Indian sports wrap, July 7: India picks six Asian Championship medallists for U17 World Championships selection trials

WRESTLING

Six Asian Championship medallists win selection trials for U17 World Championships

The Indian team picked for the Under-17 World Championship did not have many surprises, with as many as six medal winners from the recent Asian Championships acing the selection trials to make the national team on Monday.

The Wresting Federation of India (WFI) had restricted the trials to medal winners at the recent U17 National Championship, thus only the best wrestlers in each of the 10 categories competed, limiting the number of bouts.

Haryana’s Rachna Parmar (43kg), Delhi’s Moni (57kg), Rajasthan’s Ashvini Vaishno (65kg), and Haryana’s Manisha (69kg), who won gold medals at the Asian Championships in Vietnam, emerged winners in their respective categories.

Rachna got the better of Cheshta 3-0 in the final.

After losing a point on passivity, Cheshta tried the ‘dhobi pachad’ at least twice but lost a point on counterattack as Rachna managed to take her down on one of the moves to come out a clean winner.

Cheshta had also won a medal at the Asian Championship—a silver in 40 kg—but she chose to compete in 43kg on Monday.

The 65kg and 69kg weight class featured only two wrestlers each.

Ashvini beating Haryana’s Taniya 2-0 in 65kg and Manisha pinning Delhi Bharti after taking a comfortable 4-0 lead.

Anshika Yadav from UP missed out on competing in 69kg after the officials stopped her weigh-in because her passport is expiring in December this year, and a six-month validity is a must for visa application.

“Even if she had won, she would not have travelled, so what’s the point in her competing? It’s unfortunate that she could not compete,” said an official.

“Today is the last day to send entries through UWW’s software and we couldn’t have sent her name even if she got her passport renewed through Tatkal.” Uttar Pradesh’s Preeti (40kg), Kasish (46kg), Komal (49kg), Yashita (61 kg), and Kajal (73kg) were the other trial winners.

Komal defeated Asia Championship bronze winner Anjali after erasing a 0-2 deficit.

Anjali went up 2-0 with a takedown and maintained the lead till the break. In the second period, Komal was put on the clock, and she responded with a quick two-point move. She effected another takedowntowards the end to earn her spot on the Indian team.

Incidentally, Kajal was the lone wrestler in the 73kg weight class.

-Press Trust of India

FOOTBALL

Kerala Blasters announces new signing

Indian Super League team Kerala Blasters on Monday announced the signing of young defender Brahmacharimayum Sumit Sharma. The 18-year-old joins the club on a three-year contract, with an option to extend for a further two years.

A product of Classic Football Academy in Manipur, Sumit has represented the India U-17, U-19, and U-20 teams. Recently, he was a member of the India U-19 team that clinched the SAFF U-19 Championship title earlier this year.

“I feel very excited and proud to join a big club like Kerala Blasters FC. It is a great honour for me. I have so much to learn here, and I believe this is the right place for my growth. I want to thank the club management for giving me this opportunity,” said Sumit.

-Team Sportstar

Durand Cup returns to Jamshedpur for second consecutive year with trophy showcase

Jamshedpur welcomed back the 134th edition of Durand Cup as the city gets ready to host Asia’s oldest football tournament for the second consecutive year.

The three trophies of the Durand Cup were showcased here at the XLRI Auditorium in the presence of Shri. Santosh Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand who was the chief guest of the event.

The three glittering pieces of silverware, the Durand Cup, the original prize and the rolling Shimla Trophy (presented by residents of Shimla in 1904), as well as the President’s Cup which the winners keep permanently, will be then taken on a roadshow later in the day covering prominent city landmarks generating immense enthusiasm in the football loving city.

The three trophies will travel through key city landmarks, including Mango Bus Stand, Sakchi Circle, and JUSCO Circle, before being displayed at the JRD TATA Sports Complex, which will be hosting the matches. Later, the trophies will also be showcased at Bistupur Square.

Jamshedpur will host four teams with hosts Jamshedpur FC, 1 Ladakh FC which is making its debut in Durand Cup, Indian Army FT and a Foreign Services Team adding international flavour to the tournament. A total of seven matches, including one quarterfinal will be played at the JRD Tata Sports Complex with the first match scheduled on 24th July with the other group stage matches. The quarterfinals will be played on 17th August. 

– Team Sportstar

East Bengal FC extends Vishu PV’s contract until 2028

East Bengal FC on Monday announced that attacker Vishnu PV has signed a two-year contract extension, securing his future with the club until the end of the 2027-28 season.

Vishnu was East Bengal’s joint-leading scorer in Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 with four goals

The 23-year0old has emerged as a key talent for the Red & Gold Brigade, showcasing his steady improvement over the past two seasons. The Kerala-born forward joined East Bengal in mid-2023 on a three-year contract, and has so far represented the team in 55 top-flight matches.

– Team Sportstar