Category Archives: Sports

INTERNATIONAL: SPORT / SAILING / ENDURANCE: ‘I’m a much better sailor now’: Commander Abhilash Tomy after Achieving 02nd Place in Gruelling ‘2022 Golden Global Race’. History was Created Making Tomy the First Asian Skipper to Finish on the Podium in Any round-the-world race.

Abhilash Tomy is the first Asian skipper to finish on the podium in any round the world race, and in any format.

Champion sailor Commander Abhilash Tomy (retd) on Saturday accomplished a rare feat that pushed the limits of his endurance with a second-place finish in the challenging solo, non-stop circumnavigation race, 2022 Golden Globe Race (GGR), after sailing in seas for 236 days.

“My mind is blank right now, but I am relieved. The race was a huge learning experience, and I am a much better sailor now,” Tomy told HT over phone from Les Sables-d’Olonne in France soon after completing the 30,000-mile race.

The GGR is the longest sporting event in the world and bars the use of modern technology.

Tomy is in good health but has lost more than 20kg during the eight months at sea.

“Health wise, I am fine. All problems disappear whenever I am at sea. However, my legs are unstable, and I can’t walk straight because of the amount of sailing I did,” he said. “I weighed 92kg when the race began, but I am now down to 70kg.”

Tomy had set off from Les Sables-d’Olonne on September 4, 2022, with 15 other competitors. Only two have thus far crossed the finish line at GGR at Les Sables-d’Olonne again. South Africa’s Kirsten Neuschäfer came first on Thursday. She is the first woman to win the race.

Tomy is the first Asian skipper to finish on the podium in any round the world race, and in any format. He took part in the race in a United Arab Emirates-flagged boat “Bayanat”.

Naval historian Commodore Srikant Kesnur (retd) described Tomy’s podium finish as “India’s greatest sporting achievement”.

“Apart from skills, there is a certain amount of luck involved in this race. Any freak thing can happen. I faced several challenges including weather and boat breakdowns,” Tomy said.

He took part in the 2018 edition of the race, and that attempt nearly proved fatal for him. He could not finish it because of an accident. He suffered a debilitating back injury on September 21, 2018, after rough seas and powerful winds in the southern Indian Ocean, one of the remotest spots on Earth, crippled his yacht, “SV Thuriya”.

Tomy was rescued 70 hours later. In the medical treatment that followed, titanium rods were inserted in his spine and five vertebrae were fused into one.

Before the accident, Tomy was in the third position among 11 international participants and had sailed more than 10,500 nautical miles since the race began on July 1, 2018. That was the 50th year of the race that commemorated Robin Knox-Johnston’s feat in 1968, with participants required to operate under the same conditions, even navigating using charts and the stars.

He had called GGR “unfinished business” after the first attempt.

Tomy passed through the same waters where he was stranded after the 2018 accident. His boat was then battered by a series of knockdowns. The rough seas and powerful winds pummeled his yacht, sending it into a 360-degree spin and dismasting it.

“My body was extremely stressed till I crossed the area where my boat was toppled by powerful winds and waves almost five years ago. There was a lot of tension in my jaw, my neck and thighs felt tight, and I had breathing issues. I felt a certain lightness in my body after crossing that area near Ile Amsterdam in southern Indian Ocean,” said Tomy.

After a dramatic rescue in 2018, he was taken to Ile Amsterdam, a 55-sq km island that is part of French territory, and treated at a small medical facility.

This time Tomy celebrated his birthday at sea. He turned 44 on February 5.

He encountered the worst weather two days after his birthday.

“There was a weather warning on my birthday. Pressure was dropping fast. I sent a message to the GGR organisers that I am having a ‘milli bar’ party and everyone is invited,” he said.

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar sent Tomy a video message on Saturday, congratulating him. Tomy was in tears after seeing the message as Kumar was among his chief supporters when he took part in the race in 2018.

Tomy said he missed his wife and two sons terribly during the race.

“I look forward to having some fish curry and rice with my family after I return to Goa. I survived on tinned food, and I am really looking forward to some real food,” he said.

Tomy first announced that he would take part in GGR-22 at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2019, where he also gave details of the harrowing moments that abruptly ended his participation in GGR-18.

There is nothing quite like the GGR that tests skill, resolve, endurance, fortitude, mental strength and physical stamina, said Kesnur.

