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Tributes pour in post passing away of cricket legend Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers  Tributes have poured in from across the world after the death of Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, with players, administrators, teams and boards describing his passing as an “irreplaceable loss” and celebrating him as one of the sport’s greatest icons.Cricket West Indies led the tributes, posting: “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.”Statement by the President of Cricket West Indies on the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers.🖤🏏 pic.twitter.com/QrtPLJ0tvc— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 17, 2026CWI president Kishore Shallow expanded on that sentiment, calling Sobers “the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen” and describing him as a symbol of “Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility.” Shallow said Sobers’s achievements “gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora a renewed belief in what was possible” and added that through his life Sobers became “more than a sporting icon. He became a symbol of Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility.”ICC President Jay Shah described Sobers a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend.“Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield ‘Garry’ Sobers, a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend. His unparalleled achievements and enduring contribution to the game have inspired generations of cricketers across the globe,” Shah said on ‘X’.Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend. His unparalleled achievements and enduring contribution to the game have inspired generations of cricketers across the globe. My heartfelt condolences to… pic.twitter.com/yJuTyP12dp— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 17, 2026County side Nottinghamshire — where Sobers enjoyed a distinguished stint — mourned him as “Cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder, and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history,” expressing its deep sadness at his passing and recalling his contributions of 7,041 runs and 281 wickets for the county.Former players as well as commentators offered deeply personal reflections.Geoffrey Boycott, writing for        The Telegraph, described Sobers as a “once-in-a-generation talent” and praised his character: “He was a superstar and such an easy-natured guy. I never heard him complain or bad mouth other players. He had a good heart. He was generous with his time and advice.” Boycott added: “Anyone who saw him in his pomp will have wonderful memories of a great batsman, the greatest all‑rounder, an icon, a once-in-your-lifetime, exceptional cricketer.”From India, tributes came from former captains, players and the BCCI. Sourav Ganguly wrote on        X that Sobers’ death was “an irreplaceable loss to the cricket world .. his skills in that generation was a yardstick for many to judge there own talent .. one of the rarest ..May his soul rest in peace.”An irreplaceable loss to the cricket world .. his skills in that generation was a yardstick for many to judge there own talent .. one of the rarest ..May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/sHJhGJ50lc— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) July 17, 2026Dilip Vengsarkar told        PTI: “I never seen him play, to be honest with you, but I have so many stories about him. And I’ve seen him, of course, his clips and the films that have been recorded of his batting… The greatest all‑rounder, I would say, the world has ever seen.” Vengsarkar recalled meeting Sobers several times after retirement when he came to watch matches in Australia, England and India.Dinesh Karthik posted: “You grew up listening to what Sir Garfield Sobers could do on the field. A Genius, a trend setter and a true legend of the game. The Cricket community has lost one of its biggest jewels.”Other Indian cricketers and commentators also expressed sorrow and admiration: veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh paid respects on social channels, calling Sobers “a legend and an inspiration for every all‑rounder”.“Without a doubt, the greatest all-rounder. He was a role model for several of us and it was fortune for us to play against him.”The cricket world has lost one of its brightest gems. 💔Sir Garry Sobers was more than a legend—he was the very definition of greatness, inspiring generations with his extraordinary talent and humility. Sir your legacy will live on forever in the hearts of cricket lovers across… pic.twitter.com/v9Nu4yV7H1— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 17, 2026“A true giant of the game whose extraordinary skill, grace and sportsmanship inspired generations of cricketers around the world. His legacy will forever remain a part of cricket’s rich history,” one of India’s batting great VVS Laxman also wrote on ‘X’.Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers. A true giant of the game whose extraordinary skill, grace and sportsmanship inspired generations of cricketers around the world. His legacy will forever remain a part of cricket’s rich history. Heartfelt condolences to his… pic.twitter.com/GEEBo1qgpD— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 17, 2026“The first man to hit six sixes in an over, Sir Garfield Sobers showed the world that there were no limits to greatness. It is difficult to put into words what he meant to the world of cricket. He did things on the field that most could only dream of, and he did it with grace, humility and joy,” by Yuvraj Singh as he joined the existing waves of tributes across social media platforms.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer and ex‑selector and former India international Sanjay Bangar noted Sobers’ impact on how generations defined the complete cricketer.Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sir Gary Sobers.My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.A true giant of the game and, without doubt, one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game. His all-round brilliance and the way he played inspired… pic.twitter.com/9e7I1KfxhF— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 17, 2026The BCCI posted a formal message on social media: “The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders.”The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders.His extraordinary achievements, lasting influence on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the global game have left an enduring legacy that… pic.twitter.com/5263SNLezn— BCCI (@BCCI) July 17, 2026IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders posted on        X: “Deeply saddened by the passing of one of cricket’s greatest icons, Sir Garfield Sobers. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity.”Deeply saddened by the passing of one of cricket’s greatest icons, Sir Garfield Sobers.Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity. pic.twitter.com/62fw2g3ZS6— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) July 17, 2026Madan Lal, part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, said in a conversation with        PTI: “Such an all-rounder has never been born, there will ever be another. As a bowler, as a batsman and as a fielder, Gary Sobers set the benchmark for what a true all-rounder should be. In every department of the game, he was an exceptional player. That’s why he was regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the world.”Furthermore, he added a personal tribute: “Sir Garry Sobers was more than a legend – he was the very definition of greatness, inspiring generations with his extraordinary talent and humility. Sir your legacy will live on forever in the hearts of cricket lovers across the globe.”Former India fast bowler Chetan Sharma also described Sobers in simple terms: he is “the best all-rounder in cricket history.”Many former teammates, opponents and commentators used personal anecdotes to underline Sobers’s generosity and influence. Geoffrey Boycott’s recollection of Sobers as a mentor and gentleman was mirrored by others who remembered him as approachable and willing to share advice with younger players.Sunil Gavaskar, 1983 World Cup winner and former India captain, also paid his tribute.He said it was likely the saddest day for cricket, mourning “the greatest cricketer to walk the earth.” He added that no words can fully capture Sir Garfield Sobers’s greatness as a player, and that Sobers embodied everything a young cricketer dreams of when first picking up bat or ball.Gavaskar also went on to say that memories of Sobers keep returning and that he will hold them close to his heart. He concluded: “Rest in peace Sir Garfield. You will stay eternally in our hearts.”The absolute GOAT. There was nothing he couldn’t do in cricket. And did each one of those things brilliantly! RIP Gary Sobers. 💐— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 17, 2026“The absolute GOAT. There was nothing he couldn’t do in cricket. And did each one of those things brilliantly! RIP Gary Sobers” as posted by Indian right-hand batsman and cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar on social media platform “X”.Published on Jul 17, 2026  #Tributes #pour #post #passing #cricket #legend #Sir #Garfield #Garry #Sobers

Tributes pour in post passing away of cricket legend Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers

Tributes have poured in from across the world after the death of Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, with players, administrators, teams and boards describing his passing as an “irreplaceable loss” and celebrating him as one of the sport’s greatest icons.

