DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:37:04 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-puneri-paltan-rise-to-top-with-defensive-masterclass-to-dismantle-u-mumba-in-maharashtra-derby-639334.html Jaipur Rajasthan Sep 18 Puneri Paltan put in a dominant display to register a comprehensive 4022 win against U Mumba in the Maharashtra Derby in Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League PKL at the SMS Indoor Stadium here on Thursday It was a defensive clinic from the Season 10 Champions recording 20 tackle points including six Super Tackles as they solidified their hold at the top of the table Gurdeep led the way with a High Five while Gaurav Khatri and Abinesh Nadarajan registered four tackles each Stuwart Singh contributed on the raiding end with eight pointsPuneri Paltans defence set the tone with Abinesh Nadarajan and Gurdeep registering tackles before Sachin Tanwar and Pankaj Mohite registered raids to give their side an early fourpoint lead For U Mumba Amirmohammad Zafardanesh opened the scoring on both ends of the floor making it a twopoint gameGaurav Khatri for the Paltan and Sunil Kumar for U Mumba got their first points on the board as the defences continued to stay on top in this tense and aggressive encounter Anil got off the mark on a DoOrDie raid but Aslam Inamdar couldnt do the same which meant that the two teams were tied at 55 at the end of the first quarterPuneri Paltan found some momentum and managed to bag a fourpoint lead but it didnt stay that way for too long Amirmohammad Zafardanesh cut the deficit down to one point with a twopoint raid The topsyturvy nature of the game continued as Rakesh Rajesh completed a Super Tackle to retain Puneri Paltans fourpoint lead In an intense tactical battle that saw DoOrDie Raids flying in the PKL 10 Champions ended the first half in the lead with the score at 1510With a Super Tackle from Vishal Bhardwaj early in the second half Puneri Paltan extended their lead to seven points That was followed up with another Super Tackle from Abinesh Nadarajan ensuring that his side stays in the drivers seat in this Maharashtra DerbyThere was no respite for U Mumba as their opponents continued to dictate the tempo of the game It proved to be difficult for them to score points on the offensive end because the Puneri Paltan were delivering a defensive masterclass holding onto a comfortable lead with the score at 2315 heading into the final quarterRinku kept the scoreboard ticking for U Mumba with four tackles and Sandeep Kumar also chipped in to keep it at a sevenpoint game Aslam Inamdar got his first point of the game with a bonus and followed it up with a Super Tackle to solidify his teams position with a tenpoint leadGurdeep registered his High Five and Gaurav Khatri followed it up with another brilliant tackle to inflict an All Out on U Mumba Supersub Stuwart Singh added the finishing touches with a Super Raid ending as the highest scorer for his side and completing the rout to lead Puneri Paltan to a 4022 triumph IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-puneri-paltan-rise-to-top-with-defensive-masterclass-to-dismantle-u-mumba-in-maharashtra-derby-639334.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/antim-clinches-bronze-in-2025-senior-world-wrestling-championship-639347.html New Delhi Sep 19 Antim Panghal on Thursday became the first Indian woman wrestler after Vinesh Phogat to win multiple medals in the Senior World Wrestling Championships Antim competing in the 53 kg weight category secured the bronze medal at the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championship Zagreb She achieved this remarkable feat by defeating her Swedish opponent with a commanding score of 91 in the Bronze Medal boutAntim had also won bronze in the 2023 edition of the World Championships at Belgrade and had beaten the very same opponent 166 via technical superiority to land on the podium two years backWomens wrestlers from India have now won at least one medal at the last three editions of the World Wrestling ChampionshipsAntim Panghal began her campaign with a dominant 100 victory by technical superiority against Spains Carla Jaume Soler in the prequarterfinalsThe Indian wrestler then edged past the Peoples Republic of Chinas Zhang Jin 98 in a tense quarterfinal before falling 53 to Paris 2024 silver medallist Lucía Yépez of Ecuador in the semisMeanwhile Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala missed out on a chance to qualify for the bronze medal match in the 62kg womens freestyle after losing 90 to Bulgarias Bilyana Dudova in her repechage roundElsewhere Indias GrecoRoman wrestlers continued to struggle with none of the four grapplers winning their respective bouts on ThursdayCompeting in the prequarterfinals Anil Mor who was a part of the 55kg weight class lost 80 to fourtime world champion and current world No 1 Eldaniz Azizli of AzerbaijanThe 77kg category saw Indias Aman lose 80 via technical superiority to Olympic champion Nao Kusaka of Japan in the round of 32In the 82kg Rahul managed to earn a point unlike his compatriots but couldnt prevent defeat as he succumbed to a 71 loss against Almir Tolebayev of Kazakhstan in qualificationSonu also lost in the 130kg after going down 80 in qualification against Olympian Marko Koševi of Croatia A total of 30 gold medals are on the line across mens freestyle womens freestyle and GrecoRoman eventsIndia had fielded a fullstrength squad with one entry in each weight category None of the mens freestyle wrestlers managed to return with a medal IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/antim-clinches-bronze-in-2025-senior-world-wrestling-championship-639347.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/stuwart-showed-how-to-play-under-pressure-aslam-inamdar-on-young-raiders-breakout-performance-639439.html Jaipur Sep 19 Puneri Paltan put up a defensive masterclass to cruise past U Mumba 4022 in the Maharashtra Derby at the SMS Indoor Stadium but the spotlight firmly belonged to young raider Stuwart Singh who picked up eight raid points to cap off a dominant display by the season 10 champions Paltans defence was unrelenting recording 20 tackle points including six Super Tackles Gurdeep led the charge with a High Five while Gaurav Khatri and Abinesh Nadarajan added four points each But it was Singhs maturity under pressure that drew the loudest praise from captain Aslam InamdarStuwart has proved he is a good player He showed how to play under pressure said Aslam about the youngster from Tamil Nadu He has been working very hard waiting for his opportunity I always told him he will become a good player and tonight he proved itThe skipper revealed that Stuwart had been on Puneris radar for a while He was with us in Season 10 but couldnt get a chance then This season he has grabbed it with both hands Giving confidence to youngsters like Rakesh and Stuwart is important and Im very happy they are delivering Aslam addedHead coach Ajay Thakur also underlined the importance of patience and defensive discipline in the big win Our defenders played very well with a good mindset and cool heads Against a side like U Mumba that was the differenceWith another comprehensive derby win the champions now focus on their next challenge against Haryana Steelers Aslam summed it up We know every match is tough but when youngsters like Stuwart step up it gives us more belief This is what makes Puneri Paltan strong IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/stuwart-showed-how-to-play-under-pressure-aslam-inamdar-on-young-raiders-breakout-performance-639439.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-nitin-ali-samadi-shine-as-pink-panthers-beat-bengal-warriorz-take-top-spot-639323.html Jaipur Sep 18 In an engaging encounter at the SMS Indoor Stadium Jaipur Pink Panthers registered a 4541 victory against the Bengal Warriorz on Thursday Nitin Kumar and Ali Samadi recorded Super 10s for the hosts to help them climb to fourth place on the points table Meanwhile Devank Dalal notched his seventh straight Super 10 alongside Manprit Pardeep while Ashish Malik also registered a High Five but that wasnt enough for the Season 7 champions to get over the lineDevank secured the first raid of the game reaching a milestone by becoming the fastest raider to 400 raid points achieving the feat in just 38 games Nitin Kumar opened Jaipur Pink Panthers account but it was the Warriorz captain who was on a roll giving his team a threepoint lead in the early exchangesHowever the hosts responded quickly with Aashish Kumars Super Tackle on Devank followed by a swift raid from Nitin Kumar to level the score at 66 A twopoint raid from Ali Samadi then helped the Jaipur Pink Panthers open up a fourpoint lead ending a highoctane first quarter at 128The Pink Panthers slowly began to assert their dominance inflicting an All Out to extend their lead to six points Nitin Kumar completed his sixth Super 10 of the season while Aashish Kumar added four tackles in the first half giving the twotime champions a convincing 2418 lead at halftimeWith the Warriorz having only one player on the mat to begin the second half the hosts inflicted another All Out courtesy a tackle from Aryan Kumar further extending their lead to nine points Ali Samadi continued to make his presence felt on the offensive end as well keeping a sevenpoint lead intact despite Bengal Warriorz finding some momentumManprit Pardeep and Devank momentarily cut the deficit down to six points before a Super Tackle from Nitin Rawal ensured Jaipur Pink Panthers do not get complacent Ashish Malik contributed in defence for the Warriorz tackling Nitin Kumar on a DoOrDie raid to keep his side within striking distance with under ten minutes to goBengal Warriorz found a glimmer of hope as Devank Dalal completed another Super 10 and Ashish Malik recorded a High Five to inflict an All Out on the Jaipur Pink Panthers making it a threepoint game with under five minutes to playWith the game on the line the Iranian duo for Jaipur Pink Panthers shut the door on any possibility of a comeback First Reza Mirbagheri tackled Devank and then Ali Samadi followed it up with a sensational fourpoint Super Raid also completing his maiden Super 10 in the process That in the end proved to be the difference between the two sides in this highscoring thriller as Jaipur Pink Panthers clinched a 4541 victory IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-nitin-ali-samadi-shine-as-pink-panthers-beat-bengal-warriorz-take-top-spot-639323.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-athletics-cships-neeraj-chopra-vs-arshad-nadeem-javelin-final-when-and-where-to-watch-639199.html Tokyo Sep 18 Neeraj Chopra versus Pakistans Arshad Nadeems rivalry will take the centre stage once again on Thursday in the final of javelin at the World Athletics Championship final The Indian ace who breached the 90metre mark earlier this season is chasing history as he looks to defend his crown on the biggest stage Chopra made qualification look effortless on Wednesday needing just one throw to seal his spot in the final His effort of 8485 metres comfortably cleared the automatic qualification mark of 8450 underlining his intentThis marked the fifth consecutive time Chopra needed just one attempt to qualify for the final The previous four occasions when Chopra made it to the final in the first throw are the 2020 Tokyo Olympics the 2022 and 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris OlympicsAfter Chopra Germanys Julian Weber breached the automatic qualification mark in his second attempt Weber started with an 8229m throw but bounced back to record the throw of 8721m making the direct qualification to the finalJoining him in the final is compatriot Sachin Yadav who scraped through after a tense wait and his longtime rival Arshad Nadeem the reigning Olympic champion from Pakistan who left it late but managed to qualify with his last attemptChopra who won a silver medal in the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 will on Thursday defend the World title he won in Budapest in 2023 The 27yearold from Haryana created history in Budapest two years ago by becoming Indias firstever world champion in athletics with a throw of 8817m Pakistans Arshad Nadeem had secured silver on that occasion with an effort of 8782mHowever the crossborder rivalry intensified in Paris last year when Nadeem dethroned Chopra as Olympic champion with a massive throw of 9297m while the Indian settled for a silver with the best effort of 8945mThe 12man field also features a host of worldclass challengers including former world champion Anderson Peters Germanys Julian Weber and Kenyas veteran Julius Yego With the stakes high and the rivalry fierce all eyes will inevitably be on the ChopraNadeem showdown a duel that has come to define South Asian athletics on the global stageWorld Athletics Championship javelin final streaming detailsWhen Thursday September 18 2025Time 400 PM ISTLive Telecast Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 1 HDLive Streaming JioHotstar app and website IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-athletics-cships-neeraj-chopra-vs-arshad-nadeem-javelin-final-when-and-where-to-watch-639199.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/8-indians-qualify-for-issf-wc-final-in-doha-manu-makes-cut-in-two-events-639054.html New Delhi Sep 17 Eight Indian shooters have secured their places in the International Shooting Sport Federation ISSF World Cup Final 2025 scheduled to be held in Doha Qatar from December 4 to 9 Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker is the only Indian shooter to have made the cut in two events the womens 10m air pistol and the womens 25m pistol for the year ending ISSF showpiece which determines the international Shooting seasons best shooter in each of the 12 individual Olympic eventsIndian shooters have made the cut in five of the 12 events that will feature in the seasonending competition in Doha an ISSF Prize money eventBesides Manu leading the charge for India in Doha will be teenager Suruchi Singh who emerged as the breakout star of the year dominating the womens 10m air pistol with three backtoback gold medals in Buenos Aires Lima and Munich not only qualifying for Doha but also securing the number one rank in the world in womens air pistol which she holds currentlyOlympian Esha Singh also qualified in the womens 10m air pistol event with her gold medal winning performance in the fourth and final ISSF World Cup in Ningbo ChinaOthers who have qualified include former world champion Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil who booked his spot in the mens 10m air rifle with a gold medal in Buenos Aires while Olympian Arjun Babuta ensured his presence in the same event with a silver in LimaReigning Asian Champion and worldrecord holder Sift Kaur Samra has also qualified in the womens 50m rifle three positions 3P event aided by her gold in Buenos Aires while fellow Olympian Vijayveer Sidhu secured his berth in the mens 25m rapidfire pistol with a brilliant gold winning effort at the same venueRounding off Indias list of qualifiers is Simranpreet Kaur Brar who gained entry in the womens 25m pistol with her silver in Lima given Chinas Sun Yujie had already secured her berth through a gold in Buenos AiresThe ISSF has also confirmed prize money for the medalists at the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 with gold medal winners receiving 5000 euros silver medalists earning 4000 euros and bronze medalists taking home 2000 eurosBeyond these qualifications other Indian athletes will still have an opportunity to qualify for the Finals through medal winning performances at the upcoming ISSF World Championship Shotgun in Athens Greece and the ISSF World Championship RiflePistol in Cairo Egypt in October and November respectivelyIndias overall campaign at the four World Cup stages for RiflePistol in 2025 held in Buenos Aires Lima Munich and Ningbo with separate shotgun world cup stages also being held in Nicosia and Lonato was one of their strongest yetThe Indian shooting team collected a total of 22 medals including 9 golds 6 silver and 7 bronze across rifle pistol and shotgun disciplines to finish second overall reaffirming their position as of the worlds powerhouse shooting nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/8-indians-qualify-for-issf-wc-final-in-doha-manu-makes-cut-in-two-events-639054.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/training-is-going-well-well-give-our-best-says-navdeep-singh-ahead-of-world-para-athlete-championships-639100.html New Delhi Sep 17 Ahead of the World ParaAthlete Championships Indian Para Athlete Navdeep Singh mentioned that he has worked hard for this tournament and is fully prepared The 2024 Paralympics gold medallist hopes for all Indian athletes to perform well in the competition He also extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning how the iconic leader shared words of wisdom and encouraged him to do well when they metSpeaking of his preparations for the tournament Singh said We are preparing for it and the training is going well Well see how the competition goes but well give our best Navdeep Singh exclusively told IANSSpeaking on the challenges he faces as a paraathlete he said It is very challenging If I talk about my disability my height is small and the javelin is a tall and big equipment It is problematic but we manage itSpeaking on the federations role in helping the athletes Singh said The federation stands with us It treats the players very well and because of the federation a significant tournament has reached India It is a worldclass tournament For the first time the first Mundo track has been built in India making it a big deal for the playersSingh won his first gold at the Asian Youth Para Games in 2017 before achieving a similar feat at the 2021 World Para Grand Prix in DubaiAfter finishing with a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships in Kobe Singh emerged as an Olympic champion as he stood atop the podium at the 2024 Paris GamesSingh also wished PM Narendra Modi on his birthday and reminisced about his previous meetings with the leaderIt feels good to meet him every time I have met him twice so far I wish him a happy birthday When I met him for the first time in 2021 after the Tokyo Paralympics he gave me his best wishes and told me how a player lives a life full of struggle but does not give up He extended his best wishes for my next Paralympics It was a good experience His wellwishes helped me and I did well this time IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/training-is-going-well-well-give-our-best-says-navdeep-singh-ahead-of-world-para-athlete-championships-639100.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 22:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-neeraj-narwal-defenders-shine-as-dabang-delhi-rally-to-defeat-telugu-titans-33-29-639112.html Jaipur Sep 17 Dabang Delhi KC continued their brilliant run in Season 12 of Pro Kabaddi League PKL as they clinched their sixth straight win against Telugu Titans at the SMS Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday After trailing by five points in the first half it was Neeraj Narwal who came to the fore with nine points while he was ably supported by High Fives from Saurabh Nandal and Fazel Atrachali The Telugu Titans opened the scoring with a successful raid from Vijay Malik giving them an early lead They quickly built on this momentum as Shubham Shinde executed a solid tackle to make it 20 The Titans maintained their dominance with Bharat picking up a raid point and then following it up with a strong tackle to send Ashu Malik to the bench pushing their lead to 40Dabang Delhi finally opened their account through a welltimed tackle by Surjeet Singh in a doordie raid Soon after Manjeet delivered a successful raid cutting the deficit to 52 However Neeraj Narwal earned a point for his side and revived the Dabang Delhi captain reducing the gap to 53After a slow start Dabang Delhi gradually found its rhythm and closed the deficit further bringing the score to 54 by the time the first timeout was taken in the opening halfThe Telugu Titans resumed the game strongly collecting a couple of quick points to stretch their advantage Their defence continued to hold firm once again stopping Ashu Malik and sending him to the bench which extended their lead to 84 with just over six minutes left in the first halfThe Titans defensive unit maintained their intensity for the remainder of the half consistently shutting down Dabang Delhis raiders Their solid allaround effort helped them go into halftime with a 149 lead firmly in control of the contestDabang Delhi mounted a strong comeback in the second half sparked by a brilliant Super Raid from Neeraj Narwal who looked in terrific touch earned them three points and cut the deficit to 1415However Telugu Titans responded quickly with a wellexecuted Super Tackle regaining control and extending their lead to 1914 Dabang Delhi then produced a big turning point by inflicting an All Out which helped them take the lead for the first time in the match at 2019 with just over 13 minutes left on the clock They built on this momentum with a solid tackle to push their advantage to 2119With Fazel Atrachali leading the charge in defence He pulled off several sharp tackles and completed a wellearned High Five as the side extended their lead to 2722 within the first four minutes of the halfDabang Delhi appeared to be in complete control for most of the second half but Telugu Titans kept pushing and managed to close the gap to just three points in the final three minutes of play However Delhis allround performance ensured they didnt lose their grip on the matchThe Titans stayed in the fight as Shubham Shinde produced a crucial tackle to make it 2730 followed by a successful raid from Praful Zaware that brought the score to 2830 With just over 40 seconds left only two points separated the two sidesBut Akshit stepped up for Dabang Delhi with a decisive Super Raid that pushed their lead to 3328 effectively sealing the contest The Titans managed to pick up one more point but the season 8 winners held on to secure a 3329 win IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-neeraj-narwal-defenders-shine-as-dabang-delhi-rally-to-defeat-telugu-titans-33-29-639112.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jampks-hans-raj-ladakhs-stanzin-chondol-claim-full-marathon-titles-at-12th-ladakh-marathon-638637.html New Delhi Sep 15 The Ladakh Marathon capped its recordbreaking 12th edition with thrilling finishes in the Full Marathon the Half Marathon and the 112 km Run on Sunday In the Full Marathon spanning 42 kilometres Jammu amp Kashmirs Hans Raj crossed the line first in 24741 while Ladakhs own Stanzin Chondol stormed to victory in the womens field with a time of 31300 a run that also placed her sixth overall among men and women The 42 km race which began and ended at Lehs NDS Stadium drew a strong field as part of an edition that welcomed 6600 runners from across Indias states and Union Territories along with participants from more than 30 countries As World Marathon Majors qualifier the Ladakh Marathon also offered athletes the chance to book their spot at the 2026 WMM Wanda World Age Group Championship provided they met qualifying standards in their respective categoriesRita Satish Patkar delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend becoming the rare runner to claim victories in both the Khardung La Challenge and the full marathon within just two days the Bengalurean finished top in the veteran female category of both races In the Half Marathon on Sunday Tsetan Namgail took top honours in the mens race with a time of 11310 while Stanzin Dolkar led the womens field finishing in 13014Chief Guest Bhanu Prabha IAS Secretary Youth Services and Sports UT Ladakh led the ceremonial proceedings in the aftermath of the races at the NDS Stadium distributing medals trophies and prize money to the respective winnersSpeaking on the occasion she said The Ladakh Marathon has grown from just 1200 participants 12 years ago to over 6500 runners today representing every state UT and more than 30 countries It is heartening to see veteran athletes who have won accolades across the world choosing to run here in Ladakh This growth has been possible because of the vision of Chewang Motup and his team and the support of our sponsors and partners especially LAHDC Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council whose contributions have enabled us to host an event of this scale My congratulations to all the runners and I look forward to welcoming you back with an even larger group next yearIn the 112 km category Skarma Idong Lanzes clinched the womens open title with a time of 47 minutes and 30 seconds while Sonam Stanzin took top honours in the mens section crossing the line in 42 minutes and 39 seconds He finished just 10 seconds clear of runnerup Furboo Tundup making it one of the closest contests of the editionI extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants who made the 12th edition of the Ladakh Marathon so memorable This years recordbreaking participation has reinforced the events place as one of Indias premier running competitions while also showcasing its growing international stature With every edition we are not just celebrating endurance and resilience but also taking firm steps toward establishing the Ladakh Marathon among the top global races added Chewang Motup Goba Chairperson of High Altitude Sports Foundation founder and organiser of the Ladakh MarathonIn the veterans categories Tsewang Dorjay topped the mens field while Sarah HananBajwa claimed the womens crown in the 112K Run The Half Marathon titles went to Arvind Basaiawmoit in the mens section and Shilpa Phadke in the womens section In the Full Marathon veterans Shyamapada Das emerged victorious in the mens category complementing Patkars win in the womens raceEarlier on Friday fivetime Guinness World Record holder Sufiya Sufi and Ladakh Scouts Tsewang Kundan emerged as champions of the Silk Route Ultra the centrepiece of the 12th Ladakh Marathon Shabir Hussain and Namgyal Lhamo topped the mens and womens standings respectively in the gruelling Khardung La Challenge 72 km IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jampks-hans-raj-ladakhs-stanzin-chondol-claim-full-marathon-titles-at-12th-ladakh-marathon-638637.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/stasya-pandya-selected-to-represent-india-at-the-fei-childrens-classic-2025-finals-638646.html New Delhi Sep 15 Mumbais 13yearold equestrian talent Stasya Pandya has earned the honour of representing India at the prestigious FEI Childrens Classic Finals Silver Tour At the tworound selection trial challenge held from September 11 to 14 at The Embassy International Riding School in Bengaluru Stasya impressed with a clear first round and clocked 4363 seconds in the jumpoff finishing second among 18 entries Riding her horse Cougar Des Fees she skillfully navigated a challenging course of 13 obstacles at a height of 110 cmWith this stellar performance Stasya now holds the No 1 national ranking in the Silver Tour Overall standing out as the only rider with zero penalties across all four roundsThe FEI Fédération questre Internationale Childrens Classic is an annual international show jumping series for riders aged 1214 It provides a global platform for young equestrians to showcase their talent competing on standardized courses from their home countries before advancing to the global finals which are contested on borrowed horses The seriescomprising Gold Silver and Bronze tourshelps nurture future champions by offering equal opportunities across nationsSharing her excitement Stasya said It was an amazing experience competing with the top riders in my age category across the country I am extremely happy to get the opportunity to represent my country and to rank number one in the Silver Tour I would like to thank my entire support system starting with my coach Mr Bobin Tshering for his unwavering belief in me the grooms who take care of my horse The Amateur Riders Club Mumbai for providing me with worldclass infrastructure and training support my school Billabong High International School Malad for giving me the flexibility to pursue my dream and of course my parents for their patience and encouragementHer selection not only highlights her dedication and talent but also marks a proud moment for Indian equestrian sport As she prepares for the FEI Childrens Classic Finals Stasya carries the hopes of the nation with her IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/stasya-pandya-selected-to-represent-india-at-the-fei-childrens-classic-2025-finals-638646.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chandrababu-naidu-congratulates-grandson-on-receiving-chess-award-638539.html Amaravati Sep 14 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari on Sunday congratulated their grandson Nara Devaansh on receiving the World Book of Records Award 2025 for the Fastest Checkmate Solver 175 Puzzles Tenyearold Devaansh on Saturday received the award at the World Book of Records Awards 2025 ceremony held at Westminster Hall LondonDevaansh last year had solved 175 progressively challenging checkmate puzzles taken from the renowned compilation 5334 problems combinations and games by Laszlo Polgar at the Checkmate MarathonCongratulations to our Devaansh on receiving the World Book of Records Award 2025 at Westminster Hall London We are proud of his recordsetting achievement as the Fastest Checkmate Solver at 175 puzzles after months of perseverance and the guidance of his mentors Good going champ Naidu posted on XMy blessings and love to my dear grandson Devaansh on receiving the World Book of Records honour at Westminster Hall London At just 10 your talent discipline amp dedication to chess have brought immense pride to our family May you continue to shine brightly and achieve many more milestones wrote BhuvaneswariDevaanshs father and Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and mother Nara Brahmani also took to X to congratulate himMy little champion youve made us proud yet again Im truly impressed by your dedication and commitment in setting the world record for fastest checkmate solver This recognition is a reward for your hard work and Im happy to be here with you on your special occasion posted LokeshSo proud of you Devaansh At just 10 your dedication focus amp love for chess have earned you the World Book of Records honour at Westminster Hall London Your hard work shines through every move you make This is just the beginning keep dreaming big my champ wrote BrahmaniThe World Book of Records rewarded the child prodigy on Saturday for this feat placing him among the finest young talents on the global stage in the chess world His achievement is the result of months of focused preparation supported by his parents and guided by his coach K Rajashekar ReddyAccording to a statement these puzzles get more and more difficult as they go on testing speed accuracy and thinking skills and he was able to solve all of them within a tight timeframeIts truly a special occasion to see Devaansh receive this honour at Westminster Hall today His ability to think ahead stay calm under pressure and devote himself so wholeheartedly to the game at just ten years old makes this achievement even more special As his father I have witnessed the countless hours he has spent practising with dedication This recognition is a true reward for his hard work We are very proud of him said LokeshDevaansh had also set two additional world records earlier in the chess domain completing the 7disc Tower of Hanoi in just 1 minute 43 seconds and arranging 9 chess boards with all 32 pieces correctly in 5 minutes IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chandrababu-naidu-congratulates-grandson-on-receiving-chess-award-638539.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kadal-kondattam-2025-tamil-nadu-athletes-dominate-day-1-of-indias-premier-ocean-sports-festival-638380.html Tuticorin TN Sep 14 Athletes from host Tamil Nadu dominated the opening day of Kadal Kondattam Indias premier ocean sports festival with a clean sweep across all categories in Kayaking and Standup Paddling On Day 1 of the event originally scheduled to begin on September 12 but had to be postponed due to erratic weather and rough sea conditions Tamil Nadu athletes clinched a total of 21 medals across Subjunior Senior U18 Boys Girls Senior and Open Mens categories in Kayaking as well as Amateur Standing Position Men and Girls Senior categories in Standup PaddlingThe threeday festival is being organised by Aqua Outback under the leadership of former National Kiteboarding Champion Arjun Motha with support from Tamil Nadu Tourism and the Government of Tamil Nadu at the pristine Muthu Nagar beach TuticorinWhile competitions could not take place on the first scheduled day due to adverse weather athletes engaged in practice sessions demonstration races and spectacular giant kite displays Callisthenics and Strength Workshops also drew enthusiastic participationKayakingIn Kayaking the Subjunior Boys category saw Anto Amirthan Niranth and Michael Rithik secure the gold silver and bronze medals respectively In the Senior Men category Manikandan M Karuppasamy M and Muthu R claimed the top three spots The U18 Boys event was dominated by Ragul who won gold followed by Thangasamy with silver while Anto Amirthan bagged bronze completing his double medal tally In the Girls Senior category local favourite Anaina Aqua Outback clinched gold while Vijaya Lakshmi and Priya Dharshini took silver and bronze respectively In the Mens Open Ragul Thangasamy and Kanna finished first second and thirdStanup PaddlingIn Standup Paddling the Amateur Standing Mens category was swept by Manikandan M Karuppasamy M and Muthu R who repeated their podium finishes from Kayaking In the Girls Open category Vijaya Lakshmi Priya Dharshini and Anaina also secured gold silver and bronze marking doubles for all three athletesThe day also witnessed heats in Kiteboarding where Arjun Dylan Karuppasamy and Chitresh advanced to the finals scheduled for tomorrowBeyond the sporting action Kadal Kondattam 2025 is designed to have a transformative impact on the local economy and coastal communities The festival is promoting tourism creating new livelihood opportunities and actively involving the fishermen community of Tamil Nadu in the ocean sports ecosystem It also serves as a platform for raising awareness about ocean conservation and sustainable coastal living IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kadal-kondattam-2025-tamil-nadu-athletes-dominate-day-1-of-indias-premier-ocean-sports-festival-638380.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jasmine-stuns-olympic-silver-medallist-to-clinch-gold-at-world-boxing-championships-638388.html Liverpool Sep 14 Indias Jasmine Lamboria clinched her first gold medal in 57kg weight category at the World Boxing Championships after a stunning win over Paris Olympics silver medallist Paris Szeremeta of Poland After a cautious start Jasmine stormed back in Round 2 amp 3 to beat number one seed Szeremeta 41 and clinch her maiden World Championships medal Moreover this Indias first gold at this edition of the World ChampionshipsSpeaking in the mixed zone after becoming the first ever World Boxing Champion Jaismine said I feel really great This is my very first medal and Ive also become a world champion so its an incredible feeling for me My only goal is to make my country proudI owe this win to our coaches our federation and the entire support staff Because of their guidance and support I was able to achieve this todayJasmine previously won a gold medal this year at the World Boxing Cup in Astana She has won bronze medals at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2021 Asian ChampionshipMeanwhile Nupur of India pocketed silver after losing to Polands Agata Kaczmarska in the 80kg finalIn the semifinals Jaismine hammered Omailyn Carolina Alcala Cegovia of Venezuela 50 and Nupur proved too good for Turkeys Seyma DuztasAnother Indian in the 80kg category Pooja Rani signed off with a podium finish after a gritty semifinal against Englands Emily AsquithMeanwhile Indias third seed Minakshi defeated Altantsetseg Lutsaikhan of Mongolia 50 She will take on Kazakhstans number one seed Nazym Kyzaibay in the final on SundayIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is hoping for a good showing in both men and women events IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jasmine-stuns-olympic-silver-medallist-to-clinch-gold-at-world-boxing-championships-638388.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-minakshi-jaismine-nupur-register-dominant-wins-to-reach-finals-638348.html Liverpool Sep 13 Minakshi womens 48kg Jaismine Lamboria womens 57kg and Nupur womens 80kg were at their dominant best in their respective semifinals to raise hope of multiple gold medals for India at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool Minakshi defeated Altantsetseg Lutsaikhan of Mongolia 50 Jaismine hammered Omailyn Carolina Alcala Cegovia of Venezuela 50 and Nupur proved too good for Turkeys Seyma DuztasIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is hoping for a good showing in both mens and womens eventsPooja Rani womens 80kg is the fourth Indian boxer to reach the semifinals and will face Emily Asquith of England later in the dayIn the womens 48kg semifinals Minakshi did not allow twotime Asian bronze medallist Lutsaikhan to find her rhythm in any of the three rounds and completely dominated the bout to earn an unanimous decisionIt was a similar story in the other two semifinals as both Jaismine and Nupur rarely looked under pressure throughout their boutsIn the finals on Saturday night Jaismine will now face Paris Olympic silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland while Nupur will take on another Polish boxer Agata Kaczmarska a multipletime European championships medallistIn the mens 50kg category Jadumani Singh Mandengbam needed to beat former world champion and twotime Asian champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals The 21yearold Indian playing in his first world championships took the fight to his muchexperienced opponent but could not avoid a close loss IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-minakshi-jaismine-nupur-register-dominant-wins-to-reach-finals-638348.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 20:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/start-planning-beyond-active-sports-life-kapil-devs-advice-to-young-athletes-638376.html New Delhi Sep 13 Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev on Saturday said that all athletes must try to focus on other avenues while continuing their sporting journeys to prepare themselves for the future Addressing the panel titled Leadership amp Life Beyond the Pitch at PlayCom 2025 Business of Sports Summit at Bharat Mandapam New Delhi the 1983 Mens ODI World Cupwinning captain also added that all athletes should continue to learn from everyone in the dressing room and beyondOnes cricket life or any sports life usually gets over between 30 and 40 But beyond that you still have another 40 years of life So how does a sportsman plan beyond his active sports life That is the most important thing in my opinion Kapil Dev saidWhen you are a star everything is in front of you But you will not know what to do when your time is over Thats why I say to every sportsman try to move on in life and plan for the future If you stay there then your growth will end he further addedDev recalled advice given to him earlier in his playing days by one of his seniorsA very simple thing somebody said to me when I started playing cricket Kapil you know if you want to be successful in life keep your eyes and ears open while sleeping also This is what we must remember Your job today as a player is to see what your captain is doing right or wrong One day you may be the captain So take the good point from your captain and leave the bad point he saidBut keep your eyes and ears open So when you are playing cricket or any other sport make a friend Whatever sponsors you meet dont just make money from them Dont look to extract juice from them Be friends They can help you throughout your life he further advisedKapil further stressed that athletes should not take differences of opinion on the field personally and voice their opinions for the improvement of the teamOn the ground or in a cricket team or even in the corporate world you can have a different opinion That is very good for the game But a difference of opinion does not mean you do not like the other person It is most important to understand he saidMy style was not like Sunil Gavaskars He was different I was different He started his game during a different era I started in a different era So our thought processes were different Any discussions we had were not a fight Today also if Gavaskar comes after 40 years Ill give my chair I respect him as the senior And I think he was one of the finest cricketers we played with he signed off IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/start-planning-beyond-active-sports-life-kapil-devs-advice-to-young-athletes-638376.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 23:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-inches-separate-the-two-sides-as-u-mumba-clinch-victory-in-last-raid-thriller-637957.html Visakhapatnam Sep 11 In the penultimate game of the first leg of PKL 12 U Mumba edged past the Patna Pirates in a nailbiting contest pulling off a thrilling 4039 victory at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Thursday Ayan Lohchab scripted history to become the first player to record successive 20point games in PKL history but was left heartbroken as a costly unforced error in the dying seconds tilted the game away from his side For U Mumba Amirmohammad Zafardanesh starred with a Super 10 while Anil made vital contributions in what turned out to be a highscoring nightU Mumba were quick off the blocks in this contest as Vijay Kumar tackled Ayan Lohchab and Anil recorded a twopoint raid to give the Season 2 champions a threepoint lead Milan Dahiya opened the scoring for the Patna Pirates and they were soon back on level terms courtesy of a successful DoorDie raid from AyanZafardanesh then helped U Mumba regain the lead with a brilliant Super Raid as his side began to take control of the game opening up a sixpoint gap On the brink of an ALL OUT Ayan Lohchab stood tall for the Pirates with his brilliance on the offensive end reducing the deficit to just two points with the score at 911 after the first quarterU Mumba eventually inflicted the ALL OUT on their opponents with captain Sunil Kumar leading the way through his first tackle of the night The Anil Chapranaled side looked defensively superior maintaining a sevenpoint gap with under five minutes left in the first halfAyan Lohchab continued his fine form completing his Super 10 in the opening half Despite his best efforts the Patna Pirates trailed by eight points at the break with the score reading 2315In the opening five minutes of the second half the Patna Pirates came storming back into the contest There was no stopping Ayan Lohchab as his brilliance helped his side inflict their first ALL OUT and bring the scores level The two teams continued to trade blows with the scoreboard reading 2929 heading into the final ten minutesAnil and Zafardanesh kept U Mumba in the fight but Ayan remained unstoppable keeping the Pirates narrowly ahead with a twopoint lead as the clock ticked down to the last five minutesZafardanesh then completed his Super 10 pulling U Mumba back on level terms at 3434 However the Pirates regained the advantage thanks to Ayan Lohchabs sensational effort as he notched up his second successive 20point performanceWith under two minutes left a timely Super Tackle from U Mumba cut the deficit to just one point Zafardanesh struck with a four second raid to keep U Mumba in the game levelling the scores with less than five seconds remaining as a tiebreaker seemed imminent and giving Ayan a final chance to seal victory in the last raid But in the heat of the moment he committed an unforced error by stepping into the lobby a mistake that cost his team dearly and handed U Mumba the narrowest of wins IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-inches-separate-the-two-sides-as-u-mumba-clinch-victory-in-last-raid-thriller-637957.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sufiya-sufi-ladakh-scouts-tsewang-kundan-win-silk-route-ultra-at-ladakh-marathon-638152.html Leh Sep 12 Fivetime Guinness World Record Holder Sufiya Sufi and Ladakh local Tsewang Kundan emerged victorious in the Silk Route Ultra at the 12th edition of the Ladakh Marathon a recordbreaking year that features 6600 participants across six races This edition drew runners from every Indian state and Union Territory for the first time in history alongside athletes representing 30 countries cementing the events status as one of the most significant running fixtures on the global running calendarWidely regarded as one of the toughest endurance races in the world the Silk Route Ultra takes runners across a 122 km course that begins in the Nubra Valley climbs over the formidable Khardung La Top at 17618 ft and concludes in the heart of the Leh Market76 runners took on the course this year with Ladakh Scouts Tsewang Kundan claiming the mens title in 13 hours 50 minutes and one second the mountain infantry regiment excelled across the ultras achieving several podium finishes including both runnerup positions in the SRUMeanwhile Sufiya Sufi clocked 19 hours 12 minutes and 36 seconds to win the womens category upgrading from her thirdplace finish the year beforeEarlier at 300 am on September 12 the Khardung La Challenge a 72 km Ultramarathon flagged off from Khardung Village featuring over 280 runnersShabir Hussain and perennial champion Namgyal Lhamo dominated their respective categories with the former winning the mens category in six hours 58 minutes and 40 seconds while the latter claimed first in the womens section in a little over eightandahalf hoursThe prize distribution ceremonies were held at Leh Market where DGP Ladakh Police Dr SD Singh Jamwal honoured the winners of the Silk Route Ultra while Maj General Parveen Chhabra VSM felicitated the champions of the Khardung La ChallengeSpeaking on the occasion Chewang Motup Goba founder Rimo Expeditions and Race Director of the Ladakh Marathon said First of all a huge congratulations to the winners of this years Silk Route Ultra and Khardung La Challenge races These two Ultramarathons test runners both mentally and physically in one of the worlds toughest terrains To achieve what they have achieved shows incredible resilience determination and grit on their part Over the years the SRU and KC have grown in scale with more than 350 individuals taking part this year We would also like to highlight every single one of them who attempted these extraordinary challenges and we hope to see them again next yearThe veteran categories also delivered standout performances In the Khardung La Challenge Indores Vijay Kumar Singh 85904 topped the mens field while Bengalurus Rita Satish Patkar 124148 claimed victory in the womens race Over the demanding Silk Route Ultra Uttarakhands Shivanand Dangwal 183224 emerged as the winner in the veteran mens categoryBorn in response to the 2010 flash floods as a symbol of resilience the Ladakh Marathon was officially established in 2012 to put Ladakh on the global running map In just over a decade it has developed from a local event into one of Indias largest and most unique races attracting thousands of runners each year from across the country and around the worldThe 12th edition of the Marathon will continue with the 5 km Run for Fun on Saturday September 13 before concluding with the 112 km Run the Half Marathon and the Full Marathon the following day IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sufiya-sufi-ladakh-scouts-tsewang-kundan-win-silk-route-ultra-at-ladakh-marathon-638152.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 23:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-aditya-pankaj-shine-as-puneri-paltan-beat-up-yoddhas-to-take-top-spot-637762.html Visakhapatnam Sep 10 Puneri Paltan had a brilliant day at the office as they thumped UP Yoddhas 4332 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club on Wednesday night The win was powered by Super 10s from Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite while Gaurav Khatri chipped in with a solid High Five For the Yoddhas Gagan Gowda stood out once again with yet another Super 10 Puneri Paltan opened the match on a positive note with a successful raid from Aslam Inamdar to claim the first point However UP Yoddhas immediately responded through Guman Singh to level the score at 11The momentum shifted when Pankaj Mohite produced a Super Raid securing four points and giving Puneri a 73 lead But an error from Mohite soon after allowed the Yoddhas to execute a super tackle narrowing the gap to 67 The Yoddhas Guman Singh then added another point to bring the score level at 77UP Yoddhas briefly went ahead with a twopoint lead but Puneri Paltan fought back to make it even again before the first timeout After the break Paltan regained control with three consecutive points stretching the lead to 129 with just over seven minutes left in the first halfThe Paltan extended their advantage further by inflicting an all out pushing the score to 1612 Although the Yoddhas picked up a few points late in the half Puneri held firm and went into the break with a solid 2116 leadPuneri Paltan began the second half strongly with a wellexecuted tackle to extend their lead The turning point came soon after when Aditya Shindes successful raid helped the Paltan inflict another all out pushing the score to 2717Shinde maintained his momentum and soon completed his Super 10 with another successful raid While he spearheaded the attack Paltans defence stayed sharp and denied UP Yoddhas any chance of closing the gap At the secondhalf timeout the Paltan were firmly in control with a 3221 leadAfter the break the pattern of the game remained unchanged The Paltan quickly added to their tally and inflicted a second all out in the half stretching their advantage to 3722 and creating a massive 15point cushion Pankaj Mohite also joined the party by completing his Super 10 capping off another consistent outingIn the end Puneri Paltan maintained their dominance on both ends of the mat and sealed the contest with a comprehensive 11point victory returning to winning ways and reclaiming the top spot on the points table IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-aditya-pankaj-shine-as-puneri-paltan-beat-up-yoddhas-to-take-top-spot-637762.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-pooja-rani-jaismine-lamboria-assure-two-more-medals-for-india-637887.html Liverpool Sep 11 Twotime Asian champion Pooja Rani and World Boxing Cup Astana gold medallist Jaismine Lamboria registered contrasting wins to assure two more medals for India in the World Boxing Championships Pooja got the better of Polands Emilia Koterska 32 in the womens 80kg quarterfinals while Jaismine dominated under22 Asian champion Mamajonova Khumorabonu of Uzbekistan 50 to reach the womens 57kg semifinalIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is hoping for a good showing in both men and women eventsWorld Boxing Cup Astana gold medallist Nupur was the first Indian to be assured of a medal when she reached the womens 80 kg quarterfinals on WednesdayTwo more Indian boxes Meenakshi womens 48kg and Jadumani Singh Mandengbam mens 50kg are a win away from assuring themselves a medal and will be playing their quarterfinals on FridayIn a keenly contested womens 80kg bout Pooja banked on her experience to tackle the speed and energy of her much younger opponentThe Polish boxer was slightly ahead in the contest after the opening round but Pooja Rani dominated the second round to take control and then maintained a cautious game plan to assure herself a semifinal berthIn the womens 57kg contest Jaismine did not allow the Uzbek boxer to settle down in the first round itself and maintained that advantage throughout the three roundsHowever it was end of the road for former world champion Nikhat Zareen and World Boxing Cup silver medallist Abhinash JamwalFacing twotime Olympic silver medallist Cakiroglu Buse Naz of Turkey in the womens 51kg quarterfinals Nikhat fought valiantly in all three rounds but the judges gave the Turk the advantageLater Jamwal went down 14 against Paris Olympics bronze medallist Guruli Lasha of Georgia in the mens 65kg quarterfinals IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-pooja-rani-jaismine-lamboria-assure-two-more-medals-for-india-637887.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/issf-world-cup-indias-wait-for-medal-continues-as-danilo-sollazzo-smashes-world-record-637909.html Ningbo China Sep 11 Indian shooters medal drought at the ISSF RiflePistol World Cup in Ningbo China stretched into day three on Thursday with Divyansh Singh Panwar Umamahesh Maddineni and Rahi Sarnobat all bowing out in qualification rounds The highlight of the day came from Italys Danilo Sollazzo who set a new world record in the mens 10m air rifle final Sollazzo the 2022 Cairo World Championship runnerup to Indias Rudrankksh Patil and fifthplace finisher at the Paris Olympics shot a scintillating 2550 to eclipse reigning Olympic champion Sheng Lihaos previous mark by half a point Sheng the home favourite had to settle for silver with 2535 while Koreas Park Haijun took bronzeFor India former world No1 Divyansh Singh Panwar managed 6300 in qualification finishing 19th well adrift of the cutoff Swedens Olympic silver medallist Victor Lindgren took the last qualifying spot with 6323 Umamahesh finished 39th with 6277 while Niraj Kumar ended 54th on 6261In the womens 25m pistol Korea asserted dominance with Olympic champions Yang Jiin and Oh Yejin claiming gold and silver respectively ahead of Chinas Xiao Jiaruixuan Indias Abhidnya Ashok Patil impressed with a brilliant 295 in the rapidfire stage to total 583 but narrowly missed the final on inner 10 count finishing 11th Frances Camille Jedrzejewski the Paris Olympic silver medallist also exited with the same score Divya TS 581 and Olympian Rahi Sarnobat 581 placed 16th and 17th respectivelyChina lead the medal tally with two golds followed by Norway Italy and Korea On Friday all eyes will be on the womens 50m rifle 3 positions final where Mehuli Ghosh Surabhi Rapole and Manini Kaushik will carry Indias hopes of ending their medalless run IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/issf-world-cup-indias-wait-for-medal-continues-as-danilo-sollazzo-smashes-world-record-637909.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-archery-cships-jyothi-surekha-feels-very-proud-after-winning-gold-in-mixed-compound-event-637928.html New Delhi Sep 11 Indian archers beaming with pride after a landmark performance at the World Archery Championships 2025 in Gwangju South Korea with Arjuna Awardee V Jyothi Surekha calling it a very proud moment as she and Rishab Yadav led the mixed compound team into the gold medal match against the Netherlands Jyothi said the conditions made the triumph even more memorable The experience was very good I really enjoyed the shooting The weather here kept changing it was very hot and then it rained during our final matches That made it even more fun This is the first time I have won a gold medal for India and I feel very proudHer partner Rishab echoed the sentiment crediting the teams resilience through difficult phases We played a lot of tough matches in the beginning At one point all three of us felt that things werent going our way But we gave it our all and in the end we won the gold medal We had a strong mindset and a clear goal As soon as we came to know that we would be going to the Olympics we started preparing seriously We are very positiveIndias rise in compound archery was further underlined as the mens team of Rishab Yadav Aman Saini and Prathamesh Fuge advanced to the finals against France All three women and men compound archers also reached the quarterfinals adding depth to the campaignBoth players credited the worldclass guidance of coaches Jiwanjot Singh Teja and Surender Singh as well as government and institutional backing Our Prime Ministers dream is for India to be among the top 10 nations at the Olympics and we are confident we will achieve that The schemes and support from the Sports Authority of India are a big advantage for youngsters Sports in India is moving forward very fast Jyothi saidLooking ahead Jyothi spoke of her personal goals and her admiration for trailblazer Deepika Kumari She is one of the worlds finest archers I already have medals from many events but the Olympics is still missing I hope to participate there and win a medal for India IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-archery-cships-jyothi-surekha-feels-very-proud-after-winning-gold-in-mixed-compound-event-637928.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/9th-national-pickleball-championship-to-be-held-from-sep-26-in-jammu-637703.html Jammu Sep 10 The All India Pickleball Association AIPA is set to host its 9th National Pickleball Championship in Jammu City from September 26 to 28 bringing together around 300 players from more than 22 states  This marks the first time that the rapidly growing racquet sport will be featured on such a major national stage in Jammu reinforcing the citys potential as an emerging sports hubSince 2013 the AIPA has successfully hosted eight nationallevel championships in cities including Panipat Ahmedabad Hyderabad Bengaluru and Jaipur steadily building a legacy of inclusivity competition and national prideBy bringing the championship to Jammu AIPA not only showcases the citys evolving sports infrastructure but also hopes to inspire a new generation of athletes in the regionPickleball has become a movement across India uniting people of all ages and regions Hosting this championship in Jammu is a proud moment for us as it opens new horizons for the sport We are confident this event will ignite passion among young athletes and help Jammu emerge as an important center for emerging sports in India Arvind Prabhoo president of AIPA saidPuneet Chopra president of the Jammu Pickleball Association added It is an honour for Jammu to host a national championship of this scale This event not only highlights our citys growing sports culture but also provides a platform for local players and enthusiasts to witness the rise of pickleball firsthand We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the country and showcasing the incredible spirit of JammuAIPA has recently challenged the Ministry of Sports decision to recognise a newly formed sixmonthold federation while sidelining AIPAs 18year journey and contributions A petition on the matter has been filed with the Delhi High Court where proceedings have concluded and judgment has been reservedAIPA remains hopeful of a fair resolution ensuring that the sports future in India is guided by experience integrity and athletes best interests IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/9th-national-pickleball-championship-to-be-held-from-sep-26-in-jammu-637703.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-archery-cships-indian-recurve-archers-falter-again-womens-team-lose-bronze--637705.html Gwangju South Korea Sep 10 Indias recurve archers once again came up short on the big stage as the womens team fell to South Korea in the bronze medal playoff while the mixed pair and mens individual hopes also ended in disappointment at the World Championships on Wednesday Desperate to end a decadelong medal drought in the recurve section the womens trio of Deepika Kumari Gatha Khadake and Ankita Bhakat went down 35 against the formidable hosts It was a missed opportunity for India as the Koreans looked far from their dominant best with erratic shooting and no perfect set to their nameAfter losing the opening set 5154 India roared back with four 10s in the second to tie 5757 unsettling a Korean unit that has won Olympic gold ten times in a row Riding on that momentum they clinched the third set 5754 to draw level at 33 raising hopes of a breakthrough medal But when the contest came down to the decider the Koreansled by Olympic champions An San and Lim Sihyeonheld their nerve to take the fourth set 5654 and the match 53There was further heartbreak in the mixed team event where Deepika and Neeraj Chauhan lost in a shootoff to Japans Nanami Asakuno and Yuki Kawata After rallying from a set down and even leading 42 the Indians faltered in the decider failing to produce a single 10 and going down 45 1819The mens individual challenge ended earlier Debutant Rahul impressed with a run to the last32 but despite leading 51 against Georgias Aleksandre Machavariani he slipped to a shootoff defeat 810 Olympian Dhiraj Bommadevara lost 26 to former Olympic champion Mete Gazoz while Neeraj Chauhan exited in straight sets to Uzbekistans Bobrajabov BekzodThe 31yearold Deepika returning to the Worlds after motherhood is still searching for her elusive medal Attention now shifts to the womens individual section with Deepika and rising 15yearold Gatha carrying Indias hopesIndias recurve medal drought at the World Championships stretches back to 2019 when Atanu Das Pravin Jadhav and Tarundeep Rai won team silver in Den Bosch Since then it has been left to the compound archers to deliver and in Gwangju they have already secured a historic mens team gold and mixed team silver through Rishabh Yadav and Jyothi Surekha Vennam IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-archery-cships-indian-recurve-archers-falter-again-womens-team-lose-bronze--637705.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-rampaging-bharat-hooda-and-telugu-titans-crush-u-mumba-637746.html Visakhapatnam Sep 10 It was an impressive finish to the Vizag leg for the home side Telugu Titans who secured a 4537 win over U Mumba at the Vishwanadh Sports Club on Wednesday night Bharat Hooda led the charge with 13 points while Chetan Sahu 6 points and skipper Vijay Malik 5 points played strong supporting roles helping the Titans notch their third victory on the trot A strong start from the home team set the tone for the match with Bharat ruling the roost He opened with a multipoint raid followed by Chetans tackle on Anil in a doordie raid Another multipoint effort from Bharat this time in a doordie raid inflicted an all out on U Mumba in the 6th minuteSkipper Vijay joined the party immediately after the all out with a successful raid on Rinku as the Season 2 champions struggled to find their footing Anil managed a touch point off Ankit while Rinku responded with a tackle on Bharat But Chetan struck again dismissing Anil and then turned raider to send Vijay Kumar off the mat taking the score to 145 at the end of the first phase of playThe rampage continued in the second phase with another all out inflicted on U Mumba in the 14th minute It was a big blow stretching the scoreline to 187 For the side captained by Sunil Kumar only Satish Kannan looked like a bright spark in the absence of their main raider Ajit ChouhanBharat Hooda kept piling on the damage in his teams last outing in Vizag producing a Super Raid that also brought up his Super 10 His singlehanded brilliance left U Mumba reeling as the scoreboard read 2711 at halftime leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second halfU Mumba began well with a Super Tackle led by Sunil Kumar who brought down Bharat with an impressive move But unforced errors soon crept in pushing them towards a third all out That moment arrived when skipper Vijay earned a touch point on SatishSubstitute Amirmohammad Zafardanesh couldnt turn his teams fortunes around as he too was caught by Bharat widening the lead to 20 points He eventually managed to break through with a touch point on Avi Duhan before Vijay Kumar tackled Bharat to provide U Mumba some muchneeded respite At the end of the third quarter the scoreboard read 3921With 10 minutes left on the clock it was all about damage control for U Mumba Substitute Sandeep made an impact scoring six raid points for his side But the Titans werent done yet Shankar Gadai and Ajit Pawar combined to pin down Sandeep for a Super Tackle further stretching the home teams leadAs the match drew to a close the Titans finally conceded an all out after Zafardanesh dismissed both Shankar and Ajit in a single raid U Mumba clawed their way back cutting the deficit to just eight points but the gap proved too much to overcome as the Telugu Titans wrapped up their home leg with an impressive victory IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-rampaging-bharat-hooda-and-telugu-titans-crush-u-mumba-637746.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 22:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/gujarat-giants-should-give-shadloui-more-opportunities-to-regain-rhythm-and-confidence-rishank-637577.html Vizag Sep 10 Former Pro Kabaddi League player Rishank Devadiga shared his thoughts on Gujarat Giants captain Mohammadreza Shadlouis form in the ongoing season saying the Iranian looks frustrated and the team should give him more opportunities to regain rhythm and confidence Giants battled with full force in a nailbiting contest against the Jaipur Pink Panthers only to fall short by the narrowest of margins in the golden raid on TuesdayI dont think Gujarat has a replacement for Shadloui He is a big player and his track record speaks for itself But right now he looks frustrated and that is affecting his game A defender like him needs early success in matches to build confidenceIf he goes 20 minutes without a single tackle point the pressure starts to show and thats exactly what we saw in the match Gujarat should give him more opportunities to regain rhythm and confidence Rishank said on JioHotstarSpeaking on Giants loss Rishank added Rakesh Sungroya had almost sealed the match for Gujarat with an allout when they were leading by five or six points with just three minutes left At that stage I thought Gujarat would win But experience counts in such moments and Gujarats defense showed inexperience by repeatedly conceding points Nitin Dhankhar was patient and kept finding quick points If Gujarats defense had shown the same patience this match could have easily gone in their favourIt was vindication for Nitin Kumar whose 15 points got the Jaipur Pink Panthers over the line in a tiebreaker their second this season against Gujarat Giants at Vishwanadh Sports Club on TuesdayDissecting Jaipur Pink Panthers win Rishank said It was a very exciting match and Gujarat also deserves credit for making a strong comeback in the final three minutes But then Nitin Dhankhar stole the show He has been consistently performing well showing responsibility and maturityJaipur Pink Panthers executed their strategy brilliantly especially during the Golden Raid when they avoided the bonus knowing Shadloui was on the mat That tactical decision secured them the winEven without the usual support of Sahil Satpal Nitin dominated the game with 22 raids earning 15 raid points His consistent scoring ensured Jaipur always had a chance to bounce back He was outstanding IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/gujarat-giants-should-give-shadloui-more-opportunities-to-regain-rhythm-and-confidence-rishank-637577.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/going-to-our-home-ground-with-confidence-jaipur-pink-panthers-nitin-kumar-on-home-leg-after-golden-raid-win-637631.html Vizag Sep 10 Jaipur Pink Panthers will carry winning momentum into their home leg in Jaipur after edging the Gujarat Giants in a tiebreaker Golden Raid at the Vishwanadh Sports Club on Tuesday The twotime champions clinched a crucial tiebreaker win with star raider Nitin Kumar scoring 15 points before sealing the win in the Golden Raid Nitin said the win was the result of staying calm under pressure and trusting his preparation The coach told me to play freely and give my best Thats exactly what I focused on and it made all the difference he explainedHead coach Narender Redhu praised his teams discipline particularly in neutralising the threat of their opponents skipper Mohammadreza Shadloui We had a clear plan and the boys stuck to it Nitin executed perfectly and that gave us the edge in a very tight contest he saidRedhu also underlined the importance of giving opportunities to the teams younger players Several of them are still adjusting to the pace of the league but their effort and commitment have been outstanding Theyve shown fight in every match and thats encouraging for the road ahead he notedLooking ahead to their home leg Nitin said the Pink Panthers were eager to build on this momentum Winning in such a close game gives us confidence Now we return to Jaipur and playing in front of our fans will push us even harder he saidRedhu echoed that sentiment calling fan support vital This win sets us up well for the Jaipur leg The energy of our supporters will be crucial and we are determined to make them proud he addedWith two wins and two losses so far the Pink Panthers will look to turn home advantage into a springboard for the rest of the season IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/going-to-our-home-ground-with-confidence-jaipur-pink-panthers-nitin-kumar-on-home-leg-after-golden-raid-win-637631.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-nikhat-zareen-sails-through-to-quarters-637447.html Liverpool Sep 9 Twotime world champion Nikhat Zareen continued her march in the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool on Tuesday with a 50 win over Japans Yuma Nishinaka in the womens 51kg prequarterfinals In fact the Japanese even received two penalty points for excessive clinching as she tried to break Nikhats rhythmThe 29yearold faced a spirited fight from the Japanese in the opening round but there was no stopping the Indian who is playing her first international event this yearEarlier Nikhat announced her return on the international stage with a clinical win in the opening round The Indian boxer who was crowned world champion twice before did not show any signs of rustiness as she dominated the USAs Jennifer Lozano from the first minute to get a 50 verdictIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is hoping for a good showing in both mens and womens eventsThree more women boxers are also just a win away from the podium and five more are set to take the ring in their respective prequarterfinal bout later in the dayHowever it was the end of the road for Sachin mens 60kg Sumit Mens 75kg and Narender mens 90kg as they lost their respective bout late on Monday nightSachin went down 14 Biibars Zhexen of Kazakhstan Sumit lost to Rami Kiwan of Bulgaria 05 while Narenders ended on the wrong side of a 14 verdict against Diego Lenzi of ItalyIn the womens 65kg prequarterfinals Neeraj Phogats spirited fight against Englands Sacha Hickey was not enough as she lost 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-nikhat-zareen-sails-through-to-quarters-637447.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-ashu-maliks-16-points-helps-dabang-delhi-remain-undefeated-637515.html Visakhapatnam Sep 9 A comfortable 4534 win for the Dabang Delhi KC over Bengal Warriorz took them to the top of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 table on Tuesday night It was a complete performance from Ashu Malik and his men with the star raider scoring 16 points ably supported by Ajinkya Pawars allround performance in what was their fourth straight win at the Vishwanadh Sport Club in Vizag In a surprise twist it was Neeraj Narwal who started on the front foot for Dabang Delhi ahead of their star Ashu Malik A multipoint raid from him sent Parteek and Mayur Kadam off the mat with Ashu joining the act after Parteek was successfully dismissed once againDabang Delhis strong start was cancelled out by Dhaakad Devank Dalal who dismissed Surjeet Singh on two separate occasions A Super Raid from Ajinkya removed Parteek Ashish Malik and Vishwas S but Devank once again shone with two successful raids As a result what started as a tight contest saw the scores at 109 going into the TimeOutThe scores were levelled when another successful raid from Devank got the better of Saurabh Nandal But Ajinkya turned from raider to defender trapping the Warriorz skipper for a Super Tackle This brought Fazel Atrachali back on the mat and the Iranian ace immediately struck with an ankle hold to dismiss Vishwas S for his first point of the nightOn the DoorDie raid Ajinkya shone yet again with a multipoint effort that claimed Nitesh Kumar and Parteek The ALL OUT was inflicted on the Bengal Warriorz in the 4th minute giving the Season 8 champions a 10point lead That margin was trimmed to nine when Devank dismissed Surjeet once more as the first half ended with the scoreline reading 2314Another touch point on Surjeet Singh completed Devank Dalals fourth straight Super 10 in Season 12 though he was finally brought down by the veteran star Soon after Agent Ashu also notched up his fourth straight Super 10 with a touch point on AshishJust as the Warriorz were beginning to creep back into the game a Super Tackle on Devank followed by a Super Raid from Neeraj stretched Dabang Delhis lead to 11 points Moments before the second TimeOut Ajinkya added his third tackle point of the night with the scoreboard reading 3422A second ALL OUT was inflicted on the Warriorz after an unforced error and a touch point for Ashu stretching Dabang Delhis lead to 15 points Parteek managed a tackle on Ajinkya for a consolation but the Dabang Delhi defenders responded immediately by trapping Manprit Pardeep in the very next raidThe match wrapped up with an 11point cushion sealed by a highflying move from Ashu Malik in a DoorDie raid during the dying minutes With Ashu leading the charge and the defensive unit contributing 11 points it was a complete performance from the Season 8 PKL champions who closed out the contest 4534 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-ashu-maliks-16-points-helps-dabang-delhi-remain-undefeated-637515.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sanya-and-unnati-shine-in-indian-squash-tour-2-psa-challenger-637217.html Mumbai Sep 8 Indian wild cards Sanya Vats and Unnati Tripathi produced impressive performances to upset higherranked compatriots and move into the womens Round of 16 at the Indian Squash Tour2 PSA Challenger held at the Otters Club in Mumbai on Monday Sanya set the tone for the day with a commanding straightgames win over Nirupama Dubey The Delhi player looked sharp from the outset mixing length and drop shots with precision to prevail 117 119 117 Her composure under pressure was evident in the second game when Dubey clawed back from a deficit only for Sanya to close it out with tight winnersUnnati meanwhile had to dig deep in a gripping fourgame encounter against Anjali Semwal After dropping the opening game 211 the teenager regrouped superbly countering Semwals aggressive play with measured retrievals and attacking volleys She edged the next two games 117 117 before clinching the decider 1412 in dramatic fashion to seal a memorable 211 117 117 1412 victoryJoining them in the Round of 16 were Tanishka Jain and Janet Vidhi who both cruised past their opponents in straight games Jain outclassed Mahak Talati 117 118 116 while Vidhi had little trouble dispatching Vyomika Khandelwal 115 116 118The womens draw also saw victories for international players Hong Kongs Sze Wing Wai and Bobo Lam advanced with straightgame wins over Sunita Patel and Eesha Shrivastava respectively while Egypts Rana El Sayed overcame Indias Shameena Riaz 31In the mens section Indian players endured a tough day against overseas opponents Yusha Nafees went down 13 to Sri Lankas Shamil Wakeel while Adarsh Banodha was blanked 03 by Egypts Seif ShenawyEgypts Marwan Mahmoud Assal Hong Kongs Ming Hong Tang and Shing Fung Lam and Malaysias Md Hafiz Abdul Harif also recorded wins over Indian challengers IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sanya-and-unnati-shine-in-indian-squash-tour-2-psa-challenger-637217.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-jaismine-packs-off-romeu-to-reach-quarters-637220.html Liverpool Sep 8 World Boxing Cup Astana gold medallist Jaismine Lamboria booked her quarterfinal spot in the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool United Kingdom with a dominant win over twotime Olympian Brazils Jucielen Cerqueira Romeu in the womens 57kg category Jaismine and Romeu had earlier faced off in the gold medal bout in Astana and the Indian had prevailed after a close fight But in Liverpool Jaismine dominated all three rounds to bag a 50 verdict and is now just a win away from a world championship medalIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is hoping for a good showing in both mens and womens eventsWorld Boxing Cup silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal also kept his campaign alive with a 50 win over Hugo Barron of Mexico in the mens 65kg second roundHowever it was the end of the road for Sakshi in the womens 54kg weight category as she went down against Turkeys Hatice Akbas 05 in the round of 16Even Sanamacha Chanus campaign in Liverpool came to an end with a 05 loss against Kazakhstans Natalya BogdanovaFour Indian boxers will look to bag a quarterfinal berth later on MondaySachin mens 60kg will face Biibars Zhexen of Kazakhstan Sumit mens 75kg will be up against Rami Kiwan of Bulgaria Narender mens 90 kg will take on Diego Lenzi of Italy while Neeraj Phogat has to overcome the challenge of local hope Sacha Hickey of England in the womens 65kg categoryIndias Lakshya Chahar came up with a clinical performance to blank Hussein Iashaish of Jordan to reach the round of the 16 in the mens 80kg category Lakshya began the bout aggressively but the Jordanian managed to close the gap in the second round However the Indian stepped up in the third round to complete a dominant 50 win IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-jaismine-packs-off-romeu-to-reach-quarters-637220.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 22:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/quang-duong-bags-highest-bid-harsh-mehta-top-indian-pick-in-global-sports-pickleball-auction-637240.html Mumbai Sep 8 Quang Duong of Vietnam at Rs 27 lakh emerged as the top pick while Harsh Mehta attracted the highest bid of Rs 21 lakh among the Indians in the players auction for Global Sports Pickleballs Season 2 Pro amp Challenger League conducted here on Monday While Quang Duong was snapped up by the Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors Megan Fudge USA was picked by Ahmedabad Olympians for 2550 lakh Jack Munro USA went to Jaipur Stallions for 25 lakh Bobbi Oshiro USA bagged the highest bid of 2450 lakh from Delhi Snipers and Roos Van Reek Netherlands was taken by Hyderabad Vikings for 2350 lakhThe landmark event witnessed 66 crore worth of potential spends across 10 teams making it Asias biggest pickleball auction to dateThe Top 3 Indian Pro League picks at the auction were Harsh Mehta who went for 21 lakh to Chennai Cool Cats Arjun Singh got the highest bid of 8 lakh from Nashik Ninjas while Aditya Ruhela was picked for 5 lakh by Jaipur StallionsThe auction saw fierce bidding for marquee global signings and rising Indian talent stepping into the spotlightcementing pickleballs rise as one of Indias fastestgrowing professional sportsWhile the 19yearold Quang Duong was at the forefront of the exuberance of the young seasoned pros like 38yearold Megan Fudge add some serious international knowhow to the league And its not just about the top Pro League dealsthere was plenty of excitement in the Challenger League too with upandcoming stars and Indian players stepping into the limelightThe Pro League had three player categories whereas the Challenger League had two For the Pro League starting bids ranged from 25 lakh to 8 lakh based on the players skill levelsIn the Challenger League base bids started at 50000 and could go up to 15 lakh Since the picklers had international exposure and were quite popular a lot of them ended up selling for much higher pricesEach team was given a total player budget of 66 lakh to 55 lakh for the Pro League and 11 lakh for the Challenger Leagueallowing for a total spending capacity of 66 crore across ten teamsAll ten franchises which include Ahmedabad Olympians Bengaluru Blazers Chennai Cool Cats Coimbatore Super Smashers Delhi Snipers Hyderabad Vikings Jaipur Stallions Kolkata Kingz Mumbai Chhatrapati Warriors and Nashik Ninjas participated in both leaguesSome key highlights includeTop Pro League Signings Quang Duong 27L Megan Fudge 255L Jack Munro 25L Bobbi Oshiro 245L Roos Van Reek 235LTop Challenger League Picks Leah Tauber 52L Mihika Yadav 44L Alex Emery 42LNotable Indian Picks Harsh Mehta 21L Arjun Singh 8L Mihika Yadav 44L Aman Patel 4LThe top 3 Indian Pro League picks wereHarsh Mehta 21 lakh Chennai Cool CatsArjun Singh 8 lakh Nashik NinjasAditya Ruhela 5 lakh Jaipur StallionsTop 3 Indian Challenger League picksMihika Yadav 44 lakh Mumbai Chhatrapati WarriorsAman Patel 4 lakh Jaipur StallionsTejas Gulati 37 lakh Coimbatore Super Smashers IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/quang-duong-bags-highest-bid-harsh-mehta-top-indian-pick-in-global-sports-pickleball-auction-637240.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/germany-beat-northern-ireland-in-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-637048.html Cologne Sep 8 Germany bounced back from its midweek defeat in Slovakia with a 31 win over Northern Ireland in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group A Looking to recover from Thursdays 20 loss in Bratislava coach Julian Nagelsmann made five changes to his starting lineup and the reshuffle paid off quicklySerge Gnabry opened the scoring in the seventh minute latching onto a Nick Woltemade pass and lifting the ball over goalkeeper Bailey PeacockFarrell Germany looked poised to extend its lead but wasted good chances through Woltemade and David Raum reports XinhuaNorthern Ireland buoyed by its opening win over Luxembourg gradually settled and equalized in the 34th minute when Isaac Price volleyed in Justin Devennys corner Germany rattled by the setback struggled for rhythm and went into halftime on level terms to a chorus of whistles from the home fansPeacockFarrell denied Pascal Gross and Raum early in the second half but Nagelsmanns substitutions turned the tide Nadiem Amiri introduced on the hour tapped into an empty net in the 69th minute for his first international goalThree minutes later Florian Wirtz provided the highlight of the night curling a free kick into the top corner to seal Germanys win Northern Ireland pushed forward late on but failed to seriously threatenThe result ended Germanys fourgame winless run It next hosts Luxembourg in Sinsheim on October 10 while Northern Ireland faces Slovakia in BelfastWe actually started the game quite well and took a deserved lead Conceding the equalizer unsettled us a bit the mood was down In the last 30 minutes you could see our true face again before that it was pretty shaky Nagelsmann said IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/germany-beat-northern-ireland-in-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-637048.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-archery-cship-india-bow-out-in-mens-individual-quarters-after-historic-gold-637177.html Gwangju South Korea Sep 8 Indias inspiring journey in the mens compound events at the World Archery Championships came to a dramatic halt in the individual quarterfinals as gold medallists Rishabh Yadav Aman Saini and Prathamesh Fuge all bowed out dashing hopes of a clean sweep The trio fresh from winning a historic gold medal in team competition had been placed in separate quarters of the draw giving India a genuine shot at defending the individual title But despite high hopes none of the three could convert team momentum into individual successThe most dramatic exit came from newcomer Prathamesh Fuge who was making his world championship debut and had already stunned world number one Mike Schloesser in the prequarterfinals with a flawless 150150 Riding high on confidence Fuge led 119118 through four Ends in his quarterfinal match against Denmarks world No2 Mathias FullertonHowever a dropped point at the start of the final fifth end proved costly The match ended 148148 and Fullerton held his nerve in the shootoff scoring a perfect 10 to Fuges 9Fuge seeded 19th and the lowestranked Indian qualifier in the mens compound draw had earlier produced the biggest upset of his budding career by knocking out the world number one and 2013 world champion Schloesser with consummate composureIndias top seed Rishabh Yadav fresh from team gold and a mixedteam silver went down 145146 to eventual world champion Nicolas Girard of France Yadav had held a onepoint lead going into the final End but dropped two crucial points sealing his exit from the medalsAman Saini also fought bravely but was defeated 144147 by American Curtis Broadnax ending Indias final hope of individual glory in the mens compound discipline IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-archery-cship-india-bow-out-in-mens-individual-quarters-after-historic-gold-637177.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-world-cships-compound-mens-team-strikes-gold-mixed-team-takes-silver-636943.html Gwangju Sep 7 Indias mens compound archery team of Aman Saini Rishabh Yadav and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge clinched Indias firstever Compound Mens Team Gold at the World Archery Championships here on Sunday The Indian trio showcased the nerve of steel to beat the French team of Nicolas Girard Jean Philippe Boulch and François Dubois who booked themselves into its first World Championship gold medal match since Jakarta 1995 World Archery Championships the very edition where the compound team was first incorporated into the event and won by Les BleusThe Indian mens team kickstarted their campaign in the second round where they edged out the Australian team in a shootoff 3028 after the score was tied 232 after the fourth end They then secured a narrow 234233 win over America in the quarterfinal before beating Turkiye 234232 in the semifinalsThis was Rishabhs second medal of the day as he earlier teamed up with Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the compound mixed team final The India duo however went down to the Dutch duo of Mike Schloesser and Sanne de Laat in the gold medal match to take the silver medalRishabh and Jyothi who broke the 144arrow world record at Shanghai 2025 stage 2 of the World Cup in May and grabbed gold at Central Florida 2025 World Cup stage 1 together and bronze at Madrid 2025 World Cup stage 4 dropped just six nines out of their three matches and hit a perfect 160 7 Xs against helpless Germany in the second round before defeating Chinese Taipei 157155 in the semifinal to make the gold finalThis is Indias second compound mixed team medal at a World Championships following their silver in Yankton 2021 where Jyothi featured again alongside Abhishek Verma IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-world-cships-compound-mens-team-strikes-gold-mixed-team-takes-silver-636943.