Jehan claims British C’ship title
london: Sahara Force India Academy driver Jehan Daruvala showed the composure of a champion as he fought his way against rival Daniel Ticktum in a battle that went down to the wire in the fourth race of a rain-soaked weekend, to claim the British KF3 Championship at Shenington. The Indian talent achieved the feat on a track that saw legends like Nigel Mansell and Jenson Button among its previous conquerors. Jehan kept his rival behind in the first final, finishing second to Ticktum’s fourth, as teammate Enaam Ahmed stormed to victory; this result ensured he lined up in the second final ahead of his championship contender on the grid and with a two-point advantage in the standings.
Shweta, Sharmada, Snehadevi win
New Delhi: Top seed Shweta Rana came back from a set down to prevail over Delhi’s Riya Bhatia 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship at R K Khanna Tennis Complex here on Tuesday. Fourth seed Sharmada Balu also had to battle hard against the experience of Simran Kaur Sethi, who ultimately ended on the losing side with a 6(3)-7, 5-7 verdict. Riya looked in complete control in the opening set but ran out of steam in the next two sets. Shweta managed to break Riya twice in the first set but her opponent did well to return the favour thrice to take the initial lead. However, it was Snehadevi Reddy, who caused the major upset with a 6-2, 6-2 win over fourth seed Bhuvana Kalva to move into the second round of the women’s singles. Rushmi Chakravorthi, the eighth seed, had an easy win against Damini Sharma 6-2,7-5.
Anand Pawar reaches main draw
Odense: Indian shuttler Anand Pawar powered his way to the main draw of the men’s singles competition with a straight-game victory over German’s Dieter Domke in the Denmark Super Series Premier here on Tuesday. Pawar notched up a 26-24 21-15 win over local player Flemming Quach in the first round and then prevailed over Domke 21-7 21-17 in the second round of the qualification. K Srikanth too had reached the second round with a 21-13 21-8 victory over Christian lind Thomsen but he flost to Japan’s Kento Momota in the second round. It was curtains for Sourabh Verma who lost to Estonia’s Raul Must 13-21 21-6 18-21 and H S Prannoy who went down as well 13-21, 8-21 to Momota.
Vikash Malik enters 2nd round
Almaty (Kazakhstan): Vikash Malik (60kg) notched up India’s first win at the ongoing World Boxing Championships as he beat Kyrgyzstan’s Meder Mamakeev to enter the second round of the mega-even here on Tuesday. The reigning national champion prevailed over Mamakeev 3-0 to enter the second round where he will be up against Poland’s POl Dawid Michelus on October 20. Michelus got a first-round bye. Vikash was trailing in the opening round when the individual scores handed out under the new 10-point system, which evaluates the boxer not just on the number of punches connected but also his overall ring-craft. However, he roared back in the next two rounds, impressing the judges, who were unanimous in picking him the winner.
Messi returns to Barca training
Madrid: lionel Messi returned to full training with his Barcelona teammates for the first time since suffering a thigh injury two weeks ago. The Argentine was forced off with the problem in the 2-0 win over Almeria on September 29 after scoring his 11th goal in just nine appearances this season to give his side the lead in that game. Messi stayed in Barcelona to continue his recuperation process rather than travelling to represent his country with Alejandro Sabella’s men set to take on Copa America champions Uruguay in Montevideo on Tuesday. And it is expected that the 26-year-old will be fit enough to start Barca’s match away to Osasuna on Saturday.
India bag rich medal haul
New Delhi: India’s 18-member team signed off the seventh Commonwealth Karate Championship with a rich haul of medals, including three golds, in the three-day event at Montreal, Canada. Deven Kumar Mohanty from Delhi, Maharashtra’s Karl Vatcha and Kanupriya Bhatia from Uttrakhand won the gold medals, while India also bagged seven silvers and six bronze medals in the tournament, which concluded on Sunday.
Sepaktakraw Natl C’ship begins
Kohima: Twenty five teams would vie for honours in the 24th Senior Sepaktakraw National Championship which was inaugurated at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday. Organized by Nagaland Association, the three-day tournament would see 24 state teams and the SSB fight it out for titles in different categories. PNS/Agencies