From the publishers of THE HINDU
VOL.31 :: NO.52 :: Dec. 27, 2008
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From the publishers of THE HINDU VOL.31 :: NO.52 :: Dec. 27, 2008 |
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 News Update
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Phelps is the greatestNo single sportsperson has left a more indelible mark on 2008 than that peculiar specie of the American human-fish called Michael Phelps. While most nations fretted and fumed to conjure up a solitary medal, Phelps came to the Beijing Olympics with huge expectations of surpassing the mother of all records — Mark Spitz’s seven gold haul at Munich — and exited the land of the Dragon with eight shiny discs of the noble metal swinging from his neck, writes Kunal Diwan.
India, a vibrant force Despite the hiccup in the Test series against Sri Lanka, Indian cricket acquitted itself well in 2008. S. Dinakar takes stock. CRICKET/APPRECIATION 
The sun has set for themAnil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly may have defied convention but there was no denying their commitment to their craft and to the team’s success. In their retirements, Indian cricket has lost a bit of its steel and a touch of its aura, writes K.C. Vijaya Kumar. CRICKET/INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 
A blockbuster indeedThe IPL, besides showcasing the wares of legends like Shane Warne, who excelled as skipper and player for Rajasthan Royals, also helped Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan and Sohail Tanvir, to name a few, find resonance and respect. It also helped players like Palani Amarnath, Manpreet Gony and Swapnil Asnodkar find the spotlight, something that remained elusive for the hardworking domestic cricketer, write K.C. Vijaya Kumar. CHESS/ANAND’S UNIQUE FEAT Champion of Champions The third world chess title placed Anand among the legendary names of the game and made even his detractors accept him as the universal champion, writes Rakesh Rao. ATHLETICS/USAIN BOLT’S GRAND TREBLE Flying Jamaican Usain Bolt’s blinding runs in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m in Beijing made him the first man ever to have set world record times in all three events and the first person after Carl Lewis to have swept these races in a single Olympics. By Kunal Diwan. ATHLETICS/YELENA ISINBAYEVA’S EXPLOITS Queen of pole vault The striking 26-year-old Yelena Isinbayeva, who “loves to read philosophy” and has a collection of dolphins at home, struck her second Olympic gold at Beijing this year with a World Record 5.05 m jump. She had earlier won at Athens in 2004. By Kunal Diwan. SHOOTING/ABHINAV BINDRA’S OLYMPIC GOLD Skill, brain and guts In a nerve-wracking final of the men’s 10m air rifle event, Abhinav Bindra fired 10.8 out of a maximum possible 10.9 to deliver India’s first Olympic gold medal. It was a tremendous effort by the champion shooter, writes Kamesh Srinivasan. BEIJING OLYMPICS/ INDIA’S OTHER MEDAL WINNERS A red-letter day Nine days after Abhinav Bindra won the gold, Sushil Kumar (wrestling) and Vijender Singh (boxing) won bronze medals on the same day — August 20 — at the Beijing Olympics. It was a great moment for Indian sport, writes Kamesh Srinivasan. BEIJING OLYMPICS/ OTHER STARS They were champions too The 2008 Olympics wasn’t just about Usain Bolt, Yelena Isinbayeva and Michael Phelps. There were other athletes too who stole the show with their compelling performances. Kamesh Srinivasan on the other star performers in Beijing. FORMULA ONE / TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS 
Hamilton's victory goes into the backgroundOn way to winning the world title, Lewis Hamilton had some memorable runs, including the sensational victories at Silverstone and Hockenheim. But unfortunately, the events that unfolded later, such as Honda’s withdrawal and FIA’s cost-cutting measures, have gained prominence. By G. Raghunath. OTHER GREAT INDIAN PERFORMANCES 
Standing tallThe year 2008 also belonged to the shooters, Gagan Narang and Ronjan Sodhi, and golfer Jeev Milkha Singh. Karthik Krishnaswamy on the three champions who did India proud. 
IHF’s gloomy daysGermany’s magnificent triumph in Beijing, India’s failure to qualify for the Olympics, the suspension of IHF… The year 2008 was eventful indeed. S. Thyagarajan recapitulates.
Unhappy 2009? Bankruptcies loom. Yet when the smoke clears, the far from cheerful prospect is that Chelsea and Manchester City, the two clubs owned by billionaires, will still be standing rich and unafflicted, writes Brian Glanville. Advt Links: • Baufinanzierung und Immobilienfinanzierung Vergleich • Versicherungen im online Versicherungsvergleich • Deutsches Ceeduu Web • Send Gift to India • Flowers to All Over India • Sportshop • IQ Tests, Liebestests und andere Quizzes • Sportreisen zu allen Sportevents • Used Cars • blog tools
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