Page 3 - Sports News

Asian Games: Asmita sharpens ground game to counter formidable Japan

Inspired by the Japanese but equally wary of the challenge they will pose, India's Commonwealth Games gold-winning judoka Asmita Dey says she is trying to sharpen her holds, pins and submission techniques to present a strong challenge at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Dey said she has spent considerable time trying to ace the three aspects of ground fighting as the Asian Games will be a significantly tougher test than the CWG in Glasgow, where she became the first Indian judoka to win a gold. "The Asian Games, as compared to the Commonwealth Games, will be very tough for me because at the Asian Games we have some of the world's best from rankings 7-14 competing there," the 23-year-old Dey told PTI Videos as she looked forward to her maiden appearance at the Asian Games beginning September 19. "Our master in Judo is Japan, so Japanese judokas are also there, so it is tough for me. I need to work on my Ne-Waza because if I am in the final, my opponent will most likely be Japanese.

Vinicius Jr, Raphinha lead Brazil's squad for historic clash against India

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, Barcelona winger Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain veteran Marquinhos headline Brazil's 26-member squad for their historic first-ever meeting with India on October 3. The Selecao will face India at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 7.30 pm local time, in what will be a landmark fixture for Indian football. The match is scheduled after Brazil's two-game Australia tour, with Carlo Ancelotti's side facing the hosts in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane on September 29. Ancelotti named his first squad since the 2026 World Cup at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday before addressing the media. Vinicius, Raphinha and Marquinhos form the experienced core of the squad, with Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes also retaining their places. The much-anticipated game promises to be a grand spectacle for football-crazy Kolkata, with Brazil bringing three 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees in

Champions League: Odegaard seals Arsenal win at Napoli with late strike

Arsenal's perfect start to the season continued in the Champions League thanks to Martin degaard's sudden rush of goals. degaard struck with a powerful left-foot shot in the 75th minute to secure a 1-0 win at Napoli that should have been more decisive. "I didn't even see it go in," degaard acknowledged, adding that with Napoli defending deep "at some point it made sense to shoot from outside the box." The fit-again captain now has four goals in Arsenal's first five games of the campaign - including the Community Shield - having scored just once in all of last season. degaard was often not fully fit despite playing in parts of 36 games as Arsenal won a first Premier League title in 22 years and missed out on a first Champions League title only in a penalty shootout to Paris Saint-Germain after a 1-1 draw. He lasted just 66 minutes of that final in Budapest. The difference a healthy and fully influential degaard can make was clear from a complete performance in Naples by the 27-year

US Open: No. 1 Zverev to face Khachanov in semis after Blockx injury woes

Alexander Zverev's rocky road to start the U.S. Open turned into smooth sailing to the semifinals. The No. 1 seed beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday night, putting him into the final four of every Grand Slam tournament this season. The French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up will play Friday against Karen Khachanov, while Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe meet in the other semifinal. Zverev became the first men's No. 1 seed to play five-set matches in each of the first two rounds of a major in the Open era, which began in 1968. But he won his last three matches in straight sets and is the only man to reach all four major semis this year. After playing more than 4 1/2 hours in each of the first two rounds, Zverev hasn't been on the court more than 2 1/2 in his last three matches. "In other tournaments I would have been out in the first round but here I can fight back and play best-of-five, play 4 1/2 hours and somehow win the match and somehow get i

US Open: Coco Gauff rallies into semis, to face new world No. 1 Rybakina

Coco Gauff knows what she is up against in her U.S. Open semifinal against Elena Rybakina, whose firepower has vaulted her to the top of the tennis rankings. "I know I'm going to have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me, but I'm going to keep fighting and give it my all," Gauff said. "That's all I can do." That's how Gauff earned her first title in Flushing Meadows and why she's still in the running for another. Gauff fought off a couple match points in a tiebreaker and beat Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 on Wednesday to set up matchup against the new No. 1 in women's tennis. Gauff overcame a horrible start to give herself a chance at a second U.S. Open trophy. She won the tournament in 2023, when she had to shake off a similar rough beginning against Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Andreeva, the French Open champion, won the first seven points and took the first set in 26 minutes before the No. 4-seeded Gauff regrouped. She said during the break after the first set she

