Neymar aims to return to action in Aug

MADRID: Neymar's injured back is healing well and he is aiming to return to action in a friendly for his club Barcelona on Aug. 18, the Brazil forward said on Thursday.

Neymar fractured a bone in his back following a challenge from Colombia defender Juan Zuniga in Brazil's World Cup quarterfinal and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

"I am recovering bit by bit from the injury and I will arrive in Barcelona at 100 percent," Neymar, who is due back at Barca on Aug. 5, told reporters at a promotional event in Japan.

"I want to have a good season and I would like to help my team mates get good results," he added.

Barca play Mexican side Leon in the friendly at the Nou Camp on Aug. 18, with the winners awarded a trophy named for the Catalan club's founder Joan Gamper. They begin their La Liga campaign at home to Elche the following weekend.

Barca ended last season without major silverware for the first time in six years and coach Gerardo Martino was sacked and replaced by former Spain and Barca midfielder Luis Enrique.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Neymar,Luis Enrique,La Liga,Colombia,Barcelona

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

India skipper Sardar Singh reprimanded

GLASGOW: Indian men's hockey captain Sardar Singh was officially reprimanded for inappropriate physical conduct against an opposition player during his side's group match against Australia here.

The incident happened on Tuesday when Eddie Ockenden was hit on the face. India lost the match 2-4.

After video evidence was played, the appeal jury at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre found that Sardar had no intention to cause the injury to Ockenden but had behaved inappropriately, the organisers said in a statement on 'myGamesInfo 2014' website.

The official reprimand has no immediate consequences.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sardar Singh,Hockey,Glasgow National Hockey Centre,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suarez 'too good' for Arsenal: Gerrard

LONDON: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he told former team-mate Luis Suarez he was "too good" to join Arsenal when the north London club came calling for him last year.

Arsenal tabled a £40,000,001 ($67.5 million, 50.4 million euros) bid for Suarez a year ago in the mistaken belief it would trigger a release clause in his contract.

The Uruguayan went on to score 31 goals as Liverpool narrowly missed out on the Premier League title and although he has since joined Barcelona, Gerrard was relieved not to see him move to Arsenal.

"Last summer, when Luis was out in the cold, I told him, 'Don't go to Arsenal,'" Gerrard told the Thursday editions of several British newspapers. "With all due respect to them, I told him he was too good for Arsenal."

Barcelona paid £75 million to secure Suarez's services, despite the fact he is currently serving a four-month ban after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil.

While Gerrard was loath to see the back of a player who he has described as the most talented he has ever played with, he understood the 27-year-old's reasons for heading to Catalonia.

"Luis's dream, from the first day he came to us, was to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona," said the 34-year-old.

"I said, 'If you score 30 goals for us and win the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) Player of the Year and FWA (Football Writers' Association) Footballer of the Year (awards), they will come back for you.'

"I thought for his own sake, and to get our fans' respect, he had to give us at least one more year."

Gerrard added: "You can't begrudge him his dream, leaving for Barca. But I'd have been disappointed if he had left for Arsenal."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Steven Gerrard,Premier League,Luis Suarez,Liverpool,Barcelona

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three Indian wrestlers eyeing CWG gold

GLASGOW: Indian wrestlers continued their impressive run with Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Geetika Jakhar and Babita Kumar all qualifying for the final and Pawan Kumar staying in the hunt for a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

India have won nine medals - three gold, five silver and a bronze - from wrestling and are assured of at least three silvers.

Yogeshwar, who had won the gold in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, will be facing Canada's Jevon Balfour in the men's freestyle 65kg category.

It is the first time that Yogeshwar is participating in a major tournament ever since he made a move to the 65kg category after his pet 60kg was removed by world body FILA last year. Yogeshwar had won the bronze in the 2012 London Games in the 60kg.

Yogeshwar raced away with a 11-0 win over Scotsman Alex Gladkov in the Round of 16. The 31-year-old Indian again disappointed the Scottish fans beating Gareth Jones 10-0 in the quarterfinal and booked his place in the final with another facile 10-0 win over Sri Lankan Chamara Perera in the semi-final.

The female wrestlers also put on a inspiring show with both Babita and Geetika eyeing gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. Babita will be facing Canada's Brittanee Laverdure in the 55kg freestyle final while Geetika will take on Danielle Lappage, also from Canada, in the 63kg category final.

Babita beat England's Louisa Porogovska 2-0. The match had to be stopped in the first period as the Indian took down the English girl by fall and was adjudged the winner.

Geetika also booked her place in the final with a 13-2 win over Wales' Sarah Connolly in the semi-final. The bout was stopped in the second period as Geetika opened up a 10 points lead and was declared the winner by technical superiority.

But 20-year-old Pawan was extremely unlucky as he lost his semi-final bout to Canada's Tamerlan Tagziev 0-4. Pawan will have to fight it out for the bronze medal with Pakistan's Muhammad Inam in the 86kg medal match.

Pawan started off well with a 10-0 win over New Zealand's Steve Hill in the Round of 16 where the Indian was declared winner due to technical superiority and then went on to beat Scotland's Luigi Bianco 5-0 in the quarterfinal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Yogeshwar Dutt,Glasgow,Geetika Jakhar,Commonwealth Games,Babita Kumar

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three Indian wrestlers eyeing CWG gold

GLASGOW: Indian wrestlers continued their impressive run with Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Geetika Jakhar and Babita Kumar all qualifying for the final and Pawan Kumar staying in the hunt for a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

India have won nine medals - three gold, five silver and a bronze - from wrestling and are assured of at least three silvers.

Yogeshwar, who had won the gold in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, will be facing Canada's Jevon Balfour in the men's freestyle 65kg category.

It is the first time that Yogeshwar is participating in a major tournament ever since he made a move to the 65kg category after his pet 60kg was removed by world body FILA last year. Yogeshwar had won the bronze in the 2012 London Games in the 60kg.

Yogeshwar raced away with a 11-0 win over Scotsman Alex Gladkov in the Round of 16. The 31-year-old Indian again disappointed the Scottish fans beating Gareth Jones 10-0 in the quarterfinal and booked his place in the final with another facile 10-0 win over Sri Lankan Chamara Perera in the semi-final.

The female wrestlers also put on a inspiring show with both Babita and Geetika eyeing gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. Babita will be facing Canada's Brittanee Laverdure in the 55kg freestyle final while Geetika will take on Danielle Lappage, also from Canada, in the 63kg category final.

Babita beat England's Louisa Porogovska 2-0. The match had to be stopped in the first period as the Indian took down the English girl by fall and was adjudged the winner.

Geetika also booked her place in the final with a 13-2 win over Wales' Sarah Connolly in the semi-final. The bout was stopped in the second period as Geetika opened up a 10 points lead and was declared the winner by technical superiority.

But 20-year-old Pawan was extremely unlucky as he lost his semi-final bout to Canada's Tamerlan Tagziev 0-4. Pawan will have to fight it out for the bronze medal with Pakistan's Muhammad Inam in the 86kg medal match.

Pawan started off well with a 10-0 win over New Zealand's Steve Hill in the Round of 16 where the Indian was declared winner due to technical superiority and then went on to beat Scotland's Luigi Bianco 5-0 in the quarterfinal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Yogeshwar Dutt,Glasgow,Geetika Jakhar,Commonwealth Games,Babita Kumar

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian weightlifter wins one more medal

GLASGOW: India got one more medal in women's 53kg weightlifting after Swati Singh was handed the bronze while Matsha Santoshi was upgraded to silver after 16-year-old Nigerian gold winner Chika Amalaha tested positive for a banned substance in the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

Santoshi had finished third and Swati fourth in the women's 53kg weightlifting competition held on July 25. They will now get a silver and bronze, respectively.

"We have got official intimation from the Glasgow 2014 organisers that Santoshi's bronze will be upgraded to silver, while 4th placed Swati will get the bronze," Indian Weightlifting Federation vice-president Sahdev Yadav said on Wednesday.

"Now we will get 12 medals (three gold, four silver, five bronze) from weightlifting in the Games, two medals more than in 2010 Delhi. It is a huge achievement for us," he added.

"This remarkable achievement surpassed the medal tally of previous two editions of Commonwealth Games (nine medals in 2006 and eight in 2010)."

Before 2006 Melbourne Games, three gold and same number of silver and bronze were awarded in each weight category (one each for snatch, clean and jerk, and total). Since 2006, only one gold, silver and bronze were awarded in each weight category in line with other sports.

Since the Indian contingent has been informed about the upgradation of the medals by the Glasgow 2014 organisers, the Nigerian lifter must have returned positive in her B sample also.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper had on Tuesday announced that Amalaha had tested positive for a banned substance and re-awarding of medals if required will be done after her B sample test report comes in.

"She (Amalaha) provided a positive A sample after she won her gold in the 53kg category. We are following the correct procedures at this time and whilst that is going ahead she will be suspended," Hooper had said yesterday at the daily media briefing.

"We shouldn't presume anything just yet, once she has provided a B sample that is when we can decide on the re-awarding of medals and appropriate actions."

Amalaha's case is the first one relating to dope offence in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Indian weightlifting women's coach Hansa Sharma said that the team has won team champions in both men's and women's sections.

"It is a big achievement for the Indian weightlifting team. We collected a rich haul of medals. We have been declared team champions in both men and women," she said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Chika Amalaha,Swati Singh,Indian Weightlifting Federation,Commonwealth Games,Matsha Santoshi

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wrestlers assure four silver for India

GLASGOW: Indian wrestlers continued their impressive showing in the 20th Commonwealth Games with Bijneesh Bajrang, Satyawart Kadian, Lalita and Sakshi Malik assuring themselves of at least a silver medal each by entering the finals of their respective events here today.

While Bajrang and Kadian advanced to the finals of the men's 61kg and 97kg freestyle categories, Lalita and Sakshi booked their berths in the summit clash of women's 53kg and 58kg respectively.

Bajrang ensured his final berth after beating Amas Daniel of Nigeria 3-2 in a hard-fought semifinal bout.

Bajrang, the 2013 World Championship bronze medallist, was 0-2 down in the first minute of the semifinal bout but made a superb comeback to take a 5-2 lead after the first period of three minutes and then maintained his lead till the end.

Bajrang had earlier defeated Sasha Madyarchyk of England inside the three-minute mark in his opening bout at the SECC before overpowering South Africa's Marno Plaatjies 4-1 in the quarterfinal.

