Page 1158 - Sports
Sensational Saurabh smashes junior record for gold at world championships
Asian Games gold-medallist Saurabh Chaudhary shattered the world record to claim the junior 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF World Championships here Thursday but senior shooters failed to impress yet again. Arjun Singh Cheema settled for a bronze in the same event and the Indian team took the silver, propelled by Chaudhary's phenomenal individual performance. The 16-year-old Chaudhary, who won the Asiad gold last month, qualified third with a score of 581 before shooting down his own world record with a score of 245.5 in the final. Singh managed 218 once the field was pruned to eight following the qualifying round. Chaudhary first set a world record in the 10m air pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in June. Korean Hojin Lim, who made the finals as the top qualifier, finished second with a final score of 243.1 for the silver medal. The Indian team of Chaudhary, Singh and Anmol, who could not make the individual final, claimed the silver .
Nike unveils Kaepernick ad to air during NFL season opener
Nike has unveiled its first "Just Do It" ad narrated by Colin Kaepernick, a spot scheduled to air during the NFL season opener on Thursday night as well as during the U.S. Open tennis tournament and other major sporting events. The two-minute spot released Wednesday highlights superstar athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams and others, and touches on the controversy of NFL players protesting racial inequality, police brutality and other issues by demonstrating during the national anthem. Kaepernick narrates the full spot but first physically appears midway through. As a camera pans to reveal Kaepernick's face, a reflection of a United States flag is visible on the facade of a building behind him. Kaepernick says: "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything." At the start of the ad, Kaepernick says: "If people say your dreams are crazy, if they laugh at what you think you can do, good. Stay that way, because what nonbelievers fail to understand is that calling a ...
Mancini determined to rekindle Italy's love affair with football
Roberto Mancini takes charge of his first competitive game as Italy coach in Friday's Nations League opener against Poland in Bologna with the tough task of rekindling the nation's love affair with their national side, decimated after the low of their World Cup fiasco. The former Inter Milan and Manchester City boss was appointed in May after the four-time winners' shock failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958. Mancini's job will be to rebuild a new and vibrant side going into the European Championship in two years' time and heading towards the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Nations League -- in which Italy will also be up against European champions Portugal in Group 3 -- will have an impact on seeding for Euro 2020. And the 53-year-old has insisted that a key to his strategy was to bring in new blood after the departure of several veterans, including iconic goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in the wake of Italy's World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden last ...
Amateurs, futsal players line up for Denmark in friendly
Denmark fielded a team comprised of lower-league and futsal players for Wednesday's international friendly in Slovakia amid a contract dispute with the country's football association. The makeshift Danish side, captained by third-division forward Christian Offenberg, lost 3-0 in Trnava without the likes of Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel who led them to the last 16 of the World Cup. Denmark are due to face Wales on Sunday in their first game of the inaugural UEFA Nations League. They could have to rely on the same players unless the standoff between the Danish players' union and national federation over commercial rights is resolved. Coach Age Hareide has been replaced for the two matches, with Euro 92 winner John Jensen in temporary charge. "We must hold the two national matches to avoid millions of fines and possible exclusion of the national team for several years," said Kim Hallberg, director of the Danish Football Association (DBU). "On behalf of DBU and Danish football,
DeChambeau eyes FedEx Cup threepeat after Ryder boost
Bryson DeChambeau will be chasing an unprecedented hat-trick of FedEx Cup titles on Thursday when he tees off at the BMW Championship boosted by his selection to the USA Ryder Cup team. DeChambeau's selection on Tuesday as one of US captain Jim Furyk's wildcard picks was a mere formality for the Florida-based golfer after he stormed to victory in the opening two legs of the FedEx Cup. The 24-year-old, who captured impressive back-to-back wins at the Northern Trust and the Dell Technologies Championships, could become the first man in history to win three FedEx Cup events in a row with victory this weekend. Five other players - Tiger Woods (2007), Vijay Singh (2008), Camilo Villegas (2008), Rory McIlroy (2012) and Billy Horschel (2014) - have won back-to-back play-off titles. And while DeChambeau admits to being a "little tired", he is eager to take on Aronimink Golf Club course that played host to the 1962 PGA Championship and more-recently the PGA Tour's 2010 and 2011 AT & T ...
'Freaking out' Osaka ends Japan's 22-year wait, faces Keys for US Open final spot
Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese woman in 22 years to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam on Wednesday when she defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-1, 6-1 in the last-eight of the US Open, admitting she was "freaking out" inside. Osaka wasn't born when compatriot Kimiko Date made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1996 but now the 20-year-old has the opportunity to go one better by reaching a maiden Grand Slam final. Later Wednesday, Osaka was joined in the record books by compatriot Kei Nishikori who reached his third semi-final at the US Open. It's the first time that a Japanese man and woman have made the semi-final at the same Slam. To get to Saturday's championship match, 20th seed Osaka will have to get past US 14th seed Madison Keys who breezed past Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4, 6-3. Keys, the 2017 runner-up, leads Osaka 3-0 in career meetings including the third round at the US Open in 2016 when she battled back from 1-5 in the final set to triumph. "It really means a lot to get ..
