India gets a three-on-three in Greco-Roman Wrestling

Indian Grapplers Ravinder Singh (60 kg), Sanjay (74 kg) and Anil Kumar (96 kg) earned their first-ever Commonwealth Games Gold medals at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here today.    

Ravinder defeated England's Christopher Terence Bosson 7-2 in the final to run away with the top honours. Ravinder was a picture of concentration against Bosson.  In spite of finding himself in difficult situations twice in the bout, he stood firm and came out with flying colours. Right from the start, Ravinder was in his element as he defeated Sri Lanka's Assd Kumara 13-0 in his opening bout and then outclassed Nigerian Romeo Joseph 8-0 in the semifinals. While Bosson bagged the silver, the bronze in this category went to Romeo James.

In the 74 kg category, Sanjay earned India the gold medal beating South Africa's Brian Richard Addinall in the final. Sanjay displayed a gritty performance in front of the cheering crowd at the arena and defeated his English opponent 2-0 in the title decider. Against Addinall, Sanjay adopted a wait-and-watch policy and scored points whenever he got an opportunity. The Indian scored a point each in both the rounds to pocket his first Commonwealth Games gold. Sanjay got the better of Samoa's Laupule Ekeroma 3-0 and Perefegha Kiribein of Nigeria 2-0 in his earlier two bouts.

In the 96 kg category, India's Anil won Gold beating Aussie Fkiri Hassene. The third Gold came by outclassing Australia's Hassene Fkiri in the final of the 96 kg. Anil was by far the better wrestler on display and kept his calm to beat his Australian rival 6-0 in the aggressive final bout. Fkiri won the silver  while South Africa's Hugues Kakoma Bella-Lufu pocketed the bronze in this category. Earlier, Anil had a contrasting opening two bouts as he overpowered Mark Montogomery of Northern Ireland 13-0 in his first match of the day but later had to work hard to clich a 3-1 victory over South African Hugues Kakoma in the semifinal.

-  PTI

Bindra, Gagan set record, give India first gold

Indian shooters Abhinav Bindra and Gangan Narang fired in unison and shot a Commonwealth Games record 1193 in
men's 10 metre Air Rifle event to give the country its first gold medal in the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi today.
    
The pair together scored 1193 to break their own record, which they had set four years ago in Melbourne,
by notching up 1189.
    
World record holder Gagan, shot a spectecular sequence of 99, 100, 100, 99, 100, 100 to total a grand 598, while Beijing Olympic gold medalist, Bindra's series read 100, 98 ,99, 100, 99, 99 for a total of 595 in the first Shooting event of the Games.

England's James Huckle and Kenny Parr (1174) won the silver medal while Bangladesh's Abdullah Hel Baki and
Md. Asif Hussain Khan (1173) bagged the bronze.
        
National coach Sunny Thomas said that at this stage instead of basking in glory, it would be wise to focus on the coming events. "This was easy but I am sure the coming events are going to be difficult. I am happy that both Gagan and Abhinav shot well today. It's certainly a good start for India and we hope to maintain the momentum," Thomas said.

Some interesting facts:

* Narang won his fifth gold medal in Commonwealth Games history. He has now won gold medals in Shooting in the last      three editions.
* Bindra won his fourth gold medal after previously bagging Shooting gold in 2002 and 2006.
* This was India’s 39th gold medal in Shooting, equal to Canada’s total. Only Australia have won more Gold, 58 [this does not include Tuesday’s Pairs 25 m Pistol Women].

- With inputs from GNS and PTI

The Math of the D2010 Opening Ceremony

NEW DELHI: About 1,200 moving lights, 25 stacks of speakers and about 2,700 shots of fireworks spread across the roof of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium combined with a stage weighing 500 tonnes to create a spectacular Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi here in Delhi yesterday.

The gigantic main stage (inspired by the mandala, a sanskrit word for the geometric designs symbolic of the universe in Hinduism and Buddhism) was one of the largest built for any opening or closing ceremony. The stage was built within seven days by about 500 workers. Weighing an approximately 500 tonnes, the stage is large enough to hold 500 people under it.

The Opening Ceremony would have never been that spectacular had it not been for the lighting arrangements. 1,200 moving lights, 120 space cannons and 16 follow spots weighing approximately 75 tonnes was what it took to enchant the about 60,000 spectators. The 25 stacks of speakers produced 500,000 watts of sound.

If one was impressed by the fireworks, it was because of the 2,700 shots spread over 88 locations on the roof of the stadium. The crowd had erupted in joy as the firecrackers went up in air heralding the beginning of the Games. The entire system was supported by over 50 kilometres of power cables that were used to provide constant power for the opening ceremony.

-PTI

VVIPs congregate at JNS to witness gala Opening Ceremony

NEW DELHI: Heads of state, royalty, and the ‘who’s who’ of the sport world joined thousands of commoners at the dazzling inaugural Ceremony of the biggest-ever Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

Heading the galaxy of foreign dignitaries was Hon’ble President of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed. Adding a royal touch to the Games was the presence of HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwal and Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Leading the Indian VVIP list was the Hon’ble President Smt. Pratibha Patil, accompanied by her husband Devisingh Shekhawat. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur were also present well in advance of the beginning of the Opening Ceremony. Chairmanof the National Advisory Council Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, her son and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were also present to take part.

