Srikanth is World No. 4
New Delhi: Young Kidambi Srikanth continued his meteoric rise in world badminton as he ended the season by becoming only the third Indian male shuttler to break into the top-five, reaching a career-high fourth after hovering in the 40s in the beginning of the year. The 21-year-old Indian, who clinched the China Super Series Premier before reaching the semifinals of back-to-back tournaments in Hong Kong and Dubai, jumped two places to join the elite club which comprises Prakash Padukone and national chief coach Pullela Gopichand, who were World No. 1 and 4 respectively in the past. Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap is the only other Indian who came close to breaking the top five when he reached a career-high ranking of sixth in April last year.
Ankita enters semis in Pune
Pune: India No. 1 and fourth seed Ankita Raina kept the country's hopes alive in singles in the $25,000 NECC-ITF women's tennis tournament in progress here when she entered the semi-finals after defeating Serbian rival Nina Stojanovic in straight sets on Thursday. The 21-year-old Ahmedabad-born Ankita - ranked 294 in the world — kept herself firmly in the hunt for her first career title in the $25,000 category by shrugging off the challenge put up by her Serbian opponent with a clinically efficient 6-3, 6-4 quarter-final victory at the Deccan Gymkhana hard courts. Ankita, who has to her credit four $10,000 ITF women's titles in the past out of which three came her way last year — and had risen to a career-high WTA ranking of 262 in the middle of the current year — would meet Romanian qualifier Cristina Ene ranked a lowly 576 in the semis.
Gouramangi signs for Bharat FC
Pune: Defender Gouramangi Singh has been roped in by new I-league team, Bharat FC to firm up its squad for the 2015 season which will kick off next month. Bharat FC, which will compete in its inaugural I-league season starting on January 17, snapped up Gouramangi from Chennaiyin FC on a season-long contract. The 28-year-old, who was a India regular before Wim Koevermans became India coach, comes to Bharat FC on the back of an impressive showing in the Indian Super league. The centre-back made 11 appearances for Chennaiyin FC, driving them to the semi-finals of the competition.
Shubhankar steals limelight
Kolkata: Jammu teenager Shubhankar Sharma fired a blistering eight-under-64 to hog the limelight on day one of the Rs 1.5 crore Mcleod Russel Tour Championship 2014, the year-ending event of the PGTI, at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, here on Thursday. Shubhankar, who at 17 years of age became the youngest winner on the PGTI at Kochi in April this year, was in sublime form as he produced an incredible nine birdies against a lone bogey. Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore posted a six-under-66 to be placed second. Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a four-under-68 to be tied fourth. The Kolkata trio of Rahil Gangjee (70), Arjun Atwal (72) and SSP Chowrasia (73) were tied eighth, tied 22nd and tied 27th respectively.
Thapa named Delhi coach
New Delhi: Delhi Soccer Association on Thursday appointed former international player Ranjit Thapa as chief coach of the state senior team for the 68th Senior National Football Championship (North Zone leg) for the Santosh Trophy beginning fron January 10 at Jallandhar. Thapa will pick the senior team for the tournament from the open selection-cum-coaching camp beginning from Friday at CWG Village Sports Complex, Akshardham. He will be assisted by two coaches, Dharmender Khorala and Aftab Ashraf, both former Delhi captains. Eight teams — Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand — will compete in the North Zone leg of the Santosh Trophy. The eight teams have been divided in two groups of four each. Top team of each group will qualify for the final round.
lebron wealthiest player in NBA
Washington: Cleveland Cavaliers' lebron James is currently the wealthiest player in the National Basketball Association (NBA), earning $2.29 per second. His income is ranked third in the professional players, behind boxer Floyd Mayweather and football player Cristiano Ronaldo, reports Xinhua. Kobe Bryant's incomes ranked second in NBA as he earns $1.95 per second. James averaged 25.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game this season.
2014 my best year: neuer
Munich: Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has claimed 2014, in which he won the FIFA World Cup, the Bundesliga and the German Cup, has been his best year as a professional footballer. To add to his happiness, Neuer has been nominated World Player of the Year - alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and lionel Messi. The winner of the prestigious award will be declared at a gala event Jan 12, next year. "It's an honour and I'm already proud just to be shortlisted", he was quoted as saying by marca.com Thursday. He also said that he does not see himself as a favourite to win the award. "The other two players are global stars and that gives them an advantage."
Striker Ranger listed as wanted
london: English football club Blackpool's striker Nile Ranger was reported to have gone missing for two weeks. The team's manager lee Clark has urged the club to appeal for him to return. Clark is sure that Ranger is in london, but he doesn't know where he is exactly. "If anyone can let us know where he is, send me a letter and we will go from there," Clark said Thursday, reports Xinhua. "He's been asked to report into training and has been asked to play in games and he hasn't been seen. For whatever reason Nile appears to be back in london but we don't know why," he added. Ranger terminated his contract with Swindon in August this year for disciplinary issues.
Saina part of Swachh Bharat
Hyderabad: India's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on Thursday participated in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan programme organized by Bharat Petroleum Corporation limited (BPCl). She led the Walkathon organised by BPCl at the territory office and also took part in sweeping the road. Saina, who is a BPCl sportsperson, thanked Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for having nominated her as one of the brand ambassadors of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. She said she was happy to accept the responsibility and vowed to work for the noble cause. She nominated her present coach Vimal Kumar, her former coach Pullela Gopichand, badminton players Guru Dutt Sai, Parupalli Kashyap and P.V. Sindhu to carry forward the clean India movement.