Devendra Jhajharia recalls his childhood when kids maintained distance

September 15, 2016

New Delhi, Sep 15: India's only double gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia's grit and resilience is second to none. As an eight-year-old, the athlete's left arm had to be amputated after he got electrocuted. Having a natural flair for sports, the youngster hit the local playground as soon as he recovered from the operation. But things were no longer the same.

jhajharia

The man who is now the toast of the nation didn't find any kid who was interested in playing with a handicapped child. The kids made it clear that they didn't have a place for him in their team.

"You know how kids are. I had lost my arm and no one wanted to play with me. No one wanted me in their team. 'Bhaiya, hum aapko nahi khila sakte' (Sorry, we can't let you play with us), I was told on many occasions," Devendra said, recalling his childhood.

Most people would have backed out facing such a harrowing experience. But Devendra was not one of them. "It made me stronger. Every time they told me that I could not play with them, I became even more resolute," the javelin thrower said.

"After seeing that I was not going to back out, they finally included me."

Devendra won India's fourth Gold in the history of Paralympics on Tuesday with a throw of 63.97 metres in the F46 javelin event at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao). Chunliang of China and Dinesh Priyantha Herath of Sriland bagged the silver and bronze medal respectively in the same event.

12-YEAR WAIT

The first time he bagged the yellow metal was in the 2004 Athens Paralympics with a throw of 62.15 metres.

"Things were much different back then. There was hardly any support and now with TOP scheme and Sports Authority of India's support things have changed for the better," he said.

The 2013 IPC World Athletics silver medallist had to wait 12 years for a second shot at the Olympics after his Athens Triumph as his event did not feature in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games.

"It was like waiting for the Maha Kumbh (a Hindu religious gathering that takes place in India once in 12 years). I knew that my event was not there at the Beijing Paralympics, but I kept training hoping that I would get a shot at London. Only in 2010, I got to know that the event was scrapped off from London too," he said.

TRAINING IN FINLAND

Devendra went for a three month-stint to Finland under the TOP scheme this time and believes it came as huge boost to his training ahead of the Games.

"I received a lot of support this time. I also give credit to my coach Sunil Tawar. I trained for almost seven hours a day for the Games," he said.

During his stint he also met Kenyan thrower Julius Yego, who became an internet-sensation after he revealed how he learnt the art of javelin throwing solely from YouTube videos as he couldn't afford a coach. Devendra said he was mighty impressed and inspired after training with Yego. "I will definitely call him soon," said the Arjuna and Padama Shri awardee.

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News Network
January 31,2020

Wellington, Jan 31: A nervous New Zealand threw it away yet again as a perseverant India prevailed in the Super Over for the second successive time to take a 4-0 lead in the T20 International series on Friday.

Needing just 11 runs off the last two overs with seven wickets in hand, New Zealand dug a hole for themselves yet again, taking the game to a Super Over two nights after doing the same in Hamilton.

New Zealand managed 13 runs in six balls and India got there effortlessly.

KL Rahul smashed 10 runs off the first two balls before he was caught. Then, a fired-up Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson finished the game in style.

Earlier, Manish Pandey proved his value to the team with an unbeaten 50 off 35 balls, taking India to 165 for eight from 88 for six in the 12th over.

India's total wasn't enough considering the batting-friendly conditions but the hosts made life a lot tougher for themselves from a commanding position before succumbing to pressure.

The entertaining knocks from Colin Munro (64 off 47) and Time Seifert went in vain (57 off 39).

Mohammed Shami, who was rested on Friday, had bowled a brilliant 20th over on Wednesday and man of the match Shardul Thakur was up to the task this time, conceding just six runs when the opposition needed seven for victory.

With the series already in the bag, India gave opportunity to Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar and Navdeep Saini for the first time in the five-match series, resting Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Shami. However, none of them was able to make an impact in the game.

Chasing 165, New Zealand lost Martin Guptill early. But Munro and Seifert put on 74 runs for the second wicket to put themselves on track.