Cricket West Indies led the tributes, posting: “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.”

CWI president Kishore Shallow expanded on that sentiment, calling Sobers “the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen” and describing him as a symbol of “Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility.” Shallow said Sobers’s achievements “gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora a renewed belief in what was possible” and added that through his life Sobers became “more than a sporting icon. He became a symbol of Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility.”

ICC President Jay Shah described Sobers a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield ‘Garry’ Sobers, a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend. His unparalleled achievements and enduring contribution to the game have inspired generations of cricketers across the globe,” Shah said on ‘X’.

County side Nottinghamshire — where Sobers enjoyed a distinguished stint — mourned him as “Cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder, and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history,” expressing its deep sadness at his passing and recalling his contributions of 7,041 runs and 281 wickets for the county.

Former players as well as commentators offered deeply personal reflections.

Geoffrey Boycott, writing for The Telegraph, described Sobers as a “once-in-a-generation talent” and praised his character: “He was a superstar and such an easy-natured guy. I never heard him complain or bad mouth other players. He had a good heart. He was generous with his time and advice.” Boycott added: “Anyone who saw him in his pomp will have wonderful memories of a great batsman, the greatest all‑rounder, an icon, a once-in-your-lifetime, exceptional cricketer.”

From India, tributes came from former captains, players and the BCCI. Sourav Ganguly wrote on X that Sobers’ death was “an irreplaceable loss to the cricket world .. his skills in that generation was a yardstick for many to judge there own talent .. one of the rarest ..May his soul rest in peace.”

Dilip Vengsarkar told PTI: “I never seen him play, to be honest with you, but I have so many stories about him. And I’ve seen him, of course, his clips and the films that have been recorded of his batting… The greatest all‑rounder, I would say, the world has ever seen.” Vengsarkar recalled meeting Sobers several times after retirement when he came to watch matches in Australia, England and India.

Dinesh Karthik posted: “You grew up listening to what Sir Garfield Sobers could do on the field. A Genius, a trend setter and a true legend of the game. The Cricket community has lost one of its biggest jewels.”

Other Indian cricketers and commentators also expressed sorrow and admiration: veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh paid respects on social channels, calling Sobers “a legend and an inspiration for every all‑rounder”.

“Without a doubt, the greatest all-rounder. He was a role model for several of us and it was fortune for us to play against him.”

“A true giant of the game whose extraordinary skill, grace and sportsmanship inspired generations of cricketers around the world. His legacy will forever remain a part of cricket’s rich history,” one of India’s batting great VVS Laxman also wrote on ‘X’.

“The first man to hit six sixes in an over, Sir Garfield Sobers showed the world that there were no limits to greatness. It is difficult to put into words what he meant to the world of cricket. He did things on the field that most could only dream of, and he did it with grace, humility and joy,” by Yuvraj Singh as he joined the existing waves of tributes across social media platforms.

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer and ex‑selector and former India international Sanjay Bangar noted Sobers’ impact on how generations defined the complete cricketer.

The BCCI posted a formal message on social media: “The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders.”

IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders posted on X: “Deeply saddened by the passing of one of cricket’s greatest icons, Sir Garfield Sobers. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity.”

Madan Lal, part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, said in a conversation with PTI: “Such an all-rounder has never been born, there will ever be another. As a bowler, as a batsman and as a fielder, Gary Sobers set the benchmark for what a true all-rounder should be. In every department of the game, he was an exceptional player. That’s why he was regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the world.”

Furthermore, he added a personal tribute: “Sir Garry Sobers was more than a legend – he was the very definition of greatness, inspiring generations with his extraordinary talent and humility. Sir your legacy will live on forever in the hearts of cricket lovers across the globe.”

Former India fast bowler Chetan Sharma also described Sobers in simple terms: he is “the best all-rounder in cricket history.”

Many former teammates, opponents and commentators used personal anecdotes to underline Sobers’s generosity and influence. Geoffrey Boycott’s recollection of Sobers as a mentor and gentleman was mirrored by others who remembered him as approachable and willing to share advice with younger players.

Sunil Gavaskar, 1983 World Cup winner and former India captain, also paid his tribute.

He said it was likely the saddest day for cricket, mourning “the greatest cricketer to walk the earth.” He added that no words can fully capture Sir Garfield Sobers’s greatness as a player, and that Sobers embodied everything a young cricketer dreams of when first picking up bat or ball.

Gavaskar also went on to say that memories of Sobers keep returning and that he will hold them close to his heart. He concluded: “Rest in peace Sir Garfield. You will stay eternally in our hearts.”

“The absolute GOAT. There was nothing he couldn’t do in cricket. And did each one of those things brilliantly! RIP Gary Sobers” as posted by Indian right-hand batsman and cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar on social media platform “X”.

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Tributes #pour #post #passing #cricket #legend #Sir #Garfield #Garry #Sobers

Tributes have poured in from across the world after the death of Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers, with players, administrators, teams and boards describing his passing as an “irreplaceable loss” and celebrating him as one of the sport’s greatest icons.

Cricket West Indies led the tributes, posting: “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.”

CWI president Kishore Shallow expanded on that sentiment, calling Sobers “the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen” and describing him as a symbol of “Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility.” Shallow said Sobers’s achievements “gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora a renewed belief in what was possible” and added that through his life Sobers became “more than a sporting icon. He became a symbol of Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility.”

ICC President Jay Shah described Sobers a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield ‘Garry’ Sobers, a towering figure in world cricket and a true sporting legend. His unparalleled achievements and enduring contribution to the game have inspired generations of cricketers across the globe,” Shah said on ‘X’.

