Two speeding bikers hit India's first medalist at cycling world championship, cause injuries
Top Indian cyclist Esow Alban was reportedly struck from behind by two speeding bikers on Wednesday while training near the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi. Esow sustained "minor" injuries.
The 24-year-old, hailing from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and a resident trainee at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Cycling Academy, which boasts a world-class velodrome recognized by the UCI, shared his experience on Instagram.
"Today, I was hit from behind by two bikers during my training ride. They were speeding at over 100 km/h. I was in my lane. Focused. Disciplined. Yet they blamed me and showed no regret," Esow stated. "I'm grateful to be safe, with only a few scratches."
The impact resulted in bruises to his buttock and hands, and the rear wheel of his bicycle was broken.
A post shared by Esow Alban (@esowalbanofficial)
Esow holds the distinction of being the first Indian cyclist to secure an individual medal at the global level, winning a silver in the keirin event at the 2018 junior track world championships. He further added to his achievements with a silver in sprint and a bronze in keirin at the 2019 edition.
Expressing his concern for cyclist safety, he said, "This could've been worse -- not just for me, but for any cyclist on the road. To everyone out there: We cyclists are not in your way. We are humans. We are athletes. We represent our nation. Respect cyclists. Give us space. Give us safety."
He also extended his gratitude, stating, "Thank you to my coach, team coach, and the officer who stood by me and are helping with the investigation."
Maninder Pal Singh, the Secretary General of the Cycling Federation of India, described the incident as "minor" and assured that Esow "is fine now." He told PTI, "He (Esow) has been given first aid and he is fine now. It was a minor accident and he is at his room. He should be able to train again tomorrow. He was on a routine training ride on the road (near IG Sports Complex). He was behind a bus and then hit by a bike."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
22 minutes ago
- India Today
Don't even drink Royal Challenge: DK Shivakumar denies rumours of buying RCB
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has denied rumours that he plans to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team.'I'm not a mad man. I've been a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association since my younger days, that's all,' he said. 'I don't have time for this, though I did get offers to join cricket management. I don't even have time for my own educational institution, I resigned and left it to my family do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge,' he said to news agency indicate that Diageo Plc, the British liquor giant that owns RCB through its Indian arm, United Spirits Ltd, is considering selling a part or full stake in the team. According to sources cited in the report, Diageo has begun early talks with advisers and is weighing options, including a full sale. The company is reportedly looking at a possible valuation of up to 2 billion dollars for the team. However, no final decision has been made, and the discussions are still Shivakumar's comments come just days after a stampede at an RCB felicitation event in Bengaluru left 11 people dead. He also said that Karnataka is now working on a crowd management policy. Earlier on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court questioned the state government on whether any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) had been put in place to handle crowds of 50,000 or more at sporting events or similar large-scale IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
News18
28 minutes ago
- News18
How A Kabaddi Match Sparked Spat Between Sidhu Moose Wala And Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
Last Updated: Brar claimed that match-fixing and gangster influence were common, and Moose Wala's presence at the rival-organised event was seen as betrayal A local kabaddi match in Punjab sparked the first serious spat between Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, revealed gangster Goldy Brar in the new BBC documentary ' The Killing Call '. Brar, who is currently wanted by Indian authorities, told the BBC that the 'first dispute" with Moose Wala began shortly after the singer returned to India. The trigger, he said, was a kabaddi tournament promoted by Moose Wala in a village linked to the rival Bambiha gang. 'That's a village our rivals come from. He was promoting our rivals. That's when Lawrence and others were upset with him," Brar told the British outlet. 'They threatened Sidhu and said they wouldn't spare him." Kabaddi, a high-contact sport deeply rooted in rural Punjab, has long had ties to local gang culture. Brar claimed that match-fixing and gangster influence were common, and Moose Wala's presence at the rival-organised event was seen as betrayal. Moose Wala was shot dead in 2022 in broad daylight. The tension escalated when Moose Wala chose to perform at the tournament, despite alleged warnings. An anonymous music associate in the documentary said a gangster named Mandeep Dhaliwal, affiliated with the Bambiha gang, had invited Moose Wala to the match. Though the matter was briefly settled through Vicky Middukhera, an associate of Bishnoi, things took a darker turn when Middukhera was shot dead in Mohali in 2021. The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the murder, and Moose Wala's close aide, Shaganpreet Singh, was named in the police charge sheet for allegedly helping the attackers. Singh later fled to Australia. Moose Wala denied any involvement and was never formally linked to the killing by police. 'We wanted him to face punishment for what he'd done. He should have been booked. He should have been jailed. But nobody listened to our plea," he added. Brar said that after losing faith in the legal system, they decided to take justice into their own hands. 'When decency falls on deaf ears, it's the gunshot that gets heard," he said. Asked how he justified vigilante justice, Brar responded: 'Law. Justice. There's no such thing. Only the powerful can… [obtain] justice, not ordinary people like us."
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Sourav Ganguly says Rishabh Pant let him down but gives India keeper a chance to prove himself: 'Didn't like what I saw'
Rishabh Pant is one of the very few experienced players travelling with the Indian squad for the five-Test series in England. In fact, Pant, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are the only four players from the squad of 18 to have played a Test series in England before. Hence, in the absence of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have announced their retirements from Test cricket, expectations are high from India's dashing wicketkeeper batter. Especially given the fact that he struggled the last time India played Tests – in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In Australia, Pant played all five Tests, but his returns were poor, with 255 runs at an average of 28.33, starring just one half-century. Pant's efforts proved even more disappointing because it was against the same team in the same conditions four years ago, where he played a hand in India's most famous Test win away from home, beating Australia 2-1 with epic knocks in Sydney and Brisbane. Among the many disappointed with Pant was former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who pointed out what the India keeper did wrong Down Under. However, the England tour marks a fresh start, and Ganguly expects Pant to make amends. "He's a very good player, but he has to continue playing the way he played a few years ago. I saw him in Australia, and I didn't like what I saw. Too many shots. He kept swinging. The ball decked around at certain venues. He has got the ability, there is no doubt about that, but it's about the application. I want to see some more fight from him. He's got a very good defence. So, he has to defend and now swing at every ball," Ganguly told RevSportz. Also Read: Sourav Ganguly fires shots at Agarkar, BCCI for dropping Shreyas Iyer from India squad, says 'not a player to be left out' It was in England seven years ago that Pant made a sparkling Test debut for India, launching just the second ball he faced into the stands for a six. Two matches later, at the Oval, Pant peeled off his maiden Test century, and although it couldn't help India avoid a 1-4 drubbing, Rishabh Pant had arrived. Even in the four-match series in 2021/22, Pant couldn't do much, scoring just one fifty from eight innings. A lot of hopes will be pinned on Pant. This is believed to be one of the weakest Indian teams touring England, which automatically trims their chances of winning. Then again, the hosts are undergoing a transition of their own. The bowling attack, in particular, is filled with youngsters, barring the returning Chris Woakes. Do India have a realistic chance of pulling off what no Indian team has done since 2007? Ganguly, who was part of that squad 18 years ago, certainly believes so, but for that, a couple of things need to fall into place. "Yes, sure. We just need two things, batting well and [Jasprit] Bumrah remaining fit. We won in Australia, in Melbourne (2020-21), with a young batting line-up, having no [Virat] Kohli, no Rohit Sharma. So, I do not see why we cannot win," said the former BCCI chief.
