GOLF
Diksha misses cut at Aramco
India’s Diksha Dagar endured another disappointing day with a four-over 77 to miss the cut at the Aramco Team Series.
After a 76 in the first round, the Indian needed a low round to make the cut, but it just did not happen as she had only one birdie against five bogeys, four of which were on the backstretch of the course.
Diksha’s team also finished 12th and her teammates were Moa Folke, Xinyu Cao and Ding. The highlight was Folke pulling off a hole-in-one on the Par-3 eighth hole.
In the Individual competition, China’s Xiyu Lin and France’s Celine Boutier were tied at the top of the leaderboard on 12-under-par.
Defending champion Lin fired another round of 67 (-6) with seven birdies and one bogey on her scorecard to have a great chance of keeping the Individual trophy with her.
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Five-time LET winner Boutier followed up her first round of 66 (-7) with a bogey-free 68 (-5) on day two to join the Olympic bronze medallist at the top of the leaderboard.
China’s Wenbo Liu was in outright third place on nine-under-par after carding a 68 (-5) in the second round.
Six players are in a share of fourth place on eight-under-par including France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard who fired the round of the day with a 66 (-7).
-Press Trust of India
Rashid shoots 68 in first round, lies tied fourth in Taiwan
India’s Rashid Khan, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, shot four-under 68 after waiting for two days for action to begin at the weather-hit Mercuries Taiwan Masters at Taiwan Golf & Country Club.
FILE PHOTO: Rashid Khan at the 2023 DGC Open.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
FILE PHOTO: Rashid Khan at the 2023 DGC Open.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
He was lying at T-4, while S Chikkarangappa (69) was T-9. SSP Chawrasia and Karandeep Kochhar with 70 each were T-17. Varun Chopra (71) was T-27, while Yuvraj Sandhu (72) and T-Gaganjeet Bhullar (73) were T-60. Ajeetesh Sandhu (79) was T-116.
Trevor Simsby (US), Jaco Ahlers (South Africa) and Chonlatit Chuenboonngam of Thailand shared the lead with 67 each.
Five players including Rashid Khan were tied fourth.
-Press Trust of India
Kartik Singh top Indian at 18th, China’s Ding wins AAC title Japan
Young golfer Kartik Singh emerged as the top Indian at the 18th position at 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship here on Sunday.
The 14-year-old, who last year became the youngest ever to make the cut at the AAC, shot rounds of 71-67-72-70 for an even par 280.
The other two Indians, who made the cut, played well in the final round.
Krishnav Nikhil Chopraa (68-77-74-67) shot his best of 3-under 67 and Rakshit Dahiya (75, 71, 70, 70) carded an even par 70 for the second straight round. The duo finished 6-over and were Tied-37th.
All of them came back in the morning to finish their third round – Kartik had nine holes left, while the other two had 11 and 12 holes left. Despite the long day at the heavy and rain-soaked Taiheiyo Golf Club, they had a good final day.
Kartik said, “I parred the entire back nine of the thitd round, where I began bogey-bogey and then had 16 pars. In the fourth, my driver did not work well and I was saved by my short game. Still, it was a great experience on a great golf course.” China’s Wenyi Ding won the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship after a final-round 67, his fourth consecutive 67 at the par-70 Taiheiyo Club Gotemba. But his 12-under total for a win which gives him exemption into the 2025 Masters and the 2025 Open, saw him face a major dilemma.
Before the event, he had said he would turn pro even if he won the event, but once the emotional win had been achieved he seemed to be wavering.
– PTI
MOTORSPORT
Badal Doshi dominates Indore leg of Indian National Rally Sprint Championship
Mumbai’s Badal Doshi shone in the fourth round of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship for two-wheelers, clinching victories in both the premier open and privateer classes.
In the Open up to 550cc class, Doshi clocked an impressive 4:35.600 to claim victory, followed by Amarendra Sathe in second place with a time of 4:55.800, and Abhishek Pardeshi (4:59.600).
Doshi also excelled in the privateer up to 550cc class, finishing first with a time of 4:37.600 to make it a double.
The scooter (up to 210cc) category saw Syed Asif Ali emerge victorious, completing the course in 5:02.900.
Muzaffir Ali (5:11.900) and Shamim Khan (5:13.800) took the second and third places respectively.
In the veterans above 50Y class, Amarendra Sathe took the top honors with a time of 4:54.600, followed by MD Saeed (5:11.100) in second and Mohan Sethiya (5:47.000) in third.
The event also featured the support sprint rally for local participants.
In the 131cc up to 165cc class, Mohd Yasir Ishaq clinched first place with a time of 4:40.500, ahead of Ali Subur (4:52.000) and Arhman Mohd Khan (4:54.500).
