Page 1374 - Sports
President Kovind, PM Modi congratulate Hima Das for scripting history
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have applauded Hima Das, who recently became the first Indian woman to win gold at IAAF World U-20 Athletics Championships.Taking to social media, President Kovind congratulated sprinter Das for her performance and said it is a "very proud" moment for Assam and India."Congratulations to our sensational sprint star Hima Das for winning the 400m gold in the World Under-20 Championship. This is India's first ever track gold in a World Championship. A very proud moment for Assam and India, Hima; now the Olympic podium beckons! #PresidentKovind," he tweeted.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi said Das' win will "certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years."He wrote, "India is delighted and proud of athlete Hima Das, who won a historic Gold in the 400m of World U20 Championships. Congratulations to her! This accomplishment will certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years."The 18-year-old, on Thursday, made the country ..
We might be tempted to play Kuldeep, Chahal in Tests too: Kohli
India captain Virat Kohli is tempted to play his 'key weapons' Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the upcoming five-Test series against England, considering the wrists spinners' stellar performance in the ongoing limited overs leg of the tour. While Kuldeep has already played two Tests, Chahal is yet to earn the coveted cap in the longest version of the game. "Anything is possible with the selections for Tests and there might be a few surprises. Kuldeep is making a strong case for himself and so is Chahal. And looking at the way, the English batsmen have struggled against them, we might be tempted to do it," said Kohli after India's emphatic win in the opening ODI yesterday. "But the focus now is winning the next two games. Especially the next game, looking at it from the series perspective. The weather has been lovely. It has been very welcoming. The crowd support has been brilliant. The tour is really long and there is some tough cricket ahead of us which we are looking forward ..
'Soorma': Unassumingly inspiring, heart-warming (IANS Review, Rating:***1/2)
Film: "Soorma"; Director: Shaad Ali; Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Taapsee Pannu, Angad Bedi, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Vijay Raaz, Mahabir Bhullar, Satish Kaushik; Rating: ***1/2
Cuadrado has 'no problem' giving up Juve No.7 shirt to Ronaldo
Colombia midfielder Juan Cuadrado says he is happy to give up his Juventus No.7 shirt to the Italian champions' new signing and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. After nine years, four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles with Real Madrid, Ronaldo completed a surprise move to Italy's Serie A earlier this week, saying "the time has come to open a new stage in my life." Ever since he joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon as a gangly 18-year-old in 2003, Ronaldo has worn the No.7 shirt and has even created his own CR7 fashion label, in a reference to his initials and jersey number. "We know what he represents with his shirt and I didn't have any problem (giving it up)," Cuadrado said in a press conference in Bogota. "For me the most important thing is to train hard and be ready for the coach when he sends me onto the pitch to play, which will now be with (the number) 588." On Wednesday, Cuadrado had already sent a welcome message to Ronaldo insinuating he .
Croatia's World Cup success divides Balkan neighbours
Croatia's neighbours in the former Yugoslavia have largely praised the team's surprise success in reaching the World Cup final in Russia -- just don't expect the Serbian president to support them, at least for now. Every time a major tournament comes around, a familiar refrain is heard in the region: "If only Yugoslavia was one country, imagine the amazing team we could have." That nostalgic lament hides the fact that Croatia are doing just fine without Bosnian or Serb players -- and Yugoslavia, after all, never reached a World Cup final. If one man embodies football and the dream of a multi-cultural Yugoslavia, it is Ivica Osim, the coach of the last Yugoslavia team before the country violently broke apart. He was in charge of a superb team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy that was knocked out at the quarter-final stage in a penalty shootout by Diego Maradona's Argentina. When Serb forces began bombing the city, Osim, barely holding back the tears, told Serb journalists that he hoped ..
Tunisia World Cup coach takes charge of Qatar's Al Duhail
Tunisia's World Cup coach Nabil Maaloul has been appointed as coach of Qatari league champions Al Duhail, the club announced. Maaloul, who turns 56 later this month, takes over from Djamel Belmadi, who quit and is widely expected to be appointed coach of the Algerian national team. "Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul (will be) the new technical manager of the football team," said Al Duhail in a statement yesterday. The club added that Maaloul was already on his way to Austria to meet players at a pre-season training camp. The Tunisian football federation announced earlier they had agreed to a request from Maaloul to end his contract following an offer from Al Duhail. Maaloul led Tunisia to their first World Cup since 2006 when they qualified for Russia. Tunisia won one game and came third in a group containing both beaten semi-finalists, Belgium and England. Maaloul had been in charge of the national side since April 2017. Al Duhail beat Xavi Hernandez's Al Sadd to the Qatari league title ..
