Thailand Open badminton: Satwik-Chirag win title, beat Chinas Chen-Liu
The World number three Indian duo, which had claimed its first major title in Thailand in 2019, prevailed 21-15 21-15 over Liu and Chen, ranked 29th, in 46 minutes to receive a major boost ahead of the Paris Olympics
Satwiksairaj-Chirag win Thailand Open badminton
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty hardly broke a sweat while defeating the Chinese pair of Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi to win the Thailand Open men's doubles crown in Bangkok on Sunday.
Chithambaram takes sole lead in Sharjah Masters chess
At the end of the fifth round India's Aravindh Chithambaram is now followed by four players -- the Iranian duo of Amin Tabatabaei and Bardiya Daneshvar and Americans Hans Moke Niemann and Sam Shankland -- who all have four points each.
'Accidental' shooter Sarabjot on course to Paris Olympics
BHOPAL: He calls himself an accidental shooter. If anything, Sarabjot Singh's life resembles that of blackjack, a game of chance. Shooting is no doubt a game of skills but until he started, it was not even part of his lexicon. The 22-year-old had no inkling about the sport until the Summer of 2016 when he was 16. His friends joined a Summer Camp in school and he was tempted to follow them. Until then, Sarabjot was dabbling with football. In fact, sport was not a meaningful pursuit for him. Some of my friends joined shooting and I wanted to join them, he told his daily after topping the Olympic Shooting Trial (T4 qualification round) at the MP Shooting Academy here on Saturday. With the day's outcome, he has virtually sealed a Paris berth in the men's 10m air pistol category. Sarabjot's father, a farmer in a village (Dhin) near Ambala, did not agree with the son and naturally said no. But fortunately for Sarabjot, the school chairman encouraged him to join shooting. That changed my life, he said. I am an accidental shooter, Sarabjot confessed. I started to shoot in 2016 in school during a camp. My friends were shooting and I wanted to join them. But my father did not agree. Then the chairman of the school asked me to shoot. Then I won a silver medal in a district competition. After that, I started to take the sport seriously. The next big task was finding a coach. It was not easy either. Sarabjot's uncle then spoke to him about coach Abhishek Rana, who is considered very good. I went to Abhishek sir and I have been training with him for the last eight years. I won a bronze medal in the youth nationals. In 2019, I won my first international medal in the junior World Cup. In 2021, I graduated to seniors and the initial stages were not good... but here I am now. Coming from a family of farmers, Sarabjot knows how to work on the field. Till February, he did not even own a car. I used to commute on a bus or other modes of transport that was convenient for me, he said. Around 6.30 AM, his father used to drop him off at the bus stand and he used to commute for 45-50 minutes to reach the centre. He would spend the whole day there before returning in the evening. Sarabjot used to take a bus to the centre from Dhin and then take the bus back. He used to have home-cooked food and his mother used to pack lunch for him. Food is important for a sportsperson and that helped him do well, Abhishek said. Now he owns a car, thanks to the prize money he got from various sources. Sarabjot, who earned the quota for the country last year, felt competition in India is much tougher. It's tougher in India than abroad, he said. Here you have to shoot somewhere above 580 and hope you win. But abroad, it is different 570 or so is good. There is pressure in the trials and this is the case for every athlete. And most think about how to win a quota or top the table. However, my focus was to improve my technique. But I felt some pressure in the last series. It was not there the whole time but I think that was natural. To calm the mind, he has a psychologist. Shivam sir is there and I have been working with him for the last year or so, he said. That helps him to calm him down to recover mentally as well. There is no one in the team that he looks up to. But outside, he talks about Abhinav Bindra quite reverentially. He (Bindra) is the only one. I had met him during an event and what he said I liked, said Sarabjot. Someone asked a question to him 'what is that zone in shooting?'. He said there is no such thing as a shooting zone or anything. Then I realised that in shooting, there was nothing called a zone. Earlier, I thought there was a 'shooting zone'! he said, accompanied by a laugh. The 22-year-old has a slew of support staff working with him too. He has a trainer to look after his fitness, a physio and a psychologist all provided by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ). Now, I will take some rest, then will go to the Munich World Cup and then go to France, he said. The coach also shared a few words on his ward and their training rituals too. Earlier, there used to be more tours but now we have changed a bit. We train in Ambala more. Our earlier routine was quite successful, he said. The coach also felt that whatever coaching he had been doing was in Ambala and that helped. That's why we thought we would train there. Also, whenever he is at a national camp or competes abroad, I speak to him whenever he wants my advice. We discuss plans and carry on. The coach has never accompanied the athlete anywhere abroad and even for Paris, he would abide by the decision taken by the National Rifle Association of India, the governing body of the sport in the country. But for both, the focus is the Olympics now.
Simbine runs season's fastest 100m; Lyles best in 150m
South Africa's Akani Simbine cruised through the finish of the 100 metres at the Atlanta City Games a tenth of a second ahead of Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala, with American Kendal Williams finishing third in 10.05s.
