Page 1236 - Sports
Asiad 2018: Sushil loses first round (Second Lead, Supersedes earlier version)
India's veteran Sushil Kumar suffered a shock defeat in the opening round of the men's 74 kg freestyle category in the wrestling competition at the 18th Asian Games here on Sunday.
Asian Games 2018: Shooters Apurvi, Ravi win India's first medal
The Indian pair of Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar made the country proud on Sunday as they bagged the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event of the ongoing 18th edition of the Asian Games.The Indian duo scored 429.9 points to hand India their first medal of the prestigious quadrennial event.Starting with the second position with 10 initial shots, Chandela and Kumar maintained their spot with a score of 308.5 points.After 34 shots in the game, the Indian pair slipped to the third position.While Chinese Taipei pair of Yinshin Lin and Shaochuan Lu bagged the gold medal in the event, Chinese duo of Zhao Rouzho and Yang Haoran settled for the silver medal.Another Indian shooting pair of Manu Bhaker and Abhishek Verma failed to qualify for the 10m Air Pistol mixed team finals.In other matches of the day, the Indian women's kabaddi team thrashed the Japanese side 43-12 in their opening match of the event.Meanwhile, the men's kabaddi team also outclassed Bangladeshi side 50-21 in .
Asiad 2018: Sushil crashes out in first round
India's veteran Sushil Kumar suffered a shock defeat in the opening round to crash out of the men's 74 kg freestyle category in the wrestling competition at the 18th Asian Games here on Sunday.
Asian Games: Sushil Kumar suffers shocking first-round defeat
Star Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar suffered a major blow as he lost to Bahrain's Adam Batirov in the opening round of the ongoing 18th edition of the Asian Games here on Sunday.The two-time Olympic medallist slumped to a shocking 3-5 defeat at the hands of Batirov in the 75 kg freestyle category, thus ruling himself out of the race for the gold medal.Despite maintaining the initial lead of two points, the Indian wrestler could not hold his nerves and gave away two consecutive points to his opponent which led to his eventual defeat.Sushil, who is yet to clinch an Asian Games gold, can still fight for the bronze medal through the repechage.Meanwhile, another Indian wrestler Sandeep Tomar kicked off his campaign in the prestigious quadrennial event on a positive note as he won his opening bout against Turkmenistan's Rustem Nazarov 12-8 in the 57 kg freestyle category.
Swimmers Srihari and Sajan advance to final
India's Srihari Nataraj and Sajan Prakash advanced to the finals of the 100m men's backstroke and 200m butterfly events respectively at the 18th Asian Games here today. Starting in lane 6, Nataraj finished first in the heat clocking 55.86 seconds even as compatriot Arvind Mani finished second but failed to qualify to the next round. In the 200m butterfly event, Prakash qualified for the final with a time of 1:58.12 seconds. He finished 0.06 seconds behind leader Nao Horomura of Japan. Another Indian in action, Saurabh Sangvekar crashed out in the 200m freestyle event, clocking 1:54.87 seconds.
East Bengal rope in Nigerian striker Gambo
City football giants East Bengal on Sunday announced the signing of Nigerian striker Mohammed Gambo for the 2018-19 season.
Asian Games: China wins first gold at wushu changquan
China's Sun Peiyuan won the first gold medal in wushu men's changquan competition at the 18th Asian Games here on Sunday.
Sushil suffers shock defeat in wrestling
In a major upset, two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar was today stunned by Bahrain's Adam Batirov in the 74 kg category, as the Indian wrestling team's campaign at the 18th Asian Games began on a sour note here. Sushil lost his qualification round 3-5 to Batirov. Sushil led 2-1 after the first period with a take down but the Bahrini made a strong comeback to silence the Indian fans. The London Olympics silver medallist created two opportunities to score in the second period but could not convert while Batirov did not miss his chances. He led 3-2 with a take down and then pushed the Indian out for a win. Sushil was not yet out of the competition and if Batirov makes the final, the Indian will be in with a chance to win bronze through repechage. Meanwhile, Sandeep Tomar won his 1/8 round 12-8 against Turkmenistan's Rstem Nazarov to move into the quarter-finals of the men's 57kg freestyle event.