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-sethpal-ahri-power-haryana-steelers-to-stunning-11-point-win-overupyoddhas-636736.html Visakhapatnam Sep 5 Defending champions Haryana Steelers showed their resolve in a sensational comeback win against UP Yoddhas in a Season 2 match of the Pro Kabaddi League PKL at the Vishwanadh Sports Club here on Friday Trailing by as much as eleven points at one point they scripted a memorable 3732 victory in Fridays second game The duo of Rahul Ahri and Rahul Sethpal led the way with High Fives while Naveen Kumar and Mayank Saini made notable contributions for Haryana Steelers Gagan Gowda registered a Super 10 that went in vain for UP YoddhasIt was a scintillating start from Gagan Gowda setting the tone for UP Yoddhas with a twopoint raid Hitesh kept the pressure on the defending champions with a tackle on Shivam Patare allowing the Yoddhas to dictate the tempo in the early stagesBhavani Rajput opened his account with a successful DoorDie Raid while Sumit soon got into the action with a tackle on Vinay It took UP Yoddhas only nine minutes to register the first ALL OUT on Haryana Steelers as they extended their lead to six points with the score at 104Haryana Steelers would have hoped that a tackle from Rahul Ahri might ignite a response from the team but the door was quickly shut down by Gagan Gowda as he registered a Super RaidUP Yoddhas kept the pressure on swiftly extending their lead to ten points Haryana Steelers eventually got some momentum on their side courtesy of a Super Tackle from Jaideep Dahiya Naveen Kumar also arrived cutting the deficit to five points with the scoreline at 1217 at halftimeThe defending champions roared back in the second half with Naveen Kumar A tackle on Gagan Gowda helped Rahul Sethpal inflict an ALL OUT on the UP Yoddhas helping the Haryana Steelers eventually level the scores at 1919With all to play for the two teams traded blows without giving an inch to the other Heading into the final quarter there was only one point separating the two sides with UP Yoddhas holding onto a 2423 leadGagan Gowda racked up his Super 10 keeping UP Yoddhas ahead in the game before the PKL 11 champions responded again Naveen Kumar was on fire on the offensive end while Rahul Ahri notched up a High Five to give Haryana Steelers a threepoint leadRahul Sethpal soon followed suit completing his High Five and extending the Haryana Steelers lead to five points with under two minutes to play Mayank Saini also made his presence felt in the raiding unit playing his part in scripting a magnificent comeback win from the defending champions IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-sethpal-ahri-power-haryana-steelers-to-stunning-11-point-win-overupyoddhas-636736.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ajit-chouhan-was-outstanding-delivering-a-rare-sight-six-point-raid-says-rishank-devadiga-636765.html New Delhi Sep 6 Day 8 of Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 delivered highoctane drama and standout performances as Haryana Steelers secured a hardfought win over UP Yoddhas while U Mumba registered a dominant victory against Bengaluru Bulls highlighted by an unforgettable moment from Ajit Chouhan The clash between Haryana Steelers and UP Yoddhas kept fans on the edge of their seats with leadership and tactical execution playing pivotal roles While the HaryanaUP match had its moments the spotlight of the day was undoubtedly stolen by Ajit Chouhan of U Mumba whose sixpoint raid electrified the crowd and marked one of the most remarkable plays in Pro Kabaddi historyThis match was quite straightforward for U Mumba Ajit Chouhan was particularly outstanding delivering a spectacular sixpoint raida rare sight in the Pro Kabaddi League The entire U Mumba team played cohesively Both sides showed strong tackling which helped keep the match competitive said Devadiga on JioHotstars KBD Live Describing the remarkable feat further Devadiga added As a raider Ajit Chouhan touched six defenders in a single raid crossing the midline just as the whistle blew making it an extraordinary moment That raid alone could have earned him seven points if he had taken a bonus but it was a spectacular effort nonethelessDevadiga offered indepth analysis of the key moments that defined the first match on FridayI initially thought UP Yoddhas would take the win but credit must go to Naveen Kumar for his leadership and impactful performance Both Rahul and Mayank contributed significantly especially in defense While Haryana led with tackles UP Yoddhas excelled in raids Naveen and Mayank secured crucial raid points supported by a solid defense which ultimately worked in Haryana Steelers favour Although the team struggled initially Naveen rose to the occasion making key plays and neutralising top defenders Sumit and Hitesh sealing the victory for the Steelers he saidOne of the standout performances for Haryana came from Rahul Ahri who solidified his position as a key defender in the left cornerWe were always curious about who would take the leftcorner position for Haryana Steelers after Shadloui Rahul Ahri did that in the first match but he didnt perform well We saw some improvement in the second match but against the Yoddhas Rahul made that position his own Whenever he got a chance he consistently stopped raiders like Gagan Gowda and Bhawani Rajput He delivered an outstanding performance Devadiga notedOn the other side UP Yoddhas failed to capitalise on their early momentum struggling to maintain consistency and structureUP Yoddhas were unable to maintain control of the game Initially their raiders provided some momentum but the defense did not deliver as expected Captain Sumits leadership which had been notable in the last two matches was absent on the mat The teams raid distribution was off and the defense lacked cohesion While Sumit showed some promise in the first 10 minutes the subsequent phases called for substitutions to change the dynamics Bringing in players like Guman Singh could have helped Although they had moments of momentum ultimately UP Yoddhas lost their grip Devadiga observed IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ajit-chouhan-was-outstanding-delivering-a-rare-sight-six-point-raid-says-rishank-devadiga-636765.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/defensive-tenacity-offensive-vivacity-highlight-up-yoddhas-sparkling-start-to-pkl-12-season-636834.html Visakhapatnam Sep 6 Three games into the Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 the UP Yoddhas have shown they could emerge as one of the most balanced units this season With victories against the Telugu Titans and Patna Pirates followed by a close match with the Haryana Steelers the statistics show they are shaping into a fine blend of defensive solidity and offensive precision On the defensive front the Yoddhas are already standing out Skipper Sumit Sangwan has been a rock at the back earning 15 tackle points and two High 5s for an average of five tackle points per game He has been wellsupported by his deputy Ashu Singh who averages 267 tackle points per game adding a strengthened layer to the defense Together they have helped ensure UP remains a tough team to break down with 29 successful tackles and 31 tackle points in totalThe Yoddhas strength goes beyond just defense as their raiding unit has also shown remarkable spark Gagan Gowda has made a powerful statement with 34 raid points and two Super 10s He averages 1133 points per game which is the fifthhighest in the leagueMeanwhile Bhavani Rajput and Guman Singhs 10 points each show that the team has wellrounded firepower in their attacking contingent which can dissect any defense with ease This teamwork earned praise from the teams assistant coach Upendra MalikWe have a varied set of raiders but Gagan always starts strong and has the ability to garner multiple points from a raid He continuously surprises everyone by beating expectations Our team has regularly delivered inspiring performances We have a tendency to start on the front foot and hence our confidence will never be dampened We are likely to come back stronger and produce a good performance in the coming games Malik saidThe numbers back this blend as the UP Yoddhas feature in the top five for both raid points 61 and tackle points 31 asserting the dual threat they pose The Yoddhas are focused on building an identity as a team that refuses to concede at the back while hitting hard in attack If early signs are anything to go by this fusion of defensive tenacity and offensive flair could well set them up for a deep run this season IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/defensive-tenacity-offensive-vivacity-highlight-up-yoddhas-sparkling-start-to-pkl-12-season-636834.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/yusha-nafees-rudra-singh-shine-at-indian-junior-open-squash-championships-636850.html Jaipur Sep 6 Promising youngster Yusha Nafees who played a key role in helping the Indian boys team win bronze at the Asian Junior Team Championships earlier this year underlined his growing potential by clinching the boys U19 crown in the Indian Junior Open Squash Championships in Jaipur on Saturday Playing at the Rajasthan Squash Academy Nafees showcased remarkable grit as he rallied from two games down to beat Rachit Shah in a fivegame thriller After conceding the opening two games 811 511 Nafees bounced back strongly to win the next three 118 115 112 and seal the title in front of a packed home crowdThe weeklong premier competition which attracted an impressive 520 entries across 12 events witnessed highquality squash from Indias brightest young talents Adding to the host nations success Rudra Singh clinched the girls U19 title overcoming Vyomika Khandelwal 117 1311 112 in straight games Singhs dominance particularly in the second game where she held her nerve in a tight finish underlined her composure and maturity at the highest junior levelIn the other finals Subhash Choudhary the top seed in the boys U17 category defeated Raghav Vashishtha 118 114 1012 112 while Sehar Nayar seeded 34 lived up to her billing with a 1210 111 116 victory over Saanvi Kalanki in the girls U17 eventTop seed Shreyansh Jha continued his fine run by claiming the boys U15 crown with a 1412 115 118 win against Harshal Rana while unseeded Aadya Budhia stunned top seed Vasundhara Nangare in the girls U15 final triumphing 1210 117 1012 117There were more standout results in the younger age groups Shayan Samtani dominated the boys U13 final with an 115 112 1210 win over Abhyuday Arora while Shanaya Parasrampuria impressed in the girls U13 final defeating Nandikasree Kalaivanan 117 117 116In the boys U11 K Haribala held off top seed Tilakvir Kapoor 119 1210 811 611 119 in a nailbiter and Alia Kankaria edged past top seed Keerti Pradha Junivar Bala 1012 118 119 1614 in the girls U11 divisionThe youngest champions crowned were Amaay Mahajan in the boys U9 who beat Darsh Mehrotra 1311 116 116 and K Tulasi Mira in the girls U9 who overcame Lakshanya Rajawat 1210 116 114 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/yusha-nafees-rudra-singh-shine-at-indian-junior-open-squash-championships-636850.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cship-nikhat-zareen-begins-campaign-with-dominant-win-636871.html Liverpool Sep 6 Indias star boxer Nikhat Zareen announced her return on the international stage with a clinical win in the opening round of the womens 51kg weight category at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool on Saturday The 29yearold who was crowned world champion twice before had not competed in any international event this year but did not show any signs of rustiness as she was dominated the USAs Jennifer Lozano from the first minute to get a 50 verdictHowever it was not a very good outing for the other two Indians in action on SaturdayTokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain went down 05 against Busra Isildar of Turkey in the second round of the womens 75kg category while Hitesh Gulias spirited fight was not enough to avoid a 14 loss against Finn Robert Bos of the Netherlands in the mens 70kg boutIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and have made a strong start to their campaignIn the Friday night session World Boxing Cup Astana gold medallist Jaismine Lamboria defeated DariaOlha Hutarina of Ukraine 50 in the womens 57kg bout while Narender Berwal opened his mens 90kg campaign with a 41 win over Martin McDonagh of IrelandTwo more boxers will be in action in the evening session on Saturday with Sachin mens 60kg taking on Jacob Cassar of Australia while Sanju womens 60kg will face Aneta Rygielska of PolandEarlier on Friday male boxer Narender won by a 41 verdict against Irelands Martin Christopher McDonagh while Sumit Kundu mens 75kg and Neeraj Phogat womens 65kg registered contrasting victories to advance to the prequarterfinals of their respective weight categories as Indian boxers continued to impressSumit was rarely in any trouble throughout the three rounds against Jordans Mohammad Alhussien in the mens 75kg first round to win 50 while Neeraj had to dig deep into her reserves to outlast Finlands Krista Kovalainen and eke out a 32 verdictIndia has fielded a 20member strong contingent in the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is looking to continue building on their strong outings in the World Boxing Cup legs in Brazil and Kazakhstan IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cship-nikhat-zareen-begins-campaign-with-dominant-win-636871.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-alireza-ensures-first-win-of-season-for-bengaluru-bulls-636885.html Visakhapatnam Sep 6 The Bengaluru Bulls finally opened their tally in Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League PKL after they beat the Patna Pirates 3830 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Visakhapatnam The clash saw Alireza Mirzaian complete a muchdeserved Super 10 well supported by Aashish Maliks eight points as they bounced back from their three straight losses The Pirates and the Bulls got off to a cagey start in the opening 10 minutes with defences holding firm Patna stayed ahead leading 86 at the 10minute mark thanks to the tackling of Deepak and Sanket Sawant who combined well Raider Ayan Lohchab who eventually scored a Super 10 for the Pirates chipped in with a few points to give Patna the edge after a slow startFor the Bulls raider Ganesha Hanamantagol looked lively but he was also contained on key occasions including a tackle by Sawant that stalled the Bulls momentum With Maninder Singh yet to make an impact and the Pirates capitalising on defensive lapses the opening phase swung slightly in the Pirates favourThe first half saw momentum swing both ways with Ayan producing a moment of brilliance for the Pirates His decisive raid wiped out Sanjay Dhull and Jitender Yadav inflicting an ALL OUT on Bengaluru Bulls and briefly tilting in Patnas favourBengaluru however mounted a sharp comeback Led by Alireza and Aashish Malik the Bulls responded with an ALL OUT of their own overturning the deficit Sanjays key tackles further frustrated the Pirates ensuring that by halftime the Bulls had pulled ahead 1915The start of the second half saw Sudhakar produce a brilliant raid that sent Yogesh and Satyappa off the mat giving Patna a muchneeded boost Ayan also stepped up under pressure to dismiss Yogesh keeping the Pirates in striking distanceBut the Bulls showed their composure with Alireza continuing his fine form His DoOrDie raid dismissing Deepak and Sanket was a key moment while Deepaks tackles proved decisive in halting the Pirates advances Though Patna kept fighting Bengalurus defence absorbed the pressure and maintained their slender 2421 lead ensuring a crucial final 10 minutesThe final 10 minutes saw Patna Pirates throw everything into the contest but the Bulls defence stood firm The decisive blow came when the Bulls inflicted a crucial ALL OUT on Patna That collapse stretched the Bulls lead beyond reach and tilted the game firmly in their favourAlireza completed his Super 10 in style with his final successful raid sealing his milestone and the Bulls dominance Despite late attempts by the Pirates to claw back the momentum was gone and the Bulls closed out a convincing eightpoint win IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-alireza-ensures-first-win-of-season-for-bengaluru-bulls-636885.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-shooting-neeru-bhowneesh-continue-to-lead-race-to-the-top-six-in-trial-4-636888.html Bhucho Punjab Sep 6 Asian champion Neeru Dhanda and Asian silver medalist Bhowneesh Mendiratta continued to lead the race to finish in the top six after completion of four rounds in the Trap event at the National Selection Shotgun Trial T4 held at Bhucho Village Bhai Devinder Singh Sidhu Gun Club in Bhucho Punjab Bhowneesh who has shot 99 which included three perfect rounds of 25 hits and 24 in the fourth has a fourshot lead over World Cup final silver medalist Vivaan Kapoor and Zoravar Singh Sandhu who have shot 95 each Shardul Vihaan and Kynan Darius Chenai occupy the next position with a score of 93 while seven shooters Arshad Hasan Khan Fahd Sultan Karan Shapath Bharadwaj Ali Aman Elahi Jaswinder Singh and Lakshay Sheoran are in the race for the sixth spot with a score of 92In Trap Women Neeru shot 92 with scores of 22 24 23 23 to take the lead after the completion of four rounds Asian Championship bronze medalist Aashima Ahlawat was second with a score of 90 while Kirti Gupta Rajeshwari Kumari and Sabeera Haris occupied the next spots with a score of 89 Preeti Rajak was in sixth place with a score of 86The final series of qualifications and the finals will be held on Sunday IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-shooting-neeru-bhowneesh-continue-to-lead-race-to-the-top-six-in-trial-4-636888.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/powerlifting-champion-mahant-gaurav-sharma-extends-help-to-yamuna-flood-victims-636688.html New Delhi Sep 5 The rising waters of the Yamuna have once again disrupted life in New Delhi submerging lowlying areas and forcing families into makeshift shelters Amid the hardship World Powerlifting Champion Mahant Gaurav Sharma stepped forward on Friday to extend a helping hand distributing food packets drinking water and essential supplies to displaced residentsSharma accompanied by his team visited areas along the riverbank where flood victims had taken refuge after being forced out of their homes This is a time for service he said When people are hungry and homeless it is our duty to use our strength and resources to support them Sports have given me recognition and it is my responsibility to give back to societyLocal residents welcomed the gesture saying every helping hand in such a crisis is invaluable Known for his international achievements Sharma has long been engaged in social causes For him true sporting success extends beyond medals A true victory for an athlete comes when they also serve society he believes His efforts residents said carried more than just material relief they brought hopeMeanwhile the Yamunas water level at Delhis Old Railway Bridge stood at 20733 metres at 7 am on Friday receding slightly to 20731 metres by 8 am after peaking at 20748 metres on Thursday the seasons highest and the fifth breach of the 207metre mark since 1963 Meteorologists say this dip could signal some respite though fresh rain spells loomThe IMD forecast suggests moderate showers for Delhi on Friday with heavy rain thunder and lightning expected on September 6 and 7 After a brief respite on September 8 torrential downpours may return on September 9 lasting in for a week Temperatures are expected to hover between 3435C during the day and 2325C at nightEarlier this week Chief Minister Gupta inspected a flood relief camp near Geeta Colony Flyover and the Old Iron Bridge to review water levels and conditions in affected areas His visit underlined the scale of the crisis which continues to affect thousands of residents IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/powerlifting-champion-mahant-gaurav-sharma-extends-help-to-yamuna-flood-victims-636688.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-vijay-malik-bharat-combine-to-give-telugu-titans-first-win-of-season-636545.html Visakhapatnam Sep 4 The Telugu Titans secured their first win of the Pro Kabaddi League season 12 after beating Jaipur Pink Panthers 3732 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Thursday An allround performance led by eight points for skipper Vijay Malik and raider Bharat Hooda each and Ajit Pawars High Five helped the Telugu Titans to the two points Meanwhile Nitin Kumar Dhankars 13 points went in vain The opening 10 minutes of the clash saw both sides trade blows in a cagey start Telugu Titans managed to edge ahead 75 with their defence holding firm and denying their opponents raiders much room to operate The Titans Bharat stamped his authority on the contest with impactful raids He sent Ronak Singh and Meetu to the bench in a twopoint strike and followed it up with another successful raid that dismissed Sahil SatpalThe Pink Panthers however found a spark in defence when Nitin Rawal executed a brilliant Super Tackle on Bharat briefly swinging momentum back their way However Bharats sharp raiding ensured the Titans held on to a slender lead keeping the pressure firmly on the twotime championsThe first half continued to swing in favour of the Telugu Titans who stamped their authority with a decisive ALL OUT in the 13th minute Reza Mirbagheris unsuccessful raid opened the door for Ajit Pawar and the Titans defence to wipe out the Panthers putting them on the back foot Bharat continued to cause problems for Jaipur while Vijay Malik kept the scoreboard ticking with steady raidsChetan Sahus DoOrDie raid added to the Pink Panthers woes and Ajit Pawar struck again to pin Ali Samadi down Even with tactical substitutions the Pink Panthers could not break through the disciplined Titans defence By halftime the Titans had opened up a commanding 169 lead leaving their opponents with plenty to do in the second halfThe third phase of the contest saw Jaipur Pink Panthers push hard to reduce the deficit with Nitin Kumar leading their charge He struck with backtoback raids sending Chetan Sahu and Avi Duhan off the mat while Reza Mirbagheri added to the fight with strong defensive plays pinning down Vijay Malik and later Bharat ensuring the Pink Panthers Jaipur kept themselves within striking distanceBut the Telugu Titans defence had their say too producing a crucial Super Tackle through Ajit Pawar that halted Ali Samadis raid and restored their control Deepanshu Khatri replied with a defensive success for the Pink Panthers but the Titans once again found rhythm with Chetan Sahus DoOrDie raid on Aashish Kumar By the 30minute mark the Titans maintained a 2316 leadWith the match hanging in the balance Nitin Kumar started off the fourth quarter with a Super Raid that reduced the Titans to just one player However in response Bharat got a Super Raid as well getting Sahil Satpal and Reza Mirbagheri along with a bonus pointSoon after Nitin Kumar proved why he was among the top raiders in the league this season He got Amir Ejlali and then skipper Nitin Rawal got Vijay Malik as the first ALL OUT was finally inflicted on the Telugu Titans in the fifth minuteAs the match entered the final three minutes Nitin completed his Super 10 with yet another multipoint raid that got Ankit and Avi Duhan This reduced the deficit to just three points and with the fans on the edge of their seats Vijay Malik put the nail in the coffin with a Super Raid as the final score read 3732 in what was the Titans first victory in seven matches against the twotime champions IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-vijay-malik-bharat-combine-to-give-telugu-titans-first-win-of-season-636545.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-sakshi-chanu-win-to-join-bartwal-in-second-round-636547.html Liverpool Sep 5 Sakshi and Thokchom Sanamacha Chanu won their respective bouts in contrasting styles after Pawan Bartwal provided India a winning start in the World Boxing Championships campaign in Liverpool UK on Thursday Bartwal got the better of Brazils Michael Douglas Trindade a Paris Olympian in a close mens 55kg bout as the strong Indian team made a good start in the competitionSakshi continued the strong start as she outclassed her Ukrainian opponent Viktoriia Shkeul winning the opening round 50 before sealing the contest in the second round with an impressive RSC Referee Stopped Contest victory on ThursdayChanu posted a hardfought victory in her opening bout as she overcame Denmarks Ditte Frostholm with a 41 verdict to advance to the next round in the womens 70kg category on ThursdayTheir wins came after 10 Indian boxers including Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain womens 70kg twotime World Championship medallist Nikhat Zareen womens 51kg medal contender Hitesh Gulia mens 70kg and Abhinash Jamwal mens 65kg got firstround byes thus avoiding tricky opponents early in the competitionBartwal displayed his boxing acumen under pressure in the third and final round keeping his Brazilian opponent at bay and impressing the judges with his punches to win the firstround bout 32The two boxers were deadlocked after the first two rounds with Trindade nullifying Bartwals advantage in the second roundIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing Council a recently formed international governing body for boxing and is looking to underline its growing stature in world boxingWhile Gulia Jamwal and Lovlina have a bye in the opening round Nikhat Zareen will take on Jennifer Lozana of the USAThe 20member Indian contingent is focused on putting together a strong performance at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing Their chances have definitely been boosted by the return of Nikhat a former world champion and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist as well as Lovlina IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-sakshi-chanu-win-to-join-bartwal-in-second-round-636547.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-it-makes-kabaddi-more-exciting-says-fazel-atrachali-after-historic-golden-raid-636654.html Visakhapatnam Sep 5 The Pro Kabaddi League PKL witnessed a historic moment with its firstever Golden Raid in a tiebreaker at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Thursday evening Dabang Delhi KC etched their name in the history books as the first team to register a win through a Golden Raid courtesy of Ashu Maliks heroics which included a Super 10 on the night The two teams forced a tiebreaker after the match ended with the scores at 2828 They couldnt be separated in the tiebreaker either with the score at 55 before Ashu Malik delivered the gamewinning momentSpeaking on his matchwinning performance he shared It was a tough match from the start to the end They had a very good defence At the end they had a lead of 23 points Both teams were competing hard and we didnt expect that the match would go to the golden raid We felt good our luck was good that we won the toss and the matchHis teammate Fazel Atrachali also registered a High Five making a noteworthy contribution to his teams victory Heaping praise on his teammate the Iranian shared At 55 I was not worried I knew that we would win the match because we have too many good players like Ashu He is our game changerFurther elaborating on the impact of the tiebreaker rule especially for the fans Fazel said Now Kabaddi is more exciting for the fans because a tie might have been boring for some fans Now its like basketball or volleyball where every second and every play counts We are enjoying it and we hope the fans are enjoying it tooDespite the hardfought loss Aslam Inamdar was delighted with the way his team fought till the end Giving some insight into the tense situation the Puneri Paltan captain said My heart was beating so fast during the coin toss and I was praying to God It was their luck They won the coin toss and won the match But its okay winning and losing are part of the game We learn from our mistakes and move forwardPuneri Paltan head coach Ajay Thakur also gave his honest opinion about the tiebreaker and golden raid rule stating that it adds another layer of excitement for the fansThe public will enjoy the tiebreaker rule It is a very good decision for the fans Whenever there is a tied match they perhaps didnt enjoy it as much Everyone wants to see results even if a team loses So this is very good for the fans They feel satisfied Now Puneri Paltan have lost to Dabang Delhi KC and the fans will remember this result for a long time IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-it-makes-kabaddi-more-exciting-says-fazel-atrachali-after-historic-golden-raid-636654.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-from-hospital-bed-to-match-winner-jaideep-powers-haryana-steelers-to-victory-636449.html Visakhapatnam Sep 4 In a contest that went down to the wire and into a tiebreaker against U Mumba Haryana Steelers captain Jaideep Dahiya became the embodiment of commitment Barely hours after being discharged from the hospital where he was admitted with a high fever Jaideep stepped onto the mat and produced a crucial late tackle that kept his team alive Visakhapatnam Sep 4 In a contest that went down to the wire and into a tiebreaker against U Mumba Haryana Steelers captain Jaideep Dahiya became the embodiment of commitment Barely hours after being discharged from the hospital where he was admitted with a high fever Jaideep stepped onto the mat and produced a crucial late tackle that kept his team aliveHead coach Manpreet Singh revealed the extraordinary circumstances When we lost the last match our captain was very sick He had a high fever and had to be admitted to the hospital He was discharged only at 4 pm today and at 7 pm he was in front of you on the mat That shows his spirit the last time he played with an injury this time he came straight from the hospital with a fever This is what makes a sportsmanFor Jaideep just walking into the team meeting with his kit bag was enough to lift the dressing room The whole team thought he would not play today But when they saw me in the room everyone was happy and motivated I told them that no matter what I would play Jaideep said with a smileThe skipper admitted that the tiebreaker experience was new but insisted the pressure did not rattle him I have been in similar situations before so I kept telling the boys that if we held our nerves we could win We made a small mistake in the end but matches like this show how exciting Kabaddi can be Fans love to see such intensity he saidFor Manpreet the larger message was about resilience This league is not a 100metre race its a long journey Today we saw defence settle in after halftime and we saw a captain play through adversity If you want to go deep in the season you need such a spirit Thats what gives me hope for this team he summed upThe Telugu Titans will need to return to winning ways to move up the points table when they take on the Jaipur Pink Panthers in Thursdays first match For the Jaipur Pink Panthers who won their opening match it will be a tough task against Telugu Titans skipper Vijay Malik and co who will surely have a point to provePuneri Paltan currently at the top of the points table and in fine touch will face off against the might of Ashu Malik and the Dabang Delhi KC With three wins in their kitty the Paltan will need to be wary of Dabang Delhi who showed their prowess in their opening win of the season against Bengaluru Bulls IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-from-hospital-bed-to-match-winner-jaideep-powers-haryana-steelers-to-victory-636449.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-from-hospital-bed-to-match-winner-jaideep-powers-haryana-steelers-to-victory-636450.html Visakhapatnam Sep 4 In a contest that went down to the wire and into a tiebreaker against U Mumba Haryana Steelers captain Jaideep Dahiya became the embodiment of commitment Barely hours after being discharged from the hospital where he was admitted with a high fever Jaideep stepped onto the mat and produced a crucial late tackle that kept his team alive Visakhapatnam Sep 4 In a contest that went down to the wire and into a tiebreaker against U Mumba Haryana Steelers captain Jaideep Dahiya became the embodiment of commitment Barely hours after being discharged from the hospital where he was admitted with a high fever Jaideep stepped onto the mat and produced a crucial late tackle that kept his team aliveHead coach Manpreet Singh revealed the extraordinary circumstances When we lost the last match our captain was very sick He had a high fever and had to be admitted to the hospital He was discharged only at 4 pm today and at 7 pm he was in front of you on the mat That shows his spirit the last time he played with an injury this time he came straight from the hospital with a fever This is what makes a sportsmanFor Jaideep just walking into the team meeting with his kit bag was enough to lift the dressing room The whole team thought he would not play today But when they saw me in the room everyone was happy and motivated I told them that no matter what I would play Jaideep said with a smileThe skipper admitted that the tiebreaker experience was new but insisted the pressure did not rattle him I have been in similar situations before so I kept telling the boys that if we held our nerves we could win We made a small mistake in the end but matches like this show how exciting Kabaddi can be Fans love to see such intensity he saidFor Manpreet the larger message was about resilience This league is not a 100metre race its a long journey Today we saw defence settle in after halftime and we saw a captain play through adversity If you want to go deep in the season you need such a spirit Thats what gives me hope for this team he summed upThe Telugu Titans will need to return to winning ways to move up the points table when they take on the Jaipur Pink Panthers in Thursdays first match For the Jaipur Pink Panthers who won their opening match it will be a tough task against Telugu Titans skipper Vijay Malik and co who will surely have a point to provePuneri Paltan currently at the top of the points table and in fine touch will face off against the might of Ashu Malik and the Dabang Delhi KC With three wins in their kitty the Paltan will need to be wary of Dabang Delhi who showed their prowess in their opening win of the season against Bengaluru Bulls IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-from-hospital-bed-to-match-winner-jaideep-powers-haryana-steelers-to-victory-636450.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-will-learn-from-our-mistakes-says-bengal-warriorz-captain-devank-dalal-636453.html Visakhapatnam Sep 4 Bengal Warriorz suffered their first defeat of Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 going down 4536 against Puneri Paltan on Wednesday Despite a strong performance from captain Devank Dalal who scored 17 raid points and completed a Super 10 they were unable to recover after a few costly errors as Puneri Paltan capitalised and won against the young Warriorz squad Reflecting on the result head coach Naveen Kumar admitted that small mistakes proved to be decisive He said The match was very close in the first half and we were trailing behind by only a few points But we made small mistakes which kept piling on and added pressure eventually costing us the match Naveen also pointed out that his young squad is still learning to handle highpressure moments but will grow stronger as the season progresses We have young players both in attack and defence which is why in such matches it could be difficult for them to cope with the pressure As the season goes ahead they will learn how to bear the pressure in such situations The players are improving well and with Devank leading them they are highly motivated and ready for all challenges While the result didnt go their way Devank Dalal once again impressed with his consistency and fighting spirit on the mat The captain however admitted that a key moment just before halftime shifted the momentum It was going well I was getting the points but I made a mistake and got caught right before halftime which is where I feel we went wrong in terms of raiding he said Devank also credited Puneri Paltans experience as a factor in the result Puneri Paltan have a set squad with players playing and practising together for a long time whereas ours is a new and young team so that was definitely a factor which affected todays result We will learn from our mistakes and work hard together in training to improve as a group IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-will-learn-from-our-mistakes-says-bengal-warriorz-captain-devank-dalal-636453.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-star-powered-up-yoddhas-eye-hat-trick-of-wins-against-haryana-steelers-636455.html Visakhapatnam Sep 4 UP Yoddhas look to chase their third consecutive win in Pro Kabaddi League PKL 12 as they take on the Haryana Steelers at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Friday The Yoddhas have made a strong start to the season with backtoback wins against Telugu Titans and Patna Pirates They currently sit second on the table with four points from two games while Haryana Steelers placed eighth with two points edged U Mumba in a tiebreaker in their last outingThe Yoddhas will be banking on their offensive and defensive lynchpins Gagan Gowda and Sumit Sangwan respectively to ensure a smooth sailing in this encounter Gowda has been their most profound raider with 21 points across two appearances whereas Sangwan has been robust at the back teaming up tidily with Ashu Singh in tandem to strike 13 points until nowNaveen Kumar and Vinay from the Steelers had joined hands to amass 17 points against U Mumba and stopping that duo will be instrumental for the Yoddhas prospects of maintaining their fine start to the seasonWhen we face a strong opponent we have the belief in our team to overcome any challenges by sticking to our plans Our focus is always on following the blueprint we have devised even during pressure situations We are pleased to have characters like Gagan in our team who thrive when the stakes are high It really helped us in our previous win against the Patna Pirates These are early phases of the season We have analysed Haryanas two matches so far and will develop our plans accordingly for the forthcoming fixture UP Yoddhas assistant coach Upendra Malik said ahead of the clashThe UP Yoddhas have produced a perfect blend of individual brilliance coupled with collective capabilities in PKL 12 For instance Sangwan tops the list of most tackle points 13 most high 5s 2 and most successful tackles 12 whereas Gowda has aggregated the highest number of super raids 2 That intertwined with the contributions of other key personnel such as vicecaptain Ashu Shivam Choudhary and Guman Singh amongst others set the Yoddhas up perfectly for what promises to be a riveting battle ahead against the Steelers IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-star-powered-up-yoddhas-eye-hat-trick-of-wins-against-haryana-steelers-636455.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-2025-pawan-bartwal-registers-hard-fought-win-over-trindade-636518.html Liverpool England Sep 4 Pawan Bartwal provided India a winning start to their World Boxing Championships campaign as he got the better of Brazils Michael Douglas Trindade a Paris Olympian in a close mens 55kg bout in Liverpool UK on Thursday Bartwal displayed his skills under pressure in the third and final round to keep his Brazilian opponent at bay and still impress the judges with his punches to win the first round bout 32The two boxers were deadlocked after the first two rounds with Trindade nullifying Bartwals advantage in the second roundIndia has fielded a 20member contingent at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing Council a recently formed international governing body for boxing and are looking to underline their growing stature in world boxingThree other Indians Sakshi womens 54kg Sanamacha Chanu womens 70kg and Harsh Choudhary mens 90kg will be in action in the evening sessionMeanwhile 10 Indian boxers have been handed a decent draw with medal contender Hitesh Gulia mens 70kg Abhinash Jamwal mens 65kg Nikhat Zareen womens 51kg and Lovlina Borgohain womens 70kg avoiding tricky opponents early in the competitionWhile Gulia Jamwal and Lovlina have a bye in the opening round while Nikhat Zareen will take on Jennifer Lozana of the USAThe 20Indian contingent is focused on putting together a strong performance at the inaugural World Championships being held under the aegis of the World Boxing a recently formed international governing body for boxing and their chances have definitely been boosted by the return of Nikhat former world champion and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cships-2025-pawan-bartwal-registers-hard-fought-win-over-trindade-636518.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 21:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/abhay-and-raiza-top-national-shotgun-selection-trials-4-in-bhucho-636523.html Bhucho Sep 4 Abhay Singh Sekhon and Raiza Dhillon top the National Selection Shotgun Trial 4 T4 in the mens and womens skeet event respectively held at Bhucho Village Bhai Devinder Singh Sidhu Gun Club in Bhucho Punjab Raiza also topped the womens qualification rounds in the lineup of 19 athletes while Asian Shooting Championship gold medalist Anantjeet Singh Naruka topped the mens qualification among 35 athletesIn the Skeet Men Abhay Singh Sekhon hit 55 off 60 targets to finish on top in the T4 while Gurjoat Singh and Naruka finished second and third in the finals with 53 and 44 hits respectively Earlier in the qualifications Abhay Singh Naruka finished fourth in the qualification with 117 hits in the five series of 25 shots each 24 21 23 24 25 and 3 in the shootoffNaruka topped the T4 qualification lineup with 121 hits 24 23 25 25 24 while Gurjoat Singh finished second with 118 23 24 22 25 24 and 2 in the shootout as Bhavtegh Singh Gill also on 118 24 25 24 24 23 finished third in the qualification with a hit less in the shootoutYuvek Battula with 117 hits 24 24 22 23 24 and Zorawar Singh Bedi also with 117 hits 23 24 23 23 24 were the other finalists with 2 and 0 in the shootoffRaiza Dhillon emerged as the top performer in T4 Skeet Women as she maintained the high scores across all five rounds to finish with 119 hits 24 25 23 23 24 in the qualification and secured the top spot in the finals with 55 hits while Ganemat Sekhon shot two fewer to finish second in the finalsParinaaz Dhaliwal completed the podium with 43 hits in the finals She had earlier had a solid qualification finishing second with 115 24 22 21 24 24 and 4 after a shootoff against Darshna Rathore who also scored 115 24 23 23 22 23 and 2Ganemat and Yashasvi Rathore finished fourth and fifth in the qualification with 114 23 24 22 24 21 and 109 21 24 20 24 20 hits Risham Kaur Guron secured the sixth spot in the finals with 108 20 23 22 22 21 and 2 in the shoot off against Vanshika Tiwari 108 20 21 2024 24 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/abhay-and-raiza-top-national-shotgun-selection-trials-4-in-bhucho-636523.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-shinde-inamdar-help-puneri-paltan-to-third-straight-win-636284.html Visakhapatnam Sep 3 Puneri Paltan continued their dominance in the Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 after they beat Bengal Warriorz 4536 at the Vishwanadh Sports Club here on Wednesday Led by the brilliance of skipper Aslam Inamdar alongside Aditya Shinde and Vishal Bhardwaj who got a High Five the Paltan cancelled Devank Dalals 17 points on the night Puneri Paltan got off to a confident start against Bengal Warriorz racing ahead with some sharp raiding from Aditya Shinde and Aslam Inamdar Shinde was quick to make his presence felt striking repeatedly with successful raids that kept the Warriorz defence under pressureThe highlight of the first 10 minutes came through Aslam who produced a Super Raid that got Warriorz defenders Nitesh Kumar and Parteek in one swift move The raid tilted the momentum in Paltans favour Despite Devanks resistance Puneri Paltan ended the first phase of the half with a fourpoint lead with the score reading 139The momentum wildly swung as both sides traded blows highlighted by two crucial ALL OUTs in the second phase Puneri Paltan inflicted the first ALL OUT in the 9th minute with Aslam Inamdar who had been the driving force in attack producing a brilliant tackle on Devank to wipe the Warriorz clean However soon after Manprits successful raid sent Aslam and Abinesh Nadarajan off the mat inflicting what was the second ALL OUT of the match That gave the Warriorz a muchneeded push after Puneri Paltans early control At halftime the score read 2622 with no DoOrDie raids in the opening 20 minutes underlining the aggressive intent of both teams The contest stayed finely balanced highlighted by Devanks early Super 10The third quarter of the contest saw Puneri Paltan stamp their authority on the game stretching their lead The Warriorz briefly threatened through Devank who kept piling on raid points but Paltan always had an answer Aditya Shinde in particular was in fine touch as he crossed into double digits to complete his Super 10The defining moment came in the 14th minute when Puneri Paltans defence led by Vishal Bhardwaj tackled Parteek to inflict a second ALL OUT on the Warriorz That blow widened the gap and gave Paltan a comfortable cushion Pankaj Mohite then grew into the game with a flurry of successful raids picking off the opponent defenders to ensure his side stayed firmly in control Despite Devanks relentless fightback the Warriorz trailed 3728 in the final 10 minutes leaving them with a steep climb heading into the final stretch But a masterclass in defence from the Puneri Paltan kept them in the lead to the very end The match ended with the score reading 4536 as the Paltan secured an impressive 9point win over Devank Dalals side IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-shinde-inamdar-help-puneri-paltan-to-third-straight-win-636284.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/commonwealth-heavyweight-champion-sangram-singh-ready-for-second-mma-competition-in-poland-636119.html New Delhi Sep 3 Fit India Icon and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Sangram Singh has announced his highly anticipated return to Mixed Martial Arts MMA confirming his participation in the upcoming international tournament in Poland in the 8390 kg category The 40yearold athlete who is the worlds first fighter to compete in MMA at the age of 40 and made history by becoming the first Indian male wrestler to win an international MMA fight continues his mission to break agerelated stereotypes in professional combat sportsSinghs MMA debut at the Gama International Fighting Championship in Tbilisi Georgia where he achieved victory against a Pakistani fighter in just 90 seconds established him among the elite group of fighters worldwide who have successfully transitioned to MMA in their late thirties and beyond His achievement proves that athletic excellence has no age limitAge is just a number when your soul refuses to give up Singh said during his training preparations When I stepped into that octagon in Georgia at 40 fighting against a fighter 17 years younger than me I wasnt just fighting for myself I was fighting to show every dreamer in their 20s 30s and 40s that their time is still ahead This Poland tournament is my second chapter not the final oneThe journey of the Rohtakborn athlete resonates deeply with athletes across generations Singhs transformation from wheelchair dependency due to early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis to international MMA success reflects the true spirit of the Fit India movement which he proudly representsMy vegetarian lifestyle is not a limitation its my superpower Singh explained addressing misconceptions about plantbased nutrition in combat sportsEvery lentil every vegetable every mornings ghee and ashwagandha not only powers my muscles but also fuels my mission to prove that Indian traditions can dominate on the world stageSinghs upcoming Poland MMA competition represents far more than personal achievement its a beacon for the global sports community His story particularly touches the hearts of young athletes who often feel pressured to achieve success by arbitrary age deadlinesI meet 25yearolds who think their athletic dreams are over because they havent become successful yet I want them to see me at 40 stepping into that cage in Poland and understand that their journey is just beginning Singh shared Whether youre an aspiring wrestler in Punjab a boxer in Mumbai or an MMA enthusiast anywhere in the world remember your calling has no expiration dateThe Commonwealth Champions impact extends far beyond Indian borders inspiring international athletes to reconsider their relationship with age and athletic performance His vegetarian approach to combat sports nutrition is attracting attention from sports scientists and nutritionists worldwide challenging traditional meatcentered training regimensWhen millions of young sports enthusiasts watch me compete in Poland I want them to see possibility not limitation Singh emphasised I want that 20yearold who thinks hes too old to start boxing to step into the gym I want that 30yearold dreaming of martial arts to find his dojo I want every athlete Indian or international to understand that excellence doesnt follow anyone elses timelineSinghs preparation for Poland includes his distinctive training program that combines traditional Indian wrestling techniques with modern MMA conditioning all supported by his completely vegetarian diet rich in rotis seasonal vegetables and Ayurvedic supplementsThis isnt just about one persons fight in Poland Singh concluded This is about rewriting the narrative for every athlete who has been told theyre too old too different or too late When I step into that octagon Ill carry the dreams of millions who refuse to accept limitationsDetails of the Poland tournament and Singhs opponent will be announced in the coming weeks His victory in his historic MMA debut in Georgia achieved in just 90 seconds remains the fastest victory recorded by an Indian fighter in the 93 kg division in international competition IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/commonwealth-heavyweight-champion-sangram-singh-ready-for-second-mma-competition-in-poland-636119.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-belief-in-the-team-is-strong-that-well-reach-our-full-potential-says-bengal-warriorz-coach-naveen-635983.html Visakhapatnam Sep 2 Fresh off a commanding win over defending champions Haryana Steelers the Bengal Warriorz are all set to face a challenging test against Puneri Paltan in their upcoming Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 fixture on Wednesday After their 5444 victory in the last game the Warriorz dove straight back into training to focus on their next match While talking about the environment in the dressing room Coach Naveen Kumar said After the win the players were hyped up but we have calmed them down as they now focus on our next target Our training sessions have been very good and the energy within the squad is positive We worked on combinations and discussed the weaknesses we want to correctCoach Naveen Kumar also commented on the Warriorz mentality he has instilled in all the players and the impact its going to have over the course of the season Naveen Kumar said Our mentality is very strong Since we have a young squad instilling a Warrior mindset to not fear any opponent and be completely focused and disciplined is very important It is going to be a long and tough season but the belief in the team is strong that we will reach our full potentialThis is Naveen Kumars first season with the team and he credited the Bengal Warriorz management and support staff for their complete support so far in his tenure The Bengal Warriorz management has given me the complete freedom to make decisions and has ensured that all the requirements of the team are met They have supported me in all ways and together we are working on the progress of our playersLast season the two sides met twice with Bengal Warriorz coming away with one tie and one defeat However with a young and revamped squad with star raider Devank Dalal leading the team and Nitesh Kumar as the defence captain coach Naveen Kumar is confident ahead of the important fixture Puneri Paltan is a very good side with a strong record Their defense was impressive last season and they have a setsquad which has further been strengthened with the addition of Aslam Inamdar They are a tough opponent but our team is young and highly motivated Our players are working extremely hard and our performance should be good he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-belief-in-the-team-is-strong-that-well-reach-our-full-potential-says-bengal-warriorz-coach-naveen-635983.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-national-ranking-tournament-set-to-begin-from-sep-7-in-new-delhi-636027.html New Delhi Sep 2 New Delhi will host some of Indias biggest table tennis names including reigning national champion Diya Chitale and Commonwealth Games gold medallists G Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Tournament beginning on September 7 at the Thyagraj Stadium The event has drawn an impressive 2958 entries underscoring the sports rising popularity It also marks the first time since 2008 that the Delhi State Table Tennis Association DSTTA is hosting a national ranking tournament though the Table Tennis Federation of India TTFI last organised one in the capital in 2012 with support from HaryanaGurpreet Singh president of DSTTA expressed excitement over the unprecedented response The number of entries 2958 is a strong indicator of the interest the tournament has generated I dont remember the last time there were these many entries for a national ranking event We are fully ready to host the event he saidThe tournament which runs until September 14 will feature 12 events across senior U19 U17 U15 U13 and U11 categories Among the mens field national champions Sathiyan Harmeet Anthony Amalraj and Soumyajit Ghoshwho had faded from the national setup after appearing in the 2012 London Olympicswill headline the actionIn the womens field Chitale is the favourite in a draw that also features veterans Mouma Das Madhurika Patkar Reeth Rishya and Divya DeshpandeOne notable absentee will be Delhis own Manika Batra who is unavailable due to international commitments Her world ranking has slipped to 55 in recent weeksThe organising committee also includes national coach and Dronacharya awardee Sandeep Gupta who highlighted the tournaments value for young players With so many national champions part of the field it is a great opportunity for the budding players in Delhi to see them in flesh and blood and learn from them at the same time Playing against the best in the country they would also get to upskill themselves said Gupta IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-national-ranking-tournament-set-to-begin-from-sep-7-in-new-delhi-636027.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-ashu-maliks-experience-leads-dabang-delhi-to-impressive-over-bengaluru-bulls-636058.html Vizag Sep 2 A dominant Dabang Delhi KC secured an impressive 4134 win over Bengaluru Bulls at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on Tuesday A late fightback from the Bulls wasnt enough as Ashu Maliks 15 points Neeraj Narwals 7 and strong defensive efforts from Surjeet Singh Fazel Atrachali and Saurabh Nandal sealed the win for Delhi Alireza Mirzaians Super 10 was the only highlight for the Bulls Dabang Delhi made a dominant start against Bengaluru Bulls surging to a commanding lead Ashu Malik was at the forefront picking up quick raid points with the highlight being a brilliant Super Raid dismissing Yogesh Aashish Malik and Ankush Rathee in one swoop swinging the momentum heavily in Dabang Delhis favourThe Bulls meanwhile struggled to find their footing with only Alireza Mirzaian showing some resistance They were dealt a further blow when Surjeet Singhs strong tackle on Mirzaian inflicted the first allout of the match That setback meant the Bulls trailed 135 at the 10minute mark as they stared at a tough climb back into the contestDabang Delhi carried their early momentum into the latter stages of the first half maintaining a firm grip into the break with a 2111 lead over Bengaluru Bulls Agent Ashu was unstoppable constantly testing the Bulls defence with sharp raids He was rewarded with a Super 10 before halftime while Neeraj Narwal chipped in with crucial raid pointsFor the Bulls Alireza offered some resistance with four raid points while Aashishs efforts gave them a brief spark However repeated setbacks including two dismissals of Sanjay and unsuccessful raids by Akash kept them on the back foot With a 10point cushion at the break Dabang Delhi looked firmly in control leaving Bengaluru with plenty of work to do in the second halfThe season 8 PKL champions tightened their stranglehold on the contest in the third quarter extending their lead to 3417 at the 30minute mark Ashu Malik continued to be the star piling on raid points at will and keeping the Bulls defence under constant pressureNaveen and Neeraj Narwal also chipped in while Surjeet Singh and Fazel Atrachali stood tall in defence The biggest blow for Bengaluru came midway through the half when Surjeet executed a decisive tackle on Alireza to enforce the second allout widening Delhis advantageFor Bengaluru Aashish and Alireza tried to offer resistance with successful raids but the rest of the unit struggled to make an impact Substitutes Ganesha Hanamantagol and Jitender Yadav were introduced in search of answers yet the Bulls could not stop Delhis momentum By the end of the third quarter the defending champions looked firmly in control 17 points clear leaving Bengaluru with a lot to play for in the final stretchDespite the massive lead the Bulls did not give up Starting with a super tackle by Akash Shinde on Ashu Malik followed by a successful raid by Ganesha that got Naveen and Sandeep the lead quickly dropped by 13 points However Neeraj Narwal got his team back on track with a successful raid on the Bulls that got Sanjay and ManishAs the match came to a close an impressive super tackle by Jitender Yadav in a doordie raid got Ashu Malik However these were small respites for the Bulls who lost the match by 7 points as the score read 4134 at the end of the 40 minutes despite a late allout for Bengaluru Bulls IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-ashu-maliks-experience-leads-dabang-delhi-to-impressive-over-bengaluru-bulls-636058.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-commanding-all-around-performance-guides-puneri-paltan-to-mammoth-22-point-victory-over-gujarat-giants-635815.html Visakhapatnam Sep 1 Puneri Paltan delivered a defensive masterclass to record a massive 22point win against Gujarat Giants on Monday nights second game in Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League here The Season 10 champions were dominant on both ends of the mat as they registered a 4119 victory at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag Abinesh Nadarajan led the way with a High Five while Gaurav Khatri and Gurdeep recorded four tackle points each Aslam Inamdar Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite also contributed to the team as they ran riot against the Gujarat GiantsThe Paltan began the game on the front foot with Aslam Inamdar and Pankaj Mohite leading the raiding unit Abinesh Nadarajan also made his presence felt on the defensive end recording four tackle points in the first ten minutes They cruised to a sixpoint lead in the opening exchanges after inflicting an All Out on Gujarat GiantsThe side led by Aslam Inamdar soon started asserting its dominance even further as Abinesh Nadarajan completed his High Five with five minutes remaining in the first half Pankaj Mohite also piled on the pressure on Gujarat Giants amassing the 400point mark in the PKL At the end of the first half Puneri Paltan had a sixpoint lead with the scoreline at 1711Puneri Paltan continued to be relentless on both ends in the second half giving the Gujarat Giants no breathing room Aditya Shinde recorded a twopoint raid to extend Puneri Paltans lead to nine points before they inflicted another All Out to make it a fourteenpoint lead in the blink of an eyeDespite Gujarat Giants best efforts they couldnt register a single point between their two All Outs Mohammadreza Shadloui ended the game with zero points to his name for the first time since season 8 summing up Puneri Paltans dominanceIn the end the Ajay Thakurcoached side put the game beyond all doubt and wrapped up a commanding performance with a 22point win as the scoreline read 4119 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-commanding-all-around-performance-guides-puneri-paltan-to-mammoth-22-point-victory-over-gujarat-giants-635815.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-defenders-sumit-ashu-shine-as-up-yoddhas-claw-their-way-back-against-patna-pirates-635802.html Visakhapatnam AP Sep 1 A hardfought comeback from the UP Yoddhas saw them beat the Patna Pirates 3431 in what was a closelyfought contest to the very end at the Vishwanadh Sports Club here on Monday Sumit and Ashu Singh got muchdeserved High Fives while Gagan Gowda scored seven points as the Yoddhas secured an impressive victory In the opening 10 minutes Patna Pirates edged ahead of UP Yoddhas leading 76 in what began as a tightly fought clash Patnas young raider Ayan Lohchab was the standout performer in this phase notching up three raid points and twice sending the Yoddhas defenders to the benchAnkit made his presence felt with a crucial tackle on Guman Singh while Maninder Singh chipped in with a successful raid to keep the Pirates narrowly in front For the Yoddhas Gagan Gowda looked lively with a couple of sharp raids while Ashu Singh and Sumit contributed with important defensive tacklesMidway through the half Ayan produced the games defining moment a brilliant raid that took out Ashu Singh and Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi inflicting the first All Out on UP Yoddhas He continued to dominate thereafter adding points at regular intervals including a raid that removed Mahender Singh and Bhavani Rajput in quick successionThe Yoddhas found some respite late in the half when Ayan was finally trapped in a Super Tackle but by then Patna had built a commanding lead At halftime the score read 1913 in favour of the Pirates with Ayan leading the charge with eight raid pointsPatna Pirates maintained their grip on the contest in the opening exchanges of the second half extending their lead to 2319 against UP Yoddhas after 30 minutes of play Substitute raider Ankit Rana made an instant impact with a successful raid that sent Sumit to the bench while Maninder Singh also did well in a DoOrDie raid against HiteshThe Yoddhas however refused to back down Bhavani Rajput and Gagan Gowda added crucial raid points to keep their side in the hunt and Sumit pulled off a fine tackle on Ayan to halt the Pirates momentum With both sides trading empty raids and defences tightening up the margin remained slender setting the stage for a tense final phaseThe Patna Pirates suffered their first ALL OUT in the 7th minute as the UP Yoddhas equalled the score in style They piled the pressure on the threetime champions but Ayan Lohchab escaped Hitesh giving his team a late lifelineHowever the Yoddhas kept their cool to the very end Despite being on the back foot for most of the match it was in the final 10 minutes that they managed to claw their way back to prevent Ayan from completing his Super 10 and sealing their second victory of the season after beating Patna Pirates 3431 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-defenders-sumit-ashu-shine-as-up-yoddhas-claw-their-way-back-against-patna-pirates-635802.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-this-season-will-be-a-redemption-opportunity-for-pawan-sehrawat-says-rishank-devadiga-635275.html New Delhi Aug 30 Pawan Sehrawat delivered a statement performance in Tamil Thalaivas Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 opener showcasing the maturity and composure that experts believe will define his redemption campaign this season The star raiders impactful display against Telugu Titans not only secured a crucial victory for his team but also demonstrated the evolution of one of PKLs most prolific scorers Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar expert Rishank Devadiga was effusive in his praise for Sehrawats measured approach to the contestI believe this season will be a redemption opportunity for Pawan Sehrawat He is determined to return with strong performances and deliver on his promise to the team Devadiga observed highlighting the raiders focused mindset entering the new campaignWhat particularly impressed the kabaddi analyst was Sehrawats tactical awareness and timing throughout the match Rather than the aggressive allout approach that characterised some of his earlier performances the Tamil Thalaivas captain displayed a calculated understanding of game situationsDuring the second half he demonstrated considerable experience and composure understanding precisely when the team required his contribution He assumed responsibility at critical moments and secured the decisive points that led to victory Devadiga explained emphasising how Sehrawats game intelligence has evolvedThis mature approach represents a significant development for a player who has previously been known for his explosive raiding abilities The veterans ability to read the game and contribute at crucial junctures suggests a deeper understanding of his role as both captain and key performerWhile Sehrawats heroics captured headlines the evenings second match between Puneri Paltan and Bengaluru Bulls highlighted another crucial aspect of modern PKL strategy JioStar expert Sunil Taneja analysed how strategic planning and team balance proved decisive in the tiebreaker victoryEveryone was talking about Puneri Paltans raiders who secured their win in the tiebreaker it was defender Vishal Bhardwaj with that crucial ankle hold This clearly shows that the team with better balance wins Taneja noted underlining the importance of defensive contributions in tight contests Another interesting point is how teams plan Aslam took the first raid right after winning the toss knowing the importance of the initial raid in the tiebreaker Teams are strategising well in advance now he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-this-season-will-be-a-redemption-opportunity-for-pawan-sehrawat-says-rishank-devadiga-635275.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kabaddi-gave-me-everything-pkl-honours-the-legacy-of-pardeep-narwal-in-special-felicitation-ceremony-635322.html Visakhapatnam Aug 30 On a day filled with nostalgia the Kabaddi fraternity celebrated a man who changed the way the sport is played Pardeep Narwal the Dubki King on the first day of the Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 Yet when Pardeep spoke at his felicitation it wasnt the numbers that defined his voice it was the emotion I came here today only for the fans he said Even now when they call or message me I feel like I must return for themHe remembered friendships naming fellow warrior Maninder Singh now at Patna Pirates the team that gave him his fame as one who stood by him beyond the mat He recalled the joy of victories the sting of nearmisses but above all the unbreakable bond with the game The Pro Kabaddi League gave me everything fame family and the love of countless people I want to take it as far as I canThe journey does not end here With his Pardeep Narwal Kabaddi Academy where 65 children will be chasing their dreams Pardeep has chosen to gift the future what he once received I want to grow my kids like my coach once grew me he said This academy will open on September 1 and will usher in the new generation of kabaddi starsAs legends across Indian sport like Dhanraj Pillai and Pullela Gopichand rose to applaud him they were joined by current stars such as Jyothi Yarraji Yogesh Kathuniya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In that moment one truth echoed Pardeep Narwal may step away from the mat but his spirit will forever live on in the game he gave his life toOn the second day of the league the home side Telugu Titans will return to the mat against UP Yoddhas in Saturdays first game Facing the likes of Guman Singh Bhavani Rajput Gagan Gowda and their skipper Sumit the side will hope to bounce back from their loss against Tamil Thalaivas and return to winning waysThe second match of the night will see U Mumba and Gujarat Giants take the mat for the first time in Season 12 All eyes will be on Mohammadreza Shadloui who will skipper this side alongside the likes of Rakesh and Parteek Dahiya For U Mumba skipper Sunil Kumars faith will lie in Ajit Chouhans raiding prowess as the side looks to fight for their second PKL trophy since season 2 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kabaddi-gave-me-everything-pkl-honours-the-legacy-of-pardeep-narwal-in-special-felicitation-ceremony-635322.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-jyothi-yarraji-lauds-puneri-paltan-star-aslam-inamdar-says-not-only-a-great-sportsperson-but-also-a-positive-individual-635365.html New Delhi Aug 29 Indian hurdler Jyothi Yarraji has opened up about her admiration for kabaddi star Aslam Inamdar highlighting the strong friendship and mutual support the two athletes share despite competing in very different sporting arenas Yarraji one of Indias leading track and field athletes said she draws inspiration from the Puneri Paltan raiders determination positivity and resilience in the face of setbacks Aslam Inamdar is my favourite raider I came to support him as well because he is a great source of motivation always positive and an excellent communicator Whenever either of us gets injured we share our thoughts and support each other like best friends Yarraji saidShe spoke about the emotional challenges that injuries bring for athletes and how their bond has helped both of them navigate difficult periods When athletes are injured it often brings negative feelings because we are unable to train and have to watch others compete I understand what Aslam went through last year including the disappointment of losing the title after being champions the previous year she saidDespite those challenges Yarraji expressed confidence in Inamdars ability to bounce back and lead his team to success again I fully believe and hope that they will win this league again Aslam is not only a great sportsperson but also an encouraging and positive individual who consistently uplifts me I wish him all the best and success ahead she addedInamdar who has emerged as one of the most exciting raiders in the Pro Kabaddi League has battled injuries in recent seasons but continues to be a central figure for Puneri Paltan Yarrajis words reflect the deep respect and admiration he commands not just within kabaddi but across the broader Indian sporting community IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-jyothi-yarraji-lauds-puneri-paltan-star-aslam-inamdar-says-not-only-a-great-sportsperson-but-also-a-positive-individual-635365.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-sumit-gagan-gowda-shine-as-up-yoddhas-take-down-telugu-titans40-35-635389.html Visakhapatnam AP Aug 30 The Vishwanadh Sports Club witnessed a nailbiting season opener on Saturday evening as the UP Yoddhas began their Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 campaign with a thrilling 4035 win over home side Telugu Titans Skipper Sumits eight points and Gagan Gowdas superb 14point haul proved decisive despite Vijay Maliks equally impressive 14 points for the Titans Vijay Malik opened the proceedings with an early hand touch but the Yoddhas immediately showed their resilience Gagan Gowda struck early against Bharat Hooda with both teams trading blows and forcing DoorDie raids Bharat faltered in his first two such attempts while Guman Singhs double touch gave the Yoddhas the lead 10 minutes into the first half reducing the Titans to just two men on the mat at the timeoutThe first All Out happened in the eighth minute when skipper Sumit trapped Jai Bhagwan to hand the Yoddhas a fourpoint cushion Soon after Gagan Gowdas Super Raid extended the advantage and the visitors began to dictate the tempo Despite Bharats resistance the Titans struggled to close the gap as the Yoddhas went into the break leading 2113Early in the second half the Yoddhas inflicted another All Out with Sumit completing his High Five after dismissing Shubham Shinde and stretching the lead to 11 Malik briefly revived the Titans with a multipoint raid but Gowdas consistency carried him to a Super 10 Sumit then produced a Super Tackle on Malik to restore the 11point margin putting the game seemingly out of reachThe Titans however werent done They capitalised on the Yoddhas first All Out of the night cutting the lead to just five points Malik completed his Super 10 with a multipoint raid and even dismissed Gowda sparking hopes of a late comeback But Gowda had the final say sealing the contest with a Super Raid in the dying momentsThe Yoddhas held their nerve in a tense finish to win 4035 making a strong start to their Season 12 campaignSundays scheduleMatch 1 Tamil Thalaivas vs U MumbaMatch 2 Bengal Warriorz vs Haryana Steelers IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-sumit-gagan-gowda-shine-as-up-yoddhas-take-down-telugu-titans40-35-635389.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/asian-shooting-cship-ankur-mittal-wins-gold-with-new-continental-record-in-double-trap-635169.html New Delhi Aug 29 Former world No 1 and 2018 Changwon World Champion Ankur Mittal created a new Asian Championship record on his way to clinching a gold medal in the Double Trap event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent Kazakhstan on Friday The gold took Indias tally past 100 medals to 103 for their bestever performance in the Asian Championship with 52 gold 26 silver and 25 bronze medals Ankur Mittal also combined with Bhanu Pratap Singh and Harshvardhan Kaviya to win the team bronze in the Double Trap Team eventAnkur with 107 hits led throughout the four rounds of 30 each with scores of 26 28 26 and 27 on his way to the gold medal Local shooter Artyom Chikulayev from Kazakhstan won silver with 98 while Kuwaits Ahmad Alaffasi claimed bronze in a shootoff with 96 and 2In the Double Trap junior category Hatim Khan Mohammed with 89 hits won silver while Manavrajsinh Chudasama secured bronze with 87 They both combined with Vinay Pratap Singh Chandrawat 81 to win the team gold of the eventIn the Double Trap Womens category India swept the podium with Anushka Singh Bhati 93 Rajkuwar Pranil Ingle 89 and Yeshaya Hafiz Contractor 87 winning the gold silver and bronze medals respectively The trio also won the team gold in the event In the Womens Junior category Avani Alankar Koli won the bronze medal with 77 hits She also won team silver along with Krishika Joshi and Smita Sawant who registered 61 hits eachManini Kaushik scored 6178 to secure the bronze medal for India in the 50m Rifle Prone Womens event Manini along with Surabhi Bhardwaj 6144 and Vidarsa K Vinod 6138 also won the team silver in the event In the junior category Prachi Gaikwad with 6166 finished second to win the silver medal Prachi along with Anushka Thokur 6076 and Tejal Nathawat 5992 won the team bronze in the 50m Rifle Prone Junior Womens categoryIn the 25m Centre Fire Pistol Mens event Rajkanwar Singh scored 289 in the precision round and 294 in the rapid round to finish with 58322x and win the gold medal He also combined with Gurpreet Singh 57917x and Ankur Goel 57118x to win the team goldSuraj Sharma 58824x Abhinav Choudhary 58220x and Mukesh Nelavalli 57621x swept the podium in the 25m Pistol Men Junior event winning gold silver and bronze respectively They also combined to win the team gold in the eventWith a final tally of 103 medals including 52 gold 26 silver and 25 bronze India recorded its most successful campaign in the history of the Asian Shooting Championship to finish first getting 39 more than their previous outing at the 15th Asian Championships in Changwon South Korea Host nation Kazakhstan finished second while China finished third in the medals tally of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/asian-shooting-cship-ankur-mittal-wins-gold-with-new-continental-record-in-double-trap-635169.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-juniors-win-7-gold-7-silver-and-12-bronze-in-belt-and-road-youth-boxing-gala-in-china-635173.html Xinjiang China Aug 29 Indias junior boxers won 7 gold 7 silver and 12 bronze medals making a total haul of 26 medals at the 3rd Belt and Road International Youth Boxing Gala U17U19U23 International Training Camp amp Tournament here on Friday highlighting their strong performance across weight categories The girls team dominated the finals with 5 gold 5 silver and 6 bronze medals Laxmi 46kg Radhamani 60kg Harnoor 66kg Jyoti 75kg and Anshika 80kg clinched gold medals in style while Chandrika 54kg settled for silver against a Chinese opponent Several allIndia clashes in the 46kg 60kg 66kg and 80kg categories ensured additional silver and bronze medals highlighting the strong bench strength in the junior girls setupIn the boys category India secured 2 gold 2 silver and 6 bronze medals Falak 48kg and Udham Singh Raghav 54kg clinched gold with commanding wins over Kazakh opponents while Dhruv Kharb 46kg and Piyush 50kg settled for silver after closely fought bouts Uday Singh 46kg Aditya 52kg Ashish 54kg Devendra Chaudhary 75kg Jaideep Singh Hanjra 80kg and Loven Gulia 80kg contributed bronze medals to the tally showcasing the teams allround depthIndia had sent a 58member contingent comprising 20 boys and 20 girls supported by 12 coaches 5 support staff and one referee and judge Only U17 boys and girls represented India at this edition with the team selected from the 6th U17 Junior Boys amp Girls National Boxing Championships 2025 where medalists across Asian Youth Games and NonAsian Youth Games weight categories earned their placeWith this medalwinning campaign Indias junior boxers showcased their skill on the international stage continuing their steady progress in world youth boxingIn all 14 Indian junior boxers stormed into their respective finals in the event continuing a trend of fine performances in continental agegroup competitions Taking on strong opponents from Kazakhstan Iran Korea Uzbekistan the Philippines and China 10 girls and 4 boys delivered impressive performances assuring India of multiple silver medals and a strong shot at goldIndia has sent a 58member contingent comprising 20 boys and 20 girls supported by 12 coaches 5 support staff and 1 Referee amp Judge Only U17 boys and girls are representing India at this edition The team was selected from the 6th U17 Junior Boys amp Girls National Boxing Championships 2025 with medalists across Asian Youth Games and NonAsian Youth Games weight categories earning a place IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-juniors-win-7-gold-7-silver-and-12-bronze-in-belt-and-road-youth-boxing-gala-in-china-635173.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 21:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-pawan-arjun-star-as-tamil-thalaivas-prevail-over-telugu-titans-in-exciting-opener-635199.html Visakhapatnam AP Aug 29 It was a blockbuster opening game that saw Tamil Thalaivas secure a 3835 win over the home side Telugu Titans at the Vishwanadh Sports Club here on Friday night Arjun Deshwal registered a Super 10 and Pawan Sehrawat scored 9 points for their side with Bharat Hooda registering nine points for the hosts Arjun Deshwal picked up from where he left off in Season 11 scoring with his opening raid of the season to give Tamil Thalaivas the lead The experienced raider didnt miss a beat in the opening exchanges before Vijay Malik opened the account for Telugu TitansBharat Hooda got the Titans back into the game bagging two raids on a DoOrDie raid giving his team some momentum to level the score at 55 ten minutes into the opening game of the seasonThe two teams were going toetotoe in the first half with Bharat Hooda finding his groove for Telugu Titans also marking a milestone moment with his 600th raid in the PKLMeanwhile Arjun Deshwal was doing the heavy lifting for his side racking up seven raid points in the first half At the end of the first half Tamil Thalaivas had a slender lead with the score at 1413It was a sedate start to the second half before Bharat Hooda got the better of Himanshu and Suresh Jadhav on a DoOrDie Raid It didnt take long for Telugu Titans to execute the first All Out of the season from there on giving them a fivepoint lead with the score at 1914The hosts were firmly in control of the game in the second half while Arjun Deshwal was keeping the Tamil Thalaivas alive as he registered the first Super 10 of the season Pawan Sehrawat opened his account soon after beginning the road to a comeback for his sideWith their two raiders combining well Tamil Thalaivas levelled the score at 2828 with less than 5 minutes left in the game They made the most of that momentum and got their noses in front with an All Out after Nitesh Kumar tackled Ashish Narwal getting a twopoint lead with the score at 3129As the game came down to the wire Bharat Hooda got his ninth raid point bringing the gap down to one point between the two sides Pawan Sehrawat came in clutch with an exceptional Super Raid in the dying seconds of the game to secure a 3835 win for Tamil Thalaivas IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-pawan-arjun-star-as-tamil-thalaivas-prevail-over-telugu-titans-in-exciting-opener-635199.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/i-still-have-desire-to-compete-with-young-guys-djokovic-635024.html New York Aug 29 As Novak Djokovic prepares to take on Cameron Norrie in the third round of the US Open the Serbian star said that he still has the desire to compete against young guys It has been almost two years since Djokovic last won a Grand Slam his last major triumph came at Flushing Meadows in 2023 Since then Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have shared the last seven majors between them as Djokovics record 25th major feels increasingly out of reachAfter a straightsets victory over rising American Learner Tien in the opening round Djokovic needed four sets to overcome Zachary Svajda ultimately securing a 675 63 63 61 win in just over twoandahalf hoursI wasnt really happy with my tennis for the first part of the match he commented after committing 14 unforced errors against Svajda who was hindered by cramps in the latter stagesThe 24time Grand Slam champion was asked on court if he felt that roundbyround improvements were likely Thats what Im hoping that was the case for most of my Grand Slam career he said The deeper I go in the tournament the better I feel about my gameAsked if hed come in cold to the seasonending Grand Slam Djokovic noted Obviously I didnt have any matches since Wimbledon so it is the right term in a sense but I have put in a lot of training in last three four weeksI decided not to play because I wanted to spend more time with my family And to be honest you know I think I earned my right and have the luxury of kind of choosing picking and choosing where I want to go and what I want to playNow almost exclusively targeting Slam success Djokovic does so with full intensity There is always something to prove once you step out onto the court which is youre still able to win a tennis match he noted of his enduring motivationI still love the feeling of competition the drive that I feel on the court You know I get really hard on myself a lot of the times because I expect myself to play always at the highest level which is obviously not always possibleBut you know I still have desire to compete with the young guys you know Otherwise I wouldnt be here playing IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/i-still-have-desire-to-compete-with-young-guys-djokovic-635024.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/he-introduced-us-to-true-spirit-of-sports-boxer-vijender-pays-tribute-to-major-dhyan-chand-on-national-sports-day-635027.html New Delhi Aug 29 Celebrating the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand which is observed as National Sports Day former Olympic medallist boxer Vijender Singh extended his wishes to athletes across the country Remembering Dhyan Chand as Indias first sporting hero Vijender said the hockey wizard had inspired generations through books and stories On the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand which is also celebrated as our National Sports Day I extend my best wishes to all of you Major Dhyan Chand was our first sporting hero the one who introduced us to the true spirit of sports We grew up reading about him in books and stories Today on this special day for every sportsperson I wish you all the very best May you work hard and bring many medals home for India Vijender told IANSNational Sports Day is celebrated every year on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand First observed in 1995 and nationally celebrated since 2012 the day also witnessed the launch of the Fit India Movement in 2019 which has since become a mass fitness revolution across the countryMajor Dhyan Chand the greatest Indian hockey player is regarded as one of the best players of all time to have played hockey for India Dhyan Chand was a star player of the Indian hockey team that dominated the game of hockey in the years before the Second World War He played a key role in India winning three consecutive gold medals in the Olympic Games in 1928 1932 and 1936He was a master of the game and was so adept at controlling the ball that he became famous with names like Hockey Magician and The MagicianThis hockey wizard passed away on December 3 1979 Dhyan Chand will always be remembered as one of the greatest hockey playersThe National Sports Day NSD 2025 celebrations will be led by the Fit India Mission and organised as a threeday nationwide sports and fitness movement from August 29 to 31 under the inspiring theme Ek Ghanta Khel ke Maidan Main IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/he-introduced-us-to-true-spirit-of-sports-boxer-vijender-pays-tribute-to-major-dhyan-chand-on-national-sports-day-635027.