Page 139 - Sports
Ritu Phogat trains in Singapore for ONE Championship debut
Former India wrestler Ritu Phogat has been training hard at Singapore mixed martial art academy ahead of her debut in the ONE Championship, to be broadcasted in more than 140 countries. Ritu, who comes from a family of decorated wrestlers with sisters Geeta, Babita, Sangeeta and cousin Vinesh all renowned professional grapplers, had earlier this year decided to change the course of her career and go the Mixed Martial Arts way. The 24-year-old, who has achieved several top honours in wrestling for India, signed up with Singapore-based MMA organisation Evolve in February this year and is now looking forward to win the ONE Championship. "I hope to win the ONE Championship," Ritu told PTI on Saturday. "The training at Evolve MMA is strengthening me in martial art disciplines and boosting my confidence," she added. Ritu, who trains twice a day in all different martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling and boxing, said she was working on improving her strength, agility and
India look to extend WC dominance over Pakistan (Preview)
After having their last fixture against New Zealand washed out, the Indian team will be raring to take the field when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in the most anticipated clash of the ongoing World Cup at the Old Trafford on Sunday.
Australia to take final call on injured Stoinis next week
Australia will take a final call on injured all-rounder Marcus Stoinis' fate in the World Cup ahead of their next week's match against Bangladesh. Stoinis, who has suffered a side strain that is preventing him from bowling, will be travelling with the Australian squad to Nottingham -- the venue for their next match -- and the final decision on whether he would remain in the World Cup would be taken there. Skipper Aaron Finch said Mitchell Marsh, who is on standby and has started training, would be ready if he is included into the official squad. "Yeah, that's why he's here ... but as a bit of a precaution more than anything, if Stoinis doesn't recover well enough over the next couple of days," Finch was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald. "There is confidence that Mitch will come in and do well if selected, if Stoinis doesn't recover properly," he added. Finch admitted that injury to an all-rounder upsets the balance of a side. "Yeah, it's tough when guys, especially ...
Holder has no regrets about gambling on Russell's fitness
His troublesome knee flaring up time and again but West Indies skipper Jason Holder insists that "match-winner" Andre Russell's fitness is a gamble worth taking. The West Indies all-rounder once again pulled up a knee injury during their eight-wicket defeat to England in a World Cup match here on Friday and he went off the field after bowling to Jonny Bairstow. The 31-year-old had earlier also left the ground during West Indies' game against Australia on June 6. "It's been difficult so far for him. We have been trying our best to keep him on the park, but it is proving difficult," admitted Holder. Holder desperately wants Russell, who is a match-winner on his day, to be a part of West Indies paying XI during crucial World Cup matches. "Going forward, we have to persist. He is here for a reason. We think he can be a match-winner for us. We have just got to cope with him. We have got to do everything we possibly can with him to keep him on the park," the captain said. The West Indies ...
Copa America: Brazil starts with win, defeats Bolivia 3-0
In the opening clash of the Copa America on Saturday, Brazil clinched a 3-0 win over Bolivia.Brazil managed to clinch the victory even as it played without the star player Neymar, who was ruled out of the tournament after an ankle injury,Real Madrid player Philippe Coutinho (50,53) scored two goal for the team while the other goal was netted by Everton Soares (85) in the last minutes of the full time.In the first half, both teams were not able to score a goal and ended with a clean sheet. Brazil had made some chances to score a goal but failed to do so.In the early minutes of the second half, Brazil got a penalty and Coutinho drew the first blood for Selacao as he converted it to a goal.After the three minutes to the first goal, Coutinho again netted the ball to the goal, doubling Brazil's lead 2-0.Few minutes before the end of the second half, substitute Everton sealed the lead to 3-0, giving no chance to Bolivia to come back in the game.Neymar was expected to lead Brazil in the Copa
Women's Hockey: Indian juniors draw with Belarus seniors
India's junior women's hockey team produced a strong and mature performance in a 1-1 draw with the Belarus senior women's team in their fourth game of the five-match series.
Call on Marcus Stoinis to be made next week
Marcus Stoinis will travel with Australia to Nottingham -- Australia's venue for the June 20 game against Bangladesh -- and there a final call would be made whether the injured all-rounder would remain in the squad for the rest of the World Cup or not.