“It’s a sport dominated by the West where no Indian or Asian has ever featured.

Tomy had achieved enough when he became the first Asian to do non-stop solo circumnavigation in 2013. But his quest for adventure and love for the oceans drew him to GGR 2018.

The accident, his heroic struggle and extent of physical injury could have traumatised anyone, but Abhilash is another breed altogether,” said Kesnur.

“His exploits during this race have been jaw dropping. The man was riding a bruised, battered boat from all the punishment it took at sea,” Kesnur said. “Where many other champion sailors gave up, Tomy’s DIY skills, his innovation and jugaad at sea helped him stay the course.”

Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe on board his boat “Mhadei” — solo, non-stop and unassisted in 2013. He was awarded India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, Kirti Chakra, for the feat.

“As a naval historian, I can also say that he has given a fillip to the pursuit of ocean sailing. If only India took its gaze away from cricket and Bollywood, we will realise that Tomy would rank as one of our greatest heroes and sporting icons,” Kesnur added.

These eight months have been a blur, said Tomy’s wife, Urmimala Abhilash.

“I was extremely anxious from the time Abhilash left. And I think I’ve traversed this journey with him in spirit. At times exhilarating, at times nerve wrecking, at times heartbreaking. But journeys are like that. I know it would’ve deeply transformed Abhilash. I too feel deeply transformed by it,” she said.

“It was difficult to accept Abhilash’s decision to return to this race. But I am so glad he did. The last time he returned, I knew I would be able to heal and nurture him physically, but this time I know he has healed himself mentally by finishing this incredible, unforgiving race. He has aced it. This was one thing I couldn’t have done. I am incredibly proud of him. I’m happy he has closed his unfinished business himself. He remains the undisputed winner of the race. At least to me,” she added.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / HOCKEY: INDIA RECORD: Stadium ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’ named after Hockey Star Rani Rampal, First Woman to get this Honour

The MCF Rae Bareli has renamed the hockey stadium as ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’.

Indian team’s star hockey player Rani Rampal has become the first woman in the sport to have a stadium named after her, in Rae Bareli.

The MCF Rae Bareli has renamed the hockey stadium as ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’.

Rani shared photos on her social media handles, where she is seen interacting with the players and inaugurating the stadium alongside other staff members.

“Words seem too less to express my happiness and gratitude as I share that the MCF Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium to “Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf to honour my contribution to hockey,” Rani wrote on her Twitter handle.

Expressing her gratitude further, she said, “It is a proud and emotional moment for me as I become the first woman hockey player to have a stadium to my name. I dedicate this to the Indian women’s hockey team and I hope this inspires the next generation of women hockey players!” Rani made a comeback to the Indian team during the tour of South Africa earlier this year, when she was included in a 22-member squad.

Rani was returning to the squad after last playing against Belgium in the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League 2021-22, where she won her 250th cap for India.

The 28-year-old had been dealing with a injury since the Tokyo Olympics and was subsequently left out of the World Cup and Commonwealth Games 2022 squads.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SPORTS / ARCHERY: World Cup Archery | Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Ojas Deotale claim Gold in compound mixed team

This was also India’s second ever World Cup gold medal in the mixed compound event.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam and her debutant partner Ojas Deotale were at their ruthless best and prevailed over Chinese Taipei 159-154 as India grabbed the compound mixed team gold to open their account in the World Cup Stage 1 in Antalya on April 22.

This was also India’s second ever World Cup gold medal in the mixed compound event. Jyothi and veteran Abhishek Verma had clinched their maiden gold in World Cup-3 in Paris 2022.

In the absence of India’s multiple World Cup winner Verma, who failed to make the cut from the national trials, the new-look Indian pair hardly looked short on experience and hit the centre an incredible 15 times from 16 arrows to defeat their 12th-seeded rivals in a lopsided final.

Of the 15 perfect 10s, 12 times they hit the X (closer to the centre).

The second seeded Indian duo of Jyothi and 20-year-old Deotale dropped just one point only once in the final end otherwise it would have been a perfect 160/160.

There was no stopping Jyothi and Deotale who drilled in a string of perfect 10s to race to a 120-116 lead in the penultimate end.

