Page 15 - Sports

US Open: Rajawat, Malvika into quarters; Gayatri-Treesa too advance

India's Priyanshu Rajawat has stormed into the men's singles quarterfinals with a straight-game win over Chinese Taipei's Huang Yu Kai in the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament here. Eighth seed Rajawat, who had won the Orleans Masters in 2023, notched up a 21-18 21-16 win over Huang to set up a clash with fourth seed Lei Lan Xi of China. Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also advanced to the women's doubles quarterfinals with a 16-21 21-11 21-19 win over Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Pei Shan and Hung En-Tzu in the second round. The second seeded Indian pair, who received a bye in the opening round, will next face sixth seeded Japanese Rui Hirokami and Yuna Kato. Also making it to the last eight is Malvika Bansod, seeded seventh. She beat Czech Republic's Tereza Svabikova 15-21 21-19 21-14 in a women's singles match. Malvika will face a tough test against third seed Kristy Gilmour of Scotland.

Delhi's Tulika Maan secures Paris Olympics quota for India in Judo

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tulika Maan on Tuesday secured a Paris Olympics quota for India in judo, according to the international body's list. International Judo Federation (IJF) on Tuesday published a list of judokas who have qualified for the Paris Games and 25-year-old Tulika's name featured in the +78 kg category. The Delhi girl was ranked 36th with 1345 points. The qualification period was between June 22, 2022 and June 23, 2024. "The next step will take place on July 2 when the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) will have to nominate which athletes will represent them, knowing that only one judoka per NOC can participate in the Games in each weight category," the IJF said on its website. "In other words, if a country has several judoka qualified in a given weight category, only one can be chosen to participate this summer." A country can enter a maximum of 14 judokas, seven each for both men and women per bodyweight category. France, as host country, received a sp

Euro 2024: Denmark advances to last 16 after 0-0 draw with Serbia

Denmark advanced to the last 16 at the European Championship after a 0-0 draw with Serbia on Tuesday. The Danes finished Group C with three points, the same as Slovenia, but ended up in second place because of a better qualifying ranking. Slovenia, which drew 0-0 with group-winner England, also advanced to the knockout stage. Denmark had most of the chances even though Serbia needed a victory to reach the next round. And almost all of those Danish opportunities came through Christian Eriksen, who was making a record 133rd appearance for his country. Denmark and Slovenia finished even on points, goal difference, goals scored and disciplinary points.

BCCI officials, state association reps convene ahead of domestic season

The BCCI office bearers including secretary Jay Shah and representatives of the state associations met here on Monday for an informal meeting to "exchange ideas" and discuss the revamped domestic cricket structure. India's domestic season 2024-25 will begin with the Duleep Trophy on September 5 followed by the Irani Cup and then the Ranji Trophy, which has been split into two halves for the first time. This has been done to counter inclement weather during winter season in the north and give players more time for rest and recovery between matches. In the meeting held here at the BCCI headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium, the board also sought feedback from the state associations on the new format. The new format has been implemented on the recommendations of National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman, India head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma. The BCCI aims to review the same after one year. "The meeting highlighted the commenda

Mirlind Daku banned by Uefa for 2 Euro 2024 games after nationalist chants

Albania player Mirlind Daku was banned on Sunday for two games after leading fans in nationalist chants at the European Championship, that UEFA said brought soccer into disrepute. Daku took a megaphone after Albania's 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in Hamburg and joined in chanting slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia. The incidents and fallout from the game in Hamburg have been the most serious involving Balkan politics at a Euros with the most-ever teams from the region playing and offering a stage for some fans to air its issues. It also has highlighted rifts in soccer between Albania and Serbia at a time when their soccer federations have tried to heal them by teaming up, despite opposition from many fans, in a bid to co-host the Under-21 Euros in 2027. On Sunday, UEFA said its disciplinary judges found Daku guilty of failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations o

Indian recurve mixed team clinches bronze medal in Archery World Cup

Indian recurve mixed team of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Bhajan Kaur produced an excellent performance to rally past Mexico and clinch a bronze medal in the Archery World Cup Stage 3 here on Sunday. Trailing 0-2 after conceding the opening set, the Indian team produced a flawless round to bring it level and seal a stunning 5-3 (35-38, 40-39, 38-37, 38-38) win over their Mexican opponents Alejandra Valencia and Matias Grande. This was India's third medal from the meet and the archers will be in the hunt for two more medals when Dhiraj and Ankita Bhakat compete in their respective individual semifinals later in the day. Indian women's compound team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur bagged a gold medal, while Priyansh bagged a silver on Saturday.