Also seen in the VIP enclosure was former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who received a rousing applause as his face was displayed on the giant screens. Chief Minister of Delhi Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, OC CWG Delhi 2010 Chairman, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, were also present.

International Olympic Association President Mr. Jacques and the President of the Commonwealth Games Fedration Mr. Mike Fennel were also present. New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand too made it to the gala Opening Ceremony. Many VIPs and ministers were also seen enthusiastically cheering as one spectacular event after the other unfolded during the Opening Ceremony.

- PTI

Stunning! Awe-inspiring! Grand!

One could almost run out of words to describe the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. Spectators already in a trance following the initial part of the show were left enthralled as the Tree of Knowledge sprang to life. Representing the Bodhi Tree, the brilliantly-lit and colourful display was choreographed by some of India’s most famous exponents of dance. Tabla, Sitar and Mridangam players joined Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi dancers in paying homage to India’s famed Guru-Shishya tradition. Images of Gautama Buddha were projected onto the aerostat which, as the centrepiece, changed colours to reflect the passage of seasons.

A sporting event is always about human fitness and health. And what better way to focus on health than a segment on the ancient Indian philosophy of Yoga? Performers displayed some very complicated asanas to depict the famous Yogic way of life – representing the union of mind, body and soul – as the ephemeral shape of a man and chakras representing Kundalini energy rose from the ground! As the lights went dim, Buddhist chants, hymns, azaan and Gurbani sounded to remind the audience of India’s famous diversity, one that permeates to the very soul.

Of course, what would India be without its famous railways? Not just a lifeline that connects all corners of the nation, the Great Indian Journey is an indelible part of our popular culture. The colours of India, the hustle-and-bustle of its markets, the variety of its folk culture and the symbols that touch everyone’s lives, came together to show the vibrancy of its harmonious society that is united in its diversity.

It was then time to pay homage to the Father of the Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi in Mahatma and Ahimsa. Skilled artists depicted the Apostle of Peace’s life through spectacular sand drawings.

The audience was then treated to Celebrating India - a graceful exposition of dance from across the nation. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Oscar-winning composer and musician Mr. A.R. Rahman took his place on stage for the Grand Finale! The audience was in raptures as Mr. Rahman, who enjoys the sort of adulation normally reserved for rock stars, performed his Delhi 2010 Anthem, Jiyo, Utho, Badho, Jeeto and his Academy Award-winning Jai Ho!

The Queen’s Message Read Out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

 The Queens Baton Relay 2010 Delhi concluded at the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium when the last batonbearer Vijender Singh handed over the baton to HRH Prince Charles. He then read out the Queen’s Message to the Athletes which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had placed inside the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi which started its journey to the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth from Buckingham Palace in October 2009. The baton travelled a stunning 1,90,000 kilometre before reaching the host nation in June 2010. Once in India, it travelled another 20,000 kilometre around the country before reaching its final destination Delhi on 30 September 2010.

Reproduced below is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Message to the Athletes:

“Just under a year ago, at Buckingham Palace, I placed this message in the Baton which then began its long journey to the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi. On its way, it was carried by relay runners through all the territories of the Commonwealth as an invitation to participate in these Games.

“It is particularly fitting that the 2010 Commonwealth Games are being held in India. Recently, we have celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the London Declaration, when Indian Independence brought into being the modern Commonwealth of Nations. Since then, it has grown from just eight member countries to its present membership of 53, represented here today by the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories participating in these Games. I firmly believe that when countries can compete in sport together like this, it serves as an inspiration to all nations to work for peace throughout the world.

“These Games, with their festival of sport and culture, involving the youth of the Commonwealth, would not be possible without the efforts of so many people, in India, and beyond, and without the participation of so many teams, the dedication of so many athletes, and the involvement of so many voluntary officials. To them all, and to all spectators, I send my very best wishes for what I hope will be experience of a lifetime. “I have much pleasure in declaring the 19th Commonwealth Games open.” ELIZABETH R

Stunning performances welcome esteemed guests

NEW DELHI: Minutes after the dignitaries arrived at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the 60,000 attendees at the Opening Ceremony stood at attention for the National Anthem of India. A countdown took place to the tunes of Nagada drummers for the ceremonies to begin. It kicked off by the rising of the aerostat by snake charmers and a spectacular display of lights. Several rounds of fireworks lit the skies of Delhi and raised a huge applause from the stadium.

After the aerostat was in place, the Rhythms of India segment brought in drummers from all corners of India; the Pung Cholum from Manipur, the Chenda from Kerala, Gaja Dhol, Wangala, Dholu Kunitha and the Bhangra, including the sensational Keshav on Tabla, a child prodigy from Auroville, Puducherry. The Swagatham song followed the Rhythms of India performed by the famous Hariharan. Words from 18 different languages of India appeared on the aerostat, all translating to ‘Welcome’.

Schoolchildren from all around Delhi swayed to the tunes of Hariharan and later pulled a fabric over their heads and painted two mehndi-stained palms which resemble the ‘swagatham’ or ‘namaste’ gesture. After the cultural display, the athletes parade started with the marching in of athletes and officials from all 71 nations and territories ending with India to a huge applause from the audience.