Page 1248 - Sports
Forced to eat rice porridge with pickle at 1984 Olympics Village: PT Usha
India's track superstar PT Usha recalls that during the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984, where she missed a medal by one-hundredth of a second, she was forced to eat just rice porridge with pickle at the Games Village. That food without any nutrition supplement had cost her the bronze, she claims. "That definitely affected my performance in the last 35 metres of my event since I couldn't sustain the energy level," she said. In that epic 400m hurdles final, Usha and Cristieana Cojocaru of Romania crossed the finish line at almost the same time but the latter prevailed as she went for the decisive lunge. Usha regrets that in those days only the bare facilities were available to Indian athletes. "We would jealously look at the athletes from other countries enjoying fabulous amenities; they had the latest equipment at their disposal. We wondered if we too would one day have access to such facilities," she is quoted as saying in an interview in the latest edition of the Equator Line ...
San Lorenzo defeated by Temuco in Copa Sudamericana
Argentine football club San Lorenzo lost to Chilean Deportes Temuco 0-1 but managed to qualify for the round-of-16 of the Copa Sudamericana.
Lost focus due to injury, movie: Geeta Phogat
Veteran Indian wrestler Geeta Phogat says the razzmatazz of a Bollywood blockbuster on her life and a prolonged injury break took away her focus from the sport and she is now trying to recover lost ground. Geeta and Babita Phogat, both Commonwealth Games medallists became household names after their life story was brought alive on the silver screen in blockbuster 'Dangal'. However, the two wrestlers haven't been in the best of forms for a while now with injury still keeping Geeta away from action. "I think staying away from wrestling for two years with injury and the movie, I lost my focus. Now I am concentrating just on wrestling," Geeta said on the sidelines of the launch of JSW's Inspire Institute of Sports here. The 29-year-old scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for Olympics in 2012. However, she was axed from the national camp ahead of the Asian Games owing to disciplinary issues. She had also claimed a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth ...
Defending champion Muguruza out of Cincinnati Masters
Defending champion and seventh seed, Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza lost to Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko at the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament here.
Millonarios crushes General Diaz, to face Santa Fe in round-of-16
Colombian football club Millonarios defeated the Paraguayan General Diaz 4-0 at the El Campin stadium here in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana, and will face Independiente Santa Fe in the round-of-16.
Relieved that GM title is done and dusted: Nihal Sarin
All of 14, India's latest Grandmaster Nihal Sarin says he is more relieved than ecstatic about achieving the feat as the build-up to it was distracting. "...sometimes due to these norm issues, it is scary to experiment. I am relieved that this part of my chess life is done and dusted," Sarin said after becoming India's 53rd GM attaining his third and final norm in the Abu Dhabi Masters. Nihal became the 12th youngest grandmaster in chess history and only the third from Kerala to join the elite club. Earlier this year, he had become the World No.1 player in the Under-14 category. Nihal scored his third and final GM norm at the Abu Dhabi Masters August 7 to 15. He scored 5.5 points in nine rounds with four wins, three draws, and two losses. "It really was one of the best Independence days for chess. Congratulations to Erigaisi Arjun and Karthik Venkatramanan too who both made the Grandmaster title today. Three GMs in one day from same country, never heard that before," Nihal said. Asked
Top Indian medal contenders at upcoming Asian Games
With action set to begin at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang this weekend, PTI takes a look at prominent Indian athletes, who will be medal contenders at the the biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics. WRESTLING: BAJRANG PUNIA: The 24-year-old grappler from Haryana, a silver medallist at the Incheon edition, is in tremendous form and will be a firm favourite in 65kg freestyle event. He has already won three tournaments this year. He began with a gold in Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and followed it up with titles at Tbilisi Grand Prix (Georgia) and Yasar Dogu International (Istanbul). SUSHIL KUMAR: One of India's most successful Olympians, Sushil is under pressure to perform after a flop show at Tbilisi Grand Prix. The defeat in Georgia, his first in four years, has already resulted in people questioning his exemption from Asiad trials. The two-time Olympic medallist would look to show that he still is force to reckon with. VINESH PHOGAT: Vinesh is competing with ..