Sheikh Altamas dominated the 166cc up to 260cc class, posting a time of 5:12.900, while Naved Khan (5:16.900) and Amir Ahmd Khan (5:19.000) rounded out the podium.
In the ladies up to 260cc category, Anamta Khan secured first place with a time of 9:02.300, followed by Pooja Singh in second at 9:55.800.
Meanwhile, in the scooter up to 210cc class, Syed Abu Bakkar won with a time of 5:47.100, with Ali Subur (5:58.000) and Subhan Khan (6:30.000) completing the podium.
The next round will be in Guwahati November 24 before concluding with the finals in Pune or Bangalore on December 14-15.
-Press Trust of India
RUGBY
India women bag silver in Asia Rugby Sevens
The Indian women’s rugby team clinched a silver after going down to Philippines 5-7 in the final of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy in Kathmandu.
The Shikha Yadav-led side reached the summit clash after thrashing Guam 24-7 in the semifinal to top the table.
In the league round, India had stamped its authority, outclassing Sri Lanka 29–10 and Indonesia 17-10. The tournament was held over Friday and Saturday.
Expressing pride in the team’s silver medal performance, Indian skipper Shikha said the side would strive for gold in future competitions, while also thanking coach Waisale Serevi and the support staff.
“Winning the silver again is special, but the team is eager to continue the work that each player has been putting in, to convert the colour of this medal to gold,” Shikha said in a release.
“Personally, I am extremely proud of the way the team has played against formidable sides and has showcased great character at a stage as big as this.
“This is the most important event of the year for the team and we will come home knowing that we gave it our absolute best. We thank our head coach Waisale Serevi and the entire supporting staff for this medal,” she added.
-Press Trust of India
TENNIS
ITF junior tennis tournament: Kriish Tyagi wins double crown
Kriish Tyagi, who won a double crown in the ITF junior tennistournament in Fergana, Uzbekistan.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Kriish Tyagi, who won a double crown in the ITF junior tennistournament in Fergana, Uzbekistan.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Kriish Tyagi won a double crown in the ITF junior tennis tournament in Fergana, Uzbekistan.
The 89th ranked Kriish beat Zangar Nurlanuly of Kazakhstan 7-6(2), 6-3 in the singles final.
The top seeded Kriish did have an easy victory in the semifinals, but had to negotiate three-setters in the earlier two rounds.
The 17-year-old Kriish won the doubles title in partnership with Dmitry Bessonov, as the duo beat Artem Bogomolov and Ivan Gretskiy 10-4 in the super tie-break of the final.
Kriish is the best ranked Indian junior in the world ranking, as the newly crowned national men’s champion Rethin Pranav has slipped to 104 in the ITF junior list.
The results:
Singles (final): Kriish Tyagi bt Zangar Nurlanuly (Kaz) 7-6(2), 6-3; Semifinals: Kriish bt Ruslan Kastsijkevich (Blr) 6-1, 6-3.
Doubles (final): Dmitry Bessonov & Kriish Tyagi bt Artem Bogomolov & Ivan Gretskiy 3-6, 6-3, [10-4].
-Kamesh Srinivasan
Samarth Sahita, Anandita Upadhyay top seeds National sub-junior championship
Samarth Sahita and Anandita Upadhyay have been seeded No.1 in the under-16 boys and girls events respectively in the Fenesta National sub-junior tennis championship at the DLTA Complex from Monday.
Many of the boys and girls have already played the under-18 event last week, with considerable success, some of them reaching the finals as well.
It would be another week of lively action as the country’s best talent in the under-16 and under-14 sections assemble to showcase their progress, unmindful of the tough conditions and uncertainty of schedule etc.
The seedings:
Under-16 boys: 1. Samarth Sahita; 2. Prateek Sheoran, 3. Armaan Walia, 4. Prakaash Sarran, 5. Rishi Yadav, 6. Hruthik Katakam, 7. Himanish Brinda, 8. Karan Thapa.
Under-16 girls: 1. Anandita Upadhyay, 2. Ranjhana Sangram, 3. Shaivi Dalal, 4. Aakruti Sonkusare, 5. Parthsarthi Mundhe, 6. Kabyanjali Hazarika, 7. Swasti Singh, 8. Arzan Khorakiwala.
-Kamesh Srinivasan
HOCKEY
Nehru sub-junior tournament: Daksh Khochare and Parth Chintal help Don Bosco secure win against NDMC Academy
A goal each from Daksh Khochare and Parth Chintal helped Don Bosco High School, Matunda, to a 2-0 victory over NDMC Academy, Delhi, in a group-D league match of the Steelbird 41st Nehru sub-junior hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on Sunday.
