Indian junior women’s and men’s hockey teams suffer losses
BREDA,(Netherlands) May 23:The Indian men’s and women’s junior hockey teams endured losses in their respective matches against Belgium here on a disappointing day in their ongoing tour of Europe.Both the teams lost 2-3 to their Belgian counterparts. While Binima Dhan (49’,58’) scored a brace for the women’s team, captain Rohit (44’ 57’) scored a brace for the men’s team.In the women’s match, the Indians looked eager to take the lead in the first quarter, winning two penalty corners early on.However, a resilient Belgian team ensured there was no change in the scoreline. The Belgian unit responded fiercely in the second quarter, taking a 1-0 lead before the match broke for half-time.While India searched for the equaliser, Belgium increased their lead scoring in the third and fourth quarters to bring the score to 3-0.The Indians rallied in the final quarter but the effort came too late. They will next play against Belgium onMay 24.In the men’s match, the Belgians took the lead early in the game with a goal in the first quarter. They doubled the lead in the second quarter.The Indians pulled one back with Rohit leading the charge to reduce the goal difference in the third quarter.Belgium, however, scored a third goal with a penalty corner conversion to regain their two-goal lead.A quick retaliation came from Rohit who converted a penalty corner to keep his team in the hunt but the Belgians held onto their lead.The team will take on Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Breda later on Thursday. (PTI)
Andy Murray receives wild card to play doubles at French Open
PARIS, May 23: Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray and Daniel Evans have been granted a wild card to play together in doubles at the French Open, organizers said.They are the first non-French pair to be awarded a wild card into the men’s doubles at Roland Garros in more than 20 years.Murray, has recovered from an ankle injury and will also feature in the singles main draw for what is expected to be his final appearance at the clay-court major.The 37-year-old Murray has played sparingly since having hip surgery in 2018 and has said he will probably retire after this summer. He is a two-time Wimbledon and Olympic champion and is hoping to compete for Britain again at the Paris Games.Murray lost in straight sets to Yannick Hanfmann in the first round of the Geneva Open this week.(PTI)
QSF Squash: India’s Abhay and Senthil progress
DOHA, May 23: National champion Velavan Senthilkumar and Asian Games medallist Abhay Singh made winning starts to their respective campaigns at the prestigious QSF 3 squash event here.World No. 55 Senthilkumar from Tamil Nadu beat local challenger Yousef Essam Farag 11-7 11-4 11-4 in 32 minutes in the first round, while compatriot Abhay, ranked 67 in the world, defeated Pakistan’s Muhammad Asim Khan 11-2 11-9 15-13 in 38 minutes on Wednesday.Senthilkumar will meet Egyptian Omar Mosaad next, while Abhay will lock horns with Frenchman Auguste Dussourd. (PTI)
Preetismita Bhoi smashes clean and jerk record for gold
LIMA, May 23: Indian weightlifter Preetismita Bhoi smashed the youth clean and jerk world record in the women’s 40kg category to win a gold medal at the IWF World Youth Championships here.The 15-year-old bettered the existing record of 75kg by 1kg here on Wednesday.She lifted 57kg in snatch for a total effort of 133kg, finishing within 2kg of the youth world standard on total on the opening day of the competition It was a 1-2 finish for India as Jyoshna Sabar clinched the silver with a total effort of 125kg (56kg+69kg). Fatma Kolcak of Turkey finished third with a total lift of 120kg (55kg+65kg). (PTI)