Page 1140 - Sports
Tyson to promote MMA league in India
Former world champion boxer Mike Tyson will mentor a Mixed Martial Arts event -- the Kumite-1 League, which will also feature Indian fighters and will be launched on September 29 in Mumbai. The former world heavyweight champion will be in the country to attend the first fight night, between India and the UAE, which will be telecast across the Indian sub-continent. The Kumite 1 league will be telecast on Sony ESPN starting with the September 29 event in NSIC Dome, Mumbai. "Mike Tyson will fly into the country ahead of time to meet and encourage the fighters. On the fight night he will officially launch Kumite 1 league and kick- start the fight. Twenty four MMA fighters from all over the world will gather at the NSIC dome...," the organisers said in a statement.
Kimi Raikkonen to leave Ferrari at end of the season
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will be leaving Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the 2018 season.Making the announcement, the official statement of Ferrari read,"Scuderia Ferrari announces that, at the end of the 2018 season, Kimi Raikkonen will step down from his current role."The 38-year-old, who had joined Ferrari in 2007, spent a total of five years with the team as he switched squads in-between.In their official statement, Ferrari acknowledged the contribution made by the driver to the team and wished him all the best for his future."During these years, Kimi's contribution to the Team, both as a driver and on account of his human qualities, has been fundamental. He played a decisive role in the team's growth and was, at the same time, always a great team player," the official statement of Ferrari read."As a World Champion for Scuderia Ferrari, he will always be part of the Team's history and family. We thank Kimi for all of this and wish him and his family a ..
Maracana stadium shut for pitch repairs
Brazil's iconic Maracana Stadium will be shut for almost a month to allow for repairs to its damaged pitch, the venue's operator said.
Raikkonen to leave Ferrari, return to Sauber at end of 2018
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will leave Ferrari at the end of 2018, the Italian Formula 1 team announced on Tuesday. "Scuderia Ferrari announces that, at the end of the 2018 season, Kimi Raikkonen will step down from his current role," the team said in a statement. "During these years, Kimi's contribution to the team, both as a driver and on account of his human qualities, has been fundamental. He played a decisive role in the team's growth and was, at the same time, always a great team player." The 38-year-old Raikkonen has started 287 grands prix, winning 20 since his debut in 2001 with Sauber, the team he will race for again in 2019. "The Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team is delighted to announce that Kimi Raikkonen will join the team from 2019. The 2007 Formula One World Champion has signed for the next two seasons," Sauber confirmed. Raikkonen left Formula One two years after winning the world title with Ferrari and spent two years competing in the World Rally Championship, ...
Serbia, Romania draw in UEFA Nations League
Serbia and Romania played out a 2-2 draw at the Partizan Stadium here in Group C4 of the UEFA Nations League. Aleksandar Mitrovic and Nicolae Stanciu scored a goal apiece in an even affair.
Johan Botha signs up for Hobart Hurricanes
Former South African all-rounder Johan Botha has joined the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League (BBL).The 36-year old had, earlier, appeared for teams like Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers and is considered to be a specialist bowler in the T20 format.Reflecting on being moved to the Hurricanes, Botha stated that he wanted to be a part of the team as it is a very settled side. He further expressed the desire to help the young players to improve their performance."From what I saw last year during BBL07 was a very settled team that was lead very well on and off the field. So I wanted to be part of a team that I think can win BBL08," Sport24 quoted Botha, as saying."I want to help the younger players hopefully become even better players sooner and to help the team win games and ultimately the BBL title," he added.Expressing delight over the inclusion of the right-arm bowler, Hurricanes head coach Adam Griffith said that his world-class abilities would ...
Portugal beat struggling in Nations League
Playing without captain and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal cruised 1-0 over an ineffective Italian side in the inaugural UEFA Nations League match for the hosts.
Turkey shine in comeback win over Sweden
Turkey mounted an amazing comeback here to defeat Sweden 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League opener for to the hosts.
Maradona arrives to coach 2nd league Mexican team
Argentina's football legend Diego Armando Maradona has accepted the position of coach of Dorados of Sinaloa, currently at the bottom of Mexico's second division, and promised to look after the team like a father who tucks his son in.
Oliveira, Elias fire Atletico Mineiro to victory
Former Brazil internationals Ricardo Oliveira and Elias struck second-half goals as Atletico Mineiro came from behind to beat Atletico Paranaense 3-1 in the Brazilian Serie A football championship.