Usyk beats Fury, becomes undisputed heavyweight champ
Oleksandr Usyk scored a razor-thin split decision over Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight boxing world champion in a thrilling contest at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh in the early hours of Sunday morning.
WATCH: Six videos to show just how well Nelly Korda is playing right now
Nelly Korda has taken the LPGA by storm this year and has just been a joy to watch. The post WATCH: Six videos to show just how well Nelly Korda is playing right now appeared first on Golf365 .
Bundesliga: Unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen create history!
Bayer Leverkusen are the first team in the history of the Bundesliga to complete a full season without a loss.
F1: Verstappen equals Senna's pole record!
Red Bull's Max Verstappen equalled Ayrton Senna's record of eight pole positions in a row.
Sharjah Masters Chess: Chithamabaram in joint lead
Aravindh Chithamabaram took his tally to 3.5 points out of a possible four.
Fitter explains why so many pros are turning to the 2-wood off the tee
Max Homa has been among the better players on the PGA Tour over the last 18 months but he is still striving for that little bit more. The post Fitter explains why so many pros are turning to the 2-wood off the tee appeared first on Golf365 .
Chirag-Satwiksairaj storm into Thailand Open final
The Indian duo needed just 35 minutes to beat Lu Ming-Che and Tang Kai-Wei of Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals of the Super 500 tournament.
Charles Leclerc Shines at Imola as Max Verstappen Rues 'Bad Day'
Charles Leclerc made the most of a heavily-revised package while Max Verstappen struggled for his usual Red Bull performance.
Jarry stuns Paul, sets up Italian Open final vs Zverev
Chilean 21st seed Nicolas Jarry outclassed American Tommy Paul 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 to reach the Italian Open on Friday as former champion Alexander Zverev recovered from a slow start to beat Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.
Police arrest golf world No.1 Scheffler outside PGA course
Louisville: Golf world number one Scottie Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested by police early Friday after allegedly dragging a police officer with his car while trying to avoid traffic controls outside the PGA Championship at Valhalla. In one of the strangest scenes ever at a major tournament, Scheffler was taken into custody by police, booked with a mugshot taken in an orange jumpsuit, released, then taken back to the course for breakfast and practice before finally teeing off in the second round. Scheffler was detained by Louisville Metro police after he drove onto curbing to try and get around an accident at the entrance of the golf course, one that resulted in the fatality of a pedestrian, and was confronted by police. Scheffler was charged with felony assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic and released on his own recognizance. While on the driving range preparing to tee off, Scheffler released a statement about the incident. This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers, Scheffler said. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I'm hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today. Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything into perspective. A police report on the incident obtained by ESPN said arresting officer Bryan Gillis says Scheffler disobeyed orders to stop his car and accelerated, dragging the officer to the ground. Gillis was hospitalized with pain, bruising and swelling in his left wrist and knee. An arraignment is set for Tuesday. Two-time Masters champion Scheffler arrived at Valhalla's clubhouse about 30 minutes after his release and just under an hour before his start time off the 10th tee in the second round, which began after an 80-minute delay due to the accident. We were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club, the PGA of America said in a statement. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. Scheffler was driven, by the owner of Valhalla Golf Club according to ESPN , to the clubhouse, where he ate breakfast and changed into his golf apparel before going to the practice range to prepare for his round. It's a tough deal, said Scheffler playing partner Brian Harman, the 2023 British Open winner. But I'm glad to see him. Fans cheered as Scheffler walked through the rain onto the par-5 10th tee and gave him a huge ovation just before he struck his first shot into the right rough on his way to an opening birdie. Scheffler, who won his second Masters title last month, is trying to become the first player since 2015 to win the first two majors in a calendar year. SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio reported Scheffler was booked into custody by police at 7:38 a.m. before Scheffler's mugshot in an orange jumpsuit was posted by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. ESPN's Jeff Darlington posted a video on X of Scheffler, wearing shorts and T-shirt, with his hands held behind his back, being led away by police in the pre-dawn incident. Darlington said Scheffler was unaware a person at the entrance was a police officer because they were clad in a yellow rain poncho. Four wins in five tries Scheffler was the feel-good story of the week at Valhalla, hoping to win his third career major title a week after becoming a father for the first time. His wife, Meredith, gave birth to son Bennett nine days ago. Scheffler fired a four-under par 67 in Thursday's opening round, but began Friday five strokes adrift of leader Xander Schauffele, the world number three who matched the lowest round in major golf history with a 62 Thursday. Scheffler, 27, has won four of his past five starts, capturing titles at Bay Hill and the Players in March, losing in a playoff at the Houston Open, then winning the Masters and Heritage crowns last month.
Sensibility favoured for first division of Grey Gaston Handicap
'Paris 2024 beds are built for comfort, not romance'
An intimacy ban was in place at the Tokyo Games amid the COVID pandemic.
