The Paris Olympics 2024, set to be held in the City of Lights, is a highly anticipated sporting event on the global stage. India, with its rich sporting history, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a strong representation at the games. As the nation gears up for the grand event, several Indian athletes have already qualified to participate, promising to make the country proud with their skills, determination, and dedication.
Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slams, the world’s top tennis competitions. The US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open are the other three. Although Wimbledon is the name of the venue where the competition is held in south-west London, its official name is The Championships. The All England Club in London, where the Championships are still held today, hosted the inaugural event in 1877.
With the exception of Wimbledon, all other major tournaments are played on clay or acrylic courts.
There are five main events at Wimbledon, with prizes for the overall winners:
Women’s singles
Men’s singles
Women’s doubles
Men’s doubles
Mixed doubles
Players have the option of participating in singles games, where they compete one against one, or doubles games, where they compete two against two. With the exception of mixed doubles, when a man and a woman can team up against another man and a woman, players typically can only play against individuals of their own gender.
Wimbledon Women’s Single Title
Czech player Markéta Vondroušová created history by defeating sixth seed Ons Jabeur to become the first unseeded woman in the Open Era to win Wimbledon Women’s Single Title. She is ranked 42nd in the world. Before playing at Wimbledon this year, Markéta Vondroušová had won only four grass court matches in her career. She is known to play her best on clay courts.
Wimbledon Men’s Single Title
20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz defeated legendary Novak Djokovic in an epic final to win the Wimbledon Men’s Single Title for the first time ever. Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year.
Wimbledon Women’s Doubles Winners
Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan and Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic won their second Wimbledon doubles title as a pairing by defeating Elise Mertens of Belgium and Storm Hunter of Australia.
Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Winners
Britain’s Neal Skupski and Dutch Wesley Koolhof, won the Wimbledon Men’s Doubles. Neal Skupski has become the first Briton to win the mixed and men’s doubles titles at Wimbledon since 1926. This was his third doubles title in a row at Wimbledon, having won the mixed doubles in 2021 and 2022.
Wheelchair Doubles
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won their fifth Wimbledon men’s wheelchair doubles title together, beating Japan’s Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda.
Understanding the Difference Between a Seeded and Unseeded Player
The top players in the tournament are known as seeded players. The concept is that the best players shouldn’t have to face each other until the later stages of the competition in order to guarantee that the victor is the best player overall. Players 1 and 2 are placed in separate parts of the draw to avoid meeting before the final, while the top 8 seeds can reach the quarterfinals and the top 4 can play in the semi-finals (if they make it that far). However, an unseeded player could face any other player at any time of the competition, thus they may have to play some of the greatest players right away. This makes it more difficult for them to get to the competition’s final stages.
Interesting Facts About Wimbledon:
Players can only wear white to participate in the Wimbledon. When tennis was played at social gatherings in the 1800s, that is when people first started wearing white to the tournament. In order to avoid sweat stains on coloured clothing, which were at the time seen as “improper” and “unattractive,” players wore white. As a result, it was included in the tournament’s official dress code as of that point.
Did you know that Wimbledon is also popularly called SW19? The location of Wimbledon Championships is in the Battersea district and the postcode for Wimbledon is 19. Hence the Wimbledon Championships are also known as SW19.
The longest Wimbledon match was between American John Isner and French Nicolas Mahut. Over the course of three days, it lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes.
A staggering 54,250 tennis balls are utilised during Wimbledon! To make sure they are in top condition, they are changed every seven to nine games. They are stored in a refrigerator to keep them fresh!
Every morning during the tournament, a Harris hawk called Rufus is set free and circles the sky above Wimbledon grounds to scare away the local pigeons.
Strawberries and Cream is a popular tradition at Wimbledon. It is estimated that 191,930 portions are served during the tournament.
International Olympic Day is a significant event that celebrates the spirit of athleticism and promotes the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence. Observed annually on June 23rd, this day commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Games and encourages people worldwide to embrace the joy of sports and physical activity. In this blog, we will delve into the origins and history of International Olympic Day, explore its significance, and discuss how this global celebration is honored.
The idea for International Olympic Day was conceived by the International Olympic Committee (“IOC”) in 1948 to mark the 52nd anniversary of the founding of the IOC. It was intended to promote the Olympic movement and encourage individuals of all ages and abilities to participate in sports activities. The inaugural International Olympic Day was celebrated on June 23rd, 1948, and since then, it has become an annual tradition.