County side Nottinghamshire — where Sobers enjoyed a distinguished stint — mourned him as “Cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder, and an iconic figure in Nottinghamshire history,” expressing its deep sadness at his passing and recalling his contributions of 7,041 runs and 281 wickets for the county.

Former players as well as commentators offered deeply personal reflections.

Geoffrey Boycott, writing for The Telegraph, described Sobers as a “once-in-a-generation talent” and praised his character: “He was a superstar and such an easy-natured guy. I never heard him complain or bad mouth other players. He had a good heart. He was generous with his time and advice.” Boycott added: “Anyone who saw him in his pomp will have wonderful memories of a great batsman, the greatest all‑rounder, an icon, a once-in-your-lifetime, exceptional cricketer.”

From India, tributes came from former captains, players and the BCCI. Sourav Ganguly wrote on X that Sobers’ death was “an irreplaceable loss to the cricket world .. his skills in that generation was a yardstick for many to judge there own talent .. one of the rarest ..May his soul rest in peace.”

Dilip Vengsarkar told PTI: “I never seen him play, to be honest with you, but I have so many stories about him. And I’ve seen him, of course, his clips and the films that have been recorded of his batting… The greatest all‑rounder, I would say, the world has ever seen.” Vengsarkar recalled meeting Sobers several times after retirement when he came to watch matches in Australia, England and India.

Dinesh Karthik posted: “You grew up listening to what Sir Garfield Sobers could do on the field. A Genius, a trend setter and a true legend of the game. The Cricket community has lost one of its biggest jewels.”

Other Indian cricketers and commentators also expressed sorrow and admiration: veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh paid respects on social channels, calling Sobers “a legend and an inspiration for every all‑rounder”.

“Without a doubt, the greatest all-rounder. He was a role model for several of us and it was fortune for us to play against him.”

“A true giant of the game whose extraordinary skill, grace and sportsmanship inspired generations of cricketers around the world. His legacy will forever remain a part of cricket’s rich history,” one of India’s batting great VVS Laxman also wrote on ‘X’.

“The first man to hit six sixes in an over, Sir Garfield Sobers showed the world that there were no limits to greatness. It is difficult to put into words what he meant to the world of cricket. He did things on the field that most could only dream of, and he did it with grace, humility and joy,” by Yuvraj Singh as he joined the existing waves of tributes across social media platforms.

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer and ex‑selector and former India international Sanjay Bangar noted Sobers’ impact on how generations defined the complete cricketer.

The BCCI posted a formal message on social media: “The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders.”

IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders posted on X: “Deeply saddened by the passing of one of cricket’s greatest icons, Sir Garfield Sobers. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity.”

Madan Lal, part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, said in a conversation with PTI: “Such an all-rounder has never been born, there will ever be another. As a bowler, as a batsman and as a fielder, Gary Sobers set the benchmark for what a true all-rounder should be. In every department of the game, he was an exceptional player. That’s why he was regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the world.”

Furthermore, he added a personal tribute: “Sir Garry Sobers was more than a legend – he was the very definition of greatness, inspiring generations with his extraordinary talent and humility. Sir your legacy will live on forever in the hearts of cricket lovers across the globe.”

Former India fast bowler Chetan Sharma also described Sobers in simple terms: he is “the best all-rounder in cricket history.”

Many former teammates, opponents and commentators used personal anecdotes to underline Sobers’s generosity and influence. Geoffrey Boycott’s recollection of Sobers as a mentor and gentleman was mirrored by others who remembered him as approachable and willing to share advice with younger players.

Sunil Gavaskar, 1983 World Cup winner and former India captain, also paid his tribute.

He said it was likely the saddest day for cricket, mourning “the greatest cricketer to walk the earth.” He added that no words can fully capture Sir Garfield Sobers’s greatness as a player, and that Sobers embodied everything a young cricketer dreams of when first picking up bat or ball.

Gavaskar also went on to say that memories of Sobers keep returning and that he will hold them close to his heart. He concluded: “Rest in peace Sir Garfield. You will stay eternally in our hearts.”

“The absolute GOAT. There was nothing he couldn’t do in cricket. And did each one of those things brilliantly! RIP Gary Sobers” as posted by Indian right-hand batsman and cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar on social media platform “X”.

Published on Jul 17, 2026



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#Tributes #pour #post #passing #cricket #legend #Sir #Garfield #Garry #Sobers

Major League Baseball introduced a new innovation for the 2026 season by implementing the ABS Challenge System. The All-Star break provided an opportunity to reflect on how the Automatic ball-strike system has changed the game and overall, the reception has been positive.

It is impossible to discuss the ABS system without talking about the technology behind it. T-Mobile has played a huge role in the system. Go to a baseball game or watch one from home and you will instantly see all of the T-Mobile branding throughout the ballpark. However, it is important to point out that T-Mobile’s partnership with Major League Baseball simply isn’t branding. They are powering the technology behind the ABS system.

“We have been a partner with Major League Baseball for over a decade now and I think one of the things and the reasons it’s worked so well is we’ve kept innovating together,” T-Mobile Vice President of Sponsorships Amy Azzi said during All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park.

Major League Baseball began testing the ABS system back in 2022 in the minor leagues. A priority was of course that it needed to be accurate but it also had to be fast so that it wouldn’t take away from the game experience. The system is powered by Hawkeye Cameras that have been installed in every Major League park. The data is transferred over a private 5G network that is provided by T-Mobile. That leads to an almost instantaneous result.

“All of that data is transmitted into a software system that we’ve developed via the T-Mobile network,” said Morgan Sword who is the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations at MLB. “That software system determines whether the trajectory of the ball matches with the strike zone we’ve loaded in. Then if it’s challenged, that produces a call.”

”That’s the call you see on the big board and then also on the broadcast. It’s a lot of technology that has to happen very quickly to keep that pace and rhythm going in the game.”

So far there have been over 6,000 challenges during the first half of the regular season. Teams start with two challenges each and lose one for every unsuccessful attempt. Sword said that the number of challenges was something that the league had tested in the minors and listened to feedback from fans. Two felt like the sweet spot.

