10 Lesser known things about "India’s Star Boxing Champion" Vijender Singh

Ever since he won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, boxer Vijender Singh has well and truly turned into the face of Indian boxing. However, he has not sat on his laurels and has performed brilliantly almost at every other boxing tournament in which he has had the privilege of representing the country.

Let's take a look at 10 lesser known things about "India’s Star Boxing Champion" Vijender Singh:

1. The first sport Vijender tried was gymnastics. He was about ten years old, and was fascinated by the athleticism of gymnasts at the Sports Authority of India training centre in Bhiwani, near his village. The fascination lasted for a week or so—Vijender could not do the handstand, the most basic exercise in gymnastics, and left in frustration.

2. In 2008, after he won his quarter-final fight at the Beijing Olympics and was assured of a bronze medal, Vijender celebrated by doing a photoshoot with his friend and Beijing roommate, the Jharkhand boxer Anthresh Lakra. Lakra was interested in photography and had carried a lot of photographic equipment to Beijing.

3. Vijender has recently picked up a new hobby: cooking. He spends his weekends cooking for his wife. He loves making meat dishes, but his wife is vegetarian.

4. When they were very young, Vijender and his brother Manoj, who was also a boxer, made a punching bag at home with a canvas bag filled with sand, soil, and discarded wood chips that they had collected from a furniture shop.

5. Vijender’s late grandfather Dariyaj Singh, a subedar in the army, introduced him to boxing. Dariyaj brought a pair of boxing gloves home for Vijender when he was seven years old. He gave one glove to Vijender, and one to a cousin of Vijender’s and taught them some basics. Since the two boys were only allowed to throw punches with the gloved hand, and both were right handed, they would fight about who gets to wear the right-hand glove.

6. Vijender met his wife Archana while applying for a visa to go to a tournament in Germany. Archana, a software engineer, was working in an IT company and had also come to apply for a visa. They started talking. Vijender’s first question to her was, “Where are you going?” “I still laugh when I think about how stupid that was,” he says. “Obviously, she was going to Germany.”

7. Badou Jack, a Swedish/Gambian boxer who was beaten in the first round of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by Vijender, is now the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight world champion. Vijender hopes to challenge him one day for the title.

8. Vijender’s favourite way to pass time is to go on long, aimless walks. He says that sometimes he can keep walking for as long as three hours. He also likes to explore new food and new restaurants on his walk.

9. Vijender may get to fight a revenge match against the British boxer Anthony Ogogo, who has won all 10 of his fights since turning pro in 2013. Ogogo had beaten Vijender controversially in a semi-final match at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Vijender was the world No.1 then, and was leading 3-0 in the final round when the referee penalized him twice. Ogogo won the match 4-3 without landing a single scoring punch, and then incited booing, partisan crowd.

10. Vijender decided to turn pro while watching the build-up to the Floyd Mayweather Jr – Manny Pacquiao fight – billed as the ‘fight of the century’ on 2 May, 2015. He had considered turning pro after winning his Olympic medal in 2008, but did not because he hoped to win another medal in 2012.

10 Interesting things about "Hockey Wizard of India" Dhyan Chand

One of the best hockey players that our nation has ever had, Dhyan Chand. Not only did he make our country's name shine in International sports events, but the way he played hockey was so iconic, that the defenders would look as if they have no idea what's going on between the ball and his hockey stick. Chand played a pivotal role in India winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. His birth anniversary, 29th August, is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India and the President gives away awards such as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya awards on this day.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting things about "Hockey Wizard of India" Dhyan Chand:

1. Dhyan Chand joined the Indian Army at the age of 16 and took up hockey while he was still enrolled. Since Dhyan Chand used to practice a lot during the night, he was given the nickname "Chand" by his fellow players; his practice sessions at night invariably coincided with the coming out of the moon. ‘Chand’ means moon in Hindi.

2. Dhyan Chand was the leading goal-scorer at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics with 14 goals. A news report about India’s victory said “This is not a game of hockey, but magic. Dhyan Chand is, in fact, the magician of hockey.”