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Significance of International Olympic Day:
International Olympic Day holds great significance as it aims to promote the Olympic values of unity, respect, and fair play. This day serves as a reminder of the positive impact that sports can have on individuals, communities, and the world as a whole. It encourages people to engage in physical activities, leading to a healthier and more active lifestyle. International Olympic Day also highlights the importance of inclusivity and encourages participation in sports regardless of age, gender, or ability.
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How is International Olympic Day Celebrated?
International Olympic Day is celebrated in various ways across the globe, with a range of activities designed to engage people of all ages and backgrounds. Here are some common ways in which this day is commemorated:
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Sporting Events: Communities organize local sports events, such as marathons, mini-Olympic competitions, and team sports tournaments, to encourage participation and foster a sense of camaraderie among participants.
Workshops and Seminars: Educational institutions and sports organizations conduct workshops, seminars, and lectures on the Olympic values, sportsmanship, and the importance of physical activity. These events aim to raise awareness and inspire individuals to embrace sports in their daily lives.
Olympic Day Runs: Many countries organize Olympic Day Runs, which are non-competitive running events open to everyone. These runs promote fitness and provide an opportunity for people to join together and celebrate the spirit of the Olympics.
Exhibitions and Displays: Museums and cultural institutions curate exhibitions that highlight the history and significance of the Olympic Games. These displays often include artifacts, photographs, and interactive installations to educate visitors about the Olympics’ legacy.
Community Engagement: Local communities come together to organize sports-themed activities, such as friendly matches, sports clinics, and demonstrations. These events encourage participation and foster a sense of unity and pride.
Social Media Campaigns: In the digital age, social media platforms play a vital role in promoting International Olympic Day. People share their personal stories, photos, and videos related to sports and use dedicated hashtags to spread the message of the Olympic spirit.
International Olympic Day serves as a global celebration of the Olympic movement and the positive impact of sports on society. By encouraging people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activities, this day promotes a healthier lifestyle and fosters a sense of unity and respect. Through its various celebrations, International Olympic Day inspires individuals worldwide to embrace the Olympic values and the transformative power of sports in their lives. Let us join hands and celebrate this day, honoring the spirit of the Olympics and promoting a world where the pursuit of excellence and unity prevail.
The Asian Athletics Association held the 20th Asian Athletics Championships, a large-scale international competition comprising 1,500 athletes and officials from 45 Asian countries from June 4 to 7 in Yecheon, Republic of Korea. Athletes born between 2004 and 2007 competed in 45 events. The official mascots were Coni and Pedi, characters that symbolized the insect city of Yecheon.
Athletics Federation of India
Indian athletes won 19 medals at the 20th Asian U-20 Athletics Championships 2023. Japan won a total of 23 medals. The People’s Republic of China took second place with 19 medals. India tied with China’s total of 19 medals but ended third due to fewer gold medals won. the Indian contingent left an indelible mark, boasting an impressive collection of six golds, seven silvers, and six bronze medals.
While the Indian contingent had a successful run, Here are India’s top-five performers from Asian U-20 Athletics Championships 2023:
Rezoana Mallick Heena : Gold Medalist Asian U20 Athletics Championship
In the women’s 400m race, this extraordinary 16-year-old runner earned the coveted individual gold medal. She crossed the finish line in 53.32 seconds, her personal second-best time, and earned India its first gold medal at this edition of the championships. She went on to win two more relay medals (bronze – 4x400m mixed relay and gold – 4x400m women’s relay). She won the gold medal in the relay with Anushka Dattaray Kumbhar, Riya Nitin Patil, and Kanista Teena. She finished the junior continental competition with three medals, the most ever won by an Indian.
Rezoana Mallick Heena is the reigning Asian U-18 and Asian U-20 champion (achieved the feat in a span of a month).
Athletics Federation of India
Laxita Vinod Sandila – Gold Medalist In Asian U20 Athletics Championship 2023
Laxita Vinod Sandila won another gold medal for India by dominating the women’s 1500m event. She won India’s second gold medal in the competition, crossing the finish line in 4:24.23 seconds.
Athletics Federation of India
Siddharth Choudhary : Won Gold Media Asian Under 20 Athletics 2023
The 17-year-old athlete set a personal best with a throw of 19.52m, demonstrating amazing growth. This extraordinary distance not only earned him a well-deserved gold medal in the shotput but also broke his previous junior-level record of 19.11m.
