4 boxers in WBA Oceanic undercard
New Delhi:A four-member Indian professional boxing team will compete in the WBA Oceanic undercard bouts in Jinghong, China on Monday. In featherweight, the unbeaten Mukesh Kumar will square of against former WBC Asia champion Cristian Abila of Philippines. In the superlight weight category, another unbeaten Indian Rajesh Kumar will take on Filipino Gabriel Roya. In the lightweight division, Sandeep Singh will square off against local debutant Zelong Nie. Pramod Kumar will also face a Chinese in Yan Jie in the welterweight category
Momota axed for Rio over gambling
Tokyo: Olympic medal hope Kento Momota has been kicked off Japan's badminton team for the Olympics this summer for gambling at an illegal casino, officials said on Sunday. The Nippon Badminton Association threw the book at the 21-year-old world No 2, banning him from competition indefinitely, after an emergency meeting to decide the player's fate. Team-mate Kenichi Tago, also found guilty of placing illegal bets, was removed from the organisation's official player list for an indefinite period. Momota became the first Japanese man to win a world championship medal with a bronze in Jakarta last August and had been tipped to challenge for the title in Rio. The controversy caused a stir last week, with Japanese badminton chief Kinji Zeniya breaking down in tears on television before resolving to deal harshly with the offenders. Government ministers were also quick to condemn the players. "It is important to take a resolute stance against players guilty of illegal acts," Zeniya told reporters, while leaving the door open to a possible Olympic return for Momota at the 2020 Tokyo Games. "The possibility (of competing at the Tokyo Olympics) is not zero. We want them to fully understand the seriousness of the situation."
Modest hopes for Federer
Monte Carlo: Roger Federer was giving absolutely no guarantees about his form on Sunday, as the four-time finalist prepared for his first ATP start in more than two months at the Monte Carlo Masters. The 17-time Grand Slam winner will be starting afresh in the second round on the Monte Carlo Country Club clay after his early February knee operation. After hitting for nearly a week at the seaside venue overlooking the Mediterranean, the Swiss said that next week will be key for deciding his further schedule ahead of the French Open — the second major of the season. "I feel more rust than rest, but I am rested, mentally and physically," the 34-year-old said.
BFC beat East Bengal 3-1
Bengaluru: Bengaluru kept their title hopes with a crushing 3-1 win over Kingfisher East Bengal an exciting Hero I-league match here on Sunday. In a match, which was labelled as a virtual semifinal, East Bengal took lead through Do Dong Hyun in the 28th minute but conceded three goals as Ashley Westwoods'side showed great character through strikes from Eugene lyngdoh (29th), Kim Song Yong (64th), and youngster Zuala in the 70th minute.