Category Archives: Sports

Taekwondo expert does 1,000 face kicks in one hour

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

VenkatesanCF23feb2017

The feat has earned the sensei a Guinness World Records Certificate of Participation

R. Venkatesan has won gold medals at various international taekwondo championships, but he is extremely proud of his recent achievement, because it’s different from most other achievements he had managed before and it has a connection with Guinness World Records. Recently, Venkatesan, secretary, OMR Taekwondo Academy, won the Guinness World Records Certificate of Participation for exhibiting face kicks for more than a thousand times in an hour at a taekwondo kick tournament.

While receiving the award at a recent function, the Sensei, who specialises in karate, taekwondo, boxing, kick-boxing, kobudo and silambam, said, “From my childhood, I have wanted to master various martial arts, especially taekwondo. I have learnt yoga and meditation too. Taekwondo develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, stamina, self-control and self-conditioning and improves concentration.”

According to Venkatesan, this Korean martial art combines combat and self-defence techniques with sport and exercise.

The taekwondo kick tournament was organised by J. R. International TKD Academy, Andhra Pradesh last year, and around 50 contestants from across the country, including 12 from Tamil Nadu, together exhibited face kicks more than 58,000 times.

The Sensei has learnt the martial art from John Alexander, secretary general, Association of Tamil Nadu Taekwondo, and his students have won gold, silver and bronze medals at several tournaments including the 17th State Taekwondo Championship conducted at the SDAT Ground in Tiruvallur in January 2017; the 36th National Taekwondo Championship conducted in Dehradun in November 2016; and Speed Power International Taekwondo Championship conducted in Malaysia in 2015.

“I wish my students represent the country at the Olympics,” says Venkatesan, who is an executive committee member of Association of Tamil Nadu Taekwondo and can be reached at 9841306396 and 9500020300.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by T.S. Atul Swaminathan / February 17th, 2017

Two from TN selected for NBA Academy

Sports

Sixteen-year-olds Arvind Kumar and Shanmugam, who have been selected for the NBA Academy from hundreds of hoopsters after two rounds of trials in Chennai and Delhi, are excited to train at the academy expected to be launched in April at the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).

Shanmugam, a native of Tirunelveli, is now studying at the Sports Hostel in Salem, training under the watchful eyes of S. Bhaskar, a SAI coach.

“It was because of Bhaskar sir that I was able to improve on my skill and make subtle changes in my jumps,” said Shanmugam, whose father, R. Murugan, is a fruit vendor while his mother, Bakkiyam, works at Amma ‘Unavagam’.

The forward, who can do the job of a point guard should the need arise, said he was disappointed at not being able to participate in the National junior after injuring his ankle. “I was upset then. Now I am keen to take part in the next edition in April,” he said.

Chennai-based Arvind said it is an honour to qualify. “The trials were tough. We had dribbles and matches. I know I need to perform well,” he said. Coached by C.V. Sunny in his first two years and later by Dereck Hutson, Arvind said he learnt the basics from the former India captain. “Sunny sir taught us a lot of things. We also went to lot of tournaments,” said Arvind, who plays as a forward for his school Santhome HSS.

He captained the Tamil Nadu youth (u-16) team in the Nationals championship late last year.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – February 23rd, 2017

Porter’s son Natarajan: From tennis ball star to IPL big bucks

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Sports
Thangarasu Natarajan (File Photo)
Thangarasu Natarajan (File Photo)

New Delhi :

His eyes transfixed on the TV screen, left-arm seamer Thangarasu Natarajan was finding it surreal when the bids against his name zoomed up at a breakneck pace during the IPL auction. The little-known 25-year-old’s life changed in a matter of few minutes as Rs 10 lakh base price saw a quantum 30-time jump reaching Rs 3 crore with Virender Sehwag vigorously raising the pedal for Kings XI Punjab.

