Page 899 - Sports
Indian Hockey Vice-Captain exudes optimism ahead of World Cup
Ahead of Men's Hockey World Cup, the Indian team's vice-captain Chinglensana Singh Kangujam on Sunday stated that now is the time to do away with the bitterness of the past performances by doing well at the upcoming prestigious event."The past three months, in particular, have been very challenging for us with the training intensifying as it is important for us to peak at the Men's Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018," Kangujam said.Playing in the midfield alongside skipper Manpreet Singh and youngsters Sumit and Nilakanta Sharma, Chinglensana exuded confidence in his team's potential."Every single player has worked tremendously hard and it is now time to convert all that into good results. I believe the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 will be a battle of mental strength as much as it is going to be about fitness and team strategies," he said."It is an advantage that almost everyone in the team has the experience of playing top-quality matches in the Kalinga Stadium ...
Dovizioso wins wet Valencia MotoGP, Espargaro takes maiden KTM podium; veteran racer Dani retires
Italian bike racer Andrea Dovizioso Sunday made a frantic win in the restarted Valencia MotoGP race that was disrupted by rains, as the Spaniard Pol Espargaro claimed the Red Bull KTM's first-ever podium in the premier class. For Ducati, this is the first win a decade in Valencia and its rider Espargaro has made that possible easily in the restarted race. Dovizioso secured the win of the 2018 MotoGP campaign, which was stopped after the 15th of the 27 laps in a frantic restarted race in the rained Valencia circuit known for creating many a surprising winners. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who has been with Honda Racing all through his career, announced his retirement from the circuit after finishing fifth in the Valencia race Sunday. After the initial race was red-flagged due to heavy rains making track conditions unsafe after 15 laps, the Valencia MotoGP restarted with a 14-lap sprint event but with notable absentees including reigning world champion, the Spaniard Marc Marquez, who also ...
World T20: Australia fined for slow over-rate
After their heavy defeat at the hands of India, Australia women's team have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in their final Group-B fixture of the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's World T20.Richie Richardson, who is one of the Emirates ICC Elite Panelist of Match Referees, imposed the fine after Meg Lanning-led side was ruled to be one over short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration, according to ICC.The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Gregory Brathwaite and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sue Redfern and fourth umpire Shaun George.In accordance with Article 2.22.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the skipper fined double that amount.As such, Lanning, who pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction after ...
AIBA World C'ship: Bhagyabati storms into quarters
National champion Kachari Bhagyabati marched into the quarterfinals of the AIBA World Championship, thrashing Germany's Irina-Nicoletta Schonberger 4-1 in the first round here on Sunday.The girl from Assam who recently clinched the Ahmet Comert International Boxing Tournament trophy in Istanbul proved her prowess and went on to clinch a match through a split decision (4:1) that went in her favour."The support I got from the fans, officials were unbelievable. We all give our best when we perform for our country. But, it is the support that matters at the end of the day. Schonberger was taller than me and had more advantages. I had to be tactical to defeat her tonight."Bhagyabati will take on Columbian Jessica Sinisterra in the quarterfinals, who beat Ukrainian Anastasiia Chernokolenko 5-0.
Pakistan make confident start in first Test run chase
Pakistan's openers made a confident start as they chased 176 to win the first Test against New Zealand, reaching 37-0 at the close of the third day here on Sunday. Imam-ul-Haq was 25 not out and Mohammad Hafeez was eight not out were at the crease and Pakistan will need another 139 runs with all ten wickets and two days to play after New Zealand were dismissed for 249 in their second innings. Medium pacer Hasan Ali registered his first five-wicket haul with 5-45 while leg-spinner Yasir Shah finished with 5-110 -- his 14th five-wicket in innings feat -- as New Zealand lost their last six wickets for just 29 runs. BJ Watling (59) and Henry Nicholls (55) added 112 runs for the fifth wicket to frustrate Pakistan in the first two sessions. The second Test is in Dubai from November 24-28 while the third is in Abu Dhabi from December 3-7.
Rajesh's lone strike hand Gokulam 1-0 win over Minerva
Rajesh S scored in the 60th minute to help Gokulam Kerala FC beat defending champions Minerva Punjab FC by a solitary goal in the I-League football tournament here on Sunday. The win, Gokulam's second of the campaign, takes them to eight points from five games, five behind table toppers Chennai City FC and two clear of third placed Quess East Bengal. Minerva on the other hand, move down to the eighth position with four points from four games. Bino George, the Gokulam coach fielded an unchanged starting eleven while Minerva's Irish strategiest Paul Munster gave youngster Laltunmang Haokip a start in place of Moinuddin. Under-22 Haokip though played for only first 30 minutes was replaced by Akash Sangwan thereafter. With four forwards listed on the score sheet, Bino's intentions were clear although Minerva's Bala Dahir had the first shot at goal as early as the third minute. The hosts were quick to respond with a couple of quick attacks but all in all it was a half which lacked ...
