has undeniable talent, but they still have much to prove.

Minutes after North Dakota State’s Hail Mary attempt fell just 4 yards short of an unlikely upset, Colorado coach Deion Sanders faced the postgame press with a mix of relief and contemplation. "You ever felt like you won, but you didn’t win?" Sanders mused, capturing the complex emotions of the night. Despite securing a 31-26 victory, the Buffaloes’ performance left many fans with a sense of déjà vu.

A Victory That Feels Like Déjà Vu

While Colorado emerged victorious, their display on the field felt reminiscent of last year’s underwhelming performances. Despite executing some impressive plays, the win against a lower-division opponent didn’t deliver the dominant showing many had hoped for, sparking doubts about the team’s potential for significant improvement this season.

Standout Performances

In the midst of the unease, there were standout performances that showcased the potential of Colorado’s top players. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is being touted as a potential top-5 NFL draft pick, threw for 445 yards, completing 26 of 34 passes. His performance was highlighted by three touchdown throws to two-way standout Travis Hunter. Hunter, who proved to be a formidable challenge for North Dakota State’s secondary, ended the game with seven receptions for 132 yards.

Sanders noted the presence of NFL scouts, commenting, "I think 31 NFL scouts showed up tonight and saw what they came for. So, let’s move on from here. I’m going to do my best to keep my frustration in check, but we got the win."

Reflecting on Last Year’s Season Opener

Sanders’ optimism about his team’s potential grew as he spoke, though it stood in stark contrast to last year’s season opener against TCU. After that game, Sanders famously asked, "Do you believe now?"—a question that had many believing the Buffaloes were on the brink of a conference title contention.

A year later, the excitement from the TCU game feels distant, and it may be premature to draw definitive conclusions about the season’s potential based on just one game. Colorado’s narrow victory against North Dakota State leaves fans and analysts pondering whether this team is truly poised for a breakthrough or if they’ll continue to grapple with inconsistencies.

Looking Ahead

As the Buffaloes move forward, the focus will be on building upon the positive aspects of their performance while addressing the areas that fell short. Sanders’ mixed emotions reflect the broader sentiment of hope tempered by caution. The road ahead will reveal whether Colorado can translate their individual talent into a cohesive, dominant force capable of meeting the high expectations set for them.