'It's over': Australia paceman Johnson retires from cricket
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson said Sunday he was retiring from all forms of cricket as his body was "starting to shut down", almost three years after he stepped down from the international game. The 36-year-old quit Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) team the Perth Scorchers last month, but had not ruled out playing in the Indian Premier League or other domestic T20 competitions. "It's over. I've bowled my final ball. Taken my final wicket. Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket," Johnson wrote for the Perth Now news website on Sunday. "I had hoped to continue playing in various Twenty20 competitions around the world until perhaps the middle of next year. But the fact is my body is starting to shut down." Johnson said he experienced back problems during this year's IPL and "that was probably a sign that it was time to move on". "I'm ready to break clear of playing cricket and move on to the next period of my life," he added. "If I can't play at 100 percent then
Gerco Roman's desperate search for big medal
Battling an identity crisis in India, the Greco Roman style of wrestling has taken a few steps in improving its image but desperately seeks a big medal for a complete make-over. The practitioners and coaches of the Greco Roman style, which forbids holds below the waist, do feel they are an ignored lot as freestyle wrestlers hog all the limelight. Sushil Kumar's bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics revolutionised the sport in India, taking freestyle popularity to a new high. "The trend is changing now because even if there is a switch, it is happening at a young age. Earlier, the wrestler would switch (from GR to FS) after 18, 20 years of age but now it has started happening from the age of 14, 15," India's National Greco Roman coach Kudeep Singh told PTI. "Earlier, if 100 people were picking wrestling as their sport, 95 would opt for freestyle. But now the game is being promoted at school and university level, so the change has picked up pace. It's real effect will be known in next ...
India opens medal count at Asiad with bronze in rifle mixed team
India opened its account in the 18th Asian Games with a bronze medal after Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar cracked under pressure to finish third in the rifle mixed team shooting event here today. The Indians aggregated 429.9 after 42 shots in the 48-shot final and were in second spot for major part of the 48-shot finals before China overtook them to take the silver. The strong Chinese pairing of Ruozhu Zhao and Haoran Yang ended with a score of 492.5. Chinese Taipei's Yingshin Lin and Shaochuan Lu claimed the gold, scoring 494.1. Korea and Mongolia finished fourth and fifth respectively in the event held for the first time at the Games. It was a maiden Asian Games medal for Chandela, who will be aiming for a better colour medal in the 10m air rifle. Chandela is also a multiple time World Cup winner and had bagged gold at 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. World Cup bronze medallist Kumar, who is mentored by the great Abhinav Bindra, had won a men's 10m rifle team bronze at last the ..
Asiad 2018: India crush Japan in women's kabaddi
India women's kabaddi team crushed Japan 43-12 to open their campaign at the 18th Asian Games in Group A here on Sunday.
Asian Games: Shooters Apurvi, Ravi bag bronze
Indian shooters Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar bagged the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event at the 18th Asian Games here on Sunday.
Mitchell Johnson bids adieu to all forms of cricket
Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.The 36-year-old, who bid adieu to international cricket in November 2015, said that he had hoped to continue playing for domestic T20 leagues, but his body has started to shut down, cricket.com.au reported."It's over. I've bowled my final ball. Taken my final wicket. Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket," Perthnow.com.au quoted Johnson, as saying."I had hoped to continue playing in various Twenty20 competitions around the world until perhaps the middle of next year. But the fact is my body is starting to shut down," he added.The Perth Scorchers player admitted that he would not be able to give his 100 per cent to the team and that he is now absolutely ready to "break clear of playing cricket."Reflecting on his future course of action, the paceman indicated that he might take up coaching despite having no official experience."My competitive urge hasn't left me and ..
India win mixed air rifle bronze, open Asiad account
India opened its account in the 18th Asian Games with Ravi Kumar and Apurvi Chandela winning the bronze medal in the 10m mixed air rifle event here today. The duo of Kumar and Chandela finished third on the podium with a score of 429.9. Chinese Taipei claimed gold with 494.1 with a Games record while China bagged silver with 492.5. Kumar and Chandela entered the final as the second-best team with 835.3. However, Manu Bhaker and Abhishek Verma failed to qualify for the final of 10m mixed air pistol event.