WATCH: This golfer overhits just slightly! chip onto the green
This golfer might have misjudged the distance he was going to hit this shot. The post WATCH: This golfer overhits just slightly! chip onto the green appeared first on Golf365 .
Satwik-Chirag, Crasto-Ponnappa move to semis
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty sailed to the semifinals with a straight-game win over Malaysians Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap
Playing with Rory McIlroy pressured Shane Lowry into making putter change
Rory McIlroys only influence was inspiring Shane Lowry to make more putts which drove him to change his putter. The post Playing with Rory McIlroy pressured Shane Lowry into making putter change appeared first on Golf365 .
World No 1 Scheffler arrives at PGA after arrest
Scheffler charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
'Please let us compete in Paris, we need mental peace'
Paris Games quota-winning women wrestlers on Friday pleaded with the national federation not to subject them to selection trials, saying that every single step they take and every little thing they do from now on will have a bearing on India's medal chances at the Olympics.
Boxer's Olympic dream dashed by whereabouts failures
India likely to lose Olympic boxing quota as WADA suspends Parveen for three whereabout failures
India's Olympic Boxing Quota in Jeopardy as Parveen Hooda Faces WADA Suspension
India is in danger of losing an Olympic boxing spot as Parveen Hooda faces a suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for three missed whereabouts filings. Parveen, a bronze medallist at the world championships, earned an Olympic quota in the 57kg category at the Asian Games. However, she failed to update her whereabouts between April 2022 and March 2023, violating WADA rules. According to her coach, Sudhir Hooda, She has been suspended by WADA for 1.5 years, starting this month and extending till November 2025. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool must provide precise details of their location for overnight stays and regular activities, as well as a one-hour daily testing window. Three missed filings within a year constitute an anti-doping violation under WADA rules, carrying a potential two-year ban. Parveen's lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania, confirmed they are working with the International Testing Agency (ITA) and WADA to possibly reduce or eliminate the sanction. We're trying to withdraw the whereabouts failure notice to avoid any penalty, Singhania explained. Even with a reduced sanction, Parveen would likely miss this year's Paris Olympics in July-August. The final Olympic qualifier for boxing begins on May 24 in Bangkok. Currently, only four Indian boxers --Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), Parveen (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) -- have secured quota spots. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) remains optimistic about a favorable resolution to Parveen's case. They are actively engaged in discussions with relevant authorities to mitigate the sanction or seek a reduction. The outcome will be crucial as it directly impacts India's representation in the sport at the upcoming Olympics. As the final Olympic qualifier approaches, all eyes are on the decision, which could potentially alter India's boxing contingent for Paris 2024. Bajrang Punia Suspended by UWW: Refusal to Undergo Dope Test Star Sports Sets Record with 51 Crore Viewers Tuning in for IPL Matches India's T20 World Cup 2024 Jersey Images Stir Up Social Media Frenzy
Forbes' Top 10 Highest Paid Athletes
Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes magazine's list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career.
Stalwart Chhetri reveals post retirement plans
'Virat Kohli is very close to me, understands me'
Hockey: New skipper Salima ready for European leg
Indian women's hockey team's new captain Salima Tete hopes to utilise the valuable lessons learnt from the recent home series against South Africa to make a fresh start in the European leg of the FIH Pro League, beginning in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday.
Kylian Mbappe unveiled a waxwork in Paris before it is transferred to Madame Tussauds in Berlin.
From terming him a 'beacon of dedication' an an 'inspiration to millions', Bindra was effusive in his praise for the Indian captain.
Delhi HC upholds NRAIs Olympics selection policy
CHENNAI: A petition filed by a rifle shooter, contesting her non-inclusion to participate in the shooting Olympic Selection Trials, was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday. The Delhi High Court upheld the Paris 2024 Olympic Selection Policy formulated by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the governing body of the sport in the country. The development is a relief for the shooters, who are currently part of trials as there were concerns about the validity of the trials due to the case. Our selection policy for the Olympic Games 2024 stands upheld being fair, reasonable and transparent. All the athletes have been given a fair chance. The policy is more inclusive for the shooters to qualify, K Sultan Singh, NRAI general, said. Anjum, Swapni toppers On the field, Anjum Moudgil and Swapnil Kusale were the highlights in the ongoing T3 of the Olympic Shooting Trials in Bhopal on Thursday. After topping the womens 50m rifle 3 positions qualification stage on Wednesday, Anjum returned 24 hours later to clinch the finals and boost her chances of securing a berth in Paris. Sift Kaur Samra finished second. Swapnil topped the mens equivalent event, finishing ahead of Akhil Sheoran. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, who had won the qualification stage, finished third.
