A Bold New World
Sportstar|September 22, 2018

Clearly, India’s sportspersons are getting more confident. This shows in the country’s best­ever medal tally at the Asian Games.

Stan Rayan​​​​​​
A Bold New World

Talking to table tennis star G. Sathiyan in Jakarta the other day, one could notice a brand new confidence in our athletes.

“There are a lot of things happening; the Chinese are not invincible any more,” said the 25­year­old from Chennai who played a big part in India jolting Japan in the men’s team quarterfinals that brought the country its first ever table tennis medal – a bronze – at the Asian Games.

“Of course, China is still a major force, still one level up, not only to India but to the entire world. If you take the No.2, Japan, they also feel China is still one level up. We are one level below Japan, but we have also started beating the Chinese here and there; they are also losing to the Japanese.”

Sathiyan sees the Jakarta show as the start of something big for the country in table tennis, which could turn out to be a dream story like badminton, where India is now a major force in the world.

Confidence boost

Boxer Amit Panghal did not allow Has­-an boy Dusmatov’s massive reputation to worry him in their 49kg final. Not only was Dusmatov the Olympic champion, he was also adjudged as the best boxer in Rio.

That would have turned many to jelly, but Panghal probably did not know what that meant. The 22- year-­old pugilist was on level terms with the Uzbek and when it came to the decider, the final round after the two had shared the honours in the first two, the Indian appeared mentally stronger.

Panghal had been the silver medallist at the recent Commonwealth Games and he knew that the Asian Games gold would change his life. “When someone wins gold, his life certainly changes. Mine will also change,” said Panghal, the son of a farmer.

Women on a high

Esta historia es de la edición September 22, 2018 de Sportstar.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 22, 2018 de Sportstar.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SPORTSTARVer todo
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ minutos  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 14, 2019