PKL: Pawan guides Bengaluru to victory vs Jaipur
Pawan Sehrawat produced a terrific raiding performance as he led Bengaluru Bulls to 45-32 win over Jaipur Pink Panthers in Inter Zone Challenge Week of Pro Kabaddi League here on Sunday.
Bengaluru Bulls ease past Jaipur Pink Panthers 45-32 in PKL
Pawan Sehrawat produced a terrific raiding performance to lead Bengaluru Bulls to a 45-32 win over Jaipur Pink Panthers in an Inter Zone Challenge Week match of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 6 here on Sunday. Sehrawat scored 19 points and two super raids by Rohit Kumar and Kashiling Adake laid the foundations for Bengaluru's victory. Jaipur Pink Panthers fizzled after a strong start with Deepak Niwas Hooda getting a super 10. The first half saw both teams match each other stride for stride. There was little to choose from as in the fifth minute Hooda got a raid point to level it at 4-4. The next couple of minutes saw Jaipur Pink Panthers put pressure on Bengaluru Bulls as they opened a six-point gap. An all out was inflicted by Jaipur in the ninth minute as they led 11-5. Adake made a brilliant super raid in the 13th minute as he scored four points to reduce the gap to just three points. Bengaluru Bulls took the lead in the 16th minute as they inflicted an all out. At the end of the ..
AIBA C'ship: Mary Kom progresses to quarterfinals
Five-time world champion Mary Kom on Sunday put up an exemplary display of her trademark winner character as she registered a unanimous 5As the 35-year-old gets a step closer to her sixth gold, Kom told ANI, "Anything can happen in the ring. I try to do my best especially because we are holding this event." "However, there is a lot of pressure on my mind. People are expecting that I must win this championship," she added.Kom, who continues to inspire young girls, also expressed gratitude to her fans, said, "It feels wonderful to see so many fans cheering for us. It's a great inspiration as we get energized."The Indian boxer will next take on her 23-year-old Chinese counterpart Yu Wu in the 48 kg category on November 20. Talking about her next bout Kom said, "She is very intelligent and smart. I will try to handle it and do my best."Meanwhile, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh also thanked the home crowd as it provides a psychological advantage to the ...
AIBA Boxing C'ship: Sarita cries foul after losing in pre-quarters
Former World Champion Sarita Devi on Sunday crashed out of the ongoing AIBA World Boxing Championship here after going down to her Irish counterpart Kellie Anne Harrington by a split decision from the match officials.A disappointed Sarita, however, alleged that it was the wrong decision from the match officials that cost her a quarterfinal berth in the event.'The decision was extremely disappointing but nothing can be done now. However, none can stop me from playing boxing. I have never given up and nor will do so," Sarita told reporters.The 36-year-old started the match as a firm favourite and used all her experience to clinch the first round against her much-younger Irish opponent, Harrington.The second round saw Harrington making a strong comeback, and despite Sarita landing some good punches, it was former who ended the round on a high.The third and the final round, however, stoked controversy as a split decision (3:2) saw a close finish from Harrington, that ended in a ...
Johnson says bans against Australian trio should stay
Former pacer Mitchell Johnson on Sunday said the ball-tampering ban on the Australian trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft should not be reduced as the players have not challenged the board's sentence. Australian cricket is enduring one of its worst phases and a run of losses in recent times prompted calls to bring back the two star players -- Smith and Warner -- before the contests against India. While then skipper Smith and Warner were handed one-year ban, Cameron Bancroft, the third player involved in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, was handed a nine-month suspension following the infamous 'Sandpaper Gate' scandal. Johnson, however, has spoken against it. "I thought 3 players were banned. So does that mean Cameron Bancroft's ban will be reduced to the same amount as Smith & Warner if it goes ahead? They all accepted their bans & didn't contest it so I think the bans should stay," Johnson tweeted. The former Australia pacer was responding to a ..
'Magnificent Mary' in quarters, Sarita bows out in controversial circumstances
Five-time champion M C Mary Kom punched her way into the 48kg quarterfinals while another veteran Sarita Devi made an early exit after losing a controversial 60kg bout in the AIBA Women's World Championships here on Sunday. Chasing a historic sixth gold and first medal since 2010, the 35-year-old Mary Kom registered a convincing 5-0 win over Aigerim Kessenayeva of Kazakhstan in her opening bout of the tournament. The 36-year-old Sarita, who won a gold in the 2006 edition when it was also held in the Capital city, lost to 2016 World Champonships silver medallist Kellie Harrington of Ireland in a split 3-2 verdict. Sarita, who got a standing count against her opponent in the third round, later said the decision was wrong. She, however, said that she will accept the decision as she does not want another ban. The Manipuri was handed a one year ban by the world body AIBA for refusing to accept her bronze medal in protest during the victory ceremony at the 2014 Asian Games. Besides Mary ...
