Indian sports news wrap, November 28

TABLE TENNIS

ITTF World Youth Championships 2023: India wins bronze after loss to China

India clinched bronze in the ITTF World Youth Championships 2023 after a 3-0 loss to China.

The first match was between Yi Chen and Sayali Wani, which the latter won 3-2  (8-11,11-4,11-7,7-11,17-15).

The second contest was between Yashaswini Ghorpade and Yi Xu, and the Chinese clinched a clean win of 3-0 (11-4,11-7,11-7,0-0,0-0).

Yuxuan Qin and Suhana Saini played the third match, where the China again claimed a 3-0 win (13-11,11-9,14-12,0-0,0-0).

-Team Sportstar  

MOTORSPORTS

Indian Racing League to start on December 1

The Indian Racing League will be held from December 1 to 7 in Chennai featuring six teams – Hyderabad Blackbirds, Speed Demons Delhi, Chennai Turboriders, Godspeed Kochi, Goa Aces and Bangalore Speedsters, according to Akhilesh Reddy, chairman and MD of Racing Promotions Private Limited.

Mr Akhilesh informed the media on Tuesday that in a unique twist, both IRL and F4 share the same team names, adding an extra layer of excitement and competition to the racing league.

“Unlike its F4 counterpart, IRL introduces a distinctive championship format with Cars and Teams Championship. In IRL, points are awarded based on Car No, emphasizing the collective performance of the teams rather than individual drivers. This innovative approach adds a strategic dimension to the competition, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout the season,” he explained.

“We are thrilled to bring back the Indian Racing League for its second season, and this time, we have raised the stakes. The fusion of high speed action and strategic team dynamics promises an unforgettable experience for fans and participants alike,” Mr Akhilesh said.

“Our aim is to foster a vibrant motorsports culture in India, creating opportunities for young talents to shine on the global stage,” he said.

-V. V. Subrahmanyam

HOCKEY

India seek to open women’‘s junior hockey WC campaign on winning note against Canada

India will look to take confidence from its past success against Canada when they meet each other in their opening match of the FIH women’s junior hockey World Cup here on Wednesday.

India had beaten Canada in all their previous three games.

The Indian team, which had secured fourth place in the 2022 edition, has been placed in a tricky Pool C, along with Germany, Belgium and Canada this time.

Moreover, India’s title triumph at the women’s junior Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan, earlier this year will boost its confidence.

The Indians are aiming to secure their maiden women’s junior World Cup title. India’s best finish in the prestigious tournament came in 2013 when they finished third.

“We are entering the tournament with determination and focus. Our team’s preparation has been intense, and we’re keen to translate that into our performance on the field,” team captain Preeti said.

“Playing against Canada in the opener is a chance for us to set the momentum for our campaign.” Coach Tushar Khandker said the team was well-prepared for the tournament.

“Our players have trained rigorously and are mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. We respect every opponent and are looking forward to a strong start against Canada,” he said.

The top two finishers in each pool directly qualify for the quarterfinals.

After Canada, India will face a formidable Germany on November 30, followed by a crucial encounter against Belgium on December 2.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the tournament will take place on December 6, 8 and 10 respectively.

-PTI

Nehru women’s tournament group stage

Meenu Rani and Akansha Singh scored a goal each to help Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bhopal, to a 2-1 victory over Bhilai XI in a league match of the SNBP 2nd Nehru women’s hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here on Monday.

Pooja Yadav had put the Bhilai team ahead in the first quarter before Bhopal struck back in the second and fourth quarters.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

TENNIS

Kundali Majgaine and Yashaswini Panwar move to quarterfinals of $15,000 ITF women’s tournament

Kundali Majgaine and Yashaswini Panwar beat Elena Jamshidi and Snehal Mane 7-5, 6-3 in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Ahmedabad City Foundation courts on Monday.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

ITF juniors: Yasmin Vavrova beat Snigdha Kanta

Second seed Yasmin Vavrova of Slovakia beat Snigdha Kanta 6-4, 7-6(1) in the girls first round of the ITF junior tennis tournament at the DLTA Complex on Monday.

The results (first round):

Boys:Kazuma Kimura (Jpn) bt Kandhavel Mahalingam 7-5, 6-1.

Girls: Aradhyaa Verma bt Kkaira Chetnani 6-3, 6-4; Eva Khrustaleva bt Avani Chitale 7-5, 0-6, 7-5; Aishi Bisht bt Saumya Ronde 7-6(5), 6-4; Yasmin Vavrova (Svk) bt Snigdha Kanta 6-4, 7-6(1).

– Kamesh Srinivasan

SQUASH

Northern India squash championship: Chhavi Saran knocks out Perina Sharma

Chhavi Saran knocked out top seed Perina Sharma 11-6, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10 in the under-19 girls quarterfinals of the Northern India squash championship at the Delhi Gymkhana Club courts on Monday.

The results (quarterfinals):

Boys: Under-19: Meyyappan L bt Arush Chatterjee 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10, 11-2; Avalokit Singh bt Ansh Tripathi 11-6, 12-10, 11-8; Kushal Vir Singh bt Siddhant Rewari 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6; Karan Yadav bt Abhay Vasudev 12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 12-10.

Under-17: Aryaveer Dewan bt Ayaan Kuchhal 11-4, 11-0, 11-2; Abhiraj Singh bt P Meyyappan 11-5, 11-5, 11-4; Kavin Sood bt Udit Mishra 11-3, 4-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6; Yuha Nafees bt Abhinav Singh 11-5, 11-8, 11-6.