“We decided on two challenges per team because that was the overwhelming fan feedback in the minor leagues that we started out at three. Fans told us that, you know, ABS challenges are great and exciting to a point. If you have games where there’s 12, 15 challenges, then it starts to feel a little like it’s disrupting the game a little bit. So we dialed it back to two and that’s produced about four challenges per game, which we think is kind of right on the money and fans have responded well to that.”

The overwhelming reaction to ABS from fans has been positive, but what about the players? Brewers’ Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski talked about the ABS system at T-Mobile’s Club Magenta. Misiorowski said that he thinks that the system gives an advantage to the hitters.

“I mean, sure, yes, there’s an advantage for pitchers to get a corner call, but I think you have a bigger advantage to get a call reversed to a ball over a strike.”

While he thinks that ABS is tipped slightly in hitters favor, he is a fan of all of the technology that has made its way into baseball.

“All the technology that you’re getting, all the information that they throw up on the scoreboard, all that stuff is really cool. The tech comes back to us and we get that information and stuff like that to tweak pitches, tweak everything around it. There’s Hawkeye, stuff like that is huge.”

Phillies legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both agreed that they would have benefitted from having the ABS system.

“I think we both had a pretty good knowledge of the strike zone and I think that guys now, pitchers, catchers, and hitters are starting to get a better understanding of what that strike zone is,” Howard said. “We’ve seen pitches that are this far off, that are a ball, and then just a hair on, that are strikes.”

“Yeah, I think it would have helped. I think, right now, what we’re seeing is, calls are getting right,” said Utley. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting the calls correct.

While the ABS system looks like a success, Major League Baseball is currently looking for other ways that they can use technology to improve the game. They are testing a check swing system in the minors.

“It is the same Hawkeye tracking system. It actually tracks the bat, when a hitter swings. So you can finally, for the first time in the history of baseball, decide what a swing is,” Sword said. “We actually don’t really define that for anybody. So, we’ve made up a definition for the purpose of Triple-A just to see how it goes. But, we may tweak that.”

A lot of thought has gone into developing these systems and how they would impact the fan experience.

“It’s been really fun to watch it in the stadium, and I think I was telling Morgan before this, that some of the loudest moments in the stadium, you’d think someone hit a home run,” Azzi said of the ABS system.

“It’s really fun to see the impact it’s had on getting people to engage in even more. It supports the great momentum that the sport has right now.”

#MLBs #ABS #challenge #system #works #successful">How MLB’s ABS challenge system works, and why it’s successful  Major League Baseball introduced a new innovation for the 2026 season by implementing the ABS Challenge System. The All-Star break provided an opportunity to reflect on how the Automatic ball-strike system has changed the game and overall, the reception has been positive.It is impossible to discuss the ABS system without talking about the technology behind it. T-Mobile has played a huge role in the system. Go to a baseball game or watch one from home and you will instantly see all of the T-Mobile branding throughout the ballpark. However, it is important to point out that T-Mobile’s partnership with Major League Baseball simply isn’t branding. They are powering the technology behind the ABS system.“We have been a partner with Major League Baseball for over a decade now and I think one of the things and the reasons it’s worked so well is we’ve kept innovating together,” T-Mobile Vice President of Sponsorships Amy Azzi said during All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park.Major League Baseball began testing the ABS system back in 2022 in the minor leagues. A priority was of course that it needed to be accurate but it also had to be fast so that it wouldn’t take away from the game experience. The system is powered by Hawkeye Cameras that have been installed in every Major League park. The data is transferred over a private 5G network that is provided by T-Mobile. That leads to an almost instantaneous result.“All of that data is transmitted into a software system that we’ve developed via the T-Mobile network,” said Morgan Sword who is the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations at MLB. “That software system determines whether the trajectory of the ball matches with the strike zone we’ve loaded in. Then if it’s challenged, that produces a call.””That’s the call you see on the big board and then also on the broadcast. It’s a lot of technology that has to happen very quickly to keep that pace and rhythm going in the game.”So far there have been over 6,000 challenges during the first half of the regular season. Teams start with two challenges each and lose one for every unsuccessful attempt. Sword said that the number of challenges was something that the league had tested in the minors and listened to feedback from fans. Two felt like the sweet spot.“We decided on two challenges per team because that was the overwhelming fan feedback in the minor leagues that we started out at three. Fans told us that, you know, ABS challenges are great and exciting to a point. If you have games where there’s 12, 15 challenges, then it starts to feel a little like it’s disrupting the game a little bit. So we dialed it back to two and that’s produced about four challenges per game, which we think is kind of right on the money and fans have responded well to that.”The overwhelming reaction to ABS from fans has been positive, but what about the players? Brewers’ Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski talked about the ABS system at T-Mobile’s Club Magenta. Misiorowski said that he thinks that the system gives an advantage to the hitters.“I mean, sure, yes, there’s an advantage for pitchers to get a corner call, but I think you have a bigger advantage to get a call reversed to a ball over a strike.”While he thinks that ABS is tipped slightly in hitters favor, he is a fan of all of the technology that has made its way into baseball.“All the technology that you’re getting, all the information that they throw up on the scoreboard, all that stuff is really cool. The tech comes back to us and we get that information and stuff like that to tweak pitches, tweak everything around it. There’s Hawkeye, stuff like that is huge.”Phillies legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both agreed that they would have benefitted from having the ABS system.“I think we both had a pretty good knowledge of the strike zone and I think that guys now, pitchers, catchers, and hitters are starting to get a better understanding of what that strike zone is,” Howard said. “We’ve seen pitches that are this far off, that are a ball, and then just a hair on, that are strikes.”“Yeah, I think it would have helped. I think, right now, what we’re seeing is, calls are getting right,” said Utley. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting the calls correct.While the ABS system looks like a success, Major League Baseball is currently looking for other ways that they can use technology to improve the game. They are testing a check swing system in the minors.“It is the same Hawkeye tracking system. It actually tracks the bat, when a hitter swings. So you can finally, for the first time in the history of baseball, decide what a swing is,” Sword said. “We actually don’t really define that for anybody. So, we’ve made up a definition for the purpose of Triple-A just to see how it goes. But, we may tweak that.”A lot of thought has gone into developing these systems and how they would impact the fan experience.“It’s been really fun to watch it in the stadium, and I think I was telling Morgan before this, that some of the loudest moments in the stadium, you’d think someone hit a home run,” Azzi said of the ABS system.“It’s really fun to see the impact it’s had on getting people to engage in even more. It supports the great momentum that the sport has right now.”  #MLBs #ABS #challenge #system #works #successful

over 6,000 challenges during the first half of the regular season. Teams start with two challenges each and lose one for every unsuccessful attempt. Sword said that the number of challenges was something that the league had tested in the minors and listened to feedback from fans. Two felt like the sweet spot.

