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News18
5 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'Athletes Can Tag PMO To Raise Issues, We Used To Train In 50 Degrees': Vijender Singh Explains How Indian Boxing Has Changed
Vijender Singh has discussed the evolution of Indian boxing over 17-18 years, highlighting improved facilities and social media's role in addressing issues. Beijing Olympics bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh has said that over the last 17-18 years, a lot has changed in Indian boxing and cited access to internet as a major tool that has helped athletes raise concerns, if any, with vastly improved facilities nowadays compared to his time. Vijender had created history in 2008 when he became the first Indian boxer to win a medal at the Olympics. His feat was matched by Mary Kom at the 2012 London Olympics and by Lovlina Borgohain in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 'Nowadays, athletes have internet access. Back then, the internet was just starting in India. Now, if there is any issue, the athletes can tag PMO and those can be solved, but don't ask about our times. We didn't even have AC in the training halls. Before winning the Olympic medal, we used to train in 50 degrees," Vijender said while speaking to News18 Sports on the sidelines of a felicitation event organised by the Boxing Federation of India for athletes who won medals at the Brazil and Astana World Cups. Vijender though said he was disappointed at the boxers not receiving proper welcome at the airport upon their return from the global tournaments. Since Vijender, no Indian male boxer has been able to win an Olympic medal. Indian male pugilists have especially disappointed at the Summer Games, with most of their campaigns finishing in the Round of 16. Asked what his mantra was to win an Olympic medal, the 39-year-old grinned and said that he wanted a promotion at his job as a police officer. 'I was a police inspector. As soon as I won the Olympic medal, they made me DSP. I knew I would get an AC room once I came back. That's what I thought in my mind," Vijender said. 'If you dream, if you think of it, you can do it. sake (God gave you brain to think). So that you can visualise your dream," he added. When asked about his expectations from the LA 2028 Olympics, Vijender said, 'Keep your hopes high. Ummeed pe duniya kaayam hai (The world rests on hope)." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
6 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
'It's Useful': Isack Hadjar Views Laurent Mekies' Red Bull Move As Boost For His F1 Career
Curated By : Siddarth Sriram Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 21:34 IST Mekies with Hadjar at Racing Bulls (X) Isack Hadjar welcomed the recent promotion of Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls team principal to Red Bull Racing, calling the move potentially 'useful" for his own Formula One aspirations. The 20-year-old French rookie, currently one of the top prospects to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull, could benefit from the reshuffle—particularly as Yuki Tsunoda continues to struggle following his step up from Racing Bulls. 'Familiarity Helps," Says Hadjar 'If I had to work with him (Mekies), it would be easier, that's for sure. It would sound more familiar," Hadjar told reporters on Thursday ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, when asked whether his fellow Frenchman's move might work in his favour. 'I can't hide it—it's useful, for sure. But we'll see. There are 12 more races, so I need to keep pushing. You're only as good as your last race." Reaction to Horner's Exit and Permane's Arrival Hadjar was at the Red Bull simulator when he learned of Christian Horner's shock dismissal on July 9. Alan Permane has since taken over Mekies' role at Racing Bulls. 'It doesn't really change much for me at the moment," said Hadjar. 'Alan is someone I know really well already. He's always quiet, you don't see him often, but he's been a big part of the team." He praised Mekies' legacy: 'Laurent has built something very solid over the last two years, and now Alan is just carrying that forward. It doesn't change anything for the team or my approach." Swipe Left For Next Video View all Performance So Far in 2025 Season Hadjar has shown flashes of promise in his rookie season, collecting 21 points across 12 races. His best finish so far was sixth place in Monaco, a result that underscored his potential as a future Red Bull driver. Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term... Read More After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term... Read More News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments News sports 'It's Useful': Isack Hadjar Views Laurent Mekies' Red Bull Move As Boost For His F1 Career Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
22-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Venus Williams Triumphs In Her Comeback To Tennis; Secures Doubles Win At Washington Open