Perhaps he remembered the days of hardships when his mother ran a street side stall and father worked as a porter at the railway station. And the then 20-year-old, one of the five children, was plying his trade at tennis ball games in his native Salem. He eventually moved to Chennai where he played for the popular Jolly Rovers, a club which has fielded big names like R Ashwin and Murali Vijay.

His big breakthrough came last year when he enjoyed a successful stint for Dindigul Dragons in the inaugural TNPL, attracting the attention of the IPL scouts. “It seems unreal. I never thought I would play in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, let alone the IPL. Very thankful that it has happened,” Natarajan’s elation was palpable as he spoke to PTI today. Natarajan recalls how TNPL gave him the much-needed exposure.

“There was a lot of pressure when I was picked to play in TNPL. But I am thankful to people like Ashwin, Vijay and L Balaji (TN bowling coach) who instilled the belief in me that I was good enough at the Ranji Trophy level. It was my dream to Ranji Trophy which has been fulfilled and now I look forward to meeting people in the IPL and learning from them,” he said.

Consistent performances for two years in Chennai club circles earned him a call-up to the Ranji Trophy 2015-2016. For his variation and the ability to land yorkers at will, he is now famously called ‘Mustafizur Rahman’ of Tamil Nadu. He will have Vijay for the company in the Kings XI Punjab dressing room but is a tad sad about Mitchell Johnson not being with the franchise anymore.

“Johnson is my role model and it will be great if I can meet him during the IPL,” he said of the Australian, who has been picked by Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season. Besides rising through a humble background, a big on the field challenge Natarajan had to deal with was when he was reported for a suspected action, which had to be modified under the guidance of former Tamil Nadu spinner Sunil Subramaniam.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Cricket / by PTI / February 20th, 2017

This city gal aspires to make it big in boxing

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports

Coimbatore:

Boxing. It’s the only focus of 14-year-old D R Harshita. And her dream is to make it big in the sport.

She was introduced to martial arts such as Karate and Taekwondo at the age of eight. But, Harshita knew that boxing was her call. The sport, she said, gave her the much needed courage and strength to face anything in life.

“It started with small incentives that I got in terms of cash prizes when I won district and state level competitions. I knew this was a way to not only help my struggling parents but also to become brave,” Harshita said.

Harshita has won three consecutive gold medals at the state-level in the 48-50kg weight category under the 14 age group. She also has represented the state at the national level event. At the Khelo India, organised by the National sports Authority of India in January this year, she was placed fourth.

The journey has not been an easy one. Harshita’s father Ramesh Arvind is a farmer and mother, a system analyst. “Harshita’s father faced huge losses in business 20 years ago and since then we had been struggling to make both the ends meet. I started to work to support the family,” said P Jayanthi, her mother.

“I decided to teach both my daughters martial arts so that they could protect themselves. But seeing their passion for boxing, we decided to support them,” Jayanthi said. Harshita’s elder sister R Yashwantika is also a boxer and has won medals at the district level.

Harshita said her role model had always been Mary Kom and other wrestlers. “Women face a lot of hardship in any sport. I just got hooked to boxing and wanted to set an example for others. Even today, when I look around, I find parents not letting their children travel alone as they are scared of their safety. I want this to change. I want parents to treat both sons and daughters equally,” she said.

Harshita’s coach Selva Shankar said he was proud of her and wanted parents to come forward and support their children when they take up sports like boxing. “Usually, we do not see many athletes or sports personalities from South India. But Harshita’s parents have set an example. They have helped both their daughters pursue their passion in a lesser known sport. Despite their hardships, they continue to support them,” Shankar said.

Alvernia matriculation higher secondary school for girls, he said, allows their students to take up boxing as a professional sport. “Usually, we do not see schools encouraging the sport. If more such schools help their students take up sports, we will have many international champions,” Shankar said.

Shankar now trains Harshita to help her qualify for international events that are scheduled for April in Malaysia.