Brathwaite ton puts Windies in control against Bangladesh
Kraigg Brathwaite blasted another century while Shimron Hetmyer lashed an unbeaten 84 as the West Indies recovered from a slow start to dominate the opening day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh. Brathwaite, who scored a century in his team's innings victory over Bangladesh in Antigua last week, fired 110 -- his eighth Test ton -- as the hosts closed on 295 for four wickets off 92 overs at Sabina Park. Hetmyer meanwhile played fluently and positively on his way to 84 not out, which came off 98 balls with nine fours and one six. One of two changes to the side that thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 219 runs inside three days in the first Test, he resumes on the second morning in partnership with Roston Chase. Brathwaite played his own game from beginning to end and after the early loss of opening partner Devon Smith after the West Indies were put in on a pitch offering considerable assistance to the spinners from the outset, he featured in a succession of useful ...
Nadal braced for 'complex' Djokovic in 52nd meeting
Rafael Nadal described long-time rival Novak Djokovic as "one of the more complex" players he's ever met as they prepare to clash for the 52nd time with a Wimbledon final spot at stake. World number one Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion at the All England Club, trails Djokovic, the 2011, 2014 and 2015 winner, 26-25 in a rivalry which began at Roland Garros 12 years ago. Along the way, they have fought out a series of classic and epic battles including Djokovic's 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 Australian Open final victory in 2012. At five hours and 53 minutes, it was the longest final ever at a Slam. The following year, Nadal downed the Serb, who was world number one at the time, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7 in the semi-finals in Paris, this time in four hours and 37 minutes. "It's always a big challenge to face Novak," said 32-year-old Nadal who is back in the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the first time since 2011 when he finished runner-up to Djokovic. "He is one of the more complex ...
Dejected England, Belgium aim to leave World Cup on a high
England manager Gareth Southgate admits the World Cup third-place play-off is a game that no team wants to play, but tomorrow's match against Belgium offers the chance to finish the tournament on a winning note. A gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to Croatia after extra-time denied England a shot at a second World Cup triumph, instead setting up a consolation game against familiar foes Belgium. Roberto Martinez's side, who were beaten 1-0 by France in the last four, topped Group G ahead of England after an Adnan Januzaj goal settled a low-key encounter in Kaliningrad. That game saw both coaches heavily rotate their teams, and a similar scenario is likely in Saint Petersburg, with several fringe players pushing for a start. "The honest thing is, it's not a game any team wants to play in," said Southgate, whose side have drawn praise for the way they have briefly united a country bitterly divided over Brexit. However, he insisted that will not alter England's approach as they look to achieve their
Athletics World Cup set for London lift-off
The inaugural Athletics World Cup will be staged in London this weekend with the IAAF and British organisers hoping the concept will find a permanent slot in the calendar, despite clashing with other major sports events. The competition comes from the stated drive of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe to attract new audiences with fresh ideas, utilising a format which provides non-stop action. There will be eight competing nations, with one entrant per team in every male and female track and field event up to the 1500 metres. Points tallied up at the close of two days at the London Stadium will determine which country lifts the platinum winners' trophy. Great Britain, the United States, Jamaica, South Africa, China, Germany, France and Poland all qualified as the top eight in the medal standings at the 2017 IAAF world championships, also in London, and will share the $2 million (?1.42m) prize fund. "Each event is going to be filled ...
Rage against 'The Machine': Pacquiao puts career on line
Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao challenges Lucas "The Machine" Matthysse for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt on Sunday knowing defeat could lower the curtain on one of the greatest careers in boxing history. Pacquiao, 39, faced calls to retire from friends, family and even his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach when he lost the WBO belt to journeyman Australian Jeff Horn a year ago. A second successive defeat, this time against the dangerous Argentine at Kuala Lumpur's Axiata Arena on Sunday, could see the veteran "National Fist" hang up his gloves for good. But victory for Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs), who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions in a glittering 23-year career, would extend his legendary status and his life in the ring beyond his 40th birthday in December. "I am not saying it will be the last (fight), but it will be the basis to think about (whether) to continue or not," Pacquiao told AFP at his training camp. But "Pac-Man's" ...
Thailand Open: PV Sindhu eyes semi-final berth
Rio Olympic silver-medallist PV Sindhu will aim to book her place in the semi-finals of the Thailand Open World Super 500 tournament when she crosses swords with Soniia Cheah of Malaysia in the last-eight clash of the women's singles event here on Friday.The world number three had earlier progressed to the quarter-finals of the tournament with straight-games win over Hong Kong's Yip Pui Yin.Sindhu, who clinched the silver medal at Commonwealth Games, remained dominated throughout the clash as she eased past Pui Yin 21-16, 21-14 in a one-sided second round clash that lasted 37 minute.Sindhu will now look to seal the last-four spot when she takes on her Malaysian opponent.This would be the first-ever meeting between the world number three Indian and world number 35 Malaysian.It should be noted that Sindhu is a lone Indian shuttler left in the tournament after 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap and fourth seed H S Prannoy bowed out after going down in their respective ...
