12 years ago
And that is all from Wednesday. Thursday brings with it, more hope as the wrestlers come out to prove their strength.
Join us here again. Thank you!
When Devendro got Paddy smack on his jaw. Outside Paddy's guard but SWEET!
Some not so pretty pictures from Devendro's fight tonight:
Devendro took the final round 8-6. Paddy was docked two points. In the overall scheme of things though, it did not matter.
The Indian showed a lot of spirit here, once a bit too much though for which he was docked. But it was closer than the scoreline suggested.
Paddy did get shots in. Body shots in the opening round worked in his favour though Devendro's punches found the sweet spot on the Irish. The second round is what cost the Indian the most.
He will learn from this though and expect Devendro to be an even bigger name in Indian boxing in the time to come...
23-18 against Devendro.
END OF FINAL ROUND
Paddy thinks he has done enough. So do we. Unfortunate though for Devendro. He was relentless in his attack.
Devendro takes one from a right. Almost over here for Indians in boxing.
Paddy docked now. Will it be enough? Fighting Devendro still trying.
More like wrestling now here...Devendro shows urgency.
The Indian shoots and punches. Gets Paddy. Not enough to clear the gap though.
THIRD ROUND
Knockout. Is it possible?
END OF SECOND ROUND
It is 17-10 against Devendro. So, huge gap to make up in the final round.
The Indian has put it behind. There was an attempted head-butt for Devendro for which he was penalised.
Devendro penalised. 2 points taken away from the Indian for illegal tactics. That's a real shame here!
Paddy catches Devendro with a left hook. The Indian has a right in reply.
Devendro punching hard with his left. Piling on the pressure. Hope the judges are taking a note. Paddy did get a few body blows in the opening round. Trying for the same again in the 2nd.
AND THE SCORE....It is 5-7 against Devendro. Are we seeing the same bout as the judges?
Paddy getting a bit desperate. Devendro composed. He knows he has this round in the bag!
Devendro has a lot of support here. He has a flurry but misses.
Paddy trying to come back. Does manage a point here. Has fought back a bit.
Gets Paddy with another right. Looking very good for Devendro.
Devendro gets a shot. Make that two. He has his guard and is punching too. Punching hard!
What an environment here. It is superb. OPENING ROUND...
Paddy Barnes comes out. It is a full house here.
And here he is. 20-year-old Devendro!
A win here will ensure India of a fifth Olympic medal!
Devendro is coming from a superb bout against Serdamba Purevdorj which the Indian won 16-11.
He will fight Paddy Barnes of Ireland in the 49kg light fly event.
and now over to the ExCel Arena.
Devendro Singh will come out here shortly for his quarterfinal bout.
So, three Jamaicans in a field of six in the final of men's 200m event. How about that for a shot to get on the podium.
So three Jamaicans in the 200m final - Bolt, Blake and Wier!
Martina takes the win. Wier comes in second. It was as was predicted.
They line up again, one man less this time.
Michael Mathieu of Bahamas disqualified. He waves to the crowd and leaves.
No they are not... false start.
Churandi Martina of the Netherlands is also a power-runner here.
Warren Weir, another Jamaican to look out for here.
3rd semifinal now. Athletes being introduced to the spectators.
This was just a casual race from Bolt. He usually takes to the heat in a calm and composed way but it was just too casual here.
Anaso Jobodwana of South Africa also qualifies. He was huffing and puffing behind Bolt and clocked 20.27 seconds.
Easy jog in the park for Bolt. Takes the race, not convincingly but he wins with a casual air. 20.18 seconds.
Bolt points to the sky...and they are off....
All about 19 seconds here....
Waves, salutes and looks totally at ease does Bolt.
The men are out and have taken their respective positions. Bolt in lane 6.
Bolt recently said, after winning Gold in the 100m race, that he will party and will still race to claim more gold medals here. He is clearly not had his share from his first medal of the London Olympics.
19.19 seconds is Bolt's personal best in the 200m sprint.
USA's Isiah Young is also in the same group. His personal best is 20.33. No one else even close to Bolt's best here.
Wallace Spearmon of USA comes in second with 20.02seconds and is the second to qualify from this round.
Top-2 move ahead from each heat.
Coming up: USAIN BOLT!!
Slows down towards the end but wins easily still. 20.01 seconds for Blake!
Blake is flying...he is flying here.
And they are off...
All eyes on Blake while Bolt is in the second Heat.
Yohan Blake of Jamaica is in the first Heat.
And the men are out to race....this is the 200m semifinal.
Heat 1...
10 minutes left for Bolt to speed his way across the track in the men's 200m semi-final.