In the semifinal, Bajrang floored Amas Daniel of Nigeria 3-1 to advance to the gold medal bout, where he will face David Tremblay of Canada later today.

In the men's 97kg category, Kadian started his campaign on a resounding note and took less than two minutes to overpower Uduwila Manjula of Sri Lanka to storm into the quarterfinals.

The referee stopped the bout in 1:45 min of the first period after Kadian led by 10 points. Kadian, the 2014 Asian Championships bronze medallist, won the bout 4-0.

Kadian then defeated Soso Tamarau of Nigeria 3-1 to advance to the semifinals, where he got the better of Englishman Leon Rattigan 3-1 to seal his place in the title clash, where Arjun Gill of Canada awaits him.

Meanwhile in women's competition, Lalita hardly had to break a sweat to enter the 53kg final as she overpowered home favourite Shannon Hawke of Scotland 5-0.

Earlier in the day, Lalita entered the semifinals after an identical 4-0 win over South African Mpho Madi in a lospided quarterfinal contest. The referee stopped the bout in the first period itself after the Indian led 10-0 on technical points.

Lalita will take on Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigeria in the final later tonight.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Satyawart Kadian,Sasha Madyarchyk,Lalita,Commonwealth Games,Bijneesh Bajrang

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wrestlers assure four silver for India

GLASGOW: Indian wrestlers continued their impressive showing in the 20th Commonwealth Games with Bijneesh Bajrang, Satyawart Kadian, Lalita and Sakshi Malik assuring themselves of at least a silver medal each by entering the finals of their respective events here today.

While Bajrang and Kadian advanced to the finals of the men's 61kg and 97kg freestyle categories, Lalita and Sakshi booked their berths in the summit clash of women's 53kg and 58kg respectively.

Bajrang ensured his final berth after beating Amas Daniel of Nigeria 3-2 in a hard-fought semifinal bout.

Bajrang, the 2013 World Championship bronze medallist, was 0-2 down in the first minute of the semifinal bout but made a superb comeback to take a 5-2 lead after the first period of three minutes and then maintained his lead till the end.

Bajrang had earlier defeated Sasha Madyarchyk of England inside the three-minute mark in his opening bout at the SECC before overpowering South Africa's Marno Plaatjies 4-1 in the quarterfinal.

In the semifinal, Bajrang floored Amas Daniel of Nigeria 3-1 to advance to the gold medal bout, where he will face David Tremblay of Canada later today.

In the men's 97kg category, Kadian started his campaign on a resounding note and took less than two minutes to overpower Uduwila Manjula of Sri Lanka to storm into the quarterfinals.

The referee stopped the bout in 1:45 min of the first period after Kadian led by 10 points. Kadian, the 2014 Asian Championships bronze medallist, won the bout 4-0.

Kadian then defeated Soso Tamarau of Nigeria 3-1 to advance to the semifinals, where he got the better of Englishman Leon Rattigan 3-1 to seal his place in the title clash, where Arjun Gill of Canada awaits him.

Meanwhile in women's competition, Lalita hardly had to break a sweat to enter the 53kg final as she overpowered home favourite Shannon Hawke of Scotland 5-0.

Earlier in the day, Lalita entered the semifinals after an identical 4-0 win over South African Mpho Madi in a lospided quarterfinal contest. The referee stopped the bout in the first period itself after the Indian led 10-0 on technical points.

Lalita will take on Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigeria in the final later tonight.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Satyawart Kadian,Sasha Madyarchyk,Lalita,Commonwealth Games,Bijneesh Bajrang

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

'I want to win a gold in Asian Games'

GLASGOW: Rio is at the back of his mind but for Sushil Kumar, one of India's greatest Olympians, the immediate aim is to win a gold medal in the upcoming Asian Games, a stage where the decorated wrestler, surprisingly, is yet to taste success.

The 31-year-old grappler is India's only two-time individual Olympic medallist, clinched a gold medal in World Championships and the latest in his rich collection is a yellow metal that he has just won in the 20th Commonwealth Games here yesterday.

Such is his success story that the countless medals that he had won in various other important tournaments in the past, often tend to get lost.

"My next international events are World Championships and Asian Games. Both are important for me. My ultimate target is a gold in 2016 Rio Olympics. But I have not won a gold in the Asian Games and so I want to win a gold in South Korea," Sushil.

As the country's best exponent of his sport, Sushil has urged the India's private sector to lend a helping hand to Olympic sports in order to help them compete with cricket on an even keel.

Sushil said India can become a sporting power in Olympic sport if the private sector comes in a big way.

"We can be a power in Olympic sport just like we are a top country in cricket. Olympic sport and cricket can survive together and it can happen if private sector comes in a big way to help sports like wrestling," said the wrestler who won a bronze and a silver in 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Sushil said efforts should be made to spread wrestling to each and every corner of the country.

Sushil, who won a gold in men's 75kg freestyle in the Commonwealth Games here, said Indian can further rise in wrestling if the sport conquers new horizons in the country.

"I am for spreading the sport in other parts of the game. It (wrestling) is a traditional game and there are a lot of talent in the country. How to tap the talent is the important thing," Sushil said.

"Whenever I am required and my service is necessary to do that (to spread the sport), I am ready. For my part, a wrestling academy is coming up in Haryana and my aim is to open branches of this academy in different parts of the country later on," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=wrestler,Sushil Kumar,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Asian Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

'I want to win a gold in Asian Games'

GLASGOW: Rio is at the back of his mind but for Sushil Kumar, one of India's greatest Olympians, the immediate aim is to win a gold medal in the upcoming Asian Games, a stage where the decorated wrestler, surprisingly, is yet to taste success.

The 31-year-old grappler is India's only two-time individual Olympic medallist, clinched a gold medal in World Championships and the latest in his rich collection is a yellow metal that he has just won in the 20th Commonwealth Games here yesterday.

Such is his success story that the countless medals that he had won in various other important tournaments in the past, often tend to get lost.

"My next international events are World Championships and Asian Games. Both are important for me. My ultimate target is a gold in 2016 Rio Olympics. But I have not won a gold in the Asian Games and so I want to win a gold in South Korea," Sushil.

As the country's best exponent of his sport, Sushil has urged the India's private sector to lend a helping hand to Olympic sports in order to help them compete with cricket on an even keel.

Sushil said India can become a sporting power in Olympic sport if the private sector comes in a big way.

"We can be a power in Olympic sport just like we are a top country in cricket. Olympic sport and cricket can survive together and it can happen if private sector comes in a big way to help sports like wrestling," said the wrestler who won a bronze and a silver in 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Sushil said efforts should be made to spread wrestling to each and every corner of the country.

Sushil, who won a gold in men's 75kg freestyle in the Commonwealth Games here, said Indian can further rise in wrestling if the sport conquers new horizons in the country.

"I am for spreading the sport in other parts of the game. It (wrestling) is a traditional game and there are a lot of talent in the country. How to tap the talent is the important thing," Sushil said.

"Whenever I am required and my service is necessary to do that (to spread the sport), I am ready. For my part, a wrestling academy is coming up in Haryana and my aim is to open branches of this academy in different parts of the country later on," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=wrestler,Sushil Kumar,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Asian Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Manavjit wins bronze in Trap Event

GLASGOW: Manavjit Singh Sandhu bagged a bronze medal in the men's trap event to take India's medal tally in shooting to 13 in the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday.

Manavjit finished third in the semifinals after hitting 13 of the maximum 15 targets. He then beat renowned shooter Michael Diamond of Australia in the bronze medal match.

The other Indian in the fray, Mansher Singh was sixth and last in the semifinals as he hit just 11 of the 15 targets.

In the bronze medal match, both Manavjit and Diamond hit 11 targets out of the 15. It required a 'shoot-off' where the Indian was on target to clinch a podium finish

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Michael Diamond,Manavjit Singh Sandhu,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Australia

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Harpreet bags silver in 25m rapid fire

GLASGOW: Shooter Harpreet Singh survived two rounds of nerve-wrecking shoot-off and brushed aside a penalty point docked on him to claim silver in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event of the Commonswealth Games on Tuesday.

33-year-old Harpreet from Haryana saved India from disaster by bagging the silver after Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar failed to qualify for the final round after finishing seventh in the qualification round at the Barry Buddon Shooting Center. Only the top six in the qualification round qualify for the final.

Harpreet, who topped the qualification round, hit 21 times on the target in the six-shooter final which had eight rounds of five shots each.

David J Chapman of Australia won the gold with 23 hits on target while Metodi Igorov of Canada bagged the bronze after a shoot-off.

Harpreet had won two gold in 2010 Commmonwealth Games in Delhi -- 25m center fire pistol singles and 25m center fire pistol pairs events.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vijay Kumar,Harpreet Singh,Glasgow,David J Chapman,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Manavjit wins bronze in Trap Event

GLASGOW: Manavjit Singh Sandhu bagged a bronze medal in the men's trap event to take India's medal tally in shooting to 13 in the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday.

Manavjit finished third in the semifinals after hitting 13 of the maximum 15 targets. He then beat renowned shooter Michael Diamond of Australia in the bronze medal match.

The other Indian in the fray, Mansher Singh was sixth and last in the semifinals as he hit just 11 of the 15 targets.

In the bronze medal match, both Manavjit and Diamond hit 11 targets out of the 15. It required a 'shoot-off' where the Indian was on target to clinch a podium finish

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Michael Diamond,Manavjit Singh Sandhu,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Australia

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Harpreet bags silver in 25m rapid fire

GLASGOW: Shooter Harpreet Singh survived two rounds of nerve-wrecking shoot-off and brushed aside a penalty point docked on him to claim silver in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event of the Commonswealth Games on Tuesday.

33-year-old Harpreet from Haryana saved India from disaster by bagging the silver after Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar failed to qualify for the final round after finishing seventh in the qualification round at the Barry Buddon Shooting Center. Only the top six in the qualification round qualify for the final.

Harpreet, who topped the qualification round, hit 21 times on the target in the six-shooter final which had eight rounds of five shots each.

David J Chapman of Australia won the gold with 23 hits on target while Metodi Igorov of Canada bagged the bronze after a shoot-off.

Harpreet had won two gold in 2010 Commmonwealth Games in Delhi -- 25m center fire pistol singles and 25m center fire pistol pairs events.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vijay Kumar,Harpreet Singh,Glasgow,David J Chapman,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

CWG: Sushil, 2 others in wrestling finals

GLASGOW: Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, Rajeev Tomar and Amit Kumar ensured at least three silver medals for India at the Commonwealth Games today after they entered the finals of their respective weight categories on the opening day of the wrestling competition on Tuesday.