Munro scored a half-century of 38 deliveries, inclusive of six fours and three sixes. He was out against the run of play as Kohli's direct hit surprisingly found the target after a relay throw from the deep.

It was the turning point as New Zealand lost regular wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal bowled Tom Bruce (0), but Seifert found a partner in Ross Taylor as they pushed the score past 150 in the 18th over.

Seifert scored a half-century off 32 balls, including four fours and three sixes. But the great choke was yet to come again. Needing 18 off 18, the Black Caps lost four wickets in the last over bowled by Thakur.

Taylor holed out of the first ball, while Seifert was run out two balls later. Daryl Mitchell (4) was caught next and Mitchell Santner (2) couldn't steal two runs off the last ball as the sides engaged in a tie-breaker for the second game running.

This was after New Zealand won a fourth consecutive toss and opted to field. Kane Williamson didn't take part in the match owing to a shoulder niggle.

Tim Southee was the stand-in skipper, with the Black Caps making two changes.

Put in to bat, the visitors were struggling at 88-6 at one stage before Pandey's lonesome rescue act took them to a respectable total. KL Rahul contributed 39 runs off 26 balls, inclusive of three sixes and two fours.

Leg spinner Ish Sodhi got into the act and ran through India's batting order. First to go was Shreyas Iyer (1) and then Shivam Dube (12) was caught at mid-wicket.

Sodhi finished with 3-26 while Santner dismissed Sundar for nought as the New Zealand spinners rounded up a good outing with 4-54 in eight overs.

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Agencies
April 12,2020

London, Apr 12: Former Formula 1 legendary driver Stirling Moss died at the age of 90 on Sunday.

"All at F1 send our heartfelt condolences to Lady Susie and Sir Stirling's family and friends," Formula 1 said in a statement.

Often referred to as the greatest driver never to win the world championship, Moss contested 66 Grands Prix from 1951 to 1961, driving for the likes of Vanwall, Maserati and Mercedes, where he famously formed a contented and ruthlessly effective partnership with lead driver Juan Manuel Fangio.

In his 10-year-long stint at the tracks, Moss took 16 wins, some of which rank among the truly iconic drives in the sport's history - his 1961 victories in Monaco and Germany in particular often held up as all-time classics.

Moss won the 1955 Mille Miglia on public roads for Mercedes at an average speed of close to 100mph, while he also competed in rallies and land-speed attempts.

Following an enforced retirement from racing (barring a brief comeback in saloon cars in the 1980s) after a major crash at Goodwood in 1962, Moss maintained a presence in Formula 1 as both a sports correspondent and an interested observer, before retiring from public life in January of 2018.

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News Network
March 3,2020

Sydney, Mar 3: Former Australia pacer Brett Lee foresees a "different" looking India making their maiden T20 Women's World Cup final and attributed their rise to the emergence of star players like 16-year-old Shafali Verma.

Besides opener Shafali, experienced leg-spinner Poonam Yadav has been the other match-winner for India in the competition. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side topped the group stage with four wins in as many games and play their semifinal here on Thursday.

"They've never reached the final but this is a different India team from the one they’ve seen before. They've combined match-winners in Shafali Verma and Poonam Yadav with consistent players with both bat and ball," Lee was quoted as saying by ICC.

"We've always known they have some of the best players in the world but now Harmanpreet Kaur has a team around her that can support the big players, and fill in the gaps when they have an off day."

Only a special effort from their opponents can stop India from reaching their maiden final, feels Lee.

They'll go into the semi-finals full of confidence and it will take an excellent team to stop them from reaching the Final."

Talking more about Shafali, who has got 47, 46, 39, and 29 so far, Lee backed the teen sensation to make a bigger score in the semifinal.

"Shafali Verma has been excellent at the top of the order, she’s brought a fearless energy to India’s batting and been brilliant to watch.

"You feel she can go even bigger as well – she hasn't reached 50 yet, which is both exciting for those watching and worrying for the bowlers.

"We saw from the opener against Australia just how good India can be, and it’s no surprise they’ve continued that form to top Group A," he added.

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