Page 1392 - Sports
Milan sign midfielder Halilovic for 3 seasons
Serie A giants AC Milan announced on Sunday the signing of Hamburger SV midfielder Alen Halilovic for the next three seasons.
Four things we learned from FIFA World Cup quarters
The 2018 FIFA World Cup now has its four semi-finalists after a typically thrilling set of quarter-finals. Here are four things we learned as eight contenders for the title were reduced to four, reports Xinhua news agency:
Perera, Tharani impress at JK Tyre racing nationals
Sri Lankan racer Bryan Perera emerged the star of the rain-marred day, winning two Euro JK 18 races as the opening round of the 21st JK Tyre national racing championship concluded here on Sunday.
Dipa wins gold in Gymnastics World Cup
Returning to action after a long lay-off of nearly two years due to injury, India's premier gymnast Dipa Karmakar clinched the gold medal in the vault event of FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at Mersin, Turkey today. The 24-year-old from Tripura, who had finished fourth in vault event in the 2016 Rio Olympics, scored 14.150 to win gold today. She had topped the qualification also with a score of 13.400. This is Dipa's first medal in a World Challenge Cup. Dipa, who is being accompanied by her coach Bisheshwar Nandi, has also qualified in balance beam finals by finishing third in the qualification with a score of 11.850. Dipa had suffered an Anetrior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury after Rio Olympics and had undergone surgery. She was initially confident of making a comeback at the Commonwealth Games but rehabilitation took more time than expected and she missed the Gold Coast event. She has been included in the 10-member Indian gymnastics team for the upcoming Asian Games.
Prefer to be No. 1 than No. 2: Nadal
World number one Rafael Nadal, who has retained his top ranking by beating Australia's Alex de Minaur in the third round of the ongoing Wimbledon championship, said that he prefers to be number one rather than number two.However, Nadal noted that rankings were not his priority."Of course, I prefer to be No. 1 than No. 2, [there is] no doubt about this. But I really didn't come here to hold No. 1. I just came here to try to do the best tournament possible," he said.The 32-year-old, who recently clinched his eleventh Roland Garros title in Paris, will next face Czech player Jiri Vesely to book his berth in the quarter-final of the Championship.Reflecting on his third round victory against Minaur, Nadal said he is happy with the way he has played so far in the tournament."Of course, it's very positive to be in the second week, winning three matches. That's it. [I'm] just happy the way that I played during the first week," he said.Meanwhile, world number twenty one Novak Djokovic also won
Four future stars of FIFA World Cup
While many people feel sorry to see Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar leaving the FIFA World Cup pitches earlier than expected, some young footballers stood out to show that they deserve equal, if not more, attention from the media and fans.
Honda racer Rajiv Sethu pips Jagan Kumar for a double
Chennai lad Rajiv Sethu of Idemitsu Honda Ten10 Racing recorded a double in the premier Super Sport Indian 165cc class in the second round of MRF MMSC FMSCI National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2018 at the MMRT track at Sriperumbudur near here today. In a virtual repeat of yesterday's first race, Sethu scored another win over national champion Jagan Kumar (TVS Racing). Jagan Kumar, after leading for much of the eight-lap race, yielded ground and finished second ahead of Sarath Kumar (Idemitsu Honda Ten10 Racing). The double win took Sethu to the top of the championship standings with 70 points, well clear of defending champion Jagan (62). Also scoring wins were Kozhikode's Amarnath Menon, who led a 1-2 finish for Gusto Racing in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc class, Naresh Babu of RACR (Pro-Stock 165cc) and Karthik Mateti who headed a Sparks Racing podium sweep in the Novice category while also setting a lap record in the class. Menon was involved in a three-way battle that .
Proved our worth by working hard: Russia coach Cherchesov
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov spoke highly of his team despite the penalty shootout loss to Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals here on Saturday.
We are lucky to be in semis: Croatia coach Dalic
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said the FIFA World Cup quarter-final was rather a fight or a battle than a game in which his team edged out hosts Russia on penalties here on Saturday.
IWF Exective Board approves new categories
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) executive board has approved new bodyweight categories for both World Championships and Olympic Games.