Indian boxer in danger of losing Olympic quota
CHENNAI: Indian boxing is in danger of losing an Olympic quota spot. One of the quota earners is allegedly facing sanctions from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to a whereabouts violation, which has led to the predicament. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the governing body of the sport in the country, has been grappling for some time to remedy the situation. The issue had first come to light after the Asian Games. The whereabouts period under scrutiny is reportedly from April 2022 to March 2023. Vidushpat Singhania, a sports lawyer who is representing the said pugilist, said the hearing is on at the moment. The hearing is going on in alleged whereabout violation with the International Testing Agency and sanctions, if any, he said. There is a possibility that the boxer's legal team might get into discussions with WADA. It goes without saying that the country's quota count could go down to three if the matter is not resolved on time. The coach of the boxer in question is naturally disappointed and feels that her case could have been handled better. I feel her case could have been handled better. The people in charge didn't pay attention then. It's a big disappointment, the coach said. Everyone should be self-independent. The boxer also should have remained mindful about that issue. It's a big blow, as we had put our tears and sweat for years to come close to the Olympics, he added. The BFI could not be reached despite repeated attempts. A month or so ago, an official had acknowledged the issue and said the federation's legal team was looking to find a solution. India have four quotas (all women) as of now. The country's boxers will look to add to that tally during the upcoming 2nd World Olympic Qualifying event in Bangkok, Thailand, which is scheduled to be held from May 24 to June 2. That will be the last opportunity for Indians to qualify for the Paris Games.
Olympics 2024: Sharath, Manika to lead TT squads in Paris
CHENNAI: Multiple CWG medallist A Sharath Kamal and world No. 24 Manika Batra will spearhead the team events of Indian men and women challenges, respectively, at the Paris Olympics in what will be the first-ever participation of the squads at the Games. The senior selection committee of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) picked a six-member squad (three in each section) as per the Olympic norms, besides naming the individuals who would compete in the singles events. Achanta Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar will form the three-member men's team, while Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath will be squad members in the women's category. The Alternate Player in each section would be G. Sathiyan and Ayhika Mukherjee. In the men's singles, Kamal and Desai will compete, while Batra and Akula will compete in the women's event. Since the selection of the squads and the individuals was as per the already-pronounced TTFI criteria, three players got selected themselves because of their consistent performances over time and world rankings. However, there was a debate over the third player for the women's squad. After Batra and Akula walked in on the back of their higher world rankings (top 50), Kamath made it to the team as the third player. The Bengaluru paddler edged Ayhika Mukherjee out as the former scored over the latter on several counts, including her world ranking (No.103), 33 places ahead of Mukherjee. As for the men, Sharath picked himself as the top-ranked Indian at No. 40, while Desai (No. 63) and Thakkar (No. 62) were separated by one slot in WR. Though both made it to the team composition, national champion Harmeet got the selectors' nod based on his international (better win-loss proportion to his participation) and national performances. Incidentally, Massimo Costantini's presence as a special invitee at the meeting also added teeth, as the foreign expert's inputs proved handy in the selection of the squads. Teams: Men: A. Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar. Alternate Player: G. Sathiyan. Women: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath. Alternate Player: Ayhika Mukherjee.
Widely regarded as the greatest designer in the sport, Newey has been linked with Italian team Ferrari, who have signed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to drive for them next season.
Chhetri's childhood coach turns the clock back
A 16-year-old Sunil Chhetri's joy knew no bounds when he was handed over a token amount of Rs 1000 for his first-ever contract with a Delhi-based club, recalled his childhood coach Mohammad Sajid on Thursday.
We'll do everything to make June 6 special: Stimac
Only a few players become legends in their playing days and Sunil Chhetri belonged to that rare tribe, India's head coach Igor Stimac said in a glowing tribute to the talismanic skipper, who will hang his boots on June 6.
What has changed at Valhalla since the 2014 PGA Championship
Valhalla will host the Major again ten years on but much has changed. The post What has changed at Valhalla since the 2014 PGA Championship appeared first on Golf365 .
Bhaichung Bhutia pays glowing tribute to Sunil Chhetri
Retiring India football captain Sunil Chhetri's sheer hard work, passion and professionalism made him different from other players of his generation as he went on to become an iconic player, feels his former skipper Bhaichung Bhutia.
Meiraba continues winning streak; Sat-Chi in quarters
Meiraba, who trains at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, eliminated Denmark's Mads Christophersen
'Time For India To See The Next No. 9'
Sunil Chhetri said he would like to be remembered as 'the luckiest and most hardworking national team player'.
Soccer PIX: Juve win Coppa Italia
IMAGES from football matches played across Europe on Wednesday.
Captain Chhetri to hang up boots next month
Chhetri had made his 150th appearance for India in March and scored on the occasion against Afghanistan in Guwahati. India, though, lost that game 1-2.
