India’s professional boxer Jangra to fight for intercontinental title
New Delhi, Jan 24: India’s professional boxer Mandeep Jangra will fight for the intercontinental title against American Gerardo Esquivel at Toppenish City, Washington state, in the USA on Friday. Jangra, who trains under Roy Jones Jr, will fight in the 59 kg category and he has worked a lot to come down from his usual 75 kg class, a release said. It will be the biggest fight of his career. Jangra has six fights under his belt so far and has won all of them, with four been knockout victories, according to the release. He won his first fight in 2021 while his last one was in August 2023. (PTI)
Nithya Mani qualifies for main draw of WTT Star Contender Goa
Mapusa, Jan 24: Indian table tennis player Nithya Mani qualified for the main draw of the ongoing WTT Star Contender Goa after winning her final qualifying round match at the Peddem Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday. Chennai-based Nithya won a nail-biting contest against England’s Tin-Tin Ho 3-2 (11-7, 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7) in a women’s singles qualifying Round 3 match to move into the main draw, scheduled to take place from Thursday. In the women’s singles category, Ayhika Mukherjee lost 1-3 (11-5, 9-11, 6-11, 6-11) to Turkey’s Sibel Altinkaya, while Spain’s Sofia Zhang beat Diya Chitale 3-1 (11-5, 6-11, 14-12, 11-0) in the qualifying round 3 to move into the main draw. Sutirtha Mukherjee went down 1-3 (8-11, 7-11, 12-10, 4-11) against Hanna Ryu in women’s singles qualifying round 2 to exit the tournament. In the men’s singles category, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran lost 2-3 (7-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11) against Vincent Picard of France in qualifying round 2 stage. Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw then got the better of Manav Thakkar 3-0 (12-10, 11-6, 11-7) in the qualifying round 3. Jeet Chandra and Payas Jain made their way into the main draw in the men’s doubles category as they registered a comfortable 3-1 (11-13, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4) win over compatriots Yashansh Malik and Abhinandh Pradhivadhi. Sayali Wani and Taneesha Kotecha beat the India pair of Suhana Saini and Yashaswini Ghorpade 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6) in the women’s doubles qualifying round 2 to reach the main draw. In the mixed doubles category, Manush Shah and Diya Chitale overcame the challenge of Snehit Suravajjula and Sreeja Akula 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-8) in the qualifying round 2. (PTI)
Newcastle’s Joelinton out until May after thigh surgery
Newcastle, Jan 24: Newcastle could be without Joelinton for the rest of the season after the Brazil midfielder underwent surgery on a thigh injury. The Saudi-controlled northeast team said on Tuesday that Joelinton is expected to make his return sometime in May. Its last Premier League game is on May 19. The prognosis means Joelinton should be fit in time for the Copa America being held in the United States starting June 20. He scored on his debut for Brazil in June last year. (AP)