Page 323 - Sports
Saurabh and I learn from each other, share experiences: Abhishek Verma
When it comes to shooting, Abhishek Verma doesn't have to look beyond his room for advice. Blossoming at 29, Verma often exchanges ideas with his roommate Saurabh Chaudhary, a force to reckon with at 16. Verma secured India's fifth Olympic quota place in shooting, winning the 10m air pistol gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Beijing on Saturday. Two months ago, unfazed by a field comprising seasoned campaigners, teenager Chaudhary smashed the world record to win gold in the season's first World Cup and the country's third quota for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Verma, too, was least bothered by the big names that lined up at the 10m range. The field included former Olympic champion Pang Wei of China, World Championship silver medallist Artem Chernusov of Russia as well as experienced campaigners and multiple ISSF medallists like Oleh Omelchuk of Ukraine and Yusuf Dikec of Turkey among others. In the end though, the lawyer-turned-shooter emerged triumphant with a total score of 242.7, ...
Badminton's top two clash to decide Asia title
The two best badminton players in the world will battle it out in Sunday's final of the Asia Championships when title-holder Kento Momota faces Shi Yuqi. The women's decider in the Chinese city of Wuhan is another Japan versus China showdown with Akane Yamaguchi taking on He Bingjiao. The men's clash is a repeat of last year's World Championships final, when Japan's top-ranked Momota defeated Shi. World number one Momota eased through his semi-final with a comprehensive 21-18 21-8 victory over Vietnam's unseeded veteran Nguyen Tien Minh on Saturday. The 36-year-old Nguyen felt he could have pulled off a shock. "It would have been 19-18 for me in the first game and I am quite sure I would have won if not for a broken string in Momota's racquet catching me off-guard and the shuttle fell in my court," said Nguyen. Shi, China's world number two, saw off Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen 22-20 21-18 in the men's other semi-final. In the women's draw, Japan's third-seeded Yamaguchi stunned top seed ..
Eqbal to clash with seeded Sekhar in final
Sixth-seeded Prithvi Sekhar will clash with giant-killer Ishaque Eqbal in the final of the USD 3000 RBL BankATT Asian ranking men's tennis championships. In the semi finals on Saturday, Sekhar outplayed lucky loser Raghav Jaisinghani while Eqbal stopped the run of young Theertha Marcherla. Both the finalists scored straight sets victories to move into Sunday's summit clash at the MSLTA courts here. The tournament is organised by Practennis in association with the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association under the auspices of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and All India Tennis Association (AITA). Results: Men's singles (Semi finals): Ishaque Eqbal bt Theertha Marcherla 6-3, 6-2; 6-Prithvi Sekhar bt Raghav Jaisinghani 6-3, 6-0.
Star request, dew see BCCI prepone IPL playoff timings
The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Saturday decided that the playoffs of the 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) will start from 7.30 p.m. instead of the scheduled 8 p.m. start.
Bhullar wins outstanding achievement as player award
Arjuna awardee and star Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar won the outstanding achievement as a player award at the fourth edition of the annual India Golf Industry Association (GIA) awards at the Delhi Golf Club here on Friday.
We have X factor at World Cup, West Indies coach
West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer admitted that they have the X factor in the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's Cricket World Cup."We did a lot of specifics. We worked on bowling plans, we did a lot of stuff on death bowling. All in all, the energy levels are very high. It is a really good team. There is a blend of experience and youth. At the World Cup, we have the X factor. The camaraderie is there," ICC quoted Floyd Reifer, as saying."Gayle and Russell, they're hardened professionals. They are going to blend right into the team and are getting ready to win the World Cup," he added.Reifer also opined that it will be bowling department which will help them win the premier tournament."Looking at the pitches in England in the county circuit, they are very high-scoring. But I still think that the team that bowls and fields the best will win the World Cup. The batters are expected to score runs, but I think bowling is going to win it for us," ICC quoted Floyd Reifer, ..