Olympics 2024: Pressure there, but we see it positively, say Chirag, Satwik

A medal prospect at the upcoming Paris Olympics, the crack team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty say they are well equipped to handle the pressure of expectations as they "view it positively". As the Olympic Games approach, the duo acknowledged the high expectations placed on them. During an interaction with former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema's 'Get Set Gold' programme, Rankireddy emphasized their commitment to "make the country proud". "We take it as a responsibility to make the Indian flag fly high at the Olympics. We will work hard to achieve that," Rankireddy said. Shetty, unfazed by the pressure, aims to channel it positively to stay focused on their goals. "Pressure is there, but we view it positively". Rankireddy and Shetty, who won bronze at the 2022 BWF World Championships and gold at the 2022 Asian Games, were the first Indian men's doubles pair to achieve the world number one ranking. Shetty recounted their Olympic debut experience at Tokyo

England draws 1-1 with Denmark, remains on track to advance in Euro 2024

Where England stands after two European Championship games is the envy of most teams. Just not good enough yet to have title ambitions. A 1-1 draw Thursday with Denmark a semifinalist last time, don't forget means England is unbeaten and all-but certain to advance to the round of 16. It also was a slack, mistake-filled display that left coach Gareth Southgate angrily gesturing at his players for gifting a slew of scoring chances late in the game. The team didn't function today, that is my responsibility, said Southgate, who heard jeers from fans behind the England goal in a ragged second half. Harry Kane gave England another fast start at Euro 2024, scoring it the 18th minute, but the captain was substituted off in the second half as the team faded. Denmark leveled in the 34th when Morten Hjulmand fired in a powerful low shot from long distance, after Kane gave away the ball in defense. Eight years with Southgate has earned England sustained tournament success. The Three Lions

Own-goals lead way in scoring chart after bizarre start to Euro 2024

There's just no stopping the top scorer at the European Championship. Own-goals lead the way in the scoring chart, with the fifth one of the tournament coming Thursday through Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori in his team's 1-0 loss to Spain. The other unfortunate players to score in their own net were Germany's Antonio Rdiger, Austria's Maximilian Wber, the Czech Republic's Robin Hranc and Albania's Klaus Gjasula. These five have come from just 18 games so far. There were a tournament-record 11 own-goals at the last edition three years ago. In an unusual start to Euro 2024, only one player has two goals Germany forward Jamal Musiala and 40 players have scored one goal. Gjasula has scored for and against his country. There's also this unlikely stat: None of the 47 goals have been penalties.

With Messi-style dribbling, Lamine Yamal thrills in Spain win at Euro 2024

At times, it was like watching Lionel Messi. How about that for a compliment for Lamine Yamal after another thrilling performance at the European Championship that showed just why there is such a buzz around this 16-year-old phenom with blond tinges in his dark hair and magic in his boots. One moment stood out, in particular, in Spain's 1-0 win over Italy on Thursday. It was the middle of the first half and Yamal had just started to put on a show eliciting some ooohs and ahhhs from a crowd containing Spain's King Felipe VI when the Barcelona youngster found himself inside off his right wing and with the ball at his feet. Suddenly, he exploded into life, slaloming through the attempted tackles of two would-be challengers Federico Dimarco and then Jorginho while keeping the ball stuck to his left foot. As another tackle came in, he managed to play the ball through to Alvaro Morata to get a shot away. It really could have been Messi. As it could when he cut back off his wing and

Thanks for the Memories: Stimac pens farewell note to 'Blue Tigers'

Bitter with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) but full of praise for the players he coached for five years, Igor Stimac on Wednesday said he never expected to be "so personally invested" in the country when he first joined and lauded his wards for their "courage and character". Stimac, who was terminated after India lost to Qatar in its final second-round group match to bow out of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, has threatened the AIFF with legal action if it failed to clear his dues in the next 10 days. He has also accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of breaching his contract multiple times and held him squarely responsible for the Indian team's failure to progress. The Croat has said that his stint here left him with serious health problems and he never wants to hear from the AIFF again. However, he expressed his affection for the players and fans in a note of thanks on his X page. "To all Indian football fans and my blue tigers, it's been an honour to serve you over the

4 Grand Slam champions get wild cards for Wimbledon; tournament from July 1

Former Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and Emma Raducanu have all been awarded wild cards for Wimbledon. The grass-court tournament starts on July 1. Osaka a four-time major champion and former No. 1 player and three-time Grand Slam winner Kerber returned from maternity leave at the start of this season. Currently ranked 113th, Osaka was the only player to take a set from top-ranked Iga Swiatek at the French Open and followed that up with a quarterfinal spot last week in 's-Hertogenbosch, a warm-up event for Wimbledon. Former US Open champion Raducanu made her breakthrough at Wimbledon by advancing to the fourth round in 2021. She will be playing there for the first time in two years after undergoing wrist and ankle surgery in 2023. Kerber won the 2018 Wimbledon title and was runner-up at the All England Club in 2016. She is also a former top-ranked player. Wozniacki returned from maternity leave last August. She's never got past the fourt