Curated By : Siddarth Sriram Last Updated: July 22, 2025, 16:21 IST enus Williams was triumphant on her comeback to tennis (X) Venus Williams marked her return to professional tennis with a convincing doubles victory at the Washington Open on Monday, more than a year after her last competitive appearance. The 45-year-old American partnered with fellow countrywoman Hailey Baptiste to win their women's doubles round of 16 match in straight sets. Williams and the 23-year-old Baptiste defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6–3, 6–1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament. It was Williams' first match on the WTA Tour in 16 months, her last outing having come at the Miami Open in March 2024. 🗣️ 'It's inspiring to be out here"Venus Williams made a winning return to tennis alongside Hailey Baptiste as they claimed a 6-3 6-1 victory against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue in the Citi Open women's doubles 🎾 — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 22, 2025 'It wasn't easy for us but we brought it together quickly as a team," Williams told Sky Sports after the match. 'I love this game and [I'm] still hitting it big." 'Inspiring' Return After Long Absence The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion admitted it felt 'inspiring" to be back on court after such a long layoff. Despite the time away, Williams looked comfortable alongside Baptiste, combining well with the younger American throughout the match. Williams was full of praise for Baptiste and joked that she may have found the perfect doubles partner a little too late in her career—especially given her legendary doubles success with younger sister Serena, with whom she won 14 Grand Slam titles. 'I could see that we were going to be a good team," Williams said. 'We just should have started playing earlier, years ago, right? I think Serena was just in the way." Swipe Left For Next Video View all The win in Washington moves Williams and Baptiste into the quarter-finals as the veteran continues her inspiring return to the sport. Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term... Read More After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term... Read More News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments News sports Venus Williams Triumphs In Her Comeback To Tennis; Secures Doubles Win At Washington Open Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Erase Or Be Erased: The Tale Of Paulo Costa
Last Updated: Paulo Costa, "The Eraser," faces Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. With one win in his last five fights, Costa aims to revive his reputation and prove he's still a top contender. If Paulo Costa were a superhero, his power would be sheer, unadulterated violence—delivered with a megawatt smile and the swagger only Brazilian fighters seem to master. At 34, Costa, aka 'The Eraser," finds himself teetering on the edge between revival and irrelevance. In an exclusive conversation with News18 Sports, he revealed his plans to resurrect the Costa that once faced the juggernaut Yoel Romero, and emerged triumphant. He now faces a career-defining crossroads at UFC 318 against the surging Roman Kopylov. This fight? It's not just another number on his record. It's about recultivating the fearsome aura that once made Borrachinha (his Brazilian nickname, meaning 'Little Rubber Man," a nod to his early flexibility) the division's boogeyman. Costa's name is still synonymous with fireworks, but lately, the explosions have fizzled—just one win in his last five bouts, dropping him to 13th in the rankings and shaking the faith of even his staunchest fans. The Ascent Let's rewind. Costa's journey began in the rough-and-tumble streets of Contagem, Brazil. As a kid dodging street scraps, he picked up Muay Thai at nine, following the path blazed by his older brother, Carlos, himself a professional fighter. The UFC debut came in 2017. It was brutal, it was efficient, and it was the start of a storm: he bulldozed Garreth McLellan with a first-round TKO. Thirteen fights, thirteen wins, eleven finishes by knockout—Costa quickly embodied the phrase 'must-see TV." A fighting style that was pure, controlled chaos: relentless forward pressure, sledgehammer fists, an iron chin, and tank-like cardio. He was a force willing to take a punch to give back three. Costa's defining moment? The Yoel Romero war at UFC 241—fifteen minutes of mutual destruction, both fighters trading seismic shots that would have crushed mere mortals. The win, via unanimous decision, was cemented in the memory of any fan who loves a slugfest. After this victory, the buzz was deafening: Costa was THE shark in a pool full of guppies. Anatomy of A Fall Then came September 27, 2020; UFC 253: Costa vs. Adesanya. Two undefeated titans, a packed Fight Island, the stakes sky-high. The hype was real—until reality struck. Adesanya demonstrated why technical brilliance trumps brute force. Turkey-feather light on his feet, Adesanya chopped away Costa's lead leg, picked him apart from range, and eventually sent him crashing to the canvas with a pinpoint left hand. A minute left in round two, and Costa's perfect record was erased—his powerful, pressure-heavy style outclassed by the Kiwi's footwork and precision. The aftermath? Rocky. Costa's confidence evaporated; his aura, unspooled. He followed up with losses against Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and a wild win over Luke Rockhold that was less vintage Costa, more desperate brawl. Weight