Jayanthi said it was often difficult to fund her daughter’s sporting dream. “We had to work extra and collect money to ensure she was comfortable. We wanted to make things easy for her so that she could win at the state and national level,” she said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Coimbatore News / TNN / February 13th, 2017

Age doesn’t deter this 72-year-old from racing

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports

Coimbatore :

In a first in the country, a 72-year-old active racer has won an award for completing 50 years in motorsports. Stepping into the 51st year of career, D Vidyaprakash is not ready to give up the sport anytime soon. He is gearing up for another round of racing competition, with eight races lined up for the championship this year in the saloon cars category.

Recently, Federation of Motor sports clubs of India (FMSCI) had felicitated him with an award. “It is a big honour for me. And receiving it from Jean Todt, who was the manager for the Ferrari team when Michael Schumacher won five times world championship, made it more special,” Vidyaprakash said. Jean Todt is also the president of the Federation Internationale de Automobile (FIA).

Ask Vidyaprakash what keeps him going and pat comes the answer – Racing. “Since my childhood, I loved to fiddle with parts of any machine and always worked to make it better. The same passion drew me to racing in which every year I wanted to come up with a better and faster car. The satisfaction that I get from racing cannot be matched with anything. My teammates, family and competitors are also a source of inspiration,” he said.

In 1980s, Vidyaprakash had almost retired from racing. “In 1990s, Karivarthan created a car and wanted me to test it on the track. He also gifted me the car and asked me to use it for the next race. There has been no looking back since then,” Vidyaprakash said.

Aware of his limitations that have come with the ageing, he said, “I know my reflexes are slower and eye sight is becoming weaker. I know where to draw the line and am careful at the racing tracks,” said Vidyaprakash. “I will continue to race until I feel I can,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Coimbatore News / TNN / February 13th, 2017

Gripping finish to Karupanan’s show

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Madurai :

Skill, stamina and training may be enough to beat the bull. But if you have to beat R Karupanan, it may not be enough.

Youth trying to tame a bull at Palamedu Jallikattu near Madurai on Thursday | K K sundar
Youth trying to tame a bull at Palamedu Jallikattu near Madurai on Thursday | K K sundar

The 34-year-old stayed put in the arena for seven hours, living the dream of every bull tamer, at Palamedu Jallikattu on Thursday. The traditional sport was organised in Palamedu after a gap of two years, with the lifting of the ban.
Karupanan tamed nine bulls from 9 am to 4 pm and stole the show.
“Winning a Royal Enfield Bullet in Palamedu Jallikattu is the biggest prize that I have got so far,” Karupanan, a farmer and resident of Aritapatti near Melur in Madurai district, told Express.

“When I was very young, I was interested in Jallikattu and used to practice with a bull belonging to the Ellamanayagi Amman Temple in the village using Vadam Jallikattu technique. For 17 years, I have participated in several Jallikattu events across the State and have won prizes including bicycle and bureau,” said Karupanan, who keeps a Jallikattu bull in his house.
Thanking the organisers and the officials from the district administration for organising Palamedu Jallikattu in a proper manner, Karupanan said he was very happy to participate in the event. He claimed that five years back, he had tamed 10 bulls in a similar event in Theni district and that taming nine bulls in Palamedu was his second best achievement.

Thanking the students who staged a protest to lift the ban on Jallikattu, Karupanan said he dedicated his victory to the students who played a big role in the conduct of Jallikattu after two years. He further added that he had registered to participate in the Jallikattu to be conducted at Alanganallur on Friday and give a stunning performance there too.

During the Palamedu event, a team of officials were closely monitoring the bull tamers playing by the rules and the bulls that were performing well. Later,  District Collector K Veera Raghava Rao distributed shields and certificates to five best bull tamers – Karupanan, K Sivakumar of Mudalaikulam village (tamed seven bulls), P Senthil of Manampatti (tamed six bulls), V. Prabakaran of Melur (tamed six bulls) and K Silambarasan of Chinnaoorseri (tamed four bulls). He also distributed shields and certificates to five best bulls owned by Jallikattu Peravai president P Rajasekaran, bull owned by Anbu of Sikandar Savadi, bull owned by Ayyadurai of Boodakudi, bulls owned by Selvam of Karuppayurani and bull owned by Karuppasamy of Oothankudi for their performances.
Though the Jallikattu was scheduled to start by 8 am, the event commenced only at  9 am as the members of the Jallikattu organising committee delayed the bringing of temple bulls to the arena at Palamedu.
Before the start of Jallikattu, six temple bulls were brought to Vaadi Vasal after special poojas were conducted in a local temple in Palamedu.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Kaushik Kannan / Express News Service / February 10th, 2017

