Beijing 2008

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Now thats sumthin Super Shail!
amazing...wot n explanation...I nearly fell for Phelps!

description is poetic..n so true...cudnt get better...

keep writing
 
You are absolutely right Shailender, this guy Phelph is not normal human being.
He did it again in 200 mt medley. Sixth Gold with world record and that too beating his nearest rival by 2.33 seconds! Absolutely incredible!
 
shailendra said:
...He is a martian, or like some are now saying back here in a time machine (back from an era much ahead and advanced of us)... there is simply no other explaination tothis madness...

Hi Shail "Young Dharamendra'
very well written. This guy is great..
Read in today's Times of India about reason behind this performance:


WASHINGTON: Billion-plus strong India might not have medalled a lot in the 108-year old modern Olympics history, but - no surprise here - it’s an Indian scientist who has been inquiring into the ease with which American swimmer Michael Phelps is winning so many Gold medals.

IIT Kanpur alum and George Washington University researcher Rajat Mittal has spent the past five years studying Phelps and his dolphin kick - also known as the 'Berkoff Blastoff' after the Harvard backstroker who used it the first time at the Olympics 20 years ago.

It all began when Mittal, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, got involved in a US Navy project to study dolphins, thought to be the ultimate swimmers. ''We were asked to understand how fish swim so efficiently,'' Mittal recalled in an interview Wednesday, ''and it seemed like a natural extension to apply this to human swimming.''

In collaboration with USA Swimming, Mittal and his colleagues began studying 50 American swimmers, eventually finding that of all of them, Phelps was able to use his body ''in a way that is very, very different from the other athletes...much closer to dolphins than we have seen for any other swimmer.''

And just how does he do that? Phelps is able to straighten his massive size 14 feet to a greater angle (about 15 degrees) than any other swimmer, to reduce resistance. ''Almost 90 percent of all the thrust is coming from the foot,'' Mittal explained. ''And the flatter and bigger your foot is, you essentially have a bigger paddle. Michael's foot size and the angle he generates with it plays a big role in his ability to swim very well.''

So never again laugh at someone with big, flat feet. There’s gold in them!

But foot-size isn’t the only reason behind the Phelps phenomenon. Studies show that his powerful lungs can hold out longer underwater than most swimmers, eliminating the splash and drag that would result if he surfaced early. ''If the body is moving on the surface, it creates waves,'' Mittal explained. ''So if you can move underwater instead you can actually eliminate some resistance.''

The Harvard swimmer David Bergkoff figured this out first 20 years ago, using it effectively at the start and the turns to win four Olympic medals, even as other swimmers copied the technique. Swimming officials eventually imposed a limit of 15 meters underwater, a threshold Phelps exploits faster and better than anyone else.

Mittal returned to his Virginia home only last week from a visit to his hometown New Delhi - when he said his daughter Raina told him that India had won its first individual gold. ''I hope it’s the first of many,'' he said sombrely when reminded of the irony of a researcher from India - with such a Gold drought - studying Phelps' gold medal haul.
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6/6...2 more to go...

It's 6: Phelps keeps going with another gold medal

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jUmzfAgQPEhKiCHfOviQPzW3iXHAD92IFLRO0
By PAUL NEWBERRY – 5 hours ago

BEIJING (AP) — Michael Phelps made it 6-for-6 at the Beijing Olympics, closing in on Mark Spitz with another world-record swim Friday morning.
Phelps dominated right from the start of the 200-meter individual medley and powered away to win in 1 minutes, 54.23 seconds. He knocked off his own mark of 1:54.80 set at last month's U.S. trials, his sixth world record of the games.

Ryan Lochte tried to pull off a daunting double, going against Phelps just 29 minutes after swimming the final of the 200 backstroke. He couldn't keep up, though he did hold on for bronze. Laszlo Cseh of Hungary picked up his third silver of the games — all of them trailing Phelps.

Phelps hung on the lane rope in a familiar pose, admiring his time while his rivals gasped for breath. He extended his right hand to Lochte in the next lane, and the two friends shook hands and patted each other on the head.
Lochte got quite a consolation price: a world record and the first individual gold medal of his career in the backstroke. The laid-back Floridian edged teammate Aaron Peirsol in 1:53.94 to break the mark he shared with Peirsol.
Lochte was known as "Mr. Runner-up" for his frequent second-place finishes to Phelps and Peirsol. Then, he stunned Peirsol at last year's world championships in 1:54.32 and Peirsol matched the time in beating Lochte at the U.S. Olympic trials last month.

Peirsol won the 100 back in Beijing, but failed to match his backstroke double from Athens four years ago. He earned the silver in 1:54.33, while Russia's Arkady Vyatchanin claimed the bronze.