Neeraj's star turn in Bhubaneswar: Olympic champ claims javelin gold in Fed Cup
BHUBANESWAR: It was about 11 pm on Wednesday. Neeraj Chopra was still in the warm-up area for a photo shoot, understood to do with the Olympics kit. He completed his event at around 8 pm. In fact, he did not want to take any risks and passed the final two rounds. It helped that he was the leader at this stage. Yet more than three hours after his event, he was there shooting. Along with him were other international athletes. He was competing in India for the first time after his Olympic gold in Tokyo. Just after 8 pm, he was exhorting the media-persons to turn the cameras away from him. Arre camera unke taraf bhi karo, bechare log daur rahe hai (turn your camera towards them, they are running), he had said in the mixed zone. The Olympic and world champion was watching his fellow athletes compete in 400m (men). Only after they finished, did he start speaking to the press. Though the 26-year-old has grown over the years, he still has that childish innocence intact, empathises with his fellow athletes and obliges his fans. After the press conference, though he seemed a little hackled with a bunch of people trying to take selfies, yet he tried to keep calm. He walked with the crowd to the dope control centre. On the field, for once it seemed Neeraj popped out of the TV screen and was competing here in India. It was surreal. Hundreds watched him compete. The stadium reverberated with the word Neeraj every time he ran to throw. Hours before the event he could have warmed up by shaking hands with players, coaches and a host of unknown people at the warm-up arena. It took some time for him to reach the middle after a siren-blaring pilot car escorted Neeraj to the stadium. Distance ka baat hi na karo to achcha hai (it's better if you don't talk about distance), he said. He needed four throws to reach 82.27m to inch ahead of DP Manu, who took the initial lead with his first throw of 82.06m. He was not amused either. The last time Neeraj threw 82m was in 2016. I think it was during the SAF Games in 2016, he recollected. I think I equalled Rajinder (Singh) bhai sahabs national record of 82.23m. Yet he said he enjoyed competing here. For some reason, most of the throwers were throwing high even when there was hardly any wind. Since I have been training in Turkey and abroad, it takes time to adjust but we are from India and are used to this weather. So there is no problem, he said. What seemed surprising was that local hero, Kishore Jena, did not even finish on the podium. After coming from a ninth place (76.31m) finish at the Diamond League in Doha, things did not look too good from the start, fouling the first throw and finishing fifth with a 75.49m throw. Uttam Patil from Maharashtra was third with a throw of 78.39m. The pass test After the fourth throw, there were some worried faces in his camp. Neeraj moved towards his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwah and was seen speaking to them. He was stretching and feeling something in his upper leg and around the groin region. He was stretching too. He had flown from Doha on Sunday and had little time to recover before competing here. After the discussion, he did not take any more throws. He had already overtaken Manu in the fourth round. It needs to be seen if it is a niggle or just discomfort. Neeraj normally doesnt like to not complete his throw so the two lets or passes looked strange. Anyway, just before the Olympics and European season, he was not to exert himself here. Neeraj later clarified why he did not take the last two throws. I passed on the last two throws as I have to compete in Ostrava (Czech Republic on May 28) in the Golden Spike competition, he said. There will be around 10 days to recover and compete. But I felt great to compete in India after a long time. He also felt good that Indian throwers were giving him good competition. He gave the example of Germany when Johannes Vetter, Tomas Rohler and Julian Weber and how the nation dominated the sport. In India also we have good throwers and that will help us improve, he said. Neeraj also said that he came to India because he did not want to participate in the National inter-state in Panchkula in June as it is very close to the Paris Diamond League (which will allow him to get a feel of the place). We had a discussion that I would play in the National Inter-State Championships and it's going to be held in Panchkula in Haryana but it was very near to the Paris Olympics. Since I was playing in Doha, which is closer to India we thought it would be better to come here, he said. The Paris Diamond League is on July 7. I wanted to play in India and I performed according to the conditions and the way my body was feeling, he said. On the road to the Olympics, he is thinking of competing in Ostrava first and then Turku next month. After that, depending on fitness, he will take a call. I will see how my body and mind react to high-quality competitions, he said. With over two months left for the Paris Games, Neeraj would want to get the best possible buildup to defend his Olympic title.
Indian Football Icon Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement: Farewell Match Set for June 6th
Indian football icon and captain, Sunil Chhetri, has declared his retirement, set for June 6th, following India's World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait. Chhetri, a stalwart in Indian football, shared the news via social media, marking the end of his international career after the upcoming game against Kuwait. India currently stands second in Group A of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, trailing behind Qatar, as they prepare for Chhetri's farewell match. Kuwait holds the fourth position in the group standings. Chhetri, one of the most prolific goal-scorers in active football, ranks third in international goals for his country, trailing only behind Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. In a video announcement, Chhetri expressed his decision, stating, The match against Kuwait will be my last. His journey in international football began on June 12, 2005, with a goal against Pakistan in his debut match. Over his illustrious career spanning two decades, the 39-year-old striker has amassed numerous accolades, including six AIFF Player of the Year awards, along with receiving the prestigious Padma Shri in 2019 and the Arjuna Award in 2011. Team India's New Head Coach Hunt Post T20 World Cup Ravi Shastri and Ravichandran Ashwin Stand by IPL's Impact Player Rule USA Set to Host India-Pakistan Clash: T20 World Cup Stadium Almost Ready
Let's not talk about the throw, says dejected Neeraj
Neeraj Chopra won again, but not in the manner he would have liked to, and he had no qualms in admitting it.