Both Sushil and Amit trumped three strong grapplers one after another within a matter of just one-and-a-half-hour in the men's 74kg and 57kg freestyle events, respectively, to make the gold-medal bout, while Tomar had two easy rounds before he made the finals of the men's 125kg category.

All the final bouts will be held later in the day. 31-year-old Sushil proved his mettle as he comfortably won the round of 16, followed by his quarterfinal bout by virtue of Great Superiority, which means a difference of 10 points.

In the semifinals, Sushil beat Nigeria's Melvin Bibo to make the finals, where he will take on Qamar Abbas of Pakistan.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist and a silver medal winner at the 2012 London Games thrashed Australia's Jayden Lawrence 11-0 in the round of 16, before blanking Kushan Sandrage of Sri Lanka 10-0 in the last eight-stage of the competition.

Sushil, however, faced some threat in the semifinals with his Nigerian opponent managing to grab a few points. But in the end, it was the Indian who turned out to be far superior with a 8-4 victory.

The 31-year-old Indian grappler won six points in the first period but his opponent restored parity in the next. The Nigerian stunned Sushil when he put him down in the second round to not only earn two points to his credit but also injured the Indian.

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

CWG lifter faces sex assault charge

GLASGOW: A weightlifter from Papua New Guinea who competed at the Commonwealth Games faces trial over an alleged sexual assault at a Glasgow supermarket.

The Glasgow Sheriff Court says Toua Udia pleaded not guilty and will go on trial Friday.

Police say the 22-year-old lifter was arrested after officers received a report of an incident last Monday at a supermarket near the athletes' village.

Udia was quoted as telling Australia's Fairfax media that "it was an accident. I don't want to spoil my reputation."

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper says the criminal case against Udia "certainly didn't impact on his ability to compete because there was no condition placed upon him."

Hooper adds "there is a presumption of innocence which we all enjoy."

Udia competed Sunday in the 77-kilogram division, finishing ninth.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Toua Udia,Papua New Guinea,Mike Hooper,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gagan wins silver in 50m Rifle Prone

GLASGOW: Indian shooters continued to bring home more medals as Gagan Narang won the country's third medal Monday clinching the men's 50-metre rifle prone silver at the Commonwealth Games on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Indians Jitu Rai and Gurpal Singh won gold and silver, respectively, in the men's 50-metre pistol finals at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre.

Narang was in the fight right till the very end but Australian veteran Warren Potent was a tad better than the Indian. Eventually the Australian took the gold and Narang -- who has bagged eight CWG gold medals -- had to settle for the silver. England's Kenneth Parr won the bronze.

The 52-year-old Potent won the yellow metal in style as he set the Finals Games Record (FGR) with a final score of 204.3 points. Narang, who also won the 2012 London Olympic bronze in 10m air rifle, fought hard till the very end but had to give in with a score of 203.6 points. Parr finished third with 182.

This is the Hyderabadi's ninth medal at the Commonwealth Games and his first silver. The 31-year-old won four golds in 2006 Melbourne and four more golds in 2010 at home in Delhi.

This is India's 12th medal from the discipline at the 2014 Glasgow Games. India are now placed fourth in the standings behind Australia, England and Scotland with a total of 25 medals -- 7 gold, 11 silver and 7 bronze.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=gagan narang,Warren Potent,Kenneth Parr,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian shuttlers miss mixed team bronze

GLASGOW: Indian shuttlers failed to replicate the performance of the 2010 Commonwealth Games at the 2014 edition as they lost the mixed team bronze medal playoff 2-3 to Singapore at the Emirates Arena on Monday.

India, who won silver four years ago at home, could not come out with their best show, losing all three doubles matches, including the final crucial women's doubles, to go down to the city-state.

In the first match, scratch pair of R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and Ashwini Ponnappa failed to give India the start they needed as they were drubbed 19-21, 19-21 in 40 minutes by Danny Chrisnanta and Vanessa Neo in mixed doubles.

However, leading Indian badminton player Parupalli Kashyap came out with a sterling performance to defeat Chao Huang 21-15, 22-20 in 37 minutes in the men's singles to level the tie at 1-all.

Then regular men's doubles combine of Akshay Dewalkar and Pranaav Chopra lost 12-21, 16-21 in 33 minutes to Chrisnanta and Chayut Triyachart to go down 1-2.

World Championship bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu levelled the contest at 2-all when she beat Xiaoyu Liang 24-22, 21-13 in 42 minutes in the women's singles.

It all boiled down to India's most successful women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini for the final match. There were a lot of expectations for the duo but Shinta Mulia Sari and Lei Yao proved too good for the Indians as they won 21-17, 29-27 in 56 minutes to clinch the metal for Singapore.

The individual championships of the discipline start Tuesday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Parupalli Kashyap,Jwala Gutta,Danny Chrisnanta,Commonwealth Games,Ashwini Ponnappa

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian shuttlers miss mixed team bronze

GLASGOW: Indian shuttlers failed to replicate the performance of the 2010 Commonwealth Games at the 2014 edition as they lost the mixed team bronze medal playoff 2-3 to Singapore at the Emirates Arena on Monday.

India, who won silver four years ago at home, could not come out with their best show, losing all three doubles matches, including the final crucial women's doubles, to go down to the city-state.

In the first match, scratch pair of R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and Ashwini Ponnappa failed to give India the start they needed as they were drubbed 19-21, 19-21 in 40 minutes by Danny Chrisnanta and Vanessa Neo in mixed doubles.

However, leading Indian badminton player Parupalli Kashyap came out with a sterling performance to defeat Chao Huang 21-15, 22-20 in 37 minutes in the men's singles to level the tie at 1-all.

Then regular men's doubles combine of Akshay Dewalkar and Pranaav Chopra lost 12-21, 16-21 in 33 minutes to Chrisnanta and Chayut Triyachart to go down 1-2.

World Championship bronze medallist P.V. Sindhu levelled the contest at 2-all when she beat Xiaoyu Liang 24-22, 21-13 in 42 minutes in the women's singles.

It all boiled down to India's most successful women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini for the final match. There were a lot of expectations for the duo but Shinta Mulia Sari and Lei Yao proved too good for the Indians as they won 21-17, 29-27 in 56 minutes to clinch the metal for Singapore.

The individual championships of the discipline start Tuesday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Parupalli Kashyap,Jwala Gutta,Danny Chrisnanta,Commonwealth Games,Ashwini Ponnappa

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

CWG lifter faces sex assault charge

GLASGOW: A weightlifter from Papua New Guinea who competed at the Commonwealth Games faces trial over an alleged sexual assault at a Glasgow supermarket.

The Glasgow Sheriff Court says Toua Udia pleaded not guilty and will go on trial Friday.

Police say the 22-year-old lifter was arrested after officers received a report of an incident last Monday at a supermarket near the athletes' village.

Udia was quoted as telling Australia's Fairfax media that "it was an accident. I don't want to spoil my reputation."

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper says the criminal case against Udia "certainly didn't impact on his ability to compete because there was no condition placed upon him."

Hooper adds "there is a presumption of innocence which we all enjoy."

Udia competed Sunday in the 77-kilogram division, finishing ninth.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Toua Udia,Papua New Guinea,Mike Hooper,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shreyasi Singh wins silver in double trap

GLASGOW: Young markswoman Shreyasi Singh bagged a silver in women's double trap to give India their eighth medal from shooting in the 20th Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Shreyasi shot down a total target of 92 to bag the silver, two shots behind gold winner Charlotte Kerwood of England.

Another Englishwoman Rachel Parish won the bronze with 91 points, after a shoot-off with Cynthia Meyer of Canada.

A not-so-impressive first round of 22 points saw Shreyasi trailing at the third spot after the third and penultimate round but the Delhi shooter recovered some lost ground in the final round to win the silver at the Barry Buddon Centre at Dundee near here.

With Kerwood, in whose name the Commonwealth Games record of 106 points (at 2006 Melbourne) stands, struggling in the final round, Shreyasi was in with a chance to go for a shoot-off for the gold but missed the double target twice to settle for the white metal. Shreyasi had rounds of 22 24 23 23.

The other Indian in the fray, 20-year-old Varsha Varman finished fifth with 88 points (22, 19, 24, 23).

Including Shreyasi's silver, Indian shooters have won eighth medals so far (3 gold and 5 silver).

It began with one gold and one silver on the opening day of shooting competitions on Friday, before the Indian shooters added two gold and three silver on Saturday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shreyasi Singh,Rachel Parish,Commonwealth Games,Charlotte Kerwood,women's Double Trap

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shreyasi Singh wins silver in double trap

GLASGOW: Young markswoman Shreyasi Singh notched up a silver medal while Mohammed Asab clinched a bronze as Indian shooters continued their medal-winning feats to add two more to India's collection on the fourth day of competitions in the 20th Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Shreyasi gave ample display of her potential by winning the silver in the women's double trap event as the shooters accounted for nine medals in India's overall tally of 19 so far.

Mohammed Asab was the other shooter who provided some cheer for the strong Indian contingent by claiming the bronze medal in the men's double trap event at the Barry Buddon Centre at Dundee.

With the addition of two more medals, India's overall medals tally climbed to 19 with five gold, eight silver and six bronze and continued to maintain their fifth position on the medals table.

Powerhouse Australia continued to top the chart with a tally of 19-14-21 followed by England (18-14-15), Scotland (11-6-8) and Canada (7-3-6).

Shreyasi shot down a total target of 92 to bag the silver, two shots behind gold winner Charlotte Kerwood of England. Another Englishwoman Rachel Parish won the bronze with 91 points, after a shoot-off with Cynthia Meyer of Canada.

A not-so-impressive first round of 22 points saw Shreyasi trailing at the third spot after the third and penultimate round but the Delhi shooter recovered some lost ground in the final round. to win the silver at the Barry Buddon Centre at Dundee.

With Kerwood, in whose name the Commonwealth Games record of 106 points (at 2006 Melbourne) stands, struggling in the final round, Shreyasi was in with a chance to go for a shoot-off for the gold but missed the double target twice to settle for the white metal. Shreyasi had rounds of 22, 24, 23, 23.

The other Indian in the fray, 20-year-old Varsha Varman finished fifth with 88 points (22, 19, 24, 23).

In the men's double trap event, the 26-year-old Asab from Meerut shot 26 in the finals to pip Nathan Xuereb of Malta, who managed 24.

