Page 5 - Sports

Coventry's rise as IOC's first woman president: A giant leap for womankind

Hours after her ascension, Coventry, 41, found herself facing inquisitive reporters, who probed her on how she would handle US President Donald Trump in her new role

Asian Games star Narender named captain for World Boxing Cup in Brazil

Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal will headline a 10-member Indian men's boxing team at the inaugural World Boxing Cup in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, starting Monday. This tournament marks the first event hosted by World Boxing since receiving provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee in February and the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 LA Olympics. Competitions will be held for both men and women, but India has sent only male boxers, as the women's National Championships concluded only on Thursday. It will be the first time Indian boxers compete internationally in the new weight categories introduced by World Boxing. Boxers who finished first and second in each weight category at the National Championships in January travelled to Brazil for a week long camp. The reigning National Champions, barring Sumit (85kg) who is unfit, will compete in the tournament. The team does not include the likes of Nishant Dev and Amit Panghal, both of whom have turned ...

Freestyle wrestlers from India struggle in Asian Championship 2025

India's men's freestyle wrestlers, except Sujeet Kalkal, struggled to cross even the first hurdle at the Asian Championships and three of them are now awaiting for the repechage route to open for them, here Saturday. In the 65kg, Sujeet was off to a flying start, beating Palestinian Abdullah Assaf by technical superiority but could not breach the defence of Japanese Kaisei Tanabe. Sujeet can still bounce back in medal contention via repechage route as Tanabe has made the title clash. Similarly, Vishal Kaliraman's fate rests in the hands of his vanquisher Tulga Tumur Ochir from Mongolia. Vishal lost his opening bout 0-8 to 2022 Asian Games gold medallist. Ochir is facing Tajikistan's Viktor Rassadin in the 65kg semifinal and if he wins, Vishal will get a chance to get back in the competition. Competing in the 57kg in the absence of Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrwat, Chirag could not score even a single point, losing his bout by technical superiority to Almaz Smanbekov. The ...

Transgender teens fight back Trump's ban on participation in girls' sports

Parker Tirrell, 16, enjoys her art classes, scrolling on TikTok and working at her new job at a pet store. But most of all, the transgender teen loves playing soccer. Until last year, that wasn't a problem. I was just living my life like any normal person, said Tirrell, who has played since she was 4. I was accepted. I had a nice, steady team that I played on all the time. Then came a cascade of obstacles, starting with a state ban on transgender girls in girls' sports, and most recently President Donald Trump's Feb. 5 executive order, Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports." Now, life is anything but normal. Tirrell, along with Iris Turmelle, 15, another transgender girl, are the first to challenge Trump's order, six months after suing their own state over its ban and getting a court order allowing them to play. I just feel like I'm being singled out right now by lawmakers and Trump and just the whole legislative system for something that I can't control, Tirrell told The Associated P

Asian Championship: Manisha inches towards gold, Antim targets bronze

Seasoned Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala kept herself in hunt for a gold medal at the Asian Championship by reaching the women's 62kg final while Antim Panghal was left to fight for bronze after losing her semifinal here on Friday. Manisha began with an easy technical superiority win over Kazakhstan's Tynys Dubek and pinned Korea's Hanbit Lee for another dominating win. The semifinal was no different as she conceded only one point to eventually win 5-1 against Kalmira Bilimbek Kyzy. Now Korea's Ok J Kim stands between Manisha and her first-ever Asian Championship title. The 20-year-old Panghal, competing in her first international event after a disappointing show at the Paris Olympics, beat China's Jin Zhang in the 53kg quarterfinal but was no match for Japan's Moe Kiyooka, who won by technical superiority. In the opening three-minute period Panghal, India's first U20 world champion, did not score any point but conceded one. In the second period she tried hard but Kiyooka was too