3. Even though Dhyan Chand was involved in many memorable matches, he considers a particular hockey match to be his best. “If anybody asked me which was the best match that I played in, I will unhesitatingly say that it was the 1933 Beighton Cup final between Calcutta Customs and Jhansi Heroes.”

4. In the 1932 Summer Olympics, India beat USA 24-1 and Japan 11-1. Dhyan Chand scored 12 goals while his brother Roop Singh netted 13 out of the 35 goals India scored. This led to them being dubbed the 'hockey twins'.

5. Once, when Dhyan Chand was unable to score in a match, he argued with the match referee about the measurement of the goal post. To everybody’s amazement, he was right; the goal post was found to be in contravention of the official minimum width prescribed under international rules.

6. After India’s first match at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, people watching other sporting events thronged to the hockey stadium. A German newspaper carried a banner headline: 'The Olympic complex now has a magic show too.' The whole city of Berlin had posters: “Visit the hockey stadium to watch the Indian magician Dhyan Chand in action.”

7. According to widespread reports, German dictator Adolf Hitler offered Dhyan Chand German citizenship and a position in the German Military, after an impressive showing at the Berlin Olympics. The offer was declined by the Indian magician.

8. Australian great Don Bradman met Dhyan Chand at Adelaide in 1935. After watching him play, Bradman remarked, "He scores goals like runs in cricket".

9. Hockey authorities in the Netherlands once broke his hockey stick to check if there was a magnet inside.

10. Dhyan Chand has scored over 400 goals in his career spanning 22 years (1926-48).

10 Little known things about "The Little Master" Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar was all about fearless batting. He taught Indians how to pull and hook the fearsome fast bowlers during the time when there were no helmets. Gavaskar, on his day, would play out the dangerous bowling attacks with ease. His playing style had everything an orthodox cricket lover would want. The balance, technique, attitude, enormous amount of concentration and excellent judgmental skills made him an efficient run-scorer. Often called as "The Little Master", he was a run machine who broke and re-wrote many batting records which were sort of unachievable during his playing days.

Let's take a look at 10 Little known things about "The Little Master" Sunil Gavaskar:

1. Born on 10th July 1949 in Mumbai, Sunil had a tragic incident associated with his birth. When he was born the nurse in the hospital mistakenly swapped him on the bed where they were several children and than nurse took a wrong child and slept the child behind Gavaskar Mother. But his Uncle finally found him where he had slept behind a Fisher Women who have just given a birth to a child. Thanks for his Uncle who noticed him and given a great cricketer for India otherwise may be he would have been a Fishermen.

2. Sunil Gavaskar fascinated to become a Wrestler during his childhood as he was a huge fan of Wrestler Maruthi Vadar but somehow opted for cricket.

3. Sunil was the not the only one from his family to represent Indian cricket team. His maternal uncle Madhav Mantri played four Tests for India. Gavaskar’s only son, Rohan Gavaskar, represented India in 11 One-Day Internationals. GR Viswanath, the former India batsman, was Gavaskar’s brother in law. Along with this, His sister Nutan, played for the first women’s club “Albees Cricket Club” in Mumbai.

4. He was a huge fan of West Indian cricketer Rohan Kanhai and so he named his only child Rohan Gavaskar after him.

5. Gavaskar played a lead role in a Marathi movie – Savli Premachi. Apart from Savli Premachi, He also did a cameo in Hindi actor Naseeruddin Shah’s film Malaamaal in 1988.

6. He scored 10122 runs in test cricket at an average of 51.12 with 34 centuries and 45 half centuries. He also scored 3092 ODI runs at an average of 35.13 with 1 century and 27 half centuries.

7. Gavaskar is the only batsman in the world cricket to score Double Hundred in the 1st, 2nd,3rd and 4th innings of Test Matches. He was the first Indian player to take 100 catches in test matches.

8. He is the one and only cricketer in the world to hit Centuries 3 consecutive innings twice and also the First cricketer to score 10000 Runs.

