Latest news with #AsianParaGames
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Checkmate against the odds: Winner of North Zone Chess C'ship for Visually Challenged aims for international gold
Chandigarh: The AICFB North Zone Chess Championship for the Visually Challenged concluded in Chandigarh, bringing together some of the most talented players from across northern India. Emerging as the champion was 23-year-old Somendra from Delhi, whose journey to the top is as inspiring as his performance on the chessboard. Held from July 10 to 13, the championship was overseen by Varun Kumar, an international-level arbiter and the chief arbiter of the 2025 North Zone Championship, appointed by the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB). Speaking about the event, Varun shared, "It's been 15 years since I've been associated with this game. I've been an arbiter for all kinds of matches, but working with the visually impaired is special. " Indeed, the tournament setup reflected this sentiment. The specially designed boards feature raised dark squares and lowered white squares, with each piece fixed into place by pegs fitting into holes, so that players don't accidentally knock them over. Black pieces are distinguishable by a pin protruding on top, and players use braille notation sheets or tape recorders to track and announce their moves. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo For Somendra, this championship was not just a test of skill but a milestone in a journey defined by perseverance and passion. Born and raised in Delhi, Somendra spent part of his childhood in his village with his grandparents. It was there, at a young age, that he contracted chickenpox. Due to a lack of timely medical attention and awareness, complications set in, leading to the tragic loss of his eyesight. Years of medical treatment eventually restored about 25% of his vision, but the experience left an indelible mark. Despite these challenges, Somendra found a spark that would change his life, chess. Introduced to the game by his seniors when he was in Class 3, he would often sit beside them during matches, slowly absorbing the rules and rhythm of the game. By 2016, chess became more than just a hobby, it became his interest. His dedication bore fruit on the international stage when he got the bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2022, held in 2023 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That victory helped him secure a job at the Income Tax Office in Mumbai as a multi-tasking staff (MTS) through the sports quota, recognising his achievements in the international arena. Somendra trains under Dutta Sir, a coach who continues to guide him as he prepares for bigger opportunities. With his recent North Zone title win, Somendra is gearing up for the National Championships and has a clear goal in mind: "I want to win the gold at the 2027 World Games," he says, determined. Somendra's story is not just about winning a championship. It is a powerful reminder that with the right support, accessibility, and unwavering resolve, no obstacle can dim the spark within.
NDTV
22-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Delhi Government Announces Rs 7 Crore Reward For Olympics Gold Medallists
The Delhi government has announced cash rewards and government job opportunities for athletes from the city who win medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, and other major sporting events, in a move aimed at strengthening the sports ecosystem in the capital. Delhi Minister Ashish Sood outlined the initiative on Tuesday, stating that Olympic gold and silver medallists from Delhi will be offered Group A government jobs, while bronze medallists will be given Group B posts. All Paralympic medal winners will receive Group B jobs. "To boost the sports ecosystem in Delhi, players winning a gold, silver, or bronze medal in the Olympics and Paralympics will be awarded Rs 7 crore, Rs 5 crore, and Rs 3 crore, respectively. For Asian Games and Asian Para Games, the prize money has been increased to Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore, and Rs 1 crore for gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. In the Commonwealth Games, Rs 2 crore, Rs 1.5 crore, and Rs 1 crore will be awarded, and for the National Games, Rs 11 lakh will be awarded for every medal winner..." he said. "Delhi players who secure a gold or silver medal in the Olympics will be offered a government job in the Group A category, while bronze medal winners will be offered a job in Group B. Every medal winner in the Paralympics will be given a Group B job. For the Asian Games, gold medal winners will be awarded a government job in the Group A category, while silver and bronze medal winners will receive jobs in the Group B category. For the Asian Para Games, gold medal winners will be awarded a government job in the Group B category, while silver and bronze medal winners will be assigned to jobs in the Group C category," he added. He also mentioned the grants and initiative for the Commonwealth medal winners, saying, "In the Commonwealth, gold and silver medal winners will be assigned to the Group B category, while bronze medal winners will be assigned to the Group C category. Every medal winner in the Para Commonwealth Games will be given a job in the Group C category..."