Phelps is just one gold away from tying Spitz's record of seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The 23-year-old from Baltimore was scheduled to return for the semifinals of the 100 butterfly about a half-hour after his win in the 200 IM; assuming he advances, he will try to equal the grandest of Olympic standards on Saturday morning.
 
Paes-Bhupathi knocked out in quarters

Paes-Bhupathi knocked out in quarters

Source: http://olympics.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3368386.cms

The Indian duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were shown the door by the Swiss pair of Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka in the doubles quarter-finals of the Beijing Olympics.

India's best bet in tennis Paes and Bhupathi lost in straight sets from the hands of Swiss duo Federer and Wawrinka. Paes-Bhupathi lost 2-6, 4-6. The Indian duo couldn't be able to pose much threat against their higher seed opponents as they performed in patches, which was not enough for them to go through the quarters.

The Federer-Wawrinka combine got straight into act on Friday as they sealed the first set 6-2 in their favour. They carried on their good performance as they sealed the second set 6-4 with consummate ease. Earlier on Thursday, rain played spoilsport to drop early curtains in the match with the Indian pair trailing 1-4 to the Swiss pair. The match was just into its 16th minute when heavy downpour forced the match officials to call off the tie.

Federer was looking in great touch after facing a shock singles defeat barely a couple of hours before. Federer got along so well with his partner Wawrinka as they got hold of the proceedings very early before rain halted their march. Federer and Wawrinka broke the service of Indian pair twice to take a commanding lead of 4-0 while the Indians lacking coordination and looking jaded.

The Indians duo finally managed to win the fourth game when Paes held his serve but so did Federer as the fourth seeded Swiss pair went 4-1 ahead in the match.

 
smalik said:
Hi Shail "Young Dharamendra'
very well written. This guy is great..
Read in today's Times of India about reason behind this performance:
...And just how does he do that? Phelps is able to straighten his massive size 14 feet to a greater angle (about 15 degrees) than any other swimmer, to reduce resistance. ''Almost 90 percent of all the thrust is coming from the foot,'' Mittal explained. ''And the flatter and bigger your foot is, you essentially have a bigger paddle. Michael's foot size and the angle he generates with it plays a big role in his ability to swim very well.''

So never again laugh at someone with big, flat feet. There’s gold in them!

But foot-size isn’t the only reason behind the Phelps phenomenon. Studies show that his powerful lungs can hold out longer underwater than most swimmers, eliminating the splash and drag that would result if he surfaced early. ''If the body is moving on the surface, it creates waves,'' Mittal explained. ''So if you can move underwater instead you can actually eliminate some resistance.''
Click to expand...

Thanks for the 'Young Dharmendra' compliment! ;) [though I susupect he would not have approved of my these 'recent' long hair even at that time! :D]...

Anyways now, Coming back to the toast of these Olympics (and very possibly many more to come!) the human swimming machine- Michael Phelps!

Yup, numerous studies already have been trying to show how his body structure has been a huge boon for him... they even say that if you were to build a perfect swimmer completely from scratch, the dimensions that you would ideally use would make you end up making an exact body double of PHELPS!...

You see another cool thing about the local Television coverage here in the US is that for their American athletes (of course!) they are doing these very interesting background/lifestyle/training methods etc. just before the sportsperson is appearing for their major event, kinda adding spice to the whole story...
Anways, on Michael Phelps they were showing how his upper torso is build visibly and measurably longer than the rest of his lower torso (that is the feet vs. the waist up!)... with a v shaped upper waist, making him ideally balanced in the water... His height (6'4") and a full arm span reaching if he were to stand with his arms starightened to the sides at an incredible 6 feet 7 inches (more than his height!)!!! That's like a human albatross!!!... undoubtedly allowing him great reach in literally all events (especiually the fly, back stroke and the freestyles!)...
His feet are an incredible 14 " size! Damn!... No wonder they work like those flippers (that you can usually see that underwater divers wearing!) to generate thrust and control...
I mean I forget rest of the statistcs they were giving along with the footage... his calories intake, and how is blood (as a result of his regimen, and intense training etc) is pumping upto twice the amount of blood than a regular guy!... etc. etc. and so on...

But having said that I would not take away anything from the main reason why he is what he is.... completely due to his total mental concentration and physical training (the guy was shown litreally eating sleeping and swimming... Period!)... I mean they talk to the guy as soon as he comes out of the pool after each of his major races and he is already thinking and visualizing the next race, as is evident from what he says everytime they try and get some emotional display from him! (knowing the paparazzi, they probably expect him to break out in tears of joy at the way this drama is unfolding!) and frankly for a 22 year old on the brink of immortality, he is cool like a cucumber!

