Hemanth Mudappa breaks record in National Drag Racing
Chennai, Oct 3: Seven-time National Drag Champion Hemanth Mudappa of Mantra Racing stormed to a National record, improving his own mark with a triumphant double gold in the ribbon events in the second round of the Indian National Drag Racing Championship here on Sunday. Touching a top speed of 230kmph, he extended his Championship lead in the premier 4-stroke Above-1051cc Class at the Madras Motorsports Club Race Track. Mudappa, astride a BMW s1000rr, was lightning quick to post a stunning 7.914 to beat the national drag record in this class despite being a fraction of a second slower in his reaction at the start to Hyderabad’s Mohd. Riyaz, who did 8.058 seconds. Sugan Prasad, also from Bengaluru, clocked 8.421 to take the bronze. (IANS)
Cameron Norrie, Casper Ruud advance to San Diego Open final
San Diego, Oct 3: Cameron Norrie upset top-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the final of the inaugural San Diego Open. Norrie, the 26-year-old British player who won his first ATP Tour title this year in Acapulco, will face second-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway on Sunday. Ruud, ranked No. 10 in the world, beat No. 29 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the other semifinal. Ruud eliminated former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray in straight sets Thursday night. Rublev, ranked No. 5 in the world, claimed the first set with a scorching 117 mph ace before Norrie, ranked No. 28, rebounded to force a decisive third set to reach his fifth final of the year. (AP)
Nagaland to host National Cross Country Championship
Kohima, Oct 3: The Nagaland Athletics Association will host the 56th National Cross Country Championship under the sponsorship of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in Kohima on January 15 next year, the first ever such national event in the state. Addressing a press conference here today at Kohima, Abu Metha, President of NAA, Associate Vice President of AFI and Adviser to the Chief Minister said that it will be a first for Nagaland as far as organizing a national level cross country event is concerned. He informed that the national executive meeting of the AFI was held at Rajasthan recently, where it was agreed to let Nagaland host the 56th Cross Country Championships. (UNI)
Tvesa top Indian at Estrella Damm in Spain, Diksha makes cut
Barcelona, Oct 3: Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar made the cut at the Estrella Damm Open, while four other Indians exited early on the second day of the Ladies European Tour event here. Tvesa, who had three birdies against three bogeys, dropped a shot on par-5 which must have hurt her. Yet at even par with rounds 72-72 she is T-22 and the top Indian in the field. Diksha Dagar, who is returning to action on the LET for the first time since the Olympic Games in August, added 74 to her first round 72 and at two-over 146 she is T-39. Tvesa, who had a runner-up finish at Gant Ladies Open, is looking to get into Top-10 of the Race to Costa Del Sol, which is the Order of Merit rankings list for LET. (PTI)
Sabalenka positive for virus, out of BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells, Oct 3: Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka says she has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss the upcoming BNP Paribas Open. The Belarusian player was due to be top-seeded for the Oct. 4-17 tournament at Indian Wells after No. 1-ranked Wimbledon champion Ash Barty withdrew to rest at home in Australia. “Unfortunately I’ve tested positive at Indian Wells and won’t be able to compete,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “I’ve started my isolation and I’ll be staying here until I’m cleared by the doctors and health officials. So far I’m feeling OK but really sad to not be able to play this year.” (AP)
Former Marseille president, Bernard Tapie passes away
PARIS, Oct 3: Bernard Tapie, a flamboyant businessman who was beloved by sports fans for leading French soccer club Marseille to glory but also dogged by legal battles and corruption investigations, has died. He was 78. A feature of French life for decades, Tapie’s death Sunday unleashed tributes from across the worlds of sports, politics, business and entertainment in France, reflecting the wide, storied and repeatedly controversial variety of his multiple careers and endeavors. Tapie’s popularity peaked during the 1980′s and ’90’s when, as club president, he guided Marseille to victory in the 1993 Champions League. (AP)
Munoz fired by Watford, first managerial exit of EPL season
WATFORD, Oct 3: Watford fired Xisco Munoz after less than a year in charge on Sunday, making him the first managerial departure of the Premier League season. The Spaniard is the 14th manager to leave to the club in a decade. Watford is 14th in the standings with seven points from the opening seven games – the last a 1-0 loss at Leeds on Saturday. “The board feels recent performances strongly indicate a negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving,” Watford said. The 41-year-old took charge at Vicarage Road last December. (AP)