NEW DELHI: Figuratively, he may have "touched the sky with glory" innumerable times. This time, he will literally do it in the most potent supersonic fighter jet in the country's air combat fleet.
From a ma
ster-blaster on the cricketing field, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar smoothly made the transition to an "air warrior" on Friday when he was conferred with the honorary rank of Group Captain by Air Chief Marshal P V Naik in the presence of the over 90-year-old Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.
And the next thing on the agenda of Group Captain Tendulkar, who as a teenager was fascinated by the Tom Cruise-starrer 'Top Gun', is a spin on the twin-seater Sukhoi-30MKI "air dominance" fighter.
"We all want, at some stage, to 'touch the sky with glory'," said Tendulkar, referring to the IAF motto, which epitomises his own life as an iconic cricketer. Tendulkar got his rank, with epaulettes and all on his smart new blue uniform, equivalent to a colonel in the Army, on Friday. After the Sukhoi sortie, "We will also pin the 'wings' on him," said ACM Naik.
Amid all the talk of integrity, dedication and discipline of armed forces, the match-fixing scandal currently rocking the cricketing world was bound to come up. "Integrity is extremely important... we need a clean image. I am sure the ICC will take all the correct steps to ensure this. My job is to stick to cricket and worry about scoring more runs," said Tendulkar.
Asked if mind-boggling sums being offered in T-20 leagues like IPL were making young cricketers more vulnerable to the lure of lucre, Tendulkar said, "The priorities have to
be right. The priority is to play cricket in the cleanest way and in the right spirit. When I started playing cricket, it was not about money... If I make more money and less runs, I won't be able to sleep at night." What next for the batting maestro? A Bharat Ratna? "It's the biggest honour. It's the dream of every Indian. Who will not like to get Bharat Ratna," replied Tendulkar.
But that is something for the future. As of now, Tendulkar is thrilled with his new Group Captain rank. "This is a special day. I am extremely proud to be a member of the IAF family," he said. He is also looking forward to the Sukhoi sortie, even though the joyride he had undertaken in an Impala jet trainer of the South African Air Force in 1996 had proved to be "a frightening experience".
"There was restricted space (in the cockpit)... Then, there were instructions about how to eject," he joked.
But he can rest assured that IAF will take all care to ensure he is comfortable in the fourth-generation Sukhoi, with the pilot eschewing hair-raising combat manoeuvres and sticking to a simple cruising flight of just around 1,000-kmph or Mach 1.
Know about - Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Also...
Read more: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI: Tejaswini Sawant scripted history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to clinch a gold medal at the World Championships with a world-record equalling score in the 50m Rifle Prone event in Munich, Germany.
Sawant shot a score of 597 (100,100,100,99,99,99), equalling the 1998 record set by Marina Bobkova of Russia.
The 29-year-old, who clinched gold medals in the Commonwealth Games Air Rifle event, was level with Poland's Ewa Joanna Nowakowska in the final score but managed to clinch the top honours with a better perfect score tally of 41.
Kazakhstan's Olga Dovgun settled for the bronze with a score of 596.
An elated Tejaswini said she only wanted to give her best in the event and was not event thinking about a medal let alone the world record.
"The way we were training, I thought I would be getting my personal best. I was not thinking about a medal or a world record. Having got both, I can't even explain how I am feeling right now. It's just amazing," the shooter from Kolhapur told PTI from Munich.
"My coaches, including Kazakh coach Stanislav Lapidus, made some plans for me and I am glad that everything worked accordingly," she added.
Tejaswini said although pursuing shooting is no easy task in small towns like hers, she made it big due to her parents' support.
"There are difficulties but instead of complaining, I think it is better to use them as motivation and work harder. That's what my parents taught me while they supported my dreams," she said.
"The more problems you face in pursuit of your dreams, the more delightful your success becomes. As far as problems of ammunition shortage are concerned, at least I have never faced them. My practice has never been held up because of such issues," she added.
Tejaswini said the morale-boosting historic triumph also sets her up perfectly for the Commonwealth Games this October.
"The preparations has been on for a long time and this has just added to my confidence. I can't describe how happy I am right now," she said.
National coach Sunny Thomas was equally elated for his ward.
"She is only the fifth world-record holder in India after Gagan Narang, Suma Shirur, Ronjan Singh Sodhi, Asher Noria. What she did today is truly remarkable," Thomas said.
Asked whether he expected her to achieve the feat, Thomas said more then Prone, he was hoping for a medal from her in the Rifle 3 Position event.
"She was shooting well since yesterday. So I knew she would do something. I was expecting her to win a medal in 3 Position and we were disappointed when she didn't. But she more then made up for it in Prone," he said.
"She is the first woman to do it for India and it is a proud moment for the country," he added.
Read more: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Football World Cup finals matches Prikwaertar last day today. Spain is counter neighboring Portugal and Japan will face the team of Paraguay.
Spain and Portugal in the first-ever World Cup will come face to face. Match with keen interest because Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Spain Khavi Harnaandej Deko will tackle and David Via. Akelpremiyoan chance today to see good football.
In 2008 after becoming European champions Spain, this time with Brazil in the Pasnsdiada teams are being counted. the team presented its offensive potential has not fully field. After losing 0-1 to Switzerland in the early stages of Spain's game was great and the team has won from Honduras and Chile.
Trouble is that the team's star striker Fernaando Toaress game seem so good and so far a total of four goals in matches for the team of David Via has three goals.
