Joshna breaks into world’s top-10
new delhi: Top squash player Joshna Chinappa on Friday rose to a career high 10th position in the latest PSA world rankings, becoming the second Indian to break the top-10 barrier after longtime India teammate Dipika Pallikal. Chinappa, who has been in fine form in the last six months, moved a place to be 10th in the standings. Pallikal, who broke the top-10 barrier in December 2012, is ranked 19th in the latest rankings. Chinappa had reached her biggest ever final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May.She is now getting ready to defend her title in the National Championship, to be held in Mumbai from July 12.
Neymar agrees new five-year Barcelona deal
sao paulo: Brazilian striker Neymar will sign a new five-year contract with Barcelona this week, his agents said Thursday, ending speculation over his future at the Spanish champions. The international, 24, is widely regarded as one of the finest talents in world football and is part of the much-feared attacking trident alongside lionel Messi and luis Suarez at Barcelona. “The athlete, along with his family, has decided to stay with FC Barcelona and will renew his contract for five more years,” said NN Consultoria, the agency representing the international forward, 24. “The contract will be formalised this week. The decision puts an end to speculation about the star’s future.” Neymar wrote on Twitter:”I am very happy to continue living this dream. long live Barca and long live Catalonia!”
Mary Kom to be part of Vijender’s title fight
new delhi: Five times World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom will be part of Vijender Singh’s bout for the WBO Super Middle-weight Asia Pacific Championship Title, to be held at the Thyagaraj Stadium on July 16. Mary Kom will organise a special bout for her boxing foundation in the undercards of Vijender Singh. In this bout, two female boxers of her foundation will participate in a three round contest.
Pillay appeals to PM for Shahid’s treatment
new delhi: Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide assistance for the treatment of former national captain Mohammad Shahid, who is fighting for survival due to liver and kidney problems. The 56-year-old former forward was admitted to Medanta Medicity Hospital in Gurgaon after a bout of jaundice and dengue made his condition worse. He was airlifted on Tuesday evening from Varanasi.
Yuki pulls out of Davis Cup tie against Korea
New Delhi: Yuki Bhambri on Friday opted out of the upcoming tie against Korea Republic as he has not recovered from his elbow injury, which means that Ramkumar Ramanathan will make his Davis Cup debut for India. India will lock horns with Korea Republic in the Asia/Oceania Group I second round tie, the winner of which will advance to the World Group Play-offs. Yuki had a very productive 2015 season when he broke into the top-100 but the elbow injury forced him to miss a few tournaments before the end of the season.
Ajay, Prannoy among who reached qf in Canada
calgary: Indian shuttlers continued their good run at the Canada Open with six singles players, including Ajay Jayaram and H S Prannoy, reaching the quarterfinals of the $55,000 Grand Prix badminton tournament, here. Top seed Ajay Jayaram brushed aside Austria’s David Obernosterer 21-10, 21-12 to set up a clash with fellow Indian Harsheel Dani, who defeated another India shuttler Pratul Joshi 21-9, 21-18 in a men’s singles match. In another pre-quarterfinal match, second seed HS Prannoy recovered from a second game slump to eke out a hard-fought 21-18 18-21 ,21-12 win over Canada’s BR Sankeerth. He will face seventh seed Brice leverdez of France next.
Agencies