Big event coming up:
Usain Bolt can be seen warming up for his 200m semi-final event.
Fellow Jamaicans Yohan Blake and Warren Weir will also compete though they are in Heat 1 and 3 respectively.
And the most anticipated event today:
Usain Bolt will race in the semi-final of the 200m event for men. Starts at 1235hrs (IST) tonight.
Seen the new Google Doodle?
It is out on the homepage in Australia and is a tribute to Slalom Canoe.
IOC President Jacques Rogge praised the London Olympics as "really very good games" so far, with four days of competition remaining.
And in other developments from London Olympics:
Volleyball: Brazil have beaten Argentina to enter the semifinals. Scoreline: 25-19, 25-17, 25-20
And wishes on Twitter have begun coming in, in huge numbers.
Bollywood has taken a lead as usual in extending wishes to Mary Kom.
From Sonakshi Sinha to Amitabh Bachchan, the boxer has captured the attention of all.
And after the match:
And images from Mary Kom's semifinal bout against Nicola Adams of Britain:
"I thank Jesus for getting me this far."
She adds: She (Nicola) was better in 1st and 2nd rounds.
Mary Kom on her Bronze
Mary Kom: Sorry I couldn't win gold or silver
So while Mary Kom will return with a Bronze medal, India's action from the Boxing arena will continue today. Devendro Singh has a bout later in the day as well.
Scoreline from the match
1-3, 1-2, 2-3, 2-3 against Mary.
Nicola will now fight Cancan Ren of China against whom, she has lost all her three matches in world championships.
1-3, 1-2, 2-3, 2-3 against Mary.
Nicola will now fight Cancan Ren of China against whom, she has lost all her three matches in world championships.
It is 11-6 after four rounds as Nicola Adams comes out stronger against Mary Kom.
FINAL ROUND ENDS
That is it for Mary Kom. Surely, A for effort but a B for Bronze! Excellent outing for the Indian nevertheless.
That is it for Mary Kom. Surely, A for effort but a B for Bronze! Excellent outing for the Indian nevertheless.
The Indian punches behind the head. Not allowed!
Too little time left now...seconds. Not enough for Mary.
Nicola has a farther reach, she has managed to get gaps and has reaped rewards. Mary continues to buckle under pressure.
So a four point deficit with a round to go. It is not Mary Kom's weakness but the strength of Nicola which is driving this match.
ROUND THREE ENDS
8-4 against Mary Kom
8-4 against Mary Kom
Nicola now forcing Mary to assume a desperate stance.
Mary is trying and is managing to get swings but has been largely unable to connect. The sweet spot has been on Mary.
She lands three punches in quick succession on Mary Kom. Power shots at that.
Nicola now stealing points at will. She is getting punches in, in a hurry.
Nicola had beaten Mary before in the world championships. Time for revenge for Mary.
Not going Mary's way. It is 5-2 against her after 2. Two more rounds to go.
Mary Kom looking to strike with a few jabs. Connects but not very clean. Has claimed a few points though.
Nicola gets another hook. It is clean fighting from the world number 2.
Just a bit slow is Mary Kom today. Not what we have seen of her in the previous bouts.
Mary was trying to get back in that round after getting a few on her. She will look for more in the second.
ROUND ENDS
Mary Kom trails 1-3 to Nicola.
Mary Kom trails 1-3 to Nicola.
Mary has a right hook. Not too impressive.
For now though, Nicola looks like having bagged a few points. Mary needs to come back to get even here. A few more punches from the Briton.
Mary will come back. She always does.
Nicola gets a few on Mary. The Indian suddenly backs off. She began aggressively though.
Mary testing waters with a few punches in the air...she is shorter than Nicola.
And they begin....OPENING ROUND
Mary in red, Nicola in blue.
Mary Kom now walking out. Do not underestimate the Indian might in the stands either. What a welcome.
Nicola Adams coming out. She has the home support! Rousing reception.
Cacan Ren of China has won the 1st semi-final.
The winner between Mary Kom abd Nicola Adams will face her for the Gold.
The winner between Mary Kom abd Nicola Adams will face her for the Gold.
And we are now minutes away....
Expect Mary Kom to have her guard up in the opening round. She has been watchful initially, in her previous bouts here only to come back strongly.
Mary Kom's opponent today is Nicola Adams.
An accomplished fighter, Nicola has won many laurels in the amateur boxing circuit but this is her first chance, as is Mary's, to get a shot at Silver or Gold in the Olympics.
Of course, it is for the first time that women are participating in the boxing event in the Olympics.
An accomplished fighter, Nicola has won many laurels in the amateur boxing circuit but this is her first chance, as is Mary's, to get a shot at Silver or Gold in the Olympics.