The second end was a fairytale affair as they hit the X all on their four attempts to make it 80-76 in favour of them.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: SPORTS / TENNIS: India’s Rohan Bopanna becomes Oldest ATP Masters 1000 Champion after claiming ‘Indian Wells Doubles Title’ at 43

Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

Indian Wells :

India’s Rohan Bopanna became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and his Australian partner Matt Ebden claimed the men’s doubles crown at the BNP Paribas Open here.

The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden, 35, defeated top-seeded Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final on Saturday.

“Truly special. It’s called Tennis Paradise for a reason,” said Bopanna, who was playing in his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final.

“I’ve been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I’m really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here.

“It’s been some tough matches, close matches. Today we played against one of the best teams out there. Really happy that we got the trophy.”

Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

“I spoke to Danny Nestor and I told him sorry I’m going to beat his record,” he joked.

“Winning the title, that stays with me, so really happy with that. ” It was the 43-year-old’s fifth Masters 1000 doubles title and first since he won in Monte Carlo in 2017.

This was the third final of the year for the Indo-Australian duo.

He now holds 24 tour-level trophies in his cabinet.

The Indo-Australian pair stunned defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in the semi-finals, while getting the better off Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quarters.

Bopanna and Ebden had defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez in their opening match.

A former World No.3, Bopanna jumped four places to No.11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Rankings.

source/content: newindianexpress.com / PTI (headline edited)

REGIONAL: NATIONAL RECORD: SPORT / CYCLING: National Institute of Mountaineering & Adventure Sports (NIMAS) Team Creates Record Cycling 5,374 kms in 37 days across 6 South East Nations

The team commenced the expedition from Hanoi in Vietnam and culminated it at Indian National Army (INA) Memorial in Singapore, a Defence Ministry statement said.

A team of four officers posted at the National Institute of Mountaineering & Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, created a national record in cycling by covering 5,374 kms in 37 days across six South East Asian nations.

“The team commenced the expedition from Hanoi in Vietnam and culminated it at Indian National Army (INA) Memorial in Singapore. It was carried out in extreme weather conditions where the team members cycled on an average of 9-10 hours a day,” a Defence Ministry statement said. Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt flagged-in the team on Wednesday.

The team led by Col. Ranveer Singh Jamwal, Director, NIMAS, had undertaken the first-ever cycling expedition in six South East Asian Nations — Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore — from January 16, 2023 to March 06, 2023, the statement said. On March 3, they were felicitated by High Commissioner of India to Singapore P. Kumaran.

On the extreme weather conditions, a team member said, “Vietnam was cold, Laos and Cambodia were hot, Thailand and Malaysia were humid while monsoon welcomed us in Singapore.”

Most of the cycles broke down in Laos and Cambodia while in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia the team faced challenges in terms of language and food, he stated. The team was welcomed by Indian population in Malaysia and Singapore.

The team visited over 10 monuments and memorials and interacted with the heroes of Azad Hind Fauj, revisiting the stories of sacrifice and bravery of the INA, the statement said adding that they also scaled the highest peak of Vietnam Mount Fansipan (3,143m).

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL – ASIA REGION: SPORTS / CHESS: Asian Chess Federation (ACF)Confers a Plethora of Awards to India – Grandmaster D Gukesh with Player-of-the-Year award, the AICF – ‘Most Active Federation Award, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin with the Man-of-the-Year award and many more read on….

In March last year, Gukesh became only the sixth Indian to break the 2700 Elo-rating mark, and the youngest Grandmaster from the country to be rated above 2700.

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has been honoured with the Player-of-the-Year award by the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) for clinching the gold medal with a record-breaking score of 9/11 in the 44th Chess Olympiad at Mahabalipuram last year.

In March last year, Gukesh became only the sixth Indian to break the 2700 Elo-rating mark, and the youngest Grandmaster from the country to be rated above 2700.

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) bagged the ‘Most Active Federation’ award conferred during the ACF annual summit, which is underway here.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has been conferred with the Man-of-the-Year award for his effort in the successful hosting of the FIDE Chess Olympiad in August last year within a short notice of four months.