“We decided on two challenges per team because that was the overwhelming fan feedback in the minor leagues that we started out at three. Fans told us that, you know, ABS challenges are great and exciting to a point. If you have games where there’s 12, 15 challenges, then it starts to feel a little like it’s disrupting the game a little bit. So we dialed it back to two and that’s produced about four challenges per game, which we think is kind of right on the money and fans have responded well to that.”

The overwhelming reaction to ABS from fans has been positive, but what about the players? Brewers’ Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski talked about the ABS system at T-Mobile’s Club Magenta. Misiorowski said that he thinks that the system gives an advantage to the hitters.

“I mean, sure, yes, there’s an advantage for pitchers to get a corner call, but I think you have a bigger advantage to get a call reversed to a ball over a strike.”

While he thinks that ABS is tipped slightly in hitters favor, he is a fan of all of the technology that has made its way into baseball.

“All the technology that you’re getting, all the information that they throw up on the scoreboard, all that stuff is really cool. The tech comes back to us and we get that information and stuff like that to tweak pitches, tweak everything around it. There’s Hawkeye, stuff like that is huge.”

Phillies legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both agreed that they would have benefitted from having the ABS system.

“I think we both had a pretty good knowledge of the strike zone and I think that guys now, pitchers, catchers, and hitters are starting to get a better understanding of what that strike zone is,” Howard said. “We’ve seen pitches that are this far off, that are a ball, and then just a hair on, that are strikes.”

“Yeah, I think it would have helped. I think, right now, what we’re seeing is, calls are getting right,” said Utley. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting the calls correct.

While the ABS system looks like a success, Major League Baseball is currently looking for other ways that they can use technology to improve the game. They are testing a check swing system in the minors.

“It is the same Hawkeye tracking system. It actually tracks the bat, when a hitter swings. So you can finally, for the first time in the history of baseball, decide what a swing is,” Sword said. “We actually don’t really define that for anybody. So, we’ve made up a definition for the purpose of Triple-A just to see how it goes. But, we may tweak that.”

A lot of thought has gone into developing these systems and how they would impact the fan experience.

“It’s been really fun to watch it in the stadium, and I think I was telling Morgan before this, that some of the loudest moments in the stadium, you’d think someone hit a home run,” Azzi said of the ABS system.

“It’s really fun to see the impact it’s had on getting people to engage in even more. It supports the great momentum that the sport has right now.”

#MLBs #ABS #challenge #system #works #successful">How MLB’s ABS challenge system works, and why it’s successful

Major League Baseball introduced a new innovation for the 2026 season by implementing the ABS Challenge System. The All-Star break provided an opportunity to reflect on how the Automatic ball-strike system has changed the game and overall, the reception has been positive.

It is impossible to discuss the ABS system without talking about the technology behind it. T-Mobile has played a huge role in the system. Go to a baseball game or watch one from home and you will instantly see all of the T-Mobile branding throughout the ballpark. However, it is important to point out that T-Mobile’s partnership with Major League Baseball simply isn’t branding. They are powering the technology behind the ABS system.

“We have been a partner with Major League Baseball for over a decade now and I think one of the things and the reasons it’s worked so well is we’ve kept innovating together,” T-Mobile Vice President of Sponsorships Amy Azzi said during All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park.

Major League Baseball began testing the ABS system back in 2022 in the minor leagues. A priority was of course that it needed to be accurate but it also had to be fast so that it wouldn’t take away from the game experience. The system is powered by Hawkeye Cameras that have been installed in every Major League park. The data is transferred over a private 5G network that is provided by T-Mobile. That leads to an almost instantaneous result.

“All of that data is transmitted into a software system that we’ve developed via the T-Mobile network,” said Morgan Sword who is the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations at MLB. “That software system determines whether the trajectory of the ball matches with the strike zone we’ve loaded in. Then if it’s challenged, that produces a call.”

”That’s the call you see on the big board and then also on the broadcast. It’s a lot of technology that has to happen very quickly to keep that pace and rhythm going in the game.”

So far there have been over 6,000 challenges during the first half of the regular season. Teams start with two challenges each and lose one for every unsuccessful attempt. Sword said that the number of challenges was something that the league had tested in the minors and listened to feedback from fans. Two felt like the sweet spot.

“We decided on two challenges per team because that was the overwhelming fan feedback in the minor leagues that we started out at three. Fans told us that, you know, ABS challenges are great and exciting to a point. If you have games where there’s 12, 15 challenges, then it starts to feel a little like it’s disrupting the game a little bit. So we dialed it back to two and that’s produced about four challenges per game, which we think is kind of right on the money and fans have responded well to that.”

The overwhelming reaction to ABS from fans has been positive, but what about the players? Brewers’ Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski talked about the ABS system at T-Mobile’s Club Magenta. Misiorowski said that he thinks that the system gives an advantage to the hitters.

“I mean, sure, yes, there’s an advantage for pitchers to get a corner call, but I think you have a bigger advantage to get a call reversed to a ball over a strike.”

While he thinks that ABS is tipped slightly in hitters favor, he is a fan of all of the technology that has made its way into baseball.

“All the technology that you’re getting, all the information that they throw up on the scoreboard, all that stuff is really cool. The tech comes back to us and we get that information and stuff like that to tweak pitches, tweak everything around it. There’s Hawkeye, stuff like that is huge.”

Phillies legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both agreed that they would have benefitted from having the ABS system.

“I think we both had a pretty good knowledge of the strike zone and I think that guys now, pitchers, catchers, and hitters are starting to get a better understanding of what that strike zone is,” Howard said. “We’ve seen pitches that are this far off, that are a ball, and then just a hair on, that are strikes.”

“Yeah, I think it would have helped. I think, right now, what we’re seeing is, calls are getting right,” said Utley. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting the calls correct.