Headscarved Malaysian girl wows with freestyle football skills
The slick freestyle football moves of a Malaysian Muslim girl have boosted her into the spotlight in a country where the sport is dominated by men. Sporting a headscarf, Qhouirunnisa' Endang Wahyudi executed deft moves, juggling the ball before balancing it on her soles and later on her forehead. "The headscarf is not an obstacle," the 18-year-old student told AFP at a park in Klang, a city about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of the capital Kuala Lumpur. "It's normal. It's just how you handle it." In freestyle football, players use all parts of their body to perform often acrobatic tricks with the ball. More than 60 per cent of Malaysia's 32 million people are Muslims. Many Muslim women in the country don the traditional hijab and loose-fitting clothing in line with Islamic requirements of modesty. Islam does not stop women from playing sports, Qhouirunnisa' said. The teenager started freestyle football in 2016, training and learning tricks by watching videos on YouTube. "With ...
ODI: India outclass England by 8 wickets
India beat England by 8 wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) at Trent Bridge here.Rohit Sharma's searing century (an unbeaten 137) helped India walk to the victory with nearly 10 overs to spare. He completed his century off just 82 balls.Skipper Virat Kohli scored 75 runs. The Kohli-Rohit duo added 177 runs in 25.1 overs.India chased the target of 269 in only 40.1 overs.The win saw India take a 1-0 lead in a three-match series that continues at Lord's on Saturday.Prior to this, slow left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav's six for 25 helped India bowl out England for a modest 268.Asked by Kohli to bat first, England started off well with both openers Jason Roy (38) and Jonny Bairstow (38) providing England a strong start with a 73-run opening stand.However, the match soon turned in the favour of India when Kuldeep Yadav was brought in the 11th over. He produced three wickets in successive overs, taking apart the top order.Yadav has now become the second chinaman bowler after ...
Martin wins Tour de France's 6th stage, Van Avermaet keeps yellow jersey
Irish cyclist Daniel Martin won Thursday's sixth stage of the Tour de France.
Belgium's Tielemans hails Mbappe, discusses team's disappointment
Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans has praised France forward Kylian Mbappe.
Rohit, Kuldeep help India thrash England in 1st ODI
A maiden fifer for Kuldeep Yadav (6/25) followed by Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 137-run knock sealed a comfortable eight-wicket victory for India in the first match of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) rubber at Tent Bridge here on Thursday.
India cruise to eight-wicket win over England
Kuldeep Yadav's (6/25) heroic bowling effort followed by Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 137-run knock sealed a comfortable eight-wicket victory for India against England in the first match of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) rubber at Trent Bridge here on Thursday.
1st ODI: Kuldeep's magic, Rohit's grace take India to emphatic victory
Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled England batsmen with a mesmerizing spell before Rohit Sharma's sublime century saw India cruise to a eight-wicket victory in the first ODI here today. Kuldeep's career-best figures of 6 for 25 allowed England to only score a modest 268 on good batting conditions. The chase was a stroll in the park for as the runs were knocked off in only 40.1 overs courtesy Rohit's (137 no off 114 balls). It was the opener's 18th ODI hundred, which was beautifully complemented by skipper Virat Kohli (75, 82 balls) as he struck his first 50 plus score of the tour. The Kohli-Rohit duo added 177 runs in 25.1 overs to seal the issue. Once Kohli opted to field, the English script unfolded very much on similar lines with the T20 series, where things went downhill as soon as Kuldeep was introduced into the attack. None of the England batsmen were able to read him and a testimony to that was his brilliant figures of 10-0-25-6, the best ever by any chinaman bowler in the ...
Wimbledon: Serena Williams enters final, beats Julia Gorges
Tennis ace Serena Williams on Thursday entered the Wimbledon final after defeating Germany's Julia Gorges 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-final.Williams is now just one win away from getting the record-breaking 24th grand slam title."It's crazy. I don't even know how to feel, you know, because literally, I didn't expect to do this well in my fourth tournament back. I just feel like when I don't have anything to lose, I just can play so free, and that's kind of what I'm doing," Williams said after her win.Gorges was completely out-played by Williams in the semi-final.Despite being away from the court for several months due to maternity leave, Williams looked aggressive and precise with her groundstrokes and kept Goerges pinned back and working hard just to remain in rallies.Williams will now face Germany' Angelique Kerber in final, which will be a reprise of the 2016 final, which Williams won 7-5, 6-3.Kerber defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-final.