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jitna-kheloge-utna-seekhoge-dhawans-special-message-on-national-sports-day--635043.html New Delhi Aug 29 Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan marked National Sports Day with a special Instagram post that celebrated the joy of playing across disciplines and shared a mantra of the more you play the more you learn the more you win Sharing a series of images of himself indulging in cricket football pool horse riding and even pickleball Dhawan showed his fans the versatility of sports and his deep passion for staying active in different waysJitna kheloge utna seekhoge jitna seekhoge utna jeetoge Aap kaunsa sport khelte ho he shared on InstagramSimple yet powerful the message highlighted how sports teach life lessonsreminding everyone that every match played every game attempted contributes to personal growth and resilienceDhawans post resonated with fans not just for its vibrant images but also for the broader messagethat sports are not limited to stadiums they are pathways to discipline teamwork and selfdiscoveryNational Sports Day observed annually on August 29 in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand is a reminder of the power of sports to unite inspire and upliftFirst observed in 1995 and gaining national recognition in 2012 National Sports Day has evolved into a platform to reaffirm Indias commitment to health fitness and sporting excellence With the launch of the Fit India Movement in 2019 the day has further transformed into a mass fitness revolutionThis year the Fit India Mission is spearheading the celebrations with a threeday nationwide campaign from August 2931 themed Ek Ghanta Khel ke Maidan Main One Hour on the Playground The initiative aims to inspire citizens across age groups to dedicate at least an hour to physical activity and sportsDhawan who retired from all forms of cricket in August last year after an illustrious cricket career spanning over a decade has played 34 Tests 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is scoring 2315 6793 and 1579 runs respectively in the three formats IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jitna-kheloge-utna-seekhoge-dhawans-special-message-on-national-sports-day--635043.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-boxers-secure-26-medals-after-day-3-at-belt-and-road-youth-boxing-gala-634750.html Xinjiang Aug 28 Indias junior boys and girls stole the spotlight with a string of strong wins at the Belt and Road International Youth Boxing Gala U17U19U23 International Training Camp amp Tournament With 26 semifinalists India has ensured a tally of 26 confirmed medals India has sent a 58member contingent comprising 20 boys and 20 girls supported by 12 coaches 6 support staff and 1 referee amp judge Only U17 boys and girls are representing India at this editionThe team was selected from the 6th U17 Junior Boys amp Girls National Boxing Championships 2025 with medallists across Asian Youth Games and NonAsian Youth Games weight categories earning a placeThe semifinalists include Dhruv Kharb 46kg Uday Singh 46kg Falak 48kg Piyush 50kg Aditya 52kg Udham Singh Raghav 54kg Ashish 54kg Devendra Chaudhary 75kg Jaideep Singh Hanjra 80kg and Loven Gulia 80kg who defeated tough opponents from China Korea Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to reach the last fourOn August 27 the Indian junior girls dominated the ring with emphatic victories Khushi 46kg Bhakti 50kg Radhamani 60kg Harsika 60kg Diya 66kg Priya 66kg Laxmi 46kg Chahat 60kg Himanshi 66kg Harnoor 66kg and Prachi Khatri 80kg all secured impressive wins against tough opponents from China and KoreaThe junior boys also displayed grit with standout performances from Falak Piyush Udham Singh Raghav Devendra Chaudhary and Loven Gulia ensuring Indias strong presence in the latter stagesThe competition phase of the tournament continues till August 29 in Urumqi and Yili where Indias junior boxers will look to build on this momentum and showcase their rising talent on the international stageMeanwhile the Boxing Federation of India BFI has sent a strong 27member Indian senior boxing contingent to Sheffield United Kingdom for a highintensity combined training camp in the leadup to the World Boxing Championships The move is part of BFIs continued efforts to give Indian boxers international exposure and the best possible preparation by ensuring they acclimatise to conditions well before the tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-boxers-secure-26-medals-after-day-3-at-belt-and-road-youth-boxing-gala-634750.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/global-chess-league-launches-gcl-contenders-for-global-talent-to-engage-with-chess-superstars-634758.html New Delhi Aug 28 Global Chess League GCL launched GCL Contenders 2025 creating a direct pathway for aspiring chess players to compete alongside the games elite Through GCL Contenders 2025 a twomonth global initiative three winners will earn the ultimate lifetime opportunity to enter GCL Season 3 as the league ambassadors and a chance to go shouldertoshoulder with the worlds most elite Grandmasters in the firstever franchisebased chess leagueOpen to amateurs and professionals this multitiered tournament will spotlight grassroots talent strengthen the chess community and culminate with the winners stepping onto the same stage as global icons With the registration opening from August 28 GCL Contenders will take place for almost a month leading up to Season 3 of the Global Chess League scheduled to kick off on December 13Peeyush Dubey Chairperson Tech Mahindra Global Chess League said With GCL Contenders we are taking this vision further by opening the stage to aspiring players worldwide allowing them to potentially compete alongside the worlds greatest Grandmasters This is more than a tournament it is a landmark step for the global chess community one that will inspire players and fans across generations and geographiesGCL Contenders 2025 a multitiered tournament is designed to unlock grassroots talent strengthen the global chess community and culminate with winners sharing the stage with global icons In addition GCL Contenders will unite players across six time zones from India to the USA UK Europe Southeast Asia and Australia fuelling the leagues growth as a truly global chess communityArkady Dvorkovich FIDE president said The Global Chess League is an innovative concept that brought new ideas to chess and engaged new audiences We are excited to see this continue with the new Contenders programme which will bring together professional and nonprofessional players in competition to become the ambassadors of the third season of the GCLThe Contenders journey is set to pave the way for emerging players to rise from online arenas to highstakes clashes against the top Grandmasters The arenas will feature the six GCL teams of Alpine SG Pipers American Gambits Ganges Grandmasters PBG Alaskan Knights Triveni Continental Kings and upGrad Mumba MastersTo enter GCL Contenders 2025 players must register on the official GCL portal and compete in one of the three categories Male Female and U21 The journey begins with the GCL Opens where participants with an active Chesscom account and at least 25 games played are placed into 18 rapid arenas representing franchisees The top two from each arena qualify and together with four invited players chosen for their chess merit community impact or fan appeal form a pool of 16 contendersThese 16 then advance to the Titled GCL Knockouts facing each other in livestreamed matches across YouTube Twitch and other platforms including their social handles From there four winners move into the Challengers Knock Out joined by four additional GMsIMs Thereafter the top three winners one from each category Male Female and U21 Prodigy post the Challengers knockout KO secure a coveted spot as the GCL Season 3 ambassadorsAll participants must meet eligibility norms and adhere to fair play protocols including camera monitoring and anticheating measuresAll participants must have an active chesscom account and have played at least 25 games under this ID They must also meet categoryspecific age eligibility requirements and adhere to fair play protocols including camera monitoring and anticheating measuresDanny Rensch chief chess officer at Chesscom said The first two seasons of the GCL demonstrated the mass appeal of teambased chess Now with the launch of GCL Contenders were excited about a deeper and more expansive competitive ecosystem And there is no better country than India for Season 3 of the GCL a place that lives and breathes chess IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/global-chess-league-launches-gcl-contenders-for-global-talent-to-engage-with-chess-superstars-634758.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-up-yoddhas-trust-motivates-me-to-give-my-best-says-guman-singh-634780.html Visakhapatnam Aug 28 For the past seven years in PKL the UP Yoddhas have become synonymous with a distinct fighting spirit resilient on the mat and relentless off it In the heart of this new Pro Kabaddi League PKL season the franchise has placed its faith in dynamic raider Guman Singh Guman who has been a consistent performer since his PKL debut in the seventh season is stepping into the UP Yoddhas setup with a sense of familiarity The environment within the squad is extremely positive There is a sense of familiarity because Ive played with quite a few of these players before The atmosphere is upbeat and were moving forward with a singleminded focus to win the PKL trophy this year he saidUP Yoddhas representing the grit of Uttar Pradesh have carved a reputation for being one of the most disciplined units in the league Last season the team ranked amongst the top in raid efficiency and defensive coordination demonstrating their commitment to datadriven preparation and tactical clarityFor Guman whose strike rate in raids was close to 49 per cent last season the focus is on finetuning his oncelethal hand touches Earlier on in my PKL career I used to win a lot of raid points through hand touches That had reduced slightly In this preseason the coaches have worked extensively to ensure I regain that skill which could reap rich rewards during the seasonThe UP Yoddhas management has created an environment where pressure never outweighs performance Neither the coach nor the management has let me feel any sort of pressure because of my price tag Im experienced enough to deal with such responsibilities The communication from the team has been to stick to my strengths play in synergy with the entire squad and realise our objectives Guman reflectsGuman was representing the Gujarat Giants last year and was one of the star attractions in the auction this time around He admitted a sense of nervousness was palpable when his name went under the hammer but adds that the Yoddhas cultivated a pleasant environment ever since his arrival to not let external negativities influence his onmat performancesMy heartbeat was running high at the time of the auction but I was delighted when UP Yoddhas bid for me My whole family was watching together Ive always been fascinated by this franchise and the trust theyve placed in me makes me even more motivated to give my bestThis season the Yoddhas are eyeing the knockouts with confidence building on a squad that is wellbalanced across departments My first target is to get a taste of the high intensity that playoff matches are played in Entering the knockouts is our immediate aim Guman assertedUP Yoddhas take on Telugu Titans in Vizag on August 30 in their opening fixture of the PKL 12 campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-up-yoddhas-trust-motivates-me-to-give-my-best-says-guman-singh-634780.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-adds-haryanvi-and-bhojpuri-as-new-feeds-introduces-dugout-views-and-referee-cam-for-pkl-12-634792.html Mumbai Aug 28 For the first time Pro Kabaddi League PKL will be available in eight languages with Haryanvi and Bhojpuri making their debuts in season 12 starting from Friday in Visakhapatnam Haryanvi and Bhojpuri joined English Hindi Tamil Telugu Kannada and Marathi in the commentary feed With kabaddi enjoying immense popularity in northern India Haryanvi will connect with local audiences while Bhojpuri already a breakout success with cricket will extend the sports reach into one of Indias fastestgrowing language marketsThe feeds will be powered by a mix of celebrated voices and former stars Bhojpuri will be headlined by Ravi Kishan while the Telugu feed will feature former coach Srinivas ReddyThe 2019 championship winner K Prapanjan Tamil UMumba champions Mohit Chhillar Haryanvi and Vishal Mane Marathi former India womens captain Mamatha Poojary Kannada and raider Rishank Devadiga add depth to the lineup Commentary and storytelling will also be enriched by wellknown voices such as Sunil Taneja Vrajesh Hirjee Padamjeet Sehrawat NC Kaushik and Chaitanya SantJioStar the exclusive broadcast and digital partner for the Pro Kabaddi League PKL also announced a refreshed Season 12 packed with innovations designed to transform the fan experience for fans Beginning August 29 viewers can catch every raid and tackle live on the Star Sports Network and JioHotstar with the season promising a blend of new formats new feeds and new technology to bring the game closer than ever beforeSeason 12 will also see the debut of immersive broadcast features Two new dugout views will capture the tension and energy on the sidelines while a splitscreen feature will allow fans to watch live action alongside the revival sequenceAdding further drama a Referee Cam will provide a unique firstperson perspective of the intensity on the mat switching between live play and bodycam angles in real timeBy presenting the league in eight languages including Bhojpuri and Haryanvi for the first time we are taking kabaddi deeper into its heartlands and closer to its fans Combined with innovations like referee cam and dugout views and a refreshed format that brings aggression to the fore this season will deliver a richer and more immersive storytelling experience across platforms said Siddharth Sharma Head Audience Engagement Viewership and Monetisation Initiative JioStarThe onmat competition itself will also feature fresh elements Matches ending in a tie during the league phase will now be decided by tiebreakers ensuring every game produces a resultA new playin phase has also been introduced between the league stage and playoffs the top two teams will automatically qualify teams ranked 3rd and 4th will play a miniqualifier while those placed 5th to 8th will battle through the playin for playoff spotsSeason 12 kicks off on August 29 with an explosive southern derby as Telugu Titans take on Tamil Thalaivas Fans can catch every block raid and revival live all season long on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-adds-haryanvi-and-bhojpuri-as-new-feeds-introduces-dugout-views-and-referee-cam-for-pkl-12-634792.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-kabaddi-league-season-12-kicks-off-in-vizag-on-national-sports-day-634803.html Visakhapatnam Aug 29 Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League PKL will begin from the picturesque port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh The league returns here after a gap of seven years on August 29 which is also the National Sports Day of India This Season of PKL will see home favourites Telugu Titans take on Tamil Thalaivas in the curtainraiser whilst the Bengaluru Bulls and the Puneri Paltan play the second match of the day at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in VizagTo set the ball rolling on proceedings for the new season a grand launch was held at the Novotel at Varun Beach Setting up the occasion were Anupam Goswami Business Head of Mashal and League Chairman Pro Kabaddi League Vijay Malik Captain Telugu Titans Pawan Sehrawat Captain Tamil Thalaivas along with the remaining 10 CaptainsSpeaking on the occasion Anupam Goswami Business Head of Mashal and League Chairman Pro Kabaddi League said We are thrilled to return for another season of the PKL with an allnew format that is designed to bring fans even closer to the action Every match will carry greater importance increasing the intensity of this season as we see the league make a muchawaited return to Vizag We also celebrate our National Sports Day tomorrow with the league honouring legendary athletes and to kickstart this edition on such an auspicious occasion feels incredibly excitingSeason 12 is going to be very competitive Every team has strengthened its squad and the level of preparation across the league is very high As players we know that every match will test us and that is what is going to make this season of the Pro Kabaddi League the most exciting one yet no game will be easy and every win will have to be earned said Vijay Malik skipper of the Telugu TitansStarting the season against the home team adds an extra layer of excitement We know the crowd will be strongly behind them but that only motivates us to work harder Matches like these set the tone for the season and we are looking forward to giving the fans a great contest said star raider Pawan Sehrawat who will captain the Tamil Thalaivas this seasonKabaddi a sport played in every corner of the country is also wellentrenched within the fabric of the Indian Armed Forces Ahead of the season the PKL paid tribute to the Indian Armed Forces with the 12 captains visiting the INS Kursura a Submarine that participated in the IndoPakistani War of 1971 where it played a key role in patrol missionsThree of PKLs services players Devank Indian Army Bengal Warriorz Naveen Indian Air Force Haryana Steelers Bharat Indian Navy Telugu Titans were also involved in a special activation at the INS KursuraMeanwhile PKL Season 12 will begin in Vizag August 29 to September 11 after which it moves to Jaipur September 12 to September 28 Chennai September 29 to October 10 and New Delhi October 11 to October 23 A venue for the playoffs and grand finale is yet to be decidedOn a lighter note creators joined the 12 PKL captains on the mat for fun games and challenges divided into two teams the Mat Mavericks and the Raid Masters The friendly faceoff added energy and entertainment to conclude the day ahead of the seasons start on August 29 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-kabaddi-league-season-12-kicks-off-in-vizag-on-national-sports-day-634803.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-to-honour-pardeep-narwals-legacy-ahead-of-season-12-opener-634562.html Vizag Aug 27 Pro Kabaddi League PKL will pay tribute to one of the sports greatest icons Pardeep Narwal in a special felicitation ceremony on Friday ahead of the opening matches of Season 12 The felicitation ceremony will take place at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on where Pardeeps remarkable career will be celebrated in the presence of fans players and dignitaries from across the kabaddi fraternityThe gesture marks the leagues acknowledgment of Narwals immense contribution to kabaddi and his lasting impact on the sport in India post his retirement in June earlier this yearPardeep famously known as the Dubki King began his PKL journey with the Bengaluru Bulls in Season 2 before becoming a household name with Patna Pirates where he led the team to three consecutive titles and redefined raiding with his unmatched skill and innovation Later he represented UP Yoddhas as well before rejoining Bengaluru Bulls in season 11 a fitting end for a player with legendary statusThroughout his career Pardeep has set benchmarks that may never be surpassed He is the alltime leading raid points scorer in PKL history with 1801 Raid Points to his name His recordbreaking Season 5 performance where he amassed 369 raid points and executed the unforgettable eightpoint raid in the playoffs remains one of the most celebrated moments in the leagues historyHe was the first player to breach the 1000raid points milestone and his consistency over multiple seasons established him as the face of modern kabaddiFormer teammates of the legendary raider shared a message for the star Manjeet Chhillar who played with Pardeep in the Bengaluru Bulls in 2015 said Pardeep Narwal isnt just a teammate hes one of the greatest players this sport has ever seen Ive had the privilege of playing alongside him and watching him break records that may never be touched Beyond the mat hes a true friend and a wonderful human being His legacy as the Dubki King will live on forever in the world of kabaddiVishal Mane shared a similar sentiment saying I had the privilege of playing with Pardeep Narwal in Season 5 with Patna Pirates and Ill never forget those moments I still remember when he pulled off that incredible raid for seven points I was right there on the mat with him We all thought he had five but he came back smiling with seven Watching him create records live was something special I dont think anyone can match what he has achievedRishank Devadiga one of the biggest names in PKL added Pro Kabaddi Leagues greatest legend Pardeep Narwal has retired and we will truly miss him on the mat His style of play especially those lightningfast dubkis was unmatched and dangerous for any opponent As Season 12 approaches it feels strange knowing he wont be there I wish him the very best for his future may his second innings in life be as successful as his firstAjay Thakur who will return to the PKL as the head coach of Puneri Paltan said Thank you Pardeep for giving the Pro Kabaddi League such a glorious history From your incredible 8point raid to being the Dubki King and a threetime champion your records have set a benchmark for generations to come You are in our hearts and while someone might break a record someday your legacy can never be replacedThe league stage of PKL 12 will kick off with blockbuster clashes between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas followed by Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag on August 29 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-to-honour-pardeep-narwals-legacy-ahead-of-season-12-opener-634562.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-premier-league-to-commence-from-oct-2-in-new-delhi-634576.html New Delhi Aug 27 Archery Association of India AAI today announced that the first edition of Archery Premier League will take place at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi from October 2 to 12 The National Federation also unveiled the Leagues logo symbolising dynamism focus and precision that define the sport of archeryArchery Association of India president Arjun Munda said We are proud to host this landmark event at the nations capital reflecting our commitment to elevate the sport both nationally and globally The dates have been decided keeping multiple factors in mind including the schedule and workload of Archers and the weather conditions in the city With this League we aim to not only showcase toptier talent from around the world but also highlight and celebrate Indias rich Archery heritageTo host the Archery Premier League here in New Delhi is a matter of great pride for us With its dynamic format and inclusive approach the League will bring an unprecedented visibility to both recurve and compound archery We are excited to welcome all the international talent to the capital and give them a taste of Indias hospitality while also providing fans with a thrilling and culturally resonant experience the secretary general Archery Association of India Virendra Sachdeva saidApart from supporting Indias Olympic movement the Archery Premier League also aims to intersect sports entertainment education in history amp culture to differentiate itself from other sporting leagues and thus increase the global popularity of the sportThe tournaments team format will feature 36 Indian Archers and 12 top global Archers divided into six franchises The details regarding the franchises will be announced soonWith recurve and compound archers shooting 70m and 50m respectively together under lights the league will boost the confidence of Indian archers and raise their performance level supporting the nations Olympic movement IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-premier-league-to-commence-from-oct-2-in-new-delhi-634576.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/dhruv-kharb-uday-singh-shine-on-day-two-of-belt-and-road-boxing-tournament-634599.html Xinjiang China Aug 26 Indias junior boys stamped their authority on the second day of the 3rd Belt and Road International Youth Boxing GalaU17U19U23 International Training Camp amp Tournament in Xinjiang China with a string of commanding victories that underlined the countrys growing depth in grassroots boxing The highlight of the day was a clean sweep of four bouts as Indias young pugilists outclassed opponents from Uzbekistan Afghanistan and Azerbaijan Dhruv Kharb set the tone with a dominant 50 win over Uzbekistans Yorkinjonov Abdugani showcasing sharp movement and precision punching Uday Singh followed suit keeping Indias momentum intact with another clinical 50 verdict against Afghanistans Habibi Mohammed ZakiThe standout performance came from Udham Singh Raghav who lit up the arena with a knockout victory over Azerbaijans Mehtiyev Tunar one of the most eyecatching results of the days action Closing out Indias flawless run Ashish delivered a composed 50 triumph against Afghanistans Salangi Farhad capping an emphatic day for the Indian campIndia has fielded a 59member contingent in this edition featuring 20 boys and 20 girls supported by 12 coaches 6 support staff and 1 referee amp judge With participation restricted to the U17 age group the Indian squad represents a mix of the nations most promising prospects The team was picked from the 6th U17 Junior Boys amp Girls National Boxing Championships 2025 with medalists across Asian Youth Games and NonAsian Youth Games weight categories earning their spotsThe competition phase of the tournament continues till August 29 in Urumqi and Yili where Indias junior boxers will look to build on this momentum and showcase their rising talent on the international stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/dhruv-kharb-uday-singh-shine-on-day-two-of-belt-and-road-boxing-tournament-634599.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ive-worked-extensively-on-building-a-solid-defense-coach-anup-on-patna-pirates-preparations-for-pkl-12-634171.html New Delhi Aug 25 With the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 only days away Patna Pirates head coach Anup Kumar shared his thoughts on precamp preparations and said he worked extensively on building a solid defense this season Patna Pirates will be aiming for a recordextending fourth Pro Kabaddi League PKL title in the upcoming Season 12 The threetime champions stormed into their fifth PKL final last season only to go down to the Haryana SteelersAfter missing out on their fourth PKL trophy the Pirates released former head coach Narender Redhu just a few hours after the Season 11 final Ahead of Season 12 the Pirates appointed former India Kabaddi team captain Anup Kumar as their new head coachThis season our precamp went very well What makes me happiest is that the team has bonded like a family and that bond has remained strong throughout the season Maninder as our senior player has connected well with everyone and led from the front during practice Weve worked hard on the teams shortcomings and focused on improvement Overall our camp has been one of the best Anup said to JioHotstarOver the last 40 days in precamp Ive observed that everyone has been calm and disciplined Ive shared my kabaddi knowledge and experience with the players While a strong raiding unit is crucial I believe defense is equally important If the defense is weak the team struggles Thats why I have worked extensively on building a solid defense this season he addedThe Pirates used their Final Bid Match FBM option at the Player Auction to retain their star left corner Ankit Jaglan for Rs 1573 crore for one season to strengthen their defence and also named him captain for PKL 12Ankit is a young player who impressed last season and will continue to do well The best thing about him is his dedication during practice He motivates the team and steps up when players are strugglingAt times he even asks me to give a short break so he can address the players directly which shows his leadership qualities Hes a skilled hardworking player and I expect great things from him again this season he said of JaglanThe franchise had also signed veteran raider Maninder Singh for Rs 20 lakh bringing valuable depth and experience to the squadOur raiding has been a strength and last season you must have seen Ayans excellent performance This season fans can expect even more Our most experienced player Maninder has worked very hard on his fitness and preparation before joining the team The combination of Maninder and Ayan will be very effective Alongside this we have also focused heavily on strengthening our defense and fans will see a much stronger defensive unit this season said AnupReflecting on the young players to watch out for in PKL 12 Anup added At right corner Navdeep has been working hard and will impress with his performance We also have two raiders Ankit Rana who raids from the left and Milan Dahiya who raids from the right Both are highly talented and their performances will stand out The respect and recognition for our NYP will be visible this seasonAnup signed off by highlighting in the learning and leadership as a coach I always believe in learning If I miss something my friends outside PKL who know kabaddi observe me and give feedback which helps me improve I also listen to every coach during matches noticing how they guide players and when their advice should be implemented These observations help me in future situationsFor me the biggest responsibility as a coach is to keep the team united If the team is together performance automatically follows I make sure to talk to players with respect and care Of course sometimes strictness is needed but I believe what love can achieve pressure never can IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ive-worked-extensively-on-building-a-solid-defense-coach-anup-on-patna-pirates-preparations-for-pkl-12-634171.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kabaddi-amravati-crushers-crowned-champions-of-yuva-championship-2025-634175.html Vijayawada Aug 25 The Yuva Andhra Championship 2025 a feeder into the Telugu Kabaddi League came to a fitting conclusion on Monday at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium Amravati Crushers emerged champions after topping the Super 4 stage The final day began with Vizianagaram Ninjas defeating Vizag Commandos 4831 Chekka Nagababu continued his stellar run with 27 raid points while Nolli Theja topscored for the Commandos with 14 points The win briefly placed the Ninjas on top of the Super 4 table keeping the title race aliveHowever Amravati Crushers sealed the crown in the next match by overcoming Kurnool Knights 5037 Potla Gopi Chand led the charge with 23 points supported by Kolamgari Rambabus 12 For the Knights Pelleti Brahmareddy fought hard with 19 points but it was not enough to deny Amravati With this victory the Crushers reclaimed the top spot and confirmed themselves as championsThe Super 4 stage ended with Amravati Crushers finishing with two wins and 13 points followed by Vizianagaram Ninjas with 12 points Kurnool Knights managed 6 points while Vizag Commandos finished with 5The tournaments success not only crowned Amravati Crushers as champions but also highlighted several standout individual performers The best players from this championship will now have the opportunity to earn selection for the upcoming Telugu Kabaddi LeagueTop Raiders1 Chekka Nagababu 226 points2 Potla Gopi Chand 187 points3 Nolli Theja 142 points4 Pelleti Brahmareddy 133 points5 Kolamgari Rambabu 109 pointsTop Defenders1 Karamala Dinesh 34 points2 Ankalu Jampana 33 points3 Rayi Narendra 33 points4 Ram Mohan Rao 31 points5 Maguliri Sumanth 26 points IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kabaddi-amravati-crushers-crowned-champions-of-yuva-championship-2025-634175.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 01:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/suryavanshi-narwal-kumar-to-kickoff-pkl-season-12-on-national-sports-day-634442.html New Delhi Aug 26 On the occasion of National Sports Day on August 29 sporting icons across disciplines will unite to launch Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League Padma Bhushan awardee and Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand Hockey legend and former India Hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay Kabaddi Icon Pardeep Narwal Paralympics champion Praveen Kumar and Rajasthan Royals sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi will share the stage to kickoff the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 The starstudded lineup will stand together for the National Anthem as Indias indigenous sport is celebrated with fervourThe gesture pays tribute to Indias sporting legacy honouring champions who have earned the nation global recognition as Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 opens by celebrating a game rooted in Indian soil and rising on the world stageThe event will underscore the unity of Indias sporting spirit blending heritage achievement and the growing cultural resonance of kabaddi as it embarks on a new seasonOn the auspicious occasion of National Sports Day it is only fitting that this season of the Pro Kabaddi League begins in the presence of legends who have shaped Indias sporting journey Their legacy reflects the very spirit PKL celebrates honouring our roots while taking kabaddi to new heights Were privileged to have them with us as we usher in another thrilling season said Anupam Goswami Business Head Mashal amp League Commissioner Pro KabaddiNational Sports Day reminds me how sports bring everyone together Playing teaches you teamwork discipline and resilience I feel lucky to be part of Rajasthan Royals learning and chasing my dreams and I hope more kids like me start playing and believing in themselves said Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav SuryavanshiSeason 12 will also see new competitive formats For the first time all matches will produce a result with tiebreakers deciding drawn games even during the league stage A new playin phase has been introduced between the league and playoffs the top two teams will qualify directly for the playoffs 3rd and 4th will contest a miniqualifier while teams ranked 5th8th will battle in the playinPKL Season 12 gets underway with a highvoltage southern derby on August 29 as Telugu Titans face Tamil Thalaivas Fans can catch every raid block and tackle live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/suryavanshi-narwal-kumar-to-kickoff-pkl-season-12-on-national-sports-day-634442.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bengal-warriorz-name-devank-dalal-as-captain-for-pkl-12-634219.html Kolkata Aug 26 Bengal Warriorz have announced raiding sensation Devank Dalal as their Captain for Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League with experienced defender Nitesh Kumar taking charge as Defence Captain The move signals a fresh era for the Warriorza young squad built to play fearless toofani kabaddi under the leadership of two natural gamechangersDevank who was signed by Bengal Warriorz for Rs 2205 crore as the most expensive Indian player at the Season 12 auction comes into the campaign after a recordshattering run In Season 11 he finished as the leagues top raider with 301 raid points joining the elite company as one of the few players to ever cross the 300point mark in a single seasonHis story is also one of resiliencejust two years after suffering a lifethreatening skull injury in Season 10 Devank roared back to dominate the mat capped by his Best Player award at the 71st Senior National Mens Kabaddi ChampionshipSpeaking on his appointment Devank said Captaining Bengal Warriorz is a huge honour Ive fought hard to be back on this stage and I want to lead with that same determination With Nitesh marshalling the defence and Coach Naveen guiding us Im confident well play kabaddi that excites our fans and does justice to the Warriorz nameAlongside him stands Nitesh one of PKLs most dependable defenders Retained by Bengal Warriorz for his consistency and leadership Nitesh remains the only player in league history to notch 100 tackle points in a single season Season 6 With over 400 career tackle points his calm authority makes him the perfect anchor for Bengals youthful defenceNitesh added Being named Defence Captain is a huge responsibility In kabaddi holding the line is just as important as scoring points My focus will be to bring stability guide the younger players and make sure our defence sets the tone for the team If we stay strong at the back our raiders will always have the freedom to win us matchesHead Coach Naveen Kumar Devank and Nitesh bring contrasting but complementary strengths Devank leads by fearless example in attack while Nitesh provides stability and experience in defence Together they form the perfect leadership duo for this young teamApurv Gupta Director Contact Sports Capri Sports added With his experience Nitesh Kumar is the ideal leader to anchor our defence and guide the youngsters Devank Dalal who proved his worth with a historic season last year will spearhead the team and the raiding unit Together they bring grit determination experience and resilience IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bengal-warriorz-name-devank-dalal-as-captain-for-pkl-12-634219.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kuldip-mahajan-anuja-maheshwari-vanshik-kapadia-and-vrushali-thakare-win-big-at-hyderabad-open-634282.html Hyderabad Aug 26 Hyderabad Open an initiative of the World Pickleball League On Tour along with Hyderabad Superstars concluded with Kuldip Mahajan Anuja Maheshwari Vanshik Kapadia and Vrushali Thakare steamrolling the professional categories in the tournament The event witnessed a total of over 250 players over a total of 3 days with a total prize pool of 15 lakh The final day of the Hyderabad Open witnessed the finals of eight categories including the Pro Mens Singles won by Hyderabad Superstars Kuldip Mahajan edging out local hero Sameer Varma in two straight sets Anuja Maheshwari took on Vrushali Thakare winning the Pro Womens Singles category Vrushali managed to get the better of Anuja in both the Pro Womens doubles with Isha Lakhani and Pro Mixed Doubles with Vanshik Kapadia Vanshik Kapadia added the Pro Mens Doubles championship to his tally pairing up with Tejas Mahajan to beat Sonu Vishwakarma and Ritam Chawla in three sets The winning pair completely blanked out Sonu and Ritam in what was an extremely close match before the third set Backed by KLO Sports Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani Hyderabad Superstars is one of the franchises of the World Pickleball League that is now in its second season Semifinalists of Season 1 the Hyderabad Superstars have laid the foundation for a richer pickleball culture in an extremely diverse community and given the opportunity for professional players to seriously think about pickleball as a viable career option So happy to watch the entire pickleball community of Hyderabad showing up to the Hyderabad Open This is the first step in the right direction to making sure that the next edition of the Hyderabad Open will see over 500 players We are excited to now put our sights on the upcoming World Pickleball League Season 2 and hope to better our result from last year said Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani coowners Hyderabad Superstars Bringing pickleball to Hyderabad is the reason we started out with the World Pickleball League in the first place We thank them for giving KLO Sports a chance to bring the Hyderabad Superstars alive The support we got from the community in Hyderabad has been immense and the success of the Hyderabad Open is only testament to the commitment of the players and the pickleball community said Srinath Chitturi coowner Hyderabad Superstars KLO Sports IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kuldip-mahajan-anuja-maheshwari-vanshik-kapadia-and-vrushali-thakare-win-big-at-hyderabad-open-634282.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-has-given-me-everything-up-yoddhas-feels-like-family-says-raider-surender-gill-634289.html Lucknow Aug 26 For the last six seasons star raider Surender Gill has become synonymous with UP Yoddhas When he reflects on his journey a striking emotion stands out Pro Kabaddi League has given me everything All the fame and money have been the byproduct of PKL he says with gratitude Everything I have earned in my life has come because of this league But above all it gave me UP Yoddhas a team that feels like familyThat bond with the Yoddhas is what fuels him today Gill has lived the heartbreak of last seasons semifinal exit a match he says was decided by one raid But instead of looking back he looks forward There is no single mistake to blame We know margins are thin but our goal this year is clear take that extra step and make sure Yoddhas cross the line Gill declaresWhat sets the Yoddhas apart Gill insists is their culture The league runs for two months You cant win every game but the positivity in our camp never changes Thats because of the coaches and managementHe adds a telling contrast In other teams if you get injured you are sometimes compelled to play In UP Yoddhas that will never happen They put players wellbeing first alwaysThe team reflects the spirit of the state of Uttar Pradesh UP Yoddhas represent the grit the relentless and the discipline of UP Every player brings with him a story which spans from smalltown struggles to kabaddi stardomFor Gill his bond with the team as well as the ownership is personal He praises how GMR Sports promotes kabaddi with grassroots programs and datadriven strategies From spotting talent in the hinterlands to using analytics for gameday preparation the owners are invested in creating champions Please continue to support us this time with greater vigour and passion Last time we fell short in the semifinals That shall not be the case in PKL 2025 he promisesFor UP Yoddhas the mission is bigger than one player Its about a state a squad and a sporting family chasing its firstever title And for Surender Gill the dream feels incomplete until that day arrives IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-has-given-me-everything-up-yoddhas-feels-like-family-says-raider-surender-gill-634289.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sli-will-build-awareness-talent-and-new-fan-base-for-shooting-heena-sidhu-634291.html New Delhi Aug 26 Former world No 1 pistol shooter Heena Sidhu has expressed her delight at the Shooting League of India SLI saying it will not only elevate the profile of the sport in India but also provide young shooters with a valuable platform to showcase their talent The inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India has been allocated a window by ISSF between November 20 and December 2 The tournament will take place at Karni Singh Shooting Range in New DelhiFinally we are going to get what we deserve So many sports have started their leagues I felt it was time for shooting to enter this space Heena saidTalking about the technical side of the sport Heena explained The biggest challenge in shooting is that its all about micromovements which spectators cant always see From the outside it may look like shooters are just standing still but in reality theres constant movement especially under pressureWith tools like SCATT body sensors or cameras we can showcase these details and help fans understand how a 9 or 10 is the result of preparation and movement That kind of education will make the sport far more engagingShe added SCATT uses laser technology to track the pistols path from the 8th ring to the 9th and finally into the 10th Under stress the increased movement becomes visible and can even be linked to heart rate or brain activity Its a great way to show fans whats really happening inside the shooterThe league will include mixed team events across pistol 10m 25m rifle 10m 50m 3p and shotgun Trap amp Skeet categories Shooters will be grouped into four tiers Elite Champions World Elite National Champions and Junior amp Youth Champions ensuring a dynamic blend of experience and emerging talentThe Arjuna awardee also highlighted how shooting builds mental strength saying Shooting is unlike any other sport It may look still but every shot is different because the variable is always the athlete It tests human psychology how you handle stress respond to your last shot balance aggression with calmness Theres something in it for everyoneHeena believes that telecasts will be key to attracting more fans and helping them connect with the sport Fan engagement has always been a challenge because people couldnt see what was happening inside a shooters mind The more matches we showcase on TV OTT or YouTube the more awareness and interest it will create just like cricket exposure will drive engagementFor the first time Indian audiences will get to watch us regularly at home Earlier they only saw us at World Cups or the Olympics Now Im eager to see how fans respond not just to the stars but to the sport of shooting itself she concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sli-will-build-awareness-talent-and-new-fan-base-for-shooting-heena-sidhu-634291.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/haryana-steelers-unveil-team-jersey-ahead-of-pkl-season-12-634113.html Mumbai Aug 25 The Pro Kabaddi League PKL defending champions Haryana Steelers launched their official team jersey for the upcoming season on Monday The launch took place at the JSW Centre in the presence of Gurminder Singh Head of Marketing JSW Cement and Divyanshu Singh CEO Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports alongside the team captain Jaideep Dahiya and vicecaptain Rahul Sethpal who came together to reveal the new look jerseyThe energy in the team is great this season with the right balance of experienced players and young talent Our squad ranks among the top teams in the league Last year we relied on two raiders but this time we have three and with a superstar like Naveen our attack is strong On the other side our defence continues to remain solid and dependable Dahiya saidOverall I feel we are entering the season with a strong and balanced team and ready to take on any challenge that comes our way he addedThe event celebrated the teams championship spirit and determination to get off to a flying start in the new season Having finished as runnersup in Season 10 and lifting the championship title in Season 11 the Steelers have showcased their consistency and grit on the PKL stageOn the occasion of the launch Divyanshu Singh CEO Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports said At JSW Sports we are focused on building teams that embody resilience hard work and a winning spirit values the Steelers have consistently displayed With the continued support of partners like JSW Cement and the passion of our fans we are confident the team will deliver yet another electrifying season as the defending championsThe Steelers joined the Pro Kabaddi League in 2017 and have won the title once in Season 11 marking a historic achievement for the franchise Previously in Season 10 Haryana Steelers reached the final for the first time in their history but fell short by just a few points IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/haryana-steelers-unveil-team-jersey-ahead-of-pkl-season-12-634113.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-jaipur-pink-panthers-name-nitin-rawal-as-captain-and-reza-mirbagheri-as-deputy-634134.html Jaipur Aug 25 Jaipur Pink Panthers have announced Nitin Rawal as the captain and Reza Mirbagheri as the vicecaptain for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season 12 Nitin who first joined the Pink Panthers in season 5 as a New Young Player NYP was with the team until Season 8 and has rejoined the squad this year Over the years he has developed into a mature dependable allrounder whose experience and leadership qualities make him the natural choice to lead a youthful and energetic Jaipur side this seasonJoining him in leadership will be Reza Mirbagheri who has been appointed as vicecaptain Reza became a Panther in Season 9 the year Jaipur Pink Panthers lifted the championship and has since been the spine of the teams defense His consistency determination and tactical presence have made him one of the most trusted and respected members of the squadWith a newlook squad and several young faces joining in the leadership group of Nitin and Reza guided by Head Coach Mr Narender Redhu will play a crucial role in steering the Panthers this season After concluding a highintensity camp in Dehradun the team now moves to Visakhapatnam for their season opener against Patna Pirates on 2nd September 2025Nitin Rawal captain of Jaipur Pink Panthers said It feels like coming full circle for me I started my PKL journey as a young player with Jaipur Pink Panthers and today to lead this team as captain is an incredible honor We have a young energetic squad and I am confident we will give our best to make our fans proudReza Mirbagheri vicecaptain of Jaipur Pink Panthers said Jaipur Pink Panthers has been my home since Season 9 and being trusted with the vicecaptaincy is a matter of pride for me I look forward to working closely with Nitin and the team to bring out our best on the mat and continue the Panther spiritHead coach Narender Redhu said Nitin and Reza complement each other well as leaders Nitin understands the culture of this franchise deeply and Reza has been the backbone of our defense since our championship season Together they bring balance maturity and energy qualities we need for a successful season IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-12-jaipur-pink-panthers-name-nitin-rawal-as-captain-and-reza-mirbagheri-as-deputy-634134.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 20:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/golden-years-lost-by-athletes-without-early-sports-science-exposure-says-raksha-khadse-634137.html New Delhi Aug 25 Raksha Khadse Minister of State for Youth Affairs amp Sports said that athletes lose their golden years in sports due to a lack of sports science knowledge in their early years Golden years lost by athletes are lost if they are not exposed to Sports Science in early years she said at Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025 in New Delhi on MondayShe called for the sports sector to adopt PublicPrivate Partnership PPP models and urged private players to invest in sports She also emphasised the need for increased Research amp Development RampD in sports science with a focus on extending these advancements to rural areas and training teachers and coaches The Minister stressed the importance of physical education and stated that sports talent must be upgraded through technology and training aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe event organised by Sportscom was conceived as a platform where innovation meets opportunity with the shared goal of making India a Sporting Superpower It brought together key stakeholders to discuss the future of the Indian sports ecosystem focusing on investment sports science manufacturing and the scaling of sports startups The conclave marked a new chapter in fostering an ecosystem that prioritises transparent governance invests in grassroots talent and leverages publicprivate partnershipsFurthermore she urged that sports equipment should be Made in India with the best quality production to reduce import dependency from foreign countries Khadse also called for Corporate Social Responsibility CSR funds to be utilised for sports viewing it as a model for economic development and a peoples movementAdditionally ten young entrepreneurs who pitched their startups were felicitated by the Minister These startups were Crosstrain Fight Club A1 Sports World Pong Fox UpUr Fit Way Me Lets Game Now Collearn Sports Spolto Hyperlab and DashpodThe event also included multiple plenary sessions The discussions at the conclave focused on an Investment Playbook for sports startups the potential of the Make in India for the World initiative and Beyond instinct Indias Sporting Future in Data which highlighted the critical need for sports science and explored how data and analytics can shape Indias sporting future new career paths and gender equality The event also addressed how to make sports a true Jan Andolan a peoples movement and a model for economic development The conclave also aimed to boost sports manufacturing investments and technology aligning with national schemes like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/golden-years-lost-by-athletes-without-early-sports-science-exposure-says-raksha-khadse-634137.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/over-10-000-state-police-forces-join-fit-india-sundays-on-cycle-nationwide-rally-633948.html New Delhi Aug 24 More than 10000 State Police Forces across India pedalled in unison on the 37th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle rally this morning across various States 3000 NaMo Cycling clubs panIndia also joined in In the national capital over 700 Police personnel including jawans from the 11th Battalion IAC and 12th Battalion RAC participated in the rally at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex hereThis mornings event spanned across more than 500 districts in India with 6000 locations witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 50000 participants not only from police personnel but also from the general public In Utlou Manipur the Sundays on Cycle rally was flagged off by DIG Police Shri Ningthoujam Herojit Singh IPS drawing local communities together in a spirited show of fitness and unityIn Jammu and Kashmir which hosted the Khelo India Water Sports Festival the initiative saw strong participation from police forces and residents alike Rallies were held in Srinagar Kathua Awantipora and Bandipora further amplifying the nationwide call for fitness and healthy livingIn New Delhi several dignitaries and senior officers who attended included Preeti Choudhary Additional SP 11th Battalion Ajit Puri ADJ Alwar Court inspectors Bhagwan Singh and Rajesh Kumar Bhakar subinspectors Vinod Kumar Yadav Virender Singh and Babar Khan Sports Coordinator Delhi PoliceSharing her experience Preeti Choudhary said This initiative started by Honble Shri Narendra Modi has brought in a new energy Today our Jawans have enjoyed this group activity of cycling We are taught from childhood to spend at least 30 minutes on fitness and cycling is very important It is also good for the kneesEvents simultaneously took place this morning from SAI Training Centre Bareilly to Kashipur as well as in SAI Regional Centres in Guwahati to Patiala and more The locations included Sikar in Rajasthan to Moga and Bathinda in Punjab as well as Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Cuttack in OdishaYudh Nashian Virudh Cycle Rally under Fit India Movement Under the leadership of SP Headquarters Bathinda with the support of DSP Traffic Bathinda a Cycle Rally was organized with the participation of Bathinda Police personnel and the Cycling Group The rally aimed to inspire people towards fitness and a healthy lifestyle wrote Bathinda Police on social media platform XThe rally in New Delhi was also graced by young sporting champions Krisha Verma gold medalist at the U19 World Boxing Championships in Colorado USA as well as Ananya Patil bronze medalist at the Junior Asian Weightlifting Championships 2020I am happy to support the message of fight against obesity that is upheld through the fit India Sundays on cycle initiative Cycling is good for endurance and also beneficial for athletes I wish more people join this and collectively help in the growth of fitness in the nation said Krisha who trains at SAI AurangabadThis is a very positive environment here and cycling is the easiest form of cardio that helps us control obesity added AnanyaSince its inception the Fit India Sundays on Cycle movement has reached over seven lakh individuals across more than 40000 locations nationwide It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India CFI Rope Skipping team led by Dr Shikha Gupta Raahgiri Foundation MYBharat and My Bikes The drive runs concurrently across all State and Union Territory capitals Sports Authority of India SAI Regional Centres National Centres of Excellence NCOEs SAI Training Centres STCs and Khelo India centres IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/over-10-000-state-police-forces-join-fit-india-sundays-on-cycle-nationwide-rally-633948.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-kabaddi-league-u-mumba-unveil-season-12-jersey-paying-homage-to-title-win-633657.html Mumbai Aug 22 When U Mumba take the mat in season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League on August 30 they will do so wearing a special jersey paying tribute to their iconic 2015 championship triumph Launched today to mark the 10year anniversary of that maiden title the jersey symbolises one of the leagues most dominant campaigns while also heralding a new era of fitnessdriven preparation To commemorate this milestone U Mumba unveiled a Season 12 jersey inspired by the iconic Season 2 championship kit The design stays true to the teams orangeandblack identity while weaving in modern elements including a nod to Mumbais Airport symbolising a bridge between past triumphs and future ambitionsAlongside the tribute the franchise signalled its forward drive investing in a fierce new fitness push through an intensive 50day preseason camp to prepare the team for the upcoming campaign the longest in the teams historyThat camp led by strength and conditioning coach Pratiek Ninawea former international sprinter uniquely bringing sprint mechanics and explosive movement science into multiple sportswas built to turn raw strength into matchday impactPlayers began with mobility and assessment work to fix individual gaps before stepping up to strength drills that pushed them past the 110 kg squat mark endurance sessions to build engine and sprint work to sharpen agility and explosive powerSunil Kumar captain U Mumba said Although I wasnt part of the 2015 campaign that victory led by Anup Kumar is etched in kabaddi history and remains a huge source of inspiration for us Wearing a jersey that pays tribute to that triumph reminds us of the standards U Mumba has always set As captain my focus is on carrying forward that legacy with this new group combining the experience of our seniors with the energy of our youngsters and chasing our second PKL title this seasonWith a record 111 leaguestage wins and three consecutive finals in their first three seasons U Mumbas legacy runs deeper than results The franchise has been a factory for homegrown talent many of whom have gone on to represent India while also driving kabaddis rise across the countryNow that tradition of shaping the sport extends to how the game is played physically pioneering modern fitness methods rarely seen in kabaddi By pairing its player development track record with cuttingedge conditioning U Mumba is setting new standards for preparation and performance in the leagueA decade on from their iconic title victory U Mumba enters Season 12 with a sharper edge mixing emerging talent with proven names Beyond chasing wins the team is shaping an identity built on discipline fitness and longterm growth aiming to stay ahead in a league thats more competitive than ever IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-kabaddi-league-u-mumba-unveil-season-12-jersey-paying-homage-to-title-win-633657.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-having-assembled-a-well-balanced-squad-up-yoddhas-eye-season-12-glory-633689.html Lucknow Aug 23 UP Yoddhas will be aiming to put their best foot forward in a bid to secure the elusive Pro Kabaddi League PKL title in Season 12 Since making their PKL debut in 2017 the Yoddhas have been one of the most consistent teams in the league having qualified for the Playoffs in every season with Season 10 being the only exceptionUnder head coach Jasveer Singh the Yoddhas were one of the standout teams in PKL Season 11 after finishing third in the league phase with 79 points which included 13 wins in 22 games The Yoddhas later defeated twotime PKL champions Jaipur Pink Panthers 4618 in Eliminator 1 before they went down to Haryana Steelers 2528 in the semifinalThe upcoming PKL Season 12 will see the Yoddhas continue with head coach Jasveer Singh who has been part of their coaching setup since Season 6 after serving in the Indian Army for almost 25 years Defender Sumit Sangwan will be leading the side along with vicecaptain Ashu SinghHaving retained most of their core squad before the Pro Kabaddi Season 12 Player Auction the Yoddhas werent the busiest at the auction Their total spend was INR 4970 crore to strengthen their squad With that in mind lets examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Yoddhas ahead of Pro Kabaddi Season 12After emerging as one of the most impressive teams in PKL Season 11 the Yoddhas have managed to retain most of their players from the last campaign The likes of raiders Bhavani Rajput Gagan Raju Gowda Surender Gill Keshav Kumar Shivam Chaudhary right corner Hitesh left corner Sumit Sangwan right cover Ashu Singh and right corner Sahul Kumar will once again don the Yoddhas jersey in the upcoming edition of PKL The UP Yoddhas have also retained the services of their head coach Jasveer Singh as a core member who has guided the team to five playoffs in six seasonsFurthermore the Yoddhas used their FBM card to retain left cover Mahender Singh for INR 20 lacs for one season The UPbased team also utilised their FBM option to resign their Iranian left corner Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi to bolster their defenceThe Yoddhas further strengthened their squad by roping in experienced raider Guman Singh for INR 1073 crore at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction Since making his PKL debut in Season 7 Guman Singh has already accumulated 559 raid points in 81 matches including 17 Super Raids and 26 Super 10s to his name He could play a significant role for the Yoddhas in PKL Season 12UP Yoddhas have gathered a squad that has covered most of their bases with an aim to clinch their maiden PKL title in Season 12 With the likes of Guman Singh Bhavani Rajput and Gagan Raju Gowda in attack along with Hitesh Sumit Sangwan Mahender Singh and Ashu Singh in defence the Yoddhas have a balanced squad that could be one of strong contenders for the PKL trophyOne of the biggest weaknesses that UP Yoddhas may have to deal with is the lack of quality allrounders in their squad Most of the teams that have succeeded in winning the PKL title generally tend to feature at least one if not more quality allrounders in their teamWhile the Yoddhas have Mahender Singh in the left cover position and Ashu Singh in the right cover position their backups dont have enough experience in the PKL which could derail their campaign if one of them is injured or not available for any other reason As a result the likes of Sachin Manipal Gangaram and Ronak will need to step up if given an opportunityDespite being one of the most consistent teams in the PKL in recent years the Yoddhas have failed to capitalise their opportunities and end their title drought since joining the league in 2017 However the upcoming PKL Season 12 could very well be their season if they can make the most of the balanced squad that they have assembled for the forthcoming editionAs far as opportunities are concerned UP Yoddhas have plenty of youngsters who will be looking to shine in PKL Season 12 Jayesh Vikas Mahajan Gangaram Sachin and Keshav Kumar are some of the rising stars that will be looking to grab any opportunity that might come their way in the upcoming seasonAdditionally head coach Jasveer Singh will be hoping to guide the Yoddhas to their maiden PKL title in Season 12One of the biggest threats to UP Yoddhas PKL Season 12 campaign is the risk of injuries particularly to their raiders While the likes of Guman Singh Bhavani Rajput and Surender Gill can dismantle any opposition on their day if any of these players succumb to any injury it could disrupt the teams balanceWhile Surender Gill has plenty of experience in PKL his performances have dipped over the last few seasons which could be an area of concern for the Yoddhas IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-having-assembled-a-well-balanced-squad-up-yoddhas-eye-season-12-glory-633689.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-up-yoddhas-set-sights-on-title-coaches-outline-strategy-and-preparations-633727.html Lucknow Aug 23 UP Yoddhas head coach Jasveer Singh and assistant coach Upendra Malik shared their thoughts on the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 highlighting the teams strategy preparations and vision for the season Since making their PKL debut in 2017 UP Yoddhas have been among the most consistent teams qualifying for the playoffs in every season except Season 10 Under Jasveer Singh they were one of the standout teams in Season 11 finishing third with 79 points from 13 wins in 22 games and later defeating Jaipur Pink Panthers 4618 in Eliminator 1 before narrowly losing to Haryana Steelers 2528 in the semifinalDuring a special Media Day organized by JioStar ahead of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 UP Yoddhas head coach Jasveer Singh and Assistant Coach Upendra Malik shared their thoughts on the upcoming seasonIt is important to have experience but it is equally important to give opportunities to new players If you prepare young players well they can contribute to the team With the new rules you can retain players for three years We have a combination of both young and experienced players and a balance of right and left raiders In defence both corners should be strong so we were focused on creating a team that will fare well on all these parameters said Jasveer SinghHe added Last season we finished third and reached the semifinals but we had some shortcomings like not having a strong left raider We have worked on that this season Now during the precamp we were focused on addressing those gaps Our aim is to become champions this timeSingh also reflected on players who joined as NYP New Young Players in past seasons and have now emerged as leaders Players like Sumit Sangwan Ashu Singh and Surender Gill have been with us since Season 7 When you work with someone for so long you naturally build a bond It becomes easier to understand and communicate with them what we want from them what they expect from us and what kind of training suits them This helps not just in their personal growth but also in the overall development of the teamFor Season 12 the Yoddhas have retained most of their core squad spending INR 497 crore at the player auction to strengthen key areas Defender Sumit Sangwan will lead the side with Ashu Singh as vicecaptain as the team aims to convert consistency into its first PKL titleOn the growth of kabaddi in India Singh emphasized PKLs transformative impact Before the Pro Kabaddi League the sport was played mostly in mud pits and small local tournaments and at one point it was almost disappearing from villages But once PKL began the league took kabaddi to a completely new level second only to cricket Kabaddi was revived in a way Today so many academies have opened and the sport has progressed rapidly PKL has played a huge role in making kabaddi the secondbiggest sport in India after cricketAssistant coach Upendra Malik elaborated on the teams preparations and new strategies for the season We have worked on several new things this season Since we had a few players retained from last season we got the chance to know them better and work on their shortcomings We have tried to add something extra to their game At the same time youngsters are very important they bring more energy and enthusiasm This season we will have a strong combination of young and experienced playersMalik further highlighted the focus on physical and mental fitness This is such a big league with so many matches which puts a heavy load on the players Earlier one coach would handle everything from training to physio work But now we have specific experts in every area and sports science plays a big role Biomechanics are used trainers teach how to move correctly and steps are taken to prevent injuries Even in the precamp a lot of work is done to improve fitness and avoid injuries Physios also ensure proper rehab in case of setbacks Because of this injuries have reduced significantly Players themselves have also become more aware and take better care of their fitness This collective effort is helping the team IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-up-yoddhas-set-sights-on-title-coaches-outline-strategy-and-preparations-633727.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/-pkl-12-i-dont-see-any-raider-who-can-challenge-me-says-gujarat-giants-captain-mohammadreza-shadloui--633522.html New Delhi Aug 22 After a disappointing campaign last time around Gujarat Giants have assembled a strong squad filled with top talents to challenge for the Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 title One of them is Iranian allrounder Mohammadreza Shadloui who was last seasons Most Valuable Player MVP Shadloui played a pivotal role in guiding Haryana Steelers to their maiden PKL triumph last season Having established himself as one of the top overseas players He earlier registered 99 tackle points and 27 raid points to help his former side Puneri Paltan to PKL Season 10 gloryAhead of Season 12 where he will captain Gujarat Giants the allrounder is confident of giving his best for the new franchise saying that no raider can challenge him or his teamIts very simple I am going to play well tackle well and the players here love me and I love them back This season is very important for me I can do everything for the team I can raid I can defend Im very confident and I dont see any raider who can challenge me I can push the players to give their best said Shadloui on PKL 12 Media Day facilitated by JioStarThe Giants also possess a topclass raiding unit to compete for the PKL Season 12 title Ahead of the auction the twotime runnersup retained raiders Rakesh Sungroya Parteek Dahiya Himanshu Singh and added Shridhar Ananda Kadam from the nominated New Young Players category They have further bolstered their attack by roping in experienced raider Ajith V Kumar and adding young raiders K Harish and Ankit at the auctionOur team is ready for everything We have some excellent new raiders they have speed power courage and everything this sport needs I think they will be extremely important for us this season and I dont think any team can challenge us Only Giants can challenge the Giants he addedAhead of the new season the twotime PKL finalists appointed Jaivir Sharma as their new head coach and Varinder Singh Sandhu as assistant coach for Season 12Speaking about his learnings from new coach Jaivir the Iranian said I have learned so many things from my teammates and my coach Ive also found some new friends in India This season Im working with coach Jaivir Sharma and he is a very good coach He has already taught me many things about kabaddi in this short span of time I love his coaching style and I think his training will be very important in helping us win this years title IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/-pkl-12-i-dont-see-any-raider-who-can-challenge-me-says-gujarat-giants-captain-mohammadreza-shadloui--633522.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-kabaddi-league-announces-revamped-high-intensity-format-for-season-12-633581.html Mumbai Aug 22 The Pro Kabaddi League PKL on Friday announced significant format changes for Season 12 introducing an enhanced league stage and revamped Playoff structure designed to intensify competition and provide fans with more thrilling kabaddi action The upcoming season commencing on August 29 will travel to Vizag Jaipur Chennai and Delhi bringing the PKL experience closer to fans deeper in India The upcoming season will feature an exciting league stage with 108 matches where each team will play 18 matches This format elevates the competition by ensuring teams face rigorous tests throughout the league stage while maintaining highintensity kabaddi action for fans It will also provide every franchise with substantial opportunities to demonstrate its capabilitiesPKL Season 12 introduces a comprehensive tiebreaker rule system including the Golden Raid format to all leaguestage matches Previously limited only to Playoff matches this system now ensures decisive outcomes throughout the tournamentIn case of ties teams will engage in a structured 5raid shootout with special rules Both teams field seven players with the baulk line treated as baulklinecumbonusline Each team nominates five different raiders who raid alternately Out and revival rules dont apply only points scored count If still tied after 5 raids the Golden Raid rule appliesThe Golden Raid format adds drama to crucial moments where a fresh toss determines which team gets the decisive raiding opportunity If both teams remain tied after golden raids the winner is decided by a coin tossThis new rule maintains PKLs competitive spirit while eliminating tied results guaranteeing decisive outcomes and heightened drama in every matchAs part of efforts to enhance clarity and accessibility for fans the Pro Kabaddi League has simplified its points system for the upcoming season Teams will now be awarded two points for a win and zero points for a loss The revised format makes the standings more straightforward to follow reinforcing the leagues commitment to providing a clear and engaging experience for its fansThis season will see the introduction of Playins alongside a revamped Playoffs structure For the first time the top 8 teams from the league stage will have the chance to qualify for the Playoffs opening up opportunities for more franchises to compete for the trophy At the same time the Playins ensure that every leaguestage position carries greater weight making each match more crucial than everUnder the new structure teams finishing 5th to 8th will battle in Playin matches with the winners progressing to the EliminatorsTeams finishing 3rd and 4th will face off in a MiniQualifier The winner moves ahead while the loser still gets another chance later in the PlayoffsThe top two leaguestage teams 1st and 2nd will meet in Qualifier 1 with the winner going directly to the Final The losing team will have another shot at the Final via Qualifier 2 The Playoffs journey will now flow through three Eliminators and two Qualifiers ensuring a thrilling buildup to the Final showdownThis new structure increases the intensity of the competition keeps more fan bases engaged for longer and raises the stakes in every match on the road to the championship IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-kabaddi-league-announces-revamped-high-intensity-format-for-season-12-633581.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/retained-for-season-4-top-star-shubham-chaudhary-eyes-pvl-glory-with-mumbai-meteors-633597.html Mumbai Aug 22 Retained by Mumbai Meteors for the upcoming Season 4 of Prime Volleyball League PVL top player Shubham Chaudhary is looking forward to the upcoming edition and hoping to achieve glory in the league for himself and his franchise While setting his sights on the PVL title Chaudhary is a big fan of the league and says PVL is a great initiativePVL is a fantastic initiative What could be better than giving youngsters a chance to showcase their talent The platform is strong the sport is growing and its giving volleyball in India the recognition it deserves said the 31yearold on FridayChaudhary who scored a total of 134 points 110 attack points 14 block points and 10 serve points in the 2024 edition and 46 points 40 attack points 2 block points and 4 serve points in the 2023 season lavished praise on the Mumbai Meteors franchiseMumbai Meteors is a fantastic franchise I felt really happy when they retained me Now my focus is to train and be in the best shape for the upcoming season and aim to win the title he addedTalking about the squad and the kind of balance that the youngsters and the experienced players bring to the table Chaudhary said Our squad is a great mixhalf are promising youngsters and the other half are experienced seniors I feel its a very balanced team and its always good to have young energy along with senior guidanceChaudhary who hails from Karnal credited his father who has himself played at the National level for making him fall in love with the sport I am from Karnal Haryana My interest in sports came from my father who was a volleyball coach and a nationallevel player with a gold medal at the AllIndia level He worked with the Chandigarh Police and later as a coach in Haryana before becoming a professor Hes retired now but everything Ive achieved started because of himIn those days it was compulsory to play every positionblocker attacker everything My father taught me the basicshands fingers batting I started as an attacker and gradually got comfortable in the universal role Chaudhary further explainedChaudhary who currently serves in the Income Tax departmenta role he earned through his achievements in volleyballalso praised the wealth of talent emerging from HaryanaHaryana has always had great talent Karnal and Kurukshetra especially have produced many good players Theres also a SAI Centre in Kurukshetra which helps nurture young athletes he saidThe Meteors allrounder grew emotional while speaking about the role of his family in his journey My mother and my wife have been pillars of strength for me Theyve always encouraged me to keep playing no matter what Now with a threemonthold daughter at home my wife inspires me even moreI feel an extra push to give my very best both on and off the court he sharedVolleyball fans will be able to experience the excitement of toptier teams battling it out on the volleyball court starting October 2 2025Prime Volleyball League is Indias first professional volleyball league with 10 teams The league successfully completed Seasons 1 2 amp 3 and Season 4 is scheduled for October 2025 Prime Volleyball League works closely with the global body of Volleyball Fédération Internationale de Volley Ball FIVB The league has players from India and worldwide where the international players come through FIVBs international transfer procedure IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/retained-for-season-4-top-star-shubham-chaudhary-eyes-pvl-glory-with-mumbai-meteors-633597.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-2025-puneri-paltans-aslam-proud-to-represent-maharashtra-u-mumbas-sunil-kumar-keen-to-bring-trophy-back-to-mumbai-633365.html Mumbai Aug 21 The Pro Kabaddi Leagues most successful captain Sunil Kumar will face off against the top raider Aslam Inamdar when former champions U Mumba and Puneri Paltan clash in the Maharashtra Derby in the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League PKL 2025 season at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on September 18 Sunil Kumar will lead U Mumba who won the title a decade back At the same time Inamdar had guided Puneri Paltan to the trophy in Season 10 becoming the first Maharashtrian captain to win PKLMaharashtra has long been known as a hotbed for kabaddi and will have the secondmost representation in Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League PKL Carrying forward the states rich heritage in the sport are U Mumba and Puneri Paltan both former PKL championsThe commencement of Season 12 will see the return of this classic Maharashtrian rivalry Traditionally both sides have been regular contenders at the business end of the tournament and as always expectations are high to go one better this seasonThe latest chapter of this rivalry will unfold on September 18 in Jaipur at the historic Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium the same venue that hosted the leagues 1000th match in 2024Further heightening the contest is the presence of kabaddi legend Ajay Thakur as coach of Puneri Paltan At the same time U Mumba is guided by head coach Anil Chaprana who will be rejoining the side as the top boss after a season as the assistant coachBack from injury and eager to make his mark Puneri Paltan skipper Inamdar said Being born and raised in Maharashtra it was always my dream to represent the state in kabaddi Playing for Puneri Paltan and becoming a champion has been one of the proudest moments of my career To once again stand on such a big stage in the PKL and represent where I come from is a very special feeling for meLooking ahead to the season U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar shared Maharashtra has always been a powerhouse of Kabaddi and this shows how big the sport truly is here For me to lead U Mumbaa team with such a strong legacy and talented playersis a matter of immense pride We have prepared with full focus and determination and our goal this season is to go beyond the playoffs and bring the trophy back to MumbaiU Mumbas head coach Anil Chaprana added It is a matter of great pride for me to return as head coach of U Mumba This team has entrusted me with responsibility once again and that fills me with excitement and determination My focus is on instilling discipline fearlessness and a nevergiveup attitude in the players so they give their best in every match With hard work and commitment I am confident we will make the fans proudPuneri Paltan head coach Ajay Thakur was equally excited about using his experience as a player in becoming a successful fulltime coachTransitioning from being a player to taking on a fulltime coaching role is both a challenge and a privilege Having played kabaddi for many years I now want to use that experience to bring out the best in this new generation of players Coaching a big team from Maharashtra is a proud moment for me and I am committed to helping the players perform to their fullest potentialAnupam Goswami Business Head Mashal Sports and League Commissioner PKL said Maharashtra has always been a hotbed of Indian kabaddi with iconic players and passionate fans from the state elevating the sport through their energy and commitment The fact that there are 32 players from Maharashtra the secondhighest from any state playing in PKL this season is a testament to that strength What makes it even more special is that Maharashtra is uniquely represented by two fantastic PKL teams further fueling local pride The upcoming season of the Pro Kabaddi League is going to be the most competitive season and we can assure that the fans are in for a treat with the Maharashtrian players in the thick of thingsThe league stage of PKL 12 will kick off with blockbuster clashes between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas followed by Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Vizag on August 29 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-2025-puneri-paltans-aslam-proud-to-represent-maharashtra-u-mumbas-sunil-kumar-keen-to-bring-trophy-back-to-mumbai-633365.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sports-minister-dr-mandaviya-declares-open-khelo-india-water-sports-festival-2025-633424.html Srinagar Aug 21 The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya declared open the Khelo India Water Sports Festival through a video message here on Thursday The inaugural edition of the KIWSF got off to a sparkling start with a local shikarawalla Mohsin Ali winning the first gold medal of the Games The threeday event ending on August 23 will see more than 500 athletes from 28 states and Union Territories taking part in five events While rowing canoeing and kayaking will have 24 medals up for grabs shikara sprints Dragon boat race and water skiing will be the demonstration eventsThe opening ceremony of the KIWSF was graced by the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse The Lieutenant Governor of JampK Manoj Sinha was the chief guest while the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was the guest of honour JampKs sports minister Satish Sharma was also presentThe opening ceremony besides the Dal Lake was an attractive affair Folk dancers and local artists added the local flavour as athletes coaches and volunteers lined up at Sheri Kashmir International Convocation Centre to welcome the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 In the expanding Khelo India calendar the KIWSF is the second addition after the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu in MayToday when athletes step into Kashmirs Dal Lake with zeal and enthusiasm to create history the sight will not only thrill all sports lovers but will also present to the world a powerful picture of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat One India Great India said Dr Mandaviya adding I extend my best wishes to all the young athletes participating in this Khelo India Water Sports Festival My wish is that you continue to uphold the pride of our nation with the same sporting spirit With these words I declare the Khelo India Water Sports Festival OpenDr Mandaviya said Since 2014 when the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power we have been clear in our vision to make India a global sporting powerhouse Under the Khelo India Games we started organizing different sporting events across the country We are proud to introduce the Khelo India Water Games in Jammu and KashmirThrough the Khelo Bharat Niti National Sports Policy we want to make sports the culture of the nation With the goal of Har Ghar Khel GharGhar Khel Sports in every home our government has been consistently working in this direction for the last 11 years said Dr MandaviyaDr Mandaviya further added Just last week the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 was passed in Parliament Through this we have now moved towards historic reforms not only in sports but also in sports governanceWater sports are very attractive and when they happen in the backdrop of natural beauty it becomes even more thrilling These Games are a great advertisement to youths to engage in a sports activity In India we have so many water bodies and natural surfaces to take part in adventure sports It is PM Modis dream to lift the sporting culture of the nation and I think these Games and the Winter Games provide wonderful opportunities Mrs Khadse saidFor hosts Jammu and Kashmir it was a wonderful start to the Games Mohsin Ali a 17yearold who also works as a shikarawalla in the Dal Lake won the first gold medal of KIWSF 2025 It came in the mens singles kayaking race Ali clocked 41241 seconds in the 1000m race to win his first nationallevel gold ahead of Odishas Naoram James Singh 41468 and Mayank of Madhya Pradesh 42328Two more gold medals were decided in the canoeing and kayaking competition Vishal Kumar of Uttar Pradesh won the gold in the canoe singles For the 1000 metres race Vishal clocked 43059 seconds Krishna Jat of Madhya Pradesh 43136 got silver while Mohammed Hussain of Jammu amp Kashmir got the bronze with a timing of 43283 seconds IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sports-minister-dr-mandaviya-declares-open-khelo-india-water-sports-festival-2025-633424.