An ode to D. Gukesh's team of Seconds - the unsung heroes operating diligently behind the scenes

Sportstar's January 18 edition gives readers an insight into a chess player's support system, and the strategic and psychological edge it provides. This edition also profiles Gulveer Singh, a rising star of Indian athletics, sits down for an interview with 'World Boss' Deandra Dottin and analyses what it means to partner four-time F1 champion Verstappen at Red Bull.

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Deandra Dottin: I always emphasise that you should be prepared to fail

Long before she became a superstar in women’s cricket, Deandra Dottin excelled in athletics, winning medals for Barbados in the CARIFTA Games — the annual athletics competition established by the Caribbean Free Trade Association. A prominent javelin thrower who also participated in the shot put, Dottin embraces her self-proclaimed nickname ‘World Boss,’ which motivates her to deliver stellar performances, particularly on the cricket pitch. Dottin, a veteran of 146 Women’s ODIs and 135 T20Is, was the first woman to score a T20I century, achieving the feat in just 38 balls against South Africa during the 2010 Women’s T20 World Cup — a record that remains unbeaten. An interview by Shayan Acharya .

Asian Games bronze medallist Gulveer Singh aims for long-distance supremacy

Jonathan Selvaraj profiles one of the rising stars of Indian athletics. The long-distance runner, who recently set new records in the 10,000m and 5,000m races, is celebrating the birth of his daughter, Pari. Despite his achievements, he faces challenges being away from home for training and competitions. Should he meet his goal of?cracking the 27min?barrier this season, Gulveer has even loftier targets for 2026 and beyond, leading up to the 2028 Olympics.?

Meet Gukesh’s team of Seconds who helped him win his first World Chess Championship title

D. Gukesh’s journey to becoming the youngest World chess champion was marked by a masterfully crafted team of Seconds and support staff, each contributing their own expertise to his triumph. Seconds, the unsung heroes of chess, serve as the backbone of a player’s preparation, operating diligently behind the scenes. While the player basks in the spotlight, it is their meticulous work that fuels the player’s journey. Tasked with perfecting every aspect of preparation — from analysing openings and refining strategies to offering psychological reinforcement — Seconds form an indispensable support system. A special feature by Mayank .

Lifting tempo and its benefits

Many people focus closely on exercise selection, load, rep ranges, and rest periods, but most fail to notice lifting tempo. Even many experienced lifters or athletes with years of training experience go through their workouts without realising their rep speed. What’s the deal with tempo? Is there real muscle hypertrophy happening, or are there other benefits beyond muscle mass gain from following a tempo protocol Focusing on tempo can offer significant physiological benefits over time. Ignoring it can negate certain benefits for sure. Ramji Srinivasan with the latest edition of his column, Fitnesswise.

Trial by Fire

Red Bull has consistently given opportunities to drivers from its academy, barring the one-off move for Perez in 2021. For Liam Lawson, stepping into the Red Bull cockpit as the second driver for the 2025 season is both a golden opportunity and a trial by fire. But the challenge has more to do with his peer, Max Verstappen's relentless pace and consistency, leaving little room for error. While he may find solace in starting a new, full season with familiar faces around him, only time will tell if he’s here to stay. Kavita Menon?with an analysis of how the defending champion has fared against his teammates at Red Bull.