The Indian women’s team, comprising of Koneru Humpy, D Harika, R Vaishali, Tania Sachdev, and Bhakti Kulkarni, was adjudged the ‘Best Women’s team of the Year’ for its bronze-winning effort, while Grandmaster R B Ramesh bagged the men’s Coach-of-the-Year award and Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte won the Women’s Coach-of-the-Year awards.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORDS: SPORTS / CRICKET: India Women Create History, Clinch Inaugural ‘ICC U19 T20 World Cup’

Shafali Verma-led team beat England U-19 Women by seven wickets in final at Potchefstroom.

When India skipper Shafali Verma got out while India were chasing 69 there was no panic in the India team. Their pursuit of glory was still within grasp in the final of the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final at Potchefstroom on Sunday. Even when Shweta Sehrawat, the batting star of the tournament, got out, the dressing room did not freak out.

Because out in the middle were Soumya Tiwari and G Trisha — the two who knew what was needed. They have spent enough time together to know each other’s game and more importantly, they knew what was at stake. Trisha (24) and Soumya (24 n.o) ensured there were no further hiccups as India cruised towards the title.  

Just to put the match into context, their bowlers had done their job. Titas Sadhu, the pacer from Bengal, had set the stage with a splendid new ball spell, finishing with 2/6 in her four overs before spinners did the rest.

A seven-wicket win to bring home the World Cup trophy — the one that eluded their coach Nooshin Al Khadeer when she was in the same country 18 years ago as a player, then again in 2017 against the same opposition at Lord’s and again in 2020 versus Australia. In fact, their captain Shafali and Richa Ghosh know what it is like to be on the other side of the result.

This, however, is the new generation. These players don’t panic. They aren’t overwhelmed by big occasions. Their confidence at times can be scary too. Some of them, Shabnam MD for example, weren’t even born when Nooshin was playing in 2005. Though they have had their share of struggle getting into the sport, but in the past couple of years they have left all that behind. Their mission was to make it to the U19 World Cup and win it. In the lead-up to the tournament, most of them were even competing against each other for a place in the squad.

However, credit has to be given where it is due. Over the past nine months, the BCCI has had several zonal camps from which the players were shortlisted to the main camp at the National Cricket Academy. There they trained under the same coach — Nooshin. Players got to spend a lot of time together and bond. And before travelling to South Africa, they played a quadrangular series with Sri Lanka and West Indies and bilaterals against New Zealand at home and the hosts SA. To be precise, none of the other top teams had as much game-time together as India had had.

Coming to the coach — Nooshin. She has not lost a single tournament in the last two seasons whether it is with Railways in the domestic circuit or in the Women’s T20 Challenge last year. But before going to the WC, she knew the challenges. She was not going to take any team lightly and expected a few upsets along the way as well. Which is what happened too. And as Shafali said, she was there with the team every single day to remind them why they are there and what the final goal was.

Perhaps, the biggest takeaway from this triumph is the kind of talent pool that is there in the country. When Shafali and Richa were included in the squad at the last minute without spending much time in any of the earlier camps, it raised a lot of eyebrows. But this group of teenagers smashed all the doubts with every single match through the tournament. It was Shweta who finished as the top run scorer with 297 runs at a strike rate of 139.43 in seven innings. Shafali was third on the list, with Soumya and Trisha stepping up in crucial matches. And then there are Parshavi Chopra, the second leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps, Mannat Kashyap and Archana Devi — the trio who spun a web around opponent batters.

In a month where the BCCI has become Rs 5,650.99 crore richer with the inaugural Women’s Premier League, this batch of U19 cricketers has painted a picture at the global stage of what kind of talent India have and how they are likely to dominate world cricket in the next decade. Nooshin summed it up perfectly after the match. “It just shows the kind of depth we have and what is there for us in the future. The most special thing about this team is their belief. The team believes… We have been waiting for a very long time for a cup and it’s gonna be the U-19 who’s giving it first, so it’s the future and we have a very good future,” she said.

Everything about the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup was going to be historic. It was happening for the first time. For the past 15 days, irrespective of where each team finished and how each player performed, they are all going to be a part of history. But in the end, there is only one winner — India. They have turned a new page in the history of Indian women’s cricket.

Brief scores: England Women U-19 68 (Ryana 19; Titas 2/6, Parshavi 2/13, Archana 2/17) lost to India Women U-19 69/3 (Soumya 24 n.o, Trisha 24).

