Page 1965 - Sports
Sang, Karunga win Rajkot Marathon
Henry Kiprotich Sang and Jaddiah Wanjiru Karunga today emerged victorious in the men's and women's category respectively in the Rajkot Marathon here. While 30-year-old Sang clocked a timing of two hours 23 minutes and 37 seconds to bag the gold medal, Karunga (31) finished the distance in two hours 44 minutes and 69 seconds. David Kipchirchir Koech and Linus Kipwambok Chumba bagged the silver and bronze medal in men's full marathon. Zinashwork Yenew Anbu and M S Seema finished second and third in the women's category. The Marathon, organised jointly by Rajkot Municipal Corporation and Rajkot Police, was flagged off by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in presence of Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara.
Pogba illness concerns Mourinho ahead of Sevilla trip
Jose Mourinho faces an anxious wait to discover whether Paul Pogba can take part in Manchester Uniteds midweek Champions League last 16 trip to Sevilla after he missed their FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town. An unspecified illness saw Pogba withdraw on the morning of Saturdays match in Huddersfield, which United won 2-0 thanks to two goals from Romelu Lukaku as they advanced into the quarter-finals. United manager Mourinho, whose relationship with club-record signing Pogba has been under close scrutiny in recent weeks, insisted he did not even know what the illness was or how long the France midfielder may be unable to play, having planned to play him in a 4-3-3 system that the player considers his favourite. "I dont know," said Mourinho when asked about the nature of Pogbas illness after today's match. "When I was told by the doctor this morning that he was not coming, I dont want to know anything else about it -- I have to think who is going to replace him, what I am going to ..
Seeing double -- Djokovic cheers lookalike Olympic winner
Tennis ace Novak Djokovic has invited French lookalike Winter Olympic champion Pierre Vaultier for a get-together after the snowboard gold medallist noted the resemblance between the two men. Vaultier told French TV he was a fan of Djokovic and had always wanted to meet the Serbian former world number one. Djokovic responded swiftly on Twitter with an invitation to the French Open at Roland Garros. "@pierre_vaultier lets make it happen. See you at RG (Roland Garros)! And congratulations on your Olympic medal(s)!" Vaultier said the likeness between himself and the tall, dark Djokovic had been raised in the past and added: "When I am watching him play, his expressions and his intonation, I feel like I am watching myself." The 30-year-old Vaultier won the Olympic snowboard cross gold in Pyeongchang on Thursday, retaining the title he won in Sochi four years earlier. The French Open tennis championships will take place at Roland Garros from May 27 to June 10.
Wigan revenge next step of Man City's quadruple chase
Manchester City's bid for a historic quadruple rolls into Wigan for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round tie, with avenging a shock defeat to the Latics in the 2013 final also in mind. Pep Guardiola's side have blown away any suggestion injuries and fatigue could derail their quest to win the Premier League, Champions League, League and FA Cup by scoring nine goals in their last two matches. A 5-1 victory over Leicester last weekend extended City's lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points, and that was followed on Tuesday with a 4-0 victory at Basel in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Even more good news for Guardiola in Switzerland was the return from injury of Leroy Sane, David Silva and Fabian Delph. Silva's substitute appearance was proof that he is over a hip problem, while England utility player Delph, a midfielder used largely as a left-back by his club this season, made his return after six matches out with a knee injury. Sane's reappearance as a ...
Sillong Lajong to host Aizawl in season's final northeastern derby
Shillong Lajong FC will host defending champions Aizawl FC in the season's last northeast derby in the Hero I-League here tomorrow. Shillong Lajong and Aizawl are placed 5th and 6th on the standings respectively with 18 points each and it will be interesting to see which of these two teams will emerge victorious at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. A new-look Aizawl FC who drew with Indian Arrows in their last outing are determined to thwart their opponents and come up on top. "We do not underestimate Shillong Lajong as they are a very good side, said Aizawl coach Santosh Kashyap at the pre-match press conference. "However, we will not hold back and will try our hardest to win the three points, he added. On being asked if the weather would prove to be a disadvantage for his team, Kashyap replied, "Actually no, the weather is almost the same as in Aizawl; conditions are almost the same and even Lajong's playing style is almost the same. So I dont think that we are at a disadvantage.
