Karan Prashant Saxena is a reporter/writer/editor, who specialises in sports. His primary areas of interest include football, Olympics sports, and pro-wrestling. When not working, Karan spends his time reading, travelling, and pondering on the question - What If?
Articles by Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Pro League: Skipper Manpreet Singh talks tactics ahead of Australia challenge
The counter-attacking style of play was seen in the previous game against Belgium, when the defence was taking aerial routes to send long-passes to the forward line inside the Belgium circle.
Updated on Feb 21, 2020 12:54 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Deepak Punia eyes Olympic glory to move past Nur-Sultan final disappointment
Deepak earned his Tokyo berth after defeating Colombia’s Carlos Izquierdo 7-6 to enter the 86 kg semi-finals at World Wrestling Championships in Nur-Sultan last year.
Updated on Feb 15, 2020 10:02 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
From wrestling to mixed-martial arts: The Ritu Phogat journey
Joining Asia’s best MMA academy Evolve, and then signing with Asia’s biggest MMA production, One Championship, Ritu chose a career much different from her sisters Babita, Geeta and Vinesh.
Updated on Feb 12, 2020 06:03 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Pro League: Belgium World Cup-winning coach Shane McLeod ready for India challenge in ‘home tour away from home’
India are set to play their second leg of FIH Men’s Pro League against the World Champions at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar this weekend.
Updated on Feb 07, 2020 02:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
How Neeraj Chopra battled injuries to make it to Tokyo Olympics
The javelin thrower had been away from competitions for nearly eight months due to injury, but a throw of 83.90m in September 2018 at the 68th All India Inter-Services Athletics Championships in Jalahalli earned him the berth.
Updated on Feb 05, 2020 07:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Prajnesh Gunneswaran looks to move past injuries in Olympic year
Injuries hampered Gunneswaran’s momentum in the latter half of 2019. In November, the Indian tennis player lost his father S. G. Prabhakaran, just three weeks before he was supposed to get married.
Updated on Feb 03, 2020 11:31 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Australian Open: Prajnesh Gunneswaran bills Novak Djokovic’s final against Dominic Thiem as battle between ‘old vs new’
While Djokovic eased past 20-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer to reach the summit clash, Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4) to book a date against the Serbian in the final.
Updated on Feb 02, 2020 08:48 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
‘Winning Olympic medal not pressure, but a responsibility,’ says Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
The duo reached their career best World ranking of 7 at the end of the year, and are seen as heavy medal prospects for India in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Updated on Jan 20, 2020 01:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
ICC U19 World Cup: A world record holder, a Kargil war veteran’s son and a host of talent - All you need to about India U19 team
Ahead of India’s first match of the ICC U19 cricket World Cup 2020 against Sri Lanka in Bloemfontien in South Africa, here’s a detailed look at defending champions India’s U19 squad.
Updated on Jan 19, 2020 01:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Year-Ender 2019: Shooting a ‘happy headache’, Athletics a worry for India ahead of Tokyo Olympics
Winning gold medals in major tournaments, and setting world records, Indian shooters grabbed the headlines throughout 2019. But will that translate into medals in Tokyo, is the biggest question.
Updated on Dec 31, 2019 08:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Year-Ender 2019: Shooting a ‘happy headache’, Athletics a worry for India ahead of Tokyo Olympics
Winning gold medals in major tournaments, and setting world records, Indian shooters grabbed the headlines throughout 2019. But will that translate into medals in Tokyo, is the biggest question.
Updated on Dec 24, 2019 03:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Vijender Singh mulls Olympic comeback at Tokyo Games next year
Vijender, who has remained unbeaten at pro level for four years with a 12-0 record, is mulling a return to the Tokyo Olympics next year.
Updated on Dec 11, 2019 02:12 PM IST
New Delhi, Hindustan Times | Karan Prashant Saxena
‘Can’t think of one current doubles player I want to pair up with’ - Jwala Gutta
Jwala further stressed on the importance of developing Indian coaches in the country, something she is hoping she could do in her academy.
Updated on Dec 11, 2019 12:05 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Sjoerd Marijne confident India will reach quarters at Tokyo Olympics despite tough pool
India, in September this year, played a five-game away series against Great Britain which ended in a 2-2 draw, and Marijne thinks the experience will come in handy.
Updated on Mar 12, 2020 07:58 PM IST
Karan Prashant Saxena, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Graham Reid outlines India’s training plans on road to Tokyo Olympics 2020
India men’s hockey team head coach Graham Reid believes his experience at the multi-sport event will be useful for the team in Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Updated on Nov 29, 2019 05:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
Late goals, Sandesh Jhingan’s injury and Al Mandhar: Rahul Bheke addresses defensive concerns ahead of away Oman match
Rahul Bheke speaks to Hindustan Times in a telephone interview on the defensive concerns that the team will be facing at Al-Seeb Stadium on Tuesday.
