President Droupadi Murmu flags off PBG Soldierathon at Rashtrapati Bh…

New Delhi [India], August 2 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday flagged off the PBG Soldierathon at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, an initiative aimed at strengthening the bond between civilians and the Armed Forces.

General (Dr) VK Singh, Governor of Mizoram and patron of the initiative, was also present at the ceremony.

“President Droupadi Murmu flagged off the PBG Soldierathon at a ceremony held at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of General (Dr) VK Singh, Governor of Mizoram, who is the patron of the initiative," Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X. iwanktv.club

President Droupadi Murmu flagged off the PBG Soldierathon at a ceremony held at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of General (Dr) VK Singh, Governor of Mizoram who is the patron of the initiative.

The Soldierathon serves as a unique platform to strengthen the… pic.twitter.com/GeOu37UbAp

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 2, 2026

The event serves as a platform to strengthen the bond between civilians and the Armed Forces, guided by the vision of “Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers", it said.

“The Soldierathon serves as a unique platform to strengthen the bond between civilians and the Armed Forces, guided by the vision of ‘Run for Soldiers, Run with Soldiers’," the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Centred on the theme ‘Supporting Real Heroes – the Armed Forces of India,’ the event pays tribute to the dedication, courage and sacrifice of our soldiers while encouraging citizens to express their solidarity with them through active participation," the post added. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

I have written extensively about Mirabai Chanu during these Commonwealth Games, and I will continue to do so in the lead-up to the Asian Games. But today’s piece is an important eye-opener for all of us – especially young athletes who dream of making it big for themselves and for India.

The day after Mira had won her gold medal, one expected her to take a break and unwind. After all, it was her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold. Yet, I spotted her quietly walking to the training centre at the SEC. Curious, I followed her to see what she was up to, and that is when I bumped into her coach, Vijay Sharma.

“Training karne ja rahi hain, Sir. Ek bhi din training miss nahi kar sakte hain (She is going for training, Sir. She cannot afford to miss training even for a single day),” he said.

Mirabai looked a little surprised to see me and smiled. “Aap event mein nahi gaye (Didn’t you go to the event)?” she asked. Then came that familiar smile.

Fast forward to yesterday. Mira had promised me her jersey for the museum, so I called to check if she was at the hotel so I could collect it.

“They have closed the weightlifting training venue, Sir,” she told me. “Vijay Sir has booked a club 20 minutes from the hotel, and we are going there to train. I will call you on the way back and we can meet.”

Vijay ji sent me the location soon afterwards, and the plan was set. Exactly two hours later, he called.

“We are on our way back,” he said. “You can join us in 10 minutes.”

As Mira stepped out of the Uber, it was evident she had just completed an intense training session. That is what makes her the athlete she is.

“I don’t want to stop at the Commonwealth Games,” she insisted. “My vision is firmly set on the Asian Games, and I can promise you I will leave no stone unturned to do well.”

Suddenly, there was steel in her eyes – a very different ruthlessness from the bubbly Mira we are all used to.

“This is the hunger I am talking about,” said her coach. “Mira has the fire burning within her, and that is what keeps her going.”

Earlier, I had seen Mira helping Vijay ji in the training hall, offering advice to younger athletes. When I asked her about it, she was back to being the Mira we know.

“Yes, I was helping Sir and trying to guide the younger athletes,” she said. “A number of them are from Manipur, and I can speak the language, which helps them. I want to do whatever I can for the sport, and Sir asked me to chip in.”

“Sir, you need to be different to become a world-beater,” added Vijay ji. “Yes, you have won a Commonwealth Games gold, but you cannot be satisfied. You have to forget the gold and start training for the Asian Games, which is a much tougher competition. We want this mindset in all our athletes. Why should there be only one Mira? Others should learn from her so that there can be many more like her.”

The truth, however, is that there is only one Mirabai Chanu.

India’s greatest-ever weightlifter.

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The post Why Mirabai Chanu Never Stops: The Mindset of a Champion appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

New Delhi [India], August 2 (ANI): Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and BJP MP Sanjay Seth flagged off the NCC Cyclothon 2026 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

Both leaders joined the participants by riding bicycles alongside NCC cadets, marking their participation in the 79-kilometre cycling event commemorating 79 years of India’s independence.

The NCC Cyclothon 2026 is a landmark 79-kilometre cycling event featuring 79 cadets to commemorate 79 years of India’s independence. The event will begin and conclude at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

BJP MP Sanjay Seth said the NCC Cyclothon 2026 reflects the strength and potential of India’s youth, highlighting their commitment to the vision of a developed nation.

He praised the 79 cadets participating in the event for promoting the ideals of “Nation First," cleanliness, fitness, and a drug-free India, while emphasising the NCC values of unity and discipline.

