Page 233 - Sports
India Open: Amit Panghal, Shiva Thapa confirm medals
Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52kg) and Asian Championships bronze medallist Shiva Thapa (60kg) led 12 Indian boxers into the semi-finals to confirm medals on the third day of the second edition of the India Open International Boxing Tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi AC Indoor Stadium, here on Wednesday.
Rahane scores hundred for Hampshire on County debut
India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane had a memorable English County debut, scoring a hundred for Hampshire against Nottinghamshire in a Division One game here Wednesday. Rahane thus became the third Indian to score a hundred on county debut after Piyush Chawla, for Sussex against Worcestershire and Murali Vijay for Essex against Nottinghamshire. Rahane, who had scored just 10 in the first innings, struck a patient 119 off 260 balls, hit 14 boundaries and shared a 257-run stand for the third wicket with Sam Northeast, who was unbeaten on 131 at tea on the third day. Rahane came in at No 3 in the fifth over of the innings and was dismissed by off-spinner Matthew Carter at the stroke of tea in the 70th over. In between, he saw off England seamer Stuart Broad's testing first spell and showed a lot of patience waiting for the loose deliveries at the Newport ground. In fact, Rahane reached his hundred with a cover drive off Carter that fetched him two runs. The celebration was muted. ...
JK Tyre National Karting Championship gets bigger this year
The JK Tyre National Karting Championship, in a rejigged avatar, promises to take the country by storm, making it much more affordable and accessible to every young motorsport enthusiast. The championship will not only spot promising talent but will also nurture them and chart their future path towards glory, just like it has done for the likes of Karun Chandhok, Armaan Ebrahim, Aditya Patel, Arjun Maini and Kush Maini in the past. In the new season, JK Motorsport and the authorized Promoter & Organizer Meco Motorsports have repackaged and upgraded the entire championship to make the drivers future ready. The entire programme will have three different sub-sets: the JK Tyre 4-stroke Sodi Kart Sprint Karting Championship, the X-30 Karting and the Rotax Karting. Winners of 4-stroke championship will get an option to choose between X-30 and Rotax; the X-30 &Rotaxwinners(Junior & Senior classes only) will go on to participate in their respective world finals and also get a ...
Uzbeks no-show makes lopsided field for Indians
The 14-strong Uzbekistan contingent comprising reigning Asian Games champions duo of Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov and Bobo-Usmon Baturov did not show up at the second edition of the India Open boxing tournament, making it a lopsided field for the hosts. The Uzbeks had confirmed participation of nine boxers in the men's section that included two-time World Championships silver medalist Jasurbek Latipov (49kg), Mirazizbek (56kg), Asian Games silver medalist Shunkor Abdurasulov (60kg) and Baturov (69kg). The boxing heavyweight nation also had sent entries for five in the women's section. "They had sent their ticket and travel details and everything was in order. But they did not show up. We tried contacting them but their offices were close due to Ramadan holidays," BFI executive director Raj Kumar Sacheti told PTI. Apparently, the team did not government clearance and with prolonged holidays due to Ramadan they were forced to withdraw from the continental meet. Local favourite Lovlina ...
Van Persie tells United to give 'fair chance' to Solskjaer
Robin van Persie has urged Manchester United to keep faith with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the under-fire manager's turbulent end to his first season in charge. Solskjaer presided over a miserable conclusion to a campaign that saw United fail to qualify for the Champions League after finishing sixth in the Premier League. However, Van Persie, whose goals helped United win their last Premier League title in 2013, is adamant Solskjaer deserves more time to get the club back on track. "I think it's the perfect match, it's just they're having a bad spell," Van Persie told BBC Sport on Wednesday. "Back in the day it was normal for a manager to get time. Nowadays if you lose six games, you're out. Is that the solution? "Give someone time, especially if it's a kid from the club." Former United striker Solskjaer had made a positive impact after replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho as interim boss in December. Solskjaer oversaw a 15-match unbeaten domestic run and led United to a stunning ...
Team India arrives in London ahead of World Cup
Team India, on Wednesday, arrived in London to participate in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's Cricket World Cup, beginning May 30.Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the picture of the team and staff on Twitter with a caption, reading, "Touchdown London #TeamIndia".Ahead of the World Cup, warm-up matches will take place. Each team will get an opportunity to play two games. India will face New Zealand on May 25 in its first warm-up followed by a match against Bangladesh on May 28.At a pre-departure press conference held at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Tuesday, Kohli opined that they are entering in the tournament with a balanced and a strong side."We are going into the World Cup as a balanced and strong side. You saw in the IPL as well. All the players in the squad are in great form and playing really well. I think from that point of view, we just expect ourselves to play the best cricket we can," the Indian captain said.All the 10 teams will face ...
Vijay Amritraj graces Roland Garros India opening party
The Roland-Garros opening party, presented by Rolex, was held here on Tuesday to celebrate the two brands new alliance. This forms a part of a series of such events being held in Brazil, China and India, just a few weeks before the Grand Slam begins.
