Latest news with #NeerajChopra
Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Asian Athletics: India's Sachin Yadav wins javelin silver; Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem bags gold
In the absence of two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, both the Indian javelin throwers produced personal best efforts. Rising star Sachin Yadav sent his spear to 85.16m in his last attempt to finish behind Pakistan's reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, who was appearing in his first competition since the Paris Games last year. The Pakistani fetched the gold with a 86.40m throw. Competing in his maiden major international meet, Sachin narrowly missed the World Championships qualification mark of 85.50m, and blamed his twin injuries — to the ankle and shoulder — for the shortfall. 'I'm not satisfied, but yes, I'll go back with a medal and a personal best,' said the 25-year-old, who had a previous personal best of 84.39m. Asked whether he could breach the qualifying mark in the next 2-3 months, with the World Championships scheduled in Tokyo this September, he remained hopeful. 'Once I return, I'll give my all in training. I've made some mistakes that affected my preparation. For instance, I had injuries — first in my ankle, then in my shoulder — which prevented me from training properly,' he said. 'I can't say exactly how much time I'll need, but I will try to give my best in the next competition and aim to qualify with a good distance,' added Sachin who hails from a farmer's family at Khekra village near Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh. Fellow Indian Yashvir Singh also impressed with a personal best of 82.57m for a fifth-place finish. India's first medal of the day came through Kujur, who ended a decade-long wait for the country in the men's 200m with a bronze. It was India's first in the event since Dharambir Singh's bronze in the 2015 edition. The 21-year-old from Odisha delivered a standout performance, clocking a national record of 20.32 seconds, bettering his own mark of 20.40s set earlier this year at the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition. Highly impressed with Animesh Kujur's rapid progress, Adille J Sumariwalla, former president of the Athletics Federation of India and a former sprinter himself, hailed the youngster as one of the best in the country. 'He's an absolutely outstanding athlete. He's doing very, very well. And if he can just improve his start a little more, he'll be almost impossible to beat,' Sumariwalla said. 'He's one of those very, very talented sprinters among the best I've seen in India.' Japan's Towa Uzawa won gold with a time of 20.12s, while Saudi Arabia's Abdulaziz Abdu I Atafi took silver in 20.31s.
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Audi announces Olympian Neeraj Chopra as new brand ambassador
Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in javelin throw Check Offers Audi India has announced double-Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra as its new brand ambassador. The sports icon steps into the new role in what would be his first association with an automaker. Chopra was present at the launch of the Audi RS Q8 earlier this year, signalling his association with the German luxury carmaker. Audi says the partnership celebrates the shared values between the athlete and the brand - world-class performance, explosive speed and iconic stature. Neeraj Chopra is the new Audi India brand ambassador Neeraj captivated the Indian masses with his fantastic performance in the Tokyo Olympics. The athlete brought home a gold medal, the first in javelin throw. He followed it up with top spots at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, and would later win Silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chopra is an ardent petrolhead himself, and likes both cars and bikes. He also owns a Harley-Davidson, apart from a number of other luxury offerings. Neeraj Chopra with Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon at the Audi RS Q8 launch earlier this year Speaking about bringing Neeraj Chopra on board, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head - Audi India, said, 'At Audi, we stand for those who push boundaries - those who are not just defined by performance, but by the relentless pursuit of excellence. Neeraj Chopra is the embodiment of that spirit. Determined and iconic, his journey from ambition to achievement mirrors Audi's progressive DNA. His focus, speed, and unmatched performance make him a natural extension of our brand - a symbol of what it means to lead, not follow." Speaking about his association with Audi, Neeraj Chopra said, 'I've always admired Audi - not just for the cars, but for what the brand stands for. As an athlete, these values resonate deeply with me. Whether it's on the field or in life, the pursuit of excellence never stops. I'm excited to join the Audi family and represent a brand that inspires forward motion in everything it does." Previously, former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli was associated with Audi India. Both Kohli and Chopra have a strong following among the young fans and are known for their fantastic performances on the field. Audi says it remains committed to aligning with individuals who champion innovation, resilience, and evolution. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 31 May 2025, 11:22 AM IST
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
When did India achieve its best medal tally in the Asian Athletics Championships?
