Deepika seeks 1st Asiad medal
Kolkata: Having missed out on a bronze medal in Guangzhou four years ago, Indian recurve archer Deepika Kumari is looking to open her account in the individual event at the Asian Games in Incheon next month. That the three-time ‘World Cup Final’ silver-medallist is peaking at the right time is a welcome sign, India coach Dharmendra Tiwary, who is incidentally her personal coach since she picked up the bow at the Tata Archery Academy, told PTI from New Delhi. "She’s showing signs of her old form after changing the equipment. In archery, a comeback player usually peaks after a month after getting back to the rhythm. I’m happy that she’s enjoying her shootings. I’m hopeful of seeing her on the podium for the first time," the coach, who has been given a contract till the Asian Games, said.
eves eye semis spot
Mumbai: The Indian women’s football team is aiming for at least reaching the quarterfinals in the next month’s Asian Games to be held in Incheon, South Korea. "I think we should qualify for the quarterfinals. I am very positive. Of course, we want to go the distance, that’s what everybody plays for but we are setting our goals. Quarterfinal is a must and we take it forward from there," Indian women’s team head coach Tarun Roy told PTI here on Sunday. Roy, who will be coaching the women’s national team for the first time, said it will be challenge for him but he is up for the job. "This is a challenge for me because this is the first time I am coaching a women’s national team. I think I can do 100 per cent for my country," he said.
good day for chess players
Abu Dhabi: Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi kept himself in joint lead following a come-from-behind draw with second seed Yuriy Kryvoruchko of Ukraine in the fourth round of Abu Dhabi Masters chess tournament now underway here. After settling for his first draw in four games, Gujrathi remained in shared lead on 3.5 points along with Kryvoruchko, Adam Horvath of Hungary, Russian duo of Aleksandr Rakhmanov and Sergey Volkov and Tigran Petrosian of Armenia. Young International Master Murali Karthikeyan caused a major flutter in the tournament scalping for third seed Alexander Areshchenko of Ukraine in a fairly one-sided affair. After losing to Gujrathi in the previous round, it was a second big blow for Areshchenko who remained on two points while Karthikeyan took his tally up to three with some excellent chances of obtaining a Grandmasters norm now.
Double podium for Armaan Slovakia: Young Indian driver Armaan Ebrahim along with teammate Miguel Toril achieved a double podium in the eighth round of the Blancpain FIA GT Series, here today. Armaan and Spanish Toril finished third in both races in the Silver Cup class for drivers under the age of 25 years at the Slovakia Ring. It was their fifth podium finish of the season. Driving for Fortec Motorsport, Armaan took the start in the first race which was red flagged within one lap due to a horrific accident involving Tomas Enge who rolled multiple times.