Early reprieve for banned trio? CA braces for final deliberation
Australian cricket authorities are bracing up for a final round of deliberations on reducing the ball-tampering ban on Steve Smith and David Warner, with a face-off against an upbeat India awaiting the weakened home team. According to Fairfax Media, the CA board will convene a meeting early this week to discuss whether the ban on Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft should be reduced. This comes in the wake of the Australian Cricketers' Association asking for a rethink on the suspension sentences following the Longstaff review, which the ACA said provided new and compelling evidence that CA - and not just the players involved - contributed to the atmosphere that prompted the events of the Cape Town Test in March. Australian cricket is enduring one of its worst phases and a run of losses in recent times prompted calls to bring back the two star players before the contests against India. Smith and Warner are eight months into their one-year bans, while Bancroft will be eligible to return .
Golfer Molinari is Race to Dubai champion
Francesco Molinari on Sunday crowned his best-ever season as he became the first Italian golfer to be the Race to Dubai champion.
Uganda Cranes travel to Nigeria for international friendly
Uganda's national football team, Cranes, on Sunday travelled to Nigeria for an international football friendly against the hosts slated for November 20.
Decision was wrong but I will accept it: Sarita
A dejected Sarita Devi on Sunday bowed out of the World Boxing Championships after losing to Ireland's Kellie Harrington in a controversial 60kg pre-quarterfinal bout, a result which the veteran Indian was not happy with but didn't protest fearing another ban. The Manipuri was handed a one year ban by the world body AIBA for refusing to accept her bronze medal in protest during the victory ceremony at the 2014 Asian Games. "I am not happy with the decision (of the judges). The decision has gone Ulta (opposite), I thought I had the upperhand in all the three rounds," said Sarita after losing to 2016 World Championship silver medallist Harrington in a split 3-2 verdict. "But what do I do, I was banned for one year after the 2014 Asian Games controversy. So, I cannot say anything now. "I don't know why these things happen to me only," added the 36-year-old Sarita. Sarita got a standing count against her in the third round. Asked about that, she said, "It was not a standing count. My ...
School chess: Parnavi, Rishi take sole lead
ParnaviRane and Rishi Kadam scored crucial wins in the penultimate round in the girls and boys U-14 categoryofthe Mahavir Prasad Morarka Memorial Maharashtra State Schools Chess Championship here Sunday. In the girls eighth round, Parnavi, playing with the black pieces, defeated SaileeDesai to snatch the lead at the top. Overnight leaders Saniya Tadavi and Kiyarra Khaturia, both with 6 points, suffered defeats and are now in joint second place. Playing with black pieces, Saniya lost to Sanskruti Sawant on the second board, while Kiyarra went down to Maitreyee Mane on the third board. In the boys eighth round, Rishi Kadam, playing with the white, easily defeatedYash Gogate on the top board and pocketed full point to remain in the lead. On the second board, Rachit Lund, also playing with the white, outwitted Ayush Mayekar to stay in second position. Results: Girls U-14 (round 8):Sailee Desai (4. 5) lost Parnavi Rane (6.5), Sanskruti Sawant (5) lost Saniya Tadavi (6), ...
Ankita-Karman clinch WTA Taipei Open
Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi -- India's top two singles players -- combined well to win their maiden title on the WTA Tour, grabbing the doubles trophy at the USD 125,000 Taipei OEC Open, on Sunday. Playing first time together on the Pro circuit, the Indians clinched the title when Russia's Olga Doroshina and Natela Dzalamidze opted out of edge-of-seat contest due to latter's injury. The match was on even keel with both the pairs splitting the first two sets. The Indians had won the first set 6-4 but lost the second 5-7. The super tie breaker was tied 12-12 when Natela fell and suffered a hamstring injury. She struggled to even walk and they were forced to retire. "I was wishing to won a WTA title this year and I had even told my coach about it and here it is. It's my first WTA title and that too with a compatriot. It makes a difference when you play with a fellow Indian," Ankita told PTI from Taipei. Karman added: "It's special to win a WTA title, even if it's doubles. ...
Indonesian wins men's doubles gold at Hong Kong Open
Indonesian men's doubles players Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo on Sunday won the final match of Hong Kong Open thrashing their Japanese rivals Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda.
Haiti best Nicaragua 2-0 in Concacaf Nations League
Haiti defeated Nicaragua 2-0 here to stay perfect in the opening stage of the inaugural Concacaf Nations League tournament.