weightlifter Rahul bags three gold
New Delhi: Ragala Venkat Rahul swept all the three gold in the boys 77kg category as India continued to shine at the 15th Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships on the fourth day in Doha on Friday. Rahul lifted 132kg in snatch and 157kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 289kg en route to winning all the gold on offer in the weight category. After four days, India now have secured 27 medals (13 gold, seven silver and seven bronze) in the Championship. Rahul has been a consistent performer for India and he had won two medals in the IWF Youth Boys World Weightlifting Championships in April.
IM Shivananda upsets GM Merab
Mumbai: India’s International Master B S Shivananda created a major upset when he defeated Grand Master Gagunashvili Merab, the fourth seed, in the 6th Mumbai Mayor International Chess Tournament here. However, Shivananda’s compatriot - IM Aditya Udeshi — muffed a golden chance to stun the tournament second seed, GM Amonatov Farrukh, despite having two extra pawns than his rival in the end game and settled for a draw. At the end of the fourth round, GM Babujian levon (ElO 2488) of Armenia and GM Pantsulaia levan (ElO 2563) of Georgia held the joint lead.
Punjab open campaign in style, beat Guj 30-0
Pune: Defending champions Punjab got off to a rollicking start in the third Hockey India Senior Men National Championship, tharshing Gujarat 30-0 in their opening league match of Pool A at Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex here on Friday. Punjab started their game on attacking note and successfully built pressure on their opponents. In a Pool B game, Air India overwhelmed Tripura 13-0 to maintain their unbeaten run.
Nicollet shoots even par, Smriti one-over
Munich: Sharmila Nicollet had an eventful first round with six birdies but still managed only an even par 72 in the first round of the UniCredit ladies German Open near Munich on Friday. Nicollet, who failed to keep her card last year and then came back through the lET Qualifying School, was five shots behind the English rookie Charley Hull, who is one of five players tied for the lead after the first round. Nicollet is lying tied 56th and Smriti is tied 71st.
Govinda is HI selection committee chairman
New Delhi: Two-time olympian B P Govinda was named as chairman of the Hockey India’s nine-member selection committee, which will start working from July 1. The panel, which will be in office for a one-year tenure, was picked in the Hockey India Executive Board meeting held here.