Perera, Tharani share spoils on Day 2 of JK Tyre National Racing Round 1
Sri Lankan driver Bryan Perera revelled in the rain, winning two races in the elite class as round one of the 21st JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship concluded here today. Tharani, who had won the only Euro JK 18 race held on Saturday, made a valiant comeback in the fourth and final race to catch up with Perera in the drivers' standings. Mumbai's Nayan Chatterjee stayed right behind the leaders by making the podium thrice on Sunday, grabbing the second place twice and the third place once. Another Chennai racer, Ashwin Datta, enjoyed a good run, finishing second in Race 4 and third in Race 2 and 3. Perera recorded the day's fastest lap in Race 3, taking just 1:00.279 minutes in his Euro JK 18 car. The LGB 4 too proved to be a tantalising affair, with Delhi's Rohit Khanna and Chennai's Raghul Rangsamy winning one race each. Chennai's Vishnu Prasad had won Race 1 on Saturday, to produce three different winners over the weekend. Vishnu and Kolhapur's Chittesh Mandody took the ...
T20 World Cup may see specialised 'Turf20' ball
An Australian sports equipment company has launched a specialised T20I ball, 'Turf20', crafted especially according to the hard-hitting format of cricket, ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2020.The company spokesperson said the ball was curated owing to the transformation that the shortest format of the game has witnessed, thus creating the need to promote a balance between the bat and ball."As Twenty20 cricket evolved, Kookaburra thought there should be a way to create a ball specific to its needs rather than follow the traditional method of ball-making that is used in Test cricket. A Test ball is designed to gradually deteriorate over 80 overs, this is an integral element to Test cricket. Twenty20 cricket has evolved quite differently; the ball is only needed for 20 overs and the action is more intense and explosive than Test cricket," Cricket.com.au quoted Shannon Gill, the company spokesperson, as saying."This means gradual deterioration is not as big a factor, instead of a ball that .
Wishes pour in for 'Dada' as he turns 46
Former Indian Skipper Sourav Ganguly has turned 46 today and the wishes are pouring in for the cricket stalwart from different corners of the world.Taking to his twitter handle, former Indian batsman VVS Laxman wished Ganguly "good food" "wonderful conversations" and "love of people around".Former teammate and attacking batsman Virendra Sehwag wished 'dada' on this special occasion in his own style.He tweeted, " Step 1-Wake up, blink your eyes twice & dance down the track; Step 2-Smash the bowler & at times even spectators(no violence intended); Step 3-Swing not only the ball but also ur hair,bowl ur heart out; Step 4-Celebrate like no one's watching; To a wonderful man, #HappyBirthdayDada"In another tweet, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif posted an adorable picture wishing the "inspiring man" a great life ahead.Sourav Ganguly is regarded as one of most successful captains to have headed the Indian team. After making a sensational Test debut at the iconic Lord's Stadium in .
India A batsmen make merry before 'Test' meanders to draw
A splendid batting performance from India A raised visions of victory before West Indies A managed to hold on to a draw in the four-day 'Test' that concluded here yesterday. After a batting debacle in the first essay where they were shot out for 133, India's batsmen posted a massive 609 for six in 111 overs, riding on a splendid career-best 188 from Prithvi Shaw, a 137 by Ravikumar Samarth and an equally useful 93 by skipper Karun Nair. This was after trailing by 150 runs in the first innings. Needing 360 to win in 76 overs, West Indies were never in contention, managing 245 for seven in the stipulated overs with Jermaine Blackwood scoring 61. Among the bowlers, Navdeep Saini put up a much improved performance in the second innings, ending with 2 for 41 in 14 overs. Spinners Shahbaz nadeem and Jayant Yadav also chipped in with two wickets apiece. West Indies were in trouble at 188 for six at one stage with more than 20 overs left. However, Raymon Reifer (11 no 74 balls) and Rahkeem ...
'Scapegoat' Ozil should quit German team: father
The father of Mesut Ozil said Sunday his son should quit Germany's national squad after he was "made the scapegoat" for Die Mannschaft's shock first-round defeat at the World Cup. Ozil, 29, has come in for hefty criticism in Germany after the World Champions crashed out in Russia, finishing bottom of their group. Pressure had already been mounting on the Arsenal midfielder in the World Cup run-up over a controversial photograph with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that was seized on to question his loyalty to Germany. On Thursday, Germany's team boss Oliver Bierhoff sparked a new round of outcry over a statement suggesting Ozil, who has Turkish roots, should have been dropped after his failure to publicly clear up the Erdogan meeting. "This statement is insolent. In my opinion, it is aimed at saving one's own skin," said the mid-fielder's father Mustafa Ozil in an interview with Bild am Sonntag. Bierhoff later backtracked, apologising that he "was wrong". Ozil senior said he ...