Asab was placed fifth in the qualifications while another Indian shooter in the event, Ankur Mittal had to be contend with a fifth-place finish in the finals. Mittal qualified second for the finals.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shreyasi Singh,Rachel Parish,Commonwealth Games,Charlotte Kerwood,women's Double Trap

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Asab wins bronze in men's double trap

GLASGOW: Mohd. Asab bagged a bronze after missing out of the gold-medal contest in a tense shoot-off to give India their second medal from shotting in the Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Asab, who topped the qualification round, and Englishmen Steven Scott and Matthew French were tied at 27 points after shooting 15 pairs of targets, and they had to go through to a shoot-off to decide who plays for the bronze medal play-off with the fourth-placed shooter.

In a tense single-pair shoot-off, Asab could only hit only one of the pair after the two Englishmen hit both the two targets, leaving the Indian to play against Nathan Xuereb of Malta.

In the bronze-medal contest, Asab, however, seemed to have regained his composure and beat his opponent hands down 26-24 in the 15-pair contest.

Asab led all the way through in the bronze medal contest though Malta's Xuereb caught up with the Indian at the stage of 10th pair. But Asab shot himself back into the lead immediately after that before maintaining a two-shot lead from the 12th to the last to pocket his first medal in his debut Commonwealth Games.

Other Indian in the fray, Ankur Mittal finished fifth. Steven Scott won the gold while the other Englishman Matthew French bagged the silver.

Asab later said that he felt nervous during the shoot-off with the two Englishmen at it was his first CWG.

"It is my first Commonwealth Games and I got frightened and nervous at the shoot-off. I trained hard but it is a big stage and I got nervous. That was why I could hit just one target," he said.

"But I am happy to have got a medal in my debut CWG. I will try to get better in future," he adedd.

He said the training stint in Italy before the Games helped him a lot.

"I trained in Italy before the Games and I am fortunate to have done that. That really helped. I tried my best but missed out on the gold in the shoot-off," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Mohd Asab,Nathan Xuereb,Shreyasi Singh,Men's Double Trap,Ankur Mittal

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Asab wins bronze in men's double trap

GLASGOW: Indian shooter Mohd Asab on Sunday bagged the bronze medal in men's double trap event at the 20th Commonwealth Games.

The 26-year-old Asab from Meerut shot 26 in the finals to pip Nathan Xuereb of Malta, who managed 24 at the Barry Buddy Centre.

Asab was placed fifth in the qualifications while another Indian shooter in the event, Ankur Mittal had to be contend with a fifth-place finish in the finals.

Mittal qualified second for the finals. Earlier, young markswoman Shreyasi Singh bagged a silver in women's double trap to give India their eighth medal from shooting in the 20th Commonwealth Games.

Including Asab's bronze, India have so far won nine medals in shooting in the ongoing Games.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Mohd Asab,Nathan Xuereb,Shreyasi Singh,Men's Double Trap,Ankur Mittal

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ricciardo wins dramatic Hungarian GP

BUDAPEST: Australian Daniel Ricciardo won the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix for Red Bull on Sunday while Lewis Hamilton roared from pitlane to podium in another astonishing performance by the Mercedes driver.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was second and championship leader Nico Rosberg, who started on pole position for Mercedes, finished fourth and saw his lead over Hamilton cut from 14 points to 11.

Instead of Rosberg and Mercedes running away with the race, the race ran away from Rosberg with his team beaten for only the second time in 11 grands prix.

Ricciardo, a revelation in his first year at Red Bull, emptied his lungs in sheer elation after he took the chequered flag 5.2 seconds ahead of the Spaniard for his second win of the season and of his career.

"It feels as good as the first win, it really does," beamed the Australian, who took his first win in Canada, after a rollercoaster of a race with two safety car periods and plenty of incident.

"The safety car at first played to our advantage but the second one didn't really help us, but we got there in the end and I had to do the overtaking at the end which was fun."

All of the top four had led over the course of a race that started after a brief downpour, was interrupted by two big crashes, continued with the ever-present threat of rain and finished on a knife-edge.

TYRE GAMBLE

Ricciardo, who had led earlier in the race and was on fresher tyres, swept past Hamilton three laps from the end and overtook a determined Alonso to regain the lead for good with two laps to go.

"We took a gamble to try to get the victory and we got very close," said Alonso of his second podium finish of the season.

"We need some crazy races to get a podium and we took our chances today."

Behind them, Rosberg - who had also made three stops to Alonso and Hamilton's two - was closing in remorselessly and was all over the back of his team mate's car as they started the final lap.

Hamilton hung on, after earlier disregarding calls from the team to let Rosberg pass because the German still had one more pitstop to make, to seize a podium finish that had looked improbable on Saturday.

"I was just pushing as hard as I could to see if I could get as high as I could," said Hamilton, who had won for the last two years in Hungary and finished third in Germany last weekend after starting 20th.

The Briton had to start from the pitlane - and behind Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen whose McLaren was also moved off the grid - after his car caught fire in qualifying before he had completed a lap.

He spun at the second corner, skimming the wall without damage, and was 21 seconds down on Rosberg after the first lap with a mountain to climb.

By lap seven Hamilton was up to 14th and events played into his hands when the safety car was deployed after Sweden's Marcus Ericsson crashed his Caterham at turn three.

While the top four decided not to pit, in what proved out to be a mistake that turned the race on its head, Hamilton and others did. Ricciardo then took the lead when they came in a lap later.

Frenchman Romain Grosjean kept the safety car out for four more laps when he crashed his Lotus on lap 11 and there was a further interruption on lap 23 when Force India's Mexican Sergio Perez speared into the wall on the pit straight.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Nico Rosberg,Lewis Hamilton,Hungarian Grand Prix,Fernando Alonso,Daniel Ricciardo

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bezzoubenko wins 5 golds in Glasgow

GLASGOW: Canada's Patricia Bezzoubenko was crowned queen of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday, completing a five gold medal haul in rhythmic gymnastics while the undisputed king Usain Bolt was arriving for Jamaican relay duty.

Bezzoubenko had already won two golds in the team and all-around events and she added three more on Saturday in the clubs, ball and hoop individual disciplines.

The one gold that escaped her grasp was in the ribbon which went to Francesca Jones giving Wales their first gold medal of the Games.

The other gold to be won early on in the third day of competition went to Australia's Daniel Repacholi in the men's 10m air pistol.

But the toast of the town in that event was third-placed Mick Gault of England who at 60 won a record-equalling 18th Commonwealth Games medal.

New Zealand meanwhile crushed Canada 39-0 to get the Rugby Sevens tournament underway on a day when 27 gold medals were up for grabs notably in swimming, judo, shooting and cycling.

Set to make its Olympic debut in Rio in 2016, rugby union sevens, will have the chance to shine at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium.

The line-up is staggeringly strong for the abbreviated form of the game with all-conquering New Zealand bidding to maintain their remarkable unbeaten record and bid for a fifth successive gold medal that was kicked off by the Jonah Lomu-inspired triumph in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

In netball, the two title favourites, Australia and England, played out a group stage thriller which the Australians edged 49-48.

In the morning qualifying session in the swimming pool there was more success for Scotland as Cameron Broady went faster that Olympic champion Chad le Clos in the 100m butterfly after being inspired by fellow Scots Ross Murdoch and Dan Wallace.

Murdoch and Wallace's success in the 200m breaststroke and 400m individual medley, allied to Hannah Miley's gold in the women's 400m individual medley, have given Scotland a great start after just two days on competition in the pool.

And Broady is determined to claim a fourth Scottish gold in the first final of Saturday's evening session.

"A silver or a bronze is not good enough now, Daniel Wallace and Ross Murdoch have been in there and got gold. I want to be part of that group, so let's see what I can do tonight."

Broady qualified fastest ahead of reigning Commonwealth champion Le Clos in a time of 1min 57:28sec.

However, Le Clos insisted he still has plenty to give in his favourite event, having already claimed a silver and bronze medal on Friday.

There will be another Scotland against South Africa clash later on Saturday when Murdoch goes for a second gold in the 100m breaststroke against Olympic champion Cameron van der Burgh.

England's Adam Peaty is also expected to have a say, though, as he broke the Commonwealth Games record in qualifying fastest for the final.

It was a more comfortable morning for the favourites in the men's 100m freestyle as world champion James Magnussen eased into the semi-finals with the fastest time ahead of teammate Cameron McEvoy.

Magnussen was surprisingly beaten by McEvoy at the Australian nationals in April and they are expected to battle it out for gold in Glasgow.

England's Fran Halsall continued her fine start to the meet with another Commonwealth Games record of 25:64 sec as the defending champion cruised into the semi-finals of the 50m butterfly.

Halsall will go for her first gold of the 2014 Games in the 50m freestyle later on Saturday against Australian 100m freestyle world champion Cate Campbell.

Meanwhile, 100m backstroke champion Chris Walker-Hebborn kept his impressive Games going by qualifying fastest for the semi-finals of the 50m backstroke.

And Australia comfortably qualified as the fastest team for the women's 4x200m freestyle relay ahead of New Zealand and England respectively.

Bolt's arrival in Glasgow, meanwhile, was sure to add a huge scattering of stardust to a event that saw another athletics giant, Mohammad Farah, pull out on the opening day due to illness.

Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said the Jamaican's arrival was "fantastic".

He said: "We've got quality athletes that want to come here and want to be part of this and it's great that he's going to be here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Patricia Bezzoubenko,Cameron Broady,Francesca Jones,Daniel Repacholi,Commonwealth Games Federation

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rosberg takes pole at Hungarian GP

BUDAPEST: World championship leader Nico Rosberg once again took full advantage of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton's bad luck on Saturday by claiming pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 29-year-old German, who leads Hamilton by 14 points in their duel for the drivers' title, cashed in after the luckless Briton's car burst into flames in the opening minutes of a dramatic qualifying session.

Rosberg clocked a best lap of one minute and 22.715 seconds to claim his sixth pole of the year and the 10th of his career in an hour that saw intense heat, at the start, followed by dark clouds and rain in the final minutes.

Reading the weather conditions in advance, Rosberg was first car out in Q3 and ran wide at Turn One shortly before Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen flew off and into the barriers at the same place.

That caused red flags and the session was halted for five minutes, resuming in damp, but drying conditions as the hot sunshine resumed - a scenario that saw a series of drivers in serious contention for pole.