Days after World Cup qualifier loss, AIFFS sacks head coach Igor Stimac

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday sacked Igor Stimac as the head coach of the country's senior's men's team following a disappointing campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who was appointed as the head coach in 2019, was given an extension last year by the sport's apex body. India could not make the third round of the World Cup qualifier following a 1-2 defeat against Qatar in their final second round match. "Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward," the AIFF said in a statement. "A notice of termination has been issued to Mr. Stimac by the AIFF Secretariat, and he stands relieved of his obligations with immediate effect." The 56-year-old Stimac, who was part of the Croatia team that made the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup, had taken charge of the Blue Tigers in 2019, after t

Euro Cup 2024: Weghorst's late goal helps Netherlands beat Poland 2-1

Netherlands forward Wout Weghorst loves to make a big impression off the bench and he did it again Sunday late in a 2-1 win over Poland at the European Championship. The giant striker struck with a low left-foot shot in the 83rd minute with his first touch after coming on to replace Memphis Depay who had wasted several shooting chances. Weghorst might not look like the most elegant player. Still, his reputation for being effective was earned at the 2022 World Cup with two late goals against Argentina to force extra time in a memorable quarterfinal against the eventual champion. This time, Weghorst's goal was worth a win that puts some pressure on Group D favourite France, which already beat the Dutch twice in qualifying last year and plays Austria on Monday. I said it this morning to my girlfriend: 'Scores level, 0-0, 1-1, 20 minutes to go. It was a bit later. But you feel it and visualize it for yourself," Weghorst told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Poland was forced to cope without its

Veteran sports journalist Harpal Singh Bedi passes away at age of 72

Veteran sports journalist Harpal Singh Bedi, who covered several highs and lows of Indian sports in a career spanning over four decades, served as the national Olympic contingent's press attache in 2012 and charmed the media box with his inimitable wit and warmth, died after prolonged illness here on Saturday. He was 72 and is survived by his wife Revathi and daughter Pallavi. The former sports editor of the United News of India (UNI) was among the tallest figures in Indian sports journalism and was working as a consulting editor of the Statesman newspaper for the last couple of years. His awe-inspiring work experience included on-ground coverage of eight Olympic Games, "hard to count" Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, World Cups of cricket and hockey, and world and national championships of athletics and other major Olympic sports. Not to be forgotten was his ability to be a mentor to young journalists in the press box. He could make nervous newbies comfortable with his tradema

Jacobs succeeded Bolt in 100-meter Olympic, still flies 'under the radar'

Hardly anyone outside of Italy had heard of Marcell Jacobs before he succeeded Usain Bolt as the Olympic 100 meter champion in Tokyo. Three injury-filled years have passed, and the Texas-born Italian is almost as big of a mystery now as he was then. American sprinter Noah Lyles is deservedly garnering the spotlight entering the Paris Games after sweeping three golds at last year's world championships. A host of other racers have dipped under the 10-second mark this year, too an achievement that Jacobs hasn't accomplished in nearly two years. So, Jacobs also has the unusual status of being both the defending champion while remaining an underdog for the biggest race of the Olympics. It's good because I can stay under the radar. I can do my preparation, my race, without think(ing) about what the other people think about me, Jacobs told The Associated Press. I don't need to win all the races, but I want to arrive at the Olympics and win again. Having dealt with a series of physical

French Open: Sabalenka marches into next round, defeats Erika Andreeva

Although Sabalenka is currently 20-5 all-time in Grand Slam opening rounds, she is almost impervious to an opening upset now

Indian sports industry get artificial intelligence boost from IIT Madras

Almost all sports in India are taking baby strides in AI, including cricket, chess, boxing, badminton, tennis, and wrestling

French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem loses in qualifying final match

Two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem lost in the second round of qualifying on Wednesday in his final match at the French Open. Thiem was beaten 6-2 7-5 by Otto Virtanen on Court Suzanne Lenglen and won't make an 11th and final appearance in the main draw of the clay-court Grand Slam. Thiem, who reached the final at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, announced earlier this month that he will retire at the end of the year after struggling to return to top form following a wrist injury. After his loss, Thiem received a standing ovation during a farewell ceremony, amid chants of "Thank you Domi, Thank you Domi." Thiem, a former US Open winner, has dropped to the 131st spot in the rankings and did not receive a wild card at the French Open. He did not hold a grudge. "I slowly built up a great, great relationship with the tournament, relationship with all of you guys, with all fans," Thiem said. "I've really enjoyed every single year of it." The 30-year-old Austrian won his only Grand Slam

Venu Sports: Disney-Fox-WBD sports-streaming venture to be launched soon

Announced in February, the service will try to woo younger viewers who are not tuned in to cable TV with bundled offering of the companies' broad portfolio of professional and collegiate sports rights