Australia drop Glenn Maxwell from Pak series
Batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been dropped from the recently-announced 16-member Australian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, beginning October 7.The development came as a surprise as the right-hand batsman had scored with an impressive average of more than 50 in the last domestic season.Reflecting on the selections, Australian selector Trevor Hohns said that the name of Maxwell was discussed during the meeting, but the decision to omit his name, along with other players, was taken after keeping in mind the playing conditions of United Arab Emirates."Joe, Peter, and Glenn were players we discussed when selecting the batting group, but we had to take into account the conditions and competition we are set to face in the upcoming series," cricket.com.au quoted Trevor Hohns, as saying."All three remain on our radar for Test cricket, but we want them to perform for their states and continue to push their case ahead of what is going to be a big ...
India start with win in Polish boxing tourney
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain defeated Russia's Elmira Azizova in the opening round of the 13th International Silesian Championship for women being held in Gliwice, Poland. Borgohain prevailed 4-1 in the welterweight (69kg) category contest Monday night against Azizova, a silver-medallist at the Nation's Cup earlier this year besides a bronze-winner at the Russian national championships. Borgohain will next be up against Czech Republic's Martina Schmoranzova. The Indian boxer is a gold-medallist from the India Open and a bronze-winner from the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Mongolia, earlier this year. India have sent a reasonably strong team for the tournament, which is being competed among boxers from 21 countries, including England, Kazakhstan, France Germany and Ukraine. The Indian team for the event is a mix of youth and experience, featuring veterans like the celebrated M C Mary Kom (48kg) and L Sarita Devi (60kg) along with up-and-coming names such as former youth world champion Shashi ...
Five Australia Test debutants in new era after tampering scandal
Australia ushered in a fresh era Tuesday by including five uncapped players in their first Test squad since the scandal-plagued tour of South Africa this year. With the disgraced Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all suspended for their role in the ball-tampering row that sparked one of the worst crises cricket has faced, selectors had slim pickings. Also missing for their two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month are injured fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, leaving Australia with one of its weakest Test squads in years. Among the five debutants are Queensland trio Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett and Marnus Labuschagne, South Australia's Travis Head and Victoria's Aaron Finch. "There has been significant change to our Test squad, due to the unavailability of a number of key players," said national selector Trevor Hohns. "That said, we firmly believe the squad selected is up to the challenge ahead, and is capable of playing a brand .
Junior shooters add silver, bronze to India's tally at ISSF WC
The Indian junior men's skeet team clinched a silver, while Gurnihal Singh Garcha picked up the individual bronze in the same event at the ISSF World Championships here Tuesday. The trio of Gurnihal (119), Anantjeet Singh Naruka (117) and Ayush Rudraraju (119) combined for a score of 355 for a second-place finish in the finals. The three had topped day one of the team qualifying Monday. The 19-year-old Gurnihal also made the six-strong individual final, where he shot a score of 46 to claim the individual bronze, the biggest achievement of his international career so far. Italian Elia Sdruccioli notched up the gold with a score of 55, while American Nic Moschetti won the silver with 54. India are placed fourth in the overall medals' tally with seven gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals for a total of 20 at the premier International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) showpiece, which is also the first qualifying event for the 2020 Olympic Games. The gold medal in the team event was .
Armed with new foreign signings, Real Kashmir hope to continue I-League fairytale
Hoping to continue their fairytale, Real Kashmir FC have bolstered their line-up by signing some "top foreign players" as they wait excitedly for the I-League to enter the valley for the first time. The promoted team is set to become an I-League host from their fourth home match and the administration has assured the club full cooperation. A source close to the club said they have signed some top players from Nigeria, Zambia and Ivory Coast as well as Scotland although names are not yet out. The team has also hired the services of a few established players from India such as Dharamraj Ravanan, Surchandra Singh and Nadong Bhutia. "Preparations are on in full swing in Srinagar as Kashmir FC gets ready to rub shoulders with the top Indian football clubs," RKFC owners Sandeep Chattoo and Shamim Meraj said in statement. The duo added that the club is not leaving any stone turned to perform and cause a few upsets in the country's premier league. "We don't want our fairytale to end. Our ...