India.com
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Delhi Govt Announces Up To Rs 7 Crore Rewards, Jobs For Medal-Winning Athletes
The Delhi government has announced cash rewards and government job opportunities for athletes from the city who win medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, and other major sporting events, in a move aimed at strengthening the sports ecosystem in the capital. Delhi Minister Ashish Sood outlined the initiative on Tuesday, stating that Olympic gold and silver medallists from Delhi will be offered Group A government jobs, while bronze medallists will be given Group B posts. All Paralympic medal winners will receive Group B jobs. "To boost the sports ecosystem in Delhi, players winning a gold, silver, or bronze medal in the Olympics and Paralympics will be awarded Rs 7 crore, Rs 5 crore, and Rs 3 crore, respectively. For Asian Games and Asian Para Games, the prize money has been increased to Rs 3 crore, Rs 2 crore, and Rs 1 crore for gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. In the Commonwealth Games, Rs 2 crore, Rs 1.5 crore, and Rs 1 crore will be awarded, and for the National Games, Rs 11 lakh will be awarded for every medal winner..." he said. "Delhi players who secure a gold or silver medal in the Olympics will be offered a government job in the Group A category, while bronze medal winners will be offered a job in Group B. Every medal winner in the Paralympics will be given a Group B job. For the Asian Games, gold medal winners will be awarded a government job in the Group A category, while silver and bronze medal winners will receive jobs in the Group B category. For the Asian Para Games, gold medal winners will be awarded a government job in the Group B category, while silver and bronze medal winners will be assigned to jobs in the Group C category," he added. He also mentioned the grants and initiative for the Commonwealth medal winners, saying, "In the Commonwealth, gold and silver medal winners will be assigned to the Group B category, while bronze medal winners will be assigned to the Group C category. Every medal winner in the Para Commonwealth Games will be given a job in the Group C category..."
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Checkmate! here, blind master teaches chess to sighted students
Slug: International Chess Day Ahmedabad: For 40-year-old Ashwin Makwana, a resident of Vadodara and a gold and bronze medallist in the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China in 2023, the 64 squares of a chessboard are like his second home. The FIDE-ranked international player with visual impairment and winner of several national tournaments is, however, on another mission these days. Makwana is preparing sighted chess players to follow in his footsteps. "The chessboard for the blind is slightly different, with elevated squares and a small dot on the chessmen for differentiation. But apart from that, it is one of the rare sports that can be enjoyed by both blind and sighted – in fact, there are several such tournaments now where both can play against each other," said Makwana. "For teaching purposes, I use both online and in-person methods. I pick up a few games and nuances and explain them to students. My impairment does not come in the way – technology is also an enabler as I can replay games and guide the students through online platforms." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad As July 20 is celebrated as International Chess Day, city-based experts said that for the past few years, the trend is picking up where highly ranked blind chess players are coaching sighted players. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo One of the reasons, said Paritosh Dave, a city-based blind chess coordinator who has worked with several of the ranked players over the past two decades, is the 'blindfold technique.' "The technique requires the players to visualise the chessboard where one does not have to touch the chessmen but make moves mentally. While it happens for all high-ranked chess players, this visualisation technique is especially helpful for budding players in their formative years," he said. State-based experts said that Gujarat boasts 62 FIDE-ranked blind Chess players, among the highest numbers for Indian states. The primary reason for this phenomenon is blind school-based clubs and tournaments. Dave said that on average, the state is hosting one tournament every month, giving a platform to established players and new talents. Darpan Inani, the highest-ranked blind chess player in India currently, is from Gujarat. In fact, it was Inani and Makwana, along with Himanshi Rathi, a woman blind chess player from the state, who made the country proud with their winning games at the Asian Para Games in China in 2023.
Japan Today
12-07-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
Sumo wrestler-sized wheelchair deployed ahead of Nagoya tournament
Sumo wrestler Dewanojo, a competitor in the fourth-tier sandanme division, demonstrates a wheelchair designed to carry patients weighing up to 300 kilograms in Nagoya on Friday. sumo With the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament set to open Sunday, a medical center near the competition venue has taken possession of a heavy-duty wheelchair built to transport the sport's heftiest wrestlers. The chair, designed to accommodate patients weighing up to 300 kilograms, was presented Friday to the medical center affiliated with Nagoya City University Medical School. The facility is located a short distance from the newly built IG Arena, where the 15-day tournament will run through July 27. The device was demonstrated by sumo's current heaviest competitor, fourth-tier sandanme wrestler Dewanojo, who tips the scales at 252 kg. "The risk of injury is always there in sumo," Dewanojo said. "Having a wheelchair that's big enough provides peace of mind." A Nagoya-based nursing home operator donated the German-made wheelchair, one of the largest in the world, according to the medical center. It will also be on hand for use at next year's Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games. © KYODO