The results (league):
Government Inter College, Kishanpur, Dehradun, 2 (Prince, Anshu) drew with SR High School, Devgadh, Gujarat, 2 (Mehul Bhai Gohil, Price Kumar Baria).
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Masari, 4 (Sumikan Oraon 2, Amrit Oraon 2) bt One Thousand Hockey Legs 2 (Uttam, Ashmit Kumar).
Don Bosco High School, Matunda, Mumbai, 2 (Daksh Khochare, Parth Chintal) bt NDMC Hockey Academy, Delhi, 0.
Naval Tata Hockey Academy, Jamshedpur, 9 (Sabian Kiro 3, Patras Hassa 2, Ashish Tani Purti 2, Amit Kongari, Anish Dungdung) bt St.Anthony High School, Monte De Gurim Bardez, Goa, 1 (Vihaan Kaskar).
SHOOTING
World junior championship: Aashima Ahlawat misses bronze medal
Aashima Ahlawat made the trap final but missed a medal by a whisker in the World junior shooting championship in Lima, Peru.
Aashima was tied on 25 in the third place with Sofia Gori of Italy, but got eliminated as fourth as the Italian progressed on the basis of her better score in qualification.
India did not add any medal, but stayed on top of the medals table with 13 gold, two silver and six bronze medals.
Italy was second with five gold, three silver and four bronze.
The results:
Trap: Junior men: 1. Andres Garcia (Esp) 42 (121); 2. Hussein Daruich (Bra) 39 (120); 3. Thomas Agez (Fra) 30 (123); 32. Bakhtyaruddin Malek 109; 34. Shardul Vihan 109; 35. Zakir Khan 109; 40. Syed Ahyaan Ali 108; 55. Lakshya Atree 102.
Team: 1. Italy 347; 2. Britain 344; 3. Spain 339; 8. India 327.
Junior women: 1. Maria Maccioni (Ita) 39 (114); 2. Noelia Villarrubia (Esp) 38 (118); 3. Sofia Gori (Ita) 29 (115); 4. Aashima Ahlawat 25 (113); 9. Bhavya Tripathi 110; 16. Sabeera Haris 105; 33. Rajkuwar Ingle 97; 38. Nilaa Baalu 93.
Team: 1. Italy 341; 2. Britain 324; 3. Spain 322; 6. India 312.
-Kamesh Srinivasan
BASKETBALL
Kerala State senior basketball c’ship: Ernakulam men, Thiruvananthapuram women retain title
Guest player Antony Johnson’s sparkling performance helped Ernakulam defeat Thiruvananthapuram 70-65 and retain the men’s title in the 68 th Kerala State senior basketball championship at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium on Sunday night.
However Thiruvananthapuram, virtually the KSEB side, retained the women’s title with 50-43 victory over Palakkad which was packed with Kerala Police players.
With two of the host’s stars – international Vaisakh Manoj and Shanazil Muhammed – on the injured list, Thiruvananthapuram began as the favourite in the men’s final but Ernakulam fought hard and kept its nose ahead almost all through the thriller.
There was one stage, when Thiruvananthapuram’s international Sejin Mathew threatened to pull off an upset when he hoisted four three-pointers in quick succession. One such three-pointer helped Thiruvananthapuram catch up at 63-64 and but just when things appeared to go out of hand for the host, Kerala Police player Antony Johnson smartly rose to the occasion with his steals, rebounds, assists and scoring and helped Ernakulam to a memorable win.
In the last quarter, the match appeared to be an interesting duel between Johnson (23 points) and Mathew (26 points) and the latter’s dunks also kept the goodly crowd on its feet.
In the women’s final, Palakkad initially found it tough to penetrate Thiruvananthapuram’s strong defence. They were often forced to try out longrangers. The Thiruvananthapuram girls were taller, they also had two internationals in Aneesha Cleetus and R. Sreekala, and used the advantage well, racing to a 16-3 lead. Palakkad were good with their passing and rebound collection but their shooting for a major part was mediocre. They appeared to improve in the last quarter when they cut down Thiruvananthapuram’s lead to just four points but ran out of time.
The results (finals):
Men’s final: Ernakulam 70 (Antony Johnson 23, Muhammed Shiras 15, T.M. Rijas 9) bt Thiruvanathapuram 65 (Sejin Mathew 26, Nandu A. Kumar 15, Grigo Mathew 11). Third place: Kottayam 67 bt Thissur 52.
Women’s final: Thiruvananthapuram 50 (Aneesha Cleetus 12, R. Sreekala 10, P.S. Jesly 9) bt Palakkad 43 (Aiswarya Sabu 9, Jaylakshmi 9, Chippy Mathew 9, Joma Jejo 9). Third place: Kottayam 63 bt Alappuzha 57.
-Stan Rayan