“As we mark 79 years, a testament to the nation’s honour, pride, and glory, we acknowledge that the youth are indeed our strength. Prime Minister Modi often emphasises that the nation progresses through its youth and their collective power. Today, as 79 cadets participate in this Cyclothon, they share a singular goal: ‘Nation First.’ These cadets serve as brand ambassadors for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). Their mission champions a clean India, physical fitness, and a drug-free nation. Participation in this Cyclothon reflects the core NCC ethos of unity and discipline," Seth said.

Olympic medallist Mary Kom also praised the NCC Cyclothon as a meaningful initiative for empowering and inspiring the youth.

She stressed that discipline, determination, and a never-say-die attitude are essential for success in any field, and expressed hope that her journey as an athlete encourages young people to pursue excellence and become champions in life.

“I was invited to the NCC cycle rally in Delhi, and it was a wonderful experience. This is crucial for the youth. I am here to support them… Whether in the NCC or in any other field, discipline and a ‘never-give-up’ attitude are essential… It brings me joy to think that by seeing me, they might learn something valuable about becoming a champion in life," Mary Kom told the reporters.

Former Indian tennis player Leander Paes congratulated the NCC cadets participating in the Cyclothon 2026, describing the event as a wonderful celebration of India’s 79th Independence year.

He praised the participants who cycled across the country and gathered in Delhi, calling the initiative a proud celebration of Bharat.

“First of all, to all the cadets that are taking part, good luck. It’s a wonderful celebration of our 79th Independence of India. And from far and wide, they’ve been cycling all across our country and culminating here in Delhi. It is just a wonderful celebration of Bharat," Leander Paes told the reporters. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Teen Indian sensation Tanvi Sharma won her maiden BWF World Tour title after defeating Vietnam’s sixth seed Thuy Linh Nguyen 21-16 21-16 in the women’s singles final of the Taipei Open Super 300 badminton tournament here on Sunday.

The 17-year-old from Punjab, who had finished runner-up at last year’s US Open Super 300, needed just 36 minutes to outclass Nguyen in the summit clash.

Coached by PV Sindhu’s former mentor Park Tae-sang, Tanvi also became the first Indian to win the women’s singles title at the Taipei Open since Saina Nehwal, who had lifted the trophy in 2008.

Tanvi made a flying start, repeatedly catching Nguyen at the front court with deft drops played with the same action as a smash to open up a 4-1 lead. The Vietnamese struggled to read the Indian’s deception and also found it difficult to judge the drift, going wide twice as Tanvi mixed steep cross-court smashes with her trademark touch to surge to a 10-2 advantage.

The Indian, however, suddenly slipped into a string of errors, struggling to keep the shuttle inside the lines. She eventually produced a timely smash to carry a three-point lead into the mid-game interval, with coach Park Tae-sang urging her to relax.

Tanvi found her rhythm after the break, producing powerful smashes from both flanks to move 15-9 ahead. Though she gifted away a few points with errors at the net and from the back court, she regained control, earning five game points before sealing the opening game with a cross-court smash.

After the change of ends, Nguyen opened a 3-0 lead by making Tanvi cover the court with sharp angles. But the Indian slowly began dictating the rallies, drawing level at 3-3 with a fine net shot before once again pushing her opponent deep and catching her at the net with deft touches.

Nguyen’s inconsistency also helped Tanvi build an 8-4 lead before another patch of errors allowed the Vietnamese to close the gap to 7-8, prompting Park to tap his head in frustration. Two exquisite deceptive winners helped Tanvi take an 11-8 lead at the interval.

The Indian gradually stretched the advantage to 15-10 and then 18-12, her deception once again fetching crucial points. At 19-12, Tanvi unsuccessfully challenged a line call after being ruled late, but soon earned seven match points with a smash. A nervous finish saw her squander three of them before she finally converted to seal her maiden BWF title.

In a heartwarming moment, Tanvi took off her gold medal and placed it around coach Park Tae-sang’s neck before the two posed together for photographs.

At 17 years and 222 days, Tanvi is the youngest finalist in the tournament’s history, surpassing Korean doubles great Lee Yong Dae, who was 17 years and 287 days old when he reached the men’s doubles final in 2006.

Tanvi had become the first Indian to win two medals at a single edition of the World Junior Championships, securing silver in girls’ singles and bronze in the mixed team event. She was also a member of the Indian team that won the country’s maiden gold medal at the Asian Team Championships.

A former world junior No. 1, Tanvi reached her maiden Super 300 final at the 2025 US Open at the age of 16. She also finished runner-up at the Odisha Masters Super 100 and Guwahati Masters Super 100.