While the ABS system looks like a success, Major League Baseball is currently looking for other ways that they can use technology to improve the game. They are testing a check swing system in the minors.

“It is the same Hawkeye tracking system. It actually tracks the bat, when a hitter swings. So you can finally, for the first time in the history of baseball, decide what a swing is,” Sword said. “We actually don’t really define that for anybody. So, we’ve made up a definition for the purpose of Triple-A just to see how it goes. But, we may tweak that.”

A lot of thought has gone into developing these systems and how they would impact the fan experience.

“It’s been really fun to watch it in the stadium, and I think I was telling Morgan before this, that some of the loudest moments in the stadium, you’d think someone hit a home run,” Azzi said of the ABS system.

“It’s really fun to see the impact it’s had on getting people to engage in even more. It supports the great momentum that the sport has right now.”

#MLBs #ABS #challenge #system #works #successful

Peter Wilson knows what it takes to stand on top of the Olympic podium. The 2012 London double trap gold medallist has already etched his name into shooting history, but the decorated Brit now wants to create champions rather than just be remembered as one.

Having already guided Nathan Hales to Olympic gold for Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Games, Wilson has turned his attention to Indian trap shooting, hoping to spark a long-awaited revival in the discipline.

The first signs are already encouraging.

Under Wilson’s guidance, Neeru Dhanda recently became the first Indian woman trap shooter to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal, achieving the feat in Lonato while also setting a new National Record. For Wilson, the breakthrough is far bigger than a single medal — it could be the moment that transforms Indian trap shooting.

“What I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success,” Wilson said.

The Olympic champion, who was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport, believes champions inspire champions.

ALSO READ | Neeru Dhanda wins women’s trap gold at ISSF World Cup in Lonato

Before arriving in India, Wilson scripted a remarkable success story by coaching Hales to Olympic glory. Now, he hopes to revive an Indian trap programme that has struggled to consistently produce world-class results since Manavjit Sandhu became world champion in 2006.

Wilson believes Neeru has “broken the mould.” “I sincerely hope that with more hard work and more time, everyone else can do the same. It’s been bubbling away for some time. I’ve seen the progress, we’ve mapped the progress in the squad as a whole,” he said.

The Richard Faulds effect

Wilson knows firsthand how one athlete’s success can inspire an entire generation.

He recalled watching fellow Briton Richard Faulds dominate double trap after winning Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games — a success that motivated young shooters, including Wilson himself, to raise their own standards.

“What I think this shows — and I used Richard as an example back in the UK — is that he excelled, he pushed the boundaries, and we either sat back and watched him in the final, or we ourselves chose to raise the bar, to push ourselves mentally and physically to be the best versions we could be.

“I was fed up watching Richard shoot every final, and what I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success.”

A medal that was coming

Wilson says Neeru’s breakthrough did not surprise him.

ALSO READ | NRAI announces elite national shooting camp ahead of Asian Games

He had seen the signs after she won mixed team bronze alongside Vivaan Kapoor at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty earlier this year, adding to the Asian Championship gold she secured in Kazakhstan last year.

“Yeah, I felt that it was coming. She shot very well only a few months earlier with Vivaan in the mixed team, winning bronze. Again, it’s about stepping stones.

“Even this success that she’s had in Lonato is a stepping stone towards the Asian Games.”

For Wilson, the road stretches much further than this year’s Asian Games.

Those performances, he says, “are stepping stones towards Olympic quota places… those illustrious golden tickets, and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

“She’s young, so beyond that, she has the ability to go and go and go. India’s Olympic trap team now is very young, and I think it has a very bright future.”

The four-quota mission

While Wilson believes Neeru is capable of securing an Olympic quota this year, he is careful not to burden her with expectations.

“I hope so. But I don’t want to pin anything on Neeru. She’s a wonderful talent. India is very lucky to have her. She works incredibly hard. She’s very diligent. But there’s a long qualification process starting in Doha at the end of this year through to just before the Olympic Games.” Instead, Wilson has set himself a broader target.

“My goal as the foreign coach here in India is to win four quota places — two in women’s trap and two in men’s trap — and to get the very best out of every individual athlete.”

ALSO READ | ‘Father’s sacrifice helped me pursue dreams’: Sonam Maskar

He also stressed that Neeru’s World Cup triumph carried extra significance because it came against the strongest field in world shooting.

“That’s high pressure, high stakes, and that’s what you want it to be. This is what we all strive for.”

Wilson’s coaching philosophy centres on treating every athlete differently.

“Every individual athlete has their quirks in training, the way they think, the way they operate. It’s my job to work with all of them individually and figure out how to get the most out of them.”

With Neeru, his focus has been on refining both the technical and mental aspects of her shooting.

“There were a handful of technical aspects I personally have been working on with Neeru. The goal is to keep her stable mentally, work one target at a time, which is easier said than done…and make sure she’s technically sound in every area, from how she stands, her hips, her shoulders, even her mouth. It sounds easy, but it’s about doing it over and over again.”

Wilson then breaks into a smile while admitting the one challenge he has yet to master.

“I suppose the only area that I’ve struggled with is my Hindi.” To overcome the language barrier, he often relies on India’s support staff to ensure every technical detail is clearly communicated.

“I try to make sure that the intricacies of the technique are relayed through the help of the other coaches so that she fully understands what I expect of her. And she’s been delivering.”

