Prannoy regains career-best world No. 8
New Delhi, Dec 27 Star Indian shuttler HS Prannoy regained his career-best number eight position in the latest BWF world rankings issued on Tuesday.The 30-year-old from Kerala, who has been in good form this year, had achieved the number eight ranking in 2018 for the first time before slipping to 34 in 2019.However, some memorable performances in the season, including the Thomas Cup win, seven quarterfinals, two semifinals and a runner-up finish at the Swiss Open, saw him rise like a phoenix in 2022.He couldn’t win an individual title but played a pivotal role in the Indian team’s historic Thomas Cup win in Bangkok. (IANS)
Malik-led team bags gold
DUBAI, Dec 27 : Ace Indian archer Akash Malik, who won a silver medal in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, has made the country proud yet again by winning the Men’s Recurve Team gold at the Asia Cup Archery Stage 3 in Dubai.Parth Salunkhe and Mrinal Chauhan are the other members of the team which took down South Korea in the final.The final was a close affair with India and Korea staying tied at 4 points each in the regular game, forcing the match into a shoot-off.In the shoot-off round, the Indian archers piped Korea by 1 point to win the gold medal. The final score read Korea 26 and India 27 in the shoot-off.In the individual event, Akash Malik went down fighting in the quarterfinals. India dominated the competition with 10 medals five gold, three silver and two bronze (IANS)
Argentina set to offer Scaloni new contract
BUENOS AIRES, Dec 27 Argentina football is confident Lionel Scaloni will continue as national team manager following their World Cup triumph.Scaloni’s contract expires on December 31 but the Argentine Football Association (AFA) wants to secure the 44-year-old on another four-year term. On his part, Scaloni has not revealed his plans post the World Cup though did ask talismanic captain Lionel Messi to reconsider his plans to quit playing for Argentina after his fourth World Cup. Indicating that he might reconsider his plans and represent his country at least till the next Copa America in 2024. (IANS)