Nishikori downs Cilic to reach US Open semi-finals
Kei Nishikori reached the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday, holding on for a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic -- the man who beat him in the 2014 final. Japan's Nishikori, who missed last year's US Open after a season-ending wrist injury, joined compatriot Naomi Osaka in reaching the semis -- the first time that a Japanese man and woman have reached the last four in the same Grand Slam. Nishikori, the 21st seed, will take on either 13-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic or 55th-ranked Australian John Millman for a place in the final. Nishikori stunned then-world number one Djokovic in the semi-finals in 2014 to become the first man from an Asian country to reach the championship match of a Major. But he hasn't returned to a Grand Slam final since, falling in the US Open semis in 2016. Ranked as high as fourth in the world in 2015, Nishikori made a cautious return to competition early this year, finally finding enough confidence and consistency to put together
Japanese trailblazer Osaka happy to share spotlight with 'big kid' Kei
Japanese Grand Slam trailblazer Naomi Osaka said Wednesday that she's happy to share the US Open spotlight with Kei Nishikori, describing her compatriot as "a big kid" in a show of openness which is rapidly transforming the 20-year-old into the sport's new poster girl. Osaka became the first Japanese woman in 22 years to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam when she defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-1, 6-1 at Flushing Meadows. However, she insisted that despite her growing profile -- and evidence to the contrary -- it is Nishikori who is the main driver of Japanese media attention. "He's probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. We recently started talking. I think it's because I was too shy to talk to him before this tournament," said Osaka of Nishikori who was runner-up in New York in 2014. "But then I started talking to him, and I think he was surprised about me talking to him. So, yeah, he's really cool." Nishikori and Osaka have made history this week by becoming the first ...
International exposure necessary for Indian sportsperson: Army Chief
It is important for Indian sportspersons to get international exposure for in the run-up to Mission Olympics 2020, said Army Chief General Bipin Rawat after meeting Asian Games 2018 medal winners from Army.Talking to media on the sidelines of the event organized on Wednesday to felicitate Asian Games players for the Army, General Rawat said, "I spoke to players and they want that they should get continuous International exposure. It enhances their confidence as well as relieves them from stage fright. It is important they continuously keep competing with the international sportsman. There is still two years in Olympics and we want to make sure that maximum international exposure is given to our players by that time."He also motivated non-winners to keep working hard to win medals in future and said, "I want to congratulate the whole contingent and not only medal winners. Some have won this time and some might have not but they will keep working hard and I am sure they will bring more .
US Open: Naomi Osaka defeats Lesia Tsurenko to enter semi-finals
Japan's World No. 19, Naomi Osaka on Wednesday sealed her semi-final spot in the women's singles event of the ongoing US Open as she rolled over Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in straight sets within an hour.20-year-old Osaka, who played her first quarter-final match in a Grand Slam, exuded a veteran's confidence on her way to registering a 6-1, 6-1 victory in 57 minutes, becoming the first Japanese to reach the semi-final of a Grand Slam woman in 22 years.Kimiko Date was the last to achieve that feat, reaching the semi-finals of the 1996 edition of the Wimbledon, where she was beaten by eventual winner Steffi Graf.Osaka got off to a brilliant start in the first set, winning two break points in the first six games to establish a 5-1 lead. Having conceded just 14 points, Osaka wrapped up the first set with an ace.The unseeded Ukrainian, who was also playing her first Grand Slam quarter-final, never looked like threatening Osaka's authority on the court, as the latter emphasised her ...
SAFF Cup: India beat Sri Lanka 2-0 to start on a high
The Indian football team began its SAFF Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka in their opening fixture at the Bangabandhu Stadium here on Wednesday.
Asiad just a trailer, Olympics next mission: Army chief
Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said that the performance of army players at the Asian Games is just a trailer and the next target is to improve the country's medals tally at the Tokyo Olympics.
Griezmann pleads case for Ballon d'Or after FIFA snub
France star Antoine Griezmann insists he deserves to be on the podium for this year's Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup and major silverware with Atletico Madrid. Griezmann came third in 2016 in the voting behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the most prestigious individual award in football, despite not winning anything. That year was agonising for the forward as he lost the Euro 2016 final with France and the Champions League final with Atletico. But this season fortune has smiled on Griezmann, who starred in France's triumphant World Cup winning campaign in Russia after an impressive year at Atletico, who won the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. "Comparing 2016 and this year, for me I have to be in the top three," the 27-year-old told French sports daily L'Equipe. "In 2016, I lost two finals and was in the top three. This time I have won three finals." Asked if not winning it would be unfair, Griezmann replied: "Not unfair, but I would wonder what more I could do. I
Pre-season: Mumbai City FC register 1st win, beat Maejo United
Mumbai City FC registered their first win in their pre-season campaign as they comfortably defeated Maejo United 3-1 Wednesday. The Mumbai City FC are preparing for the fifth edition of the Indian Super League in Thailand and as part of it the game against Maejo United was played in Chiang Mai. Mumbai got off to a bright start with their latest recruit Senegal's Modou Sougou scoring the opening goal in the 25th minute. Sougou impressed with his skills on the ball and speedy forays all through the game, the club said in a media statement issued. Mumbai City dominated the possession and kept opponents under pressure. The ISL side built on their first half lead of 1-0 by scoring another goal in the 63rd minute. Former SC Braga man Rafael Bastos fired in a screamer from 25 yards way that brooked no response from the Maejo keeper. Maejo fought back five minutes later with Apisit Dedkad pumping in an opportunistic goal. But then in the 73rd minute, nimble-footed 22-year-old ...