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#India #coach #Wilson #Neeru #Dhandas #gold #quest #Olympic #quotas #trap #shooting #greater #heights">India coach Wilson on Neeru Dhanda’s gold, quest for four Olympic quotas, and taking trap shooting to greater heights  Peter Wilson knows what it takes to stand on top of the Olympic podium. The 2012 London double trap gold medallist has already etched his name into shooting history, but the decorated Brit now wants to create champions rather than just be remembered as one.Having already guided Nathan Hales to Olympic gold for Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Games, Wilson has turned his attention to Indian trap shooting, hoping to spark a long-awaited revival in the discipline.The first signs are already encouraging.Under Wilson’s guidance, Neeru Dhanda recently became the first Indian woman trap shooter to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal, achieving the feat in Lonato while also setting a new National Record. For Wilson, the breakthrough is far bigger than a single medal — it could be the moment that transforms Indian trap shooting.“What I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success,” Wilson said.The Olympic champion, who was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport, believes champions inspire champions.ALSO READ | Neeru Dhanda wins women’s trap gold at ISSF World Cup in LonatoBefore arriving in India, Wilson scripted a remarkable success story by coaching Hales to Olympic glory. Now, he hopes to revive an Indian trap programme that has struggled to consistently produce world-class results since Manavjit Sandhu became world champion in 2006.Wilson believes Neeru has “broken the mould.” “I sincerely hope that with more hard work and more time, everyone else can do the same. It’s been bubbling away for some time. I’ve seen the progress, we’ve mapped the progress in the squad as a whole,” he said.The Richard Faulds effectWilson knows firsthand how one athlete’s success can inspire an entire generation.He recalled watching fellow Briton Richard Faulds dominate double trap after winning Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games — a success that motivated young shooters, including Wilson himself, to raise their own standards.“What I think this shows — and I used Richard as an example back in the UK — is that he excelled, he pushed the boundaries, and we either sat back and watched him in the final, or we ourselves chose to raise the bar, to push ourselves mentally and physically to be the best versions we could be.“I was fed up watching Richard shoot every final, and what I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success.”A medal that was comingWilson says Neeru’s breakthrough did not surprise him.ALSO READ | NRAI announces elite national shooting camp ahead of Asian GamesHe had seen the signs after she won mixed team bronze alongside Vivaan Kapoor at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty earlier this year, adding to the Asian Championship gold she secured in Kazakhstan last year.“Yeah, I felt that it was coming. She shot very well only a few months earlier with Vivaan in the mixed team, winning bronze. Again, it’s about stepping stones.“Even this success that she’s had in Lonato is a stepping stone towards the Asian Games.”For Wilson, the road stretches much further than this year’s Asian Games.Those performances, he says, “are stepping stones towards Olympic quota places… those illustrious golden tickets, and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.“She’s young, so beyond that, she has the ability to go and go and go. India’s Olympic trap team now is very young, and I think it has a very bright future.”The four-quota missionWhile Wilson believes Neeru is capable of securing an Olympic quota this year, he is careful not to burden her with expectations.“I hope so. But I don’t want to pin anything on Neeru. She’s a wonderful talent. India is very lucky to have her. She works incredibly hard. She’s very diligent. But there’s a long qualification process starting in Doha at the end of this year through to just before the Olympic Games.” Instead, Wilson has set himself a broader target.“My goal as the foreign coach here in India is to win four quota places — two in women’s trap and two in men’s trap — and to get the very best out of every individual athlete.”ALSO READ | ‘Father’s sacrifice helped me pursue dreams’: Sonam MaskarHe also stressed that Neeru’s World Cup triumph carried extra significance because it came against the strongest field in world shooting.“That’s high pressure, high stakes, and that’s what you want it to be. This is what we all strive for.”Wilson’s coaching philosophy centres on treating every athlete differently.“Every individual athlete has their quirks in training, the way they think, the way they operate. It’s my job to work with all of them individually and figure out how to get the most out of them.”With Neeru, his focus has been on refining both the technical and mental aspects of her shooting.“There were a handful of technical aspects I personally have been working on with Neeru. The goal is to keep her stable mentally, work one target at a time, which is easier said than done…and make sure she’s technically sound in every area, from how she stands, her hips, her shoulders, even her mouth. It sounds easy, but it’s about doing it over and over again.”Wilson then breaks into a smile while admitting the one challenge he has yet to master.“I suppose the only area that I’ve struggled with is my Hindi.” To overcome the language barrier, he often relies on India’s support staff to ensure every technical detail is clearly communicated.“I try to make sure that the intricacies of the technique are relayed through the help of the other coaches so that she fully understands what I expect of her. And she’s been delivering.”Published on Jul 17, 2026  #India #coach #Wilson #Neeru #Dhandas #gold #quest #Olympic #quotas #trap #shooting #greater #heights

Neeru Dhanda wins women’s trap gold at ISSF World Cup in Lonato

Before arriving in India, Wilson scripted a remarkable success story by coaching Hales to Olympic glory. Now, he hopes to revive an Indian trap programme that has struggled to consistently produce world-class results since Manavjit Sandhu became world champion in 2006.

Wilson believes Neeru has “broken the mould.” “I sincerely hope that with more hard work and more time, everyone else can do the same. It’s been bubbling away for some time. I’ve seen the progress, we’ve mapped the progress in the squad as a whole,” he said.

The Richard Faulds effect

Wilson knows firsthand how one athlete’s success can inspire an entire generation.

He recalled watching fellow Briton Richard Faulds dominate double trap after winning Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games — a success that motivated young shooters, including Wilson himself, to raise their own standards.

“What I think this shows — and I used Richard as an example back in the UK — is that he excelled, he pushed the boundaries, and we either sat back and watched him in the final, or we ourselves chose to raise the bar, to push ourselves mentally and physically to be the best versions we could be.

“I was fed up watching Richard shoot every final, and what I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success.”

A medal that was coming

Wilson says Neeru’s breakthrough did not surprise him.

ALSO READ | NRAI announces elite national shooting camp ahead of Asian Games

He had seen the signs after she won mixed team bronze alongside Vivaan Kapoor at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty earlier this year, adding to the Asian Championship gold she secured in Kazakhstan last year.

“Yeah, I felt that it was coming. She shot very well only a few months earlier with Vivaan in the mixed team, winning bronze. Again, it’s about stepping stones.

“Even this success that she’s had in Lonato is a stepping stone towards the Asian Games.”

For Wilson, the road stretches much further than this year’s Asian Games.

Those performances, he says, “are stepping stones towards Olympic quota places… those illustrious golden tickets, and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

“She’s young, so beyond that, she has the ability to go and go and go. India’s Olympic trap team now is very young, and I think it has a very bright future.”

The four-quota mission

While Wilson believes Neeru is capable of securing an Olympic quota this year, he is careful not to burden her with expectations.

“I hope so. But I don’t want to pin anything on Neeru. She’s a wonderful talent. India is very lucky to have her. She works incredibly hard. She’s very diligent. But there’s a long qualification process starting in Doha at the end of this year through to just before the Olympic Games.” Instead, Wilson has set himself a broader target.