SuperSonics book semi-final berth
SoBo SuperSonics bounced back in no time after suffering a maiden loss to overpower a depleted Shivaji Park Lions and book a semi-final berth in the second edition of T20 Mumbai on Wednesday here. Captain Jay Bista (33 off 31b, 3x4) and experienced Yogesh Takawale (40 off 32b, 2x4, 2x6) held the SuperSonics innings together before the final flourish took their total to 150 for six. And a struggling Shivaji Park Lions yet again crumbled while chasing the target, to eventually be bundled out for 115 in the last over. The 35-run win - SuperSonics' fourth in five league games - meant the SuperSonics joined ARCS Andheri as semi- finalists from Group B. While the Lions bowlers did reasonably well despite Bista and Takawale's knocks, the SuperSonics took the game away by plundering 52 runs off the last four overs to shift the momentum. Left-arm spinner Dhrumil Matkar - whose cameo of four-ball 15 in the last over was critical in the team putting on a total of 150 - then ...
Former Malaysian King Sultan Ahmad Shah passes away
Malaysia's seventh King and football veteran Sultan Ahmad Shah passed away here on Wednesday at the age of 88.
At first sight I thought 'she is beautiful': Anderson about pace-mate Broad in his book
"My God, she's beautiful," was what Jimmy Anderson thought when he first saw fellow England pacer Stuart Broad with his flowing blond hair, striking blue eyes and a perfect figure. Anderson, the leading Test wicket taker among fast bowlers, revealed this in his new book, 'Bowl. Sleep. Repeat.' The 36-year-old, who has taken 575 wickets from 148 Tests, also wrote about off-spinner Graeme Swann's 'loudest fart' during a team meeting addressed by coach Andy Flower. "The first time Stuart Broad walked into the dressing room, with his flowing blond hair, striking blue eyes and perfect figure, I thought: 'My God, she's beautiful'. "It's surreal we've taken more than 1,000 wickets between us," Anderson wrote in the book, excerpts of which were published by British tabloid 'The Sun'. "We've never been in competition as bowlers because our skills are different. Stuart has been under pressure at times from bowlers who get steep bounce and move the ball off the seam and I have from the skiddier .
USA sweep Canada to reach Women's T20 and World Cup Qualifiers
Sindhu Sriharsha-led USA produced three impressive performances to sweep Canada at the ICC Women's Qualifier Americas 2019 after recording a 35-run win in the final match of the series.With two wins already in the bag, USA had guaranteed qualification heading into the final fixture. They, however, ended on a high note by scoring 116 for six with skipper Sriharsha bludgeoning an unbeaten 42 and restricting the Canadians to 81 for six in reply thanks to Ramjit's 3-11."It's amazing! Going to a global qualifier after eight years is a huge win for USA cricket. We are excited to go out there and compete. We really came together and united as a team. Being undefeated the entire week speaks volumes about the commitment from the team and management backing us through this journey," ICC quoted USA captain Sriharsha, as saying."We came prepared and believed in our processes. It's rewarding when we see results for hard work. This gives us more opportunities. We now have two years of cricket to ...
Shiva, Panghal lead home domination at India Open Boxing
It was a spectacular homecoming for World championship bronze medallist Shiva Thapa, while Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal also lived upto his billing reaching the semifinals in 52kg category at the second India Open boxing tournament here Wednesday. Five other Indians also progressed to the semifinals at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium. Three years after he was crowned national champion at the same venue, a matured Thapa returned stronger as he clinically executed his plans to outwork his taller Mauritius opponent Hellene Damien 5-0 and set up a semifinal clash against D Krystian Sczepanski of Poland in the 60kg category. "I was facing a taller opponent like him for the first time in my category," said Thapa, who will switch to 63kg after the tournament keeping in mind of the approved weight categories for Olympic qualification. "He had a better reach so my strategy was to hit him from the close range and then quickly go out of his reach. It worked out ...
Sethu FC crowned IWL champions after Sabitra's brace
Sethu FC turned around a first-half deficit to beat Manipur Police SC 3-1 and win the Indian Women's League trophy here Wednesday. Radharani Devi had put Manipur Police in the lead towards the end of the first half, but an own goal by Umapati Devi put Sethu back in the game, before their Nepal international Sabitra Bhandari scored two goals to win it for the Madurai-based side. Sethu got off with more chances in the first half, as they kept the Manipur attackers in check and built on their swift counter-attacks to move the ball up the pitch quickly. Their left winger Sandhiya looked lively in the opening exchanges, as she bombed down the left flank to give a lot of trouble to the Manipur defence. The India international had the first clear chance a little after 10 minutes, when she received the ball just inside the box and pulled the trigger. However, she scuffed her instep shot and it lacked any sting. The winger had another good chance when she received the ball from a melee inside .
Thorgan Hazard joins Dortmund on five-year deal
Borussia Dortmund confirmed on Wednesday they have signed Thorgan Hazard, the younger brother of Chelsea star Eden, on a five-year deal form Borussia Moenchengladbach. The 26-year-old winger announced in April that he was joining Dortmund, who finished runners-up in the Bundesliga this season, with only the details of the transfer to sort out. "I am grateful for five great years at Borussia Moenchengladbach and the wonderful memories," said Hazard in a statement on Dortmund's club website. "Now was exactly the right point in time to take the next step in my career. "I am proud to be able to play for Borussia Dortmund - it is a top club with unbelievable fans." Germany's top-selling daily Bild says the transfer should cost about 25 million euros ($28m) plus add-ons. The Belgium international scored 46 goals and provided 44 assists in 182 appearances for Gladbach. "We are very pleased that Thorgan was fully convinced about joining Borussia Dortmund," said sports director Michael ...