Lone ranger in khaki with unique approach to handle jallikattu protests

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Sports
Tiruchy Deputy Commissioner A Mayilvaganan with chief minister O Panneerselvam. (EPS)
Tiruchy Deputy Commissioner A Mayilvaganan with chief minister O Panneerselvam. (EPS)

Chennai :

At a time when the police are facing uncomfortable questions from all quarters including courts, activists and opposition parties, here is a young officer who has stood out. Tiruchy Deputy Commissioner A Mayilvaganan has become a lone ranger in khaki in the State today, applauded for the way he handled the jallikattu protests.

On January 23, the day when the protests took a downward spiral into violence and street battle in Chennai for which the police are under fire for their alleged role,  Mayilvaganan stood out for his impassioned speech that coaxed protesters to disperse peacefully. The way in which he handled the protest and protesters has impressed many on the corridors of power, almost from the High Court of Madras to the Chief Minister.

While hearing a case seeking relief from various persons affected by the violence, Justice R Mahadevan of the High Court had asked the officer to be present at the court on Monday. Today, the judge openly expressed the court’s admiration for the way the protest was handled.

Later in the day, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam also invited the young officer to his chamber in the Secretariat to express his appreciation of his work.

Helped by his experience in Madurai, where, as the Additional Superintendent, he witnessed the brewing discontent among the people over jallikattu, Mayilvaganan was calm in handling the protests when it began turning ugly in other parts of the State. According to sources, police personnel were asked not to use their lathis against the crowd.

Even when the students took their protests to the street blocking the road near MGR Statue, he appealed to them not to bring a bad name to the protests that had been peaceful until then. The video of this impassioned but patient speech he gave on that day went viral on social media platforms, which made many sit up and take note of the young man.

“So far the protest has been good without any untoward incidents, and as an outcome of your protests, the government has passed an ordinance which would pave way for the conduct of the bull taming event in coming days. It is wise to end the protest now,” the Deputy Commissioner appealed to about 100 students through the loudspeaker.

Subsequently, a section of police personnel went on to convince the students individually by explaining them the provision of ordinance and other legal developments in ensuring the conduct of jallikattu in coming days.

Soon enough, the crowd dispersed, perhaps the first protest venue in the State where protesters took an official’s word on face value.

Before being posted at Tiruchy last year, Mayilvahanan, served in Ambattur, Chennai, as Deputy Commissioner, and was ADSP (Headquarters), Madurai before that.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / January 31st, 2017

Incidental swimming session turn into passion

Sports

Chennai :

In most cases, when an upcoming sportsperson is asked how he/she got into their respective sport, the likely answer is that one of their family members was the reason. Or that they went to watch the sport and instantly fell in love with it. But not Janhavi Girish. For hers is a tale of hope and determination that is finally reaping fruits more than a decade later.

jhanavicf10jan2017

Janhavi has been performing at a rate that has made her one to watch out for in the near future. She was born premature, and her parents’ main aim was to make sure she made it through those initial stages in a stable condition. “However, she barely ate anything, and that wasn’t a good thing. That was when doctors suggested putting her in the pool, so that she gets some exercise, which would make her hungry. At that point, I never thought she would swim competitively. But slowly, she became interested in the sport, and it was helping her develop,” said B Girish, Janhavi’s father, a renowned swimming coach in the national and State level.