India enters the final day of the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships second in the medal tally, behind only China. So far, India has won 18 medals: eight gold, seven silver, and three bronze. On Saturday, Indian athletes will take part in eight events. Here is the full schedule for the final day. What is India's best finish at the Asian Athletics Championships? India's best finish in the medal table came in 2017, when it topped the chart in Bhubaneswar. Indian athletes won 27 medals: nine gold, six silver, and 12 bronze. India's Neeraj Chopra celebrates with the national flag after winning the men's javelin throw gold with a new meet record in the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship 2017. | Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT/The Hindu What is the highest number of gold medals India has won at the Asian Athletics Championships? India's best gold medal haul at the Asian Athletics Championships came in 1985 in Jakarta, with 10 golds. However, India finished second in the medal table that year, behind China, which won 19 gold medals. What is the highest number of medals India has won at the Asian Athletics Championships? India's best medal tally at the Asian Athletics Championships is 27, achieved twice — in 2017 and 2023. In the 2023 edition in Bangkok, India finished third in the medal table, behind China and Japan.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Limca Records ₹2800 Crore in 2024, powers Coca-Cola India's sparkling growth
HighlightsLimca, Coca-Cola India's iconic beverage, achieved over ₹2800 crore in revenue for 2024, showcasing strong growth in the lemon-lime category across both urban and rural markets. In 2025, Limca launched a new campaign featuring Indian actress Triptii Dimri, inviting consumers to rediscover the refreshing experience of its signature Lime 'n' Lemoni flavor. Limca expanded its product range in 2024 by introducing Limca GlucoCharge, a functional beverage aimed at active consumers, with a motivational campaign featuring Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. Limca, Coca-Cola India 's iconic homegrown lemon-lime beverage , has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing the ₹2800 crore revenue mark in 2024. This impressive growth underscores Limca's enduring appeal and its pivotal role in driving momentum within India's bustling lemon-lime beverage category. For over five decades, Limca has been synonymous with summer refreshment, cherished for its distinctive cloudy bubbles and the unmistakable Lime 'n' Lemoni taste. Since its inception in 1971, the brand has been a cornerstone of Coca-Cola India's sparkling portfolio, witnessing soaring demand across both urban and rural landscapes. Currently, Limca is experiencing robust double-digit growth in key states including Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, consistently gaining market share across both traditional retail and emerging modern trade formats. A key factor in Limca's sustained success lies in its ability to innovate its brand campaigns while honoring its rich legacy. In 2025, Limca ushered in a new era of refreshment with a captivating campaign featuring popular actress Triptii Dimri. This fresh take on Limca's signature taste invited consumers to rediscover the unique charm and revitalizing rush that a "Limca moment" delivers. Vinay Nair, Vice President, Franchise Operations, Developing Markets, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, emphasized the brand's strategic approach. "Our goal has always been to build brands that go beyond the product - brands that become part of daily life and collective memory," Nair stated. "And Limca's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a pursuit of excellence. Our success is anchored in a simple but powerful playbook - innovating products that cater to evolving consumer needs, expanding distribution to both urban and rural India, and executing marketing campaigns that connect passion and purpose. We are excited to continue this momentum and deliver long-term value to millions of our consumers." As India's consumer landscape evolves, so too does Limca. Demonstrating its commitment to innovation, Limca ventured into the advanced hydration category in 2024 with the introduction of Limca GlucoCharge . This functional beverage, enriched with glucose and electrolytes, is specifically designed to cater to the needs of today's active consumers. The launch campaign for Limca GlucoCharge, featuring Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, resonated deeply with millions.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Limca Records ₹2800 Crore in 2024, powers Coca-Cola India's sparkling growth
HighlightsLimca, Coca-Cola India's iconic beverage, achieved over ₹2800 crore in revenue for 2024, showcasing strong growth in the lemon-lime category across both urban and rural markets. In 2025, Limca launched a new campaign featuring Indian actress Triptii Dimri, inviting consumers to rediscover the refreshing experience of its signature Lime 'n' Lemoni flavor. Limca expanded its product range in 2024 by introducing Limca GlucoCharge, a functional beverage aimed at active consumers, with a motivational campaign featuring Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. Limca, Coca-Cola India 's iconic homegrown lemon-lime beverage , has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing the Rs 2800 crore revenue mark in 2024. This impressive growth underscores Limca's enduring appeal and its pivotal role in driving momentum within India's bustling lemon-lime beverage category. For over five decades, Limca has been synonymous with summer refreshment, cherished for its distinctive cloudy bubbles and the unmistakable Lime 'n' Lemoni taste. Since its inception in 1971, the brand has been a cornerstone of Coca-Cola India's sparkling portfolio, witnessing soaring demand across both urban and rural landscapes. Currently, Limca is experiencing robust double-digit growth in key states including Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, consistently gaining market share across both traditional retail and emerging modern trade formats. A key factor in Limca's sustained success lies in its ability to innovate its brand campaigns while honoring its rich legacy. In 2025, Limca ushered in a new era of refreshment with a captivating campaign featuring popular actress Triptii Dimri. This fresh take on Limca's signature taste invited consumers to rediscover the unique charm and revitalizing rush that a "Limca moment" delivers. Vinay Nair, Vice President, Franchise Operations, Developing Markets, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, emphasized the brand's strategic approach. "Our goal has always been to build brands that go beyond the product - brands that become part of daily life and collective memory," Nair stated. "And Limca's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a pursuit of excellence. Our success is anchored in a simple but powerful playbook - innovating products that cater to evolving consumer needs, expanding distribution to both urban and rural India, and executing marketing campaigns that connect passion and purpose. We are excited to continue this momentum and deliver long-term value to millions of our consumers." As India's consumer landscape evolves, so too does Limca. Demonstrating its commitment to innovation, Limca ventured into the advanced hydration category in 2024 with the introduction of Limca GlucoCharge . This functional beverage, enriched with glucose and electrolytes, is specifically designed to cater to the needs of today's active consumers. The launch campaign for Limca GlucoCharge, featuring Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, resonated deeply with millions.