9. Gavaskar was appointed the Sheriff of Mumbai in 1994 for a year.

10. In 1975, he was appreciated with the Arjuna Award for cricket. In 1980, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan. In 2012, Sunil Gavaskar was honoured with Col C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Emerging Star' Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya reflects a perfect case where talent overcomes all sorts of adversity and attains success. The Mumbai Indians star hails from an unobtrusive foundation. He is however a liberally capable cricketer who has become well known in a limited ability to focus time. He is touted as the 'man for the future' by numerous present and previous players.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Emerging Star' Hardik Pandya:

1. Birth

Hardik Pandya was conceived on eleventh October 1993 in Choryasi, Surat, Gujarat.

2. Growing years

Hardik Pandya's developing years were difficult and he experienced childhood in hardship. Krunal, his sibling and Hardik would regularly spend the whole day exclusively on one dinner.

3. Passionate father

His dad Himanshu was an impassioned significant other of the diversion. He was drawn towards cricket in light of his dad who took him to watch coordinates in Vadodara.

4. The start of it

Subsequent to seeing the enthusiasm for the diversion, Hardik Pandya alongside his senior sibling Krunal Pandya were enlisted in the Kiran More International Academy at 5 years old and 7 individually.

5. Struggles in life

His dad needed to leave his place of employment in the wake of agony from heart assault thrice. Life ended up plainly harder for him after the sole provider of the family was bound to bed rest.

6. Education

Hardik Pandya fizzled ninth class and quit instruction to concentrate on his cricketing dreams.

7. Jack of all trades

Hardik Pandya is an all-rounder. His mentors recognize him as an ingenious player who is neither an ordinary batsman nor a sublimely gifted bowler. Be that as it may, he gives an affirmation that he can passage well in both viewpoints and create coordinate wining exhibitions which he has demonstrated in his past trips.

8. Nickname

Hardik Pandya has an exceptionally cool epithet in the Mumbai Indians changing areas. He is called "Rockstar" by his colleagues.

9. A leg spinner

Hardik Pandya was leg spinner before one day all of a sudden he changed to crease knocking down some pins. Once at the Kiran More International Academy, the group was one quick bowler short before a neighborhood coordinate. Kiran more requesting that he assume the liability. He promptly acknowledged the assignment and overwhelmed everybody by grabbing seven wickets in that match. This is the means by which he turned into a medium pacer.

10. Entry in the big league

Pandya was spotted by then Mumbai Indians mentor John Wright in a West Zone match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Every last prominent individual from Mumbai Indians was awed by him amid the determination trials. Head mentor Ricky Ponting short-recorded Hardik in the wake of experiencing the recording of more than 50 short-recorded cricketers in front of the IPL 8 player sell off in February. He was in this way purchased by the establishment at base cost of 10 lakhs.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about India's 'Powerpuff Girl' Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur produced one of the greatest ever ODI knocks in women’s cricket for India. Her scintillating knock of 171 runs off 115 balls against the Aussies in the semis scripted Indian Team’s road to the finals. She came into bat when the team had a major setback and they lost two quick wickets. Later, with Harmanpreet’s monstrous batting, Indian women successfully put a total of 281 on the scoreboard in 42 overs. In return, the Aussies failed to chase down the target and lost the game by 36 runs. Harmanpreet undoubtedly turned out to be the ‘Wonder Woman’ in the match. She was also the one who led India to victory in the World Cup 2017 qualifier series earlier.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about India's 'Powerpuff Girl' Harmanpreet Kaur:

1. Harmanpreet Kaur was born on March 8, 1989, her father Harmandar Bhullar was a renowned Volley ball and Basket ball player.

2. Kaur stepped into Cricket after her unexpected meeting with coach Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi, she later joined Gian Jyoti School Academy at village Darapur, Punjab. Astonished by her batting prowess, Kamaldeesh included her in the Moga-district team to participate in the Punjab’s Inter-District tournament.

3. She got a job in Western Railways with the help of a personal letter from Member of Parliament and former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. This all happened her application got rejected first when former India women’s captain Diana Edulji who spotted the batting all-rounder suggested her to do so.

