WEIGHTLIFTING
Ajith sets news National Records at National weightlifting championships
N. Ajith created new National records in clean and jerk and total as he won the men’s 73kg title in the National weightlifting championships in Nagrota Bagwan, Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday.
Ajith bettered his own previous clean and jerk mark of 174kg twice (175kg and 178kg) and Achinta Sheuli’s total record of 316kg to emerge as the winner with an aggregate of 318kg.
The results (winners only):
Men: 73kg: Elite: N. Ajith snatch 140kg, clean and jerk 178kg (NR, Old 174kg, N.Ajith), total 318kg (NR, Old 316kg, Achinta Sheuli); Junior: Bedabrata Bharali (Asm) 132kg, 161kg, 293kg; Youth: Hemanta Doimari (Asm) 115kg, 136kg, 251kg.
Women: 59kg: Elite: Popy Hazarika (RSPB) 90kg, 111kg, 201kg; Junior: Balo Yalam (82kg, 105kg, 187kg; Youth: K. Tharangani (AP) 78kg, 98kg, 176kg.
– Team Sportstar
GOLF
Diksha Dagar leads home challenge in women’s Indian Open
The seasoned Diksha Dagar will spearhead the Indian challenge in a strong field for this month’s Hero Women’s Indian Open 2024, where reigning Ladies European Tour Order of Merit leader Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland will be among the strongest contender.
The event will be held from October 24 to 27 at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram.
The region’s premier event, offering a total purse of USD 400,000, will witness the return of nine players who secured spots within the Top 10 during the 2023 edition.
Diksha, who secured third place last year, and Gaurika Bishnoi, who finished eighth, will be the major Indian names in the field.
The three former champions in the field are Christine Wolf (2019), Camille Chevalier (2017) and Caroline Hedwall (2011).
The field is further bolstered by the participation of several notable players, including Trichat Cheenglab of Thailand, the winner of the 2023 Order of Merit, the organisers said in a press release.
Another former OOM winner, Lee Anne Pace of South Africa, who claimed the LET top spot in 2010, will also be competing. Additionally, the 2010 winner, Caroline Hedwall, who received the honour of Players Player of the Year in 2011, will be present.
Swiss golfer Tamburlini has claimed two victories — Joburg Ladies Open in April and the Lacoste Open de France just two weeks ago.
Amateur Avani Prashanth, who tied for fifth place last year, has also made the list as a professional for the first time. She has been bestowed the honour of a special invitation to the event, where she will make her professional debut
– PTI
FOOTBALL
Chennaiyin FC to play Norwich City Mina Cup UK, drawn with European giants Liverpool and Inter Milan
Chennaiyin FC’s Under-12 side is geared up to represent India on an international stage at the prestigious Norwich City Mina Cup UK. The tournament, taking place on October 12 and 13 at Norwich City FC’s state-of-the-art training facility in England, will feature top youth talent from around the globe.
Chennaiyin’s involvement in the tournament not only underscores the club’s dedication to fostering grassroots football but also reflects the strong partnership with Norwich City FC. This long-term collaboration is focused on creating avenues for growth and development, with both clubs working together to elevate each other both on and off the field.
Chennaiyin FC will be the only Indian club to participate in the prestigious tournament which will feature 16 teams, including some of the world’s biggest football clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter Milan, SL Benfica, Leeds United, Feyenoord Rotterdam and Borussia Dortmund.
A 15-member Chennaiyin team flew out to England late on Wednesday along with the coaching staff.
“The Norwich City Mina Cup UK offers an outstanding platform for young footballers to showcase their talent, and we are excited to send this promising Chennaiyin FC team to compete against some of the world’s top clubs. We are grateful to Norwich City FC for this opportunity and are eager to continue strengthening our partnership in all areas moving forward,” club vice president Ekansh Gupta commented.
The nine-a-side tournament will also be the only qualifying event in the UK for the 2025 Mina Cup, considered among the world’s leading youth competitions.
The Marina Machans have been drawn in Group 4 alongside top clubs Liverpool (England), Inter Milan (Italy) and Empire Football Club (UAE) as 16 teams are divided into four groups.
Each team will play three matches in the initial group stage, with the top two advancing to the Gold Cup and the bottom two to the Silver Cup. Both Cup phases include another group stage with three additional games. Teams will then compete in two placement matches based on their standings, ensuring eight games and concrete development for all participants.
Chennaiyin FC match highlights will be available on JioCinema.
Squad: (Goalkeepers) Seram Ronaldo Meitei and Mohamed Nabil; (Defenders) Rohit Tenshubam, Ningthoujam Thouba Singh, Abheer Hemant Jadhav, J Ryan Fabio, Ishan and Hitaansh Dipesh; (Midfielders) Punshiba Ningombam, Meet Yogesh Satpute, Prakhar Dhar Khatri, Yaikhomba Oinam, W Lydian Mardona; (Attackers) Nepolian Laikhuram and Uziyan Susai.