Portugal and Spain are aware of the weaknesses during the game will take advantage of plenty.
Portugal mid-fielder
Araual Maereless that they play to win and they know that Spain will face considerable difficulties. Spain coach Avisente send a Boske carefully watching Ronaldo of Portugal, but Portugal's defense strategy is the most feared them.
Ivory Coast Ackrwjoah And, North Korea, they do not distinguish any of the team has found. Meanwhile, Portugal have not created any good games despite the more rounded. Ronaldo the best player in club matches in the World Cup but their performance is not great.
Japan vs Paraguay
Winning team combat team will be one of Japan or Paraguay. Japanese coach Tceshi Okaada that can beat Paraguay. He said that if his players are able to give my 100 per cent, they must win. Highest expectations of Japan are beginning to Ahonrda Ceesuce round machine.
Coach Ahonrda hope that will also perform great. Okaada that Paraguay will be concentrated defensive game against Italy because he made 1-1, but defeated Slovakia 2-0 to be considered weak without any score with New Zealand's draw their match. Confident of victory
Confident of victory
Japan captain Amakoto Hosebe say that Japan will play aggressively. Back to invade team's strength is his armor. Denmark in the match against Gamba Osaka midfielder's superb free kick with Ahonrda shown. Okaada also know that the defeat of Paraguay would be a big win for Asian countries. South Korea played against Uruguay, according to him good. Osaka to Asia that Japan's team at the World Cup final chance to make space.
The current champion Roger Federer Wimbledon Grand Slam tennis tournament with ease singles quarterfinals of the men have entered due to retire while the third seed Jelena Ayancovich Carolyn Vojniaqui experiencing the vicissitudes of the tournament had to be out.
Star Swiss top seed in the tournament on Monday in straight sets to Austrian Juergen Maelzar 6-3, 6-2 6-2. The fourth round of the fight was so one-sided 16th-seeded Federer to break Maelzar the service was not any kind of trouble. Kim Jung beauties in two Belgian women's singles fourth round match Claisters a brilliant comeback after losing the first set, the 17th seed 2-6 to Henin, 6-2, 6-3 defeat.
By breaking the court came down on both retirement and then it was the third fight. Claisters also won three. Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Ayancovich Somar fourth-round match due to a back injury midway, leaving the competition got out of the Ninth-seeded Li of China had not entered the quarterfinals. Former champion and second seed Venus Williams at the Australian Jarmila Growth 6-4, 7-6 quarterfinal victory and created space.
Top 10 FIFA World Cup Superstars:
1. Lionel Messi
2. Wayne Rooney
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Wesley Sneijder
5. Kaka
6. Didier Drogba
7. David Villa
8. Daniele De Rossi
9. Fernando Torres
10. Robin van Persie
Roger Federer of Switzerland remains top of virtually unchanged men’s tennis rankings issued on Monday
by the ATP with one change seeing Britain’s Andy Murray move up one place to fourth.
Federer has 10,690 points to lead from Serb Novak Djokovic (7,390) and Spain’s Rafael Nadal (6,480).
ATP Top 10 as of May 3 (previous ranking in parentheses):
1. Roger Federer, Switzerland, 10,340
2. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 6,970
3. Rafael Nadal, Spain, 6,480
4. Andy Murray, Britain, 5,565
5. Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, 5,545
6. Nikolay Davydenko, Russia, 5,235
7. Robin Soderling, Sweden, 4,805
8. Andy Roddick, United States, 4,780
9. Fernando Verdasco, Spain, 3,735
10. Jo—Wilfried Tsonga, France, 3,220
Source: Thehindu.com
NEWPORT, R.I., September 30, 2009 -- Amanda Avedissian of Bristol, R.I., and Louis Desmarteaux of Hull, Mass., captured the women's and men's titles at the Kia Amateur Australian Open Qualifier, which was held on Setember 26 - 27 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I. Their victories bring these individuals one step closer to the exclusive opportunity to represent their country as a member of Team USA at the World Finals of the Kia Amateur Australian Open, to be held in January in Melbourne, Australia.
Avedissian, a teaching professional at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, defeated Lindsay Grossman of Cohasset, Mass. 6-0, 6-0 for the win. Desmarteaux defeated Jake Worseldine of Middletown, R.I., 6-3, 6-0. Worseldine is also a teaching professional at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
In this tournament, Kia Motors America is providing amateur tennis players in the United States with an opportunity to experience a thrill like no other, as two talented players will win an opportunity to compete on behalf of Team USA in Australia, with airfare and lodging for the player and a guest provided by Kia Motors.
"As the popularity of the sport of tennis continues to grow, and opportunities for amateurs to compete on a global level is increasingly more difficult, Kia Motors is proud to provide these players the chance of a lifetime to play against other outstanding players from around the world in one of the premier venues in the world," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America.
Avedissian and Desmarteaux now advance to the U.S. Finals to be held November 5 - 8 in Atlanta, where they will compete against winners of three other qualifiers being held around the country. Ultimately, the male and female winner of the finals will earn the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Kia Amateur Australian Open.
In addition to the Kia Amateur Australian Open, Kia Motors is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open - one of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its.
About the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum
Established in 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis, inspiring and encouraging junior tennis development, enshrining tennis heroes and heroines, and providing a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide. The International Tennis Hall of Fame was recognized as the sport's official Hall of Fame in 1986 by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of tennis. For information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame and its programs.
Source: Hofmag.com
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