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 23:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ashu-maik-to-lead-dabang-delhi-kc-in-pkl-12-633258.html New Delhi Aug 21 Dabang Delhi KC have retained Ashu Malik as their captain for the Pro Kabaddi League season 12 The young raider who led the team last year has been the focal point of Delhis attack finishing Season 11 as the leagues top scorer with the most raid pointsAt just 22 Ashu has shown remarkable consistency and maturity leading from the front and embodying the fighting spirit of the franchise Dabang Delhi KC has combined onmat consistency with an unwavering commitment to excellence This tradition continues in Season 12 as the team once again places its faith in Ashus leadership to drive their championship pursuitThis season is an important chapter for us as we look to build on our six straight playoff appearances and push the boundaries for even greater success Achieving that requires not just the effort of our players but also strong leadership on the matAshu has grown into that role showing resilience maturity and an ability to inspire the team With him leading from the front we are confident of setting new benchmarks this season and bringing the trophy home said Prashant Mishra CEO Dabang Delhi KCHead Coach Joginder Narwal said Ashu has been a consistent force and has grown into a strong leader I trust him completely to guide the team again this year Our goal is not just to maintain our record of playoff appearances but to take that consistency a step further and fight for the championshipWith Ashu Malik stepping in once again as captain Dabang Delhi KC is ready to step into PKL 12 with renewed determination and ambitionPKL 8 champions Dabang Delhi KC will be eager to reclaim the PKL title after crashing out in the semifinals last season They have been one of the most consistent teams in recent years and have reached the Playoffs in each of the last six PKL seasons IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ashu-maik-to-lead-dabang-delhi-kc-in-pkl-12-633258.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/shikarawalla-mohsin-ali-sets-khelo-india-water-sports-festival-alive-with-dream-gold-633343.html Srinagar Aug 21 From rowing a Shikara at Dal Lake to paddling his way to national glory Mohsin Ali Kand has come a long way Mohsin made Jammu and Kashmir proud after winning the first gold medal of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 on Thursday The 17yearold Mohsin won gold in the 1000 metres mens Kayaking event clocking 412717 It was a career highlight for the youngsterAs Mohsin stepped out of Dal Lake he was greeted by a jubilant home crowd even as he failed to hold back tears of joy and hugged his coach Bilquis Mir a former international and an Olympic judgeThis was an overwhelming moment for Mohsin a 12th standard student of SP Higher Secondary School who is fulfilling his dream of representing India at the international events and rows a Shikara on the Dal Lake after attending his school to earn money for buying his dietAfter clinching the gold Mohsin the son of a lower carpenter Fida Hussain Kand said he had worked very hard for it and credited his success to his fatherIt was my father who was instrumental in my decision to take up water sports Mohsin said The lanky Mohsin added that despite economic hardships and taking care of a fivemember family his father ensured that he developed a keen interest in water sports from a very young ageWater sports is my passion and I dream of representing India at the international level To see my dreams actualise I row a Shikara and share the burden of my family and buying the necessary diet that I require for training Mohsin saidA resident of Kand Mohalla inside Dal Lake who started his water sports journey as a sevenyearold Mohsin said apart from his father he would also credit the Jammu and Kashmir Kayaking and Canoeing AssociationThey are also instrumental in my success as the association provided me with the necessary training and infrastructure he saidMohsins achievement is noteworthy considering that while he has not participated at many national events he was able to emerge triumphant over other athletes who have more experience and even international exposureIt is very difficult for me to purchase the necessary diet for participating in such events as professional water sports athletes are supposed to have a proteinrich carbohydraterich electrolyterich diet which I am not able to afford due to meagre means Mohsin saidHowever Mohsin did not let this come in his way of success and with his strong determination he was able to overcome all the hurdlesThe thing that really keeps me going is the burning desire to represent the country at international events like Asian Games World Championship and Olympics he saidMohsin believes that practicing on the waters of Dal Lake in highaltitude Kashmir helps develop better stamina which other athletes from across the country lackMost of them come from the plains So I have a strong feeling that if I continue to work hard the way I have it is not far off when I will represent the country in international events he saidWhile rowing the Shikara after returning from school every day kept him humble the gold medal at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 can become the muchneeded impetus that his career needs IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/shikarawalla-mohsin-ali-sets-khelo-india-water-sports-festival-alive-with-dream-gold-633343.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-puneri-paltan-aim-to-reclaim-the-title-with-core-and-strengthened-squad-633173.html Pune Aug 20 Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 champions Puneri Paltan will be keen to get their hands on the prestigious PKL title once Season 12 commences on August 29 Puneri Paltan have been one of the most consistent teams in the league having reached the Playoffs in six out of the 11 editions However they finished a disappointing eighth last season with just nine wins in 22 gamesAhead of Season 12 Puneri Paltan announced former Indian kabaddi captain Ajay Thakur as their head coach The 39yearold has been promoted to the role of head coach after he was appointed as their assistant coach in Season 11Widely regarded as one of the greatest kabaddi players of all time Ajay was part of the Indian kabaddi team that won gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup He was awarded the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award in 2019Having featured in the first seven editions of the Pro Kabaddi League as a player Ajay ended his illustrious PKL career with 816 points in 121 matches including 794 raid points and 22 tackle pointsMeanwhile Puneri Paltan appointed Ashok Shinde as the head strategist for the upcoming season He was earlier named their head coach in the middle of last season after BC Ramesh stepped downDespite missing out on a Playoffs spot last campaign Puneri Paltan decided to retain most of their players for the forthcoming season Additionally the Season 10 winners added eight new players at the PKL Season 12 Player Auction to assemble a formidable squad for a total amount of INR 5 crore With that in mind lets have a closer look at Puneri Paltans strengths and weaknesses ahead of Pro Kabaddi Season 12StrengthsOne of Puneri Paltans undeniable strengths heading into PKL Season 12 is their strong raiding unit Ahead of PKL Season 12 Player Auction Puneri Paltan ensured they retained Pankaj Mohite who was their standout raider last season with 110 raid points in 22 matches Furthermore they managed to retain their experienced raider Mohit Goyat who contributed 83 raid points in 19 games last season Puneri Paltan have also retained their captain Aslam Inamdar who will once again play a key role in their attack Earlier in Season 11 Puneri Paltan lost momentum after their skipper Aslam was ruled out due to a knee injuryLater at the Season 12 Player Auction Puneri Paltan further strengthened their attack by acquiring the services of star raider Sachin Tanwar for INR 1058 crore Considered to be one of the top raiders in the league Sachin has already accumulated 1034 raid points in 145 matches in his stellar PKL careerPuneri Paltan have also signed Iranian raiders Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh INR 13 lacs Milad Mohajer INR 1350 lacs and Indian raider Stuwart Singh INR 13 lacs to reinforce their raiding departmentWeaknessesWhile Puneri Paltans attack looks strong on paper their defence could be a potential weakness in Pro Kabaddi Season 12 Even though they managed to retain their star right cover Abinesh Nadarajan ahead of PKL Season 12 Player Auction they failed to sign any backup for Abinesh in the right cover position Hence any injury or loss in form for Abinesh could risk their chances of success in the upcoming seasonApart from Vishal Bhardwaj and Gaurav Khatri Puneri Paltan lack wellestablished defenders in their corner positions Despite racking up 324 tackle points in 118 matches Vishal will make a return to Pro Kabaddi after he went unsold in the Season 11 Player Auction It will be interesting to see how Vishal performs after being out of the auction for one full season As a result a lot will depend on the right corner Gaurav Khatri who was their standout defender last season with 61 tackle points in 21 gamesOpportunitiesAs far as opportunities are concerned Puneri Paltan have several talented youngsters who will be aiming to hog the limelight in PKL Season 12 Allrounder Mohd Amaan is one such player who will be looking to grab his opportunities after Puneri Paltan used their Final Bid Match FBM card to retain him for two seasons for INR 35 lacs Playing in the left corner position Amaan showcased his talent and played 14 matches for Puneri Paltan in Season 11On the other hand Ajay Thakur will have the opportunity to repay Puneri Paltans faith after being promoted as head coach of the Punebased team In his short stint as assistant coach the former Indian kabaddi star got the best out of Puneri Paltan in the few matches he guided them through last seasonThreatsOne of the biggest concerns for Puneri Paltan will be the fitness of their captain Aslam Inamdar Star allrounder Aslam will make a comeback in Pro Kabaddi Season 12 after missing the majority of last season The 25yearold played seven games in Season 11 and was later ruled out after he suffered a meniscus tear in his knee which required a surgical operation With 480 raid points and 65 tackle points in 70 games Aslams numbers are pretty impressive and hence his fitness will determine how Puneri Paltans upcoming campaign pans outOne potential area where Puneri Paltan could perhaps have done better during the Season 12 Player Auction was to sign another quality right cover The PKL Season 10 champions currently only have Abinesh Nadarajan in the right cover positionWhile Vishal Bhardwaj has decent experience in Pro Kabaddi his performances have dipped over the last few seasons The likes of Mohd Amaan and Rakesh will need to step in at the left corner position to provide support to the right corner Gaurav Khatri IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-puneri-paltan-aim-to-reclaim-the-title-with-core-and-strengthened-squad-633173.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/we-have-lost-players-before-and-survived-glasner-on-guehi-eze-exit-rumours-633182.html New Delhi Aug 20 Ahead of the first leg of Crystal Palaces Europa Conference League playoff against Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK at the Selhurst Park on Friday IST head coach Oliver Glasner gave updates on both Eberechi Eze and captain Marc Guehi both of whom are linked with a move away this summer Palace chairman Steve Parish had confirmed Guehi is for sale this summer and Eze is reportedly being circled by North London club Tottenham Hotspur100 precent We have lost players before in the past and we survived through that And we brought the best times to this football clubEven when we lost Michael Olise we followed it up with the bestever season in 119 years of the club You have got to trust the manager and the process and we will be very fine said Glasner in his press conference The Palace head coach went on to confirm that despite the rumours the duo are in contention to start tomorrow Many of you were surprised he and Marc Guehi started against Chelsea you may be surprised they start tomorrow but they are committed to the team They will play a crucial part for as long as they are here they are committed to the team If they leave they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 to Crystal Palace he added Goalkeeper Dean Henderson who has become a fan favourite since his move from Old Trafford also reflected on ending the clubs trophy drought by lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield at the Wembley Stadium Its incredible The boys have been great The plan that was put in place before the final the boys followed itTo bring success to the club such a short space of time after a very long time its incredible memories Making so many people so happy on that day was incredible Thats the most important thing above the trophies said Henderson IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/we-have-lost-players-before-and-survived-glasner-on-guehi-eze-exit-rumours-633182.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-kiraak-hyderabad-storm-into-final-with-win-over-mp-hathodas-633214.html Gwalior Aug 20 The semifinals of Pro Panja League Season 2 saw last seasons runnersup Kiraak Hyderabad storm their way into the Grand Finale yet again with a dominant 316 victory winning seven out of the eight matches played over MP Hathodas Kiraak Hyderabad have been the best team in the tournament so far leading the league in terms of points as they lived up to their reputation yet again On the occasion of the semifinals teams played four matches in both the Under Card and Main Card providing double the action for fans to enjoy Also in attendance was Olympic medallist and former Indian boxer Vijender Singh as he was seen supporting Rohtak Rowdies who are set to face Jaipur Veers in the second semifinal 2 fixtureIn the Under Card of semifinal 1 Kiraak Hyderabad displayed great power and consistency as they brushed MP Hathodas aside without giving away a point Naveen MV of Kiraak defeated Akash Handique of MP Hathodas 20 in the 60kg categorySiddharth Malakar built on his sides first win with another victory over Rino Thomas with a score of 20 in the 90kg bout Rachna Jatav carried the momentum and her solid form as she got the better of Bhavna Goswami 20 in the 55kg contest and lastly Amit Singh seized the undercard action by overpowering the experienced Shaju AU of MP Hathodas 20 in the 100 kg clash and gave Kiraak Hyderabad a dream startThe Main Card saw Kiraak Hyderabad continue their dominance initially as Madhura KN produced a flawless 50 win against Olivia Dkhar in the 65kg category World champion Aabhas Rana of Kiraak Hyderabad beat MP Hathodas Tushar Awasthi 31 in the 100 kg division Tushar stunned Aabhas in the first round with a powerful pin to open the account for his side however Aabhas stole the show from thereon by winning three rounds in a row to make a solid comebackStewe Thomas followed up with a strong 100 victory over Hathodas captain Tridip Medhi in the 70kg bout Stewe who is renowned for his dangerous flashpins continued his undefeated run of Season 2 by pinning his opponent in under a second for three rounds on the trot During the challenger round Stew just took 011 seconds to pin Tridip as he showcased his dominance ahead of the finalThe final contest of the night saw MP Hathodas star Sachin Goyal and Kiraak Hyderabad captain Asker Ali split the points 55 in the 80kg clash Although Sachin won all three rounds against Asker he couldnt pin his opponent in under seven seconds during the challenger round handing five more points to Kiraak Hyderabad as they cruised into the final IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-kiraak-hyderabad-storm-into-final-with-win-over-mp-hathodas-633214.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ridhima-jasmine-and-neha-among-top-starters-in-11th-leg-of-wpgt-632983.html Bengaluru Aug 19 Ridhima Dilawari and Jasmine Shekar winners of the last two events on the Womens Pro Golf Tour will headline the field alongside Vidhatri Urs and the experienced Neha Tripathi in the 11th Leg of the Tour at the picturesque Prestige Golfshire situated at the foothills of the Nandi Hills A field of 29 professionals and five amateurs will tee off in the 11th Leg of the WPGT which carries a purse of Rs 15 lakhsIn July Ridhima won the 10th Leg after being runnerup on two other occasions this season Earlier Jasmine won the ninth Leg edging past Neha Tripathi Vidhatri is yet to taste success this seasonOther prominent players in the field include Seher Atwal Kriti Chowhan Durga Nittur Khushi Khanijau and Anvitha NarenderThe amateurs are led by Mannat Brar who has been performing well this seasonRidhima Dilawari who is second on the Hero Order of Merit and has Rs958000 in winnings this year has a chance to become only the second player to cross the Rs10 lakh mark after Vani Kapoor who is playing in the Hills Open in Sweden this weekRidhima is drawn with Jahaanvie Walia and amateur Mannat Brar in the first round while Jasmine plays with Geetika Ahuja and amateur Riddhima SinghA large number of Indian players are playing on the Ladies European Tour this week and they include regulars like Vani Kapoor Amandeep Drall Sneha Singh and Hitaashee BakshiThis is the 11th leg of the Tour in 2025 and of the previous 10 evens Vani Kapoor has won four Sneha Singh has won twice and four players Rhea Purvi Saravanan Amandeep Drall Jasmine and Ridhima have won once each IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ridhima-jasmine-and-neha-among-top-starters-in-11th-leg-of-wpgt-632983.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kurnool-knights-win-twice-amravati-crushers-extend-unbeaten-streak-on-day-5-of-yuva-andhra-cship-633023.html Vijayawada Aug 20 Day 5 of the Yuva Andhra Championship 2025 a feeder into the Telugu Kabaddi League produced a mix of thrillers and dominant performances at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium Kurnool Knights twice Amravati Crushers Vizag Commandos and Bhimavaram Guardians emerged as winners to reshape the standings with Kurnool reclaiming top spot in Pool A and Amravati extending their unbeaten run in Pool BThe day began with a nailbiter as Kurnool Knights edged Bhimavaram Guardians 4645 The Knights appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable win but the Guardians mounted a strong comeback in the final stages to close the gap to just one pointV Durga Prasanth led Kurnool with 13 points while Kunchala Srikanth contributed in both departments with 7 points For the Guardians Abilash Reddy scored 19 raid points and substitute RH Rahul added 6 tackle points but the effort fell just shortMomentum shifted to Pool B in the second game where Amravati Crushers once again underlined their dominance with a highscoring 6154 win over Tirupati Raiders Potla Gopi Chand led the attack with 16 raid and 2 tackle points while Kolamgari Rambabu added 12 raid points and Ankalu Jampana secured a High 5For Tirupati R Sai Sankar put in a remarkable solo performance with 20 raid and 3 tackle points but the Raiders could not match Amravatis allround strengthThe third game saw Vizag Commandos defeat Krishna Defenders 4936 Nolli Theja and Durga Prasad both recorded Super 10s while Rayi Narendra anchored the defense with 7 tackle pointsKrishnas resistance came through G Lakshma Reddy who scored 17 raid points but once again the lack of support around him proved costlyThe fourth match brought relief for Bhimavaram Guardians who bounced back from their opening defeat of the day to beat Kakinada Kraken 3532 in a close contest Abilash Reddy contributed 11 raid and 1 tackle point while Venkata Durga Rao added 8 raid and 2 tackle points For Kraken Varri Mahesh scored 10 raid and 1 tackle point but it was not enough to prevent another lossThe day ended with a topofthetable clash in Pool A where Kurnool Knights overpowered Vizianagaram Ninjas 4226 to reclaim first place Pelleti Brahmareddy dominated in raids with 15 points supported well by his teammates For the Ninjas Chekka Nagababu scored 12 raid points but without contributions from others they fell behind in the second halfWith these results Pool A standings shifted once again Kurnool Knights returned to the top with 24 points after six matches narrowly ahead of Vizianagaram Ninjas on 23 Bhimavaram Guardians improved to 16 points while Kakinada Kraken remained at the bottom with 9 In Pool B Amravati Crushers continued their unbeaten run leading with 29 points from five straight wins Vizag Commandos followed with 18 Tirupati Raiders stayed on 8 and Krishna Defenders trailed with 5 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kurnool-knights-win-twice-amravati-crushers-extend-unbeaten-streak-on-day-5-of-yuva-andhra-cship-633023.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/online-gaming-bill-2025-tabled-in-lok-sabha-gaming-industry-welcomes-govt-support-and-growth-initiatives-for-esports-633061.html New Delhi Aug 20 Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha on Wednesday The Bill aims to promote and regulate esports educational and social games while completely prohibiting the offering operation facilitation advertisement promotion and participation in online money games Under the Bill esport is defined as an online game played as part of multisport events involving organised competitive competitions between individuals or teams These events are conducted in multiplayer formats under predefined rules and recognised under the National Sports Governance Act 2025It clearly states that outcomes in esports are determined solely by players skills including physical dexterity mental agility and strategic thinkingMoreover the Bill states that the Central Government will take steps to promote esports including setting guidelines for events establishing training and research institutions introducing incentive and awareness programs coordinating with State Governments and sports federations and implementing other measures to support the sectors growthIt also defines online money game as any online game based on skill chance or both where a user pays fees deposits money or stakes something with the expectation of winning monetary or other rewards Importantly this definition does not include esportsBy clearly distinguishing esports from online money games and gambling it provides the legal recognition and legitimacy that athletes creators and gaming organizations have long awaitedWith the support of the government players and creators can now pursue esports professionally with confidence while the ecosystem benefits from structured support training programs and guidelines that promote sustainable growth and innovationSharing thoughts on this development Akshat Rathee cofounder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming said The governments intent to recognise and promote esports as highlighted in the recent bill is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem However for this vision to truly materialise it is critical that the terminology used in the bill particularly the distinctions between esports online gaming online social gaming and online money gaming be clearly defined and uniformly understoodThe absence of precise definitions has often led to ambiguity and conflation around the term esports Such overlaps can create confusion not just for regulators but also for players teams investors and organisers who are working hard to build this industryIndia has also been making significant strides in international esports tournaments S8UL the only Indian organisation currently competing in 13 different esports titles became the nations first and only team to be selected among 40 of the worlds best esports teams for the Club Partner Program of the USD 70 million prize pool Esports World Cup EWCThis bill marks a historic turning point for Indian esports By drawing a clear line between skillbased competitive gaming and betting it safeguards the integrity of our ecosystem while opening doors for structured growth Esports is a sport built on skill discipline and years of grind With government recognition and the right infrastructure India is now poised to become a global powerhouse in esports and gaming culture shared Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug cofounder and CEO of S8UL EsportsEsports is already entering the mainstream in India marked by its debut in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 earlier this year States like Bihar Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and Nagaland have also actively promoted grassroots esports through championships and structured programs signaling growing recognition of competitive gaming as a legitimate sport IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/online-gaming-bill-2025-tabled-in-lok-sabha-gaming-industry-welcomes-govt-support-and-growth-initiatives-for-esports-633061.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/manu-bhaker-bags-bronze-in-10m-air-pistol-at-asian-shooting-championship-632836.html Shymkent Kazakhastan Aug 19 Twotime Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker bagged a bronze medal in the 10m womens air pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championship on Tuesday  Manu shot 2197 in the eightwoman final to finish third behind Koreas Yang Jiin 2416 who took silver while Qianke Ma 2432 claimed the top spotEarlier in the 60shot qualification round Manu placed third with a score of 583 18x ahead of Koreas Jiin fifth with 581 16x and the Chinese shooter Qianke Ma seventh with 579 15x to make the final eightOn the opening day India earned two gold and three silver medals after Kapil Bainsla won the junior mens air pistol gold and both the senior and junior mens teams won silver medals eachAnmol Jain Saurabh Chaudhary and Aditya Malra combined to open Indias medal tally at the Asian Championship by winning the silver in the mens 10m air pistol team event on MondayThe Indian trio tallied 173552x to finish behind the Peoples Republic of Chinas Hu Kai Changjie You and Yifan Zhang who took the gold with 174451xOn Monday Girish Guptas gold in the 10m air pistol men youth event in which he led an Indian 12 ensured India ended competition day one on a profitable note The 17yearold shot 2413 in the final to finish ahead of compatriot Dev Pratap The 14yearold shot 2386 for silverThe Indian senior shooting squad for the Asian competition comprise 35 members competing for medals in 15 events A total of 129 Indian shooters will also compete in the junior events at the Shymkent meet IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/manu-bhaker-bags-bronze-in-10m-air-pistol-at-asian-shooting-championship-632836.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-gujarat-giants-appoint-shadloui-as-captain-unveil-new-jersey-632862.html Ahmedabad Aug 19 Adani Sportslineowned Gujarat Giants on Tuesday announced Pro Kabaddi League PKL star Mohammadreza Shadloui as captain while unveiling their newlook jersey at a press conference in Ahmedabad The 12th edition of the PKL kicks off on August 29 in Vizag with Gujarat Giants opening their campaign against U Mumba the following day at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium The team will play 18 leaguestage matches this season with their sights set firmly on the titleThe unveiling event was attended by head coach Jairvir Sharma assistant coach Varinder Singh Sandhu and Adani Sportsline Chief Business Officer Sanjay AdesaraThis years PKL auction was a landmark for the Giants headlined by the signing of Iranian powerhouse Shadloui for Rs 223 crore the highest bid of PKL Season 12 A twotime PKL champion reigning MVP and multipletime Best Defender Shadloui brings unmatched defensive firepower and proven leadership credentialsSpeaking on his appointment Shadloui said I am proud to have the opportunity to captain Gujarat Giants in PKL 12 With most of our squad in their early to mid20s we are a young energetic and dynamic unit We are excited about the season ahead and I thank Adani Sportsline and our coaches for trusting me with this responsibility We will give our bestHead coach Jairvir Sharma a veteran with over three decades of elite coaching experience said I feel as excited and just as nervous as a player as this will be my first PKL season Our preseason camp in Bengaluru has prepared us well Adani Sportsline has taken great care of us and we aim to come back to Ahmedabad with the title after a few months and celebrate with youAssistant coach Varinder Singh Sandhu said We had an intensive training camp in Bengaluru and are fully prepared for PKL Season 12 This will also be my debut in the league and Im grateful to Adani Sportsline for the opportunity Our focus is on delivering strong performances throughout the seasonSanjay Adesara chief business Officer Adani Sportsline added Our expectation is clear Gujarat Giants will give their best and deliver a worldclass kabaddi experience to fans in Gujarat and across India We have always lived by our philosophy of providing a platform for talent to excel and the teams young average age reflects that With our coaches proven track record our objectives are clear and the team is ready to put in a giant performance this season IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-gujarat-giants-appoint-shadloui-as-captain-unveil-new-jersey-632862.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-sachin-goyal-and-captain-tridip-medhi-of-mp-hathodas-reflect-on-special-season-632891.html Gwalior Aug 19 As the action intensifies in Season 2 of the Pro Panja League home franchise MP Hathodas has emerged as one of the challenging teams of the tournament With the squad now on the brink of securing a semifinal spot star player Sachin Goyal and captain Tridip Medhi spoke about their journey the teams spirit and the growing impact of Pro Panja League in Indian armwrestling Localfavourite Sachin Goyal has been one of the biggest and most powerful players of the league so far and has dominated the 80kg category Talking about his experience so far in the tournament he said I feel very proud to be a part of a league in Gwalior Playing in your own city gives you the chance to show how talented powerful and strong you are Our team has a great bond we help each other we have fun together and we work as one unit Everyone is strong and hardworking In his match against Sonu of Jaipur Veers Sachin broke the alltime Pro Panja League record across two seasons with the fastest pin of 010 seconds About his performance he commented This season has been special for me especially setting the alltime league record by pinning my opponent in just 01 seconds but what matters most is taking MP Hathodas into the final Right now we are focusing on table practice and understanding tactics which is really helping us in our performances on the stageCaptain of the team the experienced Tridip Medhi spoke on similar lines and said MP Hathodas is a very balanced team and as captain my aim is to lead them to the finals Everyone is working hard practicing every day and night and I am confident our efforts will pay offTridip also highlighted the impact of Pro Panja League on the overall Indian armwrestling ecosystem Pro Panja League has taken armwrestling to a whole new level Young athletes are now inspired to take up the sport because they see opportunities through this platform Personally I have been competing since 2009 won seven national championships and represented India at five world championships But what excites me most is the rise of new players inspired by athletes like Sachin The future of Indian armwrestling looks very bright he epxlainedWith Sachins explosive power and Tridips leadership MP Hathodas are riding a wave of momentum and the passionate fans in Gwalior are backing their home heroes to push into the semifinals and beyond The SemiFinals will be played on August 20 and the Grand Finale of Season 2 is scheduled for August 21 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-sachin-goyal-and-captain-tridip-medhi-of-mp-hathodas-reflect-on-special-season-632891.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/were-stronger-than-many-teams-this-season-telugu-titans-captain-vijay-malik-632792.html New Delhi Aug 19 As the anticipation builds for Pro Kabaddi League PKL Season 12 Telugu Titans captain Vijay Malik highlighted teams preparations saying that they are stronger than many teams in the tournament At a Media Day organised by JioStar both Vijay and coach Krishan Kumar Hooda opened up about the teams inner workings aspirations and the broader transformation that PKL has ushered into Indian kabaddiOur team is like a family Theres no hierarchy we treat each other like brothers Our coach is like a parent guiding us with care and discipline On the mat that bond shows in our coordination Everyone is fully fit motivated and training with commitment Thats why I feel we are stronger than many teams this season Vijay saidKrishan Kumar Hooda shared his thoughts on the teams preparations for the season With full confidence I can say that our team is very strong and you will see this in the coming season We are fully prepared for PKL Season 12 All the small mistakes we made last year have been corrected and this time we will try to deliver our best performance I am sure our fans will be very happy with what they are going to witness this season I strongly believe this season will be a very good one for us and the team is ready to give an excellent performance The preparation has been very good All our players are fit with no injuries and we are also psychologically strong From every angle the team is in great shape with no issues of any kind In the coming matches you will see the results of this preparationOn how PKL has transformed Kabaddi he said Kabaddi has changed everything the path of players their lives and even their families Everything has improved Today every parent wishes that their son plays kabaddi and there is only one reason for that They see the team playing beautifully and the economic condition of players becomes stronger Players now earn every year and they have made a lot of progress I would like to say that since Pro Kabaddi started everything has changed All the credit goes to the franchise owners to the commissioner who is running the league to the players who participate with discipline and to all the coaching and support staff The credit belongs to all of them because so much hard work has gone into thisSince the league began kabaddi has transformed completely Earlier when we had only Indian coaches we never had physios or trainers But now thanks to the league we have everything All the players franchises and league officials deserve full creditAll the new players have become stars We never thought there would be so many new players Vijay captain Vijay Malik played for a year and in the next two or three years all the new players have become stars You have seen that many of them spent a year or two on the bench They stayed patient learned a lot and then delivered strong performances They have made the country proud with their performances This league has given new players a great platform There is no better stage for them Many players come in their first year show their skills and initially no one knows them But then they become stars even making a name for themselves internationally Pro Kabaddi League is the best platform for young players he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/were-stronger-than-many-teams-this-season-telugu-titans-captain-vijay-malik-632792.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pickleball-hyderabad-open-with-prize-pool-of-15-lakh-begins-on-aug-22-632603.html Hyderabad Aug 18 Hyderabad Open 2025 an initiative of the World Pickleball League On Tour along with Hyderabad Superstars will be played between August 22 and 24 here at CrossCourts The tournament with a total of 60 categories carries a total prize pool of 15 lakhs With 60 categories at the intermediate advance and professional level Hyderabad Open 2025 has ensured inclusivity and participation amongst recreational players as well as professional pickleball athletesThe lucrative prize money is only an indication into the fact that pickleball is and can now be considered a career option amongst many athletes The categories available for all the intermediate advance and professional players are very ably divided by DUPR ratings that ensures a level playing field for allU18 singles boys and girls U18 doubles boys and girls U18 mixed doubles 35 singles men and women 35 doubles men and women and 35 mixed doubles 50 singles men and women 50 doubles men and women 50 mixed doubles Open Singles men and women Open doubles men and women Open Mixed doubles are the categories available across the intermediate advance and professional levelsHyderabad Open is expected to draw over 500 players over three days making it the biggest pickleball tournament in HyderabadHyderabad Superstars is one of the franchises of the World Pickleball League that is now in its second season Semifinalists of Season 1 the Hyderabad Superstars are excited to inculcate an even richer pickleball culture in an extremely diverse community Pickleball in Hyderabad is growing exponentially keeping in step with the rest of the country and a tournament like the Hyderabad Open will only further encourage the community furtherThe Hyderabad Open 2025 an initiative called the World Pickleball Leagues On Tour along with Hyderabad Superstars will be a great platform for upcoming players from Hyderabad that could find a place in the Hyderabad SuperstarsThe franchise Backed by KLO Sports Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani will be a part of The World Pickleball League as it returns for a bigger and better Season 2 at one of Indias most iconic cultural venues Jio World Garden Mumbai from January 24 to February 8 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pickleball-hyderabad-open-with-prize-pool-of-15-lakh-begins-on-aug-22-632603.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kapil-wins-gold-in-asian-shooting-championship-at-shymkent-632672.html New Delhi Aug 18 Kapil Bainsla from Palwal Haryana won India their first gold of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship RiflePistolShotgun in Shymkent Kazakhstan firing 2430 in the 10m air pistol men junior final leaving Uzbekistans Ilkhombek Obidjonov 06 behind in second Kapils compatriot Jonathan Gavin Antony won bronze shooting 2207 bowing out after the 22nd shot of the 24shot finalEarlier Kapil had shot 579 to finish fourth in qualification and made the top eight alongside Jonathan who was second with 582 Mukesh Nelavali was just two inner 10s less than Jonathan to finish third and make it three Indians in the final Korean Kim Dooyeon topped the board also shooting 582 but with at least six shots in the inner 10ring more than JonathanIlkhombek it was who then was the fastest off the blocks in the final with Kapil chasing him all through before going past him after the 15th shot for the first time The Uzbek regained the advantage after the 20th shot and going into the final two was a full point ahead of KapilThe young Indian then finished with a 108 and 106 while Ilkhombek after shooting a 104 for his 23rd buckled to finish with a 94 handing Kapil the titleKapil and Jonathan also combined with Vijay Tomar to win the team silver in the event with a total of 1723 Korea won gold with 1734 and hosts Kazakhstan won bronzeIn the senior mens final Anmol Jain the only Indian in the fray finished sixth with 1551 Chinas Hu Kai won gold while China also won the team gold in the eventAnmol along with Aditya Malra and Saurabh Chaudhary won the team silver with a combined effort of 1735India thus ended day one with one gold and two silvers with day two on Tuesday having the womens and junior womens air pistol finals on schedule IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kapil-wins-gold-in-asian-shooting-championship-at-shymkent-632672.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-padel-league-sg-pipers-cheetahs-triumph-by-single-point-to-hold-off-vedanta-leopards-632401.html New Delhi Aug 16 The final match of the World Padel League was nothing short of a blockbuster packed with drama tension and heartstopping rallies In a contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats SG Pipers Cheetahs successfully defended their title with a victory over debutants Vedanta Leopards With both teams locked at 1717 after three fiercely contested sets the championship was decided in a nailbiting super shootout that pushed into sudden death Under immense pressure the Cheetahs held their nerve to snatch victory by the narrowest of margins etching their name in league history with backtoback titlesThe final match began with the Cheetahs stamping their authority as Teo Zapata and Fede Mourino opened with a flurry of smashes to beat Ignacio Piotto and Javi Mora 63 In the second set however Leopards Tamara Icardo and Marta Ortega clawed their side back from the brink saving multiple set points before clinching a pulsating 75 win over Sofia Araujo and Claudia FernandezWith championship glory at stake in the final set Leopards Jairo Bautista and Sanyo went toetotoe against Victor Ruiz and Maxi Sanchez The final set began with the Cheetahs leading 1110 overall with high flying smashes and engaging rallies fittingly taking the decider to a tiebreak With both teams not willing to give up the tiebreak swung back and forth with the Leopards holding their nerve to edge it 76 and force a super shootout Tension was through the roof as both teams traded blows pointforpoint but the Cheetahs kept their composure to take it 109 in sudden death clinching backtoback World Padel League titlesSpeaking after clinching consecutive titles Aminder Cogi of SG Sports amp Entertainment said Backtoback titles how good does that sound These five days were packed with highoctane padel and to finish it by defending our crown is just unreal The team played with heart power and fearlessness every smash every rally showed why the Cheetahs are a champion side We roared loud last season and this time even louder This team has built a winning habit and we are already looking forward to the next seasonWhat stood out just as much as the Cheetahs triumph was the grit of the Vedanta Leopards Making their debut this season the Leopards fought their way to the final first surviving the Eliminator and then stunning Khan Tigers in the Qualifier Carrying that momentum into the final they pushed the reigning champions to the edge refusing to bow down and proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with Their fearless performance taking the battle to a suddendeath shootout underlined the spirit of a team that will only grow stronger in the seasons to comeSpeaking on his teams performance Ankit Agarwal Owner Vedanta Leopards said What a spectacle this was To join the league this season and fight our way to the finals in our very first outing this team has shown incredible fight The intensity the rallies the way the team kept coming back point after point its something to be proud of We may have finished second but the Vedanta Leopards have made their mark and we will only come back hungrierEarlier in the day SG Pipers Cheetahs brushed aside Hubtown Panorama Panthers in the first semifinals with a dominant victory highlighted by a ruthless 60 second set from Claudia Fernandez and Sofia Araujo SemiFinal 2 saw the fairytale run of new entrants Vedanta Leopards continue as they stunned tabletoppers Game Changers Lions The Leopards held their composure in crunch moments winning the first two sets 63 each and sealing the contest 1714 overall despite a late Lions rallySeason 3 of the World Padel League truly raised the bar featuring two new teams and bringing 36 of the top international padel players to India The competitiveness and excitement reached new heights with every tie delivering drama and intensityLooking back on this monumental season Hemali Sharma Cofounder World Padel League said What a week of padel we have just witnessed The energy at the venue the intensity on court the fans on their feet this was indeed The Greatest Show on Court said Congratulations to the SG Pipers Cheetahs for an incredible backtoback title run and hats off to the Vedanta Leopards who brought the fight right till the end in their debut season All the teams this season gave their best and made it a season like no other with unbelievable rallies and team spirit throughout Moments like these show why the World Padel League is more than just matches its a movement Padel is exploding in India and this is only the beginning of a journey thats going to get bigger bolder and louder with every seasonIn the final chapter it was the SG Pipers Cheetahs who etched their name in history clinching backtoback titles in a season that will be remembered for its passion unpredictability and worldclass action IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-padel-league-sg-pipers-cheetahs-triumph-by-single-point-to-hold-off-vedanta-leopards-632401.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-mp-hathodas-sachin-goyal-breaks-tournament-record-on-day-13--632405.html Gwalior Aug 17 History was created at the Pro Panja League Season 2 table as Indias Bicep King Sachin Goyal broke the tournaments alltime record by pinning Sonu of Jaipur Veers in just 010s and also joined the leaderboard of Badshaho ka Badshah race Sachins parents came onto the stage to give their son blessings and also praised cofounders Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangianis efforts to give Indian armwrestlers a massive platform and valuable exposure to show their talent to the world In the first fixture Rohtak Rowdies enjoyed a dominant 243 victory over ShereLudhiana In the second fixture MP Hathodas claimed a 207 victory over Jaipur Veers Sachin Goyal and Tridip Medhi of MP Hathodas were awarded as the joint player of the day award winners for their valiant effortsIn the Fixture 1 Undercard between Rohtak Rowdies and ShereLudhiana Sanjay Deswal of Rohtak Rowdies started strong in the 100 kg category edging past Afzal Khan of ShereLudhiana 21 Star athlete Dara Singh then added another win for the Rowdies beating ShereLudhianas Shivam Rajput 20 with ease in the 100 kg contest ShereLudhiana managed to hit back in the Womens 65 kg category where Tajinder Kaur Walia secured a 20 victory over Parmpreet Kaur of Rohtak RowdiesThe Fixture 2 Undercard began with Roopa Prasadh giving Jaipur Veers an early lead defeating Farhan Dehalvi of MP Hathodas 20 in the 65 kg category In the 65 kg bout Bimla Rawat extended Jaipur Veers advantage with a 21 win over Olivia Dkhar Bimla made an incredible comeback in the last two rounds to win the match while Olivia put in a good effort to deliver an entertaining contest between the two athletes despite the pressure of her opponent Cofounder of the league Parvinn Dabass gave a standing ovation to both the players to appreciate their intense efforts MP Hathodas struck back in the Speciallyabled contest as Manish Kumar beat Dinesh Singh of Jaipur Veers 20The Main Card of Fixture 1 was all about the Rohtak Rowdies dominance Nirmal Devi delivered a flawless performance beating Kashmiri Kashyap of ShereLudhiana 100 in the 65 kg category Nirmal showcased a flashpin of 262s to set a new record in the womens category while also claiming crucial points for her side Amit Chaudhary then powered past Dilshad MA with a straight 100 win in the 100 kg bout before Arshdeep Singh sealed the fixture with another commanding 100 result against Nawab Singh in the 90 kg category The Rowdies walked away with a comprehensive 243 victory over ShereLudhianaThe Fixture 2 Main Card proved decisive for MP Hathodas Local favourite Sachin Goyal of MP Hathodas defeated Sonu of Jaipur Veers 100 in the 80 kg category Sachin made it look easy as he was seen taunting his opponent while on the table before pinning him with ease In the second round he activated the challenger round and performed a flashpin of just 010s creating history and setting a record time in the Pro Panja League across two seasonsCaptain of MP Hathodas Tridip Medhi in the 70 kg clash led his side from the front by winning all three rounds against Vanlallura of Jaipur Veers and winning the matchup 50 The final match of the day saw Harshit Poojary of Jaipur Veers edge out a 32 win against MD Hashim of MP Hathodas in the 100 kg category in what was a thrilling 5 round tie Despite Hashim winning the first round Harshit fought back and claimed the win for Jaipur Veers MP Hathodas won the fixture 207 over Jaipur VeersPro Panja League Season 2 can be watched live on Sony Sports 3 DD Sports and the FanCode App International audiences can enjoy the action on Triller IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-mp-hathodas-sachin-goyal-breaks-tournament-record-on-day-13--632405.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-games-2025-china-indonesia-split-gold-medals-in-debut-four-lane-speed-climbing-mexicos-corral-wins-duathlon-gold-632238.html Chengdu Aug 15 Chinas Long Jianguo set a new national record of 474 seconds to win the mens fourlane speed climbing title at The World Games here on Friday while Indonesias Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi claimed the womens crown in 635 Meanwhile Mexicos Anahi Alvarez Corral won gold in the womens individual duathlon by just two seconds on Friday while China claimed the aerobic gymnastics group gold with Italy taking silver and Romania bronze at the Dongan Lake Sports Park MultiFunction GymnasiumIt was the first time the fourlane format had appeared in sport climbing at a multisport event Unlike the Olympics twolane standard this event features four parallel lanes with four climbers racing simultaneously The gold medal round is contested by all four finalists at once rather than a headtohead showdown reports Xinhua I felt this format was so much fun after the first run said gold medallist Long Theres a lot of unpredictability in the new format In one run today my teammate and I both made mistakes Everyone feels the pressure but its about who can hold onA former World Cup winner Long topped the qualification round before advancing to the 16strong knockout stage He narrowly avoided elimination in the quarterfinals but went on to become the only Chinese climber in the fourman medal race When youre climbing with four people you really dont feel much Youre focused and you dont know your place until hitting the top pad Long saidThanking his team for helping him prepare he said Yesterday I didnt get the gold for the standard twolane race that I wanted Today my team took care of many offthewall matters so I could focus completely on the competitionIndonesias former world record holder Kiromal Katibin took silver in 481 seconds with Kazakhstans Rishat Khaibullin finishing third 002 seconds behindThe womens final saw all four climbers deliver clean runs Desak emerged fastest followed by Chinese newcomer Qin Yumei in 642 seconds Desaks compatriot Rajiah Sallsabillah clocked 6951 to snatch bronze by just 0005 seconds ahead of Polands Natalia KaluckaMany athletes welcomed the introduction of the new format The fourlane is super fun Its the same sport but it adds a new freshness to it said American Logan Schlecht adding that climbers have four runs giving them more chances to correct mistakes in the fourlane formats qualifiersToru Kobinata vice president of the International Federation of Sport Climbing IFSC said that as a young sport sport climbing has always been exploring possibilities to move to the next level He described the World Games as a key platform for testing new formats and engaging with other sports with the fourlane event being one such trial For the audience having four climbers race at once is definitely more exciting Kobinata said He noted that the format adds to the unpredictability of speed climbing nothing is certain until the last moment and that multiple qualifying runs give athletes a chance to make up for earlier mistakesHowever he acknowledged the increased physical demands and said the IFSC will continue studying the best ways to present new formats such as the fourlane and speed relayMexican wins womens duathlonIn the womens individual duathlon Alvarez Corral surged ahead from lap 14 of the cycling segment finishing in one hour 25 minutes and 31 seconds Spains Maria Varo Zubiri took silver two seconds back with Belgiums Jeanne Dupont claiming bronzeI knew the competition would be fierce especially from the Spanish athlete and the strong Belgian team But I came ready to fight till the end The girls are so good and Im happy to be able to rub shoulders with them said Alvarez Corral making her first World Games appearance I loved everything here the competition the course the bike route I felt strong and I enjoyed it throughout this incredible experience she addedAs Chinas only representative in the event 19yearold Lu called the race a valuable learning experience She managed to overtake several rivals but was hampered by a minor penalty During the first transition from running to cycling I was so focused on catching up with other players that I forgot to put my running shoes in the designated basket resulting in a time penalty Lu said adding she was still quite satisfied with the performanceAfter a rest day on Saturday the duathlon concludes on Sunday with the mixed relay at the Chengdu World GamesHost wins the aerobic gymnasticsChina claimed the aerobic gymnastics group gold at the Chengdu World Games here on Friday with Italy taking silver and Romania bronze at the Dongan Lake Sports Park MultiFunction GymnasiumChinas team comprises five university students including Feng Lei the only female athlete and four male athletes Fan Siwei Liang Wenjie Teng Hao and Xu Tong The quintet had already topped the sixteam qualification earlier in the dayIn the final they delivered a routine to fastpaced music themed around overcoming challenges to rescue a girl from a fire a tribute to firefighters The performance earned them 20265 points ahead of Italys 19615 and Romanias 19136When the result was confirmed 23yearold Feng smiled through tears as the team embraced before taking a victory lap with the national flag waving to the crowd Weve trained for a long time and overcome many difficulties Feng said When we realised we were champions we all felt a huge sense of relief and excitementAsked why they chose aerobic gymnastics the team answered in unison Out of love Its a sport that shows strength flexibility and skill added Fan who called the gold medal his best birthday giftItalys silvermedal performance featured a blend of traditional Chinese music kung fu and dance drawing loud cheersSince the competition is in China we wanted to pay tribute to the country and its audience said Italys David Nacci a 25yearold engineer We all love Chinese culture especially Tai Chi Chengdu is a wonderful city and the people here are so warm and welcoming Its an unforgettable journey Nacci added IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-games-2025-china-indonesia-split-gold-medals-in-debut-four-lane-speed-climbing-mexicos-corral-wins-duathlon-gold-632238.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-boxers-arrive-in-china-for-international-youth-boxing-gala-632262.html New Delhi Aug 16 A 59member Indian contingent has arrived in Urumqi Xinjiang China to participate in the 3rd Belt and Road International Youth Boxing Gala U17U19U23 International Training Camp amp Tournament The squad comprises 20 boys and 20 girls supported by 12 coaches 6 support staff and 1 Referee amp Judge RampJ Organised by the Chinese Boxing Federation and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Government the event begins with a training camp from August 17 to 25 in Urumqi followed by the competition phase from August 26 to 29 in Urumqi and YiliOnly U17 boys and girls are representing India at this edition The boxers were selected from the 6th U17 Junior Boys amp Girls National Boxing Championships 2025 with gold and silver medallists in the Asian Youth Games weight categories and gold medallists in the NonAsian Youth Games weight categories making the cutBoxers will compete across multiple divisions U17 boys and girls will contest in 13 weight categories 46kg 48kg 50kg 52kg 54kg 57kg 60kg 63kg 66kg 70kg 75kg 80kg and 80kgParticipation in this international training camp and competition is expected to provide Indias young boxers with valuable exposure and experience against strong global opponentsIn recent months Indian junior boxers have delivered standout performances at international competitions most notably at the Asian U15 and U17 Championships earlier this year where the team secured 43 medals and finished second overall Earlier this month India finished their campaign at the Asian U19 amp U22 Boxing Championships 2025 in Bangkok with a total of 27 medals across both age groups The dual championships spread over 10 days brought together the continents best young talent in a competitive test for the next generation of boxers where India finished second overall in the U19 standings and fourth in U22The U19 group returned home with a total of 14 medals including three gold seven silver and four bronze medals scoring the most in terms of absolute medal count and were second behind Uzbekistan seven in golds The U22 contingent also bagged four silver medals to conclude their campaign with a total of 13These results underline Indias growing depth in grassroots boxing and the promise of its next generation on the world stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-boxers-arrive-in-china-for-international-youth-boxing-gala-632262.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/anahat-singh-enters-nsw-bega-open-final-632287.html Bega Australia Aug 16 Teenage Indian squash player Anahat Singh reached the final of the NSW Bega Open 2025 after a hardfought win over Egypts Nour Khafagy in the semifinal on Saturday She will now look to add a 13th PSA title to her name when she faces Habiba Hani in the finalThe 17yearold from Delhi who is already a double Asian Games bronze medallist won the gruelling contest 32 1012 115 115 1012 117 in 54 minutes Despite sustaining an injury during the match Anahat showed resilience to outlast Khafagy who came into the event after winning the HCL Tournament With this win Anahat became the first Indian woman to reach a PSA Copperlevel finalIn the title match the top seed will face secondseeded Egyptian Habiba Hani who booked her place in the summit clash with a 31 119 711 1210 116 victory over Indias Akanksha Salunkhe in 42 minutesEarlier in the quarterfinals Anahat defeated South Africas Hayley Ward 30 114 119 1412 to continue her impressive run She now has 12 PSA titles from 18 events with nine of those victories coming in the past year underlining her rapid rise in world squashAkanksha seeded fifth also impressed in the quarterfinal stage beating fourthseeded Australian Alexandra Haydon 30 114 117 113 in a match that lasted only 24 minutes Her run ended in the semifinals but she will take confidence from reaching the last four in a strong international fieldFor Anahat this is another significant achievement in a career that has been progressing quickly since she became the youngest member of Indias 2022 Commonwealth Games squad at the age of 14 Her consistency and ability to handle pressure at a young age have already made her one of the most promising players in Indian squashThe NSW Bega Open a USD 25000 tournament is the first World Event of the 202526 PSA Tour season IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/anahat-singh-enters-nsw-bega-open-final-632287.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-yuvraj-verma-suhail-khans-heated-exchange-almost-comes-to-blows-on-day-8-631825.html Gwalior Aug 12 Jaipur Veers defeated MP Hathodas 1814 while ShereLudhia enjoyed an incredible 224 victory over Mumbai Muscle in entertaining clashes on the armwrestling table across both the undercard and main card fixtures on Day 8 of the Pro Panja League Season 2 here on Tuesday The highlight of the day came in the main card of fixture 1 in the 100 kg category when Muzahir Saidu showed an incredible display of skill and pinned Tushar Awasthi in 013 seconds equalling the record for the fastest pin of the league which was set by Satnam Singh of Kiraak Hyderabad earlier in the tournament Both Mazahir and Satnam are now the joint leaders of the Bullet Badshaho ka Badshah standingsMeanwhile Yuvraj Verma of Mumbai Muscle was awarded the Player of the Day award for his incredible comeback against Suhail Khan of SherLudhianaIn the Undercard Fixture 1 between MP Hathodas and Jaipur Veers the 80 kg category saw Vethozo Lohe of MP Hathodas overpower Prince Dhir of Jaipur Veers with a strong 20 win Jaipur Veers fought back in the 70 kg category as Suraj Salhotra defeated Surender Saini of MP Hathodas 20 In the 55 kg Womens category MP Hathodas Airi Kmenlang Shabong edged out a 21 win over Abhirami P K of Jaipur VeersUndercard Fixture 2 featured a battle between Mumbai Muscle and ShereLudhiana Anil Sharma of ShereLudhiana took a 21 victory in the 80 kg category over Ishan Kashyap of Mumbai Muscle The 70 kg category saw Sanu Joy carry the momentum for ShereLudhiana by beating Akash Mukhi of Mumbai Muscle 20 while in the 55 kg Womens category Senebi of ShereLudhiana claimed a 20 win over Komal Patel of Mumbai MuscleThe Main Card Fixture 1 saw MP Hathodas and Jaipur Veers clash again Mazahir Saidu continued his dominance in the 100 kg category with a commanding 100 win for Jaipur Veers over Tushar Awasthi of MP Hathodas The 60 kg category witnessed a onesided contest as Rudra Naik of Jaipur Veers built on their momentum and defeated Akash Handique of MP Hathodas 50 winning all three rounds and winning the two bonus points Lastly Shaju Au of MP Hathodas pulled a muchneeded 100 win for his side by outperforming Sameer VT of Jaipur Veers in the 100kg category Jaipur Veers ended the fixture 1814 against MP HathodasMain Card Fixture 2 between ShereLudhiana and Mumbai Muscle delivered more drama The 100 kg category erupted into chaos as Yuvraj Verma of Mumbai Muscle demolished Suhail Khan of ShereLudhiana 31 in a match that nearly turned into an allout brawl What began as a standard Pro Panja Season 2 competition quickly spiralled into a volatile confrontation that had the entire arena holding its breathAfter losing the opening round Yuvraj bounced back with authority in the second round unleashing a powerful toproll to even the score But it was here that the drama reached fever pitch Suhail visibly agitated and desperate to shift momentum gambled on a review that backfired spectacularly proving completely unsuccessful and only adding fuel to an already combustible situationIn the 90 kg category Tawheed Shaikh of ShereLudhiana was at his dominant best defeating Arpan Kar of Mumbai Muscle 100 In the challenger round Tawheed pinned his opponent in just 02 seconds to earn five extra points for his side The 80 kg category closed with ShereLudhiana on top as Harkomal Gill defeated Sonu Chourasiya of Mumbai Muscle 50 to end the day on a high ShereLudhiana enjoyed a dominant 224 victory over Mumbai Muscle IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-yuvraj-verma-suhail-khans-heated-exchange-almost-comes-to-blows-on-day-8-631825.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-stewe-thomas-aabhas-rana-shine-on-day-6-631329.html Gwalior Aug 10 Day 6 of Pro Panja League Season 2 saw Kiraak Hyderabad significantly strengthen their position on the leaderboard driven by exceptional performances across both undercard and main card participation Cofounded by Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangiani the Pro Panja leagues second season continues to showcase not only the dominance of skilled athletes like Kiraak Hyderabads Stewe Thomas who shattered records with a lightningfast 011second win but also highlights the vital role of the speciallyabled category This was exemplified by Sher E Ludhianas Harish Verma who achieved a crucial victory underscoring the inclusivity and diverse talent celebrated within the Pro Panja LeagueIn the undercard opening fixture of the tournament Kiraak Hyderabad delivered a commanding performance against MP Hathodas The action began in the heavyweight division 100KG where Ujjwal Aggarwal of Kiraak Hyderabad set the tone for his team with a dominant 20 victory over Shamir Khan of MP Hathodas showcasing superior technique and control The momentum took a twist in the 55KG category as Arya P of MP Hathodas demonstrated exceptional strategy to secure clean 20 win against Savita Kumari of Kiraak Hyderabad maintaining MP Hathodas first win in todays undercard fixture 1 round The undercard fixture concluded with Jincy Jose of Kiraak Hyderabad completely whitewashing Asha Kumar of MP Hathodas in the 65KG category securing a composed 20 score performance establishing Kiraak as early favouritesThe second fixture of the day saw SherELudhiana emerge victorious against Mumbai Muscle though they faced stiffer resistance throughout the contest Kashmiri Kashyap of Sher E Ludhiana opened proceedings with authority in the 65KG category securing a solid 20 victory over Seema Goswami of Mumbai Muscle through superior positioning The special category SPA CAT match followed where Mohan Sharma of Sher E Ludhiana maintained the winning streak with another 20 triumph against Shrimant Jha of Mumbai Muscle demonstrating technical proficiency and mental toughness under pressure The second fixtures final bout proved to be the most thrilling encounter of the day as Harish Verma of Sher e Ludhiana was pushed to his limits by a resilient Krishna Sharma in the SPACAT division After dropping the opening round Verma showed tremendous character and determination to battle back ultimately prevailing 21 in a contest that showcased the competitive spirit and skill level of both wrestlers This hardearned victory sealed a 61 result for SherELudhianaOn the main card Kiraak Hyderabad truly set the stage alight with a pair of remarkable performances against MP Hathodas Kiraak Hyderabads Aabhas Rana kicked off the main card bouts in in 100 kg participation securing a decisive 30 victory over KIMKIMA of MP Hathodas This clean sweep not only earned Kiraak Hyderabad the standard three points but also bagged an additional two bonus points for the flawless victory contributing 50 score to the teams victory The momentum continued when Stewe Thomas stepped up for the Challenger Round against Surender Saini of MP Hathodas in 70 kg participation With incredible speed Stewe Thomas executed a lightning fast pin defeating Surender Saini of MP Hathodas in a stunning 011 seconds replacing Satnam Singhs previous record of 02 seconds This superfast performance secured a resounding 100 victory in the Challenger Round significantly elevating Kiraak Hyderabads position on the leaderboardIn the last round of main card 90 kg category participation Avilie Zuyie dominated MP Hathodas Ayush Negis laborious efforts as Avilie picked up additional two bonus points resulting in a 50 score pick for Kiraak Hyderabads victoryIn the highly anticipated final main card 100 kg category participation the clash between Dilshad Ma of Sher e Ludhiana and Paarth Soni of Mumbai Muscles delivered the drama and intensity The match began with Dilshad applying immediate pressure establishing an aggressive pace that initially seemed to favor the experienced competitor However Paarth Soni demonstrated remarkable composure scoring a hard earned 31 victory against his opponent while scoring well for Mumbai MusclesIn the second round of main card fixture 2 Sachin Tomar of Shere Ludhiana was given a tough beat as Ashish Mehta of Mumbai Muscle gave a powerhouse performance securing 100 score in the 60kg clash In the final match of main card event Senebi Syngkli of Sher E Ludhiana vs Teja PJ of Mumbai Muscle had an interesting bout in the 55 kg participation where each arm wrestler secured a point in first and second round of the clash In the final two rounds Senebi bagged two additional points securing 31 for Sher E Ludhiana IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-stewe-thomas-aabhas-rana-shine-on-day-6-631329.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/friendship-lasts-off-the-mat-aslam-and-akash-on-pkl-12-opening-night-showdown-631417.html New Delhi Aug 11 The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is set to witness an exciting clash between former teammates Aslam Inamdar and Akash Shinde now part of rival sides when Bengaluru Bulls faces Puneri Paltan in the second match of the opening day on Friday The Instagram Live part of a special Thursday series running every week until the season starts gave fans a glimpse of the competitive fire and mutual respect between the two players Weve shared the same jersey for years but this time were coming at each other with everything weve got said Akash who moved from Puneri Paltan to Bengaluru Bulls this season Weve got a young team a strong coach and a hunger to prove ourselvesPuneri Paltan captain Aslam Inamdar returning from injury is equally fired up Ive waited a long time to get back on the mat The opening match is special its against Akash in a new city with thousands of Kabaddi fans watching The energy is going to be unrealAkash also revealed hes as excited to raid against his former team as he is to take on top players like Mohammadreza Shadloui Whether its Puneri or Shadloui I enjoy the competition If they show aggression Ill find a way past them If I show aggression theyll try to catch me thats the thrill of Kabaddi he saidBoth raiders stressed mutual respect and fierce competitiveness Friendship lasts off the mat But on the mat were warriors Fans should be ready for a proper clash Aslam saidThe duo is also excited about the leagues return to new cities in PKL 12 Vizag will be electric said Akash Ive never played there before and Ive heard how passionate the fans are This is a fresh start for me in a new jersey I want to give it my allTheir message to fans was loud and clear This season ghuskar raid karenge Aggression energy and entertainment are guaranteed IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/friendship-lasts-off-the-mat-aslam-and-akash-on-pkl-12-opening-night-showdown-631417.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/diksha-fights-back-to-even-par-lies-13th-in-london-631310.html London Aug 10 Diksha Dagar survived a rollercoaster on the back nine to card an even par 73 in the second round of the PIF London Championship held at Centurion Club Diksha who has had a series of Top10s this season is now Tied13th after being Tied10th at the end of the first day Of the four Indian women who teed up this week three made the cut The other two were Pranavi Urs and Aditi AshokPranavi 7571 was even par for two days at the Par73 Centurion Club and was Tied28th Aditi Ashok 7374 was T37 at 1over for two rounds Rookie Avani Prashanth 7676 missed the cut The cut fell at 3 with 65 players making it through to the final day of action at Centurion ClubDiksha birdied the first and the sixth with a bogey in between on the third to turn in 1under On the back nine she dropped a shot on the 10th and then gave away a double bogey on the Par4 12th The gritty golfer who has set her eyes on her National title the Womens Indian Open birdied the 13th and the 16th to recover to even par 73In the Individual competition Germanys Laura Funfstuck fired a round of 70 3 on day two to hold a threeshot lead heading into the final day The German started with a birdie at the first before rolling in three birdies in four holes on the sixth eighth and ninthA dropped shot on 15 was followed by an excellent parsave on 16 before another dropped shot on 17 but she finished in style with a birdie at the last to reach nineunderparFour players are in a share of second place with Spains Carlota Ciganda Belgiums Manon De Roey Frances Perrine Delacour and South Africas Casandra Alexander all on sixunderparEnglands Cara Gainer and Switzerlands Chiara Tamburlini are in a tie for sixth place on fiveunderpar with five players one shot further back in T8Team Du Toit secured a onestroke victory winning with a total of 29underpar at the PIF London Championship held at Centurion ClubDiksha in Team Nadaud finished seventh and Avani Prashanth was in Team Briem which was also tied seventh Aditi led the team which had Pranavi and they were 21stThe quartet of Danielle Du Toit Sarah Kemp Marta Sanz Barrio and Megan Dennis began the day in a share of 11th place on 13underparThey began the day on the 10th tee and it didnt take long for some putts to drop as they made the turn in 10under for the day thanks to eagles from Du Toit and Sanz BarrioOn their back nine it was a steadier pace but they remained in contention and Du Toit and Dennis rolled in putts at the last to climb to the top of the leaderboard and seal victoryIt was a remarkable turnaround for South Africas Du Toit who had teed it up on the LET Access Series earlier this week and then withdrew to fly to London to be first reserveFollowing Charley Hulls withdrawal due to injury Du Toit was drafted into the competition and ended up captaining the quartet to victory IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/diksha-fights-back-to-even-par-lies-13th-in-london-631310.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chennai-grand-masters-2025-nihal-sarin-upsets-arjun-erigaisi-undefeated-vincent-keymer-extends-lead-on-day-4-631325.html Chennai Aug 10 Nihal Sarin claimed his first victory of the Chennai Grand Masters 2025 defeating compatriot Arjun Erigaisi in Round 4 on Sunday to halt his unbeaten run German GM Vincent Keymer meanwhile extended his own undefeated streak to four games after drawing with Dutch star Anish Giri holding on to a onepoint lead at the top of the standings Now in its third year the Chennai Grand Masters 2025 is Indias strongest classical chess event Organised by MGD1 it features two elite 10player roundrobin sections Masters and Challengers across nine rounds in ten days With a Rs 1 crore prize pool the Masters winner earns Rs 25 lakh the Challengers winner Rs 7 lakh and a coveted 2026 Masters berth The event also offers FIDE Circuit points with the Masters champion securing 245 toward 2026 Candidates qualificationNihals win over Arjun came after a tense strategic battle that began with the Reti Opening with Arjun mirroring his compatriots setup With chess legend Vishwanathan Anand presiding in the commentary box providing fans with a unique live experience the game unfolded at a measured pace with Arjun claiming the first piece on move 15A tightly contested middlegame gradually opened up allowing Nihal to press his advantage and convert on move 70 for his first victory of the 2025 edition Elsewhere GM Murali Karthikeyan also impressed defeating Jorden van Foreest to climb up the standingsIn other Masters results GM Vidit Gujrathi and GM Pranav V split the points after a balanced encounter while the allAmerican clash between GM Awonder Liang and GM Ray Robson also ended with halfapoint apiece Keymers draw with Giri kept him in the sole lead while Nihals victory over Arjun injected fresh intrigue into the title raceIn the Challengers section GM Abhimanyu Puranik emerged as the sole leader after defeating WGM Vaishali Rameshbabu with the white pieces capitalising on hitherto joint leader M Praneshs draw against GM Adhiban Baskaran GM Diptayan Ghosh scored a win by beating Harshavardhan GB while GM Leon Luke Mendonca also stayed in contention with a victory over GM Harika Dronavalliboth moving level with Pranesh on 3 points GM P Iniyan overcame GM Aryan Chopra to move to 25 points IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chennai-grand-masters-2025-nihal-sarin-upsets-arjun-erigaisi-undefeated-vincent-keymer-extends-lead-on-day-4-631325.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/the-world-games-2025-britain-dethrones-switzerland-for-tug-of-war-gold-631191.html Chengdu Aug 9 The threeday tug of war competitions of The World Games 2025 kicked off here on Saturday with Britains mens 640kg team clinching gold after a dominant performance against reigning champion Switzerland Germany took home the bronze medal The tug of war event features three categories mens 640kg womens 500kg and mixed 580kg 18 teams each consisting of eight athletes are participating in the Games In the mornings roundrobin qualifying rounds Germany Britain Switzerland and Belgium secured the top four spots with 11 9 7 and 7 points respectively to advance to the semifinals where Switzerland defeated Germany and Britain overcame Belgium to set up a goldmedal showdown between the two powerhousesIn the final Britain was in formidable form to secure a convincing 30 victory over Switzerland Germany defeated Belgium 21 to get the bronze medal reports XinhuaTug of war has been an official event at The World Games since its inaugural edition in 1981 Several athletes praised the organisation and venue conditions of the Chengdu World Games calling it an excellent opportunity to promote the development of the sportShaw Gaz a bricklayer and a member of the goldwinning British team said the victory was a testament to a year of hard training that included cycling and weighted runs In the second pull of the final against Switzerland I thought we might lose because they were so strong but I told myself to hang in there and give it everything said Gaz who has won three championships in EuropeGermany head coach Stefan Heimann noted the wide age range of his athletes from those born in the 1980s to the 2000s Our training schedule has to accommodate everyones different situations but its very interesting because we are all united by our shared love for the sport he saidA heartwarming moment took place during a break in the matches when the organisers and spectators surprised Dutch athlete Vincent Wagenmans with a birthday celebration Wagenmans who turned 48 was presented with the World Games mascots Shu Bao and Jin Zai while the crowd sang Happy Birthday leaving him visibly movedChina claims acrobatics gymnastics womens group goldChina captured the womens group title in acrobatic gymnastics at The World Games 2025 on Saturday night triumphing at the Dongan Lake Sports Park Multifunctional Gymnasium Performing to a dynamic arrangement of Jasmine Flower variations Chinas trio of Gu Jiaquan Ma Yixing and Ding Wenyan delivered a display of synchronised precision in acro pyramid toss and tumbling elementsJust before their performance the US team set a high bar with a stellar routine earning 28670 pointsUnfazed by the challenge the Chinese trio took to the floor Following a flawless execution of compulsory elements they showcased progressively complex skills drawing enthusiastic applause from the home crowdChinas winning score of 29230 secured the gold medal ahead of the US with the trio embracing emotionally draped in the national flag Israel earned the bronze with 28480 while Germany narrowly missed a spot on the podium finishing fourthDuring the afternoon qualifiers China topped the balance exercise and placed third in the jazzstyled dynamic exercise advancing to the final with a sessionleading score of 57290 This victory follows their gold at the 2024 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Portugal marking Chinas return to world title prominence since 2016 and their first team allaround crown in a quartercentury IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/the-world-games-2025-britain-dethrones-switzerland-for-tug-of-war-gold-631191.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chennai-grand-masters-2025-vincent-keymer-takes-sole-lead-robson-stuns-vidit-in-round-2-631019.html Chennai Aug 8 Germanys Vincent Keymer emerged as the sole leader in the Masters section of the Chennai Grand Masters 2025 with a commanding win over Indias V Pranav even as three games in the Masters section ended in draws in Round 2 being held at the Hyatt Regency here on Friday American GM Ray Robson defeated Vidit Santosh Gujrathi in a sharp tactical battle While top seed Arjun Erigaisi was held to a draw by Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest Anish Giri and Nihal Sarin shared the spoils in a wellbalanced clash and the showdown between Karthikeyan Murali and Awonder Liang also ended in a drawIn the Challengers section Indian GM Iniyan Pa impressed with a clinical win over GM Harika Dronavalli while GM Abhimanyu Puranik bounced back with a victory over Leon Luke Mendonca The remaining games Diptayan vs Pranesh Adhiban vs Vaishali and Harshavardhan vs Aryan ended in close drawsNow in its third edition the Chennai Grand Masters is Indias premier classicalformat tournament featuring 20 elite players across two categories Masters and Challengers The nineround tenday event offers a prize pool of 1 crore and valuable FIDE Circuit pointsResultsMasters Section Round 2Vincent Keymer 10 def V Pranav 0Ray Robson 10 def Vidit Gujrathi 0Arjun Erigaisi ½ drew with Jorden van Foreest ½Anish Giri ½ drew with Nihal Sarin ½Karthikeyan Murali ½ drew with Awonder Liang ½Challengers section Round 2Harshavardhan GB ½ drew with Aryan Chopra ½Diptayan Ghosh ½ drew with M Pranesh ½Iniyan P 1 def Harika Dronavalli 0B Adhiban ½ drew with Vaishali R ½Abhimanyu Puranik 1 def Leon Luke Mendonca 0 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chennai-grand-masters-2025-vincent-keymer-takes-sole-lead-robson-stuns-vidit-in-round-2-631019.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 22:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chennai-grandmasters-arjun-erigaisi-vincent-keymer-off-to-strong-start-as-third-edition-gets-underway-630788.html Chennai Aug 7 World No 5 Arjun Erigaisi and German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer won their respective games to get off to a winning start at the Chennai Grandmasters 2025 as the prestigious classical chess tournament began at the Hyatt Regency here on Thursday Erigaisi delivered a commanding performance against American GM Awonder Liang while Keymer showed flawless technique to defeat Indias Nihal Sarin The two victories stood out on an otherwise balanced day in the Masters section with all other games ending in drawsAmong the most anticipated contests was the allChennai faceoff between local Grandmasters Pranav V and Karthikeyan Murali which ended in a wellfought draw The topboard clash between former World No 6 Anish Giri and American GM Ray Robson also ended level as did the duel between Indias Vidit Gujrathi and Dutch GM Jorden van ForeestIn the Challengers section topseeded Indian GMs also made their presence felt Diptayan Ghosh Leon Luke Mendonca and M Pranesh registered opening round wins setting the early pace in a tightly packed field WGM Vaishali Rameshbabu GM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Iniyan Pa were held to draws while experienced names Harika Dronavalli Aryan Chopra and Harshavardhan GB suffered opening round defeatsIn its third edition the Chennai Grandmasters has cemented its place as Indias strongest classicalformat chess tournament The tenday nineround event features 20 elite players across two sections Masters and Challengers and offers a prize pool of 1 Crore along with FIDE Circuit points crucial for 2026 Candidates qualificationThe tournament runs till August 15 with all matches starting at 300 PM IST final round at 100 PM IST Matches are broadcast live on YouTube and other major chess platformsResultsMasters Round 1Arjun Erigaisi 1 bt Awonder Liang 0Vincent Keymer 1 bt Nihal Sarin 0Anish Giri ½ drew with Ray Robson ½Vidit Gujrathi ½ drew with Jorden van Foreest ½Pranav V ½ drew with Karthikeyan Murali ½Challengers Round 1Diptayan Ghosh 1 bt Harika Dronavalli 0Leon Luke Mendonca 1 bt Harshavardhan GB 0M Pranesh 1 bt Aryan Chopra 0Adhiban Baskaran ½ drew with Abhimanyu Puranik ½Vaishali Rameshbabu ½ drew with Iniyan Pa ½ IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chennai-grandmasters-arjun-erigaisi-vincent-keymer-off-to-strong-start-as-third-edition-gets-underway-630788.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-jaipur-veers-kiraak-hyderabad-rohtak-rowdies-and-sher-e-ludhiana-raise-bar-on-day-2-630553.html Gwalior Aug 6 The Pro Panja League Season 2 continued its thrilling journey on Day 2 at the Atal Vihari Bajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports in Gwalior The day witnessed fierce competition and surprising upsets as contesting franchises Jaipur Veers Kiraak Hyderabad Rohtak Rowdies and SherELudhiana battled for supremacy The matches staged specifically at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Training Centre for Disability Sports highlight Pro Panja leagues cofounders Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangiani commitment to inclusivity and bringing the sport to diverse venues following a successful hosting event in the Gwalior city In a specially recognized talent and strength Harsh Sharma was awarded the player of the day by the cofoundersThe atmosphere in the arena was electric with the audience erupting in thunderous acclaim and fervent cheering for their favorite armwrestling stars The crowds enthusiasm was particularly evident for renowned athletes like Siddhant Kathuria of Jaipur Veers known as one of Indias strongest 90kg players Chandan Behera of Kiraak Hyderabad Indias strongest speciallyabled arm wrestler and Yogesh Chaudhary of Jaipur Veers the strongest woman arm wrestler in IndiaIn the undercard fixtures Jaipur Veers and Kiraak Hyderabad faced off Abhishek Prakash secured a 20 victory for Jaipur Veers against Dheeraj Singh of Kiraak Hyderabad in the 80 kg category while Avilie Zuyire of Kiraak Hyderabad defeated Abdul Kadir of Jaipur veers with a 20 in the 90 kg category Rachna Jatav then claimed a 20 win for Kiraak Hyderabad against Sweta Rajawat of Jaipur Veers in the 55 kg categoryThe second undercard fixture pitted Rohtak Rowdies against ShereLudhiana Dara Singh Handa emerged victorious for Rohtak Rowdies with a 20 win over Shivam Rajput of Sher e Ludhiana in the 100 kg category Sanu Joy of Sher e Ludhiana then secured a hardfought 20 victory against Deepankar Mech of Rohtak Rowdies in the 70 kg category despite an initial early pin review Wrapping up the undercard was Kritika Das winning 20 for Sher E Ludhiana against Rita Sengnerpi of Rohtak Rowdies in the 55 kg categoryThe main card action continued the highstakes battles The first main card fixture saw Jaipur Veers take on Kiraak Hyderabad Siddhant Kathuria of Jaipur Veers dominated Siddharth Malakar of Kiraak Hyderabad 50 in the 90 kg category followed by Yogesh Chaudharys commanding 100 victory over Kirtika Bamel of Kiraak Hyderabad in the 65 kg category Chandan Behera sealed another win for Kiraak Hyderabad defeating Manoj Patel of Jaipur Veers 100 in the specially abled categoryThe final main card fixture of the day was between ShereLudhiana and Rohtak Rowdies where Harsh Sharma of Rohtak Rowdies claimed an 81 victory with sheer strength against Harkomal Gill of Sher E Ludhiana in the 80 kg category His skill was also recognised well in a special player of the day award by the cofounders of Pro Panja LeagueIn the second participation Pranjit Sakia of Rohtak Rowdies dominated over Nawab Singh of Sher E Ludhiana in 50 score Dominating in the womens category Theertha of Sher E Ludhiana secure 52 win over Nirmal Devi of Rohtak Rowdies ending the events proceedingsDay 2s results showcased the growing talent and thrilling nature of the league leaving fans eager for the upcoming matches Kiraak Hyderabad continued its dominance from the previous day securing another victory in the undercard and multiple main card wins Gwaliors role as host city for the second season further enhanced the leagues growing influence and provided a platform for both established stars and emerging talent to shine IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pro-panja-league-jaipur-veers-kiraak-hyderabad-rohtak-rowdies-and-sher-e-ludhiana-raise-bar-on-day-2-630553.