By the way they also continously show live and in replays how he has perfected the techniques of the very important start, the giant leap and uncoiling in the air once more for maximum reach into the water, even the turning at the wall (underwater footages) how deep he goes at the turn and as stays below as long as he can before surfacing (even being on the third of fourth leg... when the lungs must be gasping for air!) to then finally pull away like a giant fish!

What a human swimmer!!! Simply like a well tuned machine in action...
 
Indian boxer Akhil Kumar stuns Russian world champion!!



Indian boxer Akhil Kumar gave the country the best Independence Day gift stunning world champion Sergey Vodapoyanov of Russia to enter the quarterfinals of the men's 54 kg category at the Olympics here Friday.

Akhil, who trailed 3-6 in the third round, rained blows on the world No.1 and reduced the margin to 7-8 by the end of the round. The 27-year-old boxer from Bhiwani, northern state Haryana, showed great determination in getting back into the bout and in the last round held his nerve to tie on points.

After the fourth round, the boxers were locked 9-9, but the judges gave the bout to Akhil for landing more punches than the Russian. The decision shattered the reigning world champion in tears as Akhil did a celebratory jig in the ring at the Workers Gymnasium. The Indian is now just a bout away from an Olympic medal.


Way to go Boys ... give ur best punch!! Godspeed!

http://sify.com/sports/olympics/fullstory.php?id=14740808

Rock on
Jit
 
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Jai Hind!!

What a fight ... amazing!!
The World Champion left the ring in tears... Indian boy Akhil Kumar fought one of the best fights of his career. Superb performance from the young pugilist...was full of energy right till the end... awesome!!
cooljat said:


Indian boxer Akhil Kumar gave the country the best Independence Day gift stunning world champion Sergey Vodapoyanov of Russia to enter the quarterfinals of the men's 54 kg category at the Olympics here Friday.

Akhil, who trailed 3-6 in the third round, rained blows on the world No.1 and reduced the margin to 7-8 by the end of the round. The 27-year-old boxer from Bhiwani, northern state Haryana, showed great determination in getting back into the bout and in the last round held his nerve to tie on points.

After the fourth round, the boxers were locked 9-9, but the judges gave the bout to Akhil for landing more punches than the Russian. The decision shattered the reigning world champion in tears as Akhil did a celebratory jig in the ring at the Workers Gymnasium. The Indian is now just a bout away from an Olympic medal.


Way to go Boys ... give ur best punch!! Godspeed!

http://sify.com/sports/olympics/fullstory.php?id=14740808

Rock on
Jit
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cooljat said:
Indian boxer Akhil Kumar gave the country the best Independence Day gift stunning world champion Sergey Vodapoyanov of Russia to enter the quarterfinals of the men's 54 kg category at the Olympics here Friday.
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This is brilliant. Top work. But equally disheartening is the exit of Paes/Bhupathi duo. We'll definitely get at least one more. I so wish it better be Gold. Go India. Jai Hind
 
Ya, indeed ... Paes-Bhupati's performance was poor ... their counter parts specially Fedrer single handedly show them defeat, really it was heartbreaking! :( but Akhil's termendous victory again awaked hopes! :)

I've great expections with Vijender & Jitender as well, they both are also in gud nick specially agile & agressive Jitender ... he is so quick & devastating ... it was great to watch his last match in which his oppenent's coach had thrown white towel to stop the match!! :cool:

Vijender fights sensibly with cool head and that sign of a great fighter, I'm dead sure these 3 champs will prove and shine in the arena! Amen!

Go India Go ... Godspeed!


Jai Hind!


Rock on
Jit



vivekpannu said:
This is brilliant. Top work. But equally disheartening is the exit of Paes/Bhupathi duo. We'll definitely get at least one more. I so wish it better be Gold. Go India. Jai Hind
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100 mts Butterfly LIVE- 7th Gold(s) for Phelps!!!

GOSH!!! That was heartstopping!!!!!!!!....
WHAT a finish! You look at that finish on TV with the naked eye, (with Phelps taking that half a stroke MORE) and your heart just simply sinks, "Damn, his run for equalling (or beating) Mark Spitz's record of seven golds in an Olympic IS OVER right there!!!"...
and then the electronic touch pad flashes Phelps as the winner with 100th of a second over the poor Serbian guy (50.58 to 50.59 seconds)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek:...

What magic!:rock

Only one thing comes to mind...

"Kehte hein agar koi cheez DILL se chao to poori kaynaat use tumsae milane mein lagg jaati hai!!!"
 
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Thorpe (man who knew only freestyle) foresaw and retired. How often you see man with feet-size of 17 scared to jump in pool... knowing he's not the best. Fear of rejection was so prevalent that 'The Thorpedo' had to retire by the time he turned 24.

