Blog Posts by yahooindia

Interview with rower Bajrang Lal Thakkar by Abhishek Roy

Comfort-wise, is it better to play in front of a home crowd or in the international arena?

There is nothing like performing at home. But unfortunately I don't have a good record at home. All my best performance have been overseas. I have always performed well away from home because the level of competition is also tough.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before a big game?

I generally try to think about the positives. It helps to stay focussed and confident. I also recall some of my best races.

London Olympics - what are the expectations you have set for yourself?

It is unfortunate that I have failed to qualify for the Olympics. I failed in the World Championships as I fell ill just before the race.

How do you keep yourself fit for your sport?

I am currently training with the Olympic rowing team. I am trying to pass the tips to the young rowers, who have qualified for the London Games. I train for at least eight hours a day. I

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Interview with boxer Vikas Khatri and Olympic medal hopeful, by Abhishek Roy.

Comfort-wise, is it better to play in front of a home crowd or in the international arena?

I am comfortable boxing both at home and at international venues. I have been in the ring for the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) since I was 13. So whenever the nationals are played in a state, we don't have much support. So I have been used to fighting in hostile conditions without any crowd support. But when it comes to international events, the crowd makes a difference and playing at home is always better.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before a big game?

It depends from tournament to tournament. There are two phases, before and during the tournament. Before the tournament the focus is on physical preparation and during the tournament it is about mental conditioning. Before entering the ring, I think about the positives.

London Olympics - what are the expectations you have set for yourself?

It is difficult to

Read More »from 'I was 13 when I first left home'

By Abhishek Roy

Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar is one of the medal hopefuls at the London Olympics 2012. He won bronze medal at the Beijing games is also going to be India's flag-bearer at the London Olympics opening ceremony on July 27. We spoke to him about his preparations and plans:

Comfort-wise, is it better to play in front of a home crowd or in the international arena?

Playing in front of home crowd has an added advantage. The crowd backing motivates you to do better. It also keeps the opponent under pressure. But there is the pressure of expectations. Now I am used to fighting both in front of home crowd and overseas.

Sushil Kumar, India's Wrestling medal hopeful.How do you prepare yourself mentally before a big game?

I generally try to focus on myself and recall some of my winning moments. That helps me from not getting distracted. During the Olympics, I will also watch videos of other wrestlers who have qualified in my category and accordingly plan the strategy.

London Olympics - what are the expectations you have set for

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Indian welterweight Vikas Krishan Yadav will draw on all of his skill, discipline and determination to return from London with an Olympic medal and fulfil a promise he made to his father. Here's an interview with him, by Bharat Sharma.

Comfort-wise, is it better to play in front of a home crowd or in the international arena?It is good to play at home, but it has its disadvantages too. There is a lot of pressure, people expect you to win all the time. As I have got a lot of experience now, the place really does not make any difference. The motive is to get in the ring and win the bout.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before a big game?

I don't do anything extra before a big bout. I remain focussed on the job at hand and pay attention to my  coach's advice. Another thing is that I never fear my opponent.

London Olympics - what are the expectations you have set for yourself.

The only thing running in the mind is the thought of getting a gold. It is the first time I will be competing at 

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Boxing champion and Olympic bronze medal holder Vijender Singh carries India’s hopes at the Olympics this year. We find out his success mantra and fitness regime as well as the relationship with the woman who influenced him the most, his mother.

Interview with boxer Vijender Singh by Abhishek Roy

Comfort-wise, is it better to play in front of a home crowd or in the international arena?

Home crowd makes a difference in boxing. Whenever we box in front of the home crowd, the opponent is always under pressure. But now we have to fight all over the world. We are used to boxing at international arenas as well. So we are used to fight in different situations, but obviously there is nothing like fighting in front of your supporters.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before a big game?

We do a lot of study on the opponents, but I always try to take it easy. I always focus on my strengths rather than thinking about others. It keeps me in a positive frame of mind.

London Olympics - what Read More »from I am highly motivated - Vijender Singh

By Bharat Sharma

Ashwini Ponappa, the badminton ace is one among the five shuttlers carrying India’s medal hopes at the Olympics, this year. We find out her success mantra and fitness regime.

Comfort-wise, is it better to play in front of a home crowd or in the international arena?

Playing in front of the home the crowd is always special. The crowd really pushes you up when you are struggling. I come from the Southern India, but I love playing in Delhi. The courts there are the best in the country and a sizeable crowd turns up to watch the game.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before a big game?

Preparation is same for all the matches. I make sure I do my warm-up exercises and stretching properly. When I am tense before a match, I put my I Pod on.

London Olympics - what are the expectations you have set for yourself?

It is going to be my first Olympics and the aim is to win a medal. My doubles partner Jwala Gutta and I have a realistic chance of a podium finish. The draw is going to be

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Friends are the people we choose to have in our lives. You can meet a friend anywhere and get close in a heartbeat. You'd tell him/her all about your hopes, dreams, aspirations and fears. You'd share funny anecdotes about your childhood with them. All this to help them get to know you better.

rakshbandhanBut siblings, and more importantly brothers, are the best friends god bestowed upon us. It was nature's way of ensuring you had a lifelong friend. And the best part about having a brother or a sister is, they'll know you better than any friend ever can.
But it gets a little tricky when it is the case of a brother and a sister.  You grow up together as buddies but over a period of time as you grow into individuals your ideas begin to clash. His opinion seems like interference. Her disapproval of it seems like arrogance.  Differences creep in, and if not talked out - leads to distance.

It's when the time has passed - when you both become professionals, get married, have kids and start raising your

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As the New Year draws
closer, so does the celebratory fervor and the confusion ….where do we
go? What is our budget? Been there, done that! Any new places?

Let us put your thoughts at
ease as Pune Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre offers an
irresistible deal with luxury on a platter!

Deal 1: As you enter
the luxurious property; the entrance is the only spot where you will be
paused and screened! Post which begins; the OPEN DOOR experience;
wherein one can avail of exquisite wining and dining at either 'Alto
Vino'; Pune's most premier & authentic Italian restaurant,
'Shakahari'; Signature Vegetarian Indian ( Marwari, Jain) and Asian
Cuisine  ( the most delectable vegetarian Asian delights), and Spice
Kitchen ( 24 hour multi-cuisine buffet) . Unlimited Food & Alcohol! ;
And a countdown PARTY with a DJ spinning all night for just Rs. 7000/- per couple plus taxes.

Deal 2: If you feel like sinking into your own luxurious space
after ALL OF THE ABOVE! Let the elevators whisk you away into

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