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indias-mixed-team-tops-compound-qualification-at-2025-world-games-630708.html Chengdu China Aug 7 Indias compound archery mixed team of Madhura Dhamangaonkar and veteran Abhishek Verma topped the qualification to be seeded first at the World Games here on Thursday Madhura who was the winner of the World Cup stage in Shanghai earlier this year was leading the womens field for much of the afternoon but fell away in the last couple of ends to be placed third in the womens individual section while Abhishek was placed fifth in the mens individualHowever Madhuras thirdplace score of 705 along with Abhisheks fifth place 710 puts India in pole position with 1415 of the eight teams in the mixed team competition on Friday where they will face a young Korean pair Moon Yeeun and Lee Eunho in the first roundAnother Indian Parneet Kaur placed 12th in the individual qualification and will face South African archer Jeanine Van Kradenburg who finished 21st in the qualificationIn the mens individual Rishabh Yadav 707 and Rakesh Kumar 699 placed 10th and 19th respectively Rishabh will begin the main round against Americas Riku Van Tonder while Rakesh will kickstart against Batuhan Akcaoglu of TurkeyElsewhere Mike Schloesser and Andrea Becerra have seeded at the top of the mens and womens fieldsSchloesser who is looking for his first World Games title and after an upanddown season during which he became a father for the first time scored 715 with 43x Despite winning every major title available some of them several times this is Schloessers third attempt at an elusive World Games gold medal Last time out at Birmingham 2022 he was beaten by Abhishek Verma in the quarterfinalsMexicos Andrea ended on top of the womens list with 706 with 27x just ahead of the USAs Alexis Ruiz in second and Indias Madhura in thirdHowever defending champion Ella Gibson did not have a good session finishing in ninth spot with 699 The placing means she will have to shoot an extra match tomorrow against Namibias Elisabeth Taljaard IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indias-mixed-team-tops-compound-qualification-at-2025-world-games-630708.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/fiba-asia-cup-india-suffer-second-loss-in-group-stage-go-down-to-china69-100--630719.html Jeddah Aug 7 The Indian mens basketball team suffered its second successive defeat in Group C of the FIBA Asia Cup losing 69100 against China here on Thursday Sahaij Sekhon was the top scorer for India with 14 points while Mingxuan Hu and Jiayi Zhao led the way for China with 17 points each Palpreet Singh Brar scored the first points of the match by sinking a twopointer to get India on the scoreboard However China soon seized control of the action by going on a 12point run before India looked to fight their way back into the contest and ended the first quarter trailing 2914 China outscored India once again in the second quarter extending their lead to 5331 at halftime Olympicscom reportsThe 16time champions China pulled away decisively in the final two quarters sealing a commanding victory over India to remain unbeaten in Group C having also won their opener against Saudi ArabiaAfter Thursdays loss which is Indias fifth defeat in as many basketball meetings against China the Indian men will play the hosts and world No 65 Saudi Arabia next in their final group game on Saturday A loss to Saudi Arabia would see India knocked out of the FIBA Asia CupGroup winners advance directly to the quarterfinals while second and thirdplaced teams play a qualifying round to decide the remaining quarterfinal spotsIndia have been a regular presence at the FIBA Asia Cup since its inception in 1960 missing only four of the 31 editions Their best finish came in 1975 when they placed fourth in Bangkok However they have struggled in recent editions finishing 14th in Lebanon 2017 and 16th in Indonesia 2022 Their last win at the tournament was back in 2015 in ChinaAt the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers last November India stunned higherranked Kazakhstan 8869 in Chennai It was their first win over the Kazakhs in 27 yearsPranav Prince who scored 17 points in that game is part of the Indian squad travelling to Jeddah with Muin Bek Hafeez as captain The team coached by Scott Flemming went on to secure qualification with wins over Bahrain 8177 and Iraq 9777 earlier this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/fiba-asia-cup-india-suffer-second-loss-in-group-stage-go-down-to-china69-100--630719.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jr-waterpolo-cship-hosts-karnataka-lead-the-charge-as-semis-lineups-finalised-630541.html Bengaluru Aug 6 The last day of group stage action of the 51st Junior Waterpolo Championship 2025 at the Basavangudi Aquatic Centre witnessed hosts Karnataka Bengal Kerala and Maharashtra make it to the semifinal in the boys category while hosts Karnataka Odisha Kerala and Maharashtra advanced to the semifinal in the girls category Karnataka beat Odisha 155 in the first match of the day Chinmay Pai was top scorer with 7 goals while Surya Chandra scored 3 goals Pavan Mohan and Jayanth L Reddy scored a double each Nihar Rajesh also pitched in with a goal for Karnataka Meanwhile for Odisha Pradip Padiami scored 3 goals and Rohit Batra scored 2 goalsMaharashtra defeated Delhi 171 Manthan Lomharsh Shivanikar Samarth Vishal Mohature Swayam Pardeshi and Samrat Ravindra Bodke led the way for Maharashtra scoring 3 goals each while Mayuresh Suresh Bugade Harsh Vilas Daingade Swarnim Milind Chepe Shaurya Amit Gupta and Mohit Bhate contributed with a goal each Rishi Thakur scored the lone goal for DelhiBengal beat Assam by 141 Sanjib Sardar scored 3 goals for Bengal while Sahil Sheikh Sabyasachi Show and Retobrata Das netted twice each Arnab Shaw Sourasish Karmakar Tushar Haldar Rajesh Naskar and Arijit Biswas also pitched in with a goal each Meanwhile Kuldeep Saikia scored the only goal for AssamKerala defeated Telangana 82 Dhipin V led the way for Kerala with 3 goals while Gokul Krishna B Navaneeth S Sudheesh R Vishnu K and Rajdeep Datta scored a goal each Telanganas only goal was scored by Mohammad Abdur Rahmaan SiddiqueHaryana beat Manipur 81Kamaldeep and Devansh Kadian were the stars for Haryana scoring 4 goals each RYAN ANGOM was the lone goalscorer for ManipurTamil Nadu won against Assam 94 Pavithrasree SD led the charge for Tamil Nadu with 4 goals followed by Alfiyah Khan Abikhan with 3 goals B Karishma and Kaviya Priya chipped in with a goal each For Assam Ansurima Gogoi scored 3 goals while Debanshi Hazarika netted onceKerala defeated Bengal 152 Safwa Sakeer and Abhinanda V both scored 4 goals each for Kerala Ardra S netted 3 goals while Anjali S Sathya Nivya M Ruddra M R and Ebba Adila S added a goal apiece Anwesha Halder was the lone scorer for Bengal with 2 goalsKarnataka edged past Maharashtra 76 For Karnataka Ishani Kiran and Roshini S scored 2 goals each while Tanvi Ravi also netted 2 goals Nithya C contributed with a goal For Maharashtra Rushada Patil scored 2 goals while Nirmiti Wankhade Anjali Raut Bhumika Giri and Reet Kulkarni added a goal each IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/jr-waterpolo-cship-hosts-karnataka-lead-the-charge-as-semis-lineups-finalised-630541.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sky-is-the-limit-pro-panja-league-breaking-barriers-in-terms-of-inclusivity--630386.html Gwalior Aug 6 Pro Panja League is the first league of its kind for one very special reason Every team consists of male female and paraathletes giving equal opportunity to all to take the centre stage and flex their strength in front of the world In an exclusive conversation with IANS ShereLudhianas Manorama Bisht and paraathlete Harish Varma spoke on how despite all the complexities of pulling off a league of such magnitude the message to all those participating remains the same believe in yourself and the sky is the limitIf a person believes in his strength has confidence in himself then the sky is the limit This league does not differentiate between anyone be it para or female athletes it carries the motto that when a person believes in himself sky is the limit Manorama told IANSHarish a veteran of 20 years in the sport and a world champion said he never even imagined the sport would see a rise of this levelI would have never imagined Paraathletes have never gotten the same level of recognition and promotion as athletes I would like to especially thank Preeti Maam and Parvin sir PPL Cofounders from the bottom of my heart for all the support and the platform they have created Varma told IANSThe second edition of the Pro Panja League kicked off in front of a passionate crowd in Gwalior on Tuesday and despite a loss on the opening day against Kiraak Hyderabad Harish remained confident that his team has the potential to lift the title and called for the team to continue their strong camaraderieI want to give my best We really want to take the title home this year We have made some good additions to the squad this time I will ask the manager and captain to put our best forward and its very important for us to maintain strong camaraderie he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sky-is-the-limit-pro-panja-league-breaking-barriers-in-terms-of-inclusivity--630386.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bengal-warriorz-seek-return-to-playoffs-in-pkl-12-630392.html Mumbai August 6 Pro Kabaddi League season 7 champions Bengal Warriorz will aim to return to the PKL Season 12 Playoffs after four consecutive editions of league stage exits Ahead of Season 12 the Warriorz parted ways with former head coach Prashant Surve after finishing 10th last season with just five wins in 22 matches They appointed former India international and gold medalwinning coach Naveen Kumar who led Telugu Titans as head coach in Season 5 as their new head coach with Praveen Malik as assistant coach for the upcoming seasonThe Warriorz were busy at the PKL Season 12 player auction as they revamped their squad following a few underwhelming campaigns Heres a closer look at the teams strengths and weaknesses ahead of the new PKL seasonStrengthsThe biggest strength of the Warriorz is likely to be their raiding unit in the Pro Kabaddi Season 12 They bolstered their attack by roping in PKL Season 11s standout raider Devank Dalal for a whopping INR 2205 crore at the Season 12 player auctionIranian raider Omid Khojasteh Mohammadshah along with Indian raiders Sushil Kambrekar Vishwas S Manprit Punit Kumar and Rachit Kumar will be among the key options in the Warriorz attack as they look to make their mark in the upcoming seasonThe Warriorz have also brought back Korean star raider Jang Kun Lee the Scorpion Kick King and acquired Himanshu at the auction to further bolster their raiding unitWeaknessesAs far as weaknesses are concerned the inexperienced defenders could potentially hurt the Warriorz in Season 12 While the Warriorz exercised their Final Bid Match FBM options at the auction to retain their star defenders Nitesh Kumar and Mayur Jagannath Kadam for one season each the PKL Season 7 winners seem to have an inexperienced defensive unit on paperAdditionally the Warriorz are also short of allrounders in their PKL Season 12 squad Shivansh Thakur and the debutant Moolchandra Singh are the two allrounders in the squad on paper for the forthcoming campaignOpportunitiesThe Warriorz have plenty of young talents who will look to impress in the Pro Kabaddi Season 12After a breakthrough season Devank will aim to continue his dominance on the mat in the Pro Kabaddi The young raider earlier took the league by storm as he accumulated 301 raid points in 25 matches in Season 11 Alongside him is Sushil Kambrekar who showed immense potential last season but had to leave midseason due to an injury Hell be looking to redeem himself this time aroundThe likes of Yash Malik left corner Manjeet left cover Deep Kumar right cover Amandeep right corner Ankit Sandeep right corner Harander right corner Parteek left cover and Ashish left corner are some of the skilful defenders who will work alongside the experienced duo of Nitesh Kumar and Mayur KadamThreatsAs mentioned earlier the lack of experienced defenders and quality allrounders could hamper the teams chances of securing a playoff berth in Pro Kabaddi Season 12Considering the balance of the squad the Warriorz could be heavily reliant on the likes of Devank which might pose a challenge for the franchise Moreover if Devank becomes unavailable for any unforeseen reason it could significantly impact the Warriorz chances of making the playoffs in PKL Season 12 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bengal-warriorz-seek-return-to-playoffs-in-pkl-12-630392.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ittf-world-team-cships-2026-expand-to-64-teams-per-gender-630162.html Lausanne Aug 5 The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London will feature 64 teams each in the mens and womens events expanding significantly from the 40team format used in recent championships the International Table Tennis Federation ITTF said The expanded format marks the centenary of both the first table tennis world championships held in London in 1926 and the founding of the ITTF the same year The inaugural World Table Tennis Championships took place in London in 1926According to the schedule the Copper Box Arena will stage the opening rounds from April 28 to May 1 2026 Competition will then move to Wembley Arena from May 2 to 10The 64 teams in each gender are organised into 16 groups of four teams Each group plays a complete round robin competition three matches per team The key innovation lies in the staging Stage 1a features the elite eight teams the top seven ranked nations plus the host team in just two groups These matches determine seedings for the main draw with all eight teams progressing automatically Stage 1b contains the remaining 56 teams across 14 groups where only the strongest performers advance All 14 group winners progress directly plus six of the best secondplaced teams based on their match records The remaining eight secondplaced teams face a preliminary knockout round four matches with only the winners advancing to complete the 32team main draw The tournament will unfold across two prestigious London venues The Copper Box Arena will host the opening stages from April 28 to May 1 before the action moves to Wembley Arena from May 210 where the worlds best teams battle for the ultimate prize The Womens Team final on May 9 followed by the Mens Team final on May 10 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ittf-world-team-cships-2026-expand-to-64-teams-per-gender-630162.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/from-haryanas-fields-to-pkl-fame-nitesh-kumars-rise-with-tamil-thalaivas-630165.html Chennai Aug 5 In a village tucked away in Haryanas Rohtak district a young boy once spent his days swinging a cricket bat Kabaddi was nowhere on the radar until one afternoon changed everything That boy was Nitesh Kumar now one of the brightest defensive prospects in the Pro Kabaddi League and the rising star of Tamil Thalaivas I was about 13 weighed around 40 kilos and just followed my friends to the Kabaddi ground Nitesh recalled in the Rise of a Star I lost my first match I dont even remember the score But something clicked I knew this was itThe journey that followed was anything but smooth With unwavering support of his family and his coach Ramesh Kumar a strict disciplinarian from a nearby village and a serving officer in the Haryana Police Nitesh began to train seriously It was in local tournaments that he shaped his defensive instincts often picking up techniques just by observing senior playersHis big break came in Haryanas Mahendragarh where a strong performance caught the eye of the Pro Kabaddi League scouts I was just 17 or 18 when I got the call said Nitesh Even my family didnt believe it at first They said Youre too young how did you get selectedThe leap from local tournaments to the glitz of PKL was overwhelming Nitesh debuted against Dabang Delhi KC in a packed stadium in Ahmedabad and vividly remembers being substituted into the match just as Naveen Kumar stepped in to raid The crowd the lights it was surreal But when I caught the Naveen Express it was like all the nerves disappeared I felt like I belongedAlthough he spent most of his debut season on the bench Nitesh doubled down on his training ahead of Season 11 The hard work paid off He not only broke into the starting seven for Tamil Thalaivas but also emerged as one of the best defenders of the season His standout performance came against Puneri Paltan where he completed a High 5 to beat the PKL 10 Champions That match was special The pressure the atmosphere it brought the best out of me he addedDespite his individual brilliance Tamil Thalaivas fell short of a playoff spot The whole team was disappointed But the coach reminded us that setbacks happen What matters is how we bounce back Nitesh says Season 12 is our chance to do thatToday Nitesh Kumar is not just a rising star but also a symbol of how far raw talent grit and the right guidance can take a player PKL changed my life financially emotionally in every way People who never knew me now stop me for pictures in Tamil Nadu he beamed with prideAs the new season beckons Tamil Thalaivas and fans alike will be banking on Nitesh to anchor their defence with the same tenacity that brought him this far Because for Nitesh Kumar the rise is only just beginningThe Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 will start on August 29 and will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/from-haryanas-fields-to-pkl-fame-nitesh-kumars-rise-with-tamil-thalaivas-630165.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/preparatory-camp-for-asian-championships-begins-as-shooters-eye-continental-dominance-ahead-of-asian-games-630036.html New Delhi Aug 4 Indias top marksmen and women assembled here at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting range as the preparatory camp for the 16th Asian Shooting Championships ASC got underway here on Monday The championships will be held from August 16 to 30 at Shymkent in Kazakhstan with India sending the largest contingent comprising 182 shooters across pistol rifle and shotgun in both Olympic and NonOlympic events The championships will see an intense fight for continental dominance between Asian shooting powerhouses ahead of next years Asian Games in AichiNagoya JapanThe preparatory camp follows the national camp which was conducted last month in Dehradun for rifle and pistol and Bhopal for shotgun athletes the National Rifle Association of India NRAI informed in a release on MondayAmong the 182 athletes 35 seniors and 36 juniors will travel at government cost and the rest of the athletes will travel at their own cost as per tournament entry rules A total of 734 athletes from 28 countries have so far entered the fray in this edition of ASC Hosts Kazakhstan will have the second largest contingent with over 100 athletes while South Korea and China will send 70 and 47 athletes respectivelyThe first batch of the Indian squad will include the pistol and skeet shooters who will leave for the Central Asian country on August 14 while the rifle shooters will leave on August 17 The remaining shooters will leave on August 20 and the shooters who are participating in the nonOlympic events will leave on August 24In the 15th Asian Shooting Championships 2023 held at Changwon South Korea India finished third in the medal tally behind China and South Korea with a total of 19 medals including six gold eight silver and five bronze medals IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/preparatory-camp-for-asian-championships-begins-as-shooters-eye-continental-dominance-ahead-of-asian-games-630036.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sohail-khan-qualifies-for-kudo-asian-championship-2025-after-impressive-wins-at-surat-trials-629784.html Surat Aug 3 Sohail Khan one of Indias most successful Kudo athletes has secured his spot in the Indian team for the upcoming Fourth Kudo Asian Championship 2025 The selection trials were held on August 2 and 3 at the Athletica Fitness Centre in Surat Gujarat Sohail delivered two strong performances in the Adult Male 250 PI category to book his place in the national squad Sohail won his first fight by knockout against Biri Tasso of Arunachal Pradesh In the final he defeated Rajasthans Abhimanyu Godara through a submission With these strong results he earned his place in the Indian squad for the championship which will be held in Tokyo Japan from November 1 to 4Speaking after his qualification Sohail said It feels amazing to be selected to represent India again Every fight is a chance to prove how hard Ive worked Im grateful to my coaches family and supporters My full focus is now on preparing for the Asian Championship and winning a medal for the countrySohail has trained under the guidance of his coach Dr Mohammad Aijaz Khan who has played a key role in shaping his journey from his early days Meanwhile the trials were conducted under the leadership of Hanshi Mehul Vora founder of Kudo India and a key figure in developing the sport across the countrySohails selection comes just weeks after he created history at the Kudo World Cup 2025 in Burgas Bulgaria He became the first Indian male athlete to reach the senior final in the tournaments history and returned with a silver medal He defeated top competitors from Bulgaria and Lithuania before narrowly losing to Frances Quentin Miramont in a highintensity final that went into a third roundA native of Sagar Madhya Pradesh Sohail is known across India as the Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh He has won 22 consecutive national gold medals a rare record in Indian Kudo He is also a Junior World Champion 2017 and a fourtime gold medallist at the Akshay Kumar International Kudo TournamentWith the Asian Championship around the corner he is once again ready to represent India with pride and aim for the top spot on the podium in Tokyo IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sohail-khan-qualifies-for-kudo-asian-championship-2025-after-impressive-wins-at-surat-trials-629784.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ficci-delegation-explores-bilateral-opportunities-in-sports-industry-between-india-and-uk-629794.html New Delhi Aug 3 The sports industry was the focal point of discussion on Sunday between India and the United Kingdom On one hand Indias cricket team is currently touring England while on the other Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently signed crucial commercial agreements with the UK reaffirming the importance of IndoUK relations Within this timeframe a weeklong sports delegation visit by FICCIs Sports Committee to the UK resulted in several significant engagements The delegation supported by the Indian High Commission in Manchester was led by Dr Kanishka Pandey Chairman of the FICCI Sports Committee for Uttar Pradesh and Head of Centre for Sports Research at IMT GhaziabadThe main event was the IndiaManchester Sports Business Forum organized at Deloitte ManchesterThe forum brought together prominent stakeholders from the Indian and British sports sectors Distinguished participants included representatives from GMR Sports Manchester Metropolitan University Loughborough University Salford University Sports UK and the Manchester City CouncilDr Kanishka Pandey presented Indias perspective on a range of issues including recognizing sports as a fundamental right integral to national development utilizing sports for social transformation emphasizing the urgency of collaboration between educational institutions and industry to promote research and evidencebased policymaking and the need to develop sports technology education and urbanlevel strategic planning in line with IndiaUK cooperationNotable attendees included Preeti Jhangiani CoFounder Pro Panja League Yawar Abbas Deputy CEO and Head Sports amp Events Manchester City Council Sanjay Bahl Prof Andy Miah of Salford University and Dr Steve Tickle among othersThe FICCI delegation also visited Manchester Loughborough and SouthamptonDr Pandey stated that this visit aimed to strengthen IndoUK cooperation in the fields of sports business research innovation and community development He emphasised that by deepening collaboration between Indian educational institutions and international sports organisations new pathways can be created for innovation inclusivity and social impactThe FICCI delegation collaborated closely with British sports businesses in cities such as Manchester Loughborough and Southampton to actively explore investment opportunities in India particularly in the cities of Ghaziabad Lucknow and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ficci-delegation-explores-bilateral-opportunities-in-sports-industry-between-india-and-uk-629794.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/u19-asian-boxing-cships-shivam-mausam-advance-to-next-round-with-contrasting-wins-629821.html Bangkok Aug 3 Indias Shivam and Mausam Suhag registered contrasting victories to advance in their respective weight categories at the U19 Asian Boxing Championships 2025 in the Thai capital on Sunday In the mens 55kg category Shivam dominated all three rounds against Turkmenistans Bezirgen Annayev to earn a unanimous verdictLater in the day Mausam showed resilience under pressure from Kazakhstans Nurkabyluly Mukhit in the 65 kg category to carve out a 32 winThe U19 and U22 Asian Boxing Championships provide Indias rising stars a platform to showcase their skills and determination against some of Asias toughest opponents India has fielded a strong contingent of 40 boxers 20 in each age group with a perfect mix of proven champions and potential talents who have impressed in the domestic circuitHowever the Indian contingent could not make it a perfect day in the U19 age group as Shubham suffered a 05 loss against Kazakhstans Tortubek Adilet in the 60kg bout Three Indian boxers will also be in action in the U22 age group later in the dayThe tournament organised by Asian Boxing in association with World Boxing and the Thailand Boxing Association is bringing together 396 boxers from 26 nations It features two age groups U19 born between 2007 and 2008 and U22 born between 2004 and 2006 with both men and women competing under Olympicstyle boxing rulesThe Indian team features a strong mix of talent across both divisions Leading the charge is threetime Asian Champion and twotime National Champion Vishvanath Suresh who will be one to watch Joining him are national champion Sagar National Games silver medallist Preet Malik Khelo India gold medallist and senior nationals performer Suman Kumari Asian Youth Championship 2024 bronze medallist YakshikaThey will be joined by multitime national medallist Nisha and SubJunior Nationals 2024 silver medallist Muskan Alongside them are several exciting firsttimers whove made their mark at the domestic levelFor many in the squad it marks their first experience on a major international stage a chance to step out of domestic competition and go glovetoglove with the best young talent from across Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/u19-asian-boxing-cships-shivam-mausam-advance-to-next-round-with-contrasting-wins-629821.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pvl-2025-hyderabad-black-hawks-guru-prasanth-eyes-redemption-and-glory-629516.html New Delhi Aug 1 Winning the trophy is the ultimate goal says Hyderabad Black Hawks Guru Prasanth as he prepares to return to the court with renewed passion grit and determination in the upcoming fourth edition of Prime Volleyball League Despite missing the last season due to injury Guru who was the MVP and best attacker in the second season was retained by the Hyderabad Black Hawks a gesture that means a lot to the Tamil Nadu player As he prepares to return hes determined to give it his all and leave no stone unturned every time he steps onto the court in the Black Hawks jerseyIm really glad they decided to retain me Honestly I was hoping for it because I want to perform for the team something I couldnt do last season Guru said This time were aiming for the trophy We want to prove ourselves and more importantly I want to prove myself he saidInjuries are part of an athletes journey but what hurt the most wasnt just the injury it was not being able to play most matches or support my team Guru said That said I always had the grit and determination to come back stronger after recoverySpeaking about his injury Guru shared I suffered an ACL tear along with a horizontal meniscus tear in my medial meniscus during the FIVB Club World Championship camps in November 2023 That put me into full rehab for about nine months I slowly returned to the court through smaller tournaments It was tough in the beginning but I gave my body the time it needed to heal and that made all the differenceGuru shared how his father played a crucial role in keeping his spirits high during the rehab phase constantly motivating him to stay positive and focused on his recoveryObviously I was feeling low mentally it was a tough and traumatic phase But as an athlete you have to stay strong and maintain a positive mindset Guru said Whats done is done the focus should always be on what lies ahead Controlling the controllables with the right attitude really helps in healing both physically and mentally I was lucky to have supportive people around me especially my family and above all my father who kept me motivated throughoutThe youngster lavished praise on PVL for helping get more talent from the grassroots The Indian team performed quite well in the last CAVA tournament he said With the support of the coach statisticians and analysts the team is doing a great job on the international stage Having access to such amenities is essential Also thanks to Prime Volleyball players have improved significantly in terms of skill Indian volleyball has seen tremendous growth over the past two yearsGuru hopes the team can lift the trophy for the fans They can expect us to give it our all for the city for the people and for the love they continue to show us Every Hyderabad Black Hawks fan deserves that Well be playing with our hearts on the courtPrime Volleyball League PVL is Indias first professional volleyball league with 10 teams The league successfully completed Seasons 1 2 amp 3 and Season 4 is scheduled for October 2025 Prime Volleyball League works closely with the global body of Volleyball Fédération Internationale de Volley Ball FIVB The league has players from India and worldwide where the international players come through FIVBs international transfer procedure IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pvl-2025-hyderabad-black-hawks-guru-prasanth-eyes-redemption-and-glory-629516.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 21:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/arcs-stasya-pandya-qualifies-for-junior-national-equestrian-championships-629536.html Mumbai Aug 1 The Amateur Riders Club ARC rider Stasya Pandya qualified for the Junior Nationals at the Regional Equestrian League REL the qualifying event held in Bengaluru The event was hosted at the Embassy International Riding School EIRS in Bangalore and was evaluated by a panel of experienced and certified equestrian judges ensuring a fair and professional assessment of all participants The event saw competition in show jumping and dressage and had participants from across Delhi Bangalore Chennai Kolkata and Mumbai taking partThe Regional Equestrian League REL is a nationallevel benchmark event for young and aspiring Indian equestrian athletes to compete and qualify for the Junior National Equestrian Championship JNEC and other nationallevel competitionsStasya astride Jisamer scored an average of 64602 in Children I Dressage and has officially qualified for the Junior National Equestrian Championship to be held in DecemberReflecting on her success at the REL 2025 Stasya said Horses have always helped me through a lot in life When I started I thought of riding only as fun and happiness But as I rode and competed more I realized its not just about the joy its about how it shapes me as a person My understanding personality and focus have improved tremendouslyMy family has been very supportive ensuring I have access to all the necessary facilities and training My extended family at Amateur Riders Club ARC along with the toptier training facilities and the specialised coaching program by my coach Bobin Tshering have greatly improved my riding skills In equestrian sports your biggest competitor is yourself The better I become the more opportunities I create for myself to build a successful future with the hope of one day representing India he addedThe Amateur Riders Club ARC is a top riding club in the Western region of the country that operates out of the Mahalaxmi Race Course and works for the development of riders at the grassroots level and provides them an opportunity to participate at the national level IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/arcs-stasya-pandya-qualifies-for-junior-national-equestrian-championships-629536.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 23:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indias-young-pugilists-begin-u19-asian-boxing-championships-campaign-with-wins-629381.html Bangkok Aug 1 Indias junior boxing team kicks off its campaign on Friday at the U19 Asian Boxing Championships 2025 in Bangkok with four young athletes representing the country on the opening day As the tournament unfolds these rising stars are set to showcase their grit and determination against some of Asias toughest opponents The morning session saw Suman Kumari taking on MengSin Cheng of Chinese Taipei in the Womens Light Flyweight 48kg category in which the Indian pugilist emerged victorious Additionally Aakash Badhwar will step into the ring in the Mens Flyweight 50kg division facing a formidable opponent in Odilshoh Khalimov of UzbekistanThe action continues in the evening session where Sarthi Saini will face off against Haosheng Zhang of China in the Light Middleweight 70kg category Later in the session Lokesh will represent India in the Light Heavyweight 80kg division going up against Norbek Abdullaev of UzbekistanThese bouts mark a significant start for India at the championships with each athlete carrying the promise of future glory With focused preparation and national pride on their shoulders the Indian contingent is aiming to set a strong tone early inThe tournament organised by Asian Boxing in association with World Boxing and the Thailand Boxing Association will bring together 396 boxers from 26 nations It features two age groups U19 born between 2007 and 2008 and U22 born between 2004 and 2006 with both men and women competing under Olympicstyle boxing rulesBoxers will compete across ten weight categories in each division For U19 men the categories range from 47KG 50KG up to 90KG while U19 women will fight in classes from 4548KG to 80KG The U22 men and women will compete in the same weight ranges offering a full spread of matchups across all divisionsThis championship is more than just a medal hunt its a vital stepping stone for young boxers aiming to break into the senior circuit including the Asian Games World Championships and ultimately the Olympics IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indias-young-pugilists-begin-u19-asian-boxing-championships-campaign-with-wins-629381.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/naveen-strengthens-any-teams-raiding-lineup-haryana-steelers-coach-manpreet-confident-in-raiders-readiness-for-pkl-12--629465.html New Delhi Aug 1 As the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 approaches Haryana Steelers head coach Manpreet Singh has expressed confidence in the fitness and readiness of star raider Naveen Kumar saying he is fully fit and prepared to deliver his best performance adding that teams management and medical staff will take all necessary measures to ensure Naveen remains injuryfree throughout season Naveen signed with the Steelers for Rs 120 crore when he entered the player auction for the very first time since making his debut Since their PKL debut in 2017 the Steelers have been one of the most consistent teams in recent years and have reached the Playoffs in four of the seven seasons that they have competed inFrom a fitness and injury point of view theres no issue with Naveen right now A player like Naveen strengthens the raiding lineup of any team he is a part of The team will make every possible effort to keep him fully fit Manpreet told IANS while speaking exclusively at the PKL preseason Media Day with JioStar expert Rishank DevadigaNaveen had an injury in PKL 10 and he also underwent surgery Last season he wasnt able to perform at the level weve seen him perform beforewhere he used to score Super 10 after Super 10 After an injury and surgery its very tough for a raider to return and regain peak formBut as the league progressed towards the final stages last season Naveens performances kept improving significantly After that he also performed really well in the Nationals and has recently shown strong performances in the Services matches as well he addedHaving retained their titlewinning core ahead of the PKL 12 auction the Steelers have added 10 players at the auction to bolster their squad With a total amount of Rs 4983 crore they have built a strong squad to challenge for the titleHighlighting the balance his team has achieved in both raiding and defence Manpreet said In the auctions our goal was to build a balanced squad Naveen joins us with valuable experience in raiding Even before our raiding was strong but his presence makes it even better In defence we have Rahul and Jaideep who have been consistent over the past two seasons now entering their thirdWeve added two promising young defenders to that mix The overall balance of our team is very good Young players are performing with energy and talent Last season we won 18 out of 22 matches and we aim to maintain that momentum IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/naveen-strengthens-any-teams-raiding-lineup-haryana-steelers-coach-manpreet-confident-in-raiders-readiness-for-pkl-12--629465.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/technology-amp-animation-can-help-in-luring-more-audiences-ronak-pandit-on-shooting-league-of-india-629253.html New Delhi July 31 Indian Shooting teams highperformance manager Ronak Pandit believes the Shooting League of India SLI can use technology to help in growing the audiences for the sport Speaking on the sidelines of the Indian national camp in Dehradun in July the former India shooter and pistol coach said that technology and animation can play a major differentiator during the league to present the sport in a new avatarPeople look at shooting as a technical boring sport We need to make it fun and get animation involved Through technology and animation we can explain to the masses in a fun way what exactly happens in the sport Pandit said People need to be educated about various aspects of the sport but not in a technical manner By using animation we can ensure it is not left to peoples imagination If people have not seen it then it becomes difficult for them to understand the 40yearold addedShooting League of India the first franchisebased professional shooting competition in India was sanctioned by the National Rifle Association of India NRAI earlier this year and has already received the support from the International Shooting Sport Federation ISSF Pandit believes the tournament needs to garner mass engagement to make the league lucrative for the investors and sustainable for years to comeWe need to make the league sustainable by making it lucrative for people who are investing Everything comes down to eyeballs and mass engagement which cannot just happen through viewership One also needs to experience it We need to start thinking on how to make the sport fun and make it accessible for a common man he saidThe first edition of the tournament will include mixed team events across pistol 10m 25m rifle 10m 50m 3p and shotgun Trap amp Skeet categories Shooters will be grouped into four tiers Elite Champions World Elite National Champions and Junior amp Youth Champions ensuring a dynamic blend of experience and emerging talentGiving an insight into the audiences mindset Pandit explained why the league should focus on becoming a source of meaningful entertainmentShooting is not a spectator sport but people watch it during the Olympics The emotional connect is with the Indian team winning a medal But with the league we need to go beyond this idea he saidIndian movie viewers also go to theatres to watch Tom Cruises Top Gun Maverick because it is entertaining We need to present the league in a similar fashion by using technological means to build anticipation with each and every shot As soon as a player picks a gun we can find ways using technology to showcase the athletes mindset and offer statistics to showcase the possibility of success with each type of shot These means will help in engaging the audience Pandit saidThe first edition of the Shooting League of India has been allocated a window by ISSF between November 20 and December 2 The tournament will take place at Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/technology-amp-animation-can-help-in-luring-more-audiences-ronak-pandit-on-shooting-league-of-india-629253.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/malta-to-host-commonwealth-youth-games-2027-629279.html New Delhi July 31 Malta is set to host the eighth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games CYG in 2027 with over 1000 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 74 nations and territories expected to compete across eight sports the events governing body announced on Thursday The award reflects Commonwealth Sports commitment to taking the Youth Games to new countries and especially small and island nations Maltas compelling dualisland concept features existing worldclass facilities with venues in four main clusters across the islands of Malta and Gozo Hotels will be used to create two Athlete Villages one on each island the Commonwealth Sport said in a releaseThe Sport Programme will feature eight sports with Sailing and Water Polo making their debut at a CYG alongside Athletics and Para Athletics Netball Squash Swimming and Para Swimming Triathlon and Weightlifting The distinctive programme was designed to maximise local and Commonwealth youth appeal and utilise existing stateoftheart venuesMalta 2027 will have the largest Para sport programme at a CYG with Para Swimming being added to the CYG programme for the first time building on the landmark inclusion of Para Athletics at the last CYG in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023Dr Donald Rukare President of Commonwealth Sport said We are thrilled to bring the Commonwealth Youth Games to Malta in 2027 and thank Commonwealth Sport Malta and the Government of Malta for their commitment and vision Maltas athletefirst proposal worldclass facilities and proven experience in hosting international events make it an ideal hostThe Commonwealth Youth Games are more than a captivating celebration of sport they are a transformative experience for young athletes Those that compete are the stars of tomorrow and the voices of today changemakers who will shape the future of our Movement We look forward to being on the beautiful island of Malta in 2027Julian Pace Bonello President of Commonwealth Sport Malta described the Games as a unique opportunity for Malta Malta 2027 will be a celebration of unity youth and excellence This is a longterm vision that extends beyond a single event It is about building a legacy in sports participation athlete development and international recognition Our young athletes will have a onceinalifetime chance to compete on home soil inspiring an entire generation he saidMalta 2027 will build on the success of Trinbago 2023 a vibrant and unforgettable celebration of sport and youth that captured the imagination of athletes across the Commonwealth Inspiring and empowering young people is a cornerstone of Commonwealth United the Commonwealth Sport Movements Strategic Plan 20232034 and active discussions are already underway regarding future editions IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/malta-to-host-commonwealth-youth-games-2027-629279.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/para-powerlifting-to-offer-first-medal-as-sessions-schedule-revealed-for-2026-commonwealth-games-629311.html Glasgow July 31 With 30 medal sessions across 50 sport sessions next years Commonwealth Games edition in Glasgow will be compact and short and it will be spread over just 10 days The organisers of Glasgow 2026 on Thursday revealed the official Session Schedule for the Commonwealth Games setting the stage for 10 compact days of worldclass sport action across the city Running from July 23 to August 2 the Games will bring together 3000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete across 10 sports and six Para sports with more than 200 medals to be won in 50 medal sessions Events will take place in four of Scotlands most iconic venues the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena Scotstoun Stadium Tollcross International Swimming Pool and the Scottish Exhibition Campus SECCompetition will be held in 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 wheelchair Basketball Artistic Gymnastics Athletics and Para Athletics Bowls and Para Bowls Boxing Judo Netball Swimming and ParaSwimming Track Cycling and Para Cycling Weightlifting and Para PowerliftingThe action will begin on July 24 when the first medal of the Games will be awarded in Para Powerlifting marking the first time in Commonwealth Games history that a Para sport opens the medal tally Later that evening fans can look forward to further medal events in Artistic Gymnastics and Swimming and Para Swimming rounding off a thrilling first day of competition Glasgow 2026 informed in a release on ThursdayDespite there being fewer sports and fewer days than in previous editions the organisers claimed that Glasgow 2026 will feature expanded programmes in several sports offering more sessions and more opportunities for fans to experience the actionBowls and Para Bowls will run across all 10 days of the Games the longest competition programme for the sport at a Commonwealth Games since Delhi 2010 The 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball will see three additional sessions compared to Birmingham 2022 reflecting the growing popularity of the fastpaced formatIn the pool the schedule includes for the first time the mens 800m freestyle and womens 1500m freestyle thus expanding the swim programme to its biggest ever at a Commonwealth GamesThe first weekend of the Games July 25 and 26 2026 promises to be a showstopper Netball takes centre stage with a highenergy opening with six sports lighting up the city across Saturday and Sunday including 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball Artistic Gymnastics Bowls and Para Bowls Boxing Swimming and Para Swimming and Weightlifting Glasgow 2026 organisers said in a writeup on their official websiteAthletics and Para Athletics competitions will start on July 27 and will include six days of action at Scotstoun Stadium including the return of the iconic Commonwealth Mile back for the first time since 1966 This historic race is expected to be one of the most anticipated events of the Games Swimming and Para Swimming will conclude on July 29 with evening sessions set to deliver highstakes finals and emotional podium momentsTrack Cycling and Para Track Cycling will take over the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome from July 30 featuring the elimination race for the first time in Games history The schedule includes more sessions than ever beforeThe Super Saturday on August 1 promises walltowall action with medals on the line in Athletics and Para Athletics both morning and evening sessions plus Boxing Judo and Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling creating a blockbuster penultimate day for fans in the stands and around the globeThe Games will close on August 2 with a dramatic final day The last medal is expected to be awarded in either Judo or Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling though the exact moment will depend on the flow of competition adding a final twist to an unforgettable 10 daysPhil Batty OBE Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026 said Glasgow 2026 will be an incredible Games Packed full of medal moments a brilliant platform for Para Sport and a thrilling programme of sport across ten days From the very first session to the last Glasgow 2026 will deliver standout moments to packed venues creating sporting memories for spectators across the CommonwealthTodays session schedule sets out the biggest Para sport medal programme in Commonwealth Games history Its only fitting that the very first medal awarded will come from a Para Sport a powerful statement of intent from the outset of the competition Fans can expect unforgettable drama fierce rivalries and the kind of sporting magic that only the Commonwealth Games can deliverIn addition to unveiling the Session Schedule Glasgow 2026 has launched its first national advertising campaign placing sport and athletes at its heartThe campaign will roll out across digital and Out of Home OOH advertising boards across central Scotland and major cities across the UK channelling Glasgows signature energy warmth and humour IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/para-powerlifting-to-offer-first-medal-as-sessions-schedule-revealed-for-2026-commonwealth-games-629311.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/nihal-sarin-advances-to-esports-world-cup-playoffs-faces-carlsen-in-qf-629178.html Riyadh July 31 Following a brilliant comeback run Grandmaster Nihal Sarin representing S8UL Esports has qualified for the playoffs at the ongoing Esports World Cup EWC 2025 in Saudi Arabia He will take on the fivetime world champion Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals After a tough 02 loss to fellow Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi on Day 1 of the group stage Nihal made a strong comeback on Day 2 Showcasing his lightningfast decisionmaking he secured a 20 victory over Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri in the lower bracket semifinal In the lower bracket final the 21yearold faced French Grandmaster Maxime VachierLagrave Despite being in a difficult position in the first game he salvaged a draw through excellent positional awareness before sealing the match 1505 with a decisive win in the second game and secured a coveted playoff spot from Group BIt feels great to make it to the playoffs especially after such intense games against both Anish and Maxime Both matches really tested me but I am glad that I found my rhythm when it mattered most Im looking forward to carrying this momentum into the last eight and giving it my best said SarinThe EWC 2025 Chess quarterfinals are set to begin on Thursday where each match will consist of four rapid games played in a 100 time control format The intensity ramps up in the semifinals which will feature six games per match culminating in a highstakes Grand Final contested in a bestofsixsets format With a massive prize pool of USD 15 million approximately Rs 129 crore and USD 250000 around Rs 21 crore reserved for the champion the tournament promises thrilling battles between some of the worlds sharpest mindsAs the first and only Indian team selected for the Esports World Cup Foundations prestigious Club Support Program S8UL continues to make the country proud by showcasing worldclass talent and elevating Indias presence on the international stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/nihal-sarin-advances-to-esports-world-cup-playoffs-faces-carlsen-in-qf-629178.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/24th-ipca-world-chess-championship-wraps-up-with-global-participation-in-goa-629089.html Panaji July 30 The 24 World IPCA Individual Chess Championship 2025 concluded successfully in Goa bringing together talented players with disabilities from across the globe The event was jointly organised by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Organising Committee of the 24th IPCA World Chess Championship Chief Minister Pramod Sawant personally awarded the top three winners in the Mens Womens and Wheelchair categories with gold silver and bronze medals In the Mens category Armenia claimed the first position followed by Poland and Tajikistan In the Womens category Russia secured the top spot with Poland in second and India proudly in thirdSpeaking at the event Sawant congratulated all participants and praised their courage and determination He said It is only because of my love and respect for them that I made time to attend this special ceremony even during the Assembly session He also highlighted the significance of the Purple Festival which showcases and celebrates the abilities of persons with disabilities across various fieldsThe event concluded on a high note with warm applause for all participants Among the dignitaries present were Minister Subhash Phaldesai State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Guruprasad Pawaskar and senior officials from the organising departments marking a proud moment for inclusive sports in GoaThe tournament brought together over 100 elite competitors from more than 20 countries including Russia Israel Poland Kazakhstan Ukraine Germany South Africa the UAE Sri Lanka and several others Notable international participants included IM Gurbanov Andrei Israel FM Molenda Marcin Poland FM Severino Sander Philippines IM Obodchuk Andrei FIDE FM Vit Vaclav Valenta Czech Republic as well as Indias rising stars like CM Samarth Rao and FM Venkata Krishna Karthick the reigning Asian Para ChampionThe inclusivity extended across men women juniors and girls with an aggregate team trophy awarded to the top three federations based on medal tallies prioritised by gold silver and bronze counts The tournament offers a total prize fund of USD15000 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/24th-ipca-world-chess-championship-wraps-up-with-global-participation-in-goa-629089.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 22:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/global-fitness-race-hyrox-gains-momentum-in-india-with-record-delhi-turnout-628843.html New Delhi July 29 After a successful debut in Mumbai earlier this year the global functional fitness race HYROX is rapidly gaining traction in India The Delhi edition held in Yashobhoomi Dwarka drew over 2600 participants a 50 increase from its first India leg with athletes coming from across the country and 39 other nations The surge in turnout reflects Indias growing appetite for highperformance communitydriven fitness formatsThe event format tested both endurance and strength across eight challenges including sled pushes rowing burpee broad jumps and wall balls demanding both physical capability and mental resilience As functional fitness continues to grow in popularity HYROX is carving out space among a new generation of athletes and enthusiasts in IndiaThe Delhi race also drew attention from the professional sports circuit with cricketers Riyan Parag Ravi Bishnoi Harshal Patel and Anuj Rawat attending as participants I just took a peek inside and saw how many people were competing and cheering A global event like this coming to India with such energy is going to be great for us said Rajasthan Royals cricketer Riyan ParagTheir presence highlighted the evolving relationship between mainstream sports and the larger fitness ecosystemKarthik Balagopalan Managing Director of PUMA India who participated in the Delhi race emphasized HYROXs inclusive and accessible appeal We see HYROX as the fitness race for everybody From young participants to 70yearolds this is about breaking barriers in participatory sport he saidHe noted that engaging directly with the community is central to how the brand sees the future of fitness in India We work with run clubs and do a lot of grassroots activations Our job is to ignite and inspire communities to embrace sport as a way of lifeBalagopalan also spoke to the broader ambition behind the partnership We relaunched our running category six years ago and its doing exceptionally well HYROX is helping us cement our focus on performance and training as a brand he saidOn what continues to drive longterm leadership in the market he added It has to be our people But more than that our belief in an India for India strategy Weve stayed locally relevant fastmoving and deeply rooted in what Indian consumers truly needFollowing the success in Delhi the HYROX India tour is scheduled to return to Mumbai later this year with expectations of even greater community participation and competitive intensity IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/global-fitness-race-hyrox-gains-momentum-in-india-with-record-delhi-turnout-628843.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-ambassador-to-egypt-hosts-u-17-squash-team-for-junior-worlds-in-cairo-628608.html New Delhi July 29 Indian Ambassador to Egypt Suresh Reddy hosted Indias U17 Squash Team representing India at the World Junior Squash Championships The Ambassador also congratulated Anahat Singh for her historic bronze in the individual junior championships India have sent an eightmember contingent to Egypt with four players each in the mens and womens categoriesAmbassador AmbSKReddy welcomed the U17 Squash Team representing India at the World Junior Squash Championships in Cairo We are proud to see the success of AnahatSingh13 who won the Bronze Medal in Womens Singles ending the drought after 15 years Embassy of India in Cairo shared the glimpses of an event on XThe 17yearold Anahat who became the first Indian squash player since Dipika Pallikal in 2010 to win a medal at the junior worlds by clinching a bronze will be leading Indias challenge at the World Squash Junior Team Championships which will run from July 27 to August 1 at Cairos Black Ball Sporting ClubAnahat will be joined by Anika Dubey Unnati Tripathi and Navya Sundararajan in the Indian womens team that has been clubbed in Group B alongside Hong Kong Brazil and IrelandThe fourmember India mens team featuring U17 Asian champion Aryaveer Dewan Arihant KS Yusha Nafees and Sandhesh PR has been drawn in Group E They have been clubbed alongside Japan South Africa and Germany in the groupAs many as 22 countries and 38 teams are participating in the World Junior Squash Team Championships There are 22 participants in the mens draw while 16 teams are part of the womens sectionIndia are yet to win a World Squash Junior Team Championships title Squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-ambassador-to-egypt-hosts-u-17-squash-team-for-junior-worlds-in-cairo-628608.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/president-murmu-pm-modi-vishy-anand-congratulates-divya-deshmukh-for-her-womens-world-cup-triumph-628521.html New Delhi July 28 President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and fivetime World Champion V Anand led the nation in congratulating and hailing young chess sensation Diva Deshmukh for winning the FIDE Womens World Cup in Batumi Georgia The 19yearold Divya Deshmukh stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Womens World Cup 2025 becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title In the allIndian final Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1505 in the rapid tiebreaks on Monday to script a fairytale ending The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws with both players showcasing resilience and elitelevel play In Saturdays opening game Divya playing with the white pieces built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late The second game on Sunday was more balanced though Divya admitted she wandered into trouble for no apparent reason before holding onBut the tiebreaks were where the young sensation flipped the script After the first rapid game ended in a draw the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure making critical blunders that Divya pounced on With nerves of steel Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Womens World Cup champion the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title and the countrys 88th Grandmaster GM overallDivyas triumph and Humpys runnerup finish underline the abundance of talent in our country especially among women said President Murmu in a post on X formerly TwitterMy heartiest congratulations to Divya Deshmukh who has become the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Womens World Cup that too at a very young age of nineteen Koneru Humpy being the runnerup and both the finalists of the chess world championship were from India This underlines the abundance of talent in our country especially among women I convey my deep appreciation to Koneru Humpy for sustaining excellence throughout her illustrious career I am sure that both these women champions will continue to bring greater glories and inspire our youth added President Murmu in her postPrime Minister Modi called it a historic final featuring two outstanding Indian chess players and extended his best wishes to both players for their future endeavoursA historic final featuring two outstanding Indian chess players Proud of the young Divya Deshmukh on becoming the FIDE Womens World Chess Champion 2025 Congratulations to her for this remarkable feat which will inspire several youngsters Koneru Humpy has also displayed immense prowess throughout the championship Best wishes to both players for their future endeavours wrote Prime Minister Modi in his postDivya Deshmukhs sensational title triumph in the World Cup is proof that the country is a dominant force in chess and currently rules the world with Dommaraju Gukesh crowned last year as the FIDE World Champion after beating Ding Liren of China in the final in SingaporeBharat Rules the Chessboard Congratulations to DivyaDeshmukh05 on winning the FIDE Womens World Cup Proud of humpykoneru for a stellar performance in this allIndia final wrote Dr Mandaviya in his post on XVishy Anand who ignited the chess revolution in India by winning the World Championship in classical chess and defending the title on four occasions congratulated Divya on also claiming a place in the Candidates event a qualifying tournament for the Womens World Championship Final Match Anand who won the corresponding Mens World Cup twice in 2000 and 2002 termed the final as a great celebration of Indian chess particularly Womens chessCongratulations to Divyadeshmukh05 on winning the World Cup Becoming GM and a spot in the candidates tournament Amazing battle of nerves humpykoneru played a very good event and showed a commendable fighting spirit The great champion she is It was a great celebration of Indian chess particularly Womens chess said Anand in his post on XYoung Grandmaster Nihal Sarin also congratulated Divya Deshmukh Congratulations DivyaDeshmukh05 First Indian to win the Womens World Cup Also congrats on becoming a grandmaster said Nihal in a post on X that was accompanied by a picture of himself with Divya when they were kidsLeader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi congratulated both the players in a post titled Two Indian women One world stage A nation beaming with prideAt just 19 Divya Deshmukh achieved an extraordinary feat by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Chess World Cup Across the board Koneru Humpy a legend in her own right made this allIndia final a truly historic eventCongratulations to both champions he wrote in his post IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/president-murmu-pm-modi-vishy-anand-congratulates-divya-deshmukh-for-her-womens-world-cup-triumph-628521.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/president-murmu-pm-modi-vishy-anand-congratulate-divya-deshmukh-for-womens-world-cup-triumph-628522.html New Delhi July 28 President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and fivetime World Champion V Anand led the nation in congratulating and hailing young chess sensation Diva Deshmukh for winning the FIDE Womens World Cup in Batumi Georgia The 19yearold Divya Deshmukh stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Womens World Cup 2025 becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title In the allIndian final Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1505 in the rapid tiebreaks on Monday to script a fairytale endingThe classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws with both players showcasing resilience and elitelevel play In Saturdays opening game Divya playing with the white pieces built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late The second game on Sunday was more balanced though Divya admitted she wandered into trouble for no apparent reason before holding onBut the tiebreaks were where the young sensation flipped the script After the first rapid game ended in a draw the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure making critical blunders that Divya pounced on With nerves of steel Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Womens World Cup champion the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title and the countrys 88th Grandmaster GM overallDivyas triumph and Humpys runnerup finish underline the abundance of talent in our country especially among women said President Murmu in a post on X formerly TwitterMy heartiest congratulations to Divya Deshmukh who has become the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Womens World Cup that too at a very young age of nineteen Koneru Humpy being the runnerup and both the finalists of the chess world championship were from India This underlines the abundance of talent in our country especially among women I convey my deep appreciation to Koneru Humpy for sustaining excellence throughout her illustrious career I am sure that both these women champions will continue to bring greater glories and inspire our youth added President Murmu in her postPrime Minister Modi called it a historic final featuring two outstanding Indian chess players and extended his best wishes to both players for their future endeavoursA historic final featuring two outstanding Indian chess players Proud of the young Divya Deshmukh on becoming the FIDE Womens World Chess Champion 2025 Congratulations to her for this remarkable feat which will inspire several youngstersKoneru Humpy has also displayed immense prowess throughout the championshipBest wishes to both players for their future endeavours wrote Prime Minister Modi in his postDivya Deshmukhs sensational title triumph in the World Cup is proof that the country is a dominant force in chess and currently rules the world with Dommaraju Gukesh crowned last year as the FIDE World Champion after beating Ding Liren of China in the final in SingaporeBharat Rules the Chessboard Congratulations to DivyaDeshmukh05 on winning the FIDE Womens World CupProud of humpykoneru for a stellar performance in this allIndia final wrote Dr Mandaviya in his post on XVishy Anand who ignited the chess revolution in India by winning the World Championship in classical chess and defending the title on four occasions congratulated Divya on also claiming a place in the Candidates event a qualifying tournament for the Womens World Championship Final Match Anand who won the corresponding Mens World Cup twice in 2000 and 2002 termed the final as a great celebration of Indian chess particularly Womens chessCongratulations to Divyadeshmukh05 on winning the World Cup Becoming GM and a spot in the candidates tournament Amazing battle of nerves humpykoneru played a very good event and showed a commendable fighting spirit The great champion she is It was a great celebration of Indian chess particularly Womens chess said Anand in his post on XYoung Grandmaster Nihal Sarin also congratulated Divya Deshmukh Congratulations DivyaDeshmukh05 First Indian to win the Womens World Cup Also congrats on becoming a grandmaster said Nihal in a post on X that was accompanied by a picture of himself with Divya when they were kidsLeader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi congratulated both the players in a post titled Two Indian women One world stage A nation beaming with prideAt just 19 Divya Deshmukh achieved an extraordinary feat by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Chess World Cup Across the board Koneru Humpy a legend in her own right made this allIndia final a truly historic eventCongratulations to both champions he wrote in his post IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/president-murmu-pm-modi-vishy-anand-congratulate-divya-deshmukh-for-womens-world-cup-triumph-628522.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/with-a-new-coach-at-the-helm-gujarat-giants-eye-maiden-pkl-title-in-season-12-628405.html Mumbai July 28 After a disappointing campaign last time around Gujarat Giants will look to make a fresh start to end their long wait for the elusive Pro Kabaddi League PKL trophy in Season 12 Ahead of the new season the twotime PKL finalists appointed Jaivir Sharma as their new head coach The Giants have also named Varinder Singh Sandhu as assistant coach for Season 12With over 30 years of experience Jaivir is regarded as one of the most respected figures in the Indian kabaddi circuit Under his guidance the Indian team won gold medals at major events including the Asian Games the Kabaddi World Cup and the Kabaddi ChampionshipsThe veteran coach has previously worked with the Sports Authority of India SAI since 1992 and played an instrumental role in developing and producing kabaddi starsJaivir has replaced former head coach Ram Mehar Singh who was released after the Giants finished 11th in the 12team competition with 38 points from 22 gamesLed by their newlyappointed head coach the Giants were one of the busiest teams and added 13 players at the Season 12 Player Auction table Having spent INR 4967 crore they have assembled a strong squad filled with top talents to challenge for the PKL Season 12 titleWith that in mind lets take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Giants before the action begins in Season 12StrengthsOne of Gujarat Giants undeniable strengths heading into PKL Season 12 will be the inclusion of the Iranian allrounder Mohammadreza Shadloui in their squad The Giants broke the bank to acquire the services of last seasons Most Valuable Player MVP for a whopping Rs 223 crore at the Season 12 Player Auction With 82 tackle points and 57 raid points Shadloui played a pivotal role in guiding Haryana Steelers to their maiden PKL triumph last seasonHaving established himself as one of the top overseas players Shadloui earlier registered 99 tackle points and 27 raid points to help his former side Puneri Paltan to PKL Season 10 gloryAdditionally the Giants possess a topclass raiding unit to compete for the PKL Season 12 title Ahead of the auction the twotime runnersup retained raiders Rakesh Sungroya Parteek Dahiya Himanshu Singh Himanshu and added Shridhar Ananda Kadam from the nominated New Young Players categoryThe Giants have further bolstered their attack by roping in experienced raider Ajith V Kumar for Rs 3630 lacs and added young raiders K Harish and Ankit for INR 9 lacs each at the auctionWeaknessesIt will be interesting to see how the Giants defence rises to the challenge in Pro Kabaddi Season 12 Mohammadreza Shadloui is the only established defender in the Giants squad and he will be entrusted to lead the defence from the front in the upcoming campaignApart from Shadloui the likes of Shubham Kumar Rohit Kumar Nitin Panwar Milad Jabbari Lucky Sharma Amit and Sumit will need to step up and support Shadloui if they are to clinch their maiden PKL title in Season 12OpportunitiesDespite a below par campaign with 66 raid points in 15 matches last season the Giants showcased their faith by retaining their star raider Parteek Dahiya for PKL Season 12 The upcoming season will serve as a perfect opportunity for Parteek to regain his mojo and guide the Giants to PKL glory Just like Parteek seasoned raider Rakesh Sungroya will have the chance to raise his game and contribute more consistently in attack in the season ahead The Giants will also expect some impactful performances from their new recruit V Ajith Kumar who has already racked up 494 raid points in 90 matches in the leagueThreatsAhead of the new season the Giants have made strategic changes including appointing a new coaching staff Head coach Jaivir and assistant coach Varinder will make their PKL coaching debut in the forthcoming season It will be fascinating to see how these Giants perform under a new coaching setupAdditionally the Giants have undergone a complete squad overhaul with the inclusion of 13 new players at the recently concluded auction As a result it may take some time for the newlook squad to gel as a team and produce resultsThe Giants will also need their experienced raiders including Rakesh Sungroya Parteek Dahiya and Ajith V Kumar to deliver consistent performances throughout the season if they are to claim their maiden PKL title in Season 12 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/with-a-new-coach-at-the-helm-gujarat-giants-eye-maiden-pkl-title-in-season-12-628405.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sukant-kadam-and-krishna-nagar-lead-indias-medal-haul-at-british-amp-irish-para-badminton-international-628285.html New Delhi July 27 Indias para badminton stars delivered an impressive performance at the British amp Irish Para Badminton International 2025 a key Level 1 event on the BWF circuit Leading the medal tally for India were Sukant Kadam and Krishna Nagar who clinched silver and bronze respectively in their categories showcasing toptier skill and determination on the international stage In the Mens Singles SL4 category World No 2 Sukant Kadam displayed a commanding run to the final He defeated fellow Indian Naveen Sivakumar in straight sets 2114 2119 in the semifinal In the summit clash Sukant faced Paralympic Champion Lucas Mazur of France and fought valiantly before settling for silver with the match ending 621 1421I gave it everything on court and reaching the final at a Level 1 event is a big boost Matches like these help me improve and Im taking away valuable lessons to refine my game for the Paralympics said KadamIn the Mens Singles SH6 category Paralympic gold medallist Krishna Nagar continued his consistent form advancing to the semifinals before finishing with a hardfought bronze medalEvery match here was a test of focus and endurance Im happy to finish on the podium again and this performance gives me great confidence as we head towards Paris said NagarPrem Kumar Ale and Abu Hubaida clinched a bronze in the Mens Doubles WH1WH2 category while Krishna Nagar and Nithya secured a bronze in the Mixed Doubles SH6 event Nithya also shone individually winning a gold medal in the Womens Singles SH6 category Manisha Ramadass earned a silver medal in Womens Singles SU5 and Mandeep Kaur contributed with two bronze medalsone in the Womens Singles SL3 and another in the Mixed Doubles SL3SU5 alongside partner Chirag Baretha IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sukant-kadam-and-krishna-nagar-lead-indias-medal-haul-at-british-amp-irish-para-badminton-international-628285.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 20:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ravi-dahiya-resumes-training-after-surgery-says-hopeful-of-making-it-to-la-2028-olympics-628100.html New Delhi July 26 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya has revealed that he has resumed training after a successful surgery and is now hopeful of making it to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles Dahiya sustained an injury during a practice bout at the Chhatrasal Stadium in February 2023 Scans revealed grade 2 tears on his right knee in Medial Collateral Ligament MCL and Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACLIve resumed training after my surgery It was unfortunate to miss the Paris Olympics due to injury but Im hopeful of making it to Los Angeles Fingers crossed Dahiya told IANSHe was last seen in action at the 2022 World Championships in Belgrade in September The Birmingham Commonwealth Games champion lost in the first round to Uzbekistans Gulomjon Abdullaev in the 57kg categoryThe 27yearold wrestler believes the new sports policy Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana headed by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will boost the confidence of players and athletes across the national capitalThe new sports policy of the Delhi Government is very impressive It will benefit athletes at the grassroots level There will be improved infrastructure and increased prize money for Delhi athletes This will boost the confidence of players across the city he addedThe new policy has increased incentives for athletes across all levels Olympic and Paralympic medal winners now receive more than twice the previous remuneration Also depending on their performance the state will provide top medal winners with secure government employment in Group A B or C positions in addition to financial incentives By providing more funding for training nutrition and grassroots involvement the program seeks to empower young people keep athletic potential in Delhi and advance the growth of sports more broadlyDahiya recently decided to move up in the weight category to improve his chances of prolonging his career and aim for a medal in the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028While the next Olympic weight category for the LA Olympics 2028 is 65kg Dahiya has been in and out of competitions in the past few years due to injuries and has been competing in the nonOlympic 61kg weight category IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ravi-dahiya-resumes-training-after-surgery-says-hopeful-of-making-it-to-la-2028-olympics-628100.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sacramento-kings-aiming-to-build-defensive-identity-under-doug-christie-says-dipesh-mistry-628032.html New Delhi July 25 After two straight playin exits the Sacramento Kings are shifting gears by prioritizing defense as their foundation for the upcoming NBA season Tasked with jumpstarting that identity Dipesh Mistry who recently represented India on the highest stage by becoming the head coach of a Summer League teamhelped guide a young Kings squad to the finals while laying the groundwork for a new culture built on the defensive endIn an exclusive conversation with IANS Mistry spoke on what the Kings need to do this season praised the two rookies drafted by the team while also speaking on the improvement made by Isaac Jones and reflected on the huge opportunity he was tasked withI think its just about starting it or creating a defensive identity that Doug Christie has set out He wanted to really establish that in Summer League which I thought the players did a great job at Now the players that are going to play with the big team like Max Nick Isaac Jones Devin Carter those guys can transfer all that knowledge and information and mindset that weve instilled in them in Summer League into the big team And then when we get in with the big team the Kings organization thats kind of where were going to start and hang our heads on the defensive end Mistry told IANSMistry was full of praise for rookies Nique Clifford and center Maxime Raynaud who were drafted at 24 and 42 respectively in the 2025 NBA DraftIn six games Clifford returned with numbers of 152 points 65 rebounds and 42 assists which earned him a spot in the AllSummer League First TeamThe two rookies that we drafted were just great draft picks you know and you could tell theyre ready to play Theyre ready to play in the NBA Nick his skill set was justhes a Swiss Army knife He could do a little bit of everything You shoot it his passing is incredible You can bring up the ball you can reboundMaxs versatility offensively was great We got a showcasehe could stretch the floor from the three he could play inside but also his communication on defense was at a high level for a young player coming to the NBA and that immediately translates he addedSecondyear undrafted player Isaac Jones also showed his immense potential through the tournament his prowess was on full display in the semifinals where he scored 36 pointsMistry revealed the team do see him as a potential occupant for the Forward positionIsaac Jones Ive been working with him a lot since his rookie year personally and we are working on really creating him at the forward position and stretching out And you could see last night he hit a pretty clutch three and hes been really working on his three ball He was dominant in his performances especially in the last two games when the pressure was at its most Mistry saidMistrys path to the NBA began at Ryerson University now TMU where he initially aimed to play basketball but was cut from the team Determined to stay involved he became the team manager under Indian head coach Roy Rana later moving up to assistant coachAlong the way Mistry taught himself SportsCode a video analysis software that opened doors with Canada Basketball He joined the womens national team even working at the Rio Olympics Transitioning to the mens team he connected with Jay Triano who later hired him as an assistant video coordinator with the Phoenix Suns during his stint as the interim coach and began his NBA JourneyHaving gotten to experience his dream during the Summer League Mistry reflected on what the role meant to him on both a personal and professional levelOn a personal level it was really rewarding to be able to just look up and see where you are now All the work that Ive done and all the family and people who supported me and all the people Ive learned from got me to this point Just being able to apply what Ive learned from all these coaches on a very highlevel stage was really rewardingOn a personal level obviously it was huge for me It was a goal to be in the NBA not only in the NBA but to ascend up in the NBA it was an amazing experience Mistry concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sacramento-kings-aiming-to-build-defensive-identity-under-doug-christie-says-dipesh-mistry-628032.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/wrestling-icon-hulk-hogan-dies-at-71-627858.html New Delhi July 24 Legendary American wrestler Hulk Hogan born Terry Gene Bollea passed away on Thursday July 24 at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater Florida According to TMZ medics rushed to the residence and the wrestling legend was stretchered into an ambulance but could not be revivedWorld Wrestling Entertainment WWE confirmed Hogans death on social media extending heartfelt condolences to his family and friendsBorn on August 11 1953 in Augusta Georgia Hogan rose to become one of the most iconic and influential figures in professional wrestling history With his trademark handlebar moustache colorful bandanas and electrifying charisma Hogan transcended the sport to become a global cultural phenomenon during the 1980s spearheading WWEs then WWF meteoric rise to mainstream popularityOften hailed as the face of wrestlings golden era Hogans slogan Train say your prayers eat your vitamins and believe in yourself inspired millions of fans especially children His career took off after joining Vince McMahons WWF in 1983 A year later Hogan captured his first WWF Championship by defeating The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden sparking the era of HulkamaniaHogan became the headline act of eight of the first nine WrestleMania events including the historic WrestleMania III where he bodyslammed Andre the Giant before a recordbreaking crowd of 93000 fans a moment etched in wrestling lore He engaged in legendary rivalries with stars like Randy Macho Man Savage Ultimate Warrior and Sgt Slaughter cementing his legacy as the industrys biggest drawIn 1994 Hogan made a dramatic move to WCW World Championship Wrestling and reinvented himself by turning heel in 1996 to form the notorious New World Order nWo alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash This bold change revitalized his career and fueled WCWs dominance during the Monday Night WarsHogan returned to WWE in the 2000s for memorable matches against The Rock Shawn Michaels Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle before being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005Outside the ring Hogan made a mark in Hollywood with films like Mr Nanny and Suburban Commando and gained reality TV fame through his series Hogan Knows Best IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/wrestling-icon-hulk-hogan-dies-at-71-627858.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/a-league-was-natural-next-step-im-thrilled-with-the-response-says-nrai-president-kalikesh-singh-deo-627920.html New Delhi July 25 The Shooting League of India SLI is gearing up for its muchawaited debut and NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo sees it as a defining moment for the sport SLi is scheduled to take place in a window from November 20 to December 2 It will feature mixed team events across Pistol 10M 25M Rifle 10M 50M 3P and Shotgun Trap amp SkeetI was very clear from the start given the consistent success of Indian shooting not just at the Olympics or the Asian Games but also through strong performances at World Cups and World Championships over the past five years a league was the natural next step Especially since no franchisebased model like this exists globally we knew we had to make it happen he saidIm thrilled with the response particularly from athletes both domestic and international as well as potential franchises sponsors and broadcasters Its been a tremendous journey so far he further addedAccording to Kalikesh the league aims to give shooters the recognition and eventually reach the grassroots We want to ensure our athletes both domestic and international have the platform to become household names and stars Shooting as a sport deserves far greater visibility and this league will help make that happenWe want this league to eventually reach the grassroots from the national to the state district and even block levels in the years to come Once the league takes off I believe its popularity will speak for itself Shooting is already one of the fastestgrowing sports and this league will help lead that movement forward he addedTalking about the fans Kalikesh said We want our fans to actively engage with the sport the athletes and the franchises To make that happen we need to leverage technology embrace innovation and even explore virtual reality if needed The goal is to fully immerse fans in every shot and ensure they rally behind shooting one of Indias most successful sports IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/a-league-was-natural-next-step-im-thrilled-with-the-response-says-nrai-president-kalikesh-singh-deo-627920.