Page 374 - Sports
Took up boxing after watching Muhammad Ali on TV: Mary Kom
Six-time women's world boxing champion and Olympic medallist M C Mary Kom Saturday said she turned to this combat sport after getting inspired by watching legendary boxer Muhammad Ali's fight on television. The pugilist from Manipur said she also drew inspiration from action movies of Jackie Chan as well as fight sequences of Bollywood films starring Akshay Kumar and others initially. She was speaking during an interaction with the delegates at the ongoing 'Goa Fest 2019', an annual event organised by advertising bodies in the country. "My inspiration in the boxing field came when I saw Muhammad Ali's fight on television...I said to myself, if a man can fight, why can't a woman," she said. "I also used to watch Bollywood movies like those of Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol and others," she added. She said when she took up boxing, people were talking about it "very negatively". "Before marriage, is it easier for everyone. But after marriage, the responsibilities ...
IPL: De Kock's 81 guides Mumbai to 187/5 against RR
Quinton de Kock hit a belligerent 81 as he powered Mumbai Indians to an imposing 187 for 5 against Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League game here Saturday. South African De Kock was the wrecker-in-chief as he hammered six fours and four sixes in his 52-ball knock and got able support from skipper Rohit Sharma (47 off 32 balls), who made a comeback after missing out the last Mumbai game due to a leg injury. A late cameo from Hardik Pandya (28 off 11 balls), in which smashed three sixes and one fours ensured Mumbai neared the 190-run mark. Earlier, Rohit and De Kock took the opposition attack to the cleaners as the two added 96 for the first wicket. They started the onslaught in the third over amassing 18 runs with the South African hitting a six and four off Krishnappa Gowtham. Then Rohit ripped apart pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, striking three fours, including a splendid cover drive, as Mumbai gathered 14 runs from it. De Kock kept playing shots at will even as Mumbai reached ...
MI post 187-5 against RR in IPL
Invited to bat first, Mumbai Indians posted a challenging 187 for five against Rajasthan Royals in an IPL game here Saturday. South African Quinton De Kock smashed 81 off 52 balls and got able support from skipper Rohit Sharma (47 off 32 balls). Later a late cameo from Hardik Pandya (28 off 11 balls) ensured Mumbai neared the 190-run mark. Brief Score: Mumbai Indians: 187 for 5 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 81; Jofra Archer 3/39).
'India football coach's stature matters, not origin'
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to complete the formalities to select the coach for senior men's football team by May 7. AIFF's focus will be on a coach who has a pro-license and also has experience of coaching a national team.
Sanju Samson right man for No. 4 slot: Gambhir
With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 just one and half months away, the dilemma over the No. 4 slot in the Indian batting-order still remains as skipper Virat Kohli's recent experiments for the spot has not shown results.
No I-League committee decision on Super Cup pull-outs, matter sent to Disciplinary Committee
The I-League Committee Saturday desisted from taking action against clubs which had pulled out of Super Cup tournament and referred the matter to Disciplinary Committee. The committee also decided to award a point each to Real Kashmir and Minerva Punjab regarding the I-League match which was to be played in Srinagar on February 18 but did not happen in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. "The committee deliberated upon withdrawal of I-League clubs from Super Cup 2019 relying upon the relevant clauses/sections of I-League participation agreement and Super Cup regulations. The committee unanimously decided to refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee," a release from the All India Football Federation said. The I-League Committee meeting, which was held before the Super Cup summit clash on Saturday, was chaired by AIFF senior vice president Subrata Dutta. Minerva Punjab, Gokulam FC and Aizawl FC pulled out of the qualifying round of the Super Cup while Churchill Brothers, ...
PV Sindhu crashes out of Singapore Open
India's badminton campaign at the Singapore Open came to an end as PV Sindhu crashed out of the women's singles semi-final on Saturday.The world number six Sindhu faced a massive disappointment 7-21, 11-21 at the hands of world number three Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in a one-sided contest.Coming at the back of 7-6 advantage in the head-to-head record, including the final of BWF World Tour Finals in 2017, the Rio Olympic silver medallist Sindhu bowed down to her Japanese opponent, who has now tied the meeting at 7-7.Okuhara took just 37 minutes to edge past Sindhu, who seemed nothing like she is known to the world. The Japanese controlled the rallies, while the under confident Indian struggled with shuttle control.The Japanese will take on world number one Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan in the final on Sunday, who defeated her compatriot Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 24-22, 21-19.Earlier, Kidambi Srikanth, Saina Nehwal and pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki Reddy had all crashed out in the ...
