Mandeep Jangra signs up with Pro Box Promotions
New Delhi, March 18: Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Mandeep Jangra has signed up with Florida-based Pro Box Promotions and will be making his debut on May 1 against a yet-to-be-decided opponent in Tampa, Florida. The 27-year-old, who is also a silver medallist from the 2013 Asian Championships, was supposed to fight on March 19 in a super welterweight (69kg) bout but that has been put off for now as he will continue to train for his debut in May. Jangra, who was mentored by 2010 CWG gold-medallist Akhil Kumar early in his career, has been troubled by injuries and underwent a left hand surgery in 2016, a setback that came while his career was on the upswing. (PTI)
Narwal to head India at para shooting World Cup
Al Ain, March 18: Top para shooters including Sydney 2019 World Championships medallists Manish Narwal and Singhraj will be in action at the season opening Al Ain 2021 Shooting Para Sport World Cup starting Thursday. As many as 120 athletes from 24 nations are competing in the first World Shooting Para Sport competition in more than one year that runs until March 24 at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. Indian participants include World Cup medallists Avani Lekhara, Deepender Singh, Sidhartha Babu and Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar, all of whom have secured quotas for India for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, along with Rahul Jakhar and Rubina Francis. (IANS)
Juan Ferrando tests positive for COVID-19
Panaji, March 18: Indian Super League team FC Goa’s head coach Juan Ferrando has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating, the club said on Thursday. “The gaffer is in good health at the moment and showing no symptoms. The club will continue to monitor the situation and provide all the necessary support,” the club said in a statement. FC Goa had finished fourth in the ISL, which concluded on March 13 with Mumbai City emerging champions. (PTI)
Wrestler Ritika Phogat commits suicide after alleged depression
New Delhi, March 18: Rajasthan wrestler Ritika Phogat, cousin of Commonwealth Games gold medallists Geeta and Babita Phogat, allegedly killed herself after finishing second in the 53kg category of the state sub-junior competition, said an official of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). She died on Monday. Ritika, 17, was one of of four competitors and she lost the gold medal round. “She too wanted to win a medal at the international level like her cousins but went into depression after losing the gold medal bout in the state meet,” said the official. (IANS)
Lewandowski could miss WC qualifier against England
Warsaw, March 17: Robert Lewandowski could miss the World Cup qualifier match against England as Bayern Munich may not let him go to London due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Poland coach Paulo Sousa said on Wednesday. According to the regulations, people who return to Germany from the UK have to be quarantined. If Lewandowski flies to England to play at Wembley on March 31, he will probably be ruled out for some of Bayern’s matches, including the important match against RB Leipzig in Bundesliga, reported Xinhua. Consequently, Bayern are not willing to give him the green light to play in London. The Polish Football Association (PZPN) is in talks with Bayern and UEFA. (IANS)
Tokyo Oly chief creative director quits amidst scandal
Tokyo, March 18: Tokyo Olympic chief creative director Hiroshi Sasaki has resigned after making derogatory remarks about a popular female Japanese entertainer, dealing another blow to the postponed Olympic Games with four months to go until the opening ceremony. Japan’s weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported on Wednesday that the 66-year-old told staff members that Naomi Watanabe could perform at the ceremony as an “Olympig”, a play on the word “Olympic”, Xinhua news agency reported. Watanabe, 33, is a heavy-set Japanese comedian, actress, and fashion designer, and is a very popular figure in Japan. Sasaki took over as the chief creative director after replacing actor Nomura Mansai last December. (IANS)
Vijender looks to extend unbeaten run in ‘Battle on Ship’
Panaji, March 18: Indian boxer Vijender Singh is looking to extend his unblemished record when he faces his 6ft 4-inches tall Russian opponent Artysh Lopsan in the ‘Battle on Ship’, here on Friday. The 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze medalist has not lost a bout after turning professional, boasting of a 12-0 record. Come Friday at the ‘Majestic Pride Casino Ship’, the 35-year-old will enter the ring after his last bout against Ghana’s former Commonwealth champion Charles Adamu in Dubai in November 2019. (PTI)