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bfi-announces-rs-175-lakh-prize-money-for-world-boxing-cups-medallists-627815.html New Delhi July 24 The Boxing Federation of India BFI has announced a prize purse of Rs 175 lakh to reward the 17 Indian boxers who brought home medals from the recent World Boxing Cup legs in Brazil and Kazakhstan Each gold medallist will receive Rs 2 lakh silver medallists Rs 1 lakh and bronze winners Rs 50000 as India builds momentum toward the World Boxing Cup Finals to be held in New Delhi later this yearThe announcement comes at a time when Indias national core group continues highintensity training at the Patiala camp in preparation for two key international events the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool in September and later the World Boxing Cup Finals on home soilIn a further boost to the development pipeline the BFI has been approached by China to explore a strategic partnership spanning junior subjunior and elite levels including potential joint training camps and sparring exchangesCommenting on the pugilists success and the path forward BFI presidentchairman of the Interim Committee Ajay Singh said I want to congratulate our boxers for a fantastic showing on the world stage Our efforts are beginning to bear fruit India has made a huge mark in the first two cups and our fifth in the world Its a matter of pride When you go to these championships people come up to congratulate the contingent to tell us what a great job India is doing in boxing We have also been approached by China for a strategic relationship for boxing development reflecting how highly the world is looking at Indian boxingBut this is just the beginning There are many Mary Koms and Vijender Singhs out there we must nurture them and ensure theyre prepared to deliver at the biggest stages including the Olympics he addedThe dual World Boxing Cup performance brought India a total of 17 medals including 4 gold with standout showings from Sakshi 54kg Jaismine Lamboria 57kg and Nupur 80kg in Astana and Hitesh Gulia 70kg in Brazil Notably both Hitesh and Abhinash Jamwal 65kg secured medals at both events a gold and silver for Hitesh two silvers for Abhinash underlining consistency across weight categoriesIn addition to the gold medallists Indias medal tally included silvers for Pooja Rani 80kg Minakshi 48kg Jugnoo 85kg and Hitesh and Abhinash in Astana while Sanju 60kg Nikhil Dubey 75kg and Narender 90kg earned bronze From the Brazil leg bronze medals were also secured by Jadumani Singh 50kg Manish Rathore 55kg Sachin Siwach 60kg and Vishal 90kgSpeaking at the ceremony guest of honour Vijender Singh Indias first Olympic boxing medallist said You all have done very well all the boys and girls We have to keep going There are a lot of hurdles in life and we have to move ahead without being satisfied always hungry for more successThe recognition reflects the Federations continued push to reward performance and sharpen Indias international boxing ecosystem with depth structure and continuity at its core Earlier this year India clinched a rich medal haul at the Asian Boxing U15 and U17 Championships underscoring the strength of its talent pipeline At the Thailand Open Indias second and thirdinline boxers delivered silverware showcasing bench strength across categoriesDomestically the recently concluded Elite Womens Boxing Tournament in Telangana offered highquality exposure for top contenders and a platform to identify the next tier of national talent IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bfi-announces-rs-175-lakh-prize-money-for-world-boxing-cups-medallists-627815.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/participating-in-sli-is-better-than-normal-competition-says-50-year-old-czech-trap-shooter-david-kostelecky-627587.html New Delhi July 23 Czech trap shooter David Kostelecky at 50 is one of the oldest athletes to have expressed interest in the upcoming Shooting League of India SLI The twotime Olympic gold medallist gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics who began shooting at the age of 14 turned 50 this year but remains as excited as ever to participate in this firstofitskind tournament Kostelecky explained that his love for team events is the primary reason for his excitement about the league I think it is more about the teams than about individual shooters And I love it because this is what I am missing in our sport or my career the Czech shooter saidI am excited to be a part of a team and try to win it together because all my life I have competed for myself and my country I think our sport needs more team events I also love to shoot the mixed events at the World Cups Thus for me participating in this league is better than normal competition So this was my motivation for sure he addedHaving started shooting 36 years ago David also spoke about how he has adjusted his fitness regimen over the years to ensure he remains fit enough to continue in the sport Drawing motivation from Giovanni Pellielo who recently won a gold medal in the 2025 ISSF Trap World Cup in Lonato at the age of 55 Kostelecky believes that physical and mental fitness can help one achieve excellence regardless of ageKostelecky who became the oldest Czech player to win an Olympic medal in 2020 said I am happy to say that I think I have changed my fitness routine over the years I have tried to be stronger also because I thought it was missing I have seen the change it has brought to my sport And obviously when I was young it was easy for me to stay fit normally but now I am already ageing so I have to do more than before So I try to control my food and do regular exercise play some tennis and padel to stay fitHe further revealed how back in 2016 he was facing issues with his eyes and could not see properly thus being on the verge of ending his career However he found an optometrist who helped him with his eyesight which further allowed him to shoot for nine more yearsVision is most important in our sport So there is a guy who can check your vision in the sport not to make you read perfectly but they can measure how your eyes are behaving in the sport how you see the depth of the space and stuff like this They can also improve it And it is really working because I had a lot of problems with my eyes I am using contact lenses now and this guy saved my career in 2016 the 2015 Larnaca World Cup gold medallist revealedHe signed off by expressing his excitement to play alongside some of the best shooting talent in the world and said I think it is really great for the community to have an event like this because despite seeing somebody for 10 15 years you do not know him But now if you participate with him in the team you can become real friends and buddies So that is really great and I think this can put all the people together IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/participating-in-sli-is-better-than-normal-competition-says-50-year-old-czech-trap-shooter-david-kostelecky-627587.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/former-india-kabaddi-captain-deepak-hooda-rescued-by-uttarakhand-police-in-haridwar-627632.html New Delhi July 23 Arjuna Awardee and former captain of the Indian kabaddi team Deepak Hooda had a brush with danger on Wednesday after he was swept away by the strong currents of the River Ganga in Haridwar The dramatic incident unfolded when Hooda lost his balance and fell into the river quickly finding himself caught in the swift flowFortunately the 40th Battalion of the Uttarakhand Police was present nearby and responded with commendable speed and bravery A swift rescue operation was launched during which officers from the battalion leapt into the water from a boat and managed to pull Hooda to safety despite the rivers fierce current pulling the boat off courseThe Uttarakhand Police posted a video of the rescue on their official X formerly Twitter account showing the quickthinking and courageous efforts of the personnel involved The video has since garnered widespread praise on social mediaDeepak Hooda expressed heartfelt gratitude to the officers who saved his life acknowledging their heroic efforts in a lifethreatening situationStar Kabaddi player and a star rescue by UttarakhandPolice Arjuna Awardee and former captain of the Indian team Deepak Hooda got trapped in the strong currents of the Ganga in HaridwarThe 40th Battalion present at the spot immediately carried out a rescue operation and brought him out safelyDeepak Hooda also sincerely thanked the teamThe rescue team succeeded in hauling him onto the boat and bringing him safely to the shore The timely action by the Uttarakhand Police prevented what could have been a tragic incident and their bravery has earned widespread appreciationThe 31yearold Deepak Niwas Hooda who hails from Chamaria village of Rohtak District of Haryana plays in the allrounder position in kabaddi and has represented Telugu Titans Puneri Paltan and Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi LeagueAt the global level Deepak Hooda won a gold medal for India in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta He has also bagged medals for India in the 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters gold and two gold medals in the South Asian Games 2016 edition at Guwahati and 2019 in Kathmandu IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/former-india-kabaddi-captain-deepak-hooda-rescued-by-uttarakhand-police-in-haridwar-627632.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/praggnanandhaa-stuns-carlsen-in-las-vegas-takes-joint-lead-in-freestyle-chess-grand-slam-626702.html New Delhi July 17 Indias Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa delivered a sensational victory over world No 1 Magnus Carlsen at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Las Vegas The 19yearold outplayed the fivetime world champion in just 39 moves Norwegian Grandmaster Carlsen who recently faced consecutive defeats at the hands of Indias reigning world champion D Gukesh suffered another setback as he was beaten by 19yearold R Praggnanandhaa in Round 4 of the group stage at an ongoing tournament featuring a 10minute plus 10second increment time controlPraggnanandhaa who has already won three tournaments this year has now defeated Carlsen in all three formats Classical Rapid and Blitz The Indian pridigy now lhold a joint lead in the the eightplayer Group White with 45 pointsPraggnanandhaa began by playing out a draw against Abdusattorov with Black followed by a win against Assaubayeva In Round 3 he defeated Keymer despite holding Black pieces before stunning CarlsenHowever Carlsen the winner of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam events in Paris and Karlsruhe and overall tour leader has been knocked out of title contention in Las VegasAfter a turbulent day in the roundrobin phase Carlsen finished shared fourth in his group and was eliminated in a playoff by Levon Aronian He now dropped into the lower bracket where he can finish no higher than thirdThe tournaments first day in the ballroom of the Wynn Las Vegas hotel featured two eightplayer roundrobins the White Group and the Black Group with the top four from each advancing to the top bracket The bottom four proceed to a placement bracket fighting for final rankings and prize money but no longer in contention for the Vegas titleCarlsen opened with two wins but then hit a wall Losses to Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Wesley So along with two draws left him needing a win in the final round just to force a tiebreak He beat Bibisara Assaubayeva but then lost both playoff games to Aronian who clinched the final qualifying spotIn the same group Praggnanandhaa Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov secured 457 each to top the table Aronian followed with 4 points edging out CarlsenIn the Black Group Hikaru Nakamura was dominant with 67 Hans Niemann who started strongly with 455 also advanced alongside Fabiano Caruana and Arjun Erigaisi Caruana had drawn his first six games before beating Niemann in a mustwin final roundWith the US debut of Freestyle Chess underway at the Wynn Las Vegas 16 players now move on to the knockout stage Half of them including Carlsen and Keymer will have to fight from below The rest are one step closer to the USD 200000 first prizeOn Thursday wee will see the quarterfinals after which the losing players in the upper bracket will be moving into the lower bracket The winners will continue fighting for the USD 200000 first prize IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/praggnanandhaa-stuns-carlsen-in-las-vegas-takes-joint-lead-in-freestyle-chess-grand-slam-626702.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kabaddi-corner-defender-is-the-pillar-of-the-team-says-yogesh-dahiya-on-his-record-breaking-bulls-move-626766.html Bengaluru July 17 The television screen flickered with anticipation as three Pro Kabaddi League franchises locked horns in an intense bidding war Sitting in his modest home Yogesh Dahiya watched his fate unfold in realtime his heart racing with each escalating bid I was watching the player auction live on TV I could see Bengaluru Bulls bidding then Patna Pirates then Bengal Warriorz I was watching all this unfold recalls the 23yearold defender He emerged as the most expensive Indian defender bought during a PKL player auction after he was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for a staggering Rs 1125 croreThe auction room drama translated into a whirlwind of emotions for the young athlete There was a little nervousness what will happen Who will take me Which franchise will I join But overall it was very interesting and fun he reflectedWhen the hammer finally fell in Bulls favour the celebration wasnt just confined to the franchises war room Back in his village his family erupted in joy after it was confirmed that he is now the most expensive Indian defender in the history of the PKL player auction My family was very happy Mom and dad were so happy that their child had become so valuable They felt proud that I had achieved this recognition Dahiya sharedThis wasnt always the story The path from village fields to professional stardom began almost by accident in 2018 The seniors used to play in the village Looking at them I developed an interest in playing kabaddi It helped me avoid school work and I also enjoyed it he admitted with characteristic honestyFamily support wasnt immediate In the beginning there wasnt much support But after I started performing better the family became interested They started supporting me On days when I didnt feel like going to practice they would say get up go to practice What will you do at home The transformation from scepticism to unwavering support mirrors Dahiyas own evolution as a playerThe catalyst for his development came from an unexpected source his uncles son who recognised raw talent where others saw just another village boy He introduced me to the game He made me start playing He guided me constantly gave me advice regularly and worked very hard with me This mentorship laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable journeyDahiyas rise through the ranks hasnt been built on flashy moves or attentiongrabbing antics Instead hes earned his reputation as a silent killer a defender who strikes with precision rather than spectacle His philosophy is refreshingly simple yet profound You have to play with patience Dont be too aggressive and dont make too many mistakes Make your tackles at the right time Play for your team When theres a need to tackle I tackle for my team Dont play for yourselfThe recordbreaking contract brings with it enormous expectations but Dahiya appears unfazed by the pressure I feel very good being part of Bengaluru Bulls I will play for them and represent them this season he states with the quiet confidence that has become his trademarkHis ambitions for the upcoming season are crystal clear as he concluded by saying I want to do my best for my team And this year I hope we can lift the cup thats what Im aiming for Its a goal that reflects both personal ambition and collective responsibility hallmarks of a player who understands that individual success means nothing without team triumph IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kabaddi-corner-defender-is-the-pillar-of-the-team-says-yogesh-dahiya-on-his-record-breaking-bulls-move-626766.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/fide-womens-world-cup-divya-deshmukh-shocks-world-no-2-zhu-jiner-other-indians-play-out-draws-626661.html Batumi Georgia July 16 Indias Divya Deshmukh pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the FIDE Womens World Cup so far defeating world No 2 Zhu Jiner in the first game of their prequarterfinal clash in Batumi Georgia on Wednesday Playing with the white pieces the 18yearold Divya displayed strategic maturity and exceptional composure against the Chinese star who is the tournaments second seed and one of the title favourites In a tightly controlled game Divya built her position gradually maintained pressure through the middlegame and capitalised on Zhus inaccuracies to close out a memorable win With a 10 lead in the twogame match Divya now finds herself one draw away from reaching the quarterfinalsan achievement that would make her only the second Indian woman ever to reach this stage of the Womens World Cup after Harika Dronavalli in 2023Meanwhile the other three Indian contenders in the prequarterfinalsR Vaishali Koneru Humpy and Harikawere held to draws in their respective Game 1 matches Vaishali playing with the white pieces had a closely fought encounter with Kazakhstans Meruert Kamalidenova with neither side gaining a decisive advantage Humpy and Harika both experienced campaigners and former World Championship semifinalists were solid in defence as they held their own with the black pieces against Switzerlands Alexandra Kosteniuk and Russias Kateryna Lagno respectivelyThe FIDE Womens World Cup is one of the most prestigious events in the chess calendar and this edition holds particular importance The top three finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Womens Candidates Tournament the next step toward earning a shot at the Womens World Championship crownAll four Indian players will be back on the board for Game 2 of their matches on Thursday IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/fide-womens-world-cup-divya-deshmukh-shocks-world-no-2-zhu-jiner-other-indians-play-out-draws-626661.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-contingent-set-for-asian-junior-pickleball-championship-in-vietnam-625901.html New Delhi July 13   All India Pickleball Association AIPA have announced that the Indian contingent comprising 32 young athletes is ready to compete at the Asian Junior Pickleball Championship scheduled to be held in Vietnam from July 13 to 16 The Indian contingent will participate across Under12 Under14 Under16 and Under18 categories marking another major step in Indias rapid ascent in international pickleballThe squad includes athletes from across the nation including Haryana Punjab Maharashtra Kerala Madhya Pradesh Tamil Nadu Telangana Chhattisgarh Jharkhand and Bihar To honour the spirit and commitment of these young athletes AIPA organised a grand flagoff ceremony on July 11The Indian squad includes standout talents such as Arav Surve and Arnav Khamkar in the Under12 Boys Adiya Vinod in the Under12 Girls Aarish Aga Chaubey and Aaradhya Satpute in the Under14 categories and several formidable contenders in the Under16 and Under18 divisions like Jigar Vishwakarma Shreyas Rajaram Avya Nandargame Parth Vijayvargiya Anjali Pol and Aditya GuptaAIPA president Arvind Prabhoo expressed immense pride in the teams preparation and commitment Our junior players have shown remarkable resilience discipline and passion Their selection and participation in this championship reflect AIPAs growing focus on building a strong talent pipeline and putting India on the global pickleball map he said We are confident they will carry forward our legacy with courage and graceSunil Valavalkar Aipa founder and senior vice president of AIPA added We have always believed that the future of Indian pickleball lies in its youth These young athletes represent not just talent but also the dreams of millions who are discovering this sport across the country Im proud of how far weve come and even prouder of where this new generation will take us he statedOver the past few years AIPA has played a pivotal role in popularising pickleball across India conducting numerous national and international events including the prestigious World Pickleball Championship Series held in Mumbai in 2024 where India clinched 28 medals including 11 golds IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-contingent-set-for-asian-junior-pickleball-championship-in-vietnam-625901.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chinas-diving-team-tests-new-pairings-ahead-of-world-championships-625846.html Beijing China July 12 Chinas diving team held internal trials on Saturday ahead of the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore featuring significant lineup changes New partnerships will compete in key events including womens 10m platform and womens 3m springboard Chen Yuxi who previously swept multiple Olympic and world titles in womens synchronised 10m platform with Quan Hongchan will now partner with Zhang MinjieI feel her individual dives are quite stable with good height off the board She can guide me well Zhang said For the synchro event each has her own style Chen Yuxi noted The priority is aligning with each other We need continuous refinement through teamworkReflecting on her mindset post2024 Olympics Chen added The shift is substantial After three years of intense competition last cycle Im starting from scratch this time to gradually regain competition rhythm Mentally I feel more stable and mature nowIn womens 3m springboard Olympic champion Chen Yiwen pairs with newcomer Chen Jia who has won two World Cup singles titles this season Im looking forward to my first Worlds Chen Jia said Chen Yiwen aims to regain her sense of purpose at the event Both will also contest the singles reports XinhuaVeteran Cao Yuan an Olympic gold medalist in three different diving disciplines switches back to mens 3m springboard singles This switch demanded tremendous effort I aim for breakthroughs and hope to execute details well Cao saidWang Zongyuan teams with Zheng Jiuyuan in the mens synchronised 3m springboard Wang who will also compete in the singles stated As a major postOlympics meet this championship will help identify areas for improvement Ill focus on technique and adapt during competitionThe mens synchronised 10m platform features rookie duo Cheng Zilong and Zhu Zifeng Well motivate each other to adjust mentally Zhu said Cheng added As new partners this cycle we aim to follow in our predecessors footsteps for national glory This requires daily stepbystep training progress Well keep learning from them IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/chinas-diving-team-tests-new-pairings-ahead-of-world-championships-625846.html Sat, 12 Jul 2025 22:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-wc-jyothi-parneet-enter-compound-women-sf-rishabh-aman-bow-out-in-second-round-625630.html Madrid July 11 Indias Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Parneet Kaur booked their spots in the compound womens semifinal at the fourth stage of the Archery World Cup of the season Jyothi who topped the qualification round defeated the Turkish archer Hazal Burun 147144 in the quarterfinal to set up a finalfour meet with Koreas Han Seungyeon Meanwhile Parneet made it to her maiden World Cup semifinal after beating Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkey by 142141Parneet a 2023 Asian Champion had never medalled individually outside the continent and missed out on selection for the first three stages of this years World Cup circuit in Florida Shanghai and AntalyaShe was just two points off her personal best of 704 with 702 points in the 72arrow qualification round on Tuesday and now stands two matches away from her first World Cup podiumFor me to make some three steps that I want to focus on during my shot And when Im not shooting and sitting behind the line she told me to do a bit of calligraphy or draw something Thats improved my focus pretty well Parneet told World ArcheryKaur faces reigning European Champion Gibson in the semifinal with a potential final or bronze final against either Asian Games Champion and teammate Jyothi or Antalya runnerup Han SeungyeonIn the mens individual event topseeded Rishabh Yadav Aman Saini Priyansh all bowed out in the second round while Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge crashed out in the opening roundIn recurve archery mens and womens teams had a disappointing exit in their opening roundThe womens trio of Ankita Bhakat Deepika Kumari and 15yearold debutant Gatha Khadake who opened their campaign from the second round due to their fourth seeding lost 35 to FranceThe mens trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara Rahul Singh and Neeraj Chauhan suffered 26 loss to Brazil IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-wc-jyothi-parneet-enter-compound-women-sf-rishabh-aman-bow-out-in-second-round-625630.html Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/new-delhi-to-host-issf-world-cup-2027-and-jr-world-championships-2028-625471.html Lonato del Garda Italy July 10 The International Shooting Sports Federation ISSF has confirmed that New Delhi will host the combined shooting World Cup in 2027 and the combined 2028 Junior World Championships in 2028 The ISSF said New Delhi will also host an ISSF World Cup leg for all three disciplines rifle pistol and shotgun next year dates for which will be confirmed in due courseThe announcement came following the ISSF Executive Committee and Council meetings which both took place on July 9 during the ISSF World Cup in Lonato del GardaLater this year New Delhi will host the ISSF Junior World Cup from September 24 to October 2 the second Junior World Cup of the season following the event held in Suhl Germany from May 19 to 27Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi was also part of the 2024 calendar hosting the seasonending ISSF World Cup Final event in OctoberThe executive council has confirmed that the cities of Daegu and Cairo will host the 2027 ISSF World Championships for RiflePistol and Shotgun respectivelyDaegu a southern city situated in South Korea will host the 2027 ISSF World Championship RiflePistol On the other hand Cairo has been trusted to host the 2027 ISSF World Championship ShotgunThe ISSF World Cup Final will also be held in Daegu in 2027It was also decided that Rome will host the 2026 ISSF World Cup Final in addition to hosting a riflepistol leg of the 2027 ISSF World Cup season alongside Baku and Munich Shotgun legs for the 2027 ISSF World Cup will take place in Acapulco Lonato and HangzhouThe 2028 ISSF World Cup will head to Cairo Guadalajara and Munich for riflepistol while Lima Lonato and Nicosia are to host shotgun events Baku will host all three disciplines on their World Cup legThe 2027 ISSF Junior World Championships will take place in Sichuan for riflepistol and Larnaca for shotgunSuhl will once again return to the ISSF Junior World Cup calendar in 2027 and 2028 Buenos Aires will also be part of the schedule for 2028 as will Tangier for ShotgunRuse as is tradition hosts the first ISSF event of the season at the ISSF Grand Prix RiflePistol 10m Fethiye in Turkey will be the host of the 2027 ISSF Grand Prix Shotgun IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/new-delhi-to-host-issf-world-cup-2027-and-jr-world-championships-2028-625471.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-to-start-on-august-29-with-12-teams-in-fray-625243.html Mumbai July 9 The Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League will commence on August 29 with reigning champions Haryana Steelers returning to defend their maiden title that they won in spectacular style in the last season With all twelve franchises strengthening their squads through the recently concluded auction the upcoming season promises to deliver unprecedented levels of competition and entertainmentThe venues and other details for Season 12 will be announced soon Mashal Sports the organisers behind the Pro Kabaddi League announced on WednesdayCommenting on the commencement of Season 12 Anupam Goswami Business Head MASHAL amp League Commissioner Pro Kabaddi stated We are thrilled to unveil the commencement date for PKL Season 12 Following a recordbreaking Player Auction which saw 10 players cross the INR 1 crore mark we have set a foundation for what promises to be our most competitive season yet We look forward to bringing fans another thrilling chapter of kabaddi actionThe highly anticipated Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 Player Auction took place in Mumbai on May 31 and June 1 where a recordbreaking 10 players secured contracts exceeding INR 1 crore setting a new benchmark for the competitionHeld under the aegis and sanction of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India AKFI the PKL has grown into one of Indias most successful sports leagues The Pro Kabaddi League has transformed Indias indigenous sport of Kabaddi and its athletes on the national and global stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pkl-season-12-to-start-on-august-29-with-12-teams-in-fray-625243.html Wed, 09 Jul 2025 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-wc-rishabh-jyothi-set-mixed-team-world-record-in-madrid-625132.html Madrid July 9 Indias Rishabh Yadav and Jyothi Surekha Vennam shone at the fourth and final stage of the Archery World Cup here as they set new Compound Mixed Team world record during the qualification round The Indian duo totalled 1431 70 Xs in the qualification and broke the mixed team 144arrow score which was previously held by Denmarks Tanja Gellenthien and Mathias Fullerton at 1429 from the KrakowMalopolska 2023 European GamesIts special because the mixed team is newly added to the Olympics and weve been having such small achievements over time the 22yearold Rishabh was quoted as saying by World ArcheryWe opened the season with the mixed team gold together Florida 2025 but we didnt shoot the mixed team the next two stages together Now here in the fourth stage we are back together and we both shot good so its interesting and we are happy with the consistency we have together he addedMeanwhile Rishabh and Jyothi poled in the compound mens and womens individual qualification grabbing the top seedings in both individual and team eventsRishabh stayed on top of the 85athlete field throughout the evening at Vallehermoso Stadium and was on course to beat Braden Gellenthiens 718 individual compound mens world record at 30 arrows with a perfect 300But 68 out of 72 arrows in the 10ring 35Xs is still a magnificent score and the Shanghai 2025 stage two bronze medallists 716 is a new personal bestOther Indian in action Priyansh 710 and Aman Saini 709 were the next best from the country placing 10th and 11th overall respectivelyIn the compound womens Asian Games champion Jyothi too set an international personal best at 715 35Xs simultaneously grabbing top seed in her eventI have been shooting good this year but somewhere I just felt there was something left behind But today since the morning practice I felt really really good with the way I was shooting and I just wanted to shoot the same way in the qualification said Jyothi who hadnt poled in the prior three World Cups this yearParneet Kaur 702 and 16yearold debutant Prithika Pradeep 699 secured seventh and 10th places respectively contributing to Indias top seeding in the womens team event with a total score of 2116 points ahead of Mexico 2108 and South Korea 2095 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/archery-wc-rishabh-jyothi-set-mixed-team-world-record-in-madrid-625132.html Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/mansukh-mandaviya-kicks-off-weightlifting-league-says-mirabai-chanu-is-the-perfect-role-model-625038.html New Delhi July 8 The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the 2025 season of the ASMITA league in Modinagar Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday The 2025 season of ASMITA began with the weightlifting league where 42 girls are participating in eight different weight categories in the twoday event being held in the Open category In the current financial year 202526 852 leagues across 15 sports disciplines have been planned The leagues spread across the states and Union Territories will feature over 70000 female athletes Last season 550 leagues were conducted across 27 sports disciplines that enabled the participation of 53101 female athletesIt is our mission to create opportunities at every level and then spot talent and groom them I see there is a lot of fire in the eyes of these kids who have turned up here in Modinagar I am sure we will be able to find another Mirabai Chanu said MandaviyaTokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu was among the host of dignitaries who were present at the inauguration of the ASMITA weightlifting league Boosting the morale of the participants was Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil KhadseASMITA is a big pillar in our robust sports programme Women have demonstrated their ability to excel in sports and the sky is the limit for them The intent in the eyes of the kids is something that needs to be cultivated said Raksha KhadseYou cant have a better role model than Mirabai Chanu Having come from a remote Manipur village and achieved excellence at the highest levels she has created a benchmark for all women weightlifters Her presence should inspire the young girls who are taking part in weightlifting said Dr MandaviyaHe also reiterated the governments 360 degrees commitment to sports and emphasised how this is reflected in the sports budget that has increased fourfold in the last 10 yearsWe are looking to reach every corner of India and tell aspiring sportspersons that we now have a pathway for you to rise and shine Our Khelo Bharat Niti sports policy has been designed in this manner and having collaborated with the National Education Policy we are giving a lot of impetus to school sports These will be reflected in the Khelo India calendar that we have created There will be no dearth of opportunitiesOlympian Mirabai said the ASMITA Leagues which started in 2021 have been a huge boon for women in sports Its tiered structure is perfectly scripted Everyone now has a vision of how to make it to the highest level We didnt get such opportunities and thats why ASMITA is a blessing for women who want to play a sport and dream big said Mirabai IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/mansukh-mandaviya-kicks-off-weightlifting-league-says-mirabai-chanu-is-the-perfect-role-model-625038.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/india-finishes-third-in-world-police-amp-fire-games-with-588-medals-625056.html New Delhi July 8 India finished third in the medals table with a total of 588 medals including 280 gold in the 21st World Police amp Fire Games 2025 which ended on July 6 in Birmingham in Alabama USA Besides the 280 gold medals Indias haul also included 178 silver and 130 bronze medals as the country finished behind finished third in the overall medals The United States topped the chart with 1354 medals 569 gold 433 silver and 352 bronze while Brazil finished second with 743 medals 266 gold 246 silver and 231 bronzeUttar Pradesh Police was the most successful performer in the Indian contingent winning 95 medals the highest by any Indian unit in the Games held from June 27 to July 6Uttar Pradesh Police made history at the 2025 World Police amp Fire Games in the USAwinning 95 medals the highest by any Indian unit Competing across 63 nations this reflects the success of UPCM Shrimyogiadityanath Jis Kushal Khiladi Yojana the official handle of the UP Government said in a post on X formerly TwitterA total of more than 8500 athletes from 70 countries participated in 60plus sports events to vie for 1600 medals in the World Police amp Fire Games WPFG which are an Olympicstyle competition for first Responders from different countries across the worldThis includes law enforcement firefighters and officers from corrections probation border protection immigration and customs The Games are held biennially and typically have more than 60 sports in the Official Games programmeCompetitions were conducted in Archery 3D target and Field Badminton Baseball Basketball 3x3 and 5x5 Bowling Boxing Chess Cycling street hill climbing and circuit race Golf Ice Hockey Shooting rifle pistol and shot gun Soccer indoor futsal and outdoor Table Tennis Tennis Taekwondo Track and Field Volleyball and Wrestling Apart from these popular ones the schedule included peculiar sports like Angling Freshwater fishing Axe Throwing Bench Press Cornhole Dodgeball Honor Guard and Firefighter Challenge among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/india-finishes-third-in-world-police-amp-fire-games-with-588-medals-625056.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/im-chasing-greatness-nagpurs-raiwat-sagdeo-confident-of-making-a-mark-in-mma-625058.html Bali Indonesia July 8 In a country where Mixed Martial Arts MMA fighting is still in its nascent stage Nagpurs 21yearold Raiwat Sagdeo has been quietly forging his path in the sport Staunch determination helped him start his journey in the contact sport even when his parents werent convinced I put in the work silently and over time my parents began to see how serious I was Eventually they supported me wholeheartedly says Sagdeo about the start of his careerHis family didnt have any connection to the sport While his father worked in the private sector his mother was a homemaker Having spent his childhood in Pinjore located on the HaryanaHimachal border he got introduced to martial arts in school through taekwondo and karate classes which were in extracurricular activitiesAfter finishing his fifth grade the family moved to Chennai where he developed a keen interest in karate At the age of 12 his participation in a pointfighting karate competition where he was disqualified for knocking out his opponent made him realise that he was cut out for the world of fullcontact combat sportsSagdeos selfbelief didnt wane even when he succumbed to an Iranian opponent in his first international fight on his amateur MMA debut Nor was he shaken when he tore his meniscus MCL and ACL I was back in the gym in two days just sat on the stool and practised punching Three months later I competed in a grappling tournament and fought an MMA fight a month after that he recallsHis most recent victories were at CFN 34 where he faced a strong US opponent and came out on top and at the Bali Open grappling tournament where he finished firstCurrently hes training at Bali MMA under Aleksei Zhiganov whos renowned for helping both professional and amateur fighters hone their skillsThe Bruce Lee and Conor McGregor fan draws his inspiration from the top fighters in the sport as he looks forward to turning pro this year following an amateur record of 420The circle of fighters I train with is strong and full of likeminded individuals all pushing for greatness I know that with the right guidance and consistent hard work theres no limit to what we can achieve The journey is just beginning Im not chasing fame Im chasing greatness he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/im-chasing-greatness-nagpurs-raiwat-sagdeo-confident-of-making-a-mark-in-mma-625058.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/union-mos-raksha-khadse-inaugurates-pro-basketball-league-season-4-in-pune-624836.html Pune July 7 Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse inaugurated Season 4 of the Pro Basketball League at the Rajaram Bhiku Pathare Stadium here in Kharadi The event marked the official start of the leagues exciting lineup and aligns directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for a Viksit Bharat driven by empowered youth and a vibrant sports culture and the objectives of the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025According to the organisers the league witnessed an impressive turnout of over 5000 young aspirants participating in trials from across Maharashtra Following a rigorous selection process 1000 elite players were shortlisted through a competitive auction process and 310 players were ultimately selected to join the leagues 19 teams across the Under 14 and Under 17 categories for both boys and girlsRaksha Khadse delivered a compelling speech conducted the trophy unveiling She lauded the efforts of ABC Fitness Firm the Basketball Federation of India BFI and all associated partners for their dedicated work in bringing this vision to fruitionAddressing the gathering she stated The ABC Pro Basketball League embodies the spirit of our nations youth and our collective aspiration for a sporting superpower It is truly inspiring to witness the passion and talent here today which perfectly resonates with our governments Khelo India initiativeShe added Investing in grassroots sports like this is paramount Every point scored every strategic pass is a step towards building a healthier more competitive and more unified India propelling us closer to Prime Minister Modis vision of a developed nation where every talent finds its rightful stageSeason 4 of the Pro Basketball League promises fierce competition and dramatic showdowns all conducted indoors at a worldclass facility ensuring high standards of play and player developmentThis season the league will see five teams each in Under14 Boys Under14 Girls and Under17 Boys and four teams in Under17 Girls category All matches will be conducted indoors at the Rajaram Bhiku Pathare Stadium ensuring high standards of play and a controlled environment IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/union-mos-raksha-khadse-inaugurates-pro-basketball-league-season-4-in-pune-624836.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/meenakshi-sakshi-pooja-rani-hitesh-and-jugnoo-book-final-berths-with-dominant-display-at-world-boxing-cup-624659.html Astana July 6 Indias boxing contingent at the World Boxing Cup Astana Kazakhstan 2025 will be vying for at least six gold medals on the final day on Sunday after Meenakshi womens 48kg Sakshi womens 54kg Pooja Rani womens 80kg Hitesh Gulia mens 70kg and Jugnoo mens 85kg registered convincing victories to reach the finals of their respective weight categories on Saturday India are assured of 11 medals from Astana with Abhinash Jamwal mens 65kg still in the hunt for a spot in the final later in the dayMeenakshi started Indias march on Saturday with an aggressive display to beat Nurselen Yalgettekin of Turkey 50 in the 48kg semifinal Sakshi then displayed her prowess landing punches regularly to dominate Feruza Kazakova of Uzbekistan and reached the final of the 54kg weight category by an identical marginOlympian Pooja Rani then staved off the late charge from Elif Guneri of Turkey in the 80kg category to reach the final with a 32 verdict Nupur had already sealed her final berth in the 80 category on Friday making it four Indian women boxers in the finalsSanju 60kg was the other Indian womens semifinalist in action on Saturday Though she did put her best foot forward against Viktoriya Grafeyeva of Kazakhstan the Indian ended on the wrong side of the 05 verdict and will have to bring home a bronze medalIndia had clinched a total of six medals in the first leg of the World Boxing Cup in Brazil earlier this year with only the men boxers competing in that legThis is the first time that the women pugilists have got an opportunity to showcase their skills at the World Boxing Cup stage and they have grabbed it with both handsBrazil leg gold medallist Hitesh Gulia looked in trouble after the first round against Frances Makan Traore but the 20yearold landed quite a few punches in the second round to close the gap and then wrapped up the semifinal with yet another convincing display in the third and final round to reach the finalJugnoo then added to the celebratory mood in the Indian camp with a 50 thumping of Englands Teagn Scott IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/meenakshi-sakshi-pooja-rani-hitesh-and-jugnoo-book-final-berths-with-dominant-display-at-world-boxing-cup-624659.html Sun, 06 Jul 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cup-meenakshi-sakshi-pooja-rani-hitesh-and-jugnoo-in-final-624599.html Astana Kazakhstan July 5 Meenakshi womens 48kg Sakshi womens 54kg Pooja Rani womens 80kg Hitesh Gulia mens 70kg and Jugnoo mens 85kg registered convincing victories to reach the finals of their respective weight categories in the World Boxing Cup 2025 here on Saturday This means Indias boxing contingent at the World Boxing Cup Astana will be vying for six gold medals on the final day on Sunday India is assured of 11 medals from Astana with Abhinash Jamwal mens 65kg still in the hunt for a spot in the final later in the dayMeenakshi started Indias march on Saturday with an aggressive display to beat Nurselen Yalgettekin of Turkey 50 in the 48kg semifinal Sakshi then displayed her prowess landing punches regularly to dominate Feruza Kazakova of Uzbekistan and reached the final of the 54kg weight category by an identical marginOlympian Pooja Rani then staved off a late charge from Elif Guneri of Turkey in the 80kg category to reach the final with a 32 verdict Nupur had already sealed her final berth in the 80 category on Friday making it four Indian women boxers in the finalsSanju 60kg was the other Indian womens semifinalist in action on Saturday Though she did put her best foot forward against Viktoriya Grafeyeva of Kazakhstan the Indian ended on the wrong side of the 05 verdict and will have to bring home a bronze medalIndia had clinched a total of six medals in the first leg of the World Boxing Cup in Brazil earlier this year with only the mens boxers competing in that legThis is the first time that the women pugilists have had an opportunity to showcase their skills at the World Boxing Cup stage and they have grabbed it with both handsHitesh Gulia gold medallist in the Brazil leg looked in trouble after the first round against Frances Makan Traore but the 20yearold landed quite a few punches in the second round to close the gap and then wrapped up the semifinal with yet another convincing display in the third and final round to reach the finalJugnoo then added to the celebratory mood in the Indian camp with a 50 thumping of Englands Teagan Scott IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cup-meenakshi-sakshi-pooja-rani-hitesh-and-jugnoo-in-final-624599.html Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/grand-chess-tour-gukesh-dominates-wesley-so-in-croatia-rapid-takes-big-lead-into-blitz-624476.html Zagreb Croatia July 5 Gukesh Dommaraju the World Champion in classical chess once against proved his growing stature as a force to recknon with as a force in the shorter formats by beating American Wesley So in the final round of rapid portion of Grand Chess Tours SuperUnited Croatia Rapid amp Blitz 2025 tournament here on Friday Gukesh the youngest World Champion in chess scored a totally dominant win over Wesley So in the ninth round and extended his lead at the top of the table moving to 14 points from nine rounds JanKrzysztof Duda of Poland is placed second with 11 points with former World Champion and World No 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway third with 10 Indias Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu is fourth with nine pointsGukesh defeated Wesley in 38 moves with white pieces to secure his seventh win of the rapid section It is a big upset in rapid chess as Wesley is quite strong in the shorter version of the game and is ranked 15th while Gukesh is placed 42nd The Indian GM was under pressure coming into the rapid section of this event as his forte is Classical chess World No1 Magnus Carlsen even dismissed him as a weak player in rapid chess But Gukesh silenced his critics with a sensational display in rapid chess beating among others Carlsen himself in the sixth roundThe 18yearold Grandmaster from Chennai will now go into the blitz portion of the third round of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour on top with a huge lead over the field as he has so far won six consecutive matches in the eventThe nine rounds of rapid action will be followed by 18 rounds of blitz in the event in which four out of the five highestrated players in the world Magnus Carlsen Fabiano Caruana Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Gukesh Dommaraju are includedIn other games in the round Alireza Firouzja of France drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov Magnus Carlsen was held by Anish Giri while Praggnanandhaa also shared the point with JanKrzysztof Duda On the last board Fabiano Caruana defeated Ivan Saric with white pieces IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/grand-chess-tour-gukesh-dominates-wesley-so-in-croatia-rapid-takes-big-lead-into-blitz-624476.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 06:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/canada-open-srikanth-downs-world-no6-chou-tien-chen-to-enter-semis-624482.html Calgary July 5 Indias Kidambi Srikanth continued his fine form by advancing to the semifinal at the Canada Open Super 300 badminton tournament with a commanding straightgame win over top seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei The former world championship silver medallist who was a finalist at the Malaysia Masters in May outplayed world No 6 Chen 2118 219 in a 43minute quarterfinal clash on Saturday ISTSrikanth outclasses Chinese Taipeis Wang PoWei 2119 2114 in 40 minutes to setup his quarterfinal clash against Chou Tien ChenCurrently ranked 49th in the world Srikanth will now face Japans third seed Kenta Nishimoto for a spot in the finalSrikanth holds a 64 lead in the headtohead record against the 30yearold Kenta Nishimoto The Indian had defeated the Japanese shuttler in straight games at the last World Championships despite Nishimoto often posing challenges for other Indian players Known for his dogged court coverage Nishimoto has been a consistent performer this seasonHe earned his semifinal spot with a hardfought 2115 521 2117 win over Indias Sankar Muthusamy SubramaniamIn womens singles Indias promising teenager Shriyanshi Valishetty bowed out after a gritty contest against Denmarks 24yearold Amalie Schulz losing 2112 1921 1921Shriyanshi mounted late comebacks in both the second and third games but never managed to take the lead after winning the opening game In the decider she closed a 917 gap to reach 1920 but narrowly fell short concluding a commendable North American tour IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/canada-open-srikanth-downs-world-no6-chou-tien-chen-to-enter-semis-624482.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sindhus-place-in-history-is-already-secured-gill-clark-leads-wishes-as-star-shuttler-turns-30-624526.html New Delhi July 5 Twotime Olympic medallist PV Sindhu who turned 30 on Saturday received warm wishes from across the sporting world Among them was a heartfelt message from veteran badminton commentator and former doubles player Gill Clark who wrote a heartfelt post for Sindhus special day Clark herself a former World Championships medallist in both womens and mixed doubles hailed Sindhu as one of the finest performers on the biggest stages She also expressed confidence that the next phase of Sindhus journey could be just as remarkable drawing parallels with sporting greats like Roger Federer and Felix Sanchez who achieved significant success after turning 30Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has always been a big tournament player with 2 Olympic and 5 world championship medals plus medals at Asian Games Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships But what is so remarkable and testament to Sindhus character and big tournament player reputation is that with all 7 medals won at the world championships or Olympic Games she surpassed expectations according to her ranking at the time Clark wrote on XBut its now 4 years since her medal in Tokyo and 6 years since her last world championship medal and with Sindhu turning 30 today on World Badminton Day some have wondered whether advancing years and recent injury problems have taken their toll However sport is littered with inspirational stories of athletes coming back after injuries and a period of barren successSindhus place in history is already secured by her medal haul at the Majors And it is certainly possible Sindhu like Federer and Sanchez could write yet another chapter in her remarkable career Because while circumstances may change the character and mindset of a champion endures Happy birthday Sindhu she addedReplying to Clarks post Sindhu thanked the veteran player and wrote Many thanks Gill for these wonderful wordsMinister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju who previously served as sports minister extended his wishes for SindhuTaking to X Rijiju wrote Happy birthday to Indias 1st World Badminton Champion and Double Olympic Medalist Pvsindhu1 I wish for her good health long life and happiness Keep shining and make India proud IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sindhus-place-in-history-is-already-secured-gill-clark-leads-wishes-as-star-shuttler-turns-30-624526.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indias-sohail-khan-to-face-pakistan-at-kudo-world-cup-2025-in-bulgaria-624393.html Bulgaria July 4 Sohail Khan from Sagar Madhya Pradesh will represent India at the Kudo World Cup 2025 in Bulgaria and is set to face Pakistans Abdullah in the Round of 16 on Saturday This marks an important match for the Indian fighter who is aiming for a strong run in the global championship The Kudo World Cup 2025 matches are scheduled to take place on July 5 and 6Sohail enters the tournament as the 12th seed in the M250 category based on the official world rankings released by the Kudo International Federation KIF His consistent performances at both national and international levels helped him earn this position Most recently he won a bronze medal at the Kudo Eurasian Cup 2024 which gave him crucial ranking pointsA wellrecognised name in the Indian Kudo circuit Sohail has had an impressive journey He was the gold medalist at the Junior Kudo World Cup 2017 and has won four gold medals at the Akshay Kumar International Kudo Tournament In 2023 he made it to the quarterfinals of the Senior Kudo World ChampionshipMost recently Sohail clinched his 22nd consecutive nationallevel gold medal at the 3rd Kudo National Championship 202526 held in Pune from May 16 to 22 Representing Madhya Pradesh Sohail remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and defeated Vabhan Chaturvedi of Rajasthan 60 in the finalSpearheading his preparation has been an elite support team that includes Dr Mohammad Aijaz Khan head coach Harikant Tiwari conditioning coach and Deepak Tiwari strengthening coach Sohail also receives invaluable mentorship from Hanshi Mehul Vora Indias national coachThe Kudo World Cup 2025 will be livestreamed on KumiteTechnologys YouTube channel IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indias-sohail-khan-to-face-pakistan-at-kudo-world-cup-2025-in-bulgaria-624393.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cup-nupur-storms-into-final-abhinash-jamwal-secures-semis-spot-in-astana-624449.html Astana July 4 Indias medal count at the World Boxing CupAstana Kazakhstan 2025 continued to grow as Nupur 80kg advanced to the final while Abhinash Jamwal 65kg booked his place in the semifinals on Friday Nupur delivered a dominant performance in her semifinal bout defeating Turkeys Seyma Dustaz 50 to secure a spot in the womens 80 kg final Earlier in the day Abhinash Jamwal impressed in the mens 65kg category overcoming Rene Camacho of the USA with a unanimous decision win to move into the last four and guarantee himself a medalMeanwhile Neeraj Phogat 65kg and Anamika 51kg saw their campaigns come to an end in the quarterfinals Neeraj fought a close and spirited bout but went down 32 in a split decisionWith 10 pugilists in the semis and one in the final Indias strong showing in Astana continues to gather momentum heading into the final stretch of the tournamentOn Thursday Hitesh Gulia and Sakshi secured semifinal spots on Thursday and guaranteed themselves podium finishesHitesh a gold medallist from the Brazil leg earlier this year delivered a dominant 50 win over Kazakhstans Almaz Orozbekov in the mens 70kg quarterfinal ensuring another medal to his nameIn the womens 54kg category Sakshi put on a composed display to beat Brazils Tatiana Regina de Jesus Chagas via unanimous decisionIndia had claimed six medals at the previous World Boxing Cup leg in Brazil With the Finals set to take place in New Delhi this November the Astana leg plays a key role in shaping preparations India had won one gold one silver and four bronze medals in the first leg of the 2025 World Boxing Cup at Foz do Iguaçu in BrazilUzbekistan had topped the medal table in the first leg in Brazil with eight medals with five gold medals Hosts Brazil finished with nine medals but had fewer gold three while Kazakhstan ended third with six medals including three gold and three bronze IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/world-boxing-cup-nupur-storms-into-final-abhinash-jamwal-secures-semis-spot-in-astana-624449.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 23:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/honoured-to-be-part-of-sli-it-will-be-both-competitive-and-inspiring-says-miran-maricic-624317.html New Delhi July 4 As anticipation mounts for the first edition of Shooting League of India SLI launched by the National Rifle Association of India NRAI and set to take place later this year athletes from around the world have shared their excitement on being part of the tournament Talking about the competition and the opportunity Croatias Miran Maricic said I am truly honoured to be invited to register for the Shooting League in India Its a fantastic competition that brings together some of the best athletes in the sport all competing at one venueThe level of talent and intensity will be incredible and I am sure it will be a valuable learning experience for everyone involved The environment promises to be both competitive and inspiring Personally I see this as a great opportunity to challenge myself and grow as an athlete in this exciting new format he added Maricic feels that the league will play a massive role in inspiring youngsters It will be incredibly motivating for young shooters to watch and compete alongside some of the best athletes in the world This league offers them an opportunity to learn from some of the best and gain invaluable experience he said Lauding the fan base in India Maricic said I believe India has a fantastic audience for sports and this league will play a crucial role in promoting shooting to a wider audience With so many people expected to watch both in the stands and through broadcast this league is sure to generate strong interest and take the sport to new heightsThe competition will feature mixed team events across pistol 10m 25m rifle 10m 50m 3 positions and shotgun Trap amp Skeet as per the NRAI Technical Committees guidelines IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/honoured-to-be-part-of-sli-it-will-be-both-competitive-and-inspiring-says-miran-maricic-624317.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/former-pkl-champion-akash-shinde-ready-to-chase-glory-with-bengaluru-bulls-624328.html Bengaluru July 4 Growing up in the small town of Nashik Akash Shinde had big dreams but no clear path to follow No one from his district had ever made it to nationallevel kabaddi before him But now the Pro Kabaddi League season 10 champion who was bought by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 5310 lakh during the PKL 12 Player Auction is ready to lead a young team towards gloryNo one in my family played kabaddi It was more popular in my village but no one from my district Nashik had played at the national level before That made it a real challenge Still I trusted my process and kept working hard says Shinde remembering those early days when success seemed far awayThe journey wasnt easy Every step forward meant figuring things out on his own Step by step I kept finding out what improvements should be made in the game and how to develop I kept working on that and kept moving forward he explainsNow looking at his new teammates at Bengaluru Bulls Shinde sees the same hunger he once had comparing it to another Bengalurubased sports team that ended a long trophy drought the Royal Challengers BengaluruI am feeling very good Its a new and young team The way RCB won with a young team we will win the PKL too There is a lot of excitement The young boys have a clear mindset that they just have to prove themselves he addedThe need to prove yourself Shinde knows it well He felt it during his heartbreaking loss with Puneri Paltan in Season 9 when they lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers by just 23 points But that pain made the victory sweeter in PKL 10 while also captaining his team in the absence of the injured skipper Aslam InamdarWhen I was in Puneri Paltan we lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers by 23 points in season 9 We put in a lot of hard work in the next season and became the champions he recalls So obviously those kinds of things provide you with experience and help you maintain composure during crunch situationsThat championship win changed everything It proved that all the hard work was worth it Now as he watches his young Bulls teammates Shinde sees that same determination in their eyes And behind every successful player is a coach who believes in them For Shinde thats BC Ramesh with whom he won the PKL back in the landmark 10th seasonHe is strict on the ground only He treats all of us like his kids like family members Shinde says warmly Having someone who cares about you like family makes all the difference in a tough sportShindes success story means something bigger than personal glory He opened doors for others from his region We have some very good players in Maharashtra The skill level is very high and thats the reason why we get some of the finest players from the state The competition is very tough he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/former-pkl-champion-akash-shinde-ready-to-chase-glory-with-bengaluru-bulls-624328.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/shooting-world-cup-skeet-shooters-to-take-aim-first-in-shotgun-world-cup-in-lonato-624251.html New Delhi July 3 A sixmember Indian mens and womens skeet shooting squad will take first aim in the international seasons fourth and final ISSF World Cup Shotgun stage which will be held at one of the sports traditional amphitheatres the Trap Concaverde in Lonato Italy While the Skeet squad has already arrived in the Italian town a further six members of the Trap team are expected to arrive on July 05 2025The qualifying rounds of the mens and womens skeet competition will begin on Sunday July 6 2025 with both the finals scheduled for Tuesday July 8 2025Indian hopes will lie with Olympians Mairaj Ahmad Khan Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Anantjeet Singh Naruka in the mens skeet while the women also have two OlympiansMaheshwari Chauhan and Raiza Dhillon amongst their ranks besides the accomplished Ganemat SekhonFormer Asian Games silver medallist Lakshay Sheoran will lead Indias challenge in mens trap alongside veteran Zoravar Singh Sandhu and the upcoming Jaswinder Singh Neeru Preeti Rajak and Pragati Dubey represent India in womens trapIn the mixed team trap where Indias sole Shotgun World Cup medal of the year was won in Nicosia Lakshay amp Neeru and Zoravar amp Preeti are paired togetherThe skeet team has already begun acclimatisation unofficial training under the guidance of coach Vikram Chopra with official preevent training scheduled for SaturdayThe squad has settled down well and is training in right earnest said Chopra from Lonato We even went out to celebrate Anants birthday on Tuesday and it was brilliant from a bonding perspective as well This will be the last World Cup stage before the World Championships in Athens and it is important that things start falling into place at the right time he concludedLonato generally attracts the largest contingent of shotgun Shooters in the World Cup and this year too as many as 551 athletes from 73 nations have entered to competeIndian squad for the Lonato World CupSkeet Men Mairaj Ahmed Khan Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Anantjeet Singh NarukaSkeet Women Maheshwari Chauhan Raiza Dhillon and Ganemat SekhonTrap Men Lakshay Sheoran Zoravar Singh Sandhu and Jaswinder SinghTrap Women Neeru Dhanda Preeti Rajak and Pragati DubeyTrap Mixed Team Lakshay Sheoran amp Neeru Dhanda and Zoravar Singh Sandhu amp Preeti Rajak IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/shooting-world-cup-skeet-shooters-to-take-aim-first-in-shotgun-world-cup-in-lonato-624251.html Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/hitesh-sakshi-add-to-indias-medal-tally-at-world-boxing-cup-in-astana--624258.html Astana Kazakhstan July 3 Hitesh Gulia and Sakshi secured semifinal spots on Thursday and guaranteed themselves podium finishes adding to Indias burgeoning medal count at the second leg of the World Boxing Cup 2025 being held in Kazakhstans capital Hitesh a gold medallist from the Brazil leg earlier this year delivered a dominant 50 win over Kazakhstans Almaz Orozbekov in the mens 70kg quarterfinal ensuring another medal to his nameIn the womens 54kg category Sakshi put on a composed display to beat Brazils Tatiana Regina de Jesus Chagas via unanimous decisionThey now join guaranteed medallists Minakshi 48kg and Pooja Rani 80kg as well as Sanju 60kg who confirmed a podium for herself on Wednesday after advancing to the semifinals Anamika 51kg also remains in contention after reaching the quartersWith several medals guaranteed and more boxers still in the mix Team Indias campaign in Astana continues to build toward a strong finish ahead of the World Boxing Cup Finals in New DelhiOn Wednesday Minakshi sealed her place in the semifinals with a dominant 50 win over Chinese Taipeis Guo YiXuan showing sharp movement and clean scoring throughout Pooja Rani followed with a gritty 41 split decision victory over Kazakhstans Gulsaya Yerzhan in the 80kg division securing her berth in the final four and guaranteeing a podium finishAnamika 51kg moved into the quarterfinals with a composed performance against Turkeys Aysen Taskin keeping Indias momentum aliveIn the mens draw Jadumani Singh fought hard in a close contest but lost narrowly to the Philippines Jay Bryan Baricuatro bringing his campaign to a closeIndia has claimed six medals at the previous World Boxing Cup leg in Brazil With the Finals set to take place in New Delhi this November the Astana leg plays a key role in shaping preparations India had won one gold one silver and four bronze medals in the first leg of the 2025 World Boxing Cup at Foz do Iguaçu in BrazilUzbekistan had topped the medal table in the first leg in Brazil with eight medals with five gold medals Hosts Brazil finished with nine medals but had fewer gold three while Kazakhstan ended third with six medals including three gold and three bronze IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/hitesh-sakshi-add-to-indias-medal-tally-at-world-boxing-cup-in-astana--624258.html Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/harshsanghavi-leads-ahmedabads-olympic-vision-at-laussane-headquarters-624049.html Lausanne July 2 Minister of Sports of the State of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi led Ahmedabads vision of hosting a future Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Olympic Headquarters in Switzerland Sanghavi took to social media to reveal the discussions and gain valuable insights over the requirements needed to host an event of such magnitudeAt Olympic Headquarters engaging in fruitful discussions as part of the IOCs Continuous Dialogue process to explore Indias Amdavad potential to host a future Olympic and Paralympic GamesThe discussions provided a vital platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future Olympic Games in Amdavad Concurrently they gained invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the requirements for the Olympic Games and its ambitions for the future of the Olympic Movement read Sanghavis post on XThis crucial exchange with the IOC and its Future Host Summer Commissions for the 2036 Summer Olympics aims to explore the opportunity and feasibility of India hosting a future edition of the Olympic and Paralympic GamesThe Indian delegation was led by Harsh Sanghavi and IOA President PT Usha It also included Senior officials from the IOA as well as from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport and the Government of GujaratThe discussions provided a vital platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future Olympic Games in AhmedabadConcurrently they gained invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the requirements for the Olympic Games and its ambitions for the future of the Olympic Movement senior officials of the Gujarat government informed in a statement on TuesdayWe are thrilled to have concluded a productive visit to Lausanne the Olympic Capital where we engaged in the International Olympic Committees IOC Continuous Dialogue process his post readCurrently besides Ahmedabad Nusantara Indonesia Istanbul Turkey and Santiago Chile have officially bid for the 2036 Olympic Games Egypt South Africa South Africa South Korea Doha Qatar Riyadh Saudi Arabia Budapest Hungary FlorenceBologna or Turin Italy and Copenhagen Denmark have expressed interest in hosting the mega Games IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/harshsanghavi-leads-ahmedabads-olympic-vision-at-laussane-headquarters-624049.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/elite-womens-boxing-railways-bag-team-title-as-top-stars-nitu-lovlina-shine-nikhit-out-with-injury--623915.html Hyderabad July 1 Railways Sports Promotion Board RSPB emerged as the topperforming unit at the Elite Womens Boxing Tournament securing the overall team title with a total of nine medals including three gold three silver and three bronze here on Tuesday The final day was marked by standout individual performances from World and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas Haryana Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain TOPS and World Champion Saweety Boora SAI NCOE who each secured titles in their respective weight categoriesThe Saroornagar Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad hosted the fourday tournament bringing together both national squad regulars and promising new talents The SAI NCOE Combined team secured seven medals including two gold while the TOPS Core amp Development squad claimed three gold medals completing the podiumRailways gold medallists included Babirojsana Chanu 57kg who registered a dominant 50 win over Kamaljeet Kaur of All India Police Prachi 60kg and Jyoti 51kg who was awarded the win after Telanganas Nikhat Zareen withdrew due to injury RSPB also claimed three silver medals and three bronze across the weight categoriesWorld Champion Nitu won the 48kg final with a 41 split verdict over Chanchal SAI N while Saweety overcame Railways Alfiya with a dominant 50 unanimous victory Lashu Yadavs withdrawal awarded Lovlina a walkover win while Preeti won the gold medal in the 54kg divisionThe remaining gold medals were split between SAI NCOE TOPS and state units Former Youth World Champion Ankushita Boro 65kg also secured a toppodium finish with a battling 32 win over Railways Shashi SAI NCOEs Ritika 80kg and Delhis Shivani 70kg finished with a gold eachThe gold and silver medallists from the tournament will now earn the opportunity to join the national camp in Patiala as the Boxing Federation of India continues to build momentum toward key international assignmentsWith the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool and the World Boxing Cup Finals in New Delhi on the horizon the event served as a crucial step in refining the core group and strengthening Indias competitive depthFinal results48kg Gold Nitu HAR Silver Chanchal SAI N Bronze Manju Rani RSPB Yamini Singh RAJ51kg Gold Jyoti RSPB Silver Nikhat Zareen TEL Bronze Devika Ghorpade MAH V Lakshaya TN54kg Gold Preeti TOPS Silver Tanu SSCB Bronze Shiksha RSPB Bhupali Hazarika SAI N57kg Gold Babirojsana Chanu RSPB Silver Kamaljeet Kaur Gill AIP Bronze Vishu Rathee HAR Aroti Doley SAI N60kg Gold Prachi RSPB Silver Anjali HAR Bronze Niharika Gonella TEL Gavali Priyanka Suresh AIP65kg Gold Ankushita Boro TOPS Silver Shashi RSPB Bronze Amita Kundu AIP Yashi Sharma TEL70kg Gold Shivani DEL Silver Gitimoni Gogoi SAI N Bronze Neha Kasnyal AIP Shravani Barge MAH75kg Gold Lovlina TOPS Silver Lashu Yadav RSPB Bronze Sneha UP Shruti SAI N80kg Gold Saweety SAI N Silver Alfiya RSPB Bronze Babita Bisht AIP Garima RAJ80kg Gold Ritika SAI N Silver Shivani Tomar AIP Bronze Neha RSPB Mankirat Kaur Brar PUN IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/elite-womens-boxing-railways-bag-team-title-as-top-stars-nitu-lovlina-shine-nikhit-out-with-injury--623915.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 22:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/theres-responsibility-on-my-shoulders-but-i-am-confident-about-doing-well-says-bengal-warriorzs-devank-dalal-623843.html Kolkata July 1 The Bengal Warriorz have begun preparing for what is expected to be an exciting season of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 of the PKL will see the Bengal Warriorz who were the champions in Season 7 showcase new talent with fresh faces and a renewed determination in their quest for glory The Bengal Warriorz made a statement at the PKL Player Auction with the acquisition of the very talented raider Devank Dalal The young raider who was bought for Rs 2205 crore was the most expensive Indian player at the auction But that doesnt worry him at allI am feeling very good that the Bengal Warriorz amp Capri Sports have placed so much faith in me at the auction I feel happy and nice about the fact that I got the top bid amongst the Indian players in the PKL auctionThe Bengal Warriorz team is a new team and hence this season will be a fresh start The Bengal Warriorz team will do everything to have a successful season said Devank DalalSeason 11 was the big breakthrough year for the dynamic Devank Dalal as he set the mat on fire with his fast and agile raiding Devank ended the season with 301 points which included 18 Super 10s and was by far the most impressive raider during the season Earlier in the year the young raider was crowned the Best Player in the 71st Senior National Mens Kabaddi Championship Looking ahead towards the PKL Season 12 Devank believes there is no pressureLast year I was unsure how the season would play out But eventually it worked out well Now I know that I will play for sure and there is a responsibility on my shoulders but I am confident about doing well I dont see this as pressure I see it as my responsibility towards my team the Bengal Warriorz fans and I enjoy fulfilling my responsibilities in my own way he addedWhen asked about the teams bonding in preseason since the auction Devank said The team is a healthy mix of youth and experience We are constantly speaking with each other the players coaches and even the management And it has been quite enjoyable so far which is good for the teamFor Devank this is a huge moment in his career There was a time when a head injury almost brought his career to a screeching halt However the Army man who had led his team to the final of the PKL last season is grateful for the change of fortune in his lifeI am grateful for where I am now and I feel very good In Kabaddi there will be tough times but I never thought of walking away from the sport I always felt we should face the challenges and work hard in training and not take too much pressure during the tough times With Gods blessings I just continued to practice hard and I am glad it worked out the raider saidBefore signing off Devank had a message for the Bengal Warriorz fans and the people of Bengal I request the fans of Bengal Warriorz to keep supporting and cheering for us and would like to request all the Kabaddi fans to watch us and support us The fans support and love really motivates us as a team IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/theres-responsibility-on-my-shoulders-but-i-am-confident-about-doing-well-says-bengal-warriorzs-devank-dalal-623843.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/couldnt-believe-it-was-real-aanil-mohans-dream-becomes-pkl-history-623847.html Mumbai July 1 The phone call that changed everything came when Aanil Mohan was fast asleep By the time he woke up his life had changed U Mumba had just secured his signature for a staggering Rs 78 lakhs the highestever bid in Category D in PKL history but the young man from the small village of Jasui in Himachal Pradeshs Sirmaur district was still processing the magnitude of what just happened At first I couldnt believe it Aanil recalled When I found out that U Mumba bought me for Rs 78 lakhs I just couldnt believe it was realIn the world of kabaddi where Haryana dominates the headlines and produces the superstars Aanil Mohan represents something different a dream that refused to be confined by geography His journey began in the most humble of settings the dusty courts of his village where he first fell in love with the ancient sport that would change his destinyI used to play kabaddi in my village It was in 10th grade where his talent first caught the eye of his coach But even then success seemed like a distant dream for a boy whose familys biggest supporter had been his brother a man who had chosen the army over the mat Aanil saidMy brother used to play more than me He joined the army and then my family supported me he explained In those words lies the sacrifice that rural Indian families know so well the passing of dreams from one generation to the nextThe real transformation began when Aanil made the brave decision to leave the comfort of his home in the mountains and venture into the kabaddi heartland of HaryanaUnder the guidance of Ashan Kumar former coach of the Tamil Thalaivas he spent two to three years honing the craft Then I played for the Himachal Pradesh team in the Senior National he said with quiet pride But even representing his state couldnt have prepared him for what was to comeThe Pro Kabaddi League Player Auction is where dreams collide with reality As team owners battled fiercely for his signature with Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba locked in an intense bidding war Aanil was blissfully unaware lost in sleep I was sleeping when it happened By the time I woke up it was overWhen reality finally hit his first instinct was beautifully heartbreakingly human I called home first he said In that moment the boy who had traveled from village courts to national teams to recordbreaking auctions remembered where it all began with a family that believed in him when believing seemed impossibleNow as he prepares to don the U Mumba jersey alongside legends like captain Sunil Kumar the man fans call Captain Cool Aanil carries with him not just the hopes of his family but the dreams of every smalltown athlete who dares to believe in the impossibleI will get to learn a lot from him Its very exciting to play with him Aanil said about his captain his voice filled with the reverence of a student ready to absorb every lesson As an allrounder who loves raiding hes ready to make his mark in the most competitive kabaddi league in the worldI have never played in such a big league before I want to learn a lot But perhaps thats exactly what makes his story so compelling the humility of a recordbreaker the hunger of someone who knows that the biggest stage is also the biggest classroom he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/couldnt-believe-it-was-real-aanil-mohans-dream-becomes-pkl-history-623847.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-sports-policy-2025-approved-india-targets-2036-olympic-and-mass-participation-623854.html New Delhi July 1 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the National Sports Policy NSP 2025 here on Tuesday Replacing the twodecadeold National Sports Policy of 2001 this visionary blueprint sets the stage for reshaping the countrys sporting ecosystem with a clear focus on establishing India as a strong contender for excellence at major international events including the 2036 Olympic Games It charts a comprehensive roadmap built around five core pillars aimed at ensuring excellence on the global stage promoting economic growth through sports driving social inclusion making sports a mass movement and integrating sports seamlessly into the education systemThe policy envisions strengthening sports programs from the grassroots to the elite level It focuses on early talent identification nurturing and the creation of robust training systems competitive leagues and worldclass infrastructure across rural and urban India The policy emphasises upgrading coaching standards investing in sports science medicine and technology and ensuring holistic support for athletes while enhancing the capacity and governance of sports federationsRecognising the economic potential of the sports sector NSP 2025 outlines measures to boost sports tourism attract global events strengthen sports manufacturing and encourage startups and entrepreneurship in the field It calls for greater private sector involvement through PublicPrivate Partnerships CSR initiatives and innovative funding modelsThe policy also positions sports as a tool for social development with a focus on inclusivity It seeks to promote participation among women the economically disadvantaged tribal communities and persons with disabilitiesIndigenous and traditional sports will be revitalised while pathways will be created to help athletes pursue sports as a viable career supported by education volunteering and dualcareer opportunitiesTo foster a nationwide culture of fitness and sporting excellence NSP 2025 aims to turn sports into a peoples movement This will involve mass participation campaigns fitness indices for schools and workplaces and expanded universal access to sports facilitiesIn alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 the new sports policy proposes the integration of sports into school curricula and specialized training for educators to build a strong foundation for sports education from an early ageUnderpinning the policy is a strategic implementation framework designed to deliver results This includes establishing robust governance structures leveraging technology like AI and data analytics for performance tracking and creating a national monitoring system with clear benchmarks and timebound targetsThe NSP 2025 will act as a model for states and union territories to align their local sports policies with national priorities Importantly it calls for a wholeofgovernment approach integrating sports promotion into the schemes and programs of all ministries and departments to ensure lasting impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-sports-policy-2025-approved-india-targets-2036-olympic-and-mass-participation-623854.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/anderson-peters-ruled-out-of-neeraj-chopra-classic-with-ankle-injury-623856.html New Delhi July 1 Twotime world champion Grenadas Anderson Peters has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic a World Athletics category A javelin event due to an ankle injury organisers said on Tuesday Polands Cyprian Mrzyglod ranked 16 in the world has been named as Peters replacement in the final lineup of the oneday competition classified as a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet slated to take place at the Sri Kanteerva Stadium in BengaluruAnderson Peters has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury sustained during his last competition Polands Cyprian Mrzygód has been named as his replacement in the final lineup organisers posted on XPeters known for his explosive throws beyond 90m a personal best of 9307m has two world titles to his name which he won in 2019 and 2022 He is also a reigning Pan American Games gold medallist The 27yearold thrower is the biggest name to miss out on the competitionPeters is a second athlete who has been ruled out of the competition due to injury Earlier Indias Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Jena ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury with fellow Indian javelin thrower Yash Vir Singh replacing him in the final entry list for the athletics meetOlympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will headline the competition named in his honour The Neeraj Chopra Classic is being coorganised by Neeraj himself in collaboration with JSW Sports the Athletics Federation of India and World AthleticsThe competition features 2016 Olympics gold medallist Thomas Rohler are among the top stars participating in a oneday javelin throw meet in BengaluruThe NC Classic 2025 will serve as a crucial qualification event for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 though Neeraj the reigning world champion has already secured his spot IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/anderson-peters-ruled-out-of-neeraj-chopra-classic-with-ankle-injury-623856.