Decathlon revenue crosses ₹4,000-cr mark in FY24, posts profit of ₹197 cr

Leading sporting goods retailer Decathlon generated over Rs 4,000 crore revenue in India and became profitable in FY24 posting gains of Rs 197.19 crore, according to an RoC filing by the company. Decathlon Sports India Pvt Ltd has reported its revenue from operations at Rs 4,008.26 crore, up 2.24 per cent for the financial year that ended on March 31, 2024. It had reported a loss of Rs 18.61 crore in FY23 and its revenue from operations was at Rs 3,920.31 crore on a standalone basis, according to financial data accessed through the business intelligence platform Tofler. The company's total income was at Rs 4,066.40 crore in FY24 -- the highest for Decathlon Sports in India in the last five years -- reaching nearly half a billion USD from sales. Its operating revenue in FY22 was at Rs 2,897.77 crore, Rs 2,049.28 crore in FY21, and Rs 2,208.39 crore in FY20. Decathlon Sports India is a subsidiary of leading French sporting goods retailer Decathlon SE. It mainly engaged in the tradin

PM congratulates Indian contingent for Sepak Takraw World Cup triumph

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated the Indian contingent for displaying "phenomenal sporting excellence" at the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 by bringing home seven medals. Sepak Takraw is a dynamic and exciting sport that combines elements of volleyball, soccer and martial arts. "Congratulations to our contingent for displaying phenomenal sporting excellence at the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025!" Modi said in a post on X. "The contingent brings home 7 medals. The Men's Regu team created history by bringing home India's first Gold," he said. This spectacular performance indicates a promising future for India in the global Sepak Takraw arena, the prime minister said. Sepak Takraw is a traditional sport that originated in Southeast Asia and has gained popularity in other parts of the world as well. The World Cup was held at Patliputra Indoor Stadium in Bihar's Patna.

Crocodile rowing course, new stadium highlight Brisbane 2032 plans

Sailing the Whitsunday islands. Surfing an iconic Gold Coast break. Rowing in a crocodile-inhabited river in Rockhampton. Extra tourism-focused venues and a new 60,000-seat Olympic stadium to be built in inner-city parkland have been unveiled as part of a major overhaul of planning for the 2032 Brisbane Games. David Crisafulli, the third premier of Queensland state in the almost four years since the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2032 Games to the capital of Queensland state, announced the latest plans on a rainy Tuesday. He said it's not going to be like last year's Paris Olympics or the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, promising instead it'll be uniquely-Queensland. It's been more than 1,340 days since that IOC decision in 2021, and local organisers still haven't started the Olympic venue construction program. "The time has come to just get on with it get on with it, and build," Crisafulli said, marking his 150th day in office. "We are going to start immediately.

Heavyweight boxing legend, businessman George Foreman passes away at 76

George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who lost the Rumble in the Jungle to Muhammad Ali before his inspiring second act as a 45-year-old champion and a successful businessman, died Friday night. He was 76. Foreman's family announced his death on social media. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose," his family wrote. A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt in one of the greatest fights ever staged. Foreman left the sport a few years later, but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening. He then pulled off one

Controversy erupts as BFI president and secretary contradict statements

The women's national boxing championship, which has already faced multiple postponements since late last year, became the subject of fresh uncertainty once again

Ahead of IOC election, 350 Olympians urge to make climate action priority

Around 350 Olympians from 85 countries, including India's Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, have written a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates, urging them to make climate action their top priority. As IOC members gather in Costa Navarino, Greece, to vote on the seven candidates next week (March 18-21), the Olympians called for stronger commitments from the IOC to cut carbon emissions, promote sustainability in host cities, set clear guidelines on polluting sponsors and use its platform to advocate for climate action. Climate impacts are "no longer a distant threat, but a current and growing harm to the sports we love and to the countries that make up our Olympic family", the letter said. The signatories include 57 Olympic champions and over 100 Olympic flag bearers. They represent some of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, including Argentina, Aruba, the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Cook Islands, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, .