Back on Indian soil, Neeraj Chopra strikes gold
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in men's javelin throw event of the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar, his spear shimmering through the balmy Wednesday evening sky after an unusually slow start in his first competitive outing on Indian soil in three years.
Would like to play more for India: Joshna Chinappa
Making a comeback from surgery at 37 years of age in a physically demanding sport like squash is tough to say the least but recent Padma Shri awardee Joshna Chinappa is determined to get back on the PSA Tour at the earliest.
Anand, Carlsen to feature in Casablanca Chess Variant
Aman wants trials scrapped to focus on Olympics
Aman, who is Asian Games bronze medallist and Asian Championships title winner, is confident that he will be in reckoning for a medal at the Games.
Thailand Open: Satwik-Chirag sail into 2nd rd, Prannoy loses
The Indian combination of Satwik and Chirag will play the Chinese pair of Xie Hao Nan and Zeng Wei Han in the next round.
Alex Albon Signs New Multi-year F1 Contract With Williams
Alex Albon had been linked with Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025 and also a return to Red Bull.
Team India's New Head Coach Hunt Post T20 World Cup
Once again, discussions are buzzing about who will take the helm as Team India's new head coach, capturing the attention of cricket enthusiasts nationwide.On Monday, 13, May, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opened the floor for applications for the men's national team's head coach position. The tenure for this role will run from July 1 of this year until December 31, 2027, coinciding with the upcoming 50-over Cricket World Cup. Following India's disappointing loss at the ICC Cricket World Cup final last November, the current head coach, Rahul Dravid, received an extension until the end of June. This extension aligns with the ICC T20 World Cup, slated to take place in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to 29. Applications for the position must be submitted by May 27, 6 PM. BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that Dravid would need to reapply if he desires an extension, though reports suggest Dravid hasn't indicated interest in continuing. Meanwhile, VVS Laxman, current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is reportedly unlikely to vie for the position, according to Sportstar. Here are the top contenders: Stephen Fleming Former New Zealand captain and current CSK head coach Stephen Fleming is a potential candidate if he applies. Known for fostering a positive team atmosphere, Fleming's successful tenure with CSK makes him a strong contender. Andy Flower Renowned for his calm demeanor and extensive coaching experience, Andy Flower, who previously represented Zimbabwe, currently coaches IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore. Flower's impressive coaching history positions him as a frontrunner. Gautam Gambhir With a reputation for straightforwardness, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, currently mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders, is a compelling option. Gambhir's impactful playing career and coaching experience make him a contender. Justin Langer Former Australian coach Justin Langer, credited with revitalizing the Australian team post the Sandpaper Gate scandal, currently coaches Lucknow Super Giants. Langer's coaching success and experience could make him a top choice. Virender Sehwag Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, known for his aggressive batting style, has also been rumored as a potential candidate. Sehwag's coaching stint with Punjab Kings in the IPL showcases his coaching prowess. India's T20 World Cup Schedule: India kicks off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. Subsequent matches are against the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15, respectively. India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj Ravi Shastri and Ravichandran Ashwin Stand by IPL's Impact Player Rule Star Sports Sets Record with 51 Crore Viewers Tuning in for IPL Matches Catch the T20 World Cup Live for Free on Disney Plus Hotstar!