Vettel clocked a best lap of 1:23.201 that put him clear at the top in the final seconds, but Rosberg responded to outpace him by 0.486 seconds to secure the prime starting position.

Finn Valtteri Bottas was third for Williams ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull, two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Brazilian Felipe Massa, sixth for Williams.

Briton Jenson Button, twice a winner in Hungary, in wet conditions, was seventh for McLaren ahead of Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso, German Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Magnussen.

"We'll have to replace the engine and gearbox, but with that penalty it's a good thing (for a gearbox change)," said Hamilton. "I can't go any further back.

"There's a lot going through my mind, but I just have to try to turn it into positives until tomorrow. I think it's getting to the point beyond bad luck - it's something else. We just need to do better."

Earlier on a day of less-stifling heat than Friday, with a track temperature of a relatively modest 46 degrees Celsius, Hamilton was the second man eliminated in Q1, his car blazing from a first lap fuel leak just after Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado had idled to a halt in his Lotus.

Both men failed to set a time and are expected to start from the back of the grid.

Out with them went the two Caterham drivers Swedish rookie Marcus Eriksson and Japanese Kamui Kobayashi along with Briton Max Chilton of Marussia and, in a major shock, Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari, the Italian team miscalculating their strategy and sending the Finn out on mediums instead of soft tyres.

Much to Ferrari's and Raikkonen's embarrassment, their mistake allowed much-admired Frenchman Jules Bianchi, strongly tipped for a move to the 'scarlet scuderia', to take 16th place on the grid in the second Marussia.

"I checked with them (the team) three times," said an exasperated Raikkonen. "Are you absolutely 100 per cent sure?"

The opening session was led by another Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso who continued to impress in Q2 when he survived for the top ten shootout while a late spin by his team-mate Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat saw him eliminated in 11th place.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Red Bull,Nico Rosberg,Lewis Hamilton,Hungary,Hungarian Grand Prix

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chandela wins gold, Paul bags silver

GLASGOW: Young Rajasthan girl Apurvi Chandela got India its second gold from the shooting range winning the 10m Air Rifle event at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday as compatriot Ayonika Paul boosted the medal tally with a silver.

Earlier, Prakash Najappa had got a silver in the 10m Air Pistol event as India now have two gold and two silver medals from the range.

21-year-old Chandela led from the beginning shattering the Games Record with a score of 206.7 while Ayonika finished a creditable second with a score of 204.9.

It was only fitting that the Jaipur girl, who started shooting only six years back after watching Abhinav Bindra get gold in the Beijing Olympics, won in the legendary shooter's pet event.

Chandela, whose father has built a shooting range at home, trains under her uncle Hem Singh.

She was consistency personified throughout the event as she topped the qualifying rounds with a score of 415.6. Ayonika qualified with a fourth position.

In the main round, Chandela regularly scored between 10.2 to 10.7 as she always maintained atleast 1.5 points difference from his nearest rival.

Ayonika was not in medal contention till the first 10 shots but she was brilliant in the back 10 as she regularly fired 10.5 to 10.7 to improve her position.

Earlier, Nanjappa finished a heart-breaking second in men's 10m Air Pistol to give India their third medal.

Nanjappa, who won a bronze in the ISSF World Cup in South Korea last year, was leading at the end of the second series of the elimination stage but he apparently lost concentration and shot a disappointing 7.7 to hand the lead to eventual winner Daniel Repacholi of Australia.

Despite the setback in the sixth shot of the elimination stage, the 38-year-old Banglorean tried his best to catch up with the Australian but failed to do so in the end and had to settle with a silver at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre at Dundee today.

Repacholi won the gold with a total of 199.5 while Prakash scored 198.2. England's 60-year-old Michel Gault got the bronze.

Nanjappa, who topped the qualification round, was seen ruffled by that mistake and he was taking deep breaths in between the shots. A team member later said Prakash felt time constraint and that was why the grip over his pistol was not proper when he shot 7.7.

Before the last round, Repacholi had taken a lead of 1.4 points but he could only come up with a 9.3 in the penultimate shot and Prakash could have narrowed down the gap. The Indian could not do that as he also shot a 9.3 at a crucial juncture.

Prakash was the first to fire the last shot and he came up with a 10.5, putting pressure on his Australian opponent. But Repacholi fired a 10.4 to run away with the gold.

The other Indian in the fray, Om Prakash had failed to qualify for the final round.

Yesterday, India had won a gold in men's 10m Air Rifle through Abhinav Bindra while Malaika Goel settled for women's 10m Air Pistol.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shooting,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Ayonika Paul,Apurvi Chandela

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chandela wins gold, Paul bags silver

GLASGOW: Young Rajasthan girl Apurvi Chandela got India its second gold from the shooting range winning the 10m Air Rifle event at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday as compatriot Ayonika Paul boosted the medal tally with a silver.

Earlier, Prakash Najappa had got a silver in the 10m Air Pistol event as India now have two gold and two silver medals from the range.

21-year-old Chandela led from the beginning shattering the Games Record with a score of 206.7 while Ayonika finished a creditable second with a score of 204.9.

It was only fitting that the Jaipur girl, who started shooting only six years back after watching Abhinav Bindra get gold in the Beijing Olympics, won in the legendary shooter's pet event.

Chandela, whose father has built a shooting range at home, trains under her uncle Hem Singh.

She was consistency personified throughout the event as she topped the qualifying rounds with a score of 415.6. Ayonika qualified with a fourth position.

In the main round, Chandela regularly scored between 10.2 to 10.7 as she always maintained atleast 1.5 points difference from his nearest rival.

Ayonika was not in medal contention till the first 10 shots but she was brilliant in the back 10 as she regularly fired 10.5 to 10.7 to improve her position.

Earlier, Nanjappa finished a heart-breaking second in men's 10m Air Pistol to give India their third medal.

Nanjappa, who won a bronze in the ISSF World Cup in South Korea last year, was leading at the end of the second series of the elimination stage but he apparently lost concentration and shot a disappointing 7.7 to hand the lead to eventual winner Daniel Repacholi of Australia.

Despite the setback in the sixth shot of the elimination stage, the 38-year-old Banglorean tried his best to catch up with the Australian but failed to do so in the end and had to settle with a silver at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre at Dundee today.

Repacholi won the gold with a total of 199.5 while Prakash scored 198.2. England's 60-year-old Michel Gault got the bronze.

Nanjappa, who topped the qualification round, was seen ruffled by that mistake and he was taking deep breaths in between the shots. A team member later said Prakash felt time constraint and that was why the grip over his pistol was not proper when he shot 7.7.

Before the last round, Repacholi had taken a lead of 1.4 points but he could only come up with a 9.3 in the penultimate shot and Prakash could have narrowed down the gap. The Indian could not do that as he also shot a 9.3 at a crucial juncture.

Prakash was the first to fire the last shot and he came up with a 10.5, putting pressure on his Australian opponent. But Repacholi fired a 10.4 to run away with the gold.

The other Indian in the fray, Om Prakash had failed to qualify for the final round.

Yesterday, India had won a gold in men's 10m Air Rifle through Abhinav Bindra while Malaika Goel settled for women's 10m Air Pistol.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shooting,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Ayonika Paul,Apurvi Chandela

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chandela wins gold, Paul bags silver

GLASGOW: Young Rajasthan girl Apurvi Chandela got India its second gold from the shooting range winning the 10m Air Rifle event at the Commonwealth Games here today as compatriot Ayonika Paul boosted the medal tally with a silver.

Earlier, Prakash Najappa had got a silver in the 10m Air Pistol event as India now have two gold and two silver medals from the range.

21-year-old Chandela led from the beginning to win the yellow metal with a score of 206.7 while Ayonika finished a creditable second with a score of 204.9.

It was only fitting that the Jaipur girl, who started shooting only six years back after watching Abhinav Bindra get gold in the Beijing Olympics, won in the legendary shooter's pet event.

Chandela, whose father has built a shooting range at home, trains under her uncle Hem Singh.

She was consistency personified throughout the event as she topped the qualifying rounds with a score of 415.6. Ayonika qualified with a fourth position.

In the main round, Chandela regularly scored between 10.2 to 10.7 as she always maintained atleast 1.5 points difference from his nearest rival.

Ayonika was not in medal contention till the first 10 shots but she was brilliant in the back 10 as she regularly fired 10.5 to 10.7 to improve her position.

Earlier, Nanjappa finished a heart-breaking second in men's 10m Air Pistol to give India their third medal.

Nanjappa, who won a bronze in the ISSF World Cup in South Korea last year, was leading at the end of the second series of the elimination stage but he apparently lost concentration and shot a disappointing 7.7 to hand the lead to eventual winner Daniel Repacholi of Australia.

Despite the setback in the sixth shot of the elimination stage, the 38-year-old Banglorean tried his best to catch up with the Australian but failed to do so in the end and had to settle with a silver at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre at Dundee today.
Repacholi won the gold with a total of 199.5 while Prakash scored 198.2. England's 60-year-old Michel Gault got the bronze.

Nanjappa, who topped the qualification round, was seen ruffled by that mistake and he was taking deep breaths in between the shots. A team member later said Prakash felt time constraint and that was why the grip over his pistol was not proper when he shot 7.7.

Before the last round, Repacholi had taken a lead of 1.4 points but he could only come up with a 9.3 in the penultimate shot and Prakash could have narrowed down the gap. The Indian could not do that as he also shot a 9.3 at a crucial juncture.

Prakash was the first to fire the last shot and he came up with a 10.5, putting pressure on his Australian opponent. But Repacholi fired a 10.4 to run away with the gold.

The other Indian in the fray, Om Prakash had failed to qualify for the final round.

Yesterday, India had won a gold in men's 10m Air Rifle through Abhinav Bindra while Malaika Goel settled for women's 10m Air Pistol.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shooting,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Ayonika Paul,Apurvi Chandela

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wales hurdler Rhys out after dope test

GLASGOW: Welsh 400m hurdler Rhys Williams, son of 1970s Wales and British Lion rugby icon 'JJ', has been withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games after failing a doping test.

The Welsh team in Glasgow said Williams, the European champion and a bronze medallist in New Delhi in 2010, had been handed a "mandatory provisional suspension from all competition by UK Anti-Doping, after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules following an in-competition test at the Glasgow Grand Prix on 11 July 2014".

It is the second failed doping test to hit the Wales team following that of 800m runner Gareth Warburton last week.

"Team Wales has worked with athletes to ensure they understand their anti-doping responsibilities," the body said in a statement.