Adieu Wadekar: Kumble, Azhar remember father figure, big influence, says Tendulkar
Their careers got a new lease of life under his managership and no wonder Mohammed Azharuddin and Anil Kumble mourned the loss of a "father figure" in Ajit Wadekar, while Sachin Tendulkar described the former India captain as a big "influence". Wadekar, 77, passed away in Mumbai yesterday after prolonged illness. The cricketing world was in mourning, especially those who lives were touched by the man, who gave Indian cricket new belief by leading the side to overseas Test wins against England and the West Indies back in 1971. "Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Ajit Wadekar Sir. He was someone who was instrumental in bringing out the best in us during the 90s. We'll always be grateful for his advice and guidance. Praying for strength for his family during this difficult time," Tendulkar wrote on his twitter page. Manager Wadekar had an instrumental role to play in making Tendulkar an opener, a position in which he flourished. It was also under Wadekar that Azharuddin, who was
Oriol performed well as Hero Motorsports team rally make gains in the second stage
Oriol Mena continued his good performance, securing 10th position in the second stage of the Atacama Rally, as the Hero Motosports Team Rally was also improving its position. Mena had a particularly strong run in the second stage as he managed to catch several riders starting in front of him. He finish the stage at 10th place. His team mate Joaquim Rodrigues who are away from the professional circuit due to back injuries continued to keep its calm and steady finish the stage in the 15th position. After second stage, Mena and Rodrigues are strongly placed at 13th and 14th place respectively in the overall rankings. Oriol Mena was 13 minutes 13 seconds behind Honda Racing's Kevin Benavides who completed the race in three hours 44 minutes 4 seconds. What promised to be the longest stage of the day started on a very slow note as the stage 2 of the Atacama Rally got delayed by almost 3 hours owing to foggy conditions and poor visibility in the morning. Further it was decided to reduce the .
Kumble, Azhar remember a "father figure", "big influence", says Tendulkar
A beleagured captain and a struggling leg-spinner got a new lease of life under his managership and no wonder former India captains Mohammed Azharuddin and Anil Kumble found a "father figure" in Ajit Wadekar, during their glory days in international cricket. For Sachin Tendulkar, he was a "big influence" as maestro's career changed once he started opening the batting in ODIs. Wadekar, 77, passed away in Mumbai yesterday after prolonged illness. "Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Ajit Wadekar Sir. He was someone who was instrumental in bringing out the best in us during the 90s. We'll always be grateful for his advice and guidance. Praying for strength for his family during this difficult time," Tendulkar wrote on his official twitter page. It was under Wadekar that Azharuddin, who was till then struggling captain, having lost Test series in New Zealand, England and Australia, got a second wind under him from 1993 to 1996. "such an iconic person..deeply saddened by his ...
Injured Fowler to skip US PGA playoff opener, 'will be ready' for Ryder Cup
Rickie Fowler says he'll skip next week's Northern Trust, first event of the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs, as he recovers from injury, but vows to be "more than ready" for the Ryder Cup. "My team and I feel like it's best not to play next week in the Northern Trust," Fowler wrote in a post on Instagram. "I will be back healthy and competitive ASAP for the FedEx Cup and more than ready for the Ryder Cup!!!" Fowler was reportedly hampered by an oblique injury last week at Bellerive Country Club, where he started the third round of the PGA Championship two shots off the lead but faded to a tie for 12th. He confirmed the injury in his Instagram post, saying that an MRI exam had shown a partial tear of his right oblique muscle. Fowler said the injury also affected him at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he tied for 17th. Fowler is among eight players who have qualified for the US Ryder Cup team on points, with those places confirmed on Monday after the conclusion of the PGA ...
British tennis chiefs to vote against Davis Cup reform
British tennis chiefs said Wednesday they will vote against the controversial reforms planned for the Davis Cup, claiming the radical changes could see fewer players taking part and a waning of fan interest. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) said that even though they remain fully supportive of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and its leadership, "regrettably, it is unable to support their proposed Davis Cup reforms at this time, and will oppose the resolution at the ITF AGM tomorrow". Around 120 delegates at the ITF's annual meeting in Orlando will decide Thursday whether proposals by federation chief David Haggerty are to be given the go-ahead. Haggerty's plan will see the Davis Cup's sprawling existing format, stretched across the calendar year and played in all corners of the globe, condensed into a season-ending 18-nation event played at a single, neutral venue. The LTA says it has too many reservations to support the Davis Cup plan. "Concerns remain that the proposed ...
Djokovic overcomes stomach trouble as Zverev exits in Cincy
- Novak Djokovic battled stomach issues to beat Adrian Mannarino and reach the third round in Cincinnati on Wednesday as women's title holder Garbine Muguruza crashed out. Wimbledon champion Djokovic called for the doctor during the second set against Mannarino but put aside his discomfort to progress 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 over the Frenchman before rain halted afternoon play. "I wasn't feeling well, I didn't have a great night and wasn't feeling that well for the first set and a half," said Djokovic, who has won every Masters 1000 title except Cincinnati. "I kind of made it through, and with the help of the doctor and God...I'm just, you know, happy that I managed to overcome the challenge. Credit to him playing well the first set, but I wasn't myself." Seventh-seeded Muguruza played for the first time since crashing out in the second round of her Wimbledon title defense, falling 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Lesia Tsurenko. "It was a very ugly match, but I'm happy that I fought, even if the level wasn't .
Man City midfielder De Bruyne injures knee in training
Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne could face a lengthy layoff with a knee injury that forced him to attend an event using crutches on Wednesday. De Bruyne and his City teammates attended the premiere of a documentary series about the team hours after the midfielder injured his right knee in a training session. "Kevin is a great player and it's just unfortunate that it's happened to him in training but there's more than enough depth in the squad," defender Kyle Walker said. City said it was unclear how long the Belgian will be sidelined because "the extent of the problem is not yet known" and that more tests on the knee are needed. De Bruyne missed two months of the 2015-16 season his first at City after sustaining ligament damage in the same right knee. City opened its Premier League title defense with a 2-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday, with De Bruyne only featuring as a second-half substitute due to a curtailed pre-season after the World Cup.