How Ganguly's gamble on youngsters helped India retain Dhoni: Book
It was Sourav Ganguly's gamble on talented youngsters waiting for the opportunity that helped India from losing one of its greatest cricketers of all times - Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to a new book. Ganguly, who turns 46 today, was one of the sharpest and farsighted cricketing minds, says Abhirup Bhattacharya in "Winning Like Sourav: Think & Succeed Like Ganguly". The southpaw from Bengal had taken over the reins of the Indian cricket team from Sachin Tendulkar after the match-fixing exposes in 2000. Ganguly is credited with nurturing players such as Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and building concept of 'Team India' and 'Men in Blue'. "Ganguly's mantra was simple: If he believed that a youngster was talented, he would have enough opportunities to prove his worth. This provided a much-needed calmer atmosphere for the young player as it was certain that he will not be dropped after one failure," says the book. "MS Dhoni is a fine ...
ICC Women's World T20: UAE beat Netherlands in opener
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated Netherlands in the opening match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) women's world T20 qualifiers here on Saturday.Making their first appearance in the qualifiers, the UAE stunned the hosts registering a comprehensive six-wicket victory in an absolutely thrilling contest.Batting first, Netherlands put up a hefty score of 137 on the board as their opening batsman Sterre Kalis contributed 88 runs to the scorecard.The Dutch nation started their defence well, with the UAE needing 8.50 runs per over at one point. It was then that UAE right-hand batter Nisha Ali started attacking. She along with another batter Chaya Mughal, brought the UAE back into the game.Reflecting on her performance, Player of the match Nisha said that the game was very important for the team and she is happy that she contributed when it was needed."It was an important game, we wanted to start the tournament with a win. I am very happy as I believe our team is good at ...
India eye series victory against England
India will be aiming to seal the series when they take on England in the deciding game of the ongoing three-match T20I series here at Bristol County Ground on Sunday.Earlier, India had kick-started their two-month tour of England with a resounding eight-wicket win against the hosts. However, they lost the second game after attacking English batsman Alex Hales struck 12 runs off the final over to register a five-wicket win over the visitors levelling the series 1-1.England returned well after their first-match surrender to Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav and did not let Indian spinners dominate in the second game.Virat Kohli-led side, on the other hand, were fancying their chances till the final over of the second match but Alex Hales' match-winning knock took the game away from the hands of Indians.A series win today will be a big confidence booster for the Indian team ahead of the three-match one day international series against the Englishmen, beginning July 12.On a related note, the ..
Thai cave rescue operation underway
Thai authorities on Sunday announced that the operation to rescue the 12 boys and their coach, stranded inside a cave in Chiang Rai, has begun.The football team will be medically evaluated when they are out of the cave.Several media reports stated that 13 foreigner and five Thai divers are particiapting in the rescue operation.This comes barely a few days after attempts to rescue the footballers from the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system were put on hold due to a rain forecast.With heavy rains forecasted for the weekend, Governor Osottanakorn had then dismissed the idea of an immediate rescue, saying that efforts will be initiated only if the risk to the rescuers' lives were minimal.The international rescue operation team included the Thai Navy SEALs and experts from the US, China, Australia and the UK.Medical teams will continue to monitor the boys' health even as they remain trapped inside the cave.It is estimated that it would take five hours for even experienced divers to cross the .
Stunning for most, Indian Pencak Silat team in Asiad cause for celebration in J&K
For most, it was a bolt from the blue, quite a few even scoffed at it but for one man in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pencak Silat's inclusion in the Indian Asian Games contingent was the perfect culmination of a lone journey he started eight years ago in Korea. Srinagar-based Mohammad Iqbal is India's national coach for the Indonesian Martial Art sport, about which very little is known in the country's sporting fraternity. But the 38-year-old isn't bothered by the surprise that has greeted Pencak Silat's Asiad inclusion. "My children (national campers) are so happy, they are receiving calls from everywhere. They asked me if this news is negative or positive. I told them it's good. People will know about our sport now," a jubilant Iqbal told PTI in an interview. "The Sports ministry monitored our results and gave us a chance to participate in the Asian Games. We don't want to break their trust we want to perform and win medals for India, so people know about us and ...