DMK, Cong announce total cash incentive of Rs 15 lakh to
The DMK and Congress Saturday lauded Tamil Nadu-based athlete Gomathi Marimuthu for clinching gold in the Asian Athletics Championship held in Qatar and announced a total cash incentive of Rs 15 lakh for her. The 30-year-old unheralded Gomathi had clocked a personal best time of 2 minute 02.70 seconds in the women's 800m race held in Doha, Qatar on Monday. DMK President MK Stalin announced Rs 10 lakh each to Gomathi and Rs five lakh to Arokya Rajiv, who bagged silver in the 4x400m mixed relay team in the championship. In the 4x400m mixed relay team, which was introduced for the first time in this championship, the Indian quartet of Mohammed Anas, M R Poovamma, V K Vismaya and Rajiv had clocked 3:16.47 to finish second. "I extend my greetings and appreciation to Gomathi Marimuthu and Arokia Rajiv," Stalin said in a statement. The party's incentive to the sportspersons was in recognition of their feat, he said. He wished the two brought more laurels to the country. TNCC ...
MSD connection between Riyan Parag and his father
During the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) game against Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) played on April 11, 17-year-old Riyan Parag--who was making his IPL debut--was caught behind by MS Dhoni after he had scored 16 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. CSK went on to win that match by four wickets.
BCCI recommends Jadeja, Bumrah, Poonam Yadav for Arjuna award
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended the names of cricketers Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Poonam Yadav and Mohammad Shami for the prestigious Arjuna Award this year.Arjuna Award is an honour bestowed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in order to recognise the achievement of athletes.Jadeja has been the key figure in the Indian test lineup and he has played 41 Test matches for the team taking 192 wickets.The bowler recently staged a comeback in the limited-overs lineup as well and he has been chosen as the third spinner in the 15-member squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.Both Bumrah and Shami have become an integral part of the Indian team in recent times and they will be leading the bowling charge for India in the World Cup.25-year-old Bumrah is currently ranked number one in the ICC ODI bowler's rankings.Meanwhile, Poonam Yadav has been a key spinner for the Indian women's cricket team and has come to the captain's ...
BCCI acting President meets Kohli, wishes him luck for WC
The BCCI acting President CK Khanna on Saturday met India captain Virat Kohli and wished him luck for the upcoming World Cup. Khanna, who was forced to skip the day's CoA meeting due to personal issues, met Kohli at the Royal Challengers Bangalore team hotel. "I wished him all the luck and I am pretty confident that we will win the World Cup under Virat's leadership," Khanna said after meeting Kohli. He sidestepped on the issue of team selection debate though. "The selectors have picked the best 15 and it's our job to back the team," said Khanna, who didn't wish to comment on Delhi man Rishabh Pant's omission.
Sri Lanka Cricket cancels Under-19 series against Pakistan
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday called off the Under-19 series against Pakistan following the serial blasts that left over 253 people dead in Colombo last week.The Pakistan team was all set to leave for Colombo on April 30 and the first match was slated to be played on May 3 in Galle. Now, the tour has been postponed indefinitely."The tour has been postponed indefinitely. It was a decision taken by SLC, as we didn't want to take any chances," ESPN Cricinfo quoted SLC official as saying.Pakistan U-19 team was scheduled to take part in two four-day matches and three ODIs on the Sri Lankan tour in Galle and Hambantota. Rohail Nazir-led Pakistan team has been training at a conditioning camp in Karachi over the last five days.Pakistan will next go to South Africa in June-July this year as a part of their build-up to next year's U-19 World Cup in South Africa.On April 21, eight explosions rattled Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Negombo, Kochchikede and Batticaloa as the Christian ...
Bumrah, Shami, Jadeja and Poonam recommended for Arjuna
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday recommended the names of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja and Poonam Yadav for the Arjuna Award.
Rampaging MI eyeing playoff berth against KKR
Mumbai Indians will look to seal a playoff berth when they face an out-of-sorts Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens here Sunday. Skipper Rohit Sharma roared back to form with his first half-century of the IPL as Mumbai Indians crushed MS Dhoni-less Chennai Super Kings by 46 runs, their biggest defeat at home Saturday. One win away from assuring their last-four berth, Mumbai Indians will look forward to take on their 'bunny' Kolkata Knight Riders -- against whom they have an eight-match winning streak in a 18-5 head-to-head record. The last time KKR had won against MI was four years ago. With three matches left in the league stage, the two teams clash for the first time this season tomorrow, with the return leg slated for May 5. KKR are in the midst of a six-match losing streak and seemed to have lost the plot completely. Karthik led from the front with a career-best 97 not out to set a challenging 176 target for Rajasthan Royals here in the last ...