Top players set to battle it out in Wuhan Open qualifying rounds
This month's Wuhan Open is set to feature one of the strongest qualifying rounds of the WTA season as a host of big names bid to join the world's top 20 players in the main draw of the prestigious WTA Premier 5 event here.
Nigeria bans football team coach over bribery allegation
Nigerian football authorities on Wednesday confirmed a ban has been placed on national team coach Salisu Yusuf over a recent bribery allegation against him.
Gangta's ton puts India Blue in command in Duleep Trophy final
A superb ton by Himachal Pradesh's Nikhil Gangta (136) and Dhawal Kulkarni's dismissal of India Red captain Abhinav Mukund put India Blue in the driver's seat on the second day of the Duleep Trophy final at NPR College ground here Wednesday. India Blue piled up a huge score of 541 in the first innings and reduced India Red to 27 for 1 at stumps as Kulkarni removed the left-handed Mukund (7) with an inswinging delivery as the Tamil Nadu batsman's troubles continued. Resuming at 260 for 5, India Blue lost the talented Ricky Bhui at 284 when he was bowled by Ishan Porel for 60. Gangta and Swapnil Singh came together for a fruitful 153-run partnership for the seventh wicket as the Red bowlers found the going tough. The right-handed Gangta was in good form and he was not afraid to loft the ball. He reached his fifty (in 101 balls) with a six off B Sandeep and increased the pace of scoring subsequently. Watchful defence was mixed with attacking shots as Gangta kept the ...
SAFF Cup: Ashique, Chhangte on target as India beat Sri Lanka 2-0
Ashique Kuruniyan and Lalianzuala Chhangte struck on either side of the break as defending champions India comfortably beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in their opening encounter of the SAFF Cup football tournament on Wednesday. India started the game on a high tempo and Ashique showed his intention within a couple of minutes when he latched the first attack from the left flank. India, fielding the youngest team in the competition, made repeated inroads but the Islanders kept them at bay until the 36th minute when Ashique sped past his marker and slotted it past a diving keeper for his first international goal. India came close to doubling the lead a number of times but for Chhangte's narrow miss and a number of acrobatic saves by the Sri Lankan goalkeeper. After the change of ends, India scored within a couple of minutes. The trajectory of Chhangte's cross from the wide left was misread by the Sri Lankan goalie and it handed India a 2-0 lead. Chhangte, by that time, had changed flanks and looked ..
Gill holds on to lead in Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare
Mahindra racer Gaurav Gill, however, held on to his pole position on the leaderboard at the end of Day 4 in the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare on Wednesday. Gill (with Musa Sherif), played it safe throughout the four special stages and managed to hold on to his lead. He has a total time of 04:59:45 after the three stages; a safe cushion of approximately 8 minutes over his team-mate Philippos Mathai (with PVS Moorthy); who is placed second with total timing of 05:07:15. Sandeep Sharma continued his climb towards the top of the ladder, moving up to the third position. Starting the day on the 4th position, the Maruti Suzuki Motorsport driver, along with navigator Anmol Rampal, showed great speed and control to end the day with an aggregate timing of 05:18:19. Amiitrajit Ghosh and his co-driver Ashwin Naik for the third day straight had a flat tyre which saw him slip to the fourth position. He lost close to four minutes and finished with an aggregate time of 05:19:06. Samrat Kumar (with Karan
Asian Games was a trailer, you will watch full film at Tokyo Olympics: Army chief Rawat
They have contributed 11 out of the 69 medals in country's highly successful Asian Games campaign but chief of Indian Army, General Bipin Rawat, termed it as "only trailer" as the full length movie will be released during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "I want to congratulate the entire contingent and I am not just talking about the medal winners. Some won medals and some did not perform up to the mark but I am hopeful that they will continue to work hard. Asian Games was just a trailer and you will get to watch the full movie during Olympics. That's our endeavour for Mission Olympics," Rawat told media after felicitation of the Army athletes. The Chief of Army Staff said that he expects more medals in future marquee events. "We had 73 representatives of the Indian Army which included 66 athletes and seven coaches, who were a part of the Indian contingent. We won 11 medals including 4 gold and 4 silver and 3 bronze medals. I expected even more but I am not disheartened. I know that they ...