CWC'19: This is how Tendulka's fan Sudhir is rooting for India in England
Ahead of the much-awaited India and Pakistan clash, famous Indian supporter Sudhir Gautam is cheering for his team, blowing a conch shell."Whoever will play better cricket, will win the match and as a fan, I can only cheer for my team," Gautam told ANI.According to Sudhir, India is the best team in the world.Body painted in tri-colour, 'Miss-U Tendulkar 10' written on chest, India on forehead and Indian map on top of his head, this is how Gautam readies up for every match that India play.The 38-year-old resident of Bihar's Muzaffarpur makes his presence at the venue of almost every match that India play. Also known as Sudya, he is an ardent fan of Sachin Tendulkar.After master-blaster's retirement, he ensures to be at the stadium and flashes 'Miss you Tendulkar' on his chest and the digit 10, the jersey number that Tendular would wear.In 50 over World Cup history, India had never lost to Pakistan and will look to continue the trend in the ongoing ICC Men's World Cup on Sunday. India ..
Not Just Another Match: India start favourites against Pakistan in mother of all battles
A cricketing rivalry that transcends beyond the realms of 22-yards will be reignited when India and Pakistan square off in a World Cup encounter that could have fascinating sub-plots with Rain Gods threatening an anti-climactic twist. The escalating cross-border tensions between the two neighbouring nations add to the intrigue with KL Rahul's technique being tested by Mohammed Amir and Wahab Riaz's skills finding more than a match in a colossus like Virat Kohli. Even if they feel that it's just another game, perhaps all players in their hearts know that this is a special match even if at times the reason in purely non-cricketing. No wonder Sachin Tendulkar urges Indian batsmen to be more aggressive against a skillful Amir unlike 2017 Champions Trophy while skipper Kohli speaks about having an "ideal mindset" even if the first-timers may find the "occasion intimidating". The narrative of Indo-Pak duel is such that irrespective of whether it is a World Cup game or not, it creates heroes
Yuvraj didn't retire! India's World Cup hero all set for his new innings with BalleBaazi.com
Yuvraj Singh didn't retire! Yes, India's World Cup hero is all set for his new innings with BalleBaazi.com, India's most trusted online fantasy cricket platform. Widely recognized as India's most celebrated all-rounder of all time, Yuvraj Singh is all set to dominate world cricket again; this time on BalleBaazi.com."I am delighted to be associated with BalleBaazi.com, the ultimate cricket fantasy league. I will interact with my fans on a personal level while competing with them as we select teams comprising of our favourite players. This is the best platform for passionate cricket fans to test their skills and knowledge related to the game", said Yuvraj Singh."Yuvraj Singh is the perfect representative for BalleBaazi.com. It was his strength, determination, and perseverance that helped him and team India lift the world cup; but beyond the field, his battle against a life-threatening disease inspired billions including me. Since the first time I saw him against Australia in Nairobi, ...
Roy undergoes scan, Morgan down with back spasm but England yet to hit panic button
By his own admission, England captain Eoin Morgan is doubtful for the next World Cup game having suffered a back spasm while Jason Roy undergoes a scan for hamstring strain but the skipper insisted it is not a 'panic station' yet. During their World Cup match against the West Indies here on Friday, Morgan left the field in the 41st over of West Indian innings, joining Roy on the treatment table, who had earlier hobbled off with a hamstring strain. "It is sore. I have had back spasms before and it normally takes a few days to settle down. It is unclear, we will know more in the next 24 hours. You normally get a good indication the following day. If it settles down then the improvement is there straight away. "Jason had a tight hamstring and will go for a scan, it will be 48 hours until we know more. I think when any two players go down it is a bit of a worry but it is not panic stations yet," Morgan said while addressing the post-match media interaction standing because of discomfort ..
Root is the 'glue' that holds England together: Morgan
England skipper Eoin Morgan has heaped praise on Joe Root, describing the star batsman as the "glue" that holds the team together. Root hit his second century of the World Cup on Friday to steer the injury-depleted England to a convincing eight-wicket win over the West Indies here and captain Morgan could not have been more impressed. "I am exceptionally pleased," Morgan said after the match. "He's such an important player for us, he is the glue that holds everything together and probably a side of his batting that's got better over the last two or three years that people haven't seen a lot of is his expansive game. "He never seems to be scoring at less than a run a ball. You look up and he's going at more than a run a ball. It's exceptional to see him come out and be in this form," he said. Morgan further added that Root was the man with a 'golden arm' as his part-time off-spin helped England pick up two key West Indian wickets -- Shimron Hetmyer and captain Jason Holder -- before ...
