Juice Corner to be credited for Boxing Performance

It is a small juice corner located at the edge of Ghantaghar chowk in Bhiwani, which could be given the credit for powering the local pugilists to win at the Olympics.

The secret behind strength and fitness of the "fabulous four" in Indian boxing team, including bronze medallist Bijender Kumar, quarterfinalists duo Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, and Dinesh Kumar lies here as the four had gulped down gallons of fruit juice and milk shake.

Krishan, owner of the juice shop, proudly proclaims he has made significant contribution in making the punches of these pugilists strong enough. "They used to be in jolly mood after tough practice session when they arrived at my shop and cracked jokes at each other."

Putting grapefruits and pomegranates in his juice machine, he seems little upset with Vijender's loss. "Though he tried his best, his rival boxer appeared to be marginally ahead in technique. But winning a medal at the Olympics was in itself a great achievement." The ouster of Akhil however hurt him the most, as like many others, he too had pinned high hopes on him.

When asked about the quantity of juice intake by them, he said, "They are very strict about their diet and take their fixed quota". He informed he required a daily supply of about four quintals of grapefruits to make juice, and about 50 litres of milk for shakes for the sports persons. "Mango shake is a favourite item of Bijender during mango season".

Krishan fondly remembers the day when he provoked Akhil and the others during a jolly session at his shop. He had taunted the foursome, " Tum bas ghunse hi bajate rahoge ya kuchch karke bhi dikhaoge. (You guys will just remain engaged in punching around or will you be able to achieve success and glory). Akhil had replied that a day could come that you would crave to shake hands with us."

When asked if that day had arrived, he stated, "Yeah, they have become successful now. I will definitely offer special juice to them for their achievements when they revisit my shop. Still, I am looking forward to the day when these players will win gold medals in Olympic Games."

Chelsea on top of the Table

Chelsea maintained their 100 percent start to the season when a stunning free kick from new signing Deco was enough to give them a 1-0 Premier League win at Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

Deco, who also scored on his league debut in last week's 4-0 win over Portsmouth, struck with a beautifully executed free kick in the fourth minute after Wigan's Lee Cattermole handled the ball just outside the penalty area.

The win took Chelsea, who were far from their best, to the top of the table with six points, the same as Liverpool who have also won their opening two games although Chelsea have a better goal difference.

Wigan, who spoiled Chelsea's hopes of winning the title last season with a late equaliser to force a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in April, continually pressed for an equaliser but were thwarted by some good saves from Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

West Ham United, who beat Wigan last weekend, would have joined Chelsea and Liverpool on six points if they had won at Manchester City, but they were thumped 3-0 after Mark Noble became the first Premier League player sent off this season.

Sania slips to Rank 70 in WTA Rankings

Sania Mirza's free fall continued with the Indian tennis ace sliding seven places to 70th in the latest WTA rankings issued on Monday.

Sania, who had to concede her opening round game in the Beijing olympics owing to her wrist injury, has 470 points to her credit in the rankings headed by Serbian Ana Ivanovic.

The Hyderabadi had a her career-high 27th exactly a year ago but a string of poor shows and a recurring wrist injury saw her sliding down in the rankings.

She is also not participating in the fourth and last Grand Slam of the year -- US Open -- because of the nagging injury.