Updated on Nov 18, 2019 12:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
From Huddersfield to Real Kashmir: How English footballer Kallum Higginbotham is adapting to political climates of Kashmir
In June 2019, I-League football club Real Kashmir announced the signing of Kallum Higginbotham from Dunfermline Athletic.
Updated on Nov 16, 2019 02:09 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
After qualifying for Olympics, India target Pro League success for Tokyo buildup
India is set to compete in the nine-team FIH Pro League tournament in which they will be competing against some of the best teams in the world, including current Pro League Champions Australia, World Champions Belgium and Olympics Champions Argentina.
Updated on Nov 03, 2019 03:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
SV Sunil: On 2008 shocker and importance of qualifying for Tokyo Olympics
While India, ranked 5th in the world, were expected to have an easy task of handling the challenge posed by the World No. 22 Russia, the first qualifier on Friday definitely put some questions in front of them.
Updated on Nov 03, 2019 09:48 AM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
India women’s hockey team qualify for Tokyo Olympics despite defeat to USA
The result meant so much to the players and it was clearly visible on the faces of skipper Rani Rampal and her team. Everyone ran to the ground as Indian players started hugging each other in the middle. The team later took a victory lap around the stadium.
Updated on Nov 03, 2019 08:51 AM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Olympics qualifiers: Birendra Lakra, out and in
An injury in the training to fellow defender Varun Kumar, saw Lakra finally getting a call-up in the squad, just two days before the first Olympic qualifying game. In the pre-match conference, India coach Graham Reid made it clear that Lakra will not find it hard to fit right back into the team.
Updated on Mar 12, 2020 07:55 PM IST
Bhubaneswar, Karan Prashant Saxena | Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Hockey Qualifier: Gurjit Kaur’s time to shine
Gurjit became an indispensable part of the team since coach Sjoerd Marijne first took over the reigns as the coach of the India national women’s team. Later, when Marijne was replaced by Harendra Singh, Gurjit continued to rise in stature as a dragflicker, as she piled on goals.
Updated on Nov 02, 2019 09:56 AM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
‘Disappointed by our performance’ - India coach Graham Reid after 4-2 win over Russia
Just over five months ago, India had defeated Russia 10-0 at the same ground in FIH Series Finals. Many believed the World No. 5 would hand a similar result to the World No. 2, with the home advantage in their corner.
Updated on Nov 02, 2019 08:49 AM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
Russia, surviving in the land of ice hockey
Till 1980s, formerly USSR, the region dominated in field hockey, apart from being a force to reckon with in ice hockey. The USSR won a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1980, which was followed by a silver medal at the European Championships in 1983.
Updated on Nov 01, 2019 02:24 PM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Olympics Qualifier: For Women’s hockey, it’s little ado about everything
Even if the men’s encounter might turn out to be a one-sided contest, plenty of flair may be on offer for the women’s team, which somehow has not garnered as much attention as it should have.
Updated on Nov 01, 2019 10:58 AM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Hockey Qualifiers: How the two-game format works - Explained
As per the rules, the team which will win both the matches will qualify. But in case both the teams manage to win one match each, the decision will be made by the aggregate of the goals scored by the teams in the two games.
Updated on Nov 01, 2019 11:47 AM IST
Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
FIH Olympic Qualifiers: Harmanpreet Singh and the subtle art of dragflicking
The recent tour to Belgium, in which India played three games against the hosts, followed by two games against Spain, showcased signs of improvement in the department.
Updated on Nov 01, 2019 10:50 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
‘Idiosyncrasies’, ‘track-suit’ and a ‘promise’: Chris Ciriello’s Indian connection
Hockey India roped Ciriello as part of the team management, just before last year’ CWG in Gold Coast. Now, for almost two years, the former Australian great has been working with the Indian hockey team as the analytical/assistant coach-cum/team manager.
Updated on Oct 31, 2019 02:57 PM IST
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar | Karan Prashant Saxena
Exclusive | ‘I almost thought of quitting boxing,’ says Manju Rani
Rani’s journey came full circle when she went on to win a silver medal at the World Championships in Ulan-Ude in Russia last week, emulating Mary Kom’s 18-year-old record of winning a silver on debut at the Worlds.
Updated on Oct 17, 2019 08:41 AM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena
After controversial Worlds defeat, Mary Kom calls for transparency in scoring system
Upon her return to India, Mary Kom spoke to media and expressed her disappointment with the verdict that saw her adding a bronze medal to take her total Worlds medals tally to eight.
Updated on Oct 15, 2019 09:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Karan Prashant Saxena