Batting let India down in 3rd T20I against South Africa
India's middle-order collapsed after a fiery start as South Africa won the third Twenty20 International by five wickets to keep the five-match series alive, here today. Indian women, eyeing their maiden T20 series win in South Africa after winning the first two matches, collapsed to 133 in 17.5 overs after being placed at a solid 93 for two in the 12th over. South Africa's top-order came out firing and overhauled the target with one over to spare. They lost Lizelle Lee (5) early before skipper Dane van Niekerk (26 off 20) and Sune Luus (41 off 34) steadied the ship. After Van Niekerk's dismissal, Luus and Mignon du Preez (20) raised a 50-run stand for the third wicket to lay the base for the comfortable chase. Chloe Tryon (34 off 15) also played a quick knock to help the home team's cause. For India, medium pacer Pooja Vastrakar picked up two wickets, giving away just 21 runs from her four overs. Off-spinner Anuja Patil was a big let down for India today as she conceded 44 runs from ..
England beat New Zealand but fail to enter tri-series finals
England won the sixth T20 International tri-series by two runs against New Zealand but failed to qualify for the finals as they needed to win by at least 20 runs.Coming in to bat first, England posted 195 runs for the loss of seven wickets with the help of skipper Eoin Morgan's magnificent unbeaten knock of 80 runs.However, Morgan's efforts went in vain as the visitors' lone win in the series didn't guarantee them a place in the finals.Dawid Malan struck a half-century as Jason Roy contributed with 21 runs in the consolation win.For New Zealand, Colin Munro and Martin Guptill came out to open the innings and struck brisk half-centuries.Munro hammered seven sixes before he was dismissed by Adil Rashid for 57.Guptill went on to complete his 14th T20I fifty before he was dismissed by Dawid Malan for 62.Mark Chapman and Colin de Grandhomme needed to score 12 runs in the final over but fell two runs short as Tom Curran bowled a superb last over.New Zealand will now meet Australia, who are .
England win battle, but Munro ensures New Zealand win the war =
An aggressive Colin Munro belted New Zealand into the Twenty20 tri-series final against Australia despite England claiming their final round-robin match by two runs in Hamilton on Sunday. Munro plundered the England attack at the top of the New Zealand innings, equalling the sixth-fastest half-century of all time in crickets shortest form as he raced past 50 in just 18 deliveries. England, on the back of an unbeaten 80 by returning captain Eoin Morgan, posted 194 for seven after being sent into bat. New Zealand, with Martin Guptill adding 62 and Hong Kong-born Mark Chapman unbeaten on 37, made 192 for four in reply. The narrow two-run margin was not enough to save an England side who had lost all their previous games in the competition, and needed to win by 20 runs to overtake New Zealand on overall run-rate to face unbeaten Australia in Wednesdays final. New Zealand passed that target at the start of the 18th over but the groundwork had been laid by opener Munros whirlwind 57 in a ...
Russian athletes advised to spend less time on social media
Olympic athletes from Russia have been recommended to spend less time on social networks during the Games in Pyeongchang to avoid provocation, the head of the Russian delegation Stanislav Pozdnyakov told reporters on Sunday.
After ODI triumph, Team India and Kohli look different (Column: Just Sport)
There is a marked difference in the India team from the time they started their tour of South Africa and now when they are about to end it. They wear the look of champions.
Prannoy credits Saina, Sindhu for mindset change
Star shuttler H S Prannoy has credited top women shuttlers P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal for the positive change in mindset of other players while facing tougher opponents. "The one thing which changed among all of us (players) was the belief (to win). (And) in the last five to six years I could see the change," Prannoy said here. "Before (earlier) we used to go out there and when we (saw) big names, we used to say its tough. Nowadays whenever we see the big names we are much more confident," said the world no 11 last night. Prannoy, along with legendary badminton player Nandu Natekar and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, was present at the prize distribution ceremony of the 25th G D Birla Memorial Masters Inter-Club Badminton Tournament at the Bombay Gymkhana. "First when we used to play them we used to give them a lot of respect. When I started playing badminton I never thought I could play against these big names or at this Super Series level or at the World ...
Hirscher doubles up with giant slalom gold at Winter Olympics
Austrian Alpine skiing great Marcel Hirscher won his second gold medal at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games as he claimed the men's giant slalom title here on Sunday.