Of course, it is for the first time that women are participating in the boxing event in the Olympics.
"Ready for my match. Thanks all for your wishes. Hope to make my country proud. Jai Hind!"
And now we shift our focus to the big match: Mary Kom vs Nicola Adams. The Indian pugilist has just tweeted:
It certainly is a great moment for Indian athletics.
Tintu Luka qualifies for the semi-final of women's 800 m semi-finals. She clocked 2:01.75
Coming Up India's Tintu Luka
Montano clocked 2:00.47, Caster Semenya clocked 2:00.71 and Halima Hachlaf clocked 2:00.99. All three qualify
USA's Alysia Johnson Montano and South Africa's Caster Semenya qualify for the semi-finals.
South Africa's Caster Semenya will be in Heat 1. All eyes on her
Women's 800 m qualification begins. India's Tintu Luka will be in action in Heat 2
I met Mary Kom after my match, she is confident of a win: Gagan Narang
Taking forward medal win, want govt to open sporting schools: Narang
One thing that takes country forward without war, is sport: Narang
India needs to have a sporting culture, encourage it in schools: Narang
Hopefully we'll improve our medals tally. We need your support: Gagan Narang
Country needs to have sporting culture. Maharashtra, Haryana have done really well. Same goes for Marks For Sports. The ball has started rolling: Gagan Narang
Started slow, started match half an hour late: Gagan Narang
My coach made me play a secret game on his iPAD: Gagan Narang
I'm sure the media hated me for not giving them interviews, but I hope I've changed that a bit: Gagan Narang
I want every Indian and every athlete to touch this medal and get inspired: Gagan Narang
My mother not happy with the bronze medal, says Gagan Narang
DID YOU KNOW? Australia's most successful Olympian to date is swimmer Ian Thorpe. He has won 9 Olympic medals - five gold, three silver and one bronze. That is one gold medal more than what Australia currently has this Olympics. Australia is 10th on the London 2012 Medal Tally with 25 medals.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: 37 athletes participating in London 2012 celebrate their birthday today. Among them is wrestler Radhouane Chebbi from Tunisia, Great Britain's swimmer Hannah Miley and Swiss Tennis player Roger Federer. We wish them a very happy birthday!
The Sports Ministry also offered all Olympians of the country officer's grade jobs in the Sports Authority of India.
"An athlete who has represented India in the Olympics is always a world class athlete and he should be treated accordingly. As a Sports Minister I have always been saying that all sportspersons who have competed in Olympics should be given officer's grade jobs in the government," Maken told reporters.
"If any of these government organisations, including the Army, is unable to do so the SAI will take up the matter.
"The SAI will be coming up with an ad on its website wherein we are inviting all Olympians to join SAI as Group B officers, and all such Olympians who have won medals will automatically be promoted as Group A officers," he added.
The Sports Ministry also offered all Olympians of the country officer's grade jobs in the Sports Authority of India.
"An athlete who has represented India in the Olympics is always a world class athlete and he should be treated accordingly. As a Sports Minister I have always been saying that all sportspersons who have competed in Olympics should be given officer's grade jobs in the government," Maken told reporters.
"If any of these government organisations, including the Army, is unable to do so the SAI will take up the matter.
"The SAI will be coming up with an ad on its website wherein we are inviting all Olympians to join SAI as Group B officers, and all such Olympians who have won medals will automatically be promoted as Group A officers," he added.
Earlier in the day, India's silver medalist shooter Vijay Kumar also arrived and he was greeted by the Indian Army.
Soon after Vijay Kumar won silver medal in the 25m rapid fire pistol event in the London Olympics, he had made it clear that he was unhappy with the Army for not being given a single promotion in the last six years, despite some major sporting achievements at the national and international level.
Sports Minister Ajay Maken was quick to take up the shooter's cause and has written to Defence Minister AK Antony, seeking special consideration for the athlete who has done India proud.
Gagan Narang being felicitated at his academy - Gun For Glory - in Pune. He thanks his fans, parents, coach
Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medalist Gagan Narang returned to India this morning and he was accorded a grand welcome...
Here is India's schedule for the day
Athletics - Tintu Luka at 16:05 IST
Boxing - Semi-final : Mary Kom vs Nicola Adams (GBR) at 18:15 IST
Quarter-final: Devendro Singh vs Paddy Barnes (IRL) at 01:15 IST (9th August)
Athletics - Tintu Luka at 16:05 IST
Boxing - Semi-final : Mary Kom vs Nicola Adams (GBR) at 18:15 IST
Quarter-final: Devendro Singh vs Paddy Barnes (IRL) at 01:15 IST (9th August)