Indian swimmer gets 18-month doping suspension, ruled out of Asian Games

An Indian swimmer, who had qualified for the Asian Games, was on Wednesday suspended for 18 months after failing a dope test and will miss the continental event in Aichi-Nagoya this month. The 17-year-old had qualified for two events at the Asian Games and was part of the short list for the continental event. However, he has been suspended for 18 months after his sample showed the presence of terbutaline, a beta-2 agonist banned under anti-doping rules. The teenager received an adverse analytical finding (AAF) in February following which his name was dropped from the list of participants for the Asian Games. His hearing was held last week and he was handed an 18-month suspension on Wednesday morning. "The swimmer had received the violation earlier this year. However, the hearing did not take place till last week and he was handed an 18-month suspension today morning," a source in the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) told PTI. The SFI had requested that the hearing be expedited

Champions League round-up: PSG, Barcelona score big; Arsenal edge Napoli

Six goals for Paris Saint-Germain, five for Barcelona and classically just one for Arsenal as the serious contenders for the Champions League started with wins on Wednesday. There was a hat trick for Ferran Torres, the World Cup-winning goalscorer, on his PSG debut in the competition, and two goals for his new teammate Ousmane Dembele in a 6-1 beating of Slovan Bratislava by the two-time title holder. At Barcelona, Raphinha scored two more in his rapid-fire start to the season, and Lamine Yamal fired a free kick through Feyenoord's defensive wall in an easy 5-1 win. It was a typically Arsenal 1-0 win at Napoli with the only goal scored by the English champion's suddenly prolific captain Martin Odegaard. It's his fourth goal so far after just one in the whole of last season. All four English clubs won their opening games after Liverpool rallied to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 with goals by midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. However, Liverpool saw its record signing

Indian women's rugby sevens team begins Asian Games prep at national camp

The Indian senior women's rugby sevens team has begun its preparation for the upcoming Asian Games here with coach Terence Joseph saying the focus of the national camp will be on execution and consistency. The camp is being held at the Sports Authority of India's Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre in Kolkata, which has been the home base for the Indian rugby team ahead of major international competitions. The Indian eves will compete in the women's rugby sevens tournament at the Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya from October 1 to 3. India has been drawn in Pool B alongside defending champions China, Hong Kong China and Malaysia. "The Asian Games is a big tournament for us. We are looking at details and consistency from the team. A lot depends on how we execute our plans in Japan," Joseph said during a press conference in SAI Kolkata. "SAI Kolkata has been the home for the Indian rugby team. We have been conducting camps here for the past three years." Captain Shikha Yadav echoed her

Can't take Neeraj's place but will try for Asian Games medal: Rohit Yadav

Rising Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav aspires to follow in the lofty footsteps of iconic Neeraj Chopra, who has pulled out of the upcoming Asian Games due to an injury, in the continental event beginning on September 19. Rohit, 25, from Dabhiya village in Uttar Pradesh, had a dismal Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year with a throw of just 81.56m but he recorded his personal best on August 22 with a throw of 87.68m at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet in Bhubaneswar. And he is confident of bettering that feat in Aichi-Nagoya during the Asian Games. "I am not taking any pressure although I know people are expecting a lot from me. It is not good that Neeraj is not there but we have to accept that. Neeraj's medal was 100 per cent sure but I will try fill up his place. I know I won't be able to take his place but will try and get a podium place. I will try to give my best throw to be among medal winners," Rohit told PTI in an interview "Neeraj's place is differen

Deepak tests positive for clomifene; WFI withdraws him from Asian Games

Adding to the embarrassment for Indian wrestling, Asian Games-bound Greco Roman wrestler Deepak has failed a dope test, forcing the national federation to withdraw him from the contingent, further shrinking the Indian challenge at continental showpiece. The development comes after India have already lost two wrestling places in the Asian Games squad following doping cases involving Mukul Dahiya (men's freestyle 86kg) and Deepanshu (Greco Roman, 130kg). Deepak was the first wrestler from the Indian postal service to secure a place in the Indian team for the Asian Games. The 25-year-old Delhi wrestler was a surprise winner at the selection trials held in Lucknow on May 31 after coming through a medal-winning show at the Federation Cup. According to a notification issued by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Deepak's urine sample, collected during the selection trials, returned an atypical finding for clomifene, a prohibited substance classified under S4 (Hormone and Metabolic ..