AS Roma go third as Inter sink again in Genoa
AS Roma confirmed their return to form with a 2-0 win at Udinese to move third in Serie A as Inter Milan fell back into crisis with a 2-0 loss in Genoa. Inter had looked to have put their poor run going back two months behind them with a 2-1 success against Bologna but the revival was short lived as they suffered a fifth consecutive defeat in Genoa. Luciano Spallettis side, who were top of Serie A two months ago and unbeaten until December 16, are now fourth and could fall to fifth if Lazio, who lost last weekend to Genoa, beat Verona on Monday. Cengiz Under and Diego Perotti scored in the second half in Udine as Roma, with 50 points from 25 games, jump two points ahead of Inter. Serie A leaders Napoli, who have 63 points, and champions Juventus, one point behind in second, are both in action on Sunday. Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia turned the ball into his own net for Genoas first goal on the stroke of half-time with former Inter forward Goran Pandev scoring the second. "When you ..
FA Cup quarter-final draw: Man Utd against Brighton, Chelsea play Leicester
The FA Cup quarter-final draw saw Manchester United lined up to play against Brighton & Hove Albion while Chelsea will take on fellow English Premier League (EPL) club Leicester City.
Smith looks forward to pace challenge
A refreshed Australia captain Steve Smith is looking forward to the challenge of taking on South Africa's fast bowlers in a four-Test series starting in Durban on March 1. His sentiment may not be shared by the tailenders of both teams, though. When Australia beat England 4-0 in their recent home Ashes series, the tourists lower order was blown away by aggressive short-pitched bowling from pace trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Smith said on Saturday he expected his bowlers to "go down a similar path" in South Africa, even though the hosts have the firepower to hit back through Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and new find Lungi Ngidi. "There could be some good short-pitched bowling from both sides, to the batters, to the tail, everyone from both sides," said Smith. "I think its great. Im excited by it. You love coming up against the best bowlers around the world. "The batters should be looking forward to this series. You love coming up against good pace. I think its ...
Olympic champion Kipruto handed Commonwealth wild card
Athletics Kenya (AK) has handed Olympic and world steeplechase champion, Conseslus Kipruto, a wild card to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Suarez, Alba help Barca pass Eibar test
FC Barcelona made sure they will retain their seven-point lead at the top of the Liga Santander whatever happens during the rest of the weekend when they won a tough game 2-0 away to Eibar.
Brazilian striker Tardelli keen to extend Shandong Luneng deal
Shandong Luneng striker Diego Tardelli has denied speculation linking him with Corinthians and revealed a desire to extend his contract with the Chinese Super League club.
Winter Olympics: Skater Elise Christie taken to hospital after crash
British short-track skater Elise Christie was taken to hospital after crashing out of the 1500m semi-final at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.In an attempt to finish at the second spot, the 27-year-old collided with China's Li Jinyu on the final lap and ended up being taken off on a stretcher.The Briton was judged to have caused the incident and was disqualified and penalised for it."Following the race, Elise Christie was taken to hospital accompanied by the team doctor, team physio and team leader. She has had an X-ray on her right ankle which has shown that there are no broken bones," the Guardian quoted a Team Great Britain (GB) spokesperson as saying.Having missed out on a medal in the 500m earlier, Christie only has the 1,000m to end her Olympics drought, providing her injuries do not prevent her from competing.Christie was earlier disqualified in all three finals in Sochi Winter Olympics four years ago.The 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang were kicked off on February
Soumya smashes national record, pulls of shock win
Soumya Baby smashed the national record in women's 20km event as she pulled off a shock win over favourite Khushbir Kaur to clinch gold in the National Race Walking Championships here today. Soumya, from Thiruvananthapuram but representing Delhi in the championship, clocked 1 hour 31 minutes and 28.72 seconds to better the earlier national record of 1:31:40 -- in the name of Khushbir -- by 11 seconds. Khushbir, the 24-year-old Incheon Asian Games silver medallist and representing Athletics Federation of India in this championship, clocked 1:32.16.96 to finish second while Karamjit Kaur (Haryana) took the bronze with her personal best effort of 1:34:08.60. In the men's 20km event, national record holder K T Irfan of Kerala retained his title by clinching gold in 1 hour 21 minutes and 31.25 seconds. Uttarakhand's Manish Singh Rawat took the silver in 1:21:31.72 in a close finish while Haryana's Neeraj bagged the bronze in 1:21:39.20. Both the men's and women's 20km event gold, silver ...