Under-15: Agastya Banssal bt Rudra Pathania 11-8, 11-5, 11-1; Raghav Vashishtha bt Yuvaditya Jain 7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6; Adithya K bt Vyom Krishan Adya 11-5, 11-5, 11-7; Savir Sood bt Atulit Tripathi 11-5, 11-0, 11-5.

Under-13: Akshat Singhal bt Shivansh Singh Nirwal 11-5, 11-2, 11-0; Fareed Andrabi bt Dhruv Johri 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-2; Devansh Agrawal bt Sherbir Singh Poonia 11-4, 11-8, 11-7; Atharv Vasishta bt Anhad Singh Sidhu 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8.

Under-11: Dhairya Gogia bt Prahlad Singh 11-7, 11-8, 11-0; Vihaan Chandhok bt Aadi Porwal 12-10, 11-5, 11-5; Viaan Khemani bt Mohammed Tanveer 13-11, 11-8, 11-6; Amarya Bajaj bt Rishaan Jhanji 11-5, 11-7, 11-2.

Girls: Under-19: Chhavi Saran bt Perina Sharma 11-6, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10; Chitrangda Goel bt khushi Gupta 11-0, 11-0, 11-1; Unnati Tripathi bt Sanvi Batar 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8; Dhritih Kandpal bt Kanak Gelani 11-1, 11-2, 11-1.

Under-17: Navya Sundararajan bt Ishika Anand 11-7, 11-7,, 11-5; Kavya Sood bt Nikasha Manaktala 11-5, 11-2, 11-5; Sehar Nayar bt Diya Dhillon 11-6, 11-6, 11-8; Aradhya Porwal bt Ananya Narayanan 12-10, 7-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-8.

Under-15: Kaashvi Mangal bt Saanvi Kalanki 5-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3; Devashree Arora bt Garima Nagar 11-2, 13-11, 11-7; Anya Sood bt Zeenat Sultana 11-0, 11-0, 11-2; Fabina Nafees bt Aahana Singh 11-7, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7.

Under-13: Anika Kalanki bt Devki Anand 11-3, 11-5, 11-2; Tarini Mirdha bt Nehmat Nayar 11-6, 11-9, 11-6; Chhavi Panchall bt Monoshree Raut 3-11, 11-4, 21-11, 11-9, 11-5; Gauri Jaiswal bt Dhriti Sharma 11-5, 11-5, 11-8.

Under-11: Aradhana Singh bt Alekha Jalan 11-8,, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2; Alia Kankaria bt Jerusha Jebindran 11-9, 11-8, 12-10; Aadhya Grover bt Karan Vadehra 11-2, 11-3, 11-4; Swara Trehan bt Isha Shelke 11-7, 11-7, 11-8.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

ARCHERY

Archery Nationals 2023: B. Dhiraj, Amisha Chaurasiya claim bronze

B. Dhiraj and Amisha Chaurasiya claimed the recurve men and women bronze medals in the National archery championships at Ayodhya on Tuesday.

Dhiraj beat Atul Verma 6-0, while Amisha defeated Nikki Sharma 6-2.

The finals will be held on Wednesday.

The results:

Bronze medal matches:

Recurve: Men: B. Dhiraj (SSCB) bt Atul Verma (Goa) 6-0; Women: Amisha Chaurasiya (UP) bt Nikki Sharma (Raj) 6-2.

Compound: Men: Abhishek Verma (Del) bt Priyansh (Del) 148-147; Women: Muskan Kirar (MP) bt Avneet Kaur (Pun) 147-147 (10*-10, shot closer to the target).

-Y. B. Sarangi

BOXING

Boxing Nationals 2023: Sagar Ahlawat edges out Olympian Satish Kumar

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sagar Ahlawat edged out Olympian Satish Kumar 4-3 in a thrilling +92kg bout to move into the quarterfinals of the National boxing championships at the SAI Indoor Hall in Shillong on Tuesday.

Important results (preliminary rounds):

48kg: Vishal (HP) bt Govind Sahani (RSPB) 5-0; 51kg: Amit Panghal (SSCB) bt Jayshandeep Singh (Pun) 4-1; 54kg: Pawan (SSCB) bt Anant Chopade (RSPB) 4-1, Rahul (Guj) bt Shivam Sharma (Pun) 4-3; 57kg: Lakhvir Lamba (Har) bt Mansoor Ahamad (AIP) 5-0; 60kg: Akash Kumar (SSCB) bt Vijay Kumar (Pun) 4-3, Fahijas Rahman (Ker) bt Visweswara Rao Pedda (AP) 5-2; 63.5kg: Shiva Thapa (Asm) bt Santhosh HK (KAr) 5-0, Harshvardhan Joshi (Utk) bt Badonkupar Synnah (Meg) 4-3; 67kg: Rubal (Kar) bt E.Deepak Kumar (TN) 4-1, Neeraj Pujari (Utk) bt Aniket Pandey (Guj) 4-3; 71kg: Gagan (Del) bt Mohd. Rahil (Mah) 4-3, Abhinab Saikia (Asm) bt Sachin Shaw (Jha) 4-3, Nikhil Dubey (RSPB) bt Sahil Chauhan (Har) 5-0; 75kg: Pritesh Bishnoi (Raj) bt Akshay (Chd) 4-3; 80kg: Abhimanyu Loura (Har) bt Akash Das (Jha) 5-0, Ashish Kumar (HP) bt Nitish Kumar (Chd) KO-R1, Lakshya (SSCB) bt Sahil (RSPB) RSC-R2; 92kg: Sanjeet (SSCB) bt Sawan Gill (Chd) 5-0; +92kg: Sagar Ahlawat (RSPB) bt Satish Kumar (SSCB) 4-3.

-Y. B. Sarangi