Verstappen says Lawson's quick adaptation shows 2026 F1 cars are 'numb'

Max Verstappen has cited teammate Liam Lawson's ability to adapt, after stepping in mid-season at Red Bull, as a sign that current Formula 1 cars are "numb to your driver inputs". The four-time F1 champion told the BBC in an interview published Wednesday that the 2026 cars, with a crucial role for electric hybrid power, can have "unnatural" outcomes like requiring drivers to brake earlier into corners for the best exit speed. Verstappen suggested it's one reason Lawson has adapted quickly after replacing the injured Isack Hadjar for the last two races. He's staying there for this week's Spanish Grand Prix. Yuki Tsunoda has stepped into Lawson's old Racing Bulls seat, and both Lawson and Tsunoda have scored points in their new cars. "No disrespect. And I hope no-one picks up on this. But look at Yuki. He jumps in the car. Never driven the car before. Immediately competitive," Verstappen said. "Liam jumps from the Racing Bulls to the Red Bull - immediately competitive. It's because

India win two gold, four bronze on final day of World Archery Para Series

Reigning Paralympics champion Harvinder Singh and world No. 1 Sheetal Devi led the charge as India signed off their World Archery Para Series Stage III campaign on a high, winning two gold and four bronze medals, on the final day, here on Wednesday. World No. 1 and reigning world champion Sheetal Devi held her nerve in a dramatic shoot-off to win the para compound women's individual gold, while double Paralympics medallist Harvinder, paired with Bhawna, helped India to gold in the para recurve mixed team event. In the recurve mixed team final, double Paralympics medalist Harvinder and Bhawna made short work of China's Liang Qiurong and Xia Lei, winning 6-0 in straight sets. India took the opening set 35-31 before winning the second 36-33 and completing the clean sweep with a 34-32 victory in the third. Bhawna then added another bronze in an all-Indian para recurve women's bronze-medal play-off, defeating compatriot Rajshree Rathod 6-0. Sheetal returned in the evening session and .

Asian Games: Shiv Kapur backs Indian golfers to end 24-year gold drought

Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur believes India's golfers have the talent to end the country's long wait for another gold at the continental showpiece, saying anything less than the top prize would be a disappointment at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games. India will be represented by a six-member golf squad at the Asian Games, with Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs making up the women's team and Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat and Saptak Talwar featuring in the men's competition. The team was selected on the basis of world rankings. Kapur, who won the individual gold at the 2002 Asian Games, said the achievement remains the biggest of his career and hoped the current generation can break India's gold-medal drought in golf. "2002 is still fresh in my mind. It has been almost 25 years, but if anyone asks me what my number one achievement in golf, or the number one achievement in my career, is, it is still winning the gold medal," Kapur said on the sidelines of the jersey

Sable, Kujur, Jyothi in Indian Athletics Series finale ahead of Asian Games

Almost all the Asian Games-bound track and field athletes, including fit-again star steeplechaser Avinash Sable, will be in action in the Indian Athletics Series Final here on Thursday as part of their tune-up to the mega event in Japan later this month. The invitational one-day event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is the culmination of the 15-leg Indian Athletics Series, which was introduced by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) this April. The national federation has made the finale lucrative by introducing a total prize fund of Rs 65 lakh. The winner in each of the 30 events will pocket Rs one lakh. The second place finishers will receive Rs 50,000 each while the athletes who ended at third, fourth, fifth and sixth will get Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Except for a few athletes such as long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, high jumper Sarvesh Kushare and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel, all the athletes from the 77-member Indian team for the Asian Gam

Lionel Messi set to become majority shareholder at Spain's Eldense club

Lionel Messi is set to become the majority shareholder of Spanish second-division club Eldense. Eldense, based near the port city of Alicante in south-east Spain, confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had reached a preliminary agreement with the club's owners. The deal will see him buy the shares held by Grupo TH Soluciones, subject to the completion of the remaining legal and contractual procedures. The club did not provide financial details and did not say when the deal would be completed. Eldense will become the second Spanish club the Argentina star has invested in. Earlier this year, he became the owner of a fifth-division side, Barcelona-based UE Cornella. Eldense fired coach Claudio Barragan on Sunday after claiming just two points from four league matches this season. Messi has built a strong bond with Spain. He arrived at Barcelona at age 13, when he and his family came to the country to try his luck at the club's youth ...

Asian Games 2026 medals: All you need to know about the design and material

The medal's design extends beyond the disc itself. The ribbon incorporates the silhouette of the kakitsubata, or Japanese iris, which is the official flower of Aichi Prefecture

"One target at a time": Mairaj ready for another shot at Asian Games glory

Born on November 2, 1975, in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, Mairaj Ahmad Khan is an Indian skeet shooter and two-time Olympian

LIV Golf at a crossroads after Saudi funding exit; what happens next?

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Mumbai Marathon generates Rs 602.54 crore in economic activity: Report

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Fans seek smarter TV recommendations for live games: Nielsen report

A new global report by Gracenote, Nielsen's content intelligence business, found that 26 per cent of sports fans are always or often unable to identify the channel or service carrying a specific event