India look to Shakshi for World Wrestling C’ships
BUDAPEST: India will expect a change of fortune in womens freestyle event when Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik enters the Papp László Sportaréna for her 62 kilogram bout in the World Championships here on Wednesday.If the Khel Ratna awardee does manage to climb the podium, she will be the first Indian woman wrestler to etch her name in the history books with a medal in the senior world championships.Along with Sakshi, the other three that will enter the fray on Wednesday include Ritu Phogat (59 kg), Pinki (53 kg) and Pooja Dhanda (57 kg) on the concluding day of the freestyle events.On the eve of her bout, Shakshi was upbeat and was looking forward to it. (IANS)
No player can replace Messi, says Barcelona coach
MADRID: FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde admitted his side will miss injured striker Lionel Messi, but hopes that others can help compensate for the loss of the Argentinean. Messi will be out of action for around three weeks and miss 6 games after breaking a bone in his right arm on Saturday, with the first of those matches Barca’s Champions League tie at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday night, reports Xinhua news agency. “It is going to affect us, but it is a challenge to replace him and then will be game,” said Valverde in his pre-game press conference. “Leo is not going to be with us for a while, we will miss him, but we want to miss him and still win games,” he said. Valverde commented that it was “difficult” for any one player to replace Messi. “We have to try to ensure that it is not just one player, but more. All of the squad has to take a step forward,” he insisted. (IANS)
Nadal to open 1st branch of his tennis academy in Mexico
MANACOR: Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal, currently world No.1, announced on Tuesday that he will open a branch of his tennis academy at a resort hotel in Mexico next month, which will be his academy’s first expansion abroad. Set to be located in a tourist complex on the Caribbean coast near the city of Cancun, the venture will be a branch of the Rafa Nadal Sports Centre located in Manacor, Nadal’s hometown on the Balearic island of Mallorca, reports Efe. “It is our first expansion outside (Manacor) and for all of us and for me it is a reason for satisfaction and pride,” Nadal said during a press conference at his academy. The Mexican centre is to consist of eight tennis courts, one padel court, a gym and a museum at a hotel owned by the Palladium Hotel Group, whose CEO Abel Matutes Prats is also from the Balearic islands. (IANS)
Ronaldo avoids talking about Real Madrid
MANCHESTER: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday refused to speak about his previous team, Real Madrid, saying he feels comfortable at Juventus, his new club. Ronaldo said farewell to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window after wearing its jersey for nine years, reports Efe news. “This is not really the right time to ask about Real Madrid. I don’t want to talk about them,” Ronaldo said. Earlier in the day, Real Madrid midfielder Isco said: “We cannot cry over someone who did not want to be here,” referring to his former teammate Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon D’Or winner, when asked about Isco’s remarks, said merely: “That’s fine with me.” Ronaldo also refused to compare Real Madrid and Juventus, saying that “They are both unbelievable teams, they are fantastic clubs. I’m happy to be at such a great team like Juventus and it’s a new chapter in my life after Manchester United and Real Madrid.” He added. (IANS)