Champions League 2025: Arsenal vs PSV live match time and streaming

Arsenal will only need to keep their defensive line steady against PSV in the return fixture as their 7-1 win in leg one has almost sealed the tie for them

Champions League 2025: Lille vs Borussia Dortmund live time and streaming

The first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025 pre-quarterfinal match between Lille and Dortmund ended in a 1-1 draw

Lakshya Sen advances, HS Prannoy out of All England Championships

India's Lakshya Sen fought his way back to reach the second round of the All England Championships on Tuesday, while compatriot HS Prannoy was eliminated in the opening round of the men's singles competition here. Lakshya, ranked 15th in the world, came from behind to defeat Chinese Taipei's world No. 37, SU Li Yang, with a 13-21, 21-17, 21-15 win in the opening round of the Super 1000 event. The 23-year-old from Almora will face Indonesia's third seed Jonatan Christie next. Lakshya had defeated Christie en route to his fourth place finish at the Paris Olympics last year. Prannoy, a bronze medallist at the 2023 World Championships and Asian Games, struggled against France's Toma Junior Popov, who is ranked 17th. Prannoy fought for 53 minutes before going down 19-21, 16-21. In the mixed doubles, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath had a tough outing against China's world No. 7 pair of Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui, losing 6-21, 15-21 in 51 minutes. After losing the first ga

Cricket still a religion as fan engagement revenues set to jump in 5 yrs

With increasing digital penetration and smartphone usage in the country, Indian live sports consumers have flocked to digital means like smartphones and laptops to watch live sports

Indian Table Tennis great Sharath Kamal announces retirement from the sport

Despite facing setbacks like injuries and challenges within the sport's administration, Kamal's resilience and unwavering dedication to his craft have earned him respect in the sport.

Australian tennis legend Fred Stolle passes away at the age of 86

Fred Stolle, a two-time major winner and member of three Davis Cup-winning teams, has died, Tennis Australia said on Thursday. He was 86. Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley described Stolle as an "iconic figure" in tennis as a player and later as a commentator for Australia's Nine Network and for CBS and Fox Sports. Tiley did not provide a cause of death. Tiley said Stolle was part of Australia's successful era in the 1960s as tennis progressed from an amateur to a professional sport. "His legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and a profound love for tennis," Tiley said. "His impact on the sport will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to witness his contributions. "A star member of Australia's Davis Cup team, Fred made significant contributions to the sport following his decorated career, as a coach and astute commentator." Stolle lost the first five Grand Slam singles finals he reached including four times to fellow Australian Roy Emerson before beating

FIFA unveils Miami's sonic ID for 2026 World Cup celebrating diversity

On Monday, March 3, the unique sound of Miami was revealed, with renowned producer Mr. NaisGai selected to craft the city's custom Sonic ID.

Gukesh attains career-best No 3 ranking, Praggnanandhaa back in top 10

India's reigning world champion D Gukesh climbed to a career-high number three ranking, while compatriot R Praggnanandhaa broke back into the top 10 in the latest FIDE classical ratings released on Saturday. The 18-year-old Gukesh, who has been in sublime form ever since he beat China's Ding Liren to clinch the world title in Singapore in December, has gained 10 points and now has a 2787 rating. Gukesh, who lost the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee to Praggnanandhaa on tiebreak, is behind second-placed Hikaru Nakamura (2802) while and Norway's Magnus Carlsen (2833) continues to be the top-ranked chess player in the world. The Indian Grandmaster has overtaken compatriot Arjun Erigiasi and USA's Fabiano Caruana. Erigiasi, who was the highest-ranked Indian for a long time, has moved down to fifth with a rating of 2777. Praggnanandhaa, who is currently competing in the Prague Masters, is back in the top 10 for the first time since July last year thanks to his win at the Tata Steel .

Boris Spassky, Soviet chess champion who lost to Bobby Fischer, dies at 88

Boris Spassky, a Soviet-era world chess champion who lost his title to American Bobby Fischer in a legendary 1972 match that became a proxy for Cold War rivalries, died Thursday in Moscow. He was 88. The death of the one-time chess prodigy was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game's governing body. No cause was given. Spassky was "one of the greatest players of all time," the group said on the social platform X. He left an indelible mark on the game. The televised 1972 match with Fischer, at the height of the Cold War, became an international sensation and was known as the Match of the Century. When Fischer won the international chess crown in Reykjavik, Iceland, the then-29-year-old chess genius from Brooklyn, New York, brought the U.S. its first world chess title. Fischer, known to be testy and difficult, died in 2008. After his victory of Spassky, he later forfeited the title by refusing to defend it. Former world champion Garry Kasparov wrote on X that Spa