National athletics: Modest results order of the day
BHUBANESWAR: A drizzle brought the temperature down by the time events at the National Federation Athletics Championships began in the evening. The weather cleared but the gloom was visible. There were no records. That included the long-jump pit where national record holder Jeswin Aldrin was participating. There was gloom because he could not cross 8m. He finished at 7.99m but it was enough to fetch him the gold. Arya S jumped 7.83m for silver while Muhammed Anees Yahiya, whose personal best stands at 8.15m, jumped 7.81m for bronze. In the shot put area too, the distance was modest. National record holder, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who was competing, managed 20.38m, way short of his record of c. What reflected the modest competition in shot put was the second-place finish. Samardeep Singh Gill hurled the iron to a distance of 18.93m while Aryan Tyagi claimed bronze with a throw of 18.07m. During a brief interaction, Toor said that he has had some discomfort in the back. My back was hurting a bit today (Tuesday), he said. I have some family stress as well. Wife was not feeling well. In a discipline where athletes should have made progress, mens steeplechase, the timing was below par as well. The best was Sumit Kumar (Madhya Pradesh), who managed 8:39.67s. In womens, Chhavi Yadav (Madhya Pradesh) managed 10:07.57s. Tuesday's results: Men: 3000m steeplechase: Sumit Kumar (Madhya Pradesh) 8:39.67s, Dhuladev Baban (Maharashtra) 8:46.65s, Ankit Rajesh (Haryana) 8:46.97s; Shot put: Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Punjab) 20.38m, Samardeep Singh Gill (Madhya Pradesh) 18.93m, Aryan Tyagi (Uttar Pradesh) 18.07m; Hammer throw: Damneet Singh (Punjab) 66.28m, Ashish Jakhar (Haryana) 66.24m, Devang (Delhi) 64.75m; Long jump: Jeswin Aldrin (Tamil Nadu) 7.99m, Arya S (Karnataka) 7.83m, Muhammed Anees (Kerala) 7.81m; Women: 3000m steeplechase: Chhavi Yadav (Madhya Pradesh) 10:07.57s, Komal Chandrakant J (Maharashtra) 10:18.69s, Manju Ajay Yadav (Madhya Pradesh) 10:19.21s; Discus throw: Nidhi Rani (Haryana) 52.55m, Shalini Chaudhary (Madhya Pradesh) 51.50m, Sunita (Haryana) 51.10m; Pole vault: Rosy Meena Paulraj (Tamil Nadu) 4.05m, Baranica Elangovan (Kerala) 4.00m, Mariya Jaison (Tamil Nadu) 3.90m. Toor: Shot putter TajinderpalSingh Toor won gold with an effort of 20.38m, a mark that was short of his record of 20.38m
Rapid progress: With German legend by his side, Anish in happy space
CHENNAI: Anish Bhanwala is in a happy space at the moment. The proficient pistol shooter from the country has elevated his game in the last one year or so. That lift in confidence was evident during the ongoing Olympic Shooting Trials (OST) as he put up some rich scores to practically seal a spot in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol team for the upcoming Paris Olympics. With an average tally of 585.3 across four trials held at two venues (Delhi and Bhopal), Anish, who signed off with a second-place showing on the concluding day (T4 finals) on Tuesday, was well ahead of the rest of the pack. Vijayveer Sidhu, who topped the T4 finals at the MP Shooting Academy, finished a distant second in the overall tally. Everybody started from zero and we had to perform during the trials. It was a challenge for all and I'm happy that I was able to clear it. I'm happy with the scores that I put up. I'm thrilled that I'll be taking part in my first Olympics, Anish told this daily. Anish made it look rather easy but this period of prosperity comes after setbacks. A former junior world champion, Anish's talent was undeniable. However, as is common with many budding athletes, he was finding it hard to translate his success at the junior level to the senior international level. Despite predominantly being India No 1 at the senior level, something was amiss in his game. The lack of concrete answers then had cost him the chance to be part of the Tokyo Olympics. In 2018, I was putting up decent scores to win medals in the Commonwealth Games. But in the all-important events like the World Championships, I was unable to cope with pressure. I was not able to translate the same results that I was showing in the junior events. I was also lacking maturity I guess, he reflected. A meeting with Ralf Schumann, a three-time Olympic champion, has been a turning point in his career. In fact, he had trained under Schumann before the OST as well. I visited him quite often and trained under him. That was quite an exposure for me. Thanks to TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), this was possible for me. I started working with Ralf in 2022 and gradually started getting the desired results. Since the German has come on board, he has quite the medal haul a first senior individual medal in Cairo (World Cup), a quota-winning bronze at the Asian Championships and the first Indian to medal at the ISSF World Cup final (in this event). Schumann's impact is clear as Anish racked up those results in his CV in 2023. I don't have full-time training with him as we have a lot of competitions including the trials but I train with him whenever I get the chance, he said. Anish's admiration for the legend of the sport was a given as he used to watch/re-watch his videos on YouTube. After meeting him, the Indian was eager to take in all the valuable gems from the German veteran. I also learnt how to plan things, how to approach a competition, what to do after competition. He had a long career and those small inputs are also very valuable. As far as technique goes, which is one of the key aspects in shooting, the 21-year-old from Karnal (Haryana) also learnt to keep things simple. Most of the shooters have a few different techniques in their locker. He was someone who stuck with one and applied the same for the whole year. I tried to adopt the same. I feel if we keep things simple, it's much better. I just look to stick to the basics. Another person who has been just as immense to him is his personal coach Harpreet Singh, who was alongside him during the trials. Even my coach in India has been a huge influence. He has been with me during the trails in Delhi and Bhopal. He knows me inside out and he has been one of the most important persons in my life. Having had a steady build-up to the Olympics, Anish would be looking to maintain his rhythm and make a mark during the Games. Now, the interesting part starts as we prepare for the Games, he noted. The shooters are likely to have a camp in Paris before the Games. There is bound to be a high level of interest as the country is set to send a record number of participants during the Games.
