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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What makes Mondo's record-breaking world tick
Mumbai: There are times Mondo Duplantis visualises or jokes about random things he could do with his talent. Jump over a two-storey building perhaps. Maybe across a creek as well. He'd even fancy – God forbid he should ever be in that situation, he adds – an escape from prison. Sweden's Armand Duplantis celebrates after setting a new pole vault world record during the men's pole vault event at the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Budapest. (AFP) 'I'd probably have the best chance out of anybody if I had a nice stick to jump over the walls,' Duplantis said. Hypothetical prison breaks aside, the pole vault star is busy breaking world records in reality. With seemingly ridiculous ease and astonishing frequency. The most recent instance came on Tuesday, when Duplantis cleared 6.29m at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Budapest to better his 6.28m effort in June. It was the third time he raised his own mark this year, and the 13th overall since he first leaping a world record 6.17m in February 2020. Next month as he returns to Tokyo, where the reigning two-time Olympic champion won his first gold in 2021, Duplantis will be in competition with himself to see if he can crank it up by another centimetre in defending his World Championships title. Because the last time the Swedish-American pole vaulter did not win a World Athletics meet was, incidentally, leading into the 2023 Budapest Worlds when he was fourth at the Monaco Diamond League. It's so far back that Duplantis needs a little reminding. 'If that was my last time, it would not be the last time, for sure,' Duplantis said in a virtual media interaction ahead of the Tokyo World Championships. 'There's going to be a day where I'm not going to jump well, but that happens. 'Doesn't happen that often, though!' he is quick to add. 'And it probably won't happen two times in a row.' Hasn't happened since 2019. From then to 2023 to now, as 25-year-old defied gravity one centimetre at a time (every broken record accompanies a flow of bonuses) and raised his legacy to legendary heights, he believes he has bettered his craft in every aspect. 'I'm just a competitor in every way,' he said. 'I'm more experienced, have a better understanding physically and mentally of how to take care of myself and my body and what to do to remain in good shape. I'm also just better at performing and getting the most out of myself on each day.' Duplantis wants us to believe he is 'human'. And like most humans, he too feels the nerves and goes through sleepless nights before a big competition. But even those nerves are different. 'Like, I get really fired up and have to calm down the adrenalin. I don't get scared… that's usually a recipe for failure,' he said. 'My mental strength and zen suits me well, and it's something that I can separate myself from most athletes and jumpers that I'm going against.' Duplantis also separates himself from the world of numbers. He doesn't pay too much heed to his winning streak, volume of records or the next barrier to break. 'Because I have the confidence that it will come. Doesn't matter if it's now, tomorrow, this year or next year,' he said. What he does know, thanks to his father, is that he is close to the OG pole vault trendsetter Sergey Bubka's similar one-centimetre upgrades 14 times over between 1991 and 1993. 'He (his father) probably would like it even more for me to pass Bubka in every aspect,' Duplantis said. In his mind – and he admits it's the most common question he gets asked – there is no limit. His focus remains to 'maximise in the now'. And for now, that is the 6.30m mark. 'That'll be a huge barrier to cross for me and for the sport in general,' he said. 'I'll be there soon, and then I'll keep looking forward. I know there's a lot more to come.' Winning so routinely, while breaking world records almost at will, can run the monotony risk. It helps that Duplantis reckons he has 'short term memory loss'. 'I forget my accomplishments too quickly,' he said. 'It's just the way that I'm built.' He's also built to not stop – no matter the number of times he keeps bettering himself and breaking the record. 'I just love competing. Doesn't matter how many world records I break,' he said. 'In sports, nobody just gives you anything. Everything is earned. They don't just give me the trophy because I'm the favourite. I still have to go out there, compete, be on my A game, earn my title and be the last man standing on that day.'