Phelps!! 4 x 100 m Medley relay... the US team got disqualified in 2007 World Aquatics Championship in this category... this is going to be the most valuable race for the legend here at Olympics. Tomorrow it is.

Phelps, without exception, is the best swimmer ever...

shailendra said:
GOSH!!! That was heartstopping!!!!!!!!....
WHAT a finish! You look at that finish on TV with the naked eye, (with Phelps taking that half a stroke MORE) and your heart just simply sinks, "Damn, his run for equalling (or beating) Mark Spitz's record of seven golds in an Olympic IS OVER right there!!!"...
and then the electronic touch pad flashes Phelps as the winner with 100th of a second over the poor Serbian guy (50.58 to 50.59 seconds)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek:...

What magic!:rock

Only one thing comes to mind...

"Kehte hein agar koi cheez DILL se chao to poori kaynaat use tumsae milane mein lagg jaati hai!!!"
Click to expand...
 
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Today is the 100 final. Gay seems a little tired... its between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. It'll be very close and a great race to watch. I think Bolt will win... let's see.

vivekpannu said:
On the track: Jamaicans seem to have captured the track in the past and even in the present. Usain 'the lightening' Bolt is another product, who recently broke the WR held by his compatriot Asafa.
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Jitender moves to quarter-finals...

Jitender Kumar punches into quarters
Source: http://olympics.timesofindia.indiat...punches_into_quarters/articleshow/3370601.cms

NEW DELHI: India's promising pugilist Jitender Kumar outpunched Tulashboy Doniyorov of Uzbekistan 13-6 in the men's 51 kg flyweight pre-quarterfinals at the Being Olympics.

Jitender gained a decisive 4-1 lead in the very first round. Jitender foxed Tulashboy by unleashing a fine punch in his tummy to gain a single point in the second round taking his lead to 5-1. Jitender started of well in the third round by picking up three crucial points. Jitender led 11-4, clinching six points in the penultimate round. Tulashboy also managed to earn three more points. In the decisive fourth and final round Tulashboy tried his hard and gained two more points to take his score to six while Jitender also got same number of points to seal the issue in his favour.

Jitender's approach was aggressive right from the word go as he launched a flurry of straight punches against Tulashboy that left him stranded scurrying for cover.

Earlier on Tuesday, Jitender Kumar pummelled his Turkish opponent Ulas Furkan Memis in less than three rounds to storm into the flyweight pre-quarterfinals. Olympic debutant Jitender led 12-3 before Memis threw in the towel to surrender just a few seconds into the third round of the bout. Asian championship bronze medallist Jitender's straightaway adopted an attacking strategy against his opponent by launching series of straight punches.

The Indian led 5-0 in the first round before stretching the lead to 9-2 by the end of the second round. The Haryana-lad rarely had his guard up but with lightening fast reflexes, he easily managed to evade whatever little challenge Memis threw at him. Jitender Kumar, who won the bronze medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, booked his Beijing berth by winning third place play-off at the Asian boxing qualifiers in Kazakhstan.

The 20-year old flyweight boxer is the junior most among the other Indian qualifiers but he is still both swift of foot and quick-witted when it comes to his boxing skills.
 
Wow..today was my best days of watching Olympics in last few days..got to watch some really good games..

Usain Bolt looks like Phelps of track n field..just watched his heat which he won in 9.92 sec and that too looking around left n right in final steps. Commentators said they have never seen 9.92 look so easy :) I don't think Gay stands a chance with the mighty 2 Jamaicans.

As for Phelps, his last win was truly remarkable..it was almost a sinking feeling when he took that extra stroke while Cavic seemed to have won it with a glide..phew!! but as they say 'Winner takes it all'

Also, got a chance to watch Jitender Kumar win his 2nd bout against Tulashboy of Uzbekistan..though he won it 13-6, it didn't look like much of a boxing match..it was almost like a wrestling match with Jitender even losing 2 points because of his actions (commentators kept on saying that he should have been disqualified due to repetitively holding his opponent). He needs to learn from this bout and just do boxing..I really hate seeing boxers holding on to each other like lovers rather than just boxing..
 
Cheesiest sports..

So what is the cheesiest sports in olympics guys? Racewalking for me - men look like total chhamiyaas in that walking style ;)
 
Bolt vs Powell

Well, Gay couldn't even make it to the finals. He, as expected, is OUT. Bolt, Powell and Thompson (in that order) should take medals. Donovan Bailey's Olympic record is in danger... Bolt recorded a close 9.85 in semis. Going to be a thriller... :)!

sumitsehrawat said:
Today is the 100 final. Gay seems a little tired... its between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. It'll be very close and a great race to watch. I think Bolt will win... let's see.
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