Jena confident of doing better in future meets
BHUBANESWAR: Indian javelin thrower and local star Kishore Jena started his 2024 season with 76.31m and finished in 9th place at the Doha Diamond League 2024 on Friday. However, Jena is confident of doing well at the Kalinga Stadium in front of the home crowd in the javelin throw final of the 27th National Federation Senior Athletics Competition 2024 on Wednesday. In my first diamond league I could not make the podium finish. But I was excited to get a chance to fight against many of the top throwers in the World. I made some technical errors which I will overcome soon. I had also got the opportunity to learn from the Doha event, said Jena. His training season for the Olympics is on, presently he is in higher load training. So its not his pick to throw freely. As the days get closer to the Olympic games, he will improve his performance. I am confident Jena will do better, said coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi.
Mystery over Neeraj Chopra guest appearance
BHUBANESWAR: Reality hits you hard when you least expect it. Tuesday was one such day. At the playing or the warm-up arena, Neeraj Chopra was discussed in every conversation. Perspective changed after a conversation with an amicable cabbie. The name Neeraj definitely is famous but the craft he practices? While on the way to the Kalinga Stadium for the third day of the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition, the discussion with the cabbie naturally veered towards athletics. The conversation went something like this. What sporting event is going on at Kalinga Stadium?, asked the cabbie. Athletics, was the reply. Ye kaun sa sport hain ji (What sport is this)?,asked the cabbie. Running, jumping, throwing... was the reply. Achcha (ah, okay), said the cabbie. He must have heard about Neeraj Chopra? Haan suna hai ye naam (definitely, heard that name). International player hai. There was a pause... then came the confirmation: Footballer? Well. We follow football and hockey here and know cricketers, said the cabbie. Sometimes, its best to leave things as it is. Minutes later, there was a buzz in the warm-up area. Javelin thrower Kishore Jena, who finished fifth at the Worlds in Budapest last year apart from a fine silver at Asian Games, was walking towards the area. A few photographers were trying to take pictures. Suddenly, someone tried to stop them from entering the warm-up arena. Someone even said that he is a VIP and should be left alone. Mirror does have two faces. Away from all these, the mystery of Neerajs arrival was getting thicker. On Monday, the discussion was that he is coming. On Tuesday, it turned to when is he arriving?. Until evening, there was some news that he would be reaching the city late from New Delhi. As if it was a national security issue, there was no information on Neeraj except that he would be participating on Wednesday evening. Neeraj is going to participate in an event in India for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics gold in 2021. The start list was tweaked and qualification for the top eight throwers was waived. So he could come and throw during the competition. So he could arrive late on Tuesday and compete in the evening on Wednesday and leave. He left Doha after the Diamond League on Sunday. That leaves us with another question. Why is he here? Logically he should be headed to Europe for training and more competitions. For the last three years, he had not been competing in India anyway. This, however, was cleared during a press conference. Athletic Federation of India president, Adille Sumariwalla, said that it is compulsory for all athletes, including those training abroad, to take part at the senior inter-state nationals at Panchkula in June. Since he will be participating at the Paris Diamond League, the inter-state is clashing, so we have given him exemption, he said. The AFI had said that those throwers who have thrown over 75m can be part of the final on Wednesday. Presumably, this was done to let Neeraj spend as little time in Bhubaneswar as possible. The AFI chief said that they have done this keeping in mind the athletes benefit. It is understood that commercial commitment could be one of the reasons for his lack of time. Still there should be clarity on his schedule. Perhaps, AFI has missed out on a great opportunity to promote the sport. The Olympic and World champion usually doesnt come to India to compete because of international commitments and it is understandable. Waiving qualification too is fine. But for an athlete of his stature, mere presence is enough to boost the profile of the event. He need not throw but he can at least spend some time and interact with younger athletes and motivate them further. AFI chief hopeful of winning more medals The AFI chief said that he is expecting at least 35 athletes including the 4x400m relay teams to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Sumariwalla said that in 2012 there were some 12 athletes and that is expected to swell to 35 this time. He also reiterated that all athletes must compete at the inter-state senior nationals in Panchkula next month. That will be the last chance for qualification, he said. Twenty athletes have achieved automatic qualification criteria set up by World Athletics. Eleven athletes will qualify through the world ranking system. We are expecting five more athletes to make the cut for the Olympic Games before June 30, he added. Sumariwalla usually refrains from predicting medals but he hoped India would win more than one medal. We have good chances of winning medals in javelin, 4x400m relay and long jump if the athletes perform up to their potential on a given day, he said. Take the case of the 4x400 relay teams (men and women). Both had to come and participate here. They also have to compete at the Asian Relay championships in Bangkok on May 20. The AFI chief is hopeful that the mixed relay team will qualify through Asian Relays.
EPL: Haaland double puts Man City on brink of title
Erling Haaland's double put Manchester City within touching distance of an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title