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/neeraj-chopra-wants-to-have-sachin-tendulkars-superpower-of-performing-in-face-of-adversity-623686.html Bengaluru June 30 Twotime Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra said that he would want to have Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkars superpower of performing exceptionally despite facing challenges Neeraj who recently won the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike meet is creating history with the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw competition a World Athletics A category event first of its kind to take place in India scheduled to be held on July 5 at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium in BengaluruSpeaking to Start Sports when asked which cricketers superpower he would like to have for throwing the javelin the reigning world champion named TendulkarSachin Tendulkar He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally I would want that superpower and try to do the same It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset said Chopra to Star SportsThe 27yearold javelin star further said he thinks Australia fast bowling great Brett Lee who used to throw Javelin before he found his calling in cricket and Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would be able to throw the javelin well I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower I think he could throw the javelin well especially when he was in his peak years I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills While bowling and javelin are both throws they are very different I would like to learn from Bumrah he addedChopra added that former India captain MS Dhonis famous Helicopter Shot resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and techniqueSpeaking about being superstitious during the game he said I try to stay calm on the day of my event I dont think too much about it I just focus on giving my 100 per cent I try to stay relaxed eat good food and rest wellThe javelin ace signed off by sharing the best advice hes received on and off the field It came from my coach Jan Zelezny who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 9848 metres Whenever I throw I stay very energetic but he tells me I need to run in a flow It shouldnt feel tight I should run like an 18yearold kid without any tensionIm slowly understanding the concept of flow I think that in any sport flow is very important For example Roger Federer he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort Im trying to bring that into my training he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/neeraj-chopra-wants-to-have-sachin-tendulkars-superpower-of-performing-in-face-of-adversity-623686.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sachin-tendulkar-represented-our-country-so-well-and-i-try-to-do-the-same-says-neeraj-chopra-623697.html Bengaluru June 30 Twotime Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra said that he would want to have Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkars superpower of performing exceptionally despite facing challenges Neeraj who recently won the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike meet is creating history with the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw competition a World Athletics A category event first of its kind to take place in India scheduled to be held on July 5 at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium in BengaluruSpeaking to Start Sports when asked which cricketers superpower he would like to have for throwing the javelin the reigning world champion named TendulkarSachin Tendulkar He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally I would want that superpower and try to do the same It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset said Chopra to Star SportsThe 27yearold javelin star further said he thinks Australia fast bowling great Brett Lee who used to throw Javelin before he found his calling in cricket and Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would be able to throw the javelin well I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower I think he could throw the javelin well especially when he was in his peak years I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills While bowling and javelin are both throws they are very different I would like to learn from Bumrah he addedChopra added that former India captain MS Dhonis famous Helicopter Shot resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and techniqueSpeaking about being superstitious during the game he said I try to stay calm on the day of my event I dont think too much about it I just focus on giving my 100 per cent I try to stay relaxed eat good food and rest wellThe javelin ace signed off by sharing the best advice hes received on and off the field It came from my coach Jan Zelezny who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 9848 metres Whenever I throw I stay very energetic but he tells me I need to run in a flow It shouldnt feel tight I should run like an 18yearold kid without any tensionIm slowly understanding the concept of flow I think that in any sport flow is very important For example Roger Federer he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort Im trying to bring that into my training he concludedWatch Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 Javelin Throw Event on July 5 at 7 pm onwards on Star Sports Network SS 1 Hindi amp SS 2 and JioHotstar IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/sachin-tendulkar-represented-our-country-so-well-and-i-try-to-do-the-same-says-neeraj-chopra-623697.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/india-powers-festivities-to-celebrate-international-kho-kho-day-623719.html New Delhi June 30 India spearheaded the festivities in the global observance of International Kho Kho Day with celebrations highlighting the sports heritage and growing international footprint The day began on Sunday with a highenergy rally at New Delhis historic Jantar Mantar where hundreds of players coaches and students marched together led by officials from the Kho Kho Federation of India KKFI The event set the tone for a day dedicated to showcasing Kho Khos transformation from a traditional Indian sport to a fastgrowing global movementOrganised by the Kho Kho Federation of India KKFI the celebrations also included a lively magic show and a quiz competition focused on the history rules and evolution of the sport These events brought together the community in a festive spirit while also raising awareness about Kho Khos international momentumNational Kho Kho Day was also observed as part of the festivities with the state federations doing a variety of activities in their respective statesSpeaking on the occasion Sudhanshu Mittal President of KKFI and President of the International Kho Kho Federation IKKF said I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Kho Kho family Over the past few years Kho Kho has emerged as a symbol of pride and identity for our nationKho Kho has now gained global recognition it is being played in 56 countries which is a matter of immense pride for all of us Even more significant is that local citizens of these countries are actively playing the sport We are committed to seeing Kho Kho included in the 2030 Asian Games and aiming for its presence in the 2032 Olympic Games as well The entire Kho Kho family is united and working tirelessly to elevate this sport to new heights he saidThe occasion witnessed participation and expressions of solidarity from Kho Kho federations across more than 30 countries including Australia Iran Nepal Peru Vietnam England and BangladeshToday as we celebrate International Kho Kho Day it fills us with pride to see the global Kho Kho community come together with such enthusiasm This day is not just about commemorating the sport it is about uniting the Kho Kho family that represents the spirit and soul of this game Our shared vision is to take Kho Kho to greater heights with aspirations of seeing it represented in global arenas like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games Under the collective efforts of our entire team we are committed to turning this dream into a reality said Dr MS Tyagi General Secretary KKFIThis years International Kho Kho Day comes amid major developments for the sport including the successful commencement of the firstever Advanced IIIA Level Training Programme for coaches and technical officials in which over 230 participants including more than 20 international coaches and technical officials participated It was also announced that international players will be included for the first time in the Ultimate Kho Kho UKK auction with Season 3 scheduled to begin on November 29 2025As celebrations wrapped up the message was clear India remains at the heart of Kho Khos international growth and with more countries taking up the sport professionally the sport is set to reach new frontiers in the years to come IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/india-powers-festivities-to-celebrate-international-kho-kho-day-623719.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/deservedly-no-4-vishy-anand-lauds-praggnanandhaas-heroic-win-in-uzbekistan-623306.html New Delhi June 28 Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa continued his brilliant winning streak of the year by capturing the title in the UZChess Cup Masters 2025 marking his third major classical tournament victory of 2025 The 19yearold Grandmaster displayed exceptional resilience and composure to secure the crown in a dramatic finish He scored an allimportant win against local GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov with black pieces in the ninth and final round of the tournamentThis ensured that Pragg tied for the top spot with two other players Javokhir Sindarov and Abdusattorov all with 55 points at the end of nine games The 19yearold Grandmaster from Chennai finished on top after two rounds of tiebreak matches finishing ahead of his two Uzbekistan opponents with 35 points Sindarov was second with 30 points while Abdusattorov ended up third with 25 points in the tiebreak roundsPraggnanandhaa who had earlier this year won the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee Netherlands and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania claimed his third classical title of the seasonWith this victory Praggnanandhaa not only strengthens his position among the global elite but also achieves a historic milestone by becoming the highestrated Indian chess player in Live Rating a testament to his rising dominance in the world of chess He moved into fourth position in Live Rating ahead of Arjun Erigiasi who was ranked fourthWrapped up the UzChessCup Masters with a win in the final round and wins in tie breaks Tiebreaks were crazy indeed Grateful for all the support that I have received so far Onto my next challenge to Croatia Praggnanandhaa said in a post on XFormer World Champion Viswanathan Anand lauded the young star on social media writing Congrats to rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan Chess Cup Third major classical victory this year Of all his wins this year this one seemed the least likely with just two rounds to goFacing a fiercely competitive field Praggnanandhaa mounted a remarkable comeback by defeating fellow Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi in the penultimate round He then overcame local favourite and world top10 Abdussattorov in the final round to tie for first placeIn a familiar display of nerve and determination Praggnanandhaa went on to win the tiebreak his third successful tiebreak triumph this year sealing the title in style HeAnand added In an impressive demonstration of character he won his third tiebreak of the year as well He is deservedly the new number four in the chess world and the highestrated player in IndiaIn the tiebreaks on Friday Pragg Sindarov and Abdusattorov finished with two points each in a double roundrobin blitz as Abdusattorov and Sindarov drew both their games while Praggnanandhaa beat both with white but lost with blackIn the second round Praggnanandhaa drew with Abdusattorov with white and beat Sindarov with black Sindarov then beat Abdusattorov which sealed the title for the Indian GM IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/deservedly-no-4-vishy-anand-lauds-praggnanandhaas-heroic-win-in-uzbekistan-623306.html Sat, 28 Jun 2025 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-women-wrestlers-shine-at-yasar-dogu-international-tournament-in-turkey-623312.html New Delhi June 28 The Indian women wrestlers continue to demonstrate their dominance on the international wrestling stage At the prestigious Yasar Dogu International Wrestling Tournament currently being held in Turkey India sent a contingent of six women wrestlers and delivered a remarkable performance Out of the six participants five Indian women wrestlers clinched medals securing an outstanding four gold and one bronze which led India to finish as the runnerup in the overall team rankingsDespite entering only six wrestlers India made a powerful impact Host nation Turkey secured the first position while Kazakhstan stood third Pushpa clinched the gold medal in the 55 kg category while Neha secured top honours in the 57 kg division Manisha dominated the 62 kg category to win gold and Harshita added another gold to the tally in the 72 kg class Neelam contributed to the medal count as well earning a bronze in the 50 kg category rounding off a successful outing for the Indian contingentEarlier Indian Under17 wrestlers bagged five medals including three gold but finished outside the top three in the overall standings at the Under17 Asian Wrestling Championships in Vung Tau VietnamThe Indian Freestyle contingent secured a total of five medals including three gold and two bronze showcasing grit determination and technical excellence Although the team narrowly missed finishing in the top three rankings overall and did not clinch a team trophy the performance of individual athletes particularly in the heavier weight categories was exceptional and praiseworthyThe gold medals were won by Gaurav Punia in the 65 kg class Arjun Ruhil in 92 kg and Lacky in 110kg Shivam in the 45kg category and Dhanraj Ganapati in the 51 kg category won the two bronze medals IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-women-wrestlers-shine-at-yasar-dogu-international-tournament-in-turkey-623312.html Sat, 28 Jun 2025 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/no-pressure-only-enthusiasm-varun-tomar-excited-for-inaugural-sli-season-623323.html New Delhi June 28 The first edition of the Shooting League of India is all set to kick off this year in New Delhi Aiming to help push shooting as a sport further into the Indian and global mainstream and provide increased exposure to the shooters the buzz surrounding the tournament is starting to spread among the athletes with more than 400 athletes from within India and around the world having registered to partake in the inaugural edition of the tournament The prominent Indian shooter Varun Tomar who won a gold medal at the 2022 ISSF World Cup in Cairo poised to be one of the flagship players in the tournament expressed his excitement for the launch Considered one of the best young shooters in the country he is most prominently known for his role in helping secure India a quota in the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Asian Olympics Qualifiers in JakartaThe shooter praised the increased exposure the Shooting League of India would bring to shooters People would come to know us and our personalities better like we have seen with athletes from other sports like Neeraj Chopra people would come to understand shooters more deeply he saidHe also expressed his joy in playing in front of an Indian crowd stating Playing in front of an Indian crowd in front of my own people brings in a different kind of feeling for me it requires a different mentality and mindset There exists this added desire to do well in such an environmentWhen asked if playing in India would bring added pressure he said Not pressure but enthusiasmThe 21yearold also hoped that the league would help expand the shooting community further saying Shooting is a great sport India as a whole has a great shooting programme now and people also enjoy following the sport and our success The league will present a great opportunity for people to gain an even more understanding about the sport and will help in increasing its popularity The more people participate the more competition will increase within IndiaThe 36member Indian contingent recently delivered a successful performance at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich winning four medals two gold and two bronze India finished third in the overall medal tally trailing only the Peoples Republic of China and NorwayHe shed more light on the environment and reception towards the league among the shooting community The environment is quite nice positive vibes are flowing around the camp right now There is a good feeling and excitement as the World Cups will be followed by the league where we get to prove ourselves furtherHe signed off by talking about how the league would bring about changes in the shooting culture We play many World Cups World Championships and Asian Championships but the league will have a different format different selection policies It will be a unique experience a unique feeling so we are all looking forward to the challenge IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/no-pressure-only-enthusiasm-varun-tomar-excited-for-inaugural-sli-season-623323.html Sat, 28 Jun 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-aquatics-shaon-ganguly-sets-meet-record-in-400m-im-karnataka-finishes-on-top-of-medal-tally-623127.html Bhubaneswar June 26 Shaon Ganguly improved on the best Indian time from 2024 in the 400m Individual Medley as he clocked 4 minutes 2464 seconds to win the gold ahead of Advait Page and Aryan Nehra ending the 78th Senior National Aquatics Championships in a blaze of glory at the Kalinga Stadium here on Thursday Shoan Ganguly representing Karnataka set the new Meet Record and improved on the National Record of 42562 held by Aryan Nehra which he set in Hyderabad in 2023 Page came second at 42690 while Gujarats Nehra finished third with a timing of 43035The exciting event of the evening session on the final day at the Senior Nationals was the 100m backstroke battle between Rishabh Das and Utkarsh Patil in which Rishabh finished ahead of Utkarsh by 16 microsecondsMaharashtras Rishabh surged ahead to touch in at 5613 seconds while Utkarsh came second in 5629 Karnatakas Akash Mani came third in 5635 seconds in the event in which the National Record of 5510 seconds is held by Olympian Srihari Nataraj of KarnatakaIn the Mens 100m freestyle Heer Gitesh Shah of Maharashtra surprised everyone with a blazing finish winning the gold medal in 5129 Karnatakas Tanish George Mathew was second in 5130 while Rishabh Das came in third with a timing of 5143 secondsOn Wednesday Rishabh had shattered Srihari Natarajs national meet record and best Indian time in mens 200m backstroke clocking 20065 in the process and achieving the World Championships B qualification time Nataraj had set the previous record of 20229 at Bhopal way back in 2019Rohit Benediction also made the world championship qualifying time with a 2411 in 50 butterfly claiming the gold and another best Indian time in the processOverall Karnataka finished on top of the medals tally with 41 medals 16 gold 11 silver and 14 bronze They dominated the womens section with 10 gold four silver and five bronze medalsTamil Nadu finished second in the standings with 16 medals including eight gold and five silver medals while Maharashtra finished third with 17 medals five of which were gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-aquatics-shaon-ganguly-sets-meet-record-in-400m-im-karnataka-finishes-on-top-of-medal-tally-623127.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-aquatics-shaon-ganguly-sets-meet-record-in-400m-im-karnataka-tops-medal-tally-623129.html Bhubaneswar June 26 Shaon Ganguly improved on the best Indian time from 2024 in the 400m Individual Medley as he clocked 4 minutes 2464 seconds to win the gold ahead of Advait Page and Aryan Nehra ending the 78th Senior National Aquatics Championships in a blaze of glory at the Kalinga Stadium here on Thursday Shoan Ganguly representing Karnataka set the new Meet Record and improved on the National Record of 42562 held by Aryan Nehra which he set in Hyderabad in 2023 Page came second at 42690 while Gujarats Nehra finished third with a timing of 43035The exciting event of the evening session on the final day at the Senior Nationals was the 100m backstroke battle between Rishabh Das and Utkarsh Patil in which Rishabh finished ahead of Utkarsh by 16 microsecondsMaharashtras Rishabh surged ahead to touch in at 5613 seconds while Utkarsh came second in 5629 Karnatakas Akash Mani came third in 5635 seconds in the event in which the National Record of 5510 seconds is held by Olympian Srihari Nataraj of KarnatakaIn the Mens 100m freestyle Heer Gitesh Shah of Maharashtra surprised everyone with a blazing finish winning the gold medal in 5129 Karnatakas Tanish George Mathew was second in 5130 while Rishabh Das came in third with a timing of 5143 secondsOn Wednesday Rishabh had shattered Srihari Natarajs national meet record and best Indian time in mens 200m backstroke clocking 20065 in the process and achieving the World Championships B qualification time Nataraj had set the previous record of 20229 at Bhopal way back in 2019Rohit Benediction also made the world championship qualifying time with a 2411 in 50 butterfly claiming the gold and another best Indian time in the processOverall Karnataka finished on top of the medals tally with 41 medals 16 gold 11 silver and 14 bronze They dominated the womens section with 10 gold four silver and five bronze medalsTamil Nadu finished second in the standings with 16 medals including eight gold and five silver medals while Maharashtra finished third with 17 medals five of which were gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-aquatics-shaon-ganguly-sets-meet-record-in-400m-im-karnataka-tops-medal-tally-623129.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rpl-season-1-bengaluru-bravehearts-is-third-team-into-semis-mumbai-dreamers-delhi-redz-share-spoils-622965.html Mumbai June 26 The Bengaluru Bravehearts became the third team to progress to the semifinal of Season 1 of the Rugby Premier League The Bravehearts achieved this after they defeated the Kalinga Black Tigers by a margin of 3426 In the second game of the day the Delhi Redz and the Mumbai Dreamers played out a thrilling draw at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex here on Wednesday With qualification on the line for the Bengaluru Bravehearts the Kalinga Black Tigers were looking to create hurdles And on cue the Tigers took the lead when Ethan Turner bagged a try and Maurice Longbottom converted with ease The Tigers further extended their lead with Lucas Lacamps try and Turners conversionHowever before the end of the first half the Bravehearts started to mount a comeback with Philip Wokorach and Arpan Chhetris tries At the break the Tigers led by 4 points After that the Bravehearts Liam Poulton turned up the ante with a couple of tries to give his side the leadThe game was well contested and the Tigers responded well and almost immediately with Ethan Turners try And going into the last phase the Bravehearts led by 1 pointThe Bravehearts put the foot on the pedal in the final quarter with Philip Wokorach adding a try and converting along with Iowane Tebas try and conversion which gave them some breathing space The Tigers though were not giving up and Perry Baker added five more to the cause whilst Maurice Longbottom also scored his conversion kick But it was too little too lateIn the second game of the day the Mumbai Dreamers came from behind to salvage a draw against the Delhi Redz Both teams were locked at 1919 at the final whistleJames Turner put the Dreamers in the lead before Patrick Okongo and Alejandro Laforga combined to add 7 points for the Redz From then on in the Delhi Redz were dominant with Laforga and Deepak Punia scoring tries and the latter converting his kick tooThe Redz looked set for the win however the Dreamers fought back in the final quarter with James Turner scoring a try and converting his kick Vuiviwa Naduvalo rounded off the evening with his gamechanging try which helped the Dreamers rescue a draw with the scores reading 1919 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rpl-season-1-bengaluru-bravehearts-is-third-team-into-semis-mumbai-dreamers-delhi-redz-share-spoils-622965.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rajasthan-to-host-khelo-india-university-games-2025-in-november-dr-mandaviya-announces-622931.html New Delhi June 25 The Poornima University and the Rajasthan University will jointly host the Khelo India University Games 2025 in Jaipur in November it was announced on Wednesday This will be the fifth iteration of the Khelo India University Games that began in February 2020 The multisport Games where more than 4000 athletes are expected from more than 200 Universities Like previous editions there will be at least 20 disciplines on the KIUG 2025 programme Chandigarh University won the team championships at KIUG 2024 cohosted by Assam Arunachal Pradesh Meghalaya Mizoram Sikkim Nagaland and TripuraI am extremely happy to announce that the Khelo India Youth Games will take place in Rajasthan in November 2025 These Games are for under25 athletes and will be coming after the under18 Khelo India Youth Games that took place in Bihar in May this year These Games offer a great opportunity for athletes who seek a national platform to impress our numerous scouts eyeing the best talents in the country said Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh MandaviyaEight Khelo India University Games records were created in athletics in KIUG 2024 Five of them were created by men Worldwide university students dominate multisport events In Rajasthan we hope to see some quality performances as we expect the athletes will be at their peak added MandaviyaA total of 770 medals 240 gold 240 silver and 290 bronze were on offer at the 11day KIUG 2024 held in Northeast India for the first time Over 200 universities competed for the KIUG 2024 title with around 4500 athletes taking part in 20 sportsSwimmer Pratyasa Ray of Utkal University with four gold one silver and one bronze was the most successful female athlete The honour of the most successful male athlete went to Jain Universitys Xavier Michael Dsouza who won four gold medalsLovely Professional University came second at KIUG 2024 with 20 gold 14 silver and eight bronze for a total of 42 medals while Amritsars Guru Nanak Dev University were third with 12 gold 20 silver and 19 bronze for a tally of 51 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rajasthan-to-host-khelo-india-university-games-2025-in-november-dr-mandaviya-announces-622931.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 19:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/mumbai-international-chess-gm-lalit-babu-cm-madhesh-ensure-indian-sweep-622939.html Mumbai June 25 Grandmaster Lalit Babu and Candidate Master Madhesh Kumar made it an Indian sweep as they emerged champions in contrasting fashion in the Rs 40 lakh prize money Mumbai International Grandmaster and Junior Chess Tournament which concluded at the World Trade Centre here on Wednesday While Lalit Babu won his ninth and final round encounter against topseeded Georgian GM Lavin Pantsulaia to tally 8 points he had to spend anxious moments as Armenian GM Mamikon Gharibyan also tallied 8 points winning his final match against Indian GM Neeloptal DasHowever Lalit Babus higher tiebreak score of 545 as compared to Gharibyans 54 ensured that he laid his hands on the glittering trophy and took home the winners purse of Rs 4 lakhs Gharibyans secondplace finish was worth Rs 3 lakhs Another Indian Deepan Chakravarthy finished in fifth place winning Rs 125 lakhIn comparison teen prodigy Madhesh who impressed with calm and focused play won the title outright with eight points scoring a lastround win over Vyom MalhotraMadhesh earned Rs 2 lakh for his fine performance while Advik Agrawal finished runnerup and earned Rs 15 lakhs Top seed Aansh Nerurkar had to settle for third place and Rs 1 lakh The fourth and fifth places were secured by CM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma Rs 75000 and Jagreet Mishra Rs 50000 respectivelySannidhi Bhat was adjudged the Best Female Player and won Rs 45000 plus a trophy while Rachit Gurnani and Mysha Perwez emerged the best among the Mumbai Boys and Girls respectively winning Rs 30000 each and a trophyThe ResultsGrandmasters sectionLevan Pantsulaia 65 lost to Lalit Babu 8 Mamikon Gharibyan 8 bt Neelotpal Das 7 Van Huy Nguyen 7 drew with Manuel Petrosyan 7Juniors sectionMadhesh Kumar 8 bt Vyom Malhotra 65 Advik Agrawal 75 bt Aansh Nerurkar 7 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/mumbai-international-chess-gm-lalit-babu-cm-madhesh-ensure-indian-sweep-622939.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-aquatics-rujula-sets-new-meet-record-olympians-aryan-sajan-srihari-win-622781.html Bhubaneswar June 25 Rujula S of Karnataka clocked 2636 sec in the 50m Women Freestyle improving the national meet record as well as Best Indian Performance by breaking the longstanding record of Shikha Tandon in the 78th National Aquatics Championships at the Aquatic Centre Kalinga Stadium Bhubaneswar on Tuesday While Rujula surged to break the longstanding mark by clocking 2636 Avantika Sudhir Chavan of the Railways Sports Promotion Board finished second in 2658 while Karnatakas upcoming swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu finished third in 2669 secondsAmong other noteworthy performances on the day Olympian Aryan Nehra Kushagra Rawat and Aneesh Gowda set the pool on fire with their last 50m in the 400m Men Freestyle Aryan Nehra won the gold with Kushagra coming in close behind him while Aneesh Gowda settled for the bronze Bhavya Sachdeva of Delhi clocked 173507 in the Womens 1500m Freestyle claiming a gold and the National Meet record while Shristi Upadhyaya won her second individual medal a bronze for hosts Odisha Olympians Srihari Nataraj and Sajan Prakash also won their respective events with ease while Tamil Nadu set a new meet record in mens 4 x 100 medley relayKey results Womens 1500m Freestyle Bhavya Sachdeva DELHI 173507 NMR Vritti Agarwal TELANGANA 174136 Thanya Shadakshari KARNATAKA 17414Mens 400m Freestyle Aryan Nehra GUJARAT 35596 Kushagra Rawat DELHI 35684 Aneesh S Gowda KARNATAKA 35717Womens 200m Butterfly Astha Choudhury RSPB 22063 Roshini Balasubramanian TAMILNADU 22077 Shristi Upadhaya 02 ODISHA 22311Mens 200m Butterfly Sajan Prakash POLICE 15898 Bikram Changmai RSPB 20213 DharshanS KARNATAKA 20311Womens 50m Backstroke Vihitha Nayana Loganathan KARNATAKA 2999 Sanjana Manguesh Prabhugaonker GOA 3068 Soubrity Mondal BENGAL 3070Mens 50m Backstroke Srihari Nataraj KARNATAKA 2570 Rishabh Anupam Das MAHARASHTRA 2602 Akash Mani KARNATAKA 2612Womens 50m Freestyle Rujula S KARNATAKA 2636 NMR Avantika Sudhir Chavan RSPB 2658 Dhinidhi Desinghu KARNATAKA 2669Mens 4 x 100m Medley Tamil Nadu Nithik Nathella Danush Suresh BBenedicton Rohit Adhithya Dinesh 34509 NMR Karnataka Utkarsh Santosh Patil Manikanta L Chinthan S Shetty Tanish George Mathew 34816 Railways Sports Promotion Board Devansh Maheshkumar Parmar Anoop Augustine Bikram Changmai Sathya Sai Krishnan M 34960 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/national-aquatics-rujula-sets-new-meet-record-olympians-aryan-sajan-srihari-win-622781.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/mos-raksha-khadse-stresses-need-for-ltad-northeast-sports-empowerment-during-stc-agartala-visit-622763.html Agartala Tripura June 24 Smt Raksha Khadse Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports stressed on Tuesday conducted a detailed tour and a thorough review of the training facilities and assessed the progress of the athletes at the Sports Authority of India SAI operated Sports Training Centre STC in Agartala on Tuesday Minister Khadse is currently on a significant tour of Tripura As part of the extensive Poorvottar Sampark Setu dialogue initiative and made an unannounced visit to STC AgartalaDuring her visit the Minister conducted a thorough review of the training facilities observed the dedicated work of the coaches and assessed the progress of the athletes She also meticulously inspected the modern amenities and overall readiness of the STC centre which plays a pivotal role in the regions sports landscapeThe SAISTC centre in Agartala is particularly renowned for its focus on gymnastics with carefully selected young athletes currently undergoing intensive training Established through a collaborative effort with the local government this centre is widely recognised as a crucial pillar for sports development across NorthEast IndiaSmt Khadses detailed assessment included a close look at the training equipment the hostel facilities provided to the athletes their dietary provisions and the medical and psychological support services available ensuring a holistic development environmentA highlight of her visit was the direct interaction with the athletes The Minister engaged personally with the young trainees taking the time to understand their motivations the challenges they face and their individual aspirationsMany of these budding talents openly shared their dreams of participating in national and international competitions In a heartwarming response Minister Khadse remarked The future of India lies with these young individuals The central government stands firmly with them committed to their successHer current tour is an integral part of Poorvottar Sampark Setu an ambitious program spearheaded by the Government of India Under this initiative Union Ministers undertake direct public engagement tours across the Northeastern states to conduct onground reviews of development status and address local issues effectivelyDuring her time in Tripura the Minister engaged in extensive discussions covering various critical areas including sports youth policy education and science and technology projectsIn line with Indias longterm development vision encapsulated in India2047 the sports sector is earmarked to play an increasingly significant roleThe overarching objective as emphasised by the Minister is to nurture and develop athletes from the grassroots level through SAI centres preparing them for grand international competitions Minister Khadse expressed a strong resolve to help young Indian athletes achieve global prominence and excel at major events specifically targeting the Olympics in 2028 and 2032Concluding her visit Smt Raksha Khadse extended her heartfelt commendation to the youth of Tripura for their boundless enthusiasm in both sports and science She stated NorthEast India is not just geographically but also in terms of human skill talent and energy the backbone of Indias bright future She reassured everyone present of the central governments unwavering commitment and full support for their endeavours IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/mos-raksha-khadse-stresses-need-for-ltad-northeast-sports-empowerment-during-stc-agartala-visit-622763.html Tue, 24 Jun 2025 21:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/oklahoma-city-thunder-beat-indiana-pacers-to-win-nba-title-622470.html Oklahoma June 23 Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 10391 in Game 7 of the NBA finals to win their first championship since moving from Seattle to Oklahoma After a 6814 regular season Oklahoma City finished the season with 84 wins tied with the 199697 Chicago Bulls for third most in NBA history Oklahoma City captured the franchises first championship since 1979 when it was the Seattle Supersonics ShaiGilgeous Alexander the regular season MVP and now the Finals MVP posted 29 points 12 assists and 5 rebounds He became just the third player to record at least 25 points and 12 assists in an NBA Finals Game 7 joining Walt Frazier and Jerry WestThe Pacers suffered a devastating blow early in the first quarter when Tyrese Haliburton injured his Achilles trying to drive to the basket After suffering a calf strain in Game 5 Haliburton fought through the pain in Game 6 and tried to gut it out in the final game of the series NBA reportsBut losing him meant Indiana did not have the offensive firepower to overcome the Thunders suffocating defenseMoreover OKC became the secondyoungest NBA championship team in history The Thunder have just two players in their 30s on their entire roster Alex Caruso 31 and Kenrich Williams 30 Nine of their 18 rostered players are under the age of 25 and another seven are under the age of 28According to NBAcom the Thunder entered the 202425 season as the youngest team in the league with an average age of 24148 years old By the calculations of the site NBAAgecom the Thunder currently have the secondlowest average age in the league overall but the sixthlowest average age when accounting for how many minutes each player playsFollowing the triumph Oklahoma City will host the Champions Parade on June 24 in downtown Oklahoma CityPrior to the start of Tuesdays parade the team will gather inside Paycom Center for a ceremony featuring player addresses and the team hoisting the Larry OBrien trophy IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/oklahoma-city-thunder-beat-indiana-pacers-to-win-nba-title-622470.html Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/international-olympians-featuring-in-the-rpl-believe-there-is-massive-scope-for-rugby-7s-in-india-622509.html Mumbai June 23 The Rugby Premier League RPL has given Indian players their first taste of elite competition as they play the sport with and against stars at the pinnacle of the sport It has also given international Olympians a close look at Indias future in rugby and they believe the nation will be a force to reckon with in the coming years Rugby sevens the faster sharper version of traditional Rugby 15s has exploded in popularity globally especially since its inclusion in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games With shorter matches highintensity action and the fast nature of the game its a format that appeals to newer audiences and newer nations While countries like Fiji Kenya and Australia have long embraced the sport India is only just stepping into the arena with promising signs and a bright future ahead of it Kevin Wekesa of Kenya playing for Hyderabad Heroes shared his insights on the impact of RPL in Indian Rugby I think leagues like the RPL are the future of sevens I see rugby growing in India From what Ive witnessed the Indian boys are really good and very soon well see them play probably in the Olympics which is the greatest platform in sportsJust from the stands seeing the young boys and girls coming to watch rugby getting free jerseys and balls I know this is an inspiration to them and when they grow up they will definitely want to be on the field India is on the right track and in 37 years I think India will be a force to reckon with in the World Series he addedUgandas Philip Wokorach of Bengaluru Bravehearts also touched upon how it felt good to see children in the stands cheer for all the players What I love most about what RPL have done here is bringing school kids to watch the games I think that is where the foundation starts when the children watch the sport and take interest in it since they are our futureLucas Lacamp the United States international who has played rugby around the globe since a very young age and now features for Kalinga Black Tigers spoke about the incredible growth he has seen in Indian players during his time here The local Indian players have definitely grown a lot If theyve improved so much in the span of a week the growth is inevitable Imagine how good they can be with each season I think if they get the right infrastructure in place the right money is put in the right places there is no stopping India in the futureUpon the areas Indian players need to improve upon Henry Hutchison from Australia playing for the Mumbai Dreamers stated Rugby is the biggest game of consequence and one mistake can cost you a lot of points And its just understanding that which is where theyre lackingThe physical side of sevens is difficult but you train for that However the mental side is harder because you cant train for that except for experiencing it If Indians keep playing the sport at the highest level like this league they will learn that naturally in no time he explained IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/international-olympians-featuring-in-the-rpl-believe-there-is-massive-scope-for-rugby-7s-in-india-622509.html Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-endorses-india-to-win-36-medals-at-2036-olympics-says-meenu-meniwal-622540.html Karnal June 23 On the occasion of International Olympic Day a special event was organised in Karnal where Meenu Beniwal President of the Haryana Olympic Association was present Speaking at the event Beniwal expressed confidence that India would win their highestever medal tally at the 2036 Olympics He added that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi who confirmed India wants to host the 2036 edition of the Games and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini have endorsed this vision We aim for 36 medals in the 2036 Olympicsand we will work hard to win even more than that Meniwal told IANSHe further mentioned that a new Olympic association has been recently formed and its early progress looks promisingAfter many years the Olympic Day is being celebrated This is a new start for the whole of Haryana and I hope it creates a nice environment This is the beginning of our attempts to create and nurture more athletes We are creating more excellent centres at different locations in all sports We will announce the details soon International Olympic Day is celebrated on Monday and there was palpable enthusiasm among athletes Indias performance in the Olympics has significantly improved over time and Haryana has played a vital role in this growth Athletes from Haryana have consistently delivered strong performancesAfter many years Olympic Day is being celebrated properly and its sending out a very positive message Continuous efforts are being made to increase Haryanas medal tally Were building more training centres for various sports and working on improving facilities for athletes Today programmes are being held in Hisar Jind and other regions as well he addedWhen asked about political interference in sports Beniwal said Many athletes dont want to go through trials and prefer direct selection but that will no longer be allowed Transparency will be ensured in the selection process We will keep politics out of sports Haryana has the highest availability of raw sports talent in Indiaaround 55 of children ready to compete are from our villages Were working to provide them all with the necessary support and facilitiesIn Karnal the Olympic Day was celebrated with participation from rowing athletes across Haryana Karnal remains the only hub in the state where athletes gather for focused rowing practice These athletes showcased their strength and preparedness for national and international competitions Rowing features both team and solo events and several athletes have shown the potential to win medals on their ownThis was a fantastic event probably the largest programme ever held for International Olympic Day It will give a great boost and support to both junior and senior athletes Our sport will receive muchneeded encouragement Water sports especially rowing offer massive medal opportunitiesup to 15 Olympic medals are available in rowing The training atmosphere in Karnal is excellent though athletes still need to travel far to get quality practice Ravindra a rowing athlete told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-endorses-india-to-win-36-medals-at-2036-olympics-says-meenu-meniwal-622540.html Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rpl-might-change-the-landscape-of-rugby-7s-says-mumbai-dreamers-olympian-aaron-cummings-622356.html Mumbai June 22 Its been exactly a week since the Rugby Premier League RPL kicked off its inaugural season One of the Olympians Aaron Cummings who plays for Mumbai Dreamers believes that the league has the potential to change the landscape of Rugby 7s Further elaborating on how the format of the league sets it apart the 27yearold said This is something new something exciting and I think the RPL might change the landscape of Sevens with the way they are approaching itIts just different Its more highintensity You see more highimpact collisions on the field Usually after four minutes or so everyone gets tired and the game gets a little bit slower But with it just being four minutes a quarter here you can keep that high intensity and high impact scoring So I think this is special he addedCummings also shared that the proactive format of the RPL would capture the imagination of the fans back in his home country The RPL with the model that it has I think this would be attractive to the American public just because it is kind of similar to American football with the quarters I feel the crowd in the USA would get behind that he reckonedSpeaking about how his experience at the RPL has been so far Cummings said My experience has been great The league has taken great care of us The Dreamers franchise and Dream 11 has been over the top Its been greatTalking about how hes relishing the experience of playing in India he added Im trying to inspire and teach but Im also trying to learn the things maybe I dont know Ive been saying how the RPL has sparked a fire back under me as far as the excitement and reminding me of the reason why I play the game Its been huge since Ive been hereRPL is the firstever franchise tournament in rugby sevens offering a unique opportunity for the sport to grow in India Opening up about how this league will have an impact especially in India Cummings is convinced that the game will grow exponentiallyI think its huge especially for India Im sure you can find 1314 players who can be elite at the sport if not more I think this league will grow the game exponentially because of the format it is played in with the four quartersCummings also elaborated on how having the division of Marquee Bridge and Indian players is benefiting the game He said Having the number of Marquee players the league has teaching the Indians and the Bridge players from the lowerranked nations is great learning To be honest I think this league will only grow Rahul Bose and GMR have done a fantastic job with how theyve structured this entire format IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rpl-might-change-the-landscape-of-rugby-7s-says-mumbai-dreamers-olympian-aaron-cummings-622356.html Sun, 22 Jun 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/4-nations-hockey-tournament-indian-junior-mens-team-registers-dominant-3-1-win-over-australia-622392.html Berlin June 22 The Indian Junior Mens Hockey Team enjoyed a dominant 31 win over Australia in their second match in the 4 Nations Tournament at the TC 1899 Blau Weiss stadium in Berlin Shardanand Tiwari 15 Sourabh Anand Khush 36 and Amir Ali 43 scored goals for India while Oliver Will 55 scored the lone goal for AustraliaIndia started the match strong and found an early goal in the 15th minute as Shardanand Tiwari converted his penalty corner to give his side the lead Both teams fought hard in the rest of the first half but neither could break the deadlock again as India headed into the second half with a slim lead in handIndia built on the momentum as they scored backtoback goals in the third quarter In the 36th minute Sourabh Anand Khushwaha extended the lead with a crucial field goal past the Australian keeper Moments later in the 43rd minute Amir Ali pushed India closer to the victory with another field goal for the winning teamIn the final quarter of the match Australia too managed to score a goal with five minutes left on the clock courtesy of a field goal by Oliver Will however they couldnt find two more and handed the win to IndiaThe tournament features a roundrobin format where each of the four participating teams India Germany Australia and Spain will face each other once in the Pool stage The top two teams at the end of the group matches will qualify for the final while the remaining teams will contest the 3rd4th place playoffIndia will next play Spain on June 24 at the same venue IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/4-nations-hockey-tournament-indian-junior-mens-team-registers-dominant-3-1-win-over-australia-622392.html Sun, 22 Jun 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/neeraj-chopra-committed-to-throw-90-metres-in-more-competitions-after-paris-dl-win-622191.html Paris June 21 After claiming victory in the Paris Diamond League twotime Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra remains committed to throw 90 metres in the upcoming competitions With a powerful 8816m throw on his very first attempt at Stade Charlety on Saturday Chopra claimed his first Diamond League title in two years outclassing Germanys Julian Weber who finished second with a throw of 8788m Brazils Luiz Mauricio da Silva claimed third spot with a throw of 8662m in the third roundChopra expressed his elation after finishing on the top step of the podium in the French capital Today I was really happy with the start because I had a really good runup technique and everything was perfect However I felt that my body was going too much to the left today I was trying to go with the javelin with my chest so my technique was not so good today My runup technique was perfect and the first throw was really good to start with I am very happy with 88 metres today and a win after such a long time in a Wanda Diamond League he told the broadcasterThe 27yearold recalled his debut in Diamond League which came in Paris in 2017 Chopra vowed to maintain consistency in the season after surpassing the 90m mark in Doha leg of the Diamond League on May 16 recording a throw of 9023m to finish second Weber had claimed the title there with a finalround effort of 9106mAlso when I started my Wanda Diamond League career I started here in Paris so it is my second time here after my debut in 2017 After seven or eight years I am happy with the win here For me consistency is the biggest key Yet sometimes when you are competing in events like World Championships the Olympics or some other big events you need to be able to win in tough conditions and under pressure I am very happy to win here amongst so many great athletes The guys throw really far and I am happy with my consistency and I am hoping to be able to throw 90 metres in more competitions the Indian javelin star saidChopra also highlighted the positive impact of legendary javelin thrower Jan Zelezny under whose guidance he has been training He described the Czech icon as a source of infectious energy and credited him with helping finetune his technique especially by suggesting quicker shorter steps during the crossover phase instead of longer ones Chopra said working with the threetime Olympic champion has boosted his confidence and composureHaving Jan Zelezny around me makes me feel great about myself When I am around him or when he coaches me I feel very good There is some positive energy about him and everybody knows he was a great athlete who threw over 90 metres Unlike other coaches who told me to take long steps when I start the crossing over he said I can take shorter steps but I have to do it in good speed This is really good what I am already doing but I need to focus on my technique when I throw he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/neeraj-chopra-committed-to-throw-90-metres-in-more-competitions-after-paris-dl-win-622191.html Sat, 21 Jun 2025 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/heartbreak-for-prince-khatri-as-acl-tear-rules-him-out-of-rpl-622219.html Mumbai June 21 In a major blow to Hyderabad Heroes and Indian rugby fans alike star player Prince Khatri has been ruled out for the remainder of the inaugural Rugby Premier League RPL 2025 season following a Grade 3 ACL tear The injury occurred during the teams season opener against Kalinga Black Tigers in the third match of the tournament The 31yearold from Haryana the second costliest Indian signing at this years auction sustained the injury during the second half of the fixture held at Mumbais Andheri Sports Complex After an awkward landing while attempting a tackle Khatri clutched his knee in pain and was stretchered off the fieldScans later confirmed the worst a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament ACL in his right knee an injury that will sideline him for six to nine months This rules him out not just for the remainder of RPL 2025 but also for the rest of the 2025 seasonIn a heartfelt statement Khatri shared his emotions This is heartbreaking I had worked tirelessly to be at my best for the RPL Wearing the Hyderabad Heroes jersey in front of a Mumbai crowd was a proud moment To go down in the very first game is tough to accept but I trust the process and will come back strongerI want to thank my teammates fans and everyone whos sent messages of support This is just a chapter in my story not the end of it he addedThe news comes as a massive setback for the Hyderabad Heroes who had high hopes pinned on Khatris athleticism and rich experience on the fieldThe Hyderabad Heroes roped in West Bengal forward Shakti Nag as Princes replacement for the remaining matches of the RPLAs the RPLs first season unfolds fans now turn their hopes toward Khatris recovery and an inspiring comeback IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/heartbreak-for-prince-khatri-as-acl-tear-rules-him-out-of-rpl-622219.html Sat, 21 Jun 2025 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-laudsdivya-deshmukh-for-beating-world-no-1-hou-yifan-world-team-blitz-championships-621932.html New Delhi June 19  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Indias chess sensation Divya Deshmukh for her firstever victory over World No 1 Hou Yifan in the second leg of the blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London  Representing Hexamind Chess Club the 18yearold Indian sensation squared off against the Chinese titan who played for the WR Chess Team In a thrilling 74move battle Divya outplayed Yifan who blundered her bishop in a drawn pure rook vs bishop endgameCongratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships London Her success highlights her grit and determination It also inspires many upcoming chess players Best wishes for her future endeavours PM Modi wrote on X In the blitz format Divya racked up six wins one draw and just one loss out of eight games clocking an elite performance rating of 2606 She later dominated the thirdplace playoff helping her team defeat Uzbekistan 3525 in both rounds to claim team bronzeFollowing her win Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also praised Divya on her stunning win over World No 1 Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over world No 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London Wishing you the very best for the future games he posted on XIn the rapid format Divya got five wins six draws and just one loss and secured team silver and an individual bronze on Board 6 with a performance rating of 2420The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships took place in London between June 10 and 16 The total prize fund was 500000 euro 310000 euro for the rapid tournament and 190000 euros earmarked for the blitz IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-laudsdivya-deshmukh-for-beating-world-no-1-hou-yifan-world-team-blitz-championships-621932.html Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-laudsdivya-deshmukh-for-beating-world-no-1-hou-yifan-in-world-team-blitz-championships-621933.html New Delhi June 19  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Indias chess sensation Divya Deshmukh for her firstever victory over World No 1 Hou Yifan in the second leg of the blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London  Representing Hexamind Chess Club the 18yearold Indian sensation squared off against the Chinese titan who played for the WR Chess Team In a thrilling 74move battle Divya outplayed Yifan who blundered her bishop in a drawn pure rook vs bishop endgameCongratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships London Her success highlights her grit and determination It also inspires many upcoming chess players Best wishes for her future endeavours PM Modi wrote on XIn the blitz format Divya racked up six wins one draw and just one loss out of eight games clocking an elite performance rating of 2606 She later dominated the thirdplace playoff helping her team defeat Uzbekistan 3525 in both rounds to claim team bronzeFollowing her win Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also praised Divya on her stunning win over World No 1 Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over world No 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London Wishing you the very best for the future games he posted on XIn the rapid format Divya got five wins six draws and just one loss and secured team silver and an individual bronze on Board 6 with a performance rating of 2420The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships took place in London between June 10 and 16 The total prize fund was 500000 euro 310000 euro for the rapid tournament and 190000 euros earmarked for the blitz IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-laudsdivya-deshmukh-for-beating-world-no-1-hou-yifan-in-world-team-blitz-championships-621933.html Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rpl-chennai-bulls-square-off-against-kalinga-black-tigers-mumbai-dreamers-take-on-delhi-redz-621763.html Mumbai June 18 The first game of the day of the Rugby Premier League season 1 will see the Chennai Bulls square off against the Kalinga Black Tigers The Bulls have been the most dominant teams so far with three wins in a row and are on top of the table as they look to extend their winning run Meanwhile the Black Tigers will be eager to bounce back after a tough defeat in their previous outing In the second match the Mumbai Dreamers take on the Delhi Redz Dreamers will look to notch their first win of the tournament while the Redz will be eyeing to register more points on board with just one draw under their belt Here are the players to keep an eye out for across the two clashesThe league leader in tries with five successful tries and joint highest points scorer in the tournament so far with 25 points to his name Vaafauese Maliko is one of the most dominant players of the inaugural season of GMR RPL and is key to Chennai Bulls strong position in the standings The 26yearold Samoan hybrid player is in an exceptional vein of formA prolific scorer and a key attacking threat Terry Kennedy is one of the best players participating in the league and is surely living up to that potential Third highest in points with 17 to his name and successfully converting three tries so far the Irish hybrid powerhouse is a gamechanger in the ranks of Chennai BullsWith 16 points in just two games Matias Osadczuk can cause major troubles for the opposing sides on the field The 28yearold Argentine has also scored three conversions and is a major threat to the oppositions backlineAnother player from the Delhi Redz setup Patrick Odongo is in a good run of form in the two games played so far Apart from his defensive contributions at the back Odongo is also a crucial player in the attack having scored two tries and winning ten points for his side in two appearancesDespite Kalinga Black Tigers struggles on the pitch Lucas Lacamp has impressed everyone with his defensive contributions With eight tackles already he is a difficult player to get past and will be critical for the Black Tigers as they face a strong opposition IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rpl-chennai-bulls-square-off-against-kalinga-black-tigers-mumbai-dreamers-take-on-delhi-redz-621763.html Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-shooters-shines-bright-in-munich-returns-home-with-two-gold-and-two-bronze-621572.html New Delhi June 17 The Indian pistol and rifle shooters showcased exceptional performances at the recently concluded ISSF World Cup 2025 in Munich securing four medals including two gold and two bronze This achievement propelled India to an impressive thirdplace finish in the overall points table trailing only China and Norway Indias medal quest began with twotime Olympian Elavenil Valarivan who clinched a bronze in the womens 10m air rifle category The 25yearold demonstrated remarkable skill registering a score of 2312 in the final Earlier in the qualification round Valarivan set a new national record with an outstanding score of 6359Adding to Indias bronze medal tally was Sift Kaur Samra in the womens 50m rifle 3 positions event The 23yearold who holds the current world record in this discipline recorded during the 2022 Asian Games with a score of 4696 secured her podium finish with a final score of 4531 This win follows her gold medal triumph in the same category at the 2025 ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires earlier this yearThe first gold medal for India at the tournament was secured by the young prodigy Suruchi Singh in the womens 10m air pistol event The 19yearold displayed nerves of steel recording a total score of 2419 in the final to claim the top spot on the podium This marks Suruchis third consecutive gold medal at an ISSF World Cup this year having previously won gold in both the Buenos Aires and Lima legs of the tournament cementing her dominanceIt feels surreal to win my third consecutive ISSF World Cup gold said Suruchi Singh The competition here in Munich was intense but I focused on my technique and stayed calm I am incredibly grateful for the support from my coaches and the entire team I am looking forward to winning more such medals and making my country and countrymen proud she addedIndias gold medal count was further boosted by the formidable duo of Arjun Singh Babuta and Arya Borse in the 10m air rifle mixed team event They delivered a commanding performance in the final defeating Chinas duo of Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao with a decisive score of 177 Earlier the Indian pair showcased their prowess by scoring 6352 in the qualification round against the Chinese teams 6359 which is also the new qualification world recordPresident of the National Rifle Association of India NRAI Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo expressed pride in the exceptional achievements of the Indian athletes and extended his best wishes while also promising them further support from NRAIWe are incredibly proud of our shooters remarkable achievements at the ISSF World Cup in Munich Their dedication hard work and consistent performances continue to bring laurels to the nation We remain committed to supporting our athletes as they strive for even greater heights Singh saidExpressing his excitement to watch the athletes in the firstever Shooting League of India he added With our shooters making the nation proud around the world we are even more excited to watch them in action when the inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India kicks off later this year as they will get the chance to perform on their home soil along with many global starsA 36member Indian contingent took part in the third ISSF World Cup of the year in Munich India had previously won eight medalsfour gold two silver and two bronzein the Buenos Aires edition and seven medalstwo gold four silver and a bronzein the Lima leg The next leg of the 2025 ISSF World Cup will take place in Ningbo China in September IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-shooters-shines-bright-in-munich-returns-home-with-two-gold-and-two-bronze-621572.html Tue, 17 Jun 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ipf-and-wpf-merge-to-form-global-governing-body-for-pickleball-621580.html New Delhi June 17 The International Pickleball Federation and World Pickleball Federation have been officially merged to establish a fully democratic IOCcompliant global federation which will be headquartered in Switzerland The member nations of the International Pickleball Federation IPF and the World Pickleball Federation WPF voted unanimously at Special General Meetings SGMs held on June 14 to unify into a single international governing body The new organisation will initially operate under the name World Pickleball Federation WPF and is established as a notforprofit 501c3 entity registered in Illinois USA It will combine the assets and resources of both federations into one unified structure it said in a statementTo align with the global sports community and meet the highest standards of governance the new WPF will also be registered in Lausanne Switzerlandhome to the International Olympic Committee IOC and is fully committed to meeting all IOC recognition requirements including 1 Democratic governance and equal voting rights for all member nations 2 Transparent operations and financial oversight 3 Gender equity and athlete representation 4 Compliance with World AntiDoping Agency WADA standards 5 Conflict resolution and disciplinary frameworks 6 Adherence to the Olympic Charter the statement addedWith WPF having been established over six years ago the unified body is wellpositioned to immediately begin the IOC recognition process In contrast to any other organisations claiming to represent the sport internationally the new WPF distinguishes itself through full democracy transparency and international legitimacyThis unification is a landmark achievement for pickleball worldwide By combining our strengths and committing to the highest international standards we are sending a clear message pickleball is ready to take its place among the worlds most respected sports said Arvind Prabhoo president IPFThe pickleball community wants and needs one International Governing Body for the sport of pickleball With 100 member countries and six years in business the new unified WPF has met the first two critical requirements for IOC membership We look forward to continuing to grow pickleball at the grass roots worldwide while pursuing our dream of being a full participating sport at an upcoming Olympic Games added Seymour Rifkind president WPFAs part of its founding process the new WPF is inviting nominations for Directors to form its inaugural Board These Directors will be elected by member countries at the first Annual General Meeting AGM in August 2025 ensuring that governance reflects the sports diversity inclusivity and global reach IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/ipf-and-wpf-merge-to-form-global-governing-body-for-pickleball-621580.html Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/two-new-franchises-join-world-padel-league-for-upcoming-third-season-621583.html Mumbai June 17 After making a successful India debut in February this year the World Padel League WPL announced the return of its third season The league supported by the Indian Padel Federation is set to take place between August 12 to 16 here at the Nesco Center In the upcoming season WPL is set to grow from four franchises to six with two new teams joining the mix The upcoming season promises five days of actionpacked matches in the heart of Mumbai featuring top global padel playersExpressing excitement for the upcoming season Hemali Sharma cofounder World Padel League said The growth of padel in India has been a journey to watch out for Just six months since our last edition Season 3 of the WPL marks a major milestone as we expand the scale of competition and set new benchmarks for the sport India is fast emerging as a highpotential growth hub for padel Our ambition goes beyond fostering the sport as we aim to craft a dynamic worldclass sporting experience that captivates seasoned fans and firsttime audiences alikeSneha Abraham Sehgal President Indian Padel Federation added The World Padel League has played a crucial role in elevating padels visibility in India With a growing ecosystem of players clubs and infrastructure investments the country is poised to become a key padel destination in the region Initiatives like the WPL blend international talent with local engagement giving budding players the encouragement to elevate their game at par with global standards We are happy to extend our continued support to the leagueHeld at the Nesco Center the last edition saw SG Pipers Cheetahs clinching the title by defeating the Vernost Jaguars in a thrilling final With two new teams joining the fray Season 3 promises a dynamic fusion of worldclass sport and highvoltage entertainment IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/two-new-franchises-join-world-padel-league-for-upcoming-third-season-621583.html Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bharat-ruhils-ironman-resolve-from-accident-and-misses-to-indias-fastest-triathlete-hope-621209.html New Delhi June 14 In the world of endurance sports triathlon demands a rare blend of grit discipline and resilience For Bharat Ruhil a triathlete from Delhi resilience has been forged through personal pain recovery and a relentless pursuit of selfimprovement Speaking to IANS after his latest outing at the Ironman 703 Warsaw in Poland where he clocked a personal best of 4 hours and 37 minutes Ruhil shared his remarkable journey from injury to elite competition It was a good practice I clocked my personal best time of 4 hours and 37 minutes he said fresh off the event in Warsaw where temperatures and terrain posed a unique challengeRuhils path into triathlon wasnt conventional His athletic beginnings were rooted in running but recurring injuries and a subsequent knee surgery nearly derailed his aspirations My journey started with running but I used to get injured frequently Eventually I had to undergo knee surgery After that I did rehab and still wanted to stay in sports so I gave it one final shot Thats when I got into triathlon in 2017The transition was anything but easy Ruhil began with the Olympic distance format and quickly showed promise His breakthrough came at the 2019 Ironman Goa where he finished fifth in his age group earning a qualification slot for the World ChampionshipI trained hard finished fifth in my category and qualified The Championship was supposed to take place in New Zealand in 2020 but COVID hit and everything got postponedJust as he was getting back on track another setback came this time more serious In 2021 while training for the Commonwealth Games trials in Finland he was involved in a road accident While I was riding I got hit by a car It was a major accident and unfortunately the trials were just a week away I couldnt participate I had to go through rehab for 56 months including a month of complete rest That phase was very difficultBut Ruhils story is one of comebacks In 2023 he finally competed in the World Championship in Finland a milestone that brought him full circle That year also saw him post his fastest timing yet at Warsaw reaffirming his credentials as one of Indias brightest triathlon talentsDespite his allround improvement Ruhil admits that swimming remains his toughest challenge not for lack of effort but due to infrastructural limitations in his hometownIn Delhi we dont have access to open water Cities like Pune and Mumbai have lakes but we dont so we have to train in pools Thats very different from openwater swimmingIn open water you need to look ahead to stay on course and thats something we cant practice in pools Plus European races have water temperatures between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius Were not used to that in India and it makes things even more difficultTriathlon consists of three parts swimming cycling and running Ruhil believes that excelling in all three requires immense dedication especially when training environments dont fully support the demands of the sportWith the Commonwealth and Asian Games out of reach for now partly due to his accident and partly because Ironman formats arent included in those competitions Ruhils current goals are sharply focused My target is to become Indias fastest triathlete Im also coaching athletes on the side but competing remains my main focusHe elaborates on the formats Triathlon is part of the Olympics but Ironman is a separate format The Olympic triathlon distance includes 1500 metres of swimming 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running Half Ironman also known as 703 includes 19 km swimming 90 km cycling and 21 km running Ironman is a different category altogether The Olympic distance is part of the Asian Games but Ironman isntBharat had earlier trained for the shorter distances in preparation for the Commonwealth Games but his accident rerouted his goals back toward Ironman Right now Im not aiming for the Asian Games Im focusing on Ironman events I have two races lined up one in Germany in September and another in DecemberAs for funding which is a critical concern in a selfdriven sport like triathlon Ruhil has had to bear much of the financial burden himself especially early on Triathlon is financially demanding I had to cover most of the expenses myself in the beginning But now I have a sponsor who has supported me for the last three eventsHis support system now includes a strength and conditioning coach based in Australia and Ruhil also contributes to the sport by creating coaching content for aspiring athletes I also work with a strength and conditioning coach based in Australia Apart from competing I make coaching videos for athletes as wellInternational competitions demand not only physical readiness but also logistical and climate adaptation Ruhil breaks down the prep process It usually takes a week to acclimatise to international conditions I landed in Poland on August 4 and it took about a day to recover from the flight Then I have to assemble my bike check everything do practice rides and runs and adjust to the weather I had to deposit my running and cycling gear by August 7 you cant do that on race day so everything has to be ready in advance IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/bharat-ruhils-ironman-resolve-from-accident-and-misses-to-indias-fastest-triathlete-hope-621209.html Sat, 14 Jun 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rugby-premier-league-unveils-star-studded-lineup-for-inaugural-season-621241.html Mumbai June 14 Rugby royalty showcased an exciting preview of the upcoming action in store during the launch press conference of the inaugural season of GMR Rugby Premier League Present on the occasion were the team coaches and marquee players from their respective franchises From Hyderabad Heroes coach DJ Forbes along with Prince Khatri and Manuel Moreno from Chennai Bulls coach Ben Gollongs and Alex Davis and Bengaluru Bravehearts Mohit Khatri and Pol Pla along with their coach Pack Hernandez were presentAlso in attendance were coach Tomasi Cama Deepak Punia and Matias Osadczuk of Delhi Redz coach Mike Friday Asis Sabr and Maurice Longbottom of Kalinga Black Tigers and lastly from Mumbai Dreamers coach Tim Walsh Akash Balmiki and James TurnerThe team coaches and players of the respective franchises shared their thoughts ahead of the seasonThe media were addressed by the CEO of GMR Sports Satyam Trivedi and Rugby India President Rahul Bose who were then joined by all six franchise owners for a photo opportunityThe media also got a chance to witness the players in action as they passed the ball around and explained the rules of the game to the mediaCEO of GMR Sports Satyam Trivedi stated This league has it all to make it big and successful in India It is both a great broadcast product and a great onground property and we are very proud of this partnership with Rugby IndiaPresident of Rugby India Rahul Bose spoke along similar lines and stated It is truly incredible what we have managed to do here We have big names from all over the world of rugby playing together as teammates Looking forward to the highoctane action we are about to witness over the next few daysThe Rugby Premier League is set to commence on Sunday June 15 with six teams Bengaluru Bravehearts Chennai Bulls Delhi Redz Hyderabad Heroes Kalinga Black Tigers and Mumbai Dreamers fighting for gloryEach team will comprise five foreign players five domestic players and three from bridge nations countries in the second and third tiers in the world rugby hierarchyEach match will be of 16minute duration divided into four quarters With the clock being stopped for each transgression decision and injury each match will be of 2330 minutes duration Four matches will be held each evening All matches will be played at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/rugby-premier-league-unveils-star-studded-lineup-for-inaugural-season-621241.html Sat, 14 Jun 2025 21:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/india-to-host-first-global-cultural-games-in-new-delhi-in-december-620912.html New Delhi June 12 India will host the firstever Global Pythonova Pythian Games in the National capital New Delhi from December 35 2025 The announcement was made during the 3rd National Executive Council Meeting of the Pythian Council of India held in New Delhi under the leadership of Bijender Goel founder of the Modern Pythian Games and founding secretary general of the International Pythian Council He was accompanied by Shantanu Agrahari President and Siva Kumar Secretary General of the Pythian Council of IndiaInspired by the ancient Pythian Games of Greeceone of the four PanHellenic Games held in honour of Apollo at Delphithe Modern Pythian Games revive this cultural legacy after nearly 1630 yearsThe games originally focused on excellence in music poetry arts and prophecy were envisioned anew in 2020 by Goel and formally launched in 2021 during the COVID19 pandemicDelegates and executive members from various Indian states attended the meeting engaging in strategic discussions to promote the Pythian Games at the local and global levelsIn a press briefing following the meeting Goel revealed that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR has assured full cooperation in this global cultural initiative He also shared details of his recent constructive discussions with Rajesh Aggarwal Secretary Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities raising hopes for inclusive participationGoel announced that the International Delphic Committee Russia Ecumenical Delphic Union Greece and the Government of Cyprus have officially endorsed the Modern Pythian MovementThe ancient Pythian Games were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Greece dedicated to the god Apollo and were held in Delphi These games were a celebration of excellence in art music poetry and prophecy and served as a major centre for cultural exchange After nearly 1630 years Bijender Goel conceived the idea of the Modern Pythian Games in the year 2020 and it was formally announced in 2021 during the COVID19 pandemic Since then the movement has spread globally and has become a significant platform dedicated to art tradition and cultural diplomacy he saidIn a world full of divisions the Pythian Games offer a global platform for unity through culture he said He further added that a centralised franchise model will be introduced for the Pythian Games at the global national and local levels to ensure transparency accountability and a streamlined functioningShantanu Agrahari President of the Pythian Council of India announced that the next National Pythian Games will be held in SeptemberOctober 2025He stated These national games will serve as an important training ground for Indian artists and participants He further added Indias rich cultural heritage and young talent make it a suitable host for global eventsUnlike conventional sporting events the Modern Pythian Games are the worlds only multidisciplinary cultural games celebrating art culture heritage traditional sports and creative technology under one unified platformIn a world divided by differences the Pythian Games offer a global stage for unity through culture said GoelHe also announced a globaltolocal franchise model for the games to ensure transparency accountability and streamlined operationsThe games serve as a complement to the Olympic Games offering a global stage to disciplines not represented in the Olympics such as art heritage traditional sports and creative technology Kumar emphasised that the Indian operations are guided by an international charter and supported by various governments cultural institutions and professionals around the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/india-to-host-first-global-cultural-games-in-new-delhi-in-december-620912.html Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/delhi-open-chess-abhijeet-gupta-seizes-sole-lead-as-round-7-shakes-up-leaderboard-620698.html New Delhi June 11 Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 witnessed a major shakeup on Day 6 as GM Abhijeet Gupta emerged as the sole leader with 65 points following a commanding Round 7 victory over GM Mamikon Gharibyan The result puts the Indian GM in pole position heading into the final stretch of the tournament The topboard clash between GM SL Narayanan and GM Boris Savchenko both tied at the top before the round ended in a balanced draw pushing both to six points They are now part of a tightly packed chasing group joined by several others who secured key wins on WednesdayRound 7 also saw several critical results that tightened the race at the top GM Mihail Nikitenko defeated GM Alexei Fedorov to move to 6 points while GM Vitaly Sivuk secured a strong win over Alekhya Mukhopadhyay also climbing to 6 GM Diptayan Ghosh joined the leading pack after overcoming GM Aleksej AleksandrovMeanwhile GM Luka Paichadze and GM Manuel Petrosyan played out a draw to stay in contention with 55 points each as did GM Aditya S Samant and IM Semetey Tologontegin who also shared the spoils to reach 55Also joining the sixpoint club was IM Neelash Saha who continued his excellent run with a win over Bivor Adak and IM Aronyak Ghosh who defeated GM Nguyen Duc Hoa in a sharp battleWith just three rounds remaining the standings remain extremely tight with eight players now trailing Abhijeet Gupta by just half a point The battle for the Rs 121 crore prize pool is heating up and every result in the coming rounds could prove decisiveDay 6 also marked the kickoff of Category C which has drawn a whopping 1250 participants further reinforcing the tournaments reputation as Indias most inclusive and expansive chess celebrationWith players spanning all age groups and backgrounds the Category C section adds another vibrant layer to the Delhi GM Opens legacy of nurturing talent across every level IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/delhi-open-chess-abhijeet-gupta-seizes-sole-lead-as-round-7-shakes-up-leaderboard-620698.html Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/season-2-of-world-pickleball-league-to-be-held-in-mumbai-in-jan-feb-2026-620371.html Mumbai June 9 After a landmark debut season the World Pickleball League WPBL on Monday announced the dates for Season 2 which will be held in Mumbai from January 24 to February 8 2026 Building on the success and energy of its inaugural edition WPBL will once again bring together elite players from across the world highprofile franchise owners and an evolved matchday experience that fuses sport and entertainment in equal measureThe leagues first season hosted at the historic Cricket Club of India featured athletes from 14 countries a firstofitskind 15minute match format HawkEye officiating and franchise owners ranging from Swiggy to stars like Samantha Ruth Prabhu Atlee amp Priya Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh Jackky Bhagnani Rishabh Pant and Rakul Preet SinghGaurav Natekar Cofounder amp CEO of WPBL said Season 1 of the WPBL was a statement of intent It showed that India is ready not just to embrace pickleball but to lead its evolution on the global stageThe response and the goodwill we received from players fans and partners exceeded all expectations and Season 2 promises to be bigger in every way sharper competition deeper storytelling and an even stronger connection with our community Were thrilled to bring the league back to Mumbai a city that gave us so much love and energy last time around he addedSeason 2 will see the return of marquee names innovations and a larger push to grow the sport at both grassroots and professional levels The league will continue to position itself as a bold futurefacing sportainment platform for one of Indias and the worlds fastestgrowing sportsFurther announcements will follow in the coming weeksThe World Pickleball League WPBL promoted by Natekar Sports and Gaming is Indias premier franchisebased pickleball league Founded by former Indias No 1 tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar WPBL successfully launched Season 1 in 2025 with six teams and continues to drive the sports growth across the countryBacked by Sony Corporation and working closely with the AllIndia Pickleball Association AIPB along with the International Pickleball Federation IPF in the USA WPBL is committed to building a vibrant communitydriven pickleball ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/season-2-of-world-pickleball-league-to-be-held-in-mumbai-in-jan-feb-2026-620371.html Mon, 09 Jun 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/derek-fisher-gary-payton-lead-star-studded-nba-house-in-mumbai-620376.html Mumbai June 9 NBA House made its debut in India this weekend transforming Mumbais Dome SVP Stadium into a vibrant celebration of basketball music style and culture Held in conjunction with the 2025 NBA Finals the twoday event brought together NBA legends top celebrities and music stars for an immersive fan experience unlike any other The National Basketball Association NBA curated a dynamic programming lineup that seamlessly blended the energy of live sport with the creativity of music and street culture marking a milestone moment for basketball fans and cultural enthusiasts in the cityFivetime NBA champion Derek Fisher and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton thrilled fans with meetandgreets courtside coaching and panel discussions on the evolution of culture and styleOne of the biggest crowdpullers was the 3v3 Celebrity Game where the court turned into a highenergy showcase of star power and skill With Derek Fisher and Gary Payton coaching rival teams stacked with Indian celebrities like Badshah Disha Patani Rannvijay Singha and Varun Sood the game delivered edgeoftheseat action and friendly competition In the end Team Payton took home the winThe cultural energy extended far beyond the court On Day 1 fans were treated to exhilarating live performances from Hanumankind amp Friends feat Parimal Shais and Kalmi Bombay Mami and Stick No Bills turning the venue into a sonic playground Day 2 continued the momentum with a powerful lineup featuring Baby J B2B Tye Turner Benga and Shioriy BradshawFashion and art were just as prominent throughout the weekend A standout moment was the Streetwear Showcase spotlighting the creativity at the intersection of basketball and street cultureFans also got their moment to shine with interactive oncourt challenges