Indian sports wrap, September 18: India to face UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal in group stage after World Junior Badminton C’ships Mixed Team Redraw 

BADMINTON

India to face UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal in group stage after World Junior Badminton C’ships Mixed Team Redraw 

Host India will face the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in the revamped World Junior Badminton Championships Mixed Team event, following a group stage redraw on Wednesday. The withdrawal of the Cook Islands prompted the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to reshuffle the field for the current 36 countries participating in the tournament, also known as the Suhandinata Cup.

The event, returning to India after 17 years, is set to be staged at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati from October 6-19.

India, seeded second in the event, is in Group H in the qualifying stage. While Nepal retains its place in the group, the UAE and Sri Lanka have now been added to Group H as per the updated draw.

The redraw has also brought significant changes to the other groups. Top-seeded Thailand stays in Group A, where it will compete alongside Japan, Portugal, and Ireland, marking a complete revamp from the previous grouping. Defending champion Indonesia will play the qualifying stage in Group F against Hong Kong China, Slovenia, and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, powerhouse China, with 14 Mixed Team Championship titles to its name, will feature in Group D alongside Türkiye, England, Uganda, and Ghana. In Group G, three-time winner South Korea will compete with Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Bhutan.

-Team Sportstar

WRESTLING

World Championships: Antim to fight for bronze

Antim Panghal was left to fight for a bronze medal after being outwitted by Paris Olympics silver medallist Lucia Yepez Guzman in the women’s 53kg semifinals, while Manisha Bhanwala (62kg) stayed in the medal race via repechage route at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, on Wednesday.

However, Radhika (68kg) and Jyoti Beriwal (72kh) were eliminated on day five of the prestigious tournament.

Antim, targeting her second World Championship medal after a bronze in the 2023 edition, had an easy start to her campaign when she knocked out Spaniard Carla Jaume Soner in mere 23 seconds but found a tough rival in China’s Zhang, who she edged past 9-8 in the quarterfinals.

Antim effected a decisive take-down move in the dying moments against Zhang to prevail in the tight contest.

However, Guzman proved to be a superior rival, who dominated the contest to win 5-3.

There was no attacking move by either of the wrestlers in the first minute. Antim attempted a right leg attack but Guzman was alert to thwart the attempt. Guzman scored a four-pointer to pull away as she ducked under and rolled the Indian.

The fast-paced first period ended with Guzman leading 4-1.

The Ecuadorian, taller than Antim, was strong in her defence as she kept control of the bout even as Antim tried all tricks to get going. Tactically superior, Guzman further increased the gap with a push out.

Antim pulled a take down towards the end but it only decreased the defeat margin. She left the mat crying as she was looking for a perfect redemption after the Paris Games fiasco where she made a first-round exit and was deported after her accreditation was cancelled following a breach of Games rules.

Manisha was outplayed 0-8 by North Korea’s Ok Ju Kim in the quarterfinals. Kim later made the final, opening the repechage route for Manisha.

-PTI

Published on Sep 18, 2025