"All athletes and athlete support personnel have had access to anti-doping education through their national governing body, which has been facilitated by Sport Wales and approved by UK Anti-Doping."

Williams, 30, had been named co-captain of the Wales team and was due to have run in the 400m hurdles.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Wales,Rhys Williams,Gareth Warburton,Commonwealth Games,UK Anti-Doping

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Malaika wins silver in 10m air pistol

GLASGOW: India's first medal from the shooting ranges in the 2014 Commonwealth Games came from 16-year-old Malaika Goel, who shot down a silver in the women's 10m air pistol event, while her role model and former World No. 1 Heena Sidhu ended up a disappointing seventh at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre here Friday.

World No.15 Malaika bagged the silver with a total of 197.1 points while the gold was clinched by unfancied Singaporean shooter Shun Xie Teo with a score of 198.6. The bronze went to Dorothy Ludwig of Canada with 177.2 points.

Both Heena, World No.4, and Malaika were the highest ranked shooters in the competition and expectations were high from them. Heena had won the silver in the 2010 edition in Delhi.

Malaika displayed raw talent and held her nerves to shoot her maiden Commonwealth Games medal. She finished fourth in the qualifying round while Heena faltered badly in the final round with a score of 95.8 and was eliminated after the fourth shot, despite topping the qualification round.

Malaika hails from the industrial town of Ludhiana in Punjab and broke into the top-15 in the world at the age of 16. Her best so far has been World No.13 in May.

Malaika, who is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, picked up the sport in 2008 when the country was celebrating its first individual Olympic medal, thanks to rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra's exploits in Beijing in the 10m air rifle event. Bindra and Heena are Malaika's role models.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Malaika Goel,Heena Sidhu,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Barry Buddon Shooting Centre

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Malaika wins silver in 10m air pistol

GLASGOW: India's first medal from the shooting ranges in the 2014 Commonwealth Games came from 16-year-old Malaika Goel, who shot down a silver in the women's 10m air pistol event, while her role model and former World No. 1 Heena Sidhu ended up a disappointing seventh at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre here Friday.

World No.15 Malaika bagged the silver with a total of 197.1 points while the gold was clinched by unfancied Singaporean shooter Shun Xie Teo with a score of 198.6. The bronze went to Dorothy Ludwig of Canada with 177.2 points.

Both Heena, World No.4, and Malaika were the highest ranked shooters in the competition and expectations were high from them. Heena had won the silver in the 2010 edition in Delhi.

Malaika displayed raw talent and held her nerves to shoot her maiden Commonwealth Games medal. She finished fourth in the qualifying round while Heena faltered badly in the final round with a score of 95.8 and was eliminated after the fourth shot, despite topping the qualification round.

Malaika hails from the industrial town of Ludhiana in Punjab and broke into the top-15 in the world at the age of 16. Her best so far has been World No.13 in May.

Malaika, who is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, picked up the sport in 2008 when the country was celebrating its first individual Olympic medal, thanks to rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra's exploits in Beijing in the 10m air rifle event. Bindra and Heena are Malaika's role models.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Malaika Goel,Heena Sidhu,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games,Barry Buddon Shooting Centre

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abhinav Bindra wins gold in 10m air rifle

NEW DELHI: Former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra won his first individual CWG gold in the 2014 Glasgow Games, when he dominated the finals of his pet event - men's 10m air rifle - and won it by 3.2 points margin at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre on Friday.

CWG Medal Tally

Bindra shot a total of 205.3 points to finish ahead of Bangladesh Abdullah Baki, who shot 202.1 points to claim the silver medal.

Daniel Rivers of England bagged bronze with 182.4 points.

India's Ravi Kumar finished a disappointing fourth, missing out on the podium by a whisker.

Earlier, India's first medal from the shooting ranges in the 2014 Games came from 16-year-old Malaika Goel, who shot down a silver in the women's 10m air pistol event, while her role model and former World No. 1 Heena Sidhu ended up a disappointing seventh.

World No.15 Malaika bagged the silver with a total of 197.1 points while the gold was clinched by unfancied Singaporean shooter Shun Xie Teo with a score of 198.6. The bronze went to Dorothy Ludwig of Canada with 177.2 points.

Both Heena, World No.4, and Malaika were the highest ranked shooters in the competition and expectations were high from them. Heena had won the silver in the 2010 edition in Delhi.

Malaika displayed raw talent and held her nerves to shoot her maiden Commonwealth Games medal. She finished fourth in the qualifying round while Heena faltered badly in the final round with a score of 95.8 and was eliminated after the fourth shot, despite topping the qualification round.

Malaika hails from the industrial town of Ludhiana in Punjab and broke into the top-15 in the world at the age of 16. Her best so far has been World No.13 in May.

Malaika, who is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, picked up the sport in 2008 when the country was celebrating its first individual Olympic medal, thanks to rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra's exploits in Beijing in the 10m air rifle event. Bindra and Heena are Malaika's role models.

(With inputs from IANS)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Malaika Goel,Commonwealth Games,Barry Buddon Shooting Centre,Abhinav Bindra,Abdullah Baki

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abhinav Bindra wins gold in 10m air rifle

NEW DELHI: Former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra won his first individual CWG gold in the 2014 Glasgow Games, when he dominated the finals of his pet event - men's 10m air rifle - and won it by 3.2 points margin at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre on Friday.

CWG Medal Tally

Bindra shot a total of 205.3 points to finish ahead of Bangladesh Abdullah Baki, who shot 202.1 points to claim the silver medal.

Daniel Rivers of England bagged bronze with 182.4 points.

India's Ravi Kumar finished a disappointing fourth, missing out on the podium by a whisker.

Earlier, India's first medal from the shooting ranges in the 2014 Games came from 16-year-old Malaika Goel, who shot down a silver in the women's 10m air pistol event, while her role model and former World No. 1 Heena Sidhu ended up a disappointing seventh.

World No.15 Malaika bagged the silver with a total of 197.1 points while the gold was clinched by unfancied Singaporean shooter Shun Xie Teo with a score of 198.6. The bronze went to Dorothy Ludwig of Canada with 177.2 points.

Both Heena, World No.4, and Malaika were the highest ranked shooters in the competition and expectations were high from them. Heena had won the silver in the 2010 edition in Delhi.

Malaika displayed raw talent and held her nerves to shoot her maiden Commonwealth Games medal. She finished fourth in the qualifying round while Heena faltered badly in the final round with a score of 95.8 and was eliminated after the fourth shot, despite topping the qualification round.

Malaika hails from the industrial town of Ludhiana in Punjab and broke into the top-15 in the world at the age of 16. Her best so far has been World No.13 in May.

Malaika, who is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, picked up the sport in 2008 when the country was celebrating its first individual Olympic medal, thanks to rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra's exploits in Beijing in the 10m air rifle event. Bindra and Heena are Malaika's role models.

(With inputs from IANS)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Malaika Goel,Commonwealth Games,Barry Buddon Shooting Centre,Abhinav Bindra,Abdullah Baki

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Medals assured for Indian judokas

GLASGOW: The Commonwealth Games started on a rousing note for the Indian contingent as their judokas assured them of at least two medals on the opening day with Navjot Chana and Shushila Likmabam reaching the finals of their respective categories.

In the men's 60 kg event, Chana defeated Daniel Le Grange of South Africa in just 1 minute and 51 seconds to storm into the medal round. Chana got a knock-out with an 'Ippon'.

Chana had a tougher fight in the quarter-finals when he defeated Brandon Dodge of Wales in 3 minutes and 49 seconds while it took him five minutes to win his first round bout against Australian Tom Pappas.

In the women's section, Manipuri judoka Shushila Likmabam reached the finals in the 48 kg category defeating Aussie rival Chloe Rayner in two minutes and 23 seconds. Sushila got a couple of Wazaris which is equivalent to an 'Ippon' which finished the bout.

She had earlier defeated Amy Meyer of Australia in 2 minutes and 38 seconds in the quarter-finals while she got better of Mani Medza Effe of Cameroon in a minute and 41 seconds in the pre quarter finals.

Two more Indians -- Kalpana Thoudam (woemn's 52kg) and Manjeet Nandal (men's 66kg) are also in contention for a bronze medal. Both lost in the quarterfianls but won their respective repechage round bouts to keep themselves in the reckoning for a bronze medal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shushila Likmabam,Navjot Chana,Tom Pappas,Daniel Le Grange,Commonwealth Games

22.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian TT teams off to solid start at CWG

GLASGOW: Indian men and women's table tennis team made a comfortable start at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, defeating Vanuatu and Barbados respectively at the Scotstoun Sports Campus on Thursday.

The women's team, surprise silver medallists in Delhi four years ago, blanked Barbados 3-0 courtesy a clinical performance by Shamini Kumaresan, Manika Batra and Madhurika Patkar.

Shamini got the better of Sherric Felix 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 in the opening singles before Manika made it 2-0 beating Anthonette Riley 11-2, 11-5, 11-2.

Shamini then teamed up with Madhurika for the doubles rubber, taking place for the first time at the Games.

They completed the team's first win of the competition getting past Krystle Harvey and Riley 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3. The women face Kenya later today.

India's top player Sharath Kamal was rested for men's team opener against Vanuatu.

Harmeet Desai won the first singles against Ham Lulu 11-2, 11-3, 11-5. Southpaw Sanil Shetty then defeated Yoshua Shing 11-6, 11-2, 7-11, 11-1.

Shetty and Anthony Amalraj paired up for the doubles to give India a 3-0 win. They beat Alan Lin and Shing 11-6, 11-5, 11-4.

The third seeds next play Northern Ireland later today.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vanuatu,Shamini Kumaresan,Indian TT,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games

22.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indian TT teams off to solid start at CWG

GLASGOW: Indian men and women's table tennis team made a comfortable start at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, defeating Vanuatu and Barbados respectively at the Scotstoun Sports Campus on Thursday.

The women's team, surprise silver medallists in Delhi four years ago, blanked Barbados 3-0 courtesy a clinical performance by Shamini Kumaresan, Manika Batra and Madhurika Patkar.

Shamini got the better of Sherric Felix 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 in the opening singles before Manika made it 2-0 beating Anthonette Riley 11-2, 11-5, 11-2.

Shamini then teamed up with Madhurika for the doubles rubber, taking place for the first time at the Games.

They completed the team's first win of the competition getting past Krystle Harvey and Riley 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3. The women face Kenya later today.