Our thought process is becoming clearer, says Iyer
Buoyed by two back-to-back victories, Delhi Capitals' skipper Shreyas Iyer says the team's thought process is becoming clearer as the season is progressing. Delhi have climbed to fourth spot with eight points after winning matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. They secured a thumping seven-wicket win against KKR on Friday night in Kolkata. "The Kolkata game gives us tremendous confidence going into the next match here in Hyderabad. It was a clinical performance from the team against a strong team like KKR," Iyer said. The victory against KKR saw Delhi's experienced players like Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma coming up with crucial performances to take the team over the line. "I feel that everyone took responsibility and with each game, our thought process is becoming clearer, and our communication is also improving, which is a great sign for the team," Iyer said. Speaking on whether the earlier loss against SRH at home will have an impact on the ...
Improve athlete quality, medals will follow: Manisha
Olympian Manisha Malhotra knows what it takes to shine against the best in the business and the former tennis star has now joined JSW Sports to lead the company's flagship Sports Excellence Program (SEP) which currently supports over 30 elite Indian athletes across five Olympic disciplines.
Dhoni did it at the heat of the moment just like me in Nidahas Trophy: Shakib
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan could relate to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's recent outburst at the umpire during an IPL encounter as he was in former India captain's shoes exactly 13 months back during an international T20 encounter against Sri Lanka. In a rare public show of anger, Dhoni breached the Players' Code of Conduct entering the field of play to challenge one of the umpires Ulhas Gandhe after he signalled no-ball only to backtrack at the insistence of square leg umpire Bruce Oxenford. Dhoni was let off with a light penalty of 50 percent match fees. "I did the same thing in Nidahas Trophy. I can't make any comments on that," Sunrisers Hyderabad's Shakib told reporters on the eve of their next game against Delhi Capitals on Sunday. He was referring to a Nidahas Trophy encounter against Sri Lanka where a no-ball decision had irked him and he wanted his players to pull-out before changing his mind. Once the match was over, there was an ugly altercation between players of the ..
Bottas pips Hamilton for Mercedes lockout at landmark Chinese GP
- Valtteri Bottas pipped Lewis Hamilton to pole position for Sunday's milestone Chinese Grand Prix in a dominant Mercedes front-row lockout. Sebastian Vettel was third-fastest for Mercedes' arch-rivals Ferrari for the race in Shanghai, the 1,000th grand prix in Formula One. Bottas, who leads the world championship by a point ahead of title-holder Hamilton after two races, scorched to a best time of one minute 31.547 seconds. That was just 0.023 secs ahead of Hamilton, the Briton who has been wrestling with his Mercedes and has voiced concern about Ferrari's superior straight-line speed. Mercedes though appear to have the edge on the corners. "The car has been really good this weekend and Lewis also improved a lot in qualifying, it was super close," said the flying Finn Bottas, who is beginning to climb out of the shadow of his more famous team-mate. Vettel, the four-time world champion who has been in the spotlight after a series of unforced errors stretching back to last season, was
Rajasthan win toss, ask Mumbai Indians to bat first
Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane has won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma says that he is fit to go and the rest in the previous game was more a precaution.
Dhoni an inspiration: Tahir
Captain cool MS Dhoni may have been in the eye of criticism for his on-field behaviour recently but for his Chennai Super Kings teammate Imran Tahir, the former India captain remains "a great inspiration". In their last match against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni uncharacteristically lost his cool and rushed on to the field to challenge umpire Ulhas Gandhe's flip-flop on a no ball. Former cricketers came down heavily on India's two-time World Cup-winning captain who escaped a ban and was let off with a fine of 50 per cent of his match fee. Talking to reporters at the Kolkata leg launch of Dhoni's global cricket academy, the South African predictably sidestepped on the issue. "He is a great inspiration for everyone, a great leader and a human being. He is always there to help. That's what motivates me to join the academy to help the kids," Tahir said at the launch, avoiding any questions on the issue. "Even though I have not announced myself globally as part of the MSD Academy, after the ...
