Haryana lead on Day 1
Thiruvananthapuram: Five meet records were drowned in the swimming pool even as star wrestler Amit Kumar was shockingly upstaged and had to settle for a silver medal on an exciting opening day of competitions in the 35th National Games. Haryana dominated the proceedings on the opening day and finished on top of the medals table with six gold and a silver medal, followed by hosts Kerala (two gold, one silver and two bronze) and Madhya Pradesh (two gold and three bronze medals).
Nationals as qualifiers
Thiruvananthapuram: The swimmers competing in the ongoing National Games will not just be fighting it out for medals but also for a slot in the World Championships after governing body FINA approved the event as a qualifier for the big-ticket showpiece scheduled later this year. The World Championships, to be held in Kazan, Russia from July 24, will double up as a qualifying event for next year's Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. The competition features among others, Sandeep Sejwal, Virdhawal Khade along with Richa Mishra.
Brazil GK hit by fans
Rio de Janeiro: Fans of Brazilian club Flamengo invaded the changing room of an opposing team before a match in the Rio de Janeiro state championship on Saturday, injuring a player and reportedly stealing boots and other items. Macae goalkeeper Ricardo Berna sustained a cut on his chin in the confrontation with Flamengo fans in Macae. He said dozens of fans entered his team's changing room while players were getting ready for the game. Police said fans got past security and sneaked in through a gate that was not closed properly.
New F1 cars launched
Jerez: Red Bull and Williams have launched the Formula One cars they hope will be able to better compete with Mercedes when the new season starts in six weeks' time. Red Bull's RB11 and the Williams FW37 were unveiled Sunday prior to the first day of pre-season testing at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. Mercedes, which won the constructors' championship by nearly 300 points, also launched its W06 on Sunday, with championship runner-up Nico Rosberg later taking the wheel for the first day of testing. Sebastian Vettel posted the fastest lap for Ferrari on the first day of pre-season Formula One testing, while last year's championship runner-up Nico Rosberg clocked a massive 157 laps.
McIlroy wins in Dubai
Dubai: An unrelenting Rory McIlroy secured his second Dubai Desert Classic title in six years with a 2-under 70 in the final round to win by three shots on Sunday. The Northern Irishman's 22-under 266 total matched the lowest in the history of the tournament, set by Stephen Gallacher in 2013 and Thomas Bjorn in 2001. The $2.5 million tournament forms the closing leg of the three-stop Desert Swing of the European Tour.
laird takes 3-shot lead
Scottsdale: For all his birdies, Martin laird kept in control with two big pars at the Phoenix Open. laird made 10-footers for par on the 16th and 18th holes and had a 3-under 68, giving him a three-shot lead going into the final round.