4. Harmanpreet made her ODI debut at the age of 20 in a match against Pakistan in the 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup which took place at Bowral.

5. In June 2009, she made her Twenty20 International debut in the 2009 ICC Women's World Twenty20 against England women's at County Ground, Taunton where she scored 8 runs off 7 balls.

6. Her 171 runs in the WC17 semi finals against Australia remains her best ever in ODI and is also the second highest by any Indian women’s cricketer. Deepti Sharma’s 188 is the best so far.

7. Harmanpreet found her cricketing inspiration in the swashbuckling Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Fans can easily make out why she admires the legendary cricketer as she herself is an aggressor par excellence.

8. Back in 2012 when skipper Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were down with injuries, Kaur was announced as the captain for India’s campaign in the 2012 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup final match. Indian women’s team won that game by 18 runs.

9. In November 2015, she took 9 wickets in a Test match against the South African women’s cricket team played at Gangothri Glades Cricket Ground, Mysore, helping India win the match by an innings and 34 runs.

10. Meanwhile, in June 2016, she became the first Indian cricketer to be signed by the Women’s Big Bash League. Sydney Thunder was the franchise she had signed for.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'India’s Master of Swing' Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, born February 5, 1990, has been the leader of India's pace assault since his debut in 2012. Outfitted with gigantic development both noticeable all around and off the pitch, Bhuvneshwar has the ability to trouble the best of batsmen.

Let’s take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'India’s Master of Swing' Bhuvneshwar Kumar :

1. Getting God first ball

Bhuvneshwar Kumar declared himself as one for the future from the get-go in his First-Class profession. At 19 years old, he rejected Sachin Tendulkar for a duck — the first time through Tendulkar (who is alluded as the God by fans) was out without scoring in Ranji Trophy.

2. “Early” success

Bhuvneshwar was missing the goal immediately in both T20Is and ODIs. He dismissed Nasir Jamshed in his first over on T20I make a big appearance, and improved in ODIs, getting Mohammad Hafeez out off his first ball.

3. Economical best

While there is no questioning Bhuvneshwar's capacity as a wicket-taker, his magnificent economy rate is now and then passed up a great opportunity for. Notwithstanding when Bhuvneshwar isn't taking wickets, he holds the keeps running down. Three of India's five most prudent spells in T20Is have originated from Bhuvneshwar. He is additionally one of the few Indian bowlers whose economy rate is under seven in T20Is, and under five in ODIs.

4. Bowled over!

Bhuvneshwar appreciates a standout amongst the most one of a kind knocking down some pins records the amusement has seen. His first wicket in each format stopped by getting the batsman bowled. He expelled Nasir Jamshed (T20Is), Mohammad Hafeez (ODIs), and David Warner (Tests) in this form.

5. Match-winner with the bat

While Bhuvneshwar's bowling deeds are abundant, he likewise has extensive ability with the bat. He has a First-Class century, which came in the most astounding design; in the second semi-final between Central Zone and North Zone at Hyderabad. Central were 219 for six in answer to North's 451 when Bhuvneshwar came into bat. They were soon 293 for eight, and after that 342 for nine preceding Bhuvneshwar engineered a late battle back. He scored a 253-ball 128 to lead Central to 469, as the side took the significant first-innings lead.

6. Makings of an all-rounder

As noted above, Bhuvneshwar has some ability with the bat. He demonstrated his guarantee from the get-go in his Test profession too. With India 406 for eight in answer to Australia's 380, Bhuvneshwar — on Test make a big appearance — exited to join captain MS Dhoni. The couple put on a match-winning 140-run remain, as Dhoni went ahead to finish a gigantic twofold hundred. Bhuvneshwar scored a vital 38 off 97 balls all the while.

7. The “player”

While cricket remains his first love, Bhuvneshwar has said that his most loved side interest is playing games on his PS3 and his iPad.