cut disasters, flaky training camps, and a refusal—or maybe an inability—to evolve his game surfaced. The 'Eraser" was stuck erasing his own legacy. The Secret Juice Era But Costa isn't just a gladiator—he's also an entertainer. In MMA, if you can't keep winning, you'd better stay interesting. Thus emerged the 'secret juice" era: a running gag involving his ever-present coloured drink, riffing on the whispers of PED use that haunt many elite athletes. Instead of shying away, Costa leaned in. His 'secret juice" caught on as a meme, an inside joke among fans and fighters alike. Playing the character is no accident. Costa described himself as 'a super funny guy" to News18 Sports. Someone who thrives on 'the most trash comedy" and takes mischievous pleasure in stories about pilfering food from training partners. He's riding the meme train so hard, there are plans to sell 'secret juice" worldwide. This weekend, Costa's not squaring off against just any opponent. Roman Kopylov is a dangerous test—a slick striker from Russia, ranked 14th, and red-hot off six wins in his last seven, including an eye-popping head-kick KO of Chris Curtis. Kopylov brings the kind of risk that separates gatekeepers from comeback kings. Costa's promise? To bring back the pressure-heavy Costa of old at UFC 318. 'I was looking to be faster and more footwork in the last two fights," he admits. 'Now I bring back the old style that I had, which means just chase and pressure and cut the angles, you know, be right there to punch, punch hard as I can." In characteristic bravado, Costa insists, 'I'm feeling very good. I think I'm in my prime now, you know, I'm 34. I'm here in UFC since 27 years old, but I feel more mature, I feel, but still with a lot of desire to fight, you know, hungry, I'm feeling hungry" There's urgency, too—he knows his back is to the wall. Even Israel Adesanya, his old nemesis, has poked him to 'get serious" and 'show some balls." For Costa, this is less about rankings and more about redemption. Beyond the Brawls Costa isn't blind to what's at stake. Asked about his legacy, he dreams big: 'a great fighter, a great warrior, and a good personality as well. A great personality. Yeah, a good human being as well—most important, right?" It's the statement of a man who has crashed, burned, and wants to prove there's more to his story than a string of knockouts or defeats. When asked of Dustin Poirier—who headlines the card, and despite missing out on gold, walks away with legacy points through sheer heart and highlight wins, he said, 'I think Dustin just has a great legacy. He beat Conor McGregor twice and all the big names. So he deserves all the credit. 'He deserves rest as well and all support that fans can give to him." Costa needs to convince both himself and the world that the fired-up Eraser of 2017-19 is still in there—behind the memes, the wild interviews, and the training missteps. He needs to be what made him a superstar: meaner, more confident, and, above all, violently entertaining. He says as much: 'dangerous than before because now I have more experience and my power, my strength is the same." top videos View all For Paulo Costa, UFC 318 isn't just about winning a fight—it's a shot at redemption and rewriting his story. Is the Eraser ready for a fresh page—or will the curtain fall? As the Octagon door closes Saturday night, one thing is guaranteed: fun, fireworks, and just maybe, a second act worth the legend. Watch UFC-318 – Holloway vs. Poirier 3 on 20th July 2025 at 7:30 AM IST LIVE On Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 Hindi SD & HD , Sony Sports Ten 4 Tamil & Sony Sports Ten 4 Telugu News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship view comments Location : New Orleans, LA (US) First Published: July 18, 2025, 12:42 IST News sports Erase Or Be Erased: The Tale Of Paulo Costa Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
World Boxing Cup: India's Minakshi & Pooja Rani Reach Semis, Secure Two Medals
Last Updated: Minakshi (48kg) and Pooja Rani (80kg) secured semifinal spots at the World Boxing Cup, ensuring two medals for India. Pugilists Minakshi (48kg) and Pooja Rani (80kg) assured India of two medals by advancing to the semifinals in their respective categories on the third day of the World Boxing Cup on Wednesday. Minakshi secured her spot in the semifinals with a dominant 5:0 victory over Chinese Taipei's Guo Yi-Xuan, demonstrating sharp movement and clean scoring throughout the quarterfinal match. Pooja Rani followed with a gritty 4:1 split decision win against Kazakhstan's Gulsaya Yerzhan in the 80kg division, earning her place in the final four and guaranteeing a podium finish. Earlier in the day, Anamika (51kg) advanced to the quarterfinals with a composed performance against Turkey's Aysen Taskin, maintaining India's momentum. In the men's draw, Jadumani Singh fought hard in a close contest but narrowly lost to Philippines' Jay Bryan Baricuatro, ending his campaign. With two medals assured on the third day and several boxers still in contention, India continues its promising run at the Astana leg, aiming for the finals in New Delhi later this year. (With PTI inputs) News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Astana First Published: July 02, 2025, 20:29 IST