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL & NATIONAL: SPORTS / CHESS: 2022 should go down in History as India’s Greatest Ever in Chess

From hosting the Chess Olympiad to Praggnanandhaa beating world champion Magnus Carlsen, India enjoyed significant success at the sport this year.

Two female chess players, one 35 and the other 15 did India proud in the Kazakhstan city of Almaty at the fag end of the year. At the World rapid and blitz chess championship, Koneru Humpy won a silver and B. Savitha Shri a bronze.

A great year for Indian chess just became greater. The year 2022 should actually go down in history as India’s greatest ever.

Over the last couple of decades or so, India has enjoyed some significant successes — Viswanathan Anand won five World championships, the first of which came in 2000 — and virtually every year, there have been several causes to cheer about, but 2022 has been unique.

Significant moment

India doesn’t boast as many great talents in the women’s section as it does in the men’s. So when a 15-year-old Savitha wins a medal at an event as prestigious as the World rapid and blitz championship, after beginning as the 36th seed, it is a significant moment. As is the silver of Humpy, a former World rapid champion.

Earlier in December, another Indian woman brought much joy to Indian chess. R. Vaishali did that in the City of Joy, as she stunned a very strong field to take the blitz title in the Tata Steel Chess India tournament at Kolkata.

At the very tournament, in the open section, Nihal Sarin claimed the rapid title and Arjun Erigaisi the blitz. R. Praggnanandhaa and D. Gukesh, who complete the magnificent quartet of Indian teenagers, may have disappointed at Kolkata, but they too have had some exceptional results right through the year.

In fact, Gukesh’s outstanding performance for India-2 at the Chess Olympiad in Chennai — he won his first eight games on the trot en route to the gold on the top board — was one of the highlights of the year in world chess. And India swept the medals at the Olympiad, winning nine out of the 36 medals on offer.

The Olympiad was an organisational success too, thanks in no small measure to the active participation of the Tamil Nadu Government, which had only got just four months to conduct an event featuring more than 1700 participants from 186 countries. The Olympiad also helped chess become more mainstream in India.

With players like Praggnanandhaa consistently making news, by scoring stunning wins against the likes of World champion Magnus Carlsen, the game hit the headlines regularly. The year’s last ranking list has eight Indians in the world’s top 70.

The year also saw India continuing to win medals at the World age-group championships and promising teenagers like V. Pranav and Pranav Anand turning Grandmasters.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / DEFENCE SERVICES: The Indian Army Creates History and Pioneers by Recruiting 4 Meritorious Sportswomen as Havildars to Participate in the Women’s Category in National Boxing & Wrestling.

They were recruited as direct entry Havildars under its Mission Olympic Programme.

The Army has recruited four meritorious sportswomen into the Corps of Military Police as direct entry Havildars under its Mission Olympic Programme.

The four sportswomen — Recruit Havildar Sakshi (Boxing), Recruit Havildar Arundhati Choudhary (Boxing), Recruit Havildar Bhateri (Wrestling) and Recruit Havildar Priyanka (Wrestling) have created history by becoming pioneers to represent the Army in women category at the national championship in boxing and wrestling by participating in the 6th Elite Women National Boxing Championship 2022 from December 19 to 26 at Bhopal and Senior National Wrestling Championship from December 21 to 23 at Visakhapatnam.

The Army has a long tradition of promoting and nurturing sports personnel and runs a well-structured programme named “Mission Olympics”, the statement added.

Earlier in the year, Summy, an international-level sportswoman who excels in 400-metre athletics and Jasmine Lamboria, Commonwealth Games 2022 Bronze medalist in Boxing, were also recruited by the Army.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: SPORTS / FIELD HOCKEY: Indian Women’s Hockey Team beat Spain 1-0 to lift ‘1st FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022’ in Valencia, Spain

In Hockey, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team defeated Spain 1-0 in the Final to win the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in Valencia, Spain yesterday.

Indian remained undefeated during the tournament and also got promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League.

This was the inaugural season of the Women’s FIH Nations Cup, with a promotion to next year’s Women’s Pro League hockey up for grabs for the winner.

For India, Gurjit Kaur scored the winning goal of the match in the first quarter.

Hockey India has announced Rs 2 Lakh for each player and 1 Lakh rupees for each support staff of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team that won the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022.

source/content: newsonair.gov.in (headline edited)