India's top player Sharath Kamal was rested for men's team opener against Vanuatu.

Harmeet Desai won the first singles against Ham Lulu 11-2, 11-3, 11-5. Southpaw Sanil Shetty then defeated Yoshua Shing 11-6, 11-2, 7-11, 11-1.

Shetty and Anthony Amalraj paired up for the doubles to give India a 3-0 win. They beat Alan Lin and Shing 11-6, 11-5, 11-4.

The third seeds next play Northern Ireland later today.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vanuatu,Shamini Kumaresan,Indian TT,Glasgow,Commonwealth Games

22.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stimpson wins gold in women's triathlon

GLASGOW: England's Jodie Stimpson won the women's triathlon gold at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday, the first medal of the multi-sport event.

Stimpson, a silver medal winner in the World Triathlon Series in 2013, sprinted clear with 400 metres remaining of the final 10km run to win a thrilling race that started with a 1.5km swim in and a 40km cycle around Strathclyde Loch.

Canada's Kirsten Sweetland claimed silver, with England's Vicky Holland taking bronze in warm, sunny conditions, with water temperatures of 20.9 degrees Celsius and air of 21.8.

With a lap to go of the gruelling run, Stimpson was joined by Sweetland and fancied Australian Emma Jackson, who had done well to make up a 25-second deficit from the swimming, in a lead group of five.

Holland and New Zealander Andrea Hewitt, a bronze medallist in the 2006 Games in Melbourne, stayed in the mix as Northern Ireland's Aileen Reid fell off the increasing pace.

As Stimpson ramped up for the final push, Hewitt and Holland struggled, and then Sweetland was left gasping for air as the 25-year-old English triathlete accelerated away for the line in brilliant sunshine.

Triathlon is returning to the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time since Melbourne 2006, having made its debut at Manchester 2002.

The men race in their individual Olympic distance event later Thursday, with the triathletes back in action on Saturday, albeit in the sprint distance mixed team relay, an event that makes its Games debut.

Teams featuring two men and two women will each swim one 250m lap of the loch before embarking on a 6km cycle and a 1.6km run.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vicky Holland,Kirsten Sweetland,Commonwealth Games,Women's Triathlon,Jodie Stimpson

22.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Medals assured for Indian judokas

GLASGOW: The Commonwealth Games started on a rousing note for the Indian contingent as their judokas assured them of at least two medals on the opening day with Navjot Chana and Shushila Likmabam reaching the finals of their respective categories.

In the men's 60 kg event, Chana defeated Daniel Le Grange of South Africa in just 1 minute and 51 seconds to storm into the medal round. Chana got a knock-out with an 'Ippon'.

Chana had a tougher fight in the quarter-finals when he defeated Brandon Dodge of Wales in 3 minutes and 49 seconds while it took him five minutes to win his first round bout against Australian Tom Pappas.

In the women's section, Manipuri judoka Shushila Likmabam reached the finals in the 48 kg category defeating Aussie rival Chloe Rayner in two minutes and 23 seconds. Sushila got a couple of Wazaris which is equivalent to an 'Ippon' which finished the bout.

She had earlier defeated Amy Meyer of Australia in 2 minutes and 38 seconds in the quarter-finals while she got better of Mani Medza Effe of Cameroon in a minute and 41 seconds in the pre quarter finals.

Two more Indians -- Kalpana Thoudam (woemn's 52kg) and Manjeet Nandal (men's 66kg) are also in contention for a bronze medal. Both lost in the quarterfianls but won their respective repechage round bouts to keep themselves in the reckoning for a bronze medal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Shushila Likmabam,Navjot Chana,Tom Pappas,Daniel Le Grange,Commonwealth Games

22.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Loew to remain coach until Euro 2016

BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew said on Wednesday that he never considered leaving his post after winning the World Cup title and insisted he would see out his contract which runs until Euro 2016.

"I didn't think of stopping for one second," said Loew, 54, in an interview published on the German Football Federation (DFB) website.

Loew took over as German head coach in 2006 after two years as assistant and extended his contract until 2016 before the World Cup in Brazil.

"I didn't extend my contract with the DFB until 2016 to prematurely break it," said Loew, who had refused to answer questions about his future after guiding his side to a 1-0 defeat of Argentina in this month's World Cup final.

"I simply kept to what we had agreed before the World Cup that we were going to calmly sit down and analyse the tournament as we have done after every tournament," he explained.

Loew said that he was already looking forward to leading Germany to Euro 2016 which will be played in France.

"I can't imagine anything more beautiful than to continue working with this team, to lead them to the European championship in France, to continue to develop the group and each of the players," he said.

"I'm as motivated as the first day. We celebrated a huge success in Brazil, but there are other objectives that we want to achieve. The 2014 World Cup was a summit but it wasn't a conclusion."

Loew led Germany to their fourth World Cup title in Brazil and the first since reunification in 1990.

One of his first tasks will be to find a new captain after defender Philipp Lahm's surprise international retirement, with Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger favourite for the job.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=world cup,Joachim Loew,2016 European Championship,German Football Federation,Philipp Lahm

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sachin factor adds to pressure on Sindhu

GLASGOW: India's Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has to contend not only with the hopes of her nation but the pressure of impressing her most famous fan in the Commonwealth Games badminton competition.

The 19-year-old knows that her country's most well-known sportsman, cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, will be taking a keen interest when she competes in the women's singles in Glasgow starting on Tuesday.

The master batsman and leading run-scorer in test history presented her with a car when she became the first Indian to win the junior Asian Championship in 2012.

"I met him (Tendulkar) and he gave me a car, I was very happy," Sindhu said. "He said, 'well done' and he congratulated me. It was a real surprise."

Sinhu, the top seed, is among the favourites to win gold in Glasgow after her Indian team mate and defending Commonwealth Games champion Saina Nehwal withdrew due to injury.

"You can give your best, but sometimes your strokes won't go and it's not your day," she said.

"Even though some of the players are not up to your level, from the first point you have to play your game and finish it off. You should not take anything lightly."

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sachin factor adds to pressure on Sindhu

GLASGOW: India's Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has to contend not only with the hopes of her nation but the pressure of impressing her most famous fan in the Commonwealth Games badminton competition.

The 19-year-old knows that her country's most well-known sportsman, cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, will be taking a keen interest when she competes in the women's singles in Glasgow starting on Tuesday.

The master batsman and leading run-scorer in test history presented her with a car when she became the first Indian to win the junior Asian Championship in 2012.

"I met him (Tendulkar) and he gave me a car, I was very happy," Sindhu said. "He said, 'well done' and he congratulated me. It was a real surprise."

Sinhu, the top seed, is among the favourites to win gold in Glasgow after her Indian team mate and defending Commonwealth Games champion Saina Nehwal withdrew due to injury.

"You can give your best, but sometimes your strokes won't go and it's not your day," she said.

"Even though some of the players are not up to your level, from the first point you have to play your game and finish it off. You should not take anything lightly."

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sachin factor adds to pressure on Sindhu

GLASGOW: India's Venkata Pusarla Sindhu has to contend not only with the hopes of her nation but the pressure of impressing her most famous fan in the Commonwealth Games badminton competition.

The 19-year-old knows that her country's most well-known sportsman, cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, will be taking a keen interest when she competes in the women's singles in Glasgow starting on Tuesday.

The master batsman and leading run-scorer in test history presented her with a car when she became the first Indian to win the junior Asian Championship in 2012.

"I met him (Tendulkar) and he gave me a car, I was very happy," Sindhu said. "He said, 'well done' and he congratulated me. It was a real surprise."

Sinhu, the top seed, is among the favourites to win gold in Glasgow after her Indian team mate and defending Commonwealth Games champion Saina Nehwal withdrew due to injury.

"You can give your best, but sometimes your strokes won't go and it's not your day," she said.

"Even though some of the players are not up to your level, from the first point you have to play your game and finish it off. You should not take anything lightly."

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sachin factor adds to pressure on Sindhu

GLASGOW: India's Venkata Pusarla Sindhu has to contend not only with the hopes of her nation but the pressure of impressing her most famous fan in the Commonwealth Games badminton competition.

The 19-year-old knows that her country's most well-known sportsman, cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, will be taking a keen interest when she competes in the women's singles in Glasgow starting on Tuesday.

The master batsman and leading run-scorer in test history presented her with a car when she became the first Indian to win the junior Asian Championship in 2012.

"I met him (Tendulkar) and he gave me a car, I was very happy," Sindhu said. "He said, 'well done' and he congratulated me. It was a real surprise."

Sinhu, the top seed, is among the favourites to win gold in Glasgow after her Indian team mate and defending Commonwealth Games champion Saina Nehwal withdrew due to injury.

"You can give your best, but sometimes your strokes won't go and it's not your day," she said.

"Even though some of the players are not up to your level, from the first point you have to play your game and finish it off. You should not take anything lightly."

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dunga replaces Scolari as Brazil coach

RIO DE JANEIRO: The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Tuesday appointed Dunga as coach, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose contract was not renewed after the hosts' World Cup semi-final thrashing by Germany.

The 50-year-old Dunga, Brazil's 1994 World-Cup winning skipper, takes the reins for a second time having led the Selecao at the 2010 tournament.

"I am immensely happy - thank you for your confidence in me," said Dunga, who in his playing days was a tough-tackling midfielder with Serie A side Fiorentina and Germany's Stuttgart, and who also had a spell in Japan with Jubilo Iwata.

"The fans are very down right now but they are right behind the team," Dunga continued.

"I am not here to sell a dream, we must get down to work." His no nonsense style was decried by some but his 91 caps showed the esteem in which he was held and that respect has endured, CBF president Jose Maria Marin said.

"He was world champion, captain of a world champion side," Marin said. "He has what it takes to lead the Brazil team. The numbers show he absolutely has the ability to take charge."

Dunga was fired after a quarter-final loss to Holland in South Africa four years ago but previously landed both the Copa America title and the Confederations Cup having replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach in 2006 despite having no dugout experience.

Brazil suffered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history at home this month after they lost their semi-final 7-1 to eventual champions Germany.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Dunga,Brazil,Luiz Felipe Scolari,Football,coach

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rodriguez signs for Real Madrid: Club

MADRID: Real Madrid have signed Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez from Monaco on a six-year contract, the La Liga club said on Tuesday.

"Real Madrid and AS Monaco have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez that will see keep him at the club for the next six seasons," Real said in a statement on their website.