“My goal as the foreign coach here in India is to win four quota places — two in women’s trap and two in men’s trap — and to get the very best out of every individual athlete.”

ALSO READ | ‘Father’s sacrifice helped me pursue dreams’: Sonam Maskar

He also stressed that Neeru’s World Cup triumph carried extra significance because it came against the strongest field in world shooting.

“That’s high pressure, high stakes, and that’s what you want it to be. This is what we all strive for.”

Wilson’s coaching philosophy centres on treating every athlete differently.

“Every individual athlete has their quirks in training, the way they think, the way they operate. It’s my job to work with all of them individually and figure out how to get the most out of them.”

With Neeru, his focus has been on refining both the technical and mental aspects of her shooting.

“There were a handful of technical aspects I personally have been working on with Neeru. The goal is to keep her stable mentally, work one target at a time, which is easier said than done…and make sure she’s technically sound in every area, from how she stands, her hips, her shoulders, even her mouth. It sounds easy, but it’s about doing it over and over again.”

Wilson then breaks into a smile while admitting the one challenge he has yet to master.

“I suppose the only area that I’ve struggled with is my Hindi.” To overcome the language barrier, he often relies on India’s support staff to ensure every technical detail is clearly communicated.

“I try to make sure that the intricacies of the technique are relayed through the help of the other coaches so that she fully understands what I expect of her. And she’s been delivering.”

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#India #coach #Wilson #Neeru #Dhandas #gold #quest #Olympic #quotas #trap #shooting #greater #heights">India coach Wilson on Neeru Dhanda’s gold, quest for four Olympic quotas, and taking trap shooting to greater heights

Peter Wilson knows what it takes to stand on top of the Olympic podium. The 2012 London double trap gold medallist has already etched his name into shooting history, but the decorated Brit now wants to create champions rather than just be remembered as one.

Having already guided Nathan Hales to Olympic gold for Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Games, Wilson has turned his attention to Indian trap shooting, hoping to spark a long-awaited revival in the discipline.

The first signs are already encouraging.

Under Wilson’s guidance, Neeru Dhanda recently became the first Indian woman trap shooter to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal, achieving the feat in Lonato while also setting a new National Record. For Wilson, the breakthrough is far bigger than a single medal — it could be the moment that transforms Indian trap shooting.

“What I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success,” Wilson said.

The Olympic champion, who was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport, believes champions inspire champions.

ALSO READ | Neeru Dhanda wins women’s trap gold at ISSF World Cup in Lonato

Before arriving in India, Wilson scripted a remarkable success story by coaching Hales to Olympic glory. Now, he hopes to revive an Indian trap programme that has struggled to consistently produce world-class results since Manavjit Sandhu became world champion in 2006.

Wilson believes Neeru has “broken the mould.” “I sincerely hope that with more hard work and more time, everyone else can do the same. It’s been bubbling away for some time. I’ve seen the progress, we’ve mapped the progress in the squad as a whole,” he said.

The Richard Faulds effect

Wilson knows firsthand how one athlete’s success can inspire an entire generation.

He recalled watching fellow Briton Richard Faulds dominate double trap after winning Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games — a success that motivated young shooters, including Wilson himself, to raise their own standards.

“What I think this shows — and I used Richard as an example back in the UK — is that he excelled, he pushed the boundaries, and we either sat back and watched him in the final, or we ourselves chose to raise the bar, to push ourselves mentally and physically to be the best versions we could be.

“I was fed up watching Richard shoot every final, and what I hope is that Neeru pushes the boundaries for the rest of the squad, that they themselves must continue to push, because they want that glory, they want that success.”

A medal that was coming

Wilson says Neeru’s breakthrough did not surprise him.

ALSO READ | NRAI announces elite national shooting camp ahead of Asian Games

He had seen the signs after she won mixed team bronze alongside Vivaan Kapoor at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty earlier this year, adding to the Asian Championship gold she secured in Kazakhstan last year.

“Yeah, I felt that it was coming. She shot very well only a few months earlier with Vivaan in the mixed team, winning bronze. Again, it’s about stepping stones.

“Even this success that she’s had in Lonato is a stepping stone towards the Asian Games.”

For Wilson, the road stretches much further than this year’s Asian Games.

Those performances, he says, “are stepping stones towards Olympic quota places… those illustrious golden tickets, and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

“She’s young, so beyond that, she has the ability to go and go and go. India’s Olympic trap team now is very young, and I think it has a very bright future.”

The four-quota mission

While Wilson believes Neeru is capable of securing an Olympic quota this year, he is careful not to burden her with expectations.

“I hope so. But I don’t want to pin anything on Neeru. She’s a wonderful talent. India is very lucky to have her. She works incredibly hard. She’s very diligent. But there’s a long qualification process starting in Doha at the end of this year through to just before the Olympic Games.” Instead, Wilson has set himself a broader target.

“My goal as the foreign coach here in India is to win four quota places — two in women’s trap and two in men’s trap — and to get the very best out of every individual athlete.”

ALSO READ | ‘Father’s sacrifice helped me pursue dreams’: Sonam Maskar

He also stressed that Neeru’s World Cup triumph carried extra significance because it came against the strongest field in world shooting.

“That’s high pressure, high stakes, and that’s what you want it to be. This is what we all strive for.”

Wilson’s coaching philosophy centres on treating every athlete differently.

“Every individual athlete has their quirks in training, the way they think, the way they operate. It’s my job to work with all of them individually and figure out how to get the most out of them.”

With Neeru, his focus has been on refining both the technical and mental aspects of her shooting.

“There were a handful of technical aspects I personally have been working on with Neeru. The goal is to keep her stable mentally, work one target at a time, which is easier said than done…and make sure she’s technically sound in every area, from how she stands, her hips, her shoulders, even her mouth. It sounds easy, but it’s about doing it over and over again.”

Wilson then breaks into a smile while admitting the one challenge he has yet to master.

“I suppose the only area that I’ve struggled with is my Hindi.” To overcome the language barrier, he often relies on India’s support staff to ensure every technical detail is clearly communicated.

“I try to make sure that the intricacies of the technique are relayed through the help of the other coaches so that she fully understands what I expect of her. And she’s been delivering.”

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#India #coach #Wilson #Neeru #Dhandas #gold #quest #Olympic #quotas #trap #shooting #greater #heights

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