Anand held by Mamedov
Shamkir: Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand settled for an easy draw playing with black pieces against GM Rauf Mamedov of Azerbaijan in the 6th round of Shamkir Chess 2015, held in the memory of Vugar Gashimov. After beating erstwhile leader Wesley So of United States in the previous round, Anand’s streak was halted yet again as the Indian ace faced a risk-free approach from Mamedov out of a Caro Kann defence.
Kapur fights back to tied seventh
Shanghai: Shiv Kapur staged a brilliant comeback on the second nine with five birdies in nine holes to close with a two-under 70, which saw him tied seventh at the end of the first round of the Volvo China Open here on Thursday. Kapur, starting from the 10th, was three-over after seven holes with three bogeys in a row from 14th to 16th holes. On the second nine, the front stretch of the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club, Kapur birdied the first, fourth and sixth and then added two more on eighth and ninth for a five-under 31 on the run.
Sania, Martina lose in 1st round
Stuttgart: Playing her first match as world number one, India’s Sania Mirza crashed out of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix event with partner Martina Hingis, who was not at her best due to a back injury. The top seeded Indo-Swiss pair lost 3-6, 3-6 to Croatia’s Petra Martic and Stephanie Vogt from liechtenstein in the first round of the $ 731,000 event. It was first defeat for Sania and Martina since joining forces.
Kamal to lead India charge in tt
Suzhou: World No.44, Sharath Kamal will spearhead the Indian challenge in the QOROS World Table Tennis Championship (WTTC) which will be held here from April 26 to May 3. National champion and India’s No.2, Soumyajit Ghosh, the country’s top ranked player G. Sathiyan and Sanil Shankar Shetty will also participate in the tournament. In the women’s section, Mouma Das will lead the challenge where she will be accompanied by Manika Batra and K. Shamini.
paula Radcliffe to be honoured
london: World record holder Paula Radcliffe will receive the inaugural John Disley london Marathon lifetime Achievement Award after she completes the 2015 london Marathon on Sunday, the organisers said here. The three-time winner will run what is expected to be her final competitive race at the 35th london Marathon, reports Xinhua. Radcliffe will be presented with the trophy by John Disley, who co-founded the event with Chris Brasher in 1981
lB Shastri in pre-quarters
New Delhi: Fabulous knock by Sandeep Raj Kaushik 79 not out and Nitish Rana 75 enabled l.B.Shastri Cricket Club beat Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association by 91 runs to enter the pre-quarters of 25th All-India Om Nath Sood Memorial Cricket Tournament being played here on Thursday.
adam johnson charged
Durham (England): Sunderland winger Adam Johnson was charged on Thursday with three offenses of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 and one of grooming. The 27-year-old Johnson will appear before magistrates on May 20, a police force in Durham said in a statement.
Public prosecutor Gerry Wareham said in a statement there is a “realistic prospect of conviction” of Johnson, who is charged with “meeting a child following sexual grooming” and “three offenses of sexual activity with a child” who was 15. The offenses are alleged to have taken place from Dec. 30 last year to Feb. 26.