Indian sports wrap, February 22: Vandewinkel denies Vaishnavi a fairytale ending in ITF Bengaluru Open
TENNIS
ITF Women’s Bengaluru Open: Vandewinkel denies Vaishnavi a fairytale ending, wins title in under an hour
Vaishnavi Adkar was denied a fairytale ending at the ITF Women’s Bengaluru Open, a USD 100,000 event, as she went down in straight set to third seed Hanne Vandewinkel in the final on Sunday.
Vaishnavi, the 21-year-old wildcard currently ranked 690 in the world, lost 6-0, 6-1 in 56 minutes to Belgian World No. 124 Vandewinkel at the S.M. Krishna Stadium.
Nevertheless, the Indian, who has won previously won one USD 15,000 event in Ahmedabad in 2024, had a career-changing week. After beating 19-year-old compatriot Shruti Ahlawat in the opening round, she stunned Japan’s Mai Hontama (World No. 220), Australia’s Taylah Preston (World No. 148) and Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee (World No. 126) to book her spot in the final.
As a result of her run in Bengaluru, World University Games bronze medallist Vaishnavi has gained 65 ranking points and risen up to 466 in the live WTA Rankings, becoming India No. 2 behind Sahaja Yamalapalli (World No. 397).
– Team Sportstar
ATHLETICS
Punjab’s Sahil upsets more fancied race walkers to clinch gold in men’s 21km event
Punjab athlete Sahil upset his more fancied rivals to clinch the gold in the men’s half marathon on the final day of the Indian Open Race Walk Competition here on Sunday.
In a thrilling finish at the picturesque Sukhna Lake course, the 24-year-old Sahil had enough in the tank to hold off the challenge of experienced Servin Sebastian of Tamil Nadu over the 21km distance and emerge winner with a time of 1 hour 25 minute 48 seconds.
Sebastian settled for silver with a time of 1:25:50.00, while the bronze went to Haryana’s Hardeep who clocked 1:26:03.00.
Paris Olympian Paramjeet Singh Bisht, representing Uttarakhand, finished fourth (1:26:07.00).
Olympian and national record holder over 20km race walk, Akshdeep Singh of Punjab, finished seventh with a time of 1:27:37.00.
Another prominent athlete, Vikash Singh from Delhi finished 10th. He clocked 1:30:41.00. Suraj Panwar of Uttarakhand didn’t finish the race.
The women’s 21km title went to Haryana’s experienced race walker Ravina.
The 29-year- old edged past her two younger rivals — 24-year-old Munita Prajapati of Uttar Pradesh and 23-year-old Manis Negi of Uttarakhand to take home the gold medal with a time of 1:39:15.00.
Prajapati took silver with a time of 1:39:26.00. The bronze went to Mansi Negi who clocked 1:42:58.00.
-PTI
Published on Feb 22, 2026