Janhavi says it was a gradual process. “Despite being involved so deeply with swimming, my father never forced me. What started off as an exercise in maintaining my health and improving my physical state became a passion,” she shares. Janhavi first got into the pool when she was two years old. “But as I went underwater, the interest increased. That’s when I started going for practise with my father. It helped that a successful swimmer like J Agnishwar and his father JP sir were there to motivate me,” said the 14-year-old, whose father is the coach at the Turtles Swimming Club that runs from the Anna swimming pool near Marina Beach.

Jahnavi also credited her mother, Prabhavati, for her sacrifices. “We are vegetarians, but for my swimming needs, we decided that my diet should include some meat. And my mother began preparing non-veg food. I’m grateful to her.”
Having ended 2016 with a slew of gold medals, Janhavi can now look forward to completing her Class 9 in peace at her school, Asan Memorial.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Ravi Iyer / Express News Service / January 05th, 2017

Teen swims towards an elusive gold

Sports
Sharon Mary Cherian
Sharon Mary Cherian

Chennai :

Like many others, Sharon Mary Cherian’s sporting career began by chance. It wasn’t to do with her wanting to pursue excellence in the field; it has an interesting story behind it. The swimmer has gradually managed to stack up quite a resume, her most recent success being a silver medal and three bronze medals at the CBSE Nationals in Bhopal held during November 15-18.

“I didn’t exactly start swimming because I was enamoured by the sport. I used to go for a swim with my elder sister when I was five, and we had lots of fun in the pool. But one day, a coach saw me and asked me to enroll at a local swimming club, saying that I had potential. However, shortly after that I got tonsillitis and had to undergo surgery. That kept me away from the pool a while, and technically, I only started swimming properly when I was nine,” Sharon says.

Hailing from a family with a sporting background, the Class 11 commerce student at Schram Academy got great support to pursue swimming. “My mom, dad and sister played badminton, so they’re well versed in the field. And that translated to me as well, and they’ve always been supportive of my swimming,” she added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Ravi Iyer / Express News Service / November 30th, 2016

Pudukottai district bags overall cycling championship

Sports
WELL ON TRACK:Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan distributing prizes to the winners of 60th State-level cycling competition in Ramanathapuram on Monday.— Photo: L. Balachandar
WELL ON TRACK:Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan distributing prizes to the winners of 60th State-level cycling competition in Ramanathapuram on Monday.— Photo: L. Balachandar

National-level medallist C. Dinesh won the individual championship in the men category and Pudukottai district won the overall championship in the 60th State-level cycling competition held here from October 22 to 24.

Cyclists from 16 districts participated in ground and road cycling events under different categories, and Pudukottai district won the overall championship with 53 points and Tiruchi finished runner up with 49 points. Ramnad District Cycling Association has hoisted the competition.

It was a sweet revenge for cyclists from Pudukottai, who had lost the overall championship to Tiruchi in the 59th State-level cycling competition. Coimbatore, handicapped with the absence of cyclists in the men category, finished third with 37 points, S. Radhakrishnan, honorary secretary, Tamil Nadu Cycling Association, said. In the individual championship category, Mr. Dinesh, who had won medals in the national-level events, beat others to emerge as Tamil Nadu champion. In the under 18 years category, Sathish Kannan (Pudukottai) and Sri Nivetha (Coimbatore) won the championships in the boys and girls categories respectively.

In the under 16 years, Sakthivel (Pudukottai) and M.C. Pavithra Sri (Coimbatore); and in the under 14 years, N.H. Harish (Coimbatore) and G. Aishwarya (Tiruchi) won the championships in the boys and girls categories respectively, he said.

Addressing the prize distribution ceremony on Sunday, Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan exhorted the cyclists to be focussed on the sport and work hard to bring laurels to the country. It was matter of regret that “in a country of 120 crore population, we could not win a single gold medal in the Olympics,” he lamented.

“You should love your sport” and make use of the facilities created by the State government, he said. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had announced Rs 2 crore to T. Mariappan who won gold in Rio Paralympics but could not personally hand over the money to him as she was hospitalised, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / Special Correspondent / Ramanathapuram – October 26th, 2016