Indian Sports Wrap, August 16: Anahat reaches final at NSW Squash Bega Open

SQUASH

Anahat reaches final at NSW Squash Bega Open

India’s Anahat Singh progressed to the final of the NSW Squash Bega Open, a PSA World Tour (Copper level) event, in Australia on Saturday.

The 17-year-old Anahat, the top seed, defeated Egypt’s Nour Khafagy 3-2 (10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) in a 54-minute thriller to book her place in the summit clash.

Later in the day, fifth-seed Indian Akanksha Salunkhe will be up against second-seeded Egyptian Habiba Hani in the second semifinal.

– Team Sportstar

BOXING

India’s young boxers arrive in China for International Youth Boxing Gala

A 59-member Indian contingent has arrived in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China to participate in the 3rd “Belt and Road” International Youth Boxing Gala – U17/U19/U23 International Training Camp & Tournament, scheduled from August 15–30, 2025.

The squad comprises 20 boys and 20 girls, supported by 12 coaches, 6 support staff, and 1 Referee & Judge (R&J). Organised by the Chinese Boxing Federation and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Government, the event begins with a training camp from August 17 to 25 in Urumqi, followed by the competition phase from August 26 to 29 in Urumqi and Yili.

Only U-17 boys and girls are representing India at this edition. The boxers were selected from the 6th U-17 Junior Boys & Girls National Boxing Championships 2025, with gold and silver medalists in the Asian Youth Games weight categories and gold medalists in the Non-Asian Youth Games weight categories making the cut.

Boxers will compete across multiple divisions. U17 boys and girls will contest in 13 weight categories – 46kg, 48kg, 50kg, 52kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63kg, 66kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, +80kg.

– Team Sportstar

GOLF

Copenhagen Golf: Ahlawat makes cut as Shubhankar’s woes continue

Veer Ahlawat played a strong second round to sneak inside the cut line at the Danish Golf Championship on the DP World Tour.

Ahlawat shot (73-68) to be 1-under and Tied-45th, getting into the weekend, while Shubhankar Sharma, despite two rounds of even par, once again failed to make the cut, which was kept at 1-under.

Having shot 2-over 73 on the first day, Ahlawat needed a strong second round, but an early double on the Par-4 13th, his fourth hole, set him back further. Ahlawat fought back with five birdies in six holes from the 16th.

After an early double bogey on the 13th hole, two consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th holes helped him bring the round back under control. He began the front nine with three consecutive birdies.

He was once again in trouble with a bogey on the Par-3 fifth, at which point he was in danger of missing the cut. A birdie on the Par-4 eighth hole ensured weekend action for the young Indian.

Rasmus Højgaard played a second round of 7-under 64 for a total of 12-under to move into the lead at the halfway mark. Højgaard shot 66 in the first round.

The 24-year-old home favourite is now two shots ahead of his closest competitor, the first-day leader Marco Penge (64-68), who is 10-under.

-PTI

Boise on Korn Ferry: Rayhan Thomas makes cut

Rayhan Thomas played a second round of 1-under 70 at the Hillcrest Country Club to make the cut in the Albertsons Boise Open on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Thomas slipped to tied 33rd from tied 8th on the leaderboard at the end of the second day but safely made the cut. He had three birdies and two bogeys in the round.

Having started on the back nine, he began the round with a bogey and then recovered the shot with a birdie on the 11th before making another bogey of the day on the 18th hole.

On the front nine, he made consecutive birdies on the second and third holes for a score of one under for the day. His combined score now stands at seven under.

Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju, a past winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, shot a round of 1-under 70 as well but missed the cut by one stroke after a first-round 67.

The cut was set at six under par, and Yellamaraju had a two-day score of five under par. Indo-American Julian Suri (63-72) also made the cut at T-33 alongside Thomas.

Philip Knowles shot a second round of 7-under 64 to move into the lead at the halfway mark. The American played a bogey-free second round, including seven birdies.

-PTI