Junior men's skeet team claims silver at ISSF WC
The Indian junior men's skeet team clinched a silver but the senior shooters failed to contribute any medal to the country's tally at the ISSF World Championships here Tuesday. The trio of Gurnihal Singh Garcha (119), Anantjeet Singh Naruka (117) and Ayush Rudraraju (119) combined for a score of 355 for a second-place finish in the finals. The three had combined to top day one of the qualifying Monday. The gold medal was won by Czech Republic with a score 356, while the bronze went to the Italian team, which shot a score of 354, at the premier International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) event. In the junior women's 50m rifle 3 position competition, the Indian team signed off 14th with a score of 3383. Bhakti Khamkar (1132), Shirin Godara (1130) and Ayushi Podder (1121) made up the team and neither of them managed to qualify for the individual finals. There was no end to the seniors' disappointment with the women's skeet team ending ninth with a score of 319. Rashmi Rathore (108), ..
Maradona seeks rebirth in Mexican club
Argentine legend Diego Maradona described his decision to coach second-division Mexican club Dorados as a rebirth after years battling addictions, as he officially became the team's new manager Monday. Maradona, who has publicly struggled with drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity, raised eyebrows with the decision to accept a job in the heart of Mexican drug cartel country -- the rough-and-tumble state of Sinaloa. But in his first press conference for Dorados, he described the job as a healthy new beginning after a long "sickness," alluding to the excesses of his past. "I want to give Dorados what I lost when I was sick," he told the 200 journalists who packed the hotel conference room in Culiacan, the state capital, where he was officially presented as the struggling club's new coach. "I was sick for 14 years. Now I want to see the sun, I want to go to bed at night. I never even used to go to bed. I didn't even know what a pillow was. That's why I accepted the offer from Dorados," .
I have learnt how to bowl away : Shami
Indian speedster Mohammed Shami says he watched videos of rival pacers Stuart Broad and James Anderson to understand how to exploit English conditions and has learnt to make an impact while bowling in away series. After overcoming inconsistency in South Africa and personal problems later on, Shami has bowled nicely in the ongoing series against England, taking 16 wickets in five Tests. "If you compare my performances on this tour with those in 2014, I have improved a lot. Overall, all of us have done well. I've learnt a lot, especially how to bowl away from home, how focused you need to be, Shami said. "I've got to learn a lot. In 2014 when I came here, I wasn't that experienced. I wasn't mature either. This time, I watched videotapes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad's bowling. I saw what areas they bowled in, in these conditions. I've got to learn a lot," he added. The pacer bowled his heart out in the first as well as the second innings, but had no reward to show for it. He went ..
Andre Silva lifts Portugal past Italy in Nations League
Andre Silva scored the only goal as European champions Portugal -- without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo -- got their Nations League campaign off the mark with a 1-0 win over Italy in Lisbon on Monday. Ronaldo, 33, had been left out of the squad at his own request to focus on his new Italian club Juventus. But the Euro 2016 winners showed no sign of missing their star striker, dominating the Italians to secure their first three points in a Group 3 that also includes Poland. Italy coach Roberto Mancini suffered his first competitive setback after being held by Poland 1-1 in their opener on Friday in Bologna, with the Azzurri on one point after two games. "We made too many mistakes, but the lads gave everything," said Mancini. "We need to find a solution to scoring goals because you don't win games without scoring. That's our main problem right now." Silva scored three minutes into the second half with the on-loan Sevilla striker picking up a Bruma cross to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma in ...
Tony Finau named final USA Ryder Cup captain's pick
Tony Finau, a long-driving American golfer of Tongan and Samoan heritage, was named to the final vacant spot on the US Ryder Cup team on Monday by US captain Jim Furyk. The 28-year-old from Utah completes the 12-man American lineup that will defend the trophy against Europe in the biennial team golf showdown on September 28-30 at Le Golf National in France. Finau, who won his only US PGA title at the 2016 Puerto Rico Open, had three top-10 major finishes this season -- sharing 10th at the Masters, taking fifth at the US Open and sharing ninth at the British Open. "We were looking for guys who had a great body of work all year. He had 11 top 10s. Played good in big moments. He had three top 10s in majors," Furyk said. Finau boosted his chances by joining a group that played at Le Golf National earlier this year. "I liked what I saw," Furyk said of Finau's play on the French host layout. "He had a lot of support from our vice captains. Ultimately, I thought he was our best pick." The ...