Boxers set for World c’ships
New Delhi: Unruffled by the administrative wrangling in the national federation and unconcerned about the tough new rules that await them, a 10-member Indian boxing team, including comeback-man Vijender Singh, will leave on Friday for the World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan starting October 14. India will compete under the International Boxing Association's flag due to the provisional suspension on the Indian Boxing Federation. "let's see how things go, in such big events, you can never really say whether a medal is there or not. More than 500 boys from all over the world, we hope to put our best foot forward and hope for the best," national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said after the 10 boxers underwent light training at the Karnail Singh Stadium here on Thursday. The team has some promising youngsters such as Asian Championships god-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) and the silver-medallist from the same event, Mandeep Jangra (69kg).
Vettel defends his dominance
Suzuka: On the verge of claiming his fourth straight Formula One title, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel doesn't think his overwhelming dominance has made the sport less interesting for fans. Mercedes driver lewis Hamilton was quoted after Sunday's Korean Grand Prix as suggesting that Vettel's dominance risks putting fans to sleep, similar to the era when Michael Schumacher was dominating 10 years ago with five straight titles from 2000 to 2004. Vettel has won eight of 14 races this season and will be aiming to clinch his fourth successive title at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. The German needs to win and have nearest rival Fernando Alonso finish worse than eighth. If he wraps up the title at Suzuka, Vettel will join compatriot Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the only men to win four consecutive titles. When asked about Hamilton's comments, Vettel said there is a big difference between his wins and those of Schumacher. "I think it's very different," Vettel said Thursday. "I think there is probably one race which was a bit of an exception. If you take Singapore, the gaps we had and were able to build up were incredible. ... If you take Korea, which is more similar to Spa, the gap was something between three and six seconds for the whole race. If you look at 10 years ago, it was more like thirty to sixty seconds which is a big difference."
Churchill hold Rangdajied 1-1
Shillong: Churchill Brothers FC came from behind to hold I-league debutant Rangdajied FC 1-1 in a thrilling fourth round I-league encounter played at the J N Stadium here on Thursday. The hosts were all fired-up after they held Dempo FC 2-2 last week and played aggressively, but were unlucky not to take home full points. Captain Eugeneson lyngdoh shot a dead right footer into the left flank, netting the first and only goal for the home side in the 25th minute. Barely two minutes later, Churchill's Balwant Singh netted in a high ball missed by Rangdajied's goalkeeper to equalise. A 7000-strong crowd cheered their team as Rangdajied created many opportunities and dominated the proceedings in the first half.
Hot Spot dropped for Ashes
Sydney: The decision-review technology known as Hot Spot has been dumped just weeks before Australia's Ashes series against England, reports said on Thursday. The controversial infrared camera system has been dropped by the host broadcaster due to costs, Hot Spot's Australian inventor Warren Brennan told Fairfax Media. The decision-review device, which uses heat sensors and infrared cameras to detect contact between the ball, bat and pads, will now not feature in the showpiece five-Test series, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba ground on November 21. "It's their decision and that's what's been communicated to us. As far as I'm concerned, it is final," Brennan said.
Bhat enters quarter-final
New Delhi: Indian shuttler Arvind Bhat entered the quarter-finals of the Dutch Open Badminton Championship beating Sweden's Gabriel Ulldahl in straight games in a third round encounter here on Thursday. The 15th seeded Indian defeated Ulladahl 21-14, 21-18 in just 31 minutes to set-up a last eight clash with Nan Wei of Hong Kong. Wei beat Henri Huskainen of Sweden 21-18 21-17 in another third round clash. It was a taxing day for Bhat as he had to play two matches on the day. The first match however was a close encounter where he notched up a come-from-behind victory over Hsu Jui Ting of Chinese Taipei to move into the third round of the men's singles competition in Dutch Open in Almere, The Netherlands. The 15th seed former national champion lost the first game 22-24 in a close fight despite starting off well. However, that did not deter the 34-year-old Indian as he quickly made amends to his game and bagged the next one 21-13.
Mominul propels Ban to 103 Chittagong:
Mominul Haque smashed a half-century to help Bangladesh recover from the quick loss of two wickets and reach 103-2 at stumps on the second day of the first test on Thursday. In response to New Zealand's first inning's 469, Bangladesh made a sluggish start but Haque's stormy batting brought Bangladesh back on track. Bangladesh lost its two openers by the fourth over, with Tamim Iqbal going for a duck and Anamul Haque on 3. Mominul amassed 77 off 13 boundaries while his partner Marshall Aiyub was unbeaten on 21. For New Zealand, B.J. Watling scored his second test century and added 127 runs with Trent Boult in their last-wicket stand. Bangladesh took five wickets on the day to dismiss New Zealand, which resumed on 280-5. Brief Scores: NZ: 469 (BJ Watling 103, Trent Boult no 52; Abdur Razzak 3/147) lead B'desh: 103/2 (Momonul Haque no 77; Boult 1/5) by 366 runs at stumps on Day 2.
Randhawa shoots 67, lies third
Yeoju (Korea): Jyoti Randhawa, who returned to the Asian Tour only last week after a gap of almost five months, showed form and rhythm as he carded a flawless five-under 67 on the opening day of the rain-hit CJ Invitational hosted by KJ Choi. Randhawa's 67 gave him a tied third spot with a fair number of golfers yet to finish on a day when play was delayed by two hours and 30 minutes due to thick fog in the morning. Play finally began at 9.30am local time at the Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club. Randhawa was two shots behind the clubhouse leader Kiradech Aphinbarnrat of Thailand, who was on the first nine with six birdies between third and ninth holes.