India Clinches Three Gold Medals on Opening Day of Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024
In the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024, India clinched three gold medals on the opening day as Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Harmilan Bains, and Jyothi Yarraji won gold in Tehran, Iran.
Two-time Asian Games gold medallist Tajinderpal Singh Toor hurled the shot put at a distance of 19.72 meters for a new national indoor record.
The Two-time Asian Games silver medallist Harmilan Bains won gold in the women's 1500-meter run category and confirmed India's first gold medal. She clocked 4 minutes and 29.55 seconds in the final.
Jyothi Yarraji broke her personal and the National record to win gold in the women's 60 m hurdles as she clocked 8.12 seconds. Her previous best was 8.13 seconds. She defeated Japan's Asuka Tereda in the final to claim the top spot.
The Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, running since 2004, is a biennial competition organised by the Asian Athletics Association. The 2024 edition, going on in Tehran's Aftab e Enghelab Sports Complex, is the 11th edition.
Bengaluru Open Tennis: India's Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan Clinch Doubles Title
In the Bengaluru Open tennis, India's Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan clinched the doubles title, while Sumit Nagal's campaign came to an end in the semi-finals.
Myneni and Ramkumar defeated the French pair of Constantin Kouzmine and Maxime Janvier 6-3, 6-4 and clinched the doubles title.
Anush Agarwalla Secures First-ever Paris Olympics Quota in Dressage Discipline
Anush Agarwalla, who had won a historic individual bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games, secured a Paris Olympics quota in dressage discipline, the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) announced.
He obtained the Paris 2024 quota for the country based on his performance in four FEI events.
In dressage competitions, the horse and rider perform a series of pre-determined movements in an arena of 20 metres to 60 metres, bordered by a low rail which the horse must stay within.
Feb 19, 2024
Indian Women Clinch Historic Gold at Badminton Asia Team Championships
Anmol Kharb yet again performed when it mattered, winning the decisive fifth rubber to lead Indian women to a historic Badminton Asia Team Championships title with a tight 3-2 victory over a depleted Thailand.
The young sprightly group of Indian women's team, led by seasoned P. V. Sindhu, defied all expectations to come up trumps against two-time bronze medallists Thailand.
It was first-ever major title for Indian women in team championships and provided a big boost to the team ahead of the Uber Cup.
Iga Swiatek Wins her Third Straight Qatar Open
No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek won the Qatar Open for a third straight year.
Swiatek defeated No. 4 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 7-6 (8), 6-2 in the final.
It was the 22nd edition of the WTA Qatar Open, and a WTA 1000 tournament on the 2024 WTA Tour. It took place at the International Tennis and Squash complex in Doha, Qatar, from February 11 to 17, 2024.
Forty-five Thousand Athletes to Participate in the Khelo India University Games
Forty-five thousand athletes from 200 institutes will participate in the 11-day Khelo India University Games (KIUG) from February 19 onwards. Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur, along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, attended the inauguration of the fourth KIUG, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a video message for the participants.
The inaugural programme was be held at Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, Assam.
The KIUG is a part of the Centre's Khelo India initiative to promote grassroots sports and identify young talents from across the country.
The participants vie for a total of 262 gold, 263 silver and 297 bronze medals across 20 sports disciplines, with competitions held in Guwahati and six cities in the Northeast. Guwahati will host 16 disciplines including athletics, rugby, basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton, hockey, fencing, kabaddi, women's football, tennis, mallakhamb, judo and table tennis.
Feb 18, 2024
ICC Bans UK Cricketer Rizwan Javed for over 17 Years
UK-based club cricketer Rizwan Javed was handed a severe ban from all cricketing activities for a period of 17 ½ years. This decision came in the wake of his involvement in several breaches of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code for Participants. The ramifications of his actions highlight the stringent measures taken to uphold the integrity of the sport.
Rizwan Javed was one among eight individuals charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on behalf of the ECB for their involvement in corruption attempts during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League. Despite being charged, Rizwan failed to respond, leading to a presumption of guilt. The Chair of the ICC Code of Conduct Committee, Michael J. Beloff KC, acting as the ECB's Disciplinary Panel, rendered the decision based on this non-response.
Feb 17, 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin Joins Elite 500 Test Wickets Club
Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the second Indian bowler to take 500 wickets in Test matches. This milestone was reached during the second day of the third Test between India and England in Rajkot, marking a significant achievement in Ashwin's already storied career.
The off-spinner achieved this landmark by dismissing England's opener Zak Crawley in the 14th over.
Indian Hammer Thrower Rachna Kumari Banned for 12 Years for Doping
Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) imposed significant suspensions on two athletes for anti-doping rule violations. These decisions highlight the unwavering commitment of sporting authorities to maintain fairness, integrity, and a level playing field in athletics.
Hammer thrower Rachna Kumari faced a 12-year suspension for her second anti-doping rule violation, marking a severe penalty that reflects the seriousness with which doping offenses are treated.
Quarter-miler Nirmala Sheoran, another athlete with a history of doping violations, was handed an eight-year suspension by NADA for her second offence. Sheoran reportedly tested positive for anabolic androgenic steroids and testosterone, substances known to enhance performance unlawfully.
Feb 16, 2024
100-Year-Old Diver Performs At the 2024 World Championships in Doha
Taghi Askar, a 100-year-old diver from the Islamic Republic of Iran, made waves at the Diving World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Askar took the plunge from the 1m platform, showcasing his passion for diving and promoting the upcoming World Aquatics Masters Championships at the Hamad Aquatics Centre in Doha, Qatar.
Having claimed silver and bronze medals at the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, it has been an astonishing 73 years since Askar first tasted success in the world of diving. His career, spanning nearly six decades, came to an end 59 years ago, leaving the sport on a triumphant note with a gold medal at the national level.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur Hands Over Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur handed over the Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the host city for the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad. The ceremony, held at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi, was not just a formal handover but also a celebration of chess as an intellectual sport deeply rooted in India's heritage.
The ceremony was highlighted by a friendly game of chess, symbolising the spirit of camaraderie and competition that the Chess Olympiad embodies. Indian Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand, a name synonymous with chess in India, and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur teamed up against FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Hungarian Grand Master Judit Polgár.
The 44th Chess Olympiad, held in Chennai in 2022, was a testament to the global appeal and competitive spirit of chess, with more than 2500 players and 7000 participants from around the world. The success of this event paved the way for the upcoming edition in Budapest, promising an even greater celebration of chess as a sport and cultural phenomenon.