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Gold Medalist In Asian U20 Athletics Championship 2023 – Bharatpreet Singh
Bharatpreet Singh demonstrated his domination in the discus throw event with a spectacular toss of 55.66m. His outstanding effort catapulted him to the top of the podium, where he earned a well-deserved gold medal. Notably, he hit this high mark on his third toss.
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Indian Asian U20 Athletics Championship Winner 2023 – Sunil Kumar
Despite a huge setback when he arrived in Busan without the necessary fiberglass pole for the pole vault event. Sunil bucked the odds and demonstrated incredible tenacity at the Junior Asian Championships.
Sunil was 103 points behind the leader, Nodir Norbaev, going into the final race, the 1500m.
Sunil, with an astonishing display of perseverance and skill, managed to bridge the distance and capture the gold medal, outscoring Norbaev by a whopping 47 points. He won with a personal best score of 7003 points, earning him the gold medal.
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Pooja, who finished second in the women’s high jump, was another standout performer. She cleared 1.82m, breaking her previous personal best of 1.76m. She was only a little short of crossing the following hurdle at 1.84m.
The previous edition of the Asian U20 Athletics Championships was held in Japan in 2018. India concluded that event with 17 medals, of which five were gold, two silver, and 10 bronze medals.
The Indian Premier League (“IPL”) is an international-level professional T20 cricket game played in India since 2008 which means that each side gets to play for 20 overs each. The IPL is usually played during the month of April – May of every year in India. Did you know that Twenty20 cricket became extremely popular after India won the T20 World Cup in 2007?
Find out Everything You Need to Know About IPL
Origins of IPL
IPL is a cricket league established by the Board of Cricket Control in India (“BCCI”). BCCI is the governing body for all cricket activities in India. IPL was the brainchild of the then BCCI Vice-President Lalit Modi. The IPL has a group stage system where 10 teams play each other and the top four teams after the group stage qualify for the knockout stages. The Ten teams are based out of major Indian cities.
How does IPL Work?
In the beginning, the franchises were auctioned by the BCCI, where the highest bidder won the rights to own a team, representing each city. Each year the players are auctioned and the teams bid on them.
Each IPL team is mandatorily required to have four foreign players and seven Indian players. Cricket players at the International level of all countries will be shuffled together with the domestic as well as International Indian Players. This shuffling process is done through an annual auction, which happens prior to the start of the IPL. The players will go into the auction and get selected by a particular team. The selected player will play for that auctioned team for a particular agreement period.
The first season of the IPL became a huge success. It followed an 8 team format having the likes of superstars like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Brendon McCullum, and several others taking part in it. Over the years IPL saw the emergence of many young players, young players found a platform to showcase their talent which helped them to reach their dream of playing for their country.
Team selection
IPL’s franchises were provided in an auction-based format where people were asked to bid from a base price of $400 Million. Business tycoons like Vijay Maalya and Mukesh Ambani became owners of Bangalore and Mumbai teams respectively, the Bollywood industry also got in the business process when superstar Shah Rukh Khan won the bid for the Kolkata Knight Riders for $75.09 million.
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Who won the first IPL?
Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural IPL by defeating Chennai Super Kings in a crunch encounter defeating them on the very last ball to clinch the title by 3 wickets.
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All IPL Winners
Mumbai Indians hold the most number of IPL titles with their trophy cabinet currently containing 5 titles, they are closely followed by MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings with four titles. The 2022 season saw the emergence of a new dominant team in the form of Gujarat Titans, who won the IPL title in their very first season.
When were the other new teams introduced?
In the 2022 season, IPL turned into a 10-team league with the introduction of two new teams in the form of Gujarat Titans and Lucknow SuperGiants. The Gujarat team hosts its games in the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad which is also the biggest stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 132,000.
Some interesting facts about IPL
Royal Challengers Bangalore (“RCB”) holds the record for the highest (263) and lowest (49) total score in IPL history.
Sourav Ganguly of Kolkata Knight Riders was the first wicket to fall in the first-ever game of the IPL on 18th April 2008 as Zaheer Khan of Royal Challengers Bangalore scalped his wicket.
Virat Kohli is the only player to play for only one franchise (RCB).
Brad Hogg is the oldest player to play in an IPL match at the age of 45 years when he featured against Gujarat Lions playing for his team Kolkata Knight Riders on May 8th, 2016.
Prayas Ray Barman is the youngest player to play in an IPL match at the age of 16 years and 157 days when he played in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 31, 2019.
Chris Gayle scored the highest individual score in an IPL game (175*) in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s encounter with Pune Warriors India on 23rd April 2013.
