N Ananthanarayanan has spent almost three decades with news agencies and newspapers, reporting domestic and international sport. He has a passion for writing on cricket and athletics.
Articles by N Ananthanarayanan
As Bingtian nears retirement, 100m a sprint too fast for Asia
Chinese (12 times) and Japanese (9 times) runners have broken the sub-10 barrier but remain way outside the top sprint timings
Published on Apr 16, 2025 06:46 AM IST
Bringing alive the magic of the Olympics
History and Stars of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event from Athens 1896 to Paris 2024 is a fresh compilation of the Games and its biggest stars
Published on Apr 05, 2025 05:26 AM IST
Chacarra story can inspire Indian golfers to chase bigger goals
The young Spaniard’s victory showed a level of daring and belief one needs to achieve big goals in the ultra-competitive world of pro golf
Published on Mar 31, 2025 11:19 PM IST
Hero Indian Open golf: Eugenio Chacarra clinches career-altering win
The young Spaniard won the DP World Tour event by two shots from Japan’s defending champion Keita Nakajima after a great final round at the DLF course
Published on Mar 30, 2025 08:40 PM IST
Hero Indian Open: Chacarra leads by one shot after Nakajima slips
Gurugram: Japan's Keita Nakajima struggles on tough greens at the Hero Indian Open, losing the lead to Spain's Eugenio Chacarra on a challenging Day 3.
Updated on Mar 29, 2025 10:09 PM IST
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Indian Open: ‘Journeyman’ Chacarra chases his golfing dream
The 25-year-old Spaniard had opted for LIV Golf, but with that contract having ended, chases ranking points and big wins
Published on Mar 28, 2025 09:31 PM IST
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Indian Open: Nakajima shoots 66 with nine birdies, in joint lead with Chacarra
The Japanese sank a stunning 7 birdies on the front nine and held a two-shot halfway lead with the Spaniard in the Hero Indian Open
Published on Mar 28, 2025 08:58 PM IST
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Hero Indian Open: Ajeetesh one shot off three-way Round 1 lead
Belgium’s Colsaerts and Sweden’s Kinhult took the lead with 4-under 68 rounds before being joined for a three-way tie at the top by England’s Armitage
Published on Mar 27, 2025 09:56 PM IST
Indian Open: Colsaerts, early leader after a late career boost
The seasoned Belgian had almost given up his pro golf last year until a revival at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship revived his joy of playing
Published on Mar 27, 2025 08:07 PM IST
Hero Indian Open: Shubhankar Sharma, Veer Ahlawat carry home hopes
A top finish for India’s No.1 or the one who was T2 last year will gladden home fans in this DP World Tour event on a tough course
Published on Mar 26, 2025 08:18 PM IST
Indian Open golf: Nakajima hopes recent upswing helps defend title
Keita Nakajima aims to defend his title at the Hero Indian Open, seeking to regain form after a challenging year with hopes of joining the PGA Tour.
Updated on Mar 25, 2025 11:29 PM IST
Five Tests and the search for a first since 1971
India have played 15 series of five-or-more Tests and the only win came on the tour of the West Indies 53 years ago
Published on Nov 19, 2024 09:58 PM IST
Pacer Mohammed Shami pleased with fitness, upbeat on comeback
The pacer wants to go to Australia only if he is fully fit and there is still some work that needs to be done on that front
Updated on Oct 21, 2024 08:38 PM IST
Winning the crowd: What Indian athletics needs to learn from the others
As India’s ambition to successfully bid for the 2036 Olympics grows, there is an urgent need to prioritise fan-friendly competitions
Updated on Oct 01, 2024 08:31 PM IST
Time for India to focus on methods over medals
Six medals were meagre returns for India, but discussions must first be on building proper systems to mould champions
Published on Aug 12, 2024 10:53 PM IST
Sifan Hassan’s Olympics for the ages
The tireless Dutch champion emulated Emil Zatopek with medals in 5,000m, 10,000m and the marathon in a single Olympics
Updated on Aug 12, 2024 05:02 AM IST
Jakob’s stutter adds to Olympic 1,500m drama
Norwegian Ingebrigtsen’s tactics focused only on British rival Josh Kerr and American Hocker ended winning gold
Published on Aug 07, 2024 10:12 PM IST
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The joy, empathy and hypocrisy of the Paris Olympics
Thousands of fans have flocked to venues, bursting into celebrations as the world’s finest athletes win, others agonise over near misses
Updated on Aug 07, 2024 06:20 AM IST
King Leon, queen Ledecky and ‘magical’ Pan in the pool
French swimmer Leon Marchand makes history at Paris Olympics with two gold medals in one session, compared to Michael Phelps. Katie Ledecky ties record with 12th Olympic medal. China's Pan Zhanle sets world record in 100m freestyle.
Updated on Aug 01, 2024 04:26 PM IST
From Karelin to Phelps: In an Olympic class of their own
Serial Olympic champions like Michael Phelps and Aron Szilagyi chase their dreams, but sometimes face heartbreak.
Updated on Jul 29, 2024 04:54 AM IST
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Jaspal Rana reunion pays off for Manu with Olympic medal
The young shooter ended India’s 12-year wait for a shooting medal at the Games with women’s 10m air pistol bronze
Updated on Jul 28, 2024 06:23 PM IST
Triggering a reflection: Hits and misses of the Opening Ceremony
Paris Olympic opening ceremony showcased highs with Zidane & Nadal, innovative cauldron, & Celine Dion's performance, but faced lows with attire and flag mishaps.
Updated on Jul 27, 2024 08:44 PM IST
In Marchand, the hosts may find their hero
The 22-year-old, dubbed the ‘French Michael Phelps’, is aiming to end France’s 12-year gold drought in the pool
Updated on Jul 27, 2024 05:24 AM IST
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Euro 2024 finally promises a high-voltage climax
Exciting Euro 2024 semi-finals see France vs Spain and England vs Netherlands clash. France unbeaten but struggling, Spain playing lively football, England seeking redemption, and Netherlands aiming to stop them.
Updated on Jul 07, 2024 10:50 PM IST
Overstaying maybe, but Ronaldo feels a fresh surge of love
The Portuguese talisman is basking in the diffused glow that seems to have replaced the usual sharp glare and divided opinions at Euro 2024
Published on Jun 24, 2024 08:53 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Akshay Bhatia: Drop, pop, playoff win and a Masters
The 22-year-old turned in a superb performance to win the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open
Published on Apr 09, 2024 12:18 AM IST
How Indian batters stayed humble to conquer spin
No rank turners meant scoring runs wasn't a lottery and young home batters showed a fresh way to deal with England's spinners
Updated on Mar 03, 2024 06:34 AM IST
Pitch quiet: Vizag and India's chance to raise the Test tempo
Unlike past rank turners, India won the second Test on a brilliant surface where the talk was about great performances rather than flying puffs of dust
Published on Feb 13, 2024 07:40 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
From HT Archives: When ‘lightning kid’ became the world chess king
It is exactly 23 years since Viswanathan Anand’s landmark FIDE world title, becoming the first Asian men’s champion
Updated on Dec 30, 2023 06:38 AM IST
Aditi Ashok wins Ladies European Tour season-ending event
India’s top woman golfer made a late surge to win the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open in Spain by two shots for her fifth win on the tour
Updated on Nov 27, 2023 12:57 AM IST