Tahir backs skipper Dhoni, calls him an inspiration
At a time when M.S. Dhoni is drawing a lot of flak for his on field behaviour with the umpires during an IPL game, his Chennai Super Kings teammate Imran Tahir backs the under-fire captain, saying he is a great leader, human being and an inspiration.
Did a Dhoni myself, understand his passion: Shakib
He had done a Dhoni himself while leading Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 and Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan took Chennai Super Kings captain M.S. Dhoni's side when asked how he took to the CSK skipper walking onto the pitch during their game against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
Jade Dernbach wants Tom Curran in England's WC squad
Surrey's white-ball captain Jade Dernbach opined that Tom Curran deserves to feature in England's preliminary World Cup squad owing to his bowling capabilities."If there was anyone in the country I'd throw the ball to, I'd back Tom Curran every day of the week. He has unbelievable skill, he practises unbelievably hard, but the most important thing is he wants the ball," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Dernback as saying."You may not be successful every day, and that's the nature of being a death bowler, but to keep putting your hand up, practising your skill, and doing it as he has done for Surrey time and time again, there's no reason he couldn't do it on the biggest stage, and I know he would love to. If you offered him the opportunity now to bowl the last over of the World Cup final, to defend seven or eight, he'll do it for you. I'd put my mortgage on it," he added.Curran made his debut in 2017 and has played 13 ODIs and 10 T20Is. Curran missed the whole of England's white-ball campaign last
Dhawan keen to build on to his good form, help DC continue winning run
Shikhar Dhawan will be keen to build on to his new found form ahead of the World Cup and also help Delhi Capitals continue their winning run in the IPL in their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Sunday. A confident Delhi are coming off two back-to-back victories against Royal Challengers Bangalore and a strong Kolkata Knight Riders outfit. After Friday's win over KKR, Delhi have climbed to fourth spot with eight points from seven matches and they would not want to slide down the ladder at any cost. Dhawan roared back into form with an unbeaten 97 off 63 balls to power Delhi to a seven-wicket win overs hosts KKR. Chasing 179, Rishabh Pant (46 off 31 balls) played a perfect second fiddle to Dhawan, curbing his rash shots and showing immense maturity in a 105-run partnership from 69 balls, which virtually killed the contest as Delhi reached the target with seven balls to spare. Although Dhawan missed out on a well-deserved century, he must have got his confidence back and he ...
Sindhu surrenders to Okuhara in Singapore semifinals
P V Sindhu looked awfully out of form as she surrendered without a fight to former world champion Japan's Nozomi Okuhara in the women's singles semifinals to draw curtains on India's campaign at the Singapore Open here on Saturday. Sindhu, a Rio Olympics silver medallist, lost 7-21 11-21 to world no. 3 Okuhara in a lop-sided contest. Sindhu had won the last two times they played each other and overall enjoyed a slight 7-6 advantage in the head-to-head record with Okuhara. The duo had played an epic final at 2017 World Championship that had clocked 110 minutes and is considered one of the best women's singles match in the history of badminton. Since that marathon World Championship final, Sindhu and Okuhara have played each other six times and the Indian won four times. But Saturday, Sindhu looked completely out of sort as just 15 minutes into the match and she was crestfallen after meekly surrendering the first game following a heap of unforced errors, mainly at the net and ...
Mary Kom's absence an opportunity for others: Qamar
The Indian women boxing squad will be leaving for Bangkok early next week to participate in the Asian championship without star pugilist M.C. Mary Kom. However, it doesnot perturb chief coach Mohammed Ali Qamar, who is confident of a good show.
In-form Delhi hold edge against Hyderabad (Preview)
An in-form Delhi Capitals will look to carry forward the momentum when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next Indian Premier League game at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Sunday. While SRH will look to come back strongly after losing their last game to Punjab, DC will be riding high on confidence after being Kolkata at the Eden Gardens on Friday.