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Olympic medallist, sports medicine pioneer Vece Paes passes away at 80
Kolkata: Vece Paes, who passed away early on Thursday, was a rare elite sportsperson who leaves behind his mark also as a highly respected sports medicine specialist. Paes, father of tennis great Leander, had been under treatment at a city hospital since Tuesday owing to complications arising out of long-standing Parkinson's disease and age related issues. He was 80. As per a statement from the hospital, Paes was admitted "with multiorgan dysfunction due to lower respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract infections". Paes was a medical practitioner at this hospital in the 1960s. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Bengal Hockey Association officials informed that the funeral would be held on Monday, after his brother and daughters arrive from the US. The Goa-born Paes earned his medical degree at the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata, which subsequently became his home. The hockey midfielder achieved the high point of his career when he earned an Olympic bronze at the 1972 Munich Games as a member of the Indian team. The previous year, he was part of the team that won bronze in the Barcelona World Cup. Leander has often said that it was this bronze that motivated him to reach the heights in tennis. The senior Paes, in fact, had a significant role to play in his son's career. He relived the 1972 Olympic moment in 1996 when Leander won a bronze at the Atlanta Games. Incidentally, Paes' former wife and Leander's mother Jennifer is a former captain of the national basketball team. After he quit the game, Vece Paes became a full-time sports medicine specialist. Various organisations like the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Asian Cricket Council, the All India Football Federation and the Indian Olympic Association had involved him as a sports medicine consultant. He had also travelled with the Indian Davis Cup team as the doctor. Apart from that, he had been associated with various clubs and sports bodies from time to time, including East Bengal where he had assisted Bhaichung Bhutia among others. His work towards anti-doping awareness and education has been lauded. Apart from hockey, Paes was passionate about rugby and was also the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. He also played cricket and football at the divisional level. A multi-faceted personality, Paes leaves behind a legacy in Indian sport that will be forever remembered. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was among the first to send condolences on his death. "Saddened by the demise of Dr Vece Paes, member of the bronze medal winning team at the 1972 Olympic Games. His contribution to hockey and sports medicine will be remembered," she posted on X. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, former hockey players Ajit Pal Singh, BP Govinda, Viren Rasquinha, tennis ace Sania Mirza were among those who paid their tributes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Kho Kho World Cup Winners To Join PM Narendra Modi In Independence Day Celebrations At Red Fort
In a historic first for the indigenous sport, players from the Indian men's and women's Kho Kho World Cup-winning teams are set to join the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the iconic Red Fort on August 15. Notably, this year's Independence Day celebration will host around 5,000 special guests from diverse fields, including sportspersons, innovators, and community leaders. In order to celebrate the burgeoning growth of an indigenous sport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited 30 of India's best Kho Kho players, who won the maiden World Cup in January 2025 in New Delhi. The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, which was held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from January 13 to 19, saw participation from 39 teams (20 men's and 19 women's) representing 23 countries across six continents. The inclusion of Kho Kho at such a significant national gathering also highlights how the government is elevating indigenous games. Earlier, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also advocated for Kho Kho's inclusion in the Asian Games and the 2036 Olympics, calling it a "collective effort" involving players, federations, and the Sports Ministry to boost its international footprint. The celebration also aligns with India's 2036 Olympic bid and the pitch to return Kho Kho to the Games, exactly a century after its 1936 Berlin demonstration appearance. "Being invited to the Red Fort for Independence Day is one of the proudest moments of my life. Winning the World Cup earlier this year was historic for us, but this honour from the nation shows that Kho Kho is finally getting the recognition it deserves," said Pratik Waikar, a member of the World Cup-winning team. "It is a great promotion for the indigenous sport of Kho Kho. I have only seen Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations on television, and this is the first time I will attend them with my teammates. It's a great feeling," said Nirmala Bhati, a member of the World Cup-winning women's team. Congratulating the athletes, the Chairman of Administration & Organisation, Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), said, "When our players stand in honour of the National Anthem at the Red Fort, it will be a moment of pride for the entire Kho Kho fraternity. We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for recognising and honouring the 'Jaabaaz' players of Bharatiya Khel." This milestone invitation stands as a symbolic recognition of Kho Kho's growing stature in the country's sporting landscape, reinforcing the government's commitment to promoting India's indigenous sports on national and global platforms. Notably, fifteen of these 30 players will be part of the player draft of the new season of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), beginning November 29.