and contests alongside electrifying performances by the Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson the Kings Dancers and the Kings dunk team An additional highlight was the Day 2 Dunk Contest judged by Gary Payton and Derek Fisher which saw local talent deliver gravitydefying performances Billa Nathan Abraham from Hyderabad took home the prizeAcross two days the BUDX NBA House offered a compelling narrative of how basketball transcends borders using music sport fashion and community into a shared celebration of culture For many in attendance it wasnt just an event it was a moment that brought the global spirit of the NBA home to India IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/derek-fisher-gary-payton-lead-star-studded-nba-house-in-mumbai-620376.html Mon, 09 Jun 2025 20:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/fit-india-sundays-on-cycle-organised-in-collaboration-with-indian-railways-at-jln-stadium-620181.html New Delhi June 8 A sea of 1000 cyclists and fitness enthusiasts created a lively atmosphere at the JLN Stadium here on Sunday morning in the 26th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle Organised in collaboration with Indian Railways as special partners the event saw the presence of Indian actress Madhurima Tuli wrestler Anirudh Kumar and mountaineer Narender Kumar among the special guests Madhurima who has starred in the Bollywood movie Baby was formally recognised as a Fit India Icon on the occasion by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports She has been a statelevel track and field athlete as well as a hurdles race runnerExpressing her gratitude Madhurima said I feel honoured to be here Cycling has been my childhood hobby Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have rightly spoken about the dangers of obesity it brings many diseases Cycling is affordable liberating and keeps you mentally fit too With Indian Railways serving as special partners this edition marked a significant expansion of outreach and participation with railway officials and sportspersons associated with the railways also present in large numbers These cycling drives were conducted by several Khelo India Centres KICs Khelo India State Centres of Excellence KISCEs SAI Training Centres STCs Khelo India Accredited Academies KIAAs Regional Centres RCs National Centres of Excellence NCOEs and more than 2600 cycling clubs all across the country who roped in railways employees officials and staff to make the event a resounding success on Sunday The activities stretched from Alwar to Tinsukia and Kurukshetra to Bolpur The fitness activities which included Zumba yoga and rope skipping were guided by My Bharat Rope Skipping Federation of India and Yogasana BharatWrestler Anirudh Kumar who won the gold at the 2024 U23 amp U17 Asian Championships called the initiative very important for the youth of the country Ive had a long relationship with cycling since childhood It improves stamina power and helps with fat loss Its great to see so many young faces today embracing fitness Anirudh saidMountaineer Narender who is now preparing for his upcoming expedition to Mount Elbrus Europes highest peak hailed the movement as a transformative national force The clarion call of PM Narendra Modi has reached every corner of India Its heartening to see the youth join in away from distractions and addictions The love and energy of young Indians are taking this movement forward he mentionedThe Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative launched in December 2024 has already touched more than 35 lakh citizens across 10000 locations nationwide It started with 150odd cyclists and the participation figure has grown by leaps in a span of six months Credit for this huge surge goes to partners such as the CISF armed forces Indian Medical Association journalist associations teachers corporates celebrities and myriad professionals from several walks of life IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/fit-india-sundays-on-cycle-organised-in-collaboration-with-indian-railways-at-jln-stadium-620181.html Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-juniors-kolkata-thunder-blades-emerge-victorious-over-u-mumba-tt-in-season-1-620190.html Ahmedabad June 8 Season 1 of UTT Juniors concluded with a thrilling finale that showcased Indias brightest U15 table tennis talent After two weeks of intense competition between young athletes from across the country Ritvik Gupta and Swara Karmakar of the Kolkata Thunder Blades emerged victorious in a nailbiting final that ended 52 They beat U Mumba TTs Prateek Tulsani and Ananya Muralidharan at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad on Sunday The tournament provided a unique platform for junior players to experience professionallevel competition and learn alongside seasoned athletes marking a significant milestone in Indian table tennis developmentThe awards were presented by Vita Dani Copromoter Ultimate Table Tennis Neel Shah CEO of Dream Sports Foundation and Sumit Pandey COO of the Dream Sports FoundationThe duo representing the Kolkata Thunder Blades were elated following their victory The experience was incredible I had so many opportunities to play alongside top players I really enjoyed spending time with senior players Adriana Diaz and Quadri Aruna they were very friendly and welcoming said Swara KarmakarHer teammate Ritvik Gupta echoed the sentiment adding I never imagined I would get the chance to play in Dream UTT Juniors It was always my dream to be part of UTT This was my first time here and coming as a player rather than just a spectator makes me incredibly happyA blistering start from Prateek saw him come back well against Ritvik to win the first set 1110 in their boys singles tie The two youngsters fought tooth and nail with Ritvik winning the second set 1110 In the end Ritvik gave the Kolkata Thunder Blades the early lead in the final with an 118 win in the third setRitvik and Swara of the Kolkata Thunder Blades made a strong start to their mixed doubles tie with an 114 win over U Mumbas Prateek and Ananya Despite an impressive comeback from U Mumba in the second set it was the Thunder Blades who won with an 119 score In the final set of the mixed doubles U Mumba secured the set with an 119 score to ensure the tie read 42 entering the girls doublesIn the end Swara sealed the trophy for her team with a 114 victory in the first set of the girls doubles to confirm the trophy for the Kolkata Thunder Blades IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-juniors-kolkata-thunder-blades-emerge-victorious-over-u-mumba-tt-in-season-1-620190.html Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/delhi-gm-open-2025-deepan-chakkravarthy-narayanan-sivuk-among-leaders-after-day-2-620222.html New Delhi June 8 Day 2 of the 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 brought double the drama as players faced off in Rounds 2 and 3 at Tivoli Gardens Chattarpur With two classicalformat games scheduled for the day stamina and precision were put to the test as early leaders began to emerge Indias top seed GM Narayanan S L 2600 continued his flawless run moving to 33 after defeating Arnav Agarwal 2096 in Round 3 Joining him at the top of the table are GM Deepan Chakkravarthy 2410 GM Vitaly Sivuk 2522 GM Mihail Nikitenko 2520 GM Karthik Venkataraman 2550 GM Abhijeet Gupta 2538 and IM Arsen Davtyan 2402 all of whom registered three wins in three rounds The leaderboard remains tightly packed heading into an exciting Day 3IM Aronyak Ghosh 2510 also maintained his perfect score with a composed win over Guru Prakash keeping pace with the frontrunners in a fiercely competitive fieldThe day was equally memorable for Indias emerging crop of players Vairaj Sogerwal still riding high on his Round 1 upset over GM Karen H Grigoryan continued to showcase resilience against stronger opponents Singh Arshpreet 2075 moved to 23 with another composed showing while FM J Ramakrishna 2036 and CM Akila Kavinda 2010 also stood at 2 pointsAdding to the surprises Sai Kuchibhotla 2014 delivered a gritty performance to hold GM Tornike Sanikidse 2425 to a draw a result that exemplifies the rising standard of Indias grassroots chess talentNow in its 21st edition the Delhi GM Open has cemented its place as Asias largest classicalformat open chess tournament With over 2500 players from 20 countries including 24 Grandmasters and a record prize pool of 121 crore the tournament continues to offer a platform for Indias brightest prospects to take on global heavyweightsOrganized under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation the event remains a cornerstone of Indias competitive chess calendar and a true celebration of the sports growing appeal IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/delhi-gm-open-2025-deepan-chakkravarthy-narayanan-sivuk-among-leaders-after-day-2-620222.html Sun, 08 Jun 2025 22:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/carlsen-clinches-norway-chess-2025-title-after-gukesh-falters-620044.html Stavanger Norway June 7 World No 1 Magnus Carlsen added another accolade to his legendary career by winning the Norway Chess 2025 title in his hometown of Stavanger on Friday The fivetime World Champion secured the crown after a dramatic final round that saw his closest challenger reigning World Champion D Gukesh falter at the last hurdle Carlsen playing with white was held to a draw by Indias rising star Arjun Erigaisi in the final classical game While the result kept the door slightly ajar for Gukesh the young Indian prodigy needed a win against American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana to catch up with Carlsen on the leaderboardHowever under immense pressure Gukesh blundered in a balanced position losing the game on the spot and with it his chance at winning the titleGukesh blundered his queen promotion move with just two seconds left on the clock resigning on the spot in his finalround clash against Fabiano CaruanaThe costly slip not only ended Gukeshs hopes of overtaking Magnus Carlsen on the leaderboard but also handed the Norway Chess 2025 title to the World No 1 who had earlier drawn his classical game against ErigaisiThe victory marks Carlsens sixth triumph at his home event and serves as a reminder of his enduring dominance in the classical format despite stepping back from World Championship competition He finished with 16 points half a point ahead of Caruana who capitalised on Gukeshs error to leap into second place with 155 pointsGukesh who has had a phenomenal year as the reigning World Champion had to settle for third with 145 pointsEarlier in a thrilling Round 9 encounter the youngestever Chess World Champion defeated Chinas formidable Wei Yi climbing to 145 points and narrowing the gap between him and tournament leader Magnus Carlsen to just half a pointIn the womens section it was Ukraines Anna Muzychuk who emerged victorious in a tightly contested finale Muzychuk needing only a draw in her final classical round against Indias R Vaishali played with calculated composure to ensure a shared pointThe result left the door open for Indias Koneru Humpy who needed a win against Chinas Ju Wenjun to take the top spot But Humpy couldnt convert her chances and the game ended in a draw IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/carlsen-clinches-norway-chess-2025-title-after-gukesh-falters-620044.html Sat, 07 Jun 2025 01:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/delhi-gm-open-2025-to-feature-sl-narayanan-abhijeet-gupta-and-top-grandmasters-in-premier-classical-showdown-620102.html New Delhi June 7 Grandmaster SL Narayanan threetime Delhi GM champion Abhijeet Gupta and top international names like Levan Pantsulaia Georgia and Manuel Petrosyan Armenia headline the 21st Delhi International GM Open Chess Tournament beginning June 7 at Tivoli Gardens New Delhi With participation from over 2500 players across 25 countries the event reaffirms its status as one of Asias top battlegrounds for classical chess where champions are challenged and future stars are mouldedThis years lineup includes top seed Narayanan FIDE 2600 known for his precision in classical play He will be joined by a strong Indian contingent featuring Abhijeet Gupta GM Diptayan Ghosh and National Champion GM Venkataraman Karthik Category A open to internationally rated players includes 24 GMs amp 21 IMs with standout foreign participants like Luka Paichadze Georgia adding to the competitive depth This section offers a prize pool of Rs 51 lakhWIM Rani Hamid the 80yearold veteran from Bangladesh and a 20time National Champion also returns to Delhi continuing her remarkable run as one of Asias longestserving international playersSpeaking on the occasion Bharat Singh Chauhan President of the Delhi Chess Association said Over the years weve nurtured players not just by giving them a platform but by building a highperformance environment rooted in consistency and care Many of Indias finest including Gukesh and Arjun have grown through this very ecosystem With legends like Rani Hamid and stars like Narayanan in the mix this years edition reflects the range strength and soul of South Asian chessThe Delhi GM Open has a wellearned reputation as a launchpad for elite talent Arjun Erigaisi Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram sharpened their edge here while Gukesh Dommaraju earned his final GM norm at this tournament to become the worlds youngest Grandmaster at just 12 years old The 2025 edition continues that legacy with scale and ambitionCategory B Under1900 and Category C Under1700 each offer a prize pool of Rs 35 lakh together drawing over 2000 players All games will follow the classical time control format under FIDE Swiss System regulations with 10 rounds per section IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/delhi-gm-open-2025-to-feature-sl-narayanan-abhijeet-gupta-and-top-grandmasters-in-premier-classical-showdown-620102.html Sat, 07 Jun 2025 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/gukesh-inches-closer-to-glory-after-fourth-win-at-norway-chess-619827.html New Delhi June 6 Teen sensation Dommaraju Gukesh continues to etch his name into chess history securing his fourth classical victory at the 2025 Norway Chess tournament In a thrilling Round 9 encounter the youngestever Chess World Champion defeated Chinas formidable Wei Yi climbing to 145 points and narrowing the gap between him and tournament leader Magnus Carlsen to just half a pointGukeshs performance has been a blend of tactical brilliance and calm under pressure a trait rarely seen at such a young age on the global stage His latest win saw him navigate a sharp middle game with surgical precision outmaneuvering Wei Yi in a complex endgame that showcased his deep positional understandingHowever the road to victory is far from smooth Magnus Carlsen the World No 1 and a fivetime World Champion reminded everyone of his enduring prowess by defeating American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana in a tense battle that saw Carlsen grind out a win in a rook endgame With this result Magnus retains the lead with 15 points heading into the final roundWith only one round remaining the chess world is abuzz with anticipation A win for Gukesh in the final round paired with anything less than a victory for Carlsen could crown the young Indian prodigy with his first Norway Chess titlea fitting followup to his World Championship triumphThis years Norway Chess has become more than just a tournament its a symbolic passing of the torch Whether Gukesh completes the fairytale or Carlsen holds his ground Round 10 promises to deliver a grand finale worthy of the legends of the game IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/gukesh-inches-closer-to-glory-after-fourth-win-at-norway-chess-619827.html Fri, 06 Jun 2025 01:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/volleyball-federation-of-india-to-hold-elections-on-june-7-amid-push-for-reforms-and-growth-619996.html New Delhi June 6 The Volleyball Federation of India VFI is set to conduct its longawaited elections at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday following a directive from the Delhi High Court This marks a crucial step toward restoring a democratically elected leadership after a period of interim governance A total of 66 representatives from 33 states and Union Territories affiliated with VFI will vote to elect a new governing body In all 29 candidates are contesting for 12 key positions including five seats on the Executive Committee These include President 1 Vice Presidents 2 Secretary General 1 Treasurer 1 Joint Secretaries 2 and Executive Committee Members 5The presidential race will see Anand Shankar Rajhans Bihar Prem Singh Bajor Nagaland and Virender Kanwar Himachal Pradesh face off For the SecretaryGeneral the candidates include Mohammad Akram Khan Chhattisgarh Nilesh Vishnu Jagat Maharashtra and Ramanand Choudhary Rajasthan Hari Singh Chauhan Madhya Pradesh and Prakash Borah Assam will contest for Treasurer with six candidates in the fray for the two Joint Secretary posts and eleven for the five Executive Committee positionsVoting will be conducted from 11 am to 3 pm followed by counting at 330 pm The election is being overseen by Justice P Krishna Bhat Retd appointed as the Returning Officer by the court To ensure full transparency official observers from the Indian Olympic Association IOA the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the International Volleyball Federation FIVB will monitor the proceedingsThe FIVB Delegation present for the elections will include Steve Tutton FIVB General Sports Director Stephen Bock FIVB Head of Legal and General Counsel and Hitesh Malhotra FIVB Head of Volleyball Empowerment and NF RelationsReflecting on the interim phase Rohit Rajpal Chairman of the VFI Adhoc Committee said In the absence of an elected body the Adhoc Committee worked relentlessly to maintain stability and drive progress in Indian volleyball A key highlight has been the establishment of a Centre of Excellence under the FIVB Empowerment Program which has seen four top international coaches deputed by FIVB to train both Indian players and domestic coachesHe further added Indias recent silver medal at the CAVA Mens Nations League after victories over Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Pakistan and Kazakhstan marks a significant achievement Our global ranking has jumped from 168 to an estimated 45 The womens team also secured gold at the CAVA Championship in Nepal These results are a testament to the talent pool in India and the sincere structured efforts made by the Adhoc Committee to put Indian volleyball on the world map IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/volleyball-federation-of-india-to-hold-elections-on-june-7-amid-push-for-reforms-and-growth-619996.html Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-season-6-sreeja-akula-powers-jaipur-patriots-to-8-7-win-over-u-mumba-tt-619806.html Ahmedabad June 5 Indian ace Sreeja Akula stunned World No 12 Bernadette Szocs the highestranked player in the league during their singles match as the Jaipur Patriots narrowly defeated U Mumba TT 87 for their second victory in Ultimate Table Tennis UTT Season 6 Jaipur started strong as Kanak Jha handed Lilian Bardet his first defeat of the season edging him 21 in a tightly contested opener Sreeja then lit up the tie outplaying Szocs with a fearless display in the decider after the two split the opening games But U Mumba stormed back into the contest through the pairing of Szocs and Akash Pal who swept the mixed doubles 30 to swing the tie their wayJeet Chandras gritty comeback win over Akash Palsealed with a Golden Point in the second gamebrought the tie level once again setting up a tense finish In the decider Britt Eerlands experience proved crucial as she overpowered young Yashaswini Ghorpade 21 sealing the tie 87 for Jaipur despite dropping the final gameAkash and Szocs outstanding doubles win earned the pair the Indian and the Foreign Player of the Tie honours respectively Jeet Chandra claimed the Shot of the Tie Earlier at the UTT Juniors PBG Pune Jaguars cruised to a 72 win over Dabang Delhi TTC with Atharva Nawarange starring in both singles and doubles alongside Tushti Sood In a nailbiter Kolkata ThunderBlades edged Dempo Goa Challengers 54 with Ritvik Gupta and Swara Karmakar each winning their singles rubbers and combining for a crucial point in doublesFinal ScoresJaipur Patriots 87 U Mumba TTKanak Jha bt Lilian Bardet 21 116 711 119Sreeja Akula bt Bernadette Szocs 21 119 811 115Kanak JhaSreeja Akula lost to Akash PalBernadette Szocs 03 811 611 611Jeet Chandra bt Akash Pal 21 511 1110 117Britt Eerland bt Yashaswini Ghorpade 21 117 114 711 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-season-6-sreeja-akula-powers-jaipur-patriots-to-8-7-win-over-u-mumba-tt-619806.html Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/goa-guardians-join-prime-volleyball-league-as-10th-franchise-619742.html Mumbai June 5 The Prime Volleyball League have welcomed Goa Guardians as the 10th franchise which will make their debut in the fourth season beginning from October 2 The Goa Guardians will join a dynamic roster of teams representing major cities Ahmedabad Defenders Bengaluru Torpedoes Calicut Heroes Chennai Blitz Delhi Toofans Hyderabad Black Hawks Kochi Blue Spikers Kolkata Thunderbolts and Mumbai MeteorsOwned by Raju Chekuri chairman president amp CEO of Netenrich the franchise aims to challenge for leadership in the already fiercely competitive league which features some of the biggest names in volleyball from India and overseas competing for the prestigious trophySpeaking on the announcement Chekuri said Joining the Prime Volleyball League with the Goa Guardians is more than just a team launch its a longterm investment in Indian volleyball Our mission is to unlock the incredible athletic potential across rural and urban India and build a globally competitive platform for talentJoy Bhattacharjya CEO Prime Volleyball League added Goa Guardians is a fantastic addition to our growing family Chekuris vision and commitment to the sport make us extremely confident about what this team will bring to the table Volleyball is already one of the most popular sports in the country and this addition is a testament to its growing market presenceThe PVL Season 4 player auction is set to take place in Kozhikode on June 8 and fans can watch the live bidding war on Prime Volleyball Leagues YouTube page where all teams will build their rosters for the upcoming season IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/goa-guardians-join-prime-volleyball-league-as-10th-franchise-619742.html Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-athletes-express-excitement-for-shooting-league-of-india-as-nrai-unveils-logo-619752.html New Delhi June 5 The National Rifle Association of India NRAI unveiled the logo for the inaugural Shooting League of India SLI at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range on Thursday afternoon Several Indian athletes at the Indian camp gearing up for the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich attended the unveiling and expressed their excitement for the inaugural edition of the league Along with Paris Olympic medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh several top Indian stars including Arjun Babuta Sandeep Singh Elavenil Valarivan Ramita Sift Kaur Samra Anjum Moudgil Varun Tomar Arjun Singh Cheema Chain Singh Kiran Ankush Jadhav Ashi Chouksey Shriyanka Sadangi Suruchi Palak Simranpreet Kaur Brar Akhil Sheoran Sainyam Nischal and Rahi Jeevan Sarnobat were present at the eventSpeaking on the occasion the 50m rifle 3 positions world record holder Sift Kaur Samra said that the upcoming league is a major boost to the morale of the athletes who will be competing in Munich between June 8 and June 15We express our gratitude to NRAI for inviting us to be a part of the unveiling of the logo and allowing us to witness the start of this beautiful journey We are seeing that the buzz around the sport of shooting in India is increasing further with the upcoming league and it is a big boost to our morale ahead of the upcoming ISSF World Cup the 24yearold saidCrafted by the renowned sports media and marketing agency Sportwalk the logo features a vibrant mix of colour to encapsulate the competitive nature of the sport and to symbolise the sports heritageThe 2022 Asian Games medallist Ashi Chouksey further praised the dynamic nature of the logo and delved deeper into how the bold colours depict the strength of the Indian sporting communityAll of us are delighted to see that the Shooting League of India is kicking off with this beautiful logo The bold colours feel like they are a testament to the strength and nature of Indian sportspersons It feels like a statement and now it is up to us athletes to live up to the message being portrayed by this wonderful symbol Chouksey saidMeanwhile experienced rifle shooter Shriyanka Sadangi further said that the logo sends out the message that the national federation wishes to promote with the league With Indias success in the recent edition of the Olympic Games in Paris there is a growing interest in the sport in the country and all around the world The league can help add to this success and help in further advancing the global appeal of the sport The logo has a similar universal appeal with familiar yet vibrant colours and patterns thus helping its reach across the massesThe first season of the SLI will have a window between November 20 and December 2 The tournament will feature mixed team events in pistol 10m 25m rifle 10m 50m 3 positions and shotgun Trap amp Skeet as decided by the NRAI Technical Committee A total of six to eight teams will feature in the competition and will be divided into two pools in the league stage The selected players will be grouped into four tiers Elite Champions World Elite National Champions and Junior amp Youth Championships to provide a blend of experienced and emerging talents IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/indian-athletes-express-excitement-for-shooting-league-of-india-as-nrai-unveils-logo-619752.html Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/-norway-chess-nakamura-halts-gukeshs-surge-with-crucial-win--619462.html New Delhi June 4 In a highstakes clash at the Norway Chess tournament Hikaru Nakamura reignited his campaign with a commanding victory over World Champion D Gukesh in the classical format breaking a fivegame winless streak and throwing the leaderboard wide open Nakamura the world number two delivered a precise and clinical performance avenging his earlier defeat to Gukesh in Round 3 The result marks a dramatic shift in momentum especially for the young Indian prodigy who was riding high after backtoback classical wins against Magnus Carlsen and Arjun ErigaisiWith this win Nakamura joins Gukesh at 115 points putting both players in a tie for third place as the tournament approaches its climax The victory also serves as a psychological boost for the American Grandmaster who had come under scrutiny after a string of underwhelming results earlier in the eventFor Gukesh the loss is a minor setback in what has otherwise been a breakout tournament The 19yearold who became the youngestever World Champion earlier this year has shown remarkable poise and maturity throughout the tournament taking down some of the games biggest names However against a reinvigorated Nakamura Gukesh faltered in the middlegame misjudging a critical pawn structure that allowed his opponent to seize the initiativeThe tournament now heads into its final rounds with the top spots still up for grabs Carlsen Firouzja and Caruana remain in contention but with Gukesh and Nakamura now surging the battle for the crown is far from overNorway Chess 2025 continues to deliver thrilling battles and high drama with every round rewriting the script in this elite chess showdown IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/-norway-chess-nakamura-halts-gukeshs-surge-with-crucial-win--619462.html Wed, 04 Jun 2025 02:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kkfi-empowers-kho-khos-global-growth-with-intensive-training-program-for-coaches-officials-619337.html Gurugram June 3 Kho Kho Federation of India KKFI under the aegis of the International Kho Kho Federation IKKF is conducting an Advanced Level IIIA Training Course for coaches and technical officials from around the world to empower sports global growth and enhance its scientific and technical foundation The course commenced on June 2 at the Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tercentenary SGT University Budhera and will continue till June 15 The training sessions for coaches are scheduled from June 2 to June 11 followed by the sessions for technical officials from June 12 to June 15This intensive program brings together nearly 20 international coaches and officials representing Sri Lanka Bangladesh Iran Australia England Korea and Malaysia alongside 50 coaches and 65 technical officials from across IndiaThe Advanced Level IIIA Training course has been designed to address both technical excellence and holistic development in the sport Over two weeks participants will engage with a wide range of subjects including biomechanics and movement analysis autogenic training for recovery introduction of sports science in Kho Kho awareness about doping in sports sports psychology scientific gazettes in sport and the latest rules and regulations set by IKKFIn some of the major sessions during this course period participants will explore key components shaping the modern game on June 5 such as Sports Science in Kho Kho by Dr Pooja Bhati Awareness about Doping in Sports by Dr Vikas Tyagi and Dr Anurag and Training of Attackers by renowned coach Dr H V Nataraj The day will also feature an early morning physical fitness session led by Ashwani SharmaHighlighting the significance of the initiative Sudhanshu Mittal president of KKFI said This course reflects our commitment to preparing a new generation of coaches and technical officials who are equipped with the knowledge tools and international exposure to take Kho Kho to the next level in the global stage As the sport integrates science and technology in all dimensionsfrom matbased play to the Decision Review System developing human capital is key to sustaining its global growthThe advanced Level IIIA Training Course for coaches will conclude on June 11 with a practical examination followed by a closing session reflecting on the twoweek training and highlighting key takeaways for coaches before the technical officials segment beginsOver the past few years Kho Kho has evolved from a traditional Indian sport into a fastpaced professionally managed discipline The adoption of advanced playing infrastructure the introduction of the Wazir role to enhance dynamism and the integration of sports science and datadriven coaching have elevated the sports appeal on the international stageThis course serves as a crucial step in aligning coaching and officiating standards with the sports modern format and global aspirations IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kkfi-empowers-kho-khos-global-growth-with-intensive-training-program-for-coaches-officials-619337.html Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/host-city-contract-signed-for-dubai-2025-asian-youth-para-games-619422.html Dubai June 3 The countdown to the 5th Asian Youth Para Games has officially begun as the host city contract was signed between the Asian Paralympic Committee and Dubai Club for People of Determination the Local Organising Committee for the Games Majid Al Usaimi the APC President and Thani Juma Berregad Chairman Dubai Club for People of Determination signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations at the APC headquarters in Dubai UAE To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council the 5th Asian Youth Para Games will take place from December 7 to 14 2025 in Dubai UAE featuring 11 sportsThis is the second time Dubai will host the Games it first hosted the Asian Youth Para Games in 2017During the signing ceremony Al Usaimi thanked His Highness for his commitment to the continuation of the Asian Youth Para Games after the original host city Tashkent was unable to go ahead with staging the games originally scheduled for OctoberThe APC President emphasised that this stance demonstrates the UAE and Dubais commitment to supporting the People of Determination across all sectorsAl Usaimi also thanked the Dubai Club for People of Determinations initiative to host this important Asian event noting that the club has taken numerous stances under difficult circumstances demonstrating its full commitment to the development of the international Paralympic movementHe pointed out that the responsibility for continuing the Youth Games in the worlds largest continent is one of the major objectives of the Asian Paralympic MovementOur young athletes are among the most important investments on the Asian continent and globally And we at the Asian Paralympic Committee seek to ensure the sustainability of our work to provide the best services for people of determination at the highest quality to achieve the organisations goalsIn this context the Asian Paralympic Committee has raised the slogan to develop players from youth to professionals charting a clear path to achieve this through various competitions throughout the season and training the cadres who work with the players including classifiers and coaches he saidFor his part Berregad expressed his happiness at the Dubai Club for People of Determination hosting this important Games indicating that they are up to the challenge of presenting an exceptional championship despite the short duration of the eventOver the years the UAE and Dubai have gained a prestigious status by hosting many major and successful regional and international sporting events They continue to enhance this image offering the world amazing experiences and leaving an exemplary impact on the Asian stageWe are committed to delivering an exceptional edition by putting forth our utmost efforts to make the Games the strongest and best he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/host-city-contract-signed-for-dubai-2025-asian-youth-para-games-619422.html Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/shooting-league-of-india-is-more-than-just-a-competition-says-olympic-medallist-sarabjot-singh-619194.html New Delhi June 2 As excitement mounts for the inaugural season of the Shooting League of India SLI Paris Olympic bronze medallist pistol shooter Sarabjot Singh said that such events will spark more interest among youngsters and bring shooting the recognition it truly deserves Schedule to take place in a window from November 20 to December 2 the SLI will feature mixed team events across Pistol 10M 25M Rifle 10M 50M 3P and Shotgun Trap amp Skeet Franchise teams will participate divided into two pools in the league stage followed by knockouts The idea of being part of the very first edition of SLI something this big is truly special says Sarabjot one of Indias most accomplished young shooters with gold medals at the World Championships Asian Games and ISSF World Cup along with a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics 2024Players will be drafted into four competitive tiers Elite Champions World Elite National Champions and Junior amp Youth Championships ensuring a balanced blend of experience and emerging talentFor Sarabjot the format opens the door not only to highlevel competition but also to valuable crosscultural exchange It is a fantastic opportunity to learn to see how top shooters from other countries prepare and perform I am excited to share experiences connect with athletes from different cultures and grow both as a shooter and a person he saidThe leagues fastpaced format is also expected to make shooting more accessible and engaging for audiences A platform like this will spark more interest among young people and bring shooting the recognition it truly deserves in India Sarabjot noted I hope many new fans are drawn into the sport through this leagueLooking ahead to his own performance he emphasises consistency and mindset Mentally I plan to stay calm and focused just like in any other match I will keep reminding myself to enjoy the process Technically I will stick to my routines and adapt to the energy and pace of the leagueBut beyond medals what the 23yearolds values most is connection and progress I am looking forward to building new friendships learning from every match and making memories that stay with me This league is more than just competition it is a step forward for all of usSarabjots signed off with a simple yet powerful message to the next generation of shooters Believe in yourself and never give up Keep practising with discipline and passion IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/shooting-league-of-india-is-more-than-just-a-competition-says-olympic-medallist-sarabjot-singh-619194.html Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/dhawan-hails-gukeshs-first-classical-win-over-carlsen-as-a-moment-of-triumph-619207.html New Delhi June 2 Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has lauded reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju for his firstever win in a classical chess against the world No 1 Magnus Carlsen Gukesh pulled off a sensational victory defeating hometown hero Carlsen in the classical format during the sixth round of the Norway ChessA moment of triumph Congratulations DGukesh on beating Worlds No1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of NorwayChess A incredible feat in your journey heres for more to come Dhawan posted on XCarlsen seemed to be on his way to extending his lead in Norway Chess 2025 by another three points with a second win against World Champion Gukesh In a losing endgame however the 19yearold Indian pounced on a blunder and turned the game around winning it himselfhis first classical win against CarlsenThere was not much I could do I just had to make the most of it Gukesh said after the match I was making moves that were tricky for him and luckily he got into a time scramble One thing Ive learned from this tournament is that time scrambles can get out of controlVisibly frustrated Carlsen slammed the chessboard and exited the arena Gukesh in contrast celebrated quietly with his coach Grzegorz Gajewski savouring a winAsked about this behavior Gukesh later said that the reaction was understandable in context and even added Ive also banged a lot of tables in my careerThe two had clashed earlier in the tournaments opening round where Carlsen had edged out a win with his trademark endgame precision This time it was Gukesh who held his nerve when it mattered mostNorway Chess is one of the worlds premier chess tournaments bringing together the top male and female players in a distinctive 6player double roundrobin format IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/dhawan-hails-gukeshs-first-classical-win-over-carlsen-as-a-moment-of-triumph-619207.html Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/up-yoddhas-assemble-well-rounded-squad-for-pro-kabaddi-league-12-619229.html Mumbai June 2 UP Yoddhas celebrated a successful Pro Kabaddi League PKL 12 Auction over the weekend in Mumbai making key signings including Guman Singh Mahender Singh and Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi among others With 12 retentions and one New Young Player NYP in the buildup to the auction the semifinalists from the last PKL season look to build on their performances with these key additions Mumbai June 2 UP Yoddhas celebrated a successful Pro Kabaddi League PKL 12 Auction over the weekend in Mumbai making key signings including Guman Singh Mahender Singh and Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi among others With 12 retentions and one New Young Player NYP in the buildup to the auction the semifinalists from the last PKL season look to build on their performances with these key additionsOn the first day of the auction UP Yoddhas signed Guman Singh for Rs 107 crore while also strengthening on the defensive end with the addition of Mahender Singh for Rs 20 lakh through a Final Bid Match FBMOn day two UP Yoddhas utilised their FBM for Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi acquiring his services for another season for Rs 20 lakh The defender from Iran has registered 28 points 24 Tackle Points in 23 PKL matches and will add some solidity to the defensive unitApart from these key signings UP Yoddhas also made strategic additions to the squad including Korean raider Dong Geon Lee Rs 1350 lakh Ronak Rs 9 lakh and Pranay Vinay Rane Rs 13 lakhThese new additions will be lining up alongside the retained players including Sumit Bhavani Rajput Sahul Kumar Surender Gill and Ashu Singh who were retained in the Elite Retained Players ERP listMeanwhile Hitesh Gagana Gowda HR and Shivam Chaudhary were a part of the Retained Young Players RYP list alongside Jayesh Vikas Mahajan Gangaram Sachin and Keshav Kumar who were retained in the Existing New Young Players NYP listSharing his thoughts after a successful auction Jasveer Singh head coach UP Yoddhas shared Our strategy going into the auction was clear We wanted to retain our core and bring in players who complement our existing squads philosophy Guman brings a fresh attacking dimension to our raiding unit while the addition of Mahender Mohammadreza and Dong Geon Lee will add great value and versatility to our team With the mix of retained players and new additions were confident in our squads potential to go a step further this seasonReflecting on the teams composition for the upcoming season of Pro Kabaddi League Satyam Trivedi CEO of GMR Sports said We are extremely pleased with how the PKL12 auction played out for us Our aim was to continue building on the momentum from last season and we believe weve achieved that Having retained our core squad it was important for us acquire players who complement the group of players we have in our team With signings like Guman Singh and retaining Mahender Singh weve strengthened across key areas and we look forward to a competitive season aheadUP Yoddhas Squad for PKL 12 Guman Singh Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi Mahender Singh Dong Geon Lee Sumit Ashu Singh Bhavani Rajput Sahul Kumar Surender Gill Hitesh Gagana Gowda HR Shivam Chaudhary Jayesh Vikas Mahajan Gangaram Sachin Keshav Kumar Jatin Ronak Pranay Vinay Rane IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/up-yoddhas-assemble-well-rounded-squad-for-pro-kabaddi-league-12-619229.html Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-hails-gukeshs-historic-win-over-carlsen-at-norway-chess-2025-619238.html New Delhi June 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded teenage chess sensation Gukesh Dommaraju for his stunning victory over Norwegian World No 1 and fivetime World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the sixth round of the prestigious Norway Chess 2025 tournament The 19yearold who is also the reigning World Champion defeated Carlsen in the classical format for the very first time in his career a feat hailed across the Indian sporting landscapeAn exceptional achievement by Gukesh Congratulations to him for triumphing over the very best PM Modi wrote in a post on X formerly Twitter His firstever win against Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025 showcases his brilliance and dedication Wishing him continued success in the journey aheadPlaying against the hometown hero Carlsen in Stavanger Norway Gukesh found himself in trouble during the endgame Carlsen looked set to extend his lead in the tournament with a second consecutive classical win over the Indian prodigy But in a dramatic turn of events Carlsen committed a rare blunder in a time scramble and Gukesh pounced on the opportunity with precisionThere wasnt much I could do I just had to make the most of it Gukesh said after the game I was making moves that were tricky for him and luckily he got into a time scramble One thing Ive learned from this tournament is that time scrambles can get out of controlCarlsen visibly upset by the loss slammed the board and exited the playing hall in frustration Gukesh in contrast celebrated quietly with his coach Grzegorz GajewskiLater when asked about Carlsens reaction the Indian teenager responded with grace saying Its understandable Ive also banged a lot of tables in my careerEarlier in the tournament Carlsen had defeated Gukesh in the opening round with typical endgame mastery But this time it was the young Indian who held his nerve when it mattered the mostThe Norway Chess tournament features a sixplayer double roundrobin format and Gukeshs win is a major boost to his campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/pm-modi-hails-gukeshs-historic-win-over-carlsen-at-norway-chess-2025-619238.html Mon, 02 Jun 2025 21:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-season-6-bhattacharjee-stuns-world-no-55-gerassimenko-as-kolkata-thunderblades-edge-chennai-lions-8-7-619248.html Ahmedabad June 2 Indias 18yearold sensation Ankur Bhattacharjee stunned Olympian and World No 55 Kirill Gerassimenko with a sweeping 30 victory as debutants Kolkata ThunderBlades opened their Ultimate Table Tennis UTT Season 6 campaign with a thrilling 87 win over Stanleys Chennai Lions Staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India TTFI and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani UTT continues to grow as a premier professional league All 23 ties over 16 actionpacked days will take place at Ahmedabads EKA Arena will be broadcast on Star Sports Khel and Star Sports 2 Tamil and streamed live on JioHotstar for fans across the countryWith Indian stars clashing against international heavyweights across all four singles matches the spotlight was firmly on Ankur who stunned the 28yearold Gerassimenko an opponent ten years older and 104 spots ahead of him 30 in the openerAnkurs dominance was clear from the start his lethal backhand statistically the most effective in the league last season delivered nine winners in Game 1 alone He edged a tense second game with a Golden Point and sealed the match with a clinical 117 finish also securing the Indian Player of the Tie and Shot of the Tie honoursDespite that early blow Chennai struck back through World No 36 Fan Siqi the leagues highestvalued player in the auction and only the second Chinese woman to compete in IndianOil UTT Fan showed her class in a 30 win over National Games gold medallist Selena Selvakumar who was returning to the league after six yearsChennai then claimed the mixed doubles through Fan and Payas Jain who outplayed Ankur and Adriana Diaz in the first two games though the Kolkata pair salvaged a game with a late surge led by Diazs spectacular backtoback smashesKolkata responded with a strong finish In the fourth match former World Youth No 1 Payas took a game off World No 27 Aruna Quadri but the experienced Nigerian proved too steady in crunch moments winning 21 That left it to Adriana Diaz ranked 17 in the world to close it outFacing Poymantee Baisya the Puerto Rican star took the decider 116 after an early 50 lead securing the tie for the debutants For her remarkable IndianOil UTT debut Fan was named the Foreign Player of the TieEarlier at the UTT Juniors Sahil Rawat excelled in mens singles and mixed doubles leading Dempo Goa Challengers to a 54 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC Meanwhile Trishal Surapureddy and Shreya Dhars singles win secured a 54 victory for Jaipur Patriots against PBG Pune JaguarsFinal scoresKolkata ThunderBlades 87 Stanleys Chennai LionsAnkur Bhattacharjee bt Kirill Gerassimenko 30 114 1110 117Selena Selvakumar lost to Fan Siqi 03 811 1011 611Ankur BhattacharjeeAdriana Diaz lost to Payas JainFan Siqi 12 611 411 118Quadri Aruna bt Payas Jain 21 113 811 119Adriana Diaz bt Poymantee Baisya 21 116 711 116 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-season-6-bhattacharjee-stuns-world-no-55-gerassimenko-as-kolkata-thunderblades-edge-chennai-lions-8-7-619248.html Mon, 02 Jun 2025 22:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/olympic-medallist-lovlina-borgohain-set-to-launch-her-boxing-academy-in-guwahati-619028.html Guwahati June 1 After bringing laurels to the country in the sport of boxing Tokyo 2020 Olympics medallist Lovlina Borgohain is all set to embark on a new chapter To prepare a future generation of medalwinning boxers Borgohain is establishing her own academy in Guwahati the Lovlina Boxing Academy which will open its doors on June 3 The inauguration ceremony will be graced by the presence of the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina BorgohainWhile sharing her vision for the academy Lovlina said This academy is more than just a training facility its a dream realised and a promise kept to myself and to the countless young boys and girls in Assam who dream of stepping into the ring With the Lovlina Boxing Academy my deepest desire is to create a nurturing environment where aspiring athletes not only learn the art of boxing but also develop the resilience discipline and unwavering spirit needed to succeedThe academy is a testament to Lovlinas commitment to nurturing raw talent and providing them with worldclass training and infrastructure It also marks a historic step in the development of sports and sporting infrastructure in the Northeast region of IndiaLovlina is eyeing her third straight summer Olympics but will take it one step at a time from here on Lovlina who returned emptyhanded from Paris 2024 had said the Los Angeles 2028 was very much in her plansTokyo was during Covid times Paris was a real learning curve I did my best and have no regrets that I could not win a medal For every athlete there are lessons to be learnt and I want to be wiser leading into LA Lovlina had told SAI Media earlier this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/olympic-medallist-lovlina-borgohain-set-to-launch-her-boxing-academy-in-guwahati-619028.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/norway-chess-2025-magnus-carlsen-extends-lead-after-round-5-619032.html Stavanger Norway June 1 Round 5 of Norway Chess 2025 delivered gripping action across all boards While all three classical games ended in draws the intensity remained high as each matchup progressed to Armageddon The games Arjun Erigaisi against Hikaru Nakamura Wei Yi against World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and Fabiano Caruana against Magnus Carlsen ended in hardfought drawsArjun Erigaisi Wei Yi and Magnus Carlsen triumphed in their Armageddon games earning the crucial extra pointsWith his Armageddon win Magnus Carlsen continues to lead the standings reinforcing his commanding presence in this years event The tournament continues tomorrow with Round 6 featuring the highly anticipated rematch between World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and World No 1 Magnus CarlsenThe Norway Chess Womens tournament saw another exciting day with a decisive win for Vaishali Rameshbabu against Sarasadat Khademalsharieh It marked her first classical victory in this years edition of Norway ChessThe two remaining games Anna Muzychuk against World Champion Wenjun Ju and Humpy Koneru against Lei Tingjie were decided in Armageddon emphasizing the intense competition in the womens field where each point is crucialWenjun Ju and Humpy Koneru prevailed in their Armageddon games earning the important extra pointsEarlier Carlsen showed his class with an instructive victory in the endgame against Indian No 2 Arjun Erigaisi The Norwegian superstar who had lost two Armageddon games in the last two rounds made a strong statement with this win on home turfIn the game between World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh and World No 3 Fabiano Caruana the American was leading almost the whole game with significant winning chances However he could not convert his advantage due to Gukeshs superb defensive skills Gukesh then went on to win the Armageddon game convincinglyNorway Chess is one of the worlds premier chess tournaments bringing together the top male and female players in a distinctive 6player double roundrobin format The 2025 edition is running from May 26 to June 6 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/norway-chess-2025-magnus-carlsen-extends-lead-after-round-5-619032.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-season-6-pbg-pune-jaguars-comeback-to-beat-rivals-u-mumba-tt-9-6-619058.html Ahmedabad June 1 Indian stalwarts Reeth Rishya Tennison and Anirban Ghosh starred as PBG Pune Jaguars came from behind to defeat Maharashtra rivals U Mumba TT 96 in the Ultimate Table Tennis UTT Season 6 on Sunday Staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India TTFI UTT continues to grow as a premier professional league All 23 ties over 16 actionpacked days will take place at Ahmedabads EKA ArenaInternational stars Lilian Bardet and Bernadette Szocs kicked things off positively for U Mumba with wins in their respective matches helping their team into an early 42 leadBardet took little time to secure an 111 victory in Game 1 of the first match against IndianOil UTT favourite Alvaro Robles before dominating Game 2 with an 114 win However Robles crucially pulled one back for PBG Pune Jaguars keeping them within touching distance of their opponents in a league where every game counts Meanwhile Szocs extended her perfect headtohead record across all competitions against Season 6 debutant Dina Meshref staging a dramatic comeback by saving three match points in Game 2 before going on to win the match 21But the momentum shifted dramatically when Anirban stepped up for Pune First he partnered with Meshref to win a nervy mixed doubles battle 21 clinching it with the Golden Point Then he edged Akash Pal 21 in a gritty singles contest to level the tie at 66 In the decider the experienced Reeth dominated against Swastika Ghosh 30 sealing a memorable 96 win for PuneReeth was named Indian Player of the Tie while Szocs earned Foreign Player of the Tie Akash took home the Shot of the Tie prizeEarlier at the Dream UTT Juniors Dempo Goa Challengers edged Stanleys Chennai Lions 54 powered by a flawless 30 win from Sahil Rawat and a crucial mixed doubles win In the second tie Jaipur Patriots sealed a 63 victory over Ahmedabad SG Pipers with Shreya Dhar starring in both singles and doubles alongside Trishal SurapureddyFinal ScoresPBG Pune Jaguars 96 U Mumba TTAlvaro Robles lost to Lilian Bardet 12 111 411 118Dina Meshref lost to Bernadette Szocs 12 115 1011 911Anirban GhoshDina Meshref bt Akash PalBernadette Szocs 21 711 117 1110Anirban Ghosh bt Akash Pal 21 116 1011 118Reeth Rishya Tennison bt Swastika Ghosh 30 119 1110 116 IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/utt-season-6-pbg-pune-jaguars-comeback-to-beat-rivals-u-mumba-tt-9-6-619058.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/thailand-open-2025-deepak-naman-tanwar-clinch-gold-as-india-return-with-eight-medals-619064.html Bangkok June 1 Deepak and Naman Tanwar spearheaded Indias campaign at the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament securing two golds as part of an impressive eightmedal haul Competing against tough international opponents and despite limited exposure or experience the Indian boxers delivered a standout week of performances This display of grit and potential marks a promising start for Indian Boxings second chapter offering renewed hope for the future of Indian boxingDeepak clinched the mens 75kg gold with a 50 win over Abdurakhimov Javokhir of Uzbekistan while Naman Tanwar got the better of Chinas Han Xuezhen 41 in the 90kg finalIn the womens 80kg final Kiran went down 23 against Kazakhstans Yeldana Talipova in a keenly fought bout to settle for a silver Speaking on Indias achievement BFI PresidentChairman Interim Committee Mr Ajay Singh said I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to our medallists at the Thailand Open This performance reflects the growing depth and consistency that our boxers are capable of on the international stage They have shown composure skill and strategic maturity against some of the best in the world especially in the heavier weight categories this time around Its a clear sign that the systems weve put in place are working As we now shift focus to the second leg of the World Cup in Kazakhstan we carry forward this momentum and belief The goal is clear to keep building keep performing and keep raising the barFive Indian women boxers will also return home with bronze medals Tamanna 51kg Priya 57kg Sanju 60kg Saneh 70kg and Lalfakmawii Ralte 80kg came up with strong performance to finish on the podiumOn Sunday Deepak opened Indias gold medal tally with a commanding win over Abdurakhimov He was cautious at the start but midway through the opening round began taking control of the bout and then sailed throughIn the 90kg final Tanwar adopted a different approach as he began aggressively against Han from the beginning and dominated the first two rounds The Chinese fought back in the third as Tanwar began to play safe but could not do enough to turn the tables However a spurofthemoment gesture that offended the Uzbekistan coach led to Indian boxer Anshul Gills disqualification despite winning the semifinal bout Following a formal complaint by the opposing teams coach Anshul 90kg was barred from receiving a medal as he was disqualified from participating in the finals of Thailand Open 2025 this morningThe Indian contingent reaffirmed their standing as one of the worlds leading boxing nations with a strong performance at the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament Facing tough international competition these boxerswho were runnersup at the national levelrose to the occasion showcasing the depth of Indias bench strength Their impressive outing not only earned valuable international exposure but also marked a significant step forward in shaping Boxing Chapter 20 for IndiaIndia had fielded a 19member strong contingent in the prestigious boxing tournament held under the aegis of World Boxingbacked Asian Boxing that has attracted talented boxers from powerhouses like China Kazakhstan Uzbekistan South Korea and host ThailandIndian boxers had won six medals including one gold in the World Boxing Cup in Brazil and will be gearing up for the second leg at the end of this month in Kazakhstan The World Boxing Cup Finals will be played in New Delhi later this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/thailand-open-2025-deepak-naman-tanwar-clinch-gold-as-india-return-with-eight-medals-619064.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/thailand-open-boxing-kiran-deepak-advance-into-finals-618763.html Bangkok May 30 Indian boxers Kiran and Deepak advanced to the finals of the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament with convincing unanimous victories in their respective semifinal bouts on Friday In the womens 80kg category Kiran delivered a composed and dominant performance to outclass Ukraines Polina Chernen with a 50 verdictIn the mens 75kg division Deepak continued his strong run by defeating Thailands Peerapat Yeasu also by a 50 unanimous decision Facing a home favourite Deepak maintained tactical discipline and capitalised on scoring opportunities throughout the boutIndia have fielded a 19member strong contingent in the prestigious boxing tournament held under the aegis of World Boxingbacked Asian Boxing that has attracted talented boxers from powerhouses like China Kazakhstan Uzbekistan South Korea and host ThailandIn the womens semifinals Priya 57kg and Saneh 70kg exited the competition after battling through competitive bouts each settling for a wellearned bronzeEarlier on Thursday Tamanna Priya and Deepak secured their berths in the semifinals assuring themselves of at least bronze medals in the eventIn the womens 51 kg category Tamanna put in a composed performance to beat Liu YuShan of Chinese Taipei by unanimous decision Priya 57 kg followed it up with a confident 50 win over South Koreas Park Ahhyun controlling the bout from start to finishIn the mens draw Deepak 75 kg showed technical clarity and ring discipline to defeat South Koreas Kim Hyeontae also by a unanimous verdict IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/thailand-open-boxing-kiran-deepak-advance-into-finals-618763.html Fri, 30 May 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/norway-chess-gukesh-bounces-back-in-rd-3-beats-world-no-2-hikaru-nakamura-618522.html Stavanger May 29  Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju took down world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura in a seemingly equal endgame cementing his title credentials with a bold performance This win could not come in a better moment for the Indian prodigy following two painful losses in the first two rounds On the opening day of Norway Chess Gukesh suffered a loss at the hands of world No1 Magnus Carlsen He then lost to Arjun Erigaisi in the tensionfilled allIndian encounter but the world champion bounced back in round three with a win over NakamuraFabiano Caruana has rebounded impressively after losing in the first round with another win This time against Indian star Erigaisi With this win he took over the world number 3 spot from Erigaisi in the live rating listThe only draw came between world No 1 Magnus Carlsen and Wei Yi Magnus Carlsen seemed to get some pressure out of the opening but was unable to get anything substantial against Wei Yis superb defence In the Armageddon game Wei Yi found a clever move In the following complicated position Carlsen made a mistake and Wei Yi won a beautiful gameThe Norway Chess Womens tournament again saw action with a decisive win for the Indian star Humpy Koneru against Sarasadat Khademalsharieh Humpy Koneru managed to obtain a better position out of the opening With excellent play she kept adding pressure until she gained an advantage This proved enough to secure the winMeanwhile both remaining games Tingjie Lei against Anna Muzychuk and Vaishali Rameshbabu against Ju Wenjun were decided in Armageddon reflecting the tightly contested nature of the womens field Anna Muzychuk and Wenjun Ju managed to win their Armageddon games getting the extra points IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/norway-chess-gukesh-bounces-back-in-rd-3-beats-world-no-2-hikaru-nakamura-618522.html Thu, 29 May 2025 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kolkata-thunderblades-u-mumba-tt-dempo-goa-steal-spotlight-on-day-1-of-utt-juniors-618538.html Ahmedabad May 29 The inaugural edition of the UTT Juniors Table Tennis tournament kicked off on Thursday U Mumba and Dempo Goa Challengers secured big victories of 72 in their respective ties while the Kolkata ThunderBlades edged past Stanleys Chennai Lions 54 in the U15 tournament Kolkata ThunderBlades emerged victorious in the first tie of the tournament against Stanleys Chennai Lions winning a total of 5 sets while the Lions managed to win 4 Ritvik Gupta began Kolkatas success tale as he beat Chennais Siddhanth Dhariwal by 30 116 119 119 in the boys singles categoryThis was followed by the teams victory in the mixed doubles event as Ritvik and Swara got the better of Siddhanth and Divyanshi by 21 1110 611 1110 The girls singles event went in Chennais favour as Divyanshi Bhowmick beat Swara Karmakar by 31 1110 117 119In the second tie U Mumba TT registered a dominating victory over Dabang Delhi TTC by 72 In the boys singles event Delhis Akash Rajavelu beat Prateek Tulsani by 21 119 115 711 while the mixed doubles event saw U Mumba taking the front seat as Prateek and Ananya won 30 115 117 115 against Delhis Akash and Dhaani With Ananya Muralidharan securing a 30 115 116 114 win over Dhaani Jain in the girls singles event U Mumba TT confirmed their victoryIn the final tie of the day Dempo Goa Challengers beat Ahmedabad SG Pipers by 72 While Goas Sahil Rawat beat Abheek Kashyap by 30 114 115 117 in the boys singles event the mixed doubles event also saw Goa emerging victorious with Sahil and Aarya defeating Abheek and Mouboni by 30 The final match however went in Ahmedabads favour with Mouboni Chatterjee defeating Arya Redkar by 21The second day of the tournament will see three ties with U Mumba TT taking on PBG Pune Jaguars in the first clash followed by a contest between Ahmedabad SG Pipers and Kolkata ThunderBlades The final match of the day will take place between Jaipur Patriots and Dabang Delhi TTC IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kolkata-thunderblades-u-mumba-tt-dempo-goa-steal-spotlight-on-day-1-of-utt-juniors-618538.html Thu, 29 May 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/top-surfers-gear-up-for-6th-indian-open-of-surfing-in-mangaluru-618552.html Mangaluru May 29 The surfing spotlight returns to Karnatakas coastal city of Mangaluru as the sixth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing is set to get underway at the Tannirbhavi Eco Beach on Friday Scheduled from May 30 to June 1 this is the second stop of the 2025 National Surfing Championship Series Organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India SFI this years edition continues to serve as a pivotal leg in the National Championship series drawing Indias finest surfing talent for three days of highstakes competition and valuable ranking pointsOriginally scheduled at Sasihithlu Beach this years competition has been relocated to Tannirbhavi Eco Beach due to unfavourable weather and wave patterns at the former site While Sasihithlu has been synonymous with the Indian Open of Surfing for years the new venue promises comparable wave quality while ensuring better safety conditions for surfers and spectators alikeThe threeday contest will see over 50 top surfers compete across four divisions Mens Open Womens Open Groms U16 Boys and Groms U16 Girls Among the biggest highlights for this round is the return of defending National champion Ramesh Budihal and Kishore Kumar two of Indias topranked surfers who missed the previous edition but are now ready to make a statementThey will join an elite lineup including Harish Muthu Kamali P Ajeesh Ali Srikanth D and Sanjay Selvamani all of whom have impressed on the Asian circuit in 2024 including standout performances at the Asian Surfing Championship and the Maruhaba Cup Their performances were key to India securing a 5th place rank in Asia last year and also securing two quotas for the AichiNagoya 2026 Asian GamesAdding a dramatic layer to this years edition is the surf forecast with wave heights predicted between 10 to 12 feet across the competition dates Due to cyclonic activity and unpredictable weather patterns over the Arabian Sea the ocean may prove to be an unpredictable competitor and play a spoilsport to the event scheduleThe heightened challenge will also have implications for national rankings especially with the Asian Surf Championship 2025 a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games on the horizonThe event continues to enjoy unwavering backing from key partners The New Mangalore Port Authority NMPA returns as the Title Sponsor for the second consecutive year while Karnataka Tourism presents the championship for the sixth year runningWere excited to bring the sixth edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing to the coast of Mangalore With a strong field of athletes and a challenging forecast of 1012 ft waves we are in for an intense and exciting three days of competition said Rammohan Paranjape vice president of the Surfing Federation of India and director at Mantra Surf ClubIn the leadup to the sixth edition of IOS local Grom events have been underway aiming to unearth the next wave of surfing talent in the region These grassroots competitions not only build momentum ahead of the national championship but also set the stage for a sustainable pipeline of talent IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/top-surfers-gear-up-for-6th-indian-open-of-surfing-in-mangaluru-618552.html Thu, 29 May 2025 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/very-excited-for-the-auctions-after-my-performance-devank-dalal-ready-to-lead-pkl-12-auction-charge-618270.html Mumbai May 27 The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 auction on May 31 and June 1 are shaping up to be the most blockbuster player draft in league history with multiple established stars entering the auction pool Leading this starstudded lineup is Devank Dalal PKL 11s Best Raider who scored 301 raid points in 426 raids including 8 Super Raids and 18 Super 10s while leading Patna Pirates to the finalsDespite his stellar achievements Patna Pirates chose not to retain him making Dalal one of the most coveted free agents available After such an outstanding performance this is my first auction experience so I am very excited Dalal saidHis breakthrough season was highlighted by a memorable 26point performance Early in the season my 26point match changed my life I received tremendous encouragement from that performance That match helped me grow throughout the seasonDalal remains open about his destination preferences I can perform well with any team but theres no guarantee which team will succeed nothing is predetermined However he hasnt ruled out a Patna Pirates reunion If Patna Pirates use their Final Bid Match option then I would return to that teamThe auction will separate him from successful raiding partner Ayan Lohchab There are supporting raiders in every team but I will definitely miss Ayan because we had excellent coordinationWhen it comes to pressure from high price tags the young raider displayed a certain sense of maturity Theres no pressure about how much money is involved The prize money is a good thing but if theres pressure then performance suffers Whatever is written in our destiny we will get that muchHis goals for PKL 12 showcase unwavering ambition My personal goal is simple whichever team I go to I will give my best I will perform even better than last year and try to help the team win all the titles IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/very-excited-for-the-auctions-after-my-performance-devank-dalal-ready-to-lead-pkl-12-auction-charge-618270.html Tue, 27 May 2025 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/gurjar-mahendra-sets-new-world-record-as-india-dominates-at-wpa-gp-2025-618356.html Nottwil Switzerland May 27 Indias paraathletes delivered an emphatic statement on the global stage at the World Para Athletics WPA Grand Prix 2025 held from May 23 to 25 in Nottwil Switzerland The highlight of the event came from Gurjar Mahendra who broke the world record in the Javelin F42 category with a sensational throw of 6117 meters claiming gold and etching his name in parasporting historyJoining him in the gold rush was Indias global icon and Paralympic champion Sumit Antil who once again proved his dominance in the Javelin F64 category with a remarkable throw of 7235 meters reaffirming his status as a favorite heading into future international championshipsThe Indian contingents performance in Nottwil was nothing short of extraordinary with Pingane Mina Vilas securing a treble in the F57 category clinching gold medals in discus 1613m shot put 429m and javelin 1056ma rare and commendable sweep across all her eventsAmong the standout performers was Bhuvi Agarwal who struck gold in both the long jump T20 with a leap of 415 meters and the 400 meters T20 clocking an impressive 11223 Her athleticism and composure under pressure continued to mark her as a rising star in Indian paraathleticsMultievent talent Perumalsamy Santhanakumar added to Indias medal tally with gold in the long jump T46 571m and the 400 meters T46 5744 seconds along with a silver in the 100 meters T46 showcasing his versatility on both track and field In the same sprint category Moorthy Pragadeeshwara Raja earned a silver in the 400 meters T11 10159 and a bronze in the 100 meters T11 demonstrating consistency and determinationVeteran thrower Ravi Rangoli brought home double gold in the F40 category excelling in both shot put 978m and javelin 3458m His continued excellence was complemented by Gurjar Mahendra who added to his recordbreaking javelin triumph with another gold in the long jump T42 leaping to 559 metersReflecting on the historic campaign Devendra Jhajharia Chairperson of the Paralympic Committee of India PCI expressed his pride in the teams achievementsBreaking a world record is a monumental feat and to see our athletes achieve this on the international stage fills us with immense pride The performance in Nottwil showcases the exceptional depth and potential of Indian paraathletics These athletes are not just winning medalstheyre inspiring a nation and redefining whats possible IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/gurjar-mahendra-sets-new-world-record-as-india-dominates-at-wpa-gp-2025-618356.html Tue, 27 May 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/never-dreamt-of-olympics-just-hoped-for-a-job-to-support-family-says-paralympian-simran-618040.html New Delhi May 26 Paralympian Simran Sharma shared her challenging journey and the battles she fought from being a premature baby not expected to survive to representing India on the world stage her journey is one of grit heartbreak and unshakeable resolve Her path to the track was not typical it was filled with challenges on every step which started right from the time she was bornDoctors said I wouldnt make it and back then no one was too bothered it was early and I was a girl But my father decided to keep me alive I survived without machines but with many problems I grew up with weak eyes muscles and body I never even dreamt of the Olympics just hoped for a small job to support my family Simran recalled at the House of Glory podcast an initiative by the Gagan Narang Sports FoundationBut everything changed after marriage Gajendra Singh her husband and coach saw a spark in her He never let me do household work He said just eat well and train He made sure I didnt wear a veil didnt follow the restrictions women in our village were used to He had one goal the Olympics shared the 2024 Paris Paralympics bronze medallistThere were days I trained her so hard shed be vomiting on the ground Armyman Gajendra remembered My mother saw her once and asked me Are you trying to kill her But I knew what she needed to reach that level I used to spend hours in the kitchen working on her diet and on the field training her methodicallyBut behind the physical struggle was a mental one At the 2019 World Championships Simran competed while her father was on a ventilator and her husband was drowning in debt from her trainingMy dads medicine cost Rs 150 and we couldnt afford it Everyone blamed my husband for supporting me I broke down I thought maybe if Im not there the problems will go too I tried to commit suicide Simran revealedBut again with her husbands help and support she was able to bounce back as she shared He said Well fall but well rise again Well never give up Im with you till the endNow Simran has returned stronger mentally physically and emotionally Shes built homes for her mother and motherinlaw also winning her firstever Paralympics bronze medal Simrans story is not just one of athletic ambition its about breaking odds healing and redefining what support looks like IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/never-dreamt-of-olympics-just-hoped-for-a-job-to-support-family-says-paralympian-simran-618040.html Mon, 26 May 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kibg-2025-how-tamil-nadus-fisherman-community-is-fuelling-indias-beach-volleyball-growth-618080.html Diu May 26 Volleyball powerhouse Tamil Nadu became champions in both mens and womens categories at the Khelo India Beach Games KIBG 2025 in Diu The dominance of the South Indian state in this sport is a routine affair one story however stood out from the sand courts the rise of beach volleyball players from the states fishing hamlets Two athletes in particular Robin Ravi 23 and Bharat Somu 22 have emerged from the Palavakkam coastal community to represent India at international events like the Central Asian Volleyball Association CAVA Continental Cup finals in Bangladesh in 2023 winning bronze The duo also won the silver medal in the mens volleyball tournament at the inaugural KIBG on FridayWe live on the beach Its our life Walking working and playing on the sand is second nature to us Robin and Bharat said unanimously Their journey like many others in the fisherman community began by watching seniors play volleyball in nearby makeshift courts Both players started young Robin at 10 and Bharat at 15 With no formal coaching in the beginning they learned through observation and passionThey have been practicing on a ground within their own hamlet in Palavakkam Their dream is to represent India at the Olympics said A J Martin Sudhakar veteran volleyball coach and administrator who was also the competition manager for the sport at KIBG 2025Sudhakar was the coach of Pradeep John and Mohan Poothathan who gave India a 9th place finish in Volleyball at the 2006 Asian Games This was Indian volleyballs bestever finish at the continental eventThe fishermen community has a natural advantage he said The fisherman community has given us some of the strongest and most resilient players in the game Their lifestylepulling fishing nets walking on shifting sand constant exposure to sunbuilds the perfect stamina balance and strength needed for beach volleyball Sudhakar told SAI MediaThat is why they adapt to beach volleyball faster than most Their lower bodies are already conditioned for the uneven terrain Endurance and adaptability to sand are critical Acclimatization is part of the game Fisherman boys adapt faster because they live in this weather Thats a major reason why they excelBharat and Robin are both unemployed despite their international medals Their families are not rich Their fathers are fishermen and plumbers But their biggest support has been the freedom to pursue the sport even without jobs This however cant go on forever Sudhakar said If they get government jobs at least 100150 more youngsters from the community will take up the sport seriouslyWe are organising a 10day camp in Chennai from next month specifically for the fisherman community These efforts will scale our presence in national and international circuits he added The community is very tightknit If one succeeds everyone follows Its not just volleyball They play beach football kabaddi and even cricketBeach volleyball was introduced in the Khelo India platform for the first time this year This is one of the best spectator sports It can be developed quickly Its time we support it fully Sudhakar who has been an executive member of the Asian Volleyball Confederations Beach Council for 12 years said Speaking of the Tamil Nadus continuous dominance in indoor or beach volleyball Sudhakar added We have courts even in schools Districts like Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai have produced excellent playersOther coastal states should also replicate this European countries are creating artificial sand courts in towns We dont even need that We have natural beaches Just put one foot of sand and start Sudhakar also the General Secretary of Tamil Nadu State Volleyball Association saidAt the Khelo India Beach Games 2025 Jammu amp Kashmir and Chhattisgarh reached the quarters before Tamil Nadu Kerala Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh took over as semifinalists Jammu amp Kashmir players from the police unit came just one day before the match with no sand court back home Still they reached the quarterfinals Thats selfmotivation continued SudhakarThe model from Tamil Nadu is replicable for North Indian states too he said It starts with identifying the right environments investing in basic infrastructure encouraging youth through schools and universities and giving financial security to top performers The northern states can start small You dont need a beach Just get sand mark a court and begin The Federation must send coaches hold clinics and engage with state sports departments Thats the way forward he addedSudhakar believes a national roadmap can change this Conduct seminars train local coaches and assign them to regional academies Bring foreign experts from Brazil USA or Europe for threemonth stints Thats how the sport will rise We dont need snowcovered indoor sand courts like Europe We have natural beacheslets use them wisely he saidThe easiest way to grow in global volleyball is through beach volleyball And this is the best time We also need to employ these players and give them a future Thats how you build a sports ecosystem Sudhakar concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kibg-2025-how-tamil-nadus-fisherman-community-is-fuelling-indias-beach-volleyball-growth-618080.html Mon, 26 May 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/thailand-open-boxing-sanju-anshul-gill-advance-to-semifinals-618134.html Bangkok May 26 Nationals silver medalists Sanju and Anshul Gill sealed convincing wins to move into the semifinals as Indian boxers continued their solid run at the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament on Monday India has fielded a 19member strong contingent in the prestigious boxing tournament held under the aegis of World Boxingbacked Asian Boxing that has attracted talented boxers from powerhouses like China Kazakhstan Uzbekistan South Korea and host ThailandCompeting in the womens 60 kg category Sanju notched her second straight win of the tournament with a clean 50 verdict over Indonesias Reka Mariana Kasibulan in the quarterfinal bout The National Games bronze medalist maintained control throughout the three rounds staying composed and showing clear technical superiority to outbox her opponent and secure a place in the last fourIn the mens 90 kg division Anshul Gill delivered a strong performance against Kazakhstans Daniyal Saparbay also winning by unanimous decision Gill kept a steady rhythm from the start combining tight defense with effective counters to keep the Kazakh boxer at bay He will now face Uzbekistans Rustamov Abdurakhmon in the semifinalsSanju and Anshuls progress adds to Indias growing presence in the tournament with both boxers assuring themselves of at least a bronze medal finishEarlier Continuing his fine form Indian boxer Pawan Bartwal cruised into the quarterfinals of the mens 55kg category with a commanding 5 0 win over Cambodias Sao Rangsey on SundayIndia has fielded a 19member strong contingent in the prestigious boxing tournament held under the aegis of World Boxing Councilbacked Asian body that has attracted talented boxers from powerhouses like China Kazakhstan Uzbekistan South Korea and host Thailand Hailing from Syupuri village in Uttarakhand Pawan showed tactical maturity and ring control from the outsetHe started cautiously dodging early swings and waiting for his moment before landing a sharp punch to the face that set the tone IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/thailand-open-boxing-sanju-anshul-gill-advance-to-semifinals-618134.html Mon, 26 May 2025 21:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kibg-2025-historic-gold-for-nagaland-women-delhi-men-clinch-top-honours-in-sepak-takraw-quad-regu-events-617770.html Diu May 24 Nagaland etched their names in history with a Khelo India Beach Games sepak takraw womens quad regu team gold in Diu on Friday night The top performance catapulted them to finish in the top 3 for the first time at any Khelo India games Delhi beat Manipur to clinch gold in the mens quad regu team event Nagaland ended their campaign at the KIBG 2025 in third position clinching five gold three silver and five bronze medals Four of Nagalands gold medals came from pencak silat Only Manipur and Maharashtra No 1 and No 2 in the medal standings had more silver medalsAs the final whistle blew there were jubilations and celebrations across the Ghoghla beach creating the perfect preweekend carnival The Nagaland womens team battled nerves strong resistance and brought in their Agame to pip Haryana 21 in a thrilling womens quad finalIt was a very dramatic match Haryana were playing so well but luck favoured us and we got the job done a jubilant Kethosituo Sekhose Chef de Mission of Nagaland told SAI Media This team will now go prepare and hopefully some of them will get selected for India team The overall performance for Nagaland has been very nice Almost everyone got a medal he addedThe Delhi mens team meanwhile won the quad regu final 20 with relative ease against Manipur who became overall KIBG 2025 champions A solid crowd gathered and cheered in every single rally during both the womens and mens sepak takraw quad finals However it was the thrilling womens final that mesmerized all presentSeyiekhrieno Tepa captain of the Nagaland womens side couldnt hold back her emotions Im so happy The match was tough but we kept giving our best Right now Im feeling so grateful firstly I want to thank God my family my coaches my team and everyone the 24yearold said postmatchThe accommodations and all arrangements were done so well here at the Khelo India Beach Games Now we have to continue our hard work for the upcoming competitions too she addedThe Nagaland girls took a quick lead in the first set with effortless flow recording a 156 score over Haryana In the second set Haryana came back strongly brimming with confidence Nerves affected the Naga girls as they kept committing unforced errors ultimately losing the set 715 At the start of the third set the renewed confidence saw Haryana picking the points effortlessly right from the startHowever in the third set the match turned in favour of Nagaland after a stunning rally witnessed plenty of aerial flying and unbelievable ball control from both teams From 04 to 54 Nagaland turned the tide of the match and Haryana slowly started losing the plot A late technical time out also couldnt help the North Indian side as Nagaland stayed in their state of flow taking the third set 1511We made a lot of mistakes and this was disappointment but we are happy we played the final said Haryana womens team captain MonikaWe committed a lot of unforced errors and gifted Nagaland a lot of points After they started picking up these points in the 3rd set we got nervous and then it didnt work for us But we are happy the girls won a gold and silver from here Haryana boys team also won a gold the 20yearold addedHaryana ended their sepak takraw competitions with gold in womens team trio and mens double event and a silver in womens quad regu Nagaland won gold in womens quad regu silver in womens trio event and bronze in womens team trioSepak Takraw ResultsQuad ReguMen Gold Delhi Silver Manipur Bronze Odisha BiharWomen Gold Nagaland Silver Haryana Bronze Uttar Pradesh OdishaTrio EventMen Gold Assam Silver Delhi Bronze Tamil Nadu ManipurWomen Gold Manipur Silver Nagaland Bronze Uttar Pradesh BiharDoubles EventMen Final Haryana 20 Goa Bronze Telangana BiharWomen Final Kerala 20 Odisha Bronze Andhra Pradesh DelhiTeam TrioMen Final Delhi 21 Manipur Bronze Assam Tamil NaduWomen Final Haryana 21 Manipur Bronze Uttar Pradesh Nagaland IANS https://dailyworld.in/other-sports/kibg-2025-historic-gold-for-nagaland-women-delhi-men-clinch-top-honours-in-sepak-takraw-quad-regu-events-617770.html Sat, 24 May 2025 14:11:00 +0530