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Champions' gallery
Courage, persistence, strength and determination are just some winning traits of these great athletes - make them your success mantras too
Saina Nehwal >age : 22
Achievements: The first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. Saina Nehwal made history in 2009, becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament
It’s a dream for every player to take part in the Olympics. I’m happy with the way I’m playing but we’ll have to wait and see
Known for: Integrity, courage, persistence
Gagan Narang >age : 29
Achievements: One of the world’s top rifle shooters, some of his best performances have come at the last few editions of the Commonwealth and Asian Games
An athlete’s ultimate ambition is to win and I am determined to go all the way and do whatever it takes
Known for: Keeping his cool and fighting his way back into the reckoning after trailing behind. This is how he clinched the bronze in London 2012
Michael Phelps >age : 27
Achievements: Has already has 14 gold and two bronze Olympic medals. He holds the record for the most gold medals in a single Olympics. He broke his own record to become world champion
It’s hard to compare myself now to then (the 2008 Olympics). The goals are different
Known for: Phelps is especially great at the butterfly. At six feet, four inches, Phelps’ body seems to be made for swimming. His long torso and arm span of six feet, seven inches help him paddle through the water quickly. He believes in taking one race at a time
Mary Kom >age : 29
Achievements: A five-time world champion, she is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships. She is also the reigning Asian champion
It’s a big ocassion but I have been there before. I will fight the same opponents with whom I have fought in the past
Known for: Relying on her technique, strength and mind. She takes her game very seriously and has trained with male boxers to brighten her chances
Leander Paes >age : 39
Achievements: Having won several doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and finishing as runner up in numerous Grand Slam finals, he is one of the most respected contemporary doubles and mixed doubles players
It is my dream to be part of my sixth Olympics. I know how much hard work goes into what I do
Known for: Unwavering determination and fighting against the odds. He also follows a strict fitness regimen
Deepika Kumari >age : 18
Achievements: She won her first world cup individual recurve gold medal at Antalya, Turkey, this year. She is currently ranked world no 1 in the women’s recurve archery
This is my first Olympics. I can’t express what an Olympic medal means to me — it is my dream, my life
Known for: She never gets satisfied and sets her targets really high. This is her biggest strength
Mahesh Bhupathi >age : 38
Achievements: He is among the best mixed doubles players in the world with 12 Grand Slam titles to his credit. Bhupathi and Leander Paes have also been the world’s number one doubles team
I’ve been blessed with an extraordinary successful long career. Hopefully, my fifth Olympics will be another milestone
Known for: His strenuous regimen, coupled with a lifetime of rigorous drills, physical fitness schedules and practice
Sania Mirza >age : 26
Achievements: First Indian to win a WTA Tour title of any kind. She has won two Grand Slam titles, the mixed doubles event at the 2009 Australian Open and another mixed doubles at the 2012 French Open
It is the Olympics. We hope to do it together this time. This opportunity will never again come in our lifetime
Known for: Her solid ground strokes. With her good returns, she can hit some brilliant shots in the book
Vijender Singh >age : 26
Achievements: Won a bronze medal in the Beijing Games four years ago. He has also had a podium finish in the World Amateur Boxing Championships in 2009, besides doing well in Commonwaelth and Asian Games
I am delighted to make it through to the next round. I want to go home with a different coloured medal this time
Known for: A customised weight-training is now an essential part of his fitness regime. He is a conservative and unostentatious boxer in the ring
Roger Federer >age : 31
Achievements: Has won most grand slam singles titles (ie 17), reaching the final of every grand slam tournament at least five times.Fedex holds 75 singles titles. He is currently the world no 1
I hope I can be the favourite...and be able to get going and get full fight on the court
Known for: Versatile all-court aggressive player, powerful serve, forehands, and good volleys. He is gracious under pressure
Lin Dan >age : 29
Achievements: The current world No 1 is a four-time world champion, five time All-England champion and the reigning Olympic champion
I don’t feel any difference (this time round). I still want to win the gold medal this time as much as in 2008
Known for: His typical quick smashes are among his biggest strengths. His style of play involves taking a lot of risks in his badminton games
Maria Sharapova >age : 25
Achievements: A former world No 1, Sharapova has won 27 WTA singles titles, including four Grand Slam singles wins. This is her Olympics debut
It took many years to get here, so it’s pretty special
Known for: Mental toughness and aggressive hitting, which allows her to take control of every match she wins
Usain Bolt >age : 26
Achievements: A five-time world and three-time Olympic gold medalist, he holds the world and Olympic records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100 m relay
This will be the moment, and this will be the year, when I set myself apart from other athletes in the world
Known for: Bolt believes in getting the start right. He evaluates what he did wrong or what he needs to do to get back