It would be bookable offence if India were to lose in England, Australia: Chappell
Australian cricket great Ian Chappell feels India losing back-to-back Test series -- in England and against a depleted side Down Under -- would be a "bookable offence". Former captain Chappell also said the next few months will be a defining period in Virat Kohli's captaincy career. Prior to reaching the UK, India had a glorious opportunity to defeat two heavyweights in England and Australia in consecutive away Test series. Had they done so, it would have been a laudable achievement," Chappell wrote in 'ESPNcricinfo'. "Now Kohli's team are in danger of not only wilting tamely against England but also of providing a depleted Australian team with a confidence boost, to the point where they will feel their chances of victory at home have greatly improved. "If India were to lose both series, it would be a bookable offence." Arriving in the United Kingdom as the world's number one Test side, India trail the five-match series 0-2 after reverses in Birmingham and London. Even as his ...
Indian women lose to Chinese Taipei in basketball
The Indian women's basketball team had a disappointing outing as it lost 61-84 to Chinese Taipei at the 18th Asian Games here today. This was India's second defeat in the group stage, having earlier lost to Kazakhstan 6179. In the Group A match, India trailed 28-33 at the half time after having led for some time at the GBK Basket Hall. Their encouraging show in the first half, however, came to nought as Chinese Taipei raced away with the game in the second half. At the end of the third quarter, India fell apart as Chinese Taipei opened up a massive lead of 64-45. The Chinese Taipei women continued their dominance in the final quarter as India played catch-up. India next play Unified Korea tomorrow and then take on hosts Indonesia on Aug 23.
With Imran Khan as PM, Pakistan athletes hope for 'tabdeeli' in struggling sports scene
Newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan promised "tabdeeli" (change) during his intense election campaign and its cash-strapped athletes are now heavily relying on the former cricketer to revive the struggling sport scene in the country. Olympic sports in Pakistan have been facing acute shortage of funds and recently its hockey team threatened to pull out of the ongoing Asian Games due to non-payment of daily allowances. The country's tennis team arrived here only a day before the competition and that too without a captain and coach. The shooters, too, are not able to give their best due to lack of funds. "The expectations are definitely high from Imran Khan. I have voted only for the second time in my life. He has been a champion sportsperson. He knows what it takes to be a successful sportsperson," Pakistan tennis veteran Aqil Khan told PTI before a practice session here. "I am confident he will do good for Pakistan sport but then he has so many other pressing issues to ...
Decent finish for Hero MotoSports Team Rally at Atacama Rally
Hero MotoSports Team Rally's Oriol Mena and Joaquim Rodrigues finished 12th and 17th respectively in the 2018 Atacama rally, which ended here amid fan fare. Mena continued to impress with his flawless riding in the final stage as well, before a technical snag made him stop just short of the finish line. He did manage to cross the finish line eventually, albeit losing time in the process. The Spaniard made no mistakes in the entire rally, further cementing his Dakar credentials. He is hopeful of doing well in Dakar rally which will be held in Peru early next year. Mena said, "What is important is to cross the finish line. So we are really happy to have done a good job throughout the week. Our goal was to prepare for the Dakar and this was a great learning ground for us." Rodrigues also had a lot of positives to take back home as he finished his comeback rally with a solid show. Team manager Wolfgang Fischer was satisfied with the overall performance. He said, "It was our first Atacama .
Ronaldo, Ancelotti make winning start in bruising Serie A
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score on his Serie A debut but champions Juventus won 3-2 at Chievo as Carlo Ancelotti began life as Napoli coach with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Lazio in two bruising opening matches of the 2018-2019 league season. Ronaldo, 33, who joined the Turin giants from Real Madrid last month in a deal worth 100 million euros (USD 114.5 million), clenched his fists with delight as his team earned all three points despite his four missed chances. "Happy for the first victory in the Juve jersey!" Ronaldo tweeted after the match. Italian Federico Bernardeschi scored the winner in injury time minutes after Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino was knocked out and later hospitalised after colliding with the Portuguese superstar. "Everyone was waiting for the goal. It's a shame he couldn't score but Sorrentino denied him a couple of times. He was happy we got the win anyway," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. "I'm happy with what he did and he's happy with ..