Advani downs Kamal Chawla to retain CCI Snooker Classic crown
Mumbai, March 3: Multiple time world champion Pankaj Advani was up and dominating as he retained his crown during the CCI Snooker Classic, handing challenger Kamal Chawla an 8-3 defeat in the best-of-15-frame final here on Sunday. Advani displayed his prowess, potting with the utmost accuracy and consistency, besides using some clever tactical play to brush aside Chawla, who put up a bold show trying to match him. “It’s never easy to defend a title because everybody is gunning to get the better of you. As I said, I have been really comfortable playing at CCI, and it probably brings out the best in me. I enjoy my game more than anything else,” Advani said. (PTI)
Race walker Priyanka Goswami finishes creditable 7th in China
New Delhi, March 3: National record holder Priyanka Goswami clocked her best time outside the country to finish a creditable seventh in a top-class field in the 20km event at the Chinese Race Walking Grand Prix in Taicang on Sunday. Goswami, who has already qualified for the Paris Olympics, clocked 1 hour 29 minutes and 48 seconds to end the gruelling competition at seventh in the World Athletics Race Walking Tour gold label meet. This was her best performance abroad and third best time of her career. She had earlier clocked 1:28:45s (NR) in 2021 and 1:28:50s in 2023 – both in Ranchi – as her two best times before Sunday. It was a tough field in Taicang with some of the best race walkers competing in the event. There were five Chinese athletes in the top-six, with Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallist Zhenxia MA taking the title with a time of 1:26:07s. Zhenxia’s compatriot Jiayu Yang, the 2017 world champion and Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist, was second in 1:26:07s while 36-year-old four-time world champion and 2016 Olympics gold and 2020 Tokyo Games bronze winner Hong Liu was third with a timing of 1:26:47s. (PTI)
Six veteran athletes from HP to participate in World C’ships
Hamirpur (HP), March 3: Six veteran athletes from Himachal Pradesh, including long distance runner Surinder Singh Dehal of Hamirpur, will participate in the World Masters Athletics Championships to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden from August 13 to 25. The World Masters Athletics Championships are the biennial championships for masters athletics events held under the auspices of World Masters Athletics for athletes who are 35 years of age or older. Dehal (10,000m) and Ashwini Kumar Sharma (1500m and 2000m steeplechase, 800m) will compete in the above 65 years age category. While Harish Kumar (triple jump), Dwarika Thakur (1500 meters and 5000 meters), Brijlal Thakur (100m and 300m hurdles) have been selected in the 60 above age group. Bhishan Singh Chauhan, who will take part in the discus throw, javelin throw and shot put events, will compete in the above 55 years age group. (PTI)
Tiger Woods wins Bob Jones Award, highest USGA honour
Far Hills (US), March 3: Tiger Woods has been selected to receive the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour from the USGA that recognizes his commitment to sportsmanship and respect for golf’s traditions. Woods typically is honoured for his performances on the course, where he has won 15 majors among his 82 career victories on the PGA Tour. (AP)