8. Not the first of his kind

Bhuvneshwar is not the first Kumar who hails from Meerut, swings the ball both ways, has taken a fifer a Lord's, and is a helpful batsman down the request! Be that as it may, his similarity with Praveen Kumar — no connection — closes there. While Praveen has been known to have a blazing temper and a demeanor issue, Bhuvneshwar is calm, mild-mannered, and shy.

9. Gayle’s bane

As said before, Bhuvneshwar has a propensity of working over batsmen. One man who has dependably battled against him is West Indian juggernaut Chris Gayle. Bhuvneshwar has dismissed Gayle four times in seven international matches across formats.

10. Army Dreams

As a youngster, Bhuvneshwar dreamt for being in the armed force before his energy for cricket made him pick the amusement. He would have made an excellent officer; his discipline is there for all to see!

Twenty Amazing Facts About Boxing

1. There are two forms of boxing – amateur and professional.

2. It is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds

3. Boxing as a sport dates back to ancient Greeks who made it part of Olympic games as early as 688 BC.

4. Onomastos Smyrnaios is the first winner in Olympic boxing of ancient Greek.

5. Boxing is also called pugilism.

6. Amateur boxing is an Olympic sport since its introduction in the 1904 Summer Olympic Games.

7. In Ancient Greek culture, the god, Apollo, was regarded as the inventor and guardian of the sport of boxing.

8. Archie Moore holds the record for most knockouts during a career — a staggering 141.

9. The result is decided when an opponent is deemed incapable to continue match by a referee or if an opponent is disqualified for breaking a rule, resigning by throwing in a towel, or by judges’ scorecards at the end of the bout.

10. The most prolific boxer in history was Great Britain’s Len Wickwar who, between 1928 and 1947, fought 463 bouts. He also holds the records for the most wins (336) and most losses (127) of any boxer.

11. George Foreman has made more money selling his grills than for his boxing career in which he was a 2-time heavyweight champion.

12. The record for most first round KO’s is held by Wilfred Benitez.

13. The most heavyweight title defenses is 25 by Joe Louis.

14. The youngest boxer to win a title is Wilfred Benitez at 17.

15. Boxing gloves are actually more dangerous and result in more deaths than bareknuckle boxing. In fact, gloves were introduced into boxing not for safety reasons, but to increase hits to the head and dramatic knockouts.

16. In 1949, an official boxing match between a bear and a man was held. The bear won.

17. Hall of Fame boxer Sugar Ray Robinson backed out of a fight because he had a dream that he was going to kill his opponent in the ring. After a priest and minister convinced Robinson to fight, Robinson went into the ring and killed his opponent, Jimmy Doyle.

18. Ronda Rousey, UFC Women’s bantamweight champion, claims that having a lot of sex before a match is good for female fighters because it boosts testosterone levels.

19. Boxer John Heenan got his ass handed to him so badly in an 1860 bare knuckle boxing match that they hired an artist to capture his rearranged face in oil.

20. Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali reportedly went two months without sex before a big fight, claiming it made him unbeatable in the ring.

Facts about the Future Star of Indian women's Cricket "Smriti Mandhana"

Smriti Mandhana is an Indian cricketer who plays for the Indian women's cricket team. The 20-year old Mumbai-girl has already got a century in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, apart from a well-made 90 against hosts England. She has been in the circuit for four years now, since she made her debut in 2013 against Bangladesh. She has also played a couple of Tests which is a rarity in women’s cricket.

In 2013, she scored an unbeaten 224 off 150 balls in the West Zone Under-19 Tournament.

She made her ODI debut at the age of 17 and her Test Debut at the age of 18.

She is the only Indian player to feature in the ICC women’s team of the year in 2016.

Smriti Mandhana is the Youngest Indian woman to score a 50 in T20I cricket.

In 2016, Mandhana was signed up for a one-year deal with Brisbane Heat for the Women's Big Bash League.

She was selected to play for Maharashtra U-19 at the age of just 11. She also happens to be the youngest Indian to score a hundred in senior level cricket. She scored that hundred in Australia at the age of 16, she scored 102 off 109 balls in a losing cause.

10 Lesser known things about "India’s Star Boxing Champion" Vijender Singh

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