Wayne Rooney scores 2 goals, DC United beats Timbers 4-1
Wayne Rooney scored two goals and D.C. United beat the Portland Timbers 4-1 on Wednesday night to move out of last place in the Eastern Conference. D.C. (6-9-6) won its third consecutive home game. Portland (10-5-7) has lost two straight after going unbeaten in its previous 15 matches. Rooney, the English star who joined the Washington club in June, tied it at 1 in the 43rd minute by running past the defense for Yamil Asad's through ball and rolling it by Jeff Attinella. Rooney bent in a free kick in the 68th for his third MLS goal. Oniel Fisher made it 2-1 in the second minute of the second half with his first career goal. Luciano Acosta's individual effort set it up, drawing multiple defenders and finding Fisher for a shot off the post and in. Former Timber Darren Mattocks capped the scoring on a breakaway in stoppage time for his ninth goal. D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid started in his first appearance since rejoining United on a 1 1/2-year loan from the Danish club FC ...
Atletico come back to beat Lopetegui's Real Madrid in Super Cup
Saul Niguez and Koke scored in extra time as Atletico Madrid fought back to beat city rivals Real Madrid 4-2 and win the UEFA Super Cup in Tallinn on Wednesday, as Julen Lopetegui got off to a losing start with the European champions. Real had earlier looked set to win the trophy in their first competitive game since the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Zinedine Zidane when a Sergio Ramps penalty put them 2-1 up in the second half. That came after Karim Benzema cancelled out Diego Costa's first-minute opener in the Estonian capital, but Costa hauled Diego Simeone's side level again late on to force extra time. Simeone's men then looked stronger in the extra period as they won this competition, the annual meeting of the Champions League and Europa League winners, for the third time in nine seasons. Real had won the trophy under Zidane in each of the last two years, and emerged victorious against their neighbours in the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016. But this result .
We have lost a father figure, say Azharuddin, Kumble
A beleagured captain and a struggling leg-spinner got a new lease of life under his managership and no wonder former India captains Mohammed Azharuddin and Anil Kumble found a "father figure" in Ajit Wadekar, during their glory days in international cricket. Wadekar, 77, passed away in Mumbai yesterday after prolonged illness. It was under Wadekar that Azharuddin, who was till then struggling captain, having lost Test series in New Zealand, England and Australia, got a second wind under him from 1993 to 1996. "such an iconic person..deeply saddened by his demise!! Sir was a father figure for me.. May his soul rest in peace! My Heartfelt Condolences to the family," Azharuddin wrote on his twitter page. For Kumble, Wadekar was Godsend after getting dropped post 1990 tour of England. His comeback coincided with Wadekar's entry as manager during the 1992-93 tour of South Africa. He was never dropped during the next 16 years till his retirement in 2008. "Deeply saddened by the passing ...
President Kovind, PM Modi condole Wadekar's demise
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their condolences to former Indian Test captain Ajit Wadekar, who recently passed away in Mumbai after a prolonged illness.Wadekar, who led the national team to their first-ever series victories in England and the West Indies, breathed his last at the age of 77 at the Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday.Describing Wadekar as India's finest left-handed batsman and captain, President Kovind wrote on Twitter, "Sad at the passing of Ajit Wadekar, one of Indian cricket's finest left-handed batsman and captain during the iconic overseas test victories in 1971 in the Caribbean and England. Condolences to his family and to the cricket fraternity #PresidentKovind."Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, said that Wadekar would be remembered for his rich contribution to the Indian cricket."Ajit Wadekar will be remembered for his rich contribution to Indian cricket. A great batsman & wonderful captain, he led our ...
Go for Gold (Movie Review **** ½)
Gold: Starring, Akshay Kumar, Kunal Kapoor, Amit Sadh, Mouni Roy, Vineet Kumar Singh; Directed by Reema Kagti: Rating: **** ½ (4 and a half stars)
Ex-Indian captain Ajit Wadekar passes away
Former Indian Test skipper Ajit Wadekar, who led the national team to their first-ever series victories in England and the West Indies, breathed his last at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness at the Jaslok Hospital here on Wednesday.In a statement, the hospital said, "Ajit Wadekar was declared dead on arrival at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre. He had been critically unwell for sometime and was seeking treatment for the same."Wadekar, who was considered as India's finest slip fielders and an aggressive left-hander, appeared in a total of 37 Tests and amassed 2,113 runs at an average of 31.07. He scored his sole century against New Zealand in 1968.He also played two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for India, with the highest score of 67 runs against England in 1974. Wadekar was also instrumental in leading the Indian side to famous Test series triumphs against England and West Indies in 1971.Born in Bombay, Wadekar made his first-class debut in 1958, while he played his first ...