Virat Kohli to go into World Cup as No.1 batsman
With the men's Cricket World Cup 2019 scheduled to begin from May 30, the Indian team dominating International Cricket Council player rankings with the number one batsmen and bowler from the country, according to rankings released Wednesday.India is ranked second in the ICC team ODI rankings with two batsmen and three bowlers among the top 10.Skipper Virat Kohli retained his top spot in the batting rankings with 890 points followed by Rohit Sharma, who consolidated his second position with 839 points.Ross Taylor (831) of New Zealand, West Indies' Shai Hope (808) and Quinton de Kock (803) of South Africa complete the top five in the ODI chart.India's Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the bowling rankings with 774 points.New Zealand's Trent Boult (759), Afghanistan's Rashid Khan (726), South Africa's Imran Tahir (703) and his compatriot Kagiso Rabada (702) wrap the top five spots.In the all-rounder rankings, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh has moved to top the table. Shakib now has 359 ...
Man City and PSG 'playthings of a state': Liga chief
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain should be excluded from European club competition and are nothing more than "playthings of a state", La Liga's president Javier Tebas has said. It is not the first time the outspoken head of the Spanish league has attacked Abu Dhabi-owned City or Qatari-owned PSG, and newly crowned Premier League champions City have threatened to take him to court at one point. However, Tebas launched another broadside at the wealthy clubs when he spoke at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, saying City and PSG "are clubs who could not care less what their real incomes are when they want to sign a player because they receive incomes from a state". "It forces other clubs into an economic situation which is really living on the edge. It skews the balance of the entire European football structure," Tebas said. "This is no longer sport. This is no longer an industry. "It becomes more like a toy, the plaything of a state. "And when it's a plaything, kids
33rd Usha JTP's first camp concludes
The first camp of the Usha Junior Training Programme (JTP) for Golf 2019 concluded on Wednesday at the Delhi Golf Club with Anas, Riya Chaudhary, Aarit Malhotra, Yashviraaj Mahajan, Hridaan Wahal, Swastic Goel and Abheiu Gandotra taking away the maximum number of prizes across various categories.
Paulinho strike puts Cannavaro's Guangzhou in AFC last 16
Former Barcelona star Paulinho scored the only goal of the game to take two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. The midfielder's second-half header was the difference in a nervy 1-0 home win over Daegu of South Korea, who had only needed to avoid defeat to progress. Fabio Cannavaro's Evergrande will play fellow Chinese side Shandong Luneng, home to former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, in the knock-out rounds. Cannavaro's side knew they had to beat Daegu to leap-frog their visitors into the runners-up spot in Group F behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan. But the Chinese Super League (CSL) side were missing their potent Brazilian attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca, out with a knee injury. Without the former Benfica player, Evergrande lacked invention in the final third of the pitch, while Daegu were happy to sit back. Playing on the break at Tianhe Stadium, Kim Dae-Won went close after 15 minutes for Daegu, his strike
Crisis-hit boxing federation faces Tokyo verdict
The International Olympic Committee was poised to decide Wednesday on whether to strip amateur boxing's crisis-hit governing body of the right to organise the event at Tokyo 2020. The verdict to be delivered by IOC president Thomas Bach comes after an investigation into the International Boxing Federation (AIBA), which has faced allegations of serious mismanagement. Formed in 1946, AIBA has overseen decades of signature Olympic moments, notably the 1960 gold medal win in Rome by Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali. But relations between AIBA and the IOC took a sharp downward turn following the 2016 Rio Games, when 36 officials and referees were suspended amid allegations of bout fixing. An internal investigation by AIBA raised deeper questions about the judging in Rio, with particular suspicion falling on a French official. Then in 2017, AIBA executives forced out the body's president C.K. Wu, amid claims of multi-million dollar accounting fraud. Wu, a Taiwanese national, denied
Former Kenya athletics chief banned 10 years for corruption
Kenya's former athletics team manager Michael Rotich has been banned for 10 years for agreeing to provide advance notice to athletes of doping tests in exchange for money, the IAAF announced Wednesday. Rotich was exposed by two undercover journalists from the Sunday Times in an article published in August 2016 and was sent home in disgrace from the Olympic Games in Rio which were under way at the time. He was also provisionally banned by the IAAF from his coaching job. In a statement Wednesday an IAAF's Ethics Board panel said Rotich had offered to warn athletes of impending tests so they could flush doping substances from their system in order to circumvent tests. He also offered to provide excuses which athletes could use to avoid being penalised for missing tests. "The panel reiterates that the charges which it has found to be established are serious," the statement said. "The conduct of Major Rotich was dishonest and corrupt. He sought to undermine anti-doping controls and to ...