Category: 6. Sports

Javelin throw world champion Neeraj Chopra may possess his own sporting superpowers but given a chance, he would borrow one from cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The 27-year-old Neeraj Chopra, who won gold at Tokyo 2020 and silver at Paris 2024, expressed his admiration for the legendary Indian batter’s ‘calm mindset’ when it came to dealing with challenges.

“He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us,” Neeraj told Star Sports, when asked which cricketer’s superpower he would like to borrow.

“The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally. I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset.”

Neeraj, who joined the elite 90m club earlier this year after a personal best 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League, was speaking ahead of the NC Classic – a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event – which will be held in Bengaluru.

The two-time Olympic medallist also drew an interesting parallel between his discipline and cricket, finding common ground between the javelin throw and MS Dhoni’s trademark batting shot.

“I feel MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot is quite similar to a javelin throw in terms of power and technique,” Chopra noted.

Asked which cricketers he believes could make good javelin throwers, Neeraj said former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee would be a natural choice.

“I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years,” he said.

Neeraj also expressed his desire to learn a few tricks of the trade from Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

“I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.”

Neeraj Chopra will next be seen in action at the NC Classic 2025 in Bengaluru on July 5. The Indian star clinched victories at the Ostrava Golden Spike and Paris Diamond League events earlier this season.

This feature is the second in a five-part series sharing the stories of refugee athletes Farida Abaroge, Seyd Taha Ghafari, Omar Hassan, Emmanuel Kiruhura Ntagunga and Seyfu Jamaal Tahir as they seek selection to the Athlete Refugee Team (ART) at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. 

 

After taking on work that put his life in danger, Seyd Taha Ghafari was forced to flee Iran, leaving everything he knew behind. 

Ghafari was unable to see his family for five long years. When he arrived in the UK with no certainties, he found strength and connection through running. 

Running became his lifeline, helping him to navigate a new world, build a community and regain hope.

“I continued to run, because it gives you good feeling – mentally and physically,” explains the 30-year-old, who ran for the Athlete Refugee Team at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in 2023.

“I saw my family briefly. That was a very sad moment. You don’t only leave your family, you leave your friends and everything you’ve built, just like that.

“A big motivation for me when I arrived was that I saw so many people running in the parks and on the roads in the UK. I felt really good. I felt like I knew all of them. I started running again and it felt like home.

“As marathon runners, we have lots of long runs. Many things in your mind come and go. I’m always thinking about my past, and what a great opportunity I have.”

View the full video feature on World Athletics Watch.

 

Video features on Farida Abaroge, Emmanuel Kiruhura Ntagunga and Seyfu Jamaal Tahir will be published on World Athletics Watch during the next few weeks. The feature on Omar Hassan is already available.

Interview and video production by Christel Saneh for World Athletics

 

Emma Meesseman produces magic

At the heart of it all was Meesseman. The 32-year-old forward delivered another complete performance in the final: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. She was everywhere, orchestrating the offence, anchoring the defence and leading with the calm authority of a veteran who has seen – and done – it all. Her efforts earned her a second consecutive EuroBasket MVP award, adding to a glittering resume that includes a WNBA championship, WNBA FInals MVP award, six EuroLeague titles and three EuroLeague MVP awards, further cementing her legacy as one of the all-time greats in women’s basketball.

“It’s still hard to believe,” Meeseman told FIBA after the game. “I have had a lot of games in my career but not one like that before and especially not in a final. It’s a good reminder to never give up – in sport or in life.”

When asked about becoming the first woman to receive back-to-back EuroBasket MVP awards, the 6ft 4in (1.93m) superstar was typically humble in her response.

“If individual awards come along then I am fine with that, but I will always be most proud of this trophy and the team that I did it with,” she said.

“Especially where we came from. It’s not like we ever had a history like France or Spain. We just did it with this group. This [MVP award] might be catching some dust, but this [the gold medal] will always be on show. It’s the thing I will remember always.”

“I do like writing history, though.”

Kate Middleton knows just how to make her son Prince Louis part of the fun.

While Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10, have attended Wimbledon matches with their parents, seven-year-old Louis has yet to make his debut. But that hasn’t stopped the youngest Wales child from getting involved.

According to the Daily Mail, Princess Kate revealed during a 2023 Wimbledon appearance that Louis had been practicing his ball boy skills at home. “Louis was very upset he was coming today,” she revealed. “It’s Charlotte’s first time, George came last year. They’ve been eagerly watching.”

Kate reportedly shared with a young ball boy, Joel, that Louis had taken a special interest in copying the professionals on court.

“He tries to practise the standing and staying serious, like us,” Joel told PA News.

While they’ve taken on their father Prince Wiliam’s love for football, the Wales children share their mother’s passion for tennis. In 2019, Princess Catherine even arranged for private tennis lessons for Prince George with none other than Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.

As the prestigious tennis championship kicks off on Monday, June 30, it is yet to be confirmed whether the Prince and Princess of Wales will attend, or which of their children will join.

However, one member of the royal family made her return to the courtside after more than 20 years: Sarah Ferguson.

The Duchess of York was joined by her daughter Princess Beatrice as they watched the action from the Royal Box at SW19 on opening day.