Morgan, Roy to undergo scans as England face injury woes
England would be desperately hoping that captain Eoin Morgan and in-form opener Jason Roy, who got injured during its match against West Indies, get fully fit before their next World Cup encounter against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Real signing Kubo 'proud' of 'Japanese Messi' nickname
New teenage Real Madrid signing Takefusa Kubo said it was an "honor" to be nicknamed the "Japanese Messi" when speaking to reporters at the Copa America. Earlier in the day, Spanish giants Real announced the 18-year-old was joining the record 13-time European champions from FC Tokyo, to play for their B team next season. "Being called the Japanese Messi is an honor and makes me proud, but I'm still not at his level and I prefer to concentrate on my abilities and strengths," said Kubo from Japan's Copa America base in Sao Paulo. Like Messi, Kubo joined the Barcelona academy as a child -- when just 10 -- but left in 2015 after the Catalans were punished by world football's governing body FIFA for breaking rules on signing under-age players. His dribbling skills -- which drew comparisons to Messi -- made him a YouTube sensation as a child. But while flattered by comparisons, he still wants to be appreciated for his own attributes. "There are several players like me, but I'm me, not some .
Coutinho brace helps Brazil forget Neymar in winning Copa start
A brace from Philippe Coutinho handed hosts Brazil a winning start to the Copa America in a 3-0 victory over Bolivia as the absence of superstar Neymar was quickly forgotten. Barcelona's Coutinho scored from the penalty spot early in the second half and added a close-range header three minutes later. Substitute Everton netted a sensational third five minutes from time to clinch a Group A victory for coach Tite's tournament favorites in Sao Paulo. The build-up to the competition had been dominated by Neymar's woes, firstly when he was accused of rape by a Brazilian model, and then when he damaged ankle ligaments in a friendly last week, forcing him out of the Copa. If Brazil's first half performance was anything to go by, the Paris Saint-Germain star was sorely missed, but Coutinho's brace at least silenced the jeers that met the team at half-time. "Whistles are part of the game, the fans want us to win and play well, so that's why they jeer," said the match-winner, whose goals papered
Ronaldo served with papers in US rape lawsuit
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has been served with court papers related to a rape lawsuit in the United States, according to documents filed by his lawyers on Friday. Five-time world player of the year Ronaldo is accused of rape by Kathryn Mayorga, who claims the Portuguese soccer star assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009. Ronaldo, 34, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, has strongly denied the accusations against him, insisting their encounter was consensual. The legal process in the civil case had been held up as "federal court's rules on serving foreigners" meant an identical state-level case needed to be dropped, Mayorga's attorney said last week. A motion filed in federal court in Nevada on Friday said "the parties have agreed to deem Defendant effectively served," meaning Ronaldo has officially received court documents in the case, allowing it to move forward. Former model Mayorga made the accusations against Ronaldo, who now lives in Turin, in a ...
England and Italy reach the Women's World Cup last 16, Japan stay on course
England and Italy joined Germany and France in the last 16 of the women's World Cup as Jodie Taylor shot the Lionesses past Argentina and Cristiana Girelli's controversial VAR-assisted hat-trick saw them hammer hapless Jamaica 5-0. Taylor tapped home Beth Mead's inviting low cross just after the hour mark to send England to the top of Group D on six points, two ahead of Japan, and into the next round with a game still to play. Phil Neville's side now need a point against Japan in Nice on Wednesday to ensure they finish in first place and avoid a potential clash with European champions the Netherlands in the next round. Despite the defeat the 'Albicelestes', third in the group with a point, can still qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Scotland in their final game in Paris, although they will have to show more attacking intent than they have in their opening two matches. The were twice saved by goalkeeper Vanina Correa, who pushed Nikita Parris' 28th-minute penalty off the ...
CWC'19: Key players to watch out in South Africa-Afghanistan clash
Both South Africa and Afghanistan will search for their first win in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in the clash between them on Saturday at Cardiff Wales Stadium.The encounter between the two bottom-ranked teams of the standing will surely help one team in gaining two points. Currently, South Africa and Afghanistan are at ninth and tenth spot in the tournament standings.South Africa got off to a bad start as they lost their first three matches in the tournament and their last game against West Indies was called off due to rain.On the other hand, Afghanistan also sailing in the same boat as the team lost their first three matches. Ahead of the clash, here are some key players to look out for:Kagiso RabadaThe right-arm fast bowler possesses the skills of bowling both in-swingers and out-swingers. The 24-year old is also known for his toe-breaking yorkers in the death overs. In South Africa's World Cup match against India, Rabada returned with the figures of 2/39 and has four ..
Root is the glue that holds England together: Morgan
England skipper Eoin Morgan has showered praise on Joe Root, saying the star batsman is the glue that holds the team together.
Coutinho stars as Brazil win Copa America opener
Philippe Coutinho scored two second-half goals as Brazil kicked off their Copa America with a 3-0 victory over Bolivia.