Dhoni's absence creates a big hole: Fleming
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who were playing without their regular skipper MS Dhoni, lost by 46 runs to Mumbai Indians (MI) at their home ground in their IPL fixture here on Friday night.
Pant-inspired Delhi eye playoff berth against rejuvenated RCB
Rishabh Pant and his ways, unconventional to the core and which have fuelled Delhi Capitals' rare title charge, will Sunday confront Virat Kohli and, ironically, in a city where he learned the ABC of cricket. There has been no looking back since Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore arrested a long losing streak on April 19 in Kolkata. RCB will enter the Feroz Shah Kotla, a very familiar place for their captain Kohli, on the back of a three-match winning run. But the visitors will still have to play out of their skins to stop Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly's rampaging outfit. A win will ensure that Delhi, who are currently in the third spot behind Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, reach the cut-off limit of 16 points needed for a play-off berth. Delhi's performance at home has been woeful but having registered a win after two consecutive losses here, the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit will be high on confidence. RCB will not be short on confidence either, the side seems to have ...
Abhishek Verma wins gold medal in ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup
Indian shooter, Abhishek Verma won his first World Cup gold medal and India's second Tokyo Olympic quota place in men's 10m air pistol after showcasing a dominant performance in the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup on Saturday.The shooter was seen in top-notch form throughout the final and he clinched the gold medal with a total score of 242.7 at the year's second ISSF World Cup.Russia's Artem Chernousov and Korea's Seungwoo Han won the silver and bronze medals.Chernousov had a total score of 240.4 whereas Seungwoo Han registered a total score of 220.0.With this win, India has clinched both their quotas in this event and have recorded their fifth Tokyo 2020 quota in the shooting.India's Saurabh Chaudhary had clinched the first quota at the Delhi World Cup earlier this year.Verma made his India debut last year as he represented the country at the Asian Games.The shooter was able to win a bronze medal in the tournament and he had made it to the Indian team just three years after taking ..
Abhishek Verma secures Olympic quota place with gold in maiden WC final
Abhishek Verma secured India's fifth Olympic quota place in shooting by winning the 10m air pistol gold medal at the ISSF World Cup here Saturday. Shooting in his maiden International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup final, the Indian led the field throughout the men's 10m air pistol final to clinch the top spot with a total score of 242.7. Russia's Artem Chernousov took silver with a total of 240.4 points in the eight-man final. Korea's Seungwoo Han finished with a bronze after shooting 220.0 in the final. Verma showcased his class in what was only his first ISSF World Cup final. Indians have sealed five quota places for the Tokyo Olympics so far with young Saurabh Chaudhary clinching one in 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi earlier this year. With this India have clinched both their quotas in this event. Incidentally, Verma made his World Cup debut in New Delhi, but failed to qualify for the final at home. In the Chinese capital on Saturday, Verma shot a ...
ISSF WC: Abhishek Verma clinches gold, Olympic quota
Indian shooter Abhishek Verma won the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event at the ongoing International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup here on Saturday.
AIFF recommends Gurpreet Sandhu and Jeje for Arjuna
All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recommended the names of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Jeje Lalpekhlua for the prestigious Arjuna award this year. It was confirmed by AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das on Saturday.
It was a massive boost that MSD wasn't around: Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said that MS Dhoni's absence in the match between Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League was a massive boost for his team.Dhoni was not able to play the match due to sickness and in his absence, Mumbai Indians registered a comprehensive 46-run victory over Chennai on Friday."It was a massive boost that MSD wasn't around. Because his presence does a lot for their team. When you don't have Dhoni when they're chasing the score, then it becomes difficult for them. I'm sure their presence was missed by CSK. But he was sick, it's not in his control either," Sharma said at the post-match ceremony.Sharma said that he was glad to lose the toss as he wanted to chase as well on a pitch which eventually turned out to be another slow pitch in Chennai. The player played a 67-run knock to enable his team to post the total of 155 runs on the board."I thought it was better to lose the toss since we wanted to chase as well.