The World Cup's Golden Boot winner with six goals, who will be presented at the Bernabeu later on Tuesday, is Real's second major signing of the transfer window after Germany midfielder Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.

No details of the fee for Rodriguez were disclosed but media reports said it was around 80 million euros ($107.9 million).

Rodriguez, 23, first came to Europe in 2010 after signing for Porto and won the Portuguese league three years in a row before joining Monaco last year.

His performances for Colombia at the World Cup prompted a move by Real for Rodriguez who pushed Monaco for the chance to play for the Spanish giants.

"AS Monaco is proud to have helped James Rodriguez reveal his talent to the world as he notably made his mark on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil winning the golden boot" Vadim Vasilyev, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Monaco, said in a statement.

"James is a fantastic player who achieved great things with AS Monaco. The Club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties. AS Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history."

The arrival of Rodriguez could open the door for Angel Di Maria to leave Real.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti had wanted to keep him but the Argentine winger is believed to feel under-valued at the club.

Alvaro Morata has left for Juventus and defensive midfielder Casemiro has joined Porto on a season-long loan.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=James Rodriguez,monaco,Real Madrid,Colombia,world cup

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rodriguez signs 6-year deal with Real

MADRID: Real Madrid have signed Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez from Monaco on a six-year contract, the La Liga club said on Tuesday.

"Real Madrid and AS Monaco have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez that will see keep him at the club for the next six seasons," Real said in a statement on their website.

The World Cup's Golden Boot winner with six goals, who will be presented at the Bernabeu later on Tuesday, is Real's second major signing of the transfer window after Germany midfielder Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.

No details of the fee for Rodriguez were disclosed but media reports said it was around 80 million euros ($107.9 million).

Rodriguez, 23, first came to Europe in 2010 after signing for Porto and won the Portuguese league three years in a row before joining Monaco last year.

His performances for Colombia at the World Cup prompted a move by Real for Rodriguez who pushed Monaco for the chance to play for the Spanish giants.

"AS Monaco is proud to have helped James Rodriguez reveal his talent to the world as he notably made his mark on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil winning the golden boot" Vadim Vasilyev, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Monaco, said in a statement.

"James is a fantastic player who achieved great things with AS Monaco. The Club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties. AS Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history."

The arrival of Rodriguez could open the door for Angel Di Maria to leave Real.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti had wanted to keep him but the Argentine winger is believed to feel under-valued at the club.

Alvaro Morata has left for Juventus and defensive midfielder Casemiro has joined Porto on a season-long loan.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=James Rodriguez,monaco,Real Madrid,Colombia,world cup

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sachin's special to mark CWG opening

GLASGOW: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is set to play a "special" part in tomorrow's opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games, which will herald the beginning of what promises to be a star-studded event.

Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket after a glorious career spanning 24 years, will make his presence felt during the ceremony in his capacity as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of the UNICEF, which has partnered with the Glasgow CWG organisers and Commonwealth Games Federation in a first-of-its-kind initiative to spread awareness about the childrens' problems facing all over the world.

But how Tendulkar will be part of the ceremony, to be graced by Commonwealth Head Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister David Cameron and his cabinet colleagues, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and his colleagues in the government and other dignitaries from Commonwealth nations, is not known as the organisers are tightlipped about the details.

"There will be something special from Tendulkar, wait and watch tomorrow," Lord David Puttnam, UNICEF UK Ambassador, told said today after a programme on the partnership.

"Tendulkar is a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and he is happily involved with the work of the organisation (UNICEF)," said Puttnam without answering whether Tendulkar will be present in person tomorrow.

The media in the UK had earlier reported that a UNICEF campaign will be featured on the night showing special films recorded by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Alex Ferguson and Tendulkar, aimed at raising funds for projects being run across Commonwealth countries.

The Opening Ceremony will also feature a near 100 metre wide and 11m high LED screen erected in front of the South Stand at Celtic Park to broadcast images of the night. In 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games the aerostat which cost crores of rupees was the showpiece during the opening and closing ceremonies.

The turf of the home of Scotland's famous football club Celtic has been completely covered by wooden flooring while the scoreboard, set to make way for the giant LED screen, will reduce the capacity of the ground to 35,000.

The Opening Ceremony, to be produced by Global events specialists Jack Morton Worldwide involved in the Ceremonies for Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006 as well as the Athens Olympics and the 2010 World Cup, is expected to attract a global audience of more than one billion and is set to feature more than 2,000 volunteers taking part in the event to be broadcast live by the BBC.

The Queen Elizabeth II will read out the message written on the Queens Baton which has travelled to 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth in a relay for 248 days before declaring the Games open.

Scottish singing legend and Grammy Award winner Rod Stewart will perform on the night in over two hour show starting 8pm British Summer Time (00:30 IST).

Joining the rocker on July 23 will be Scottish singer Susan Boyle, who shot to fame in the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent in 2009 and has gone on to sell millions of albums worldwide. The opening ceremony will also be available live on Youtube, for the first time in any CWG.

Other Scottish acts confirmed to appear at the Opening Ceremony are Classical Brit Award winner and violin virtuoso Nicola Benedetti, Glasgow singer/songwriter Amy MacDonald and Julie Fowlis, who found global recognition through the songs she performed in the Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning film 'Brave'.

Meanwhile, Scotland is set to roll out "an innovative, individual but inclusive" ceremony that will both celebrate the diversity of Glasgow and showcase what the city and Scotland have in common with the 70 other competing nations.

"It's got humour, warmth, celebrating what we have in common. Having said all that, it will always feel like it was created in Glasgow," David Zolkwer, the Glasgow 2014 head of ceremonies, said.

"So although we are telling a universal story, we are telling it with a distinctly Glaswegian accent, which means we are going to be irreverent, funny, principled, sincere, inclusive, personal, direct. We are talking down the lens, we are not asking the world to watch a show."

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bolt fit and ready for Glasgow Games

KINGSTON: Six-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt says he ready to put on a good show in the sprint relay at the Commonwealth Games after recovering from minor foot surgery and a hamstring injury.

The Jamaican, who missed nine weeks of training after surgery on his left foot in March, told Reuters he is back in sub 10-second shape after training twice a day to get ready for the event in Glasgow which starts on Wednesday

"It's been rough, but I've been through it a couple times so I know what it takes to get back so I'm just pushing on and working towards what's necessary for this season," Bolt said on Tuesday morning during a training session.

His coach Glen Mills said that twice a day workouts were necessary to get Bolt ready to compete after he missed a lot of foundation work.

"We usually train in the morning when it is necessary, but it's not the routine," Mills said, noting that this year's setback was a bit more severe than 2012 leading up to the London Olympics.

"Usain has lost quite a significant amount of training time and in his desire to at least run a couple races in the summer, in order to get in the sufficient amount of sessions, we have to double up training morning and evening," Mills said.

The lanky sprinter, who also has eight world championship gold medals in his collection, said the surgery was necessary in this off year.

"I went to see my doctor and he said the best thing to do was to actually get the surgery done because it would bother me over my career, so it was best to get it done now, so I just did it because I considered this my off season. It definitely one of those things so I got it out of the way and right now I'm just trying to get back and that's the key right now and that's the focus," Bolt said.

The 27-year-old, who has penciled in four 100m races over the next six weeks, says he did not want to miss the Commonwealth Games.

"I really wanted to run at the Commonwealths Games over the years and although I got injured I see where I can run the 4x100 I see where I'm getting back into shape to actually compete in the 4x100" Bolt said, adding that he did not want to take anyone's spot in the 100m having missed the trials.

"I'm going there for my fans and I'm going there to show that I'm getting back into shape and they can look for great things now and for the years to come," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Usain Bolt,Commonwealth Games,Olympic gold medallist,London Olympics,Glen Mills

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hopes high from Indian shuttlers at CWG

GLASGOW: With defending champion Saina Nehwal skipping the 20th Commonwealth Games, India will be pinning their hopes on P V Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap and the pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa to repeat their success in badminton that they achieved four years ago at home.

India has had four golds at CWG till date, the last two coming from Saina and Jwala/Ashwini at the 2010 edition in Delhi. Prakash Padukone had won the men's singles medal in 1978 which India retained through Syed Modi four years later.

Despite top seed Saina's absence from women's singles, India could still end up victorious in the category, thanks to second seed Sindhu.

When Saina faltered at last year's World Championships in China, it was left to Sindhu to secure the honours and she did, winning the bronze. Again here, it would be no different as the tenacious 19-year-old is now the highest-ranked player in the tournament following her compatriot's withdrawal from the event.

This time, Sindhu, ranked four places below Saina at No. 11, was viewed as her toughest rival. The latter may now breathe a little easier as she contemplates her path to glory.

Her main challengers are third seed Kirsty Gilmour, who will attempt to become the first Scot to win the women's singles title and Canadian fourth seed Michelle Li. Others expected to perform well are Malaysian fifth seed Tee Jing Yi and sixth seed P C Thulasi of India.

Meanwhile in men's singles, in the absence of Malaysia's two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, compatriot and the other 'Chong Wei' Feng will lead the challenge as the No. 1 seed.

However, 2010 edition's bronze medallist Kashyap, who is seeded second, will be eager to break Malaysia's stranglehold, who have won every gold in the category since 1990. The former World No. 6 will hope to emulate the gold medal-winning feat of his predecessors Padukone and Modi.

Meanwhile the other Indians in the fray, who have a good chance of bagging medals, are fourth seed Kidambi Srikanth and fifth seed R M V Gurusaidutt. Lately, Srikanth has been India's prime contender at international events superseding Kashyap but has been inconsistent.

Hopes are high from women's doubles defending champions Ashwini and Jwala, who surprised all to clinch the gold four years ago, India's first yellow metal in the discipline since 1982.

This time the 2011 World Championship bronze medal winning pair are seeded third. Though they are past their prime as a pair, they could spring a surprise by clinching a medal against much tougher competition. Last edition's silver medallists Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei of Singapore are top-seeded this time around.

India does not have the best team in men's doubles but sixth seeds Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar can have an outside chance of winning a bronze.

Meanwhile, India emerged a CWG power in badminton in the mixed team event thanks to Saina, Kashyap and Ashwini/Jwala, all of whom starred in the country's silver medal finish at the 2010 edition. Seeded third behind Malaysia and England, India are again strong medal contenders at the event.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Saina Nehwal,P V Sindhu,Jwala Gutta,Glasgow CWG,Commonwealth Games

22.58 | 0 komentar | Read More