Indian wins pistol gold in shooting WC
Mumbai: Woman shooter Heena Sidhu created history by becoming the first pistol exponent from India to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup finals in Munich, Germany. Heena won the gold medal on Sunday by beating double Olympic Champion Guo Wenjun from China, world champion Arunovic Zorana from Serbia and multiple Olympic medallist Olena Kostevych of Ukraine in a stiff competition. The earlier gold medallists in this competition were Anjali Bhagwat (2002) and Gagan Narang (2008) in small bore rifle shooting, said a media release from the Maharashtra Rifle Association. The ISSF World Cup is held once a year and features only the top 10 shooters in the world. (PTI)
Klose doubtful for Italy, England matches
BERLIN: Germany forward Miroslav Klose could be doubtful for their friendly internationals against Italy and England in the coming days after suffering a shoulder injury, the team said on Monday. Klose, joint Germany all-time top scorer with 68 goals, was injured, on Sunday, in Lazio’s 1-1 draw against Parma in the Serie A and taken off six minutes from time. “He is now in Munich, being treated by federation doctors,” the German football association said in a statement. The 35-year-old had only returned to action in October after undergoing foot surgery that had ruled him out for a month. Germany, who have qualified for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, will play Italy in Milan on November 15 before taking on England in London four days later. (Reuters)
Anand-Carlsen will revive chess: Kasparov
Chennai: Predicting a close finish in the ongoing World Chess Championship between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen, chess legend Garry Kasparov said, on Monday, that the massive hype and publicity surrounding the match could revive the game across the globe. “I am amazed by the publicity for the match and reminds me of my match with Anatoly Karpov and the Spassky-Fischer game. I hope Anand vs Carlsen match will be the revival of chess, it shows the importance of the title and is an amazing clash of generations,” said Kasparov who arrived here on Monday to watch the 12-game match. Having worked with Carlsen earlier, Kasparov felt the 22-year-old Norwegian challenger has a slight edge but said the experience of the 43-year-old defending champion Anand could come into play. (PTI)
England cricketers not too old, says Swann
Sydney: Ageing off-spinner Graeme Swann insisted on Monday that England are not too old to defend the Ashes, saying the team’s mix of youth and experience is an asset. More than half of the touring side to Australia are older than 30, including key players Ian Bell (31), James Anderson (31), Kevin Pietersen (33) and Swann (34). But Swann, who has 248 Test wickets from 57 matches, said any “Dad’s Army” jibes were misplaced. “I don’t think we need to worry about the age of the team – I think I’m the oldest,” he said on the England and Wales Cricket Board website. “It’s not like we’re all pushing the boundaries. If the oldest player is that age, it’s not like you’re all ready for the Home Guard yet.” Yorkshire trio Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance, Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes and Steven Finn add a youthful edge to the squad and Swann said: “I think we’ve got an exciting blend of youth and experience at the minute. That’s one of the reasons why I’m confident going into this Ashes series.” Swann revealed that England’s tofu and goji-infused diet, which Australian media mercilessly attacked when the dietary demands became known on Friday, was partly motivated by the ageing squad. “Some of us have to take it quite seriously because we’re getting on a bit, and if we don’t eat healthily we tend to pile on the pounds,” he said. “It’s all very good healthy stuff so I’m surprised it’s raised so many snooty questions.” Australia are no spring chickens themselves and could line up for the first Test next week in Brisbane with five 30-somethings, including Michael Clarke (32), George Bailey (31), Ryan Harris (34), Chris Rogers (36), and Brad Haddin (36), who have all been in good form. (AFP)