Olympian Karmakar conducts rifle shooting workshop in Sikkim
Gangtok, Feb 14: Aspiring shooters received hands-on training in shooting techniques as Olympian shooter Joydeep Karmakar on Friday conducted a rifle shooting workshop here. The workshop featuring Karmakar as the chief mentor was conducted under the leadership of Sanjay Budathoki, President of the Sikkim Shooting Association. The event aimed to introduce and promote rifle shooting as a professional sport in Sikkim, providing aspiring shooters with advanced skills. Participants received training in techniques, grip, stance, trigger control, and mental discipline. Karmakar, who qualified for the Olympic finals of men’s 50 metre rifle prone in 2012 Olympics, shared valuable insights on precision and competitive shooting strategies. (PTI)
Ministry rubbishes talk of turning cricketers into baseball players
New Delhi, Feb 14: The Sports ministry has rejected speculation that it would consider harnessing the country’s massive pool of aspiring cricketers to turn them into baseball medal prospects at the Asian Games or Olympics, saying that such an idea has never been discussed or considered at any level. A ministry source said that suggestions that this came up for discussion at the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting earlier this week are “wrong”, pointing out that baseball is not even a recognised national federation at this point. “This is completely imaginary. Baseball is not even recognised by the ministry. Why will SAI (Sports Authority of India) get into cricket or turning cricket players into baseball players?” a senior ministry source said. Baseball has been a part of the Asian Games since 1994 and the Olympic Games since 1992. India has never participated in the event. The country does have an Amateur Baseball Federation of India, which is affiliated to the sport’s global body, but it is not recognised by the sports ministry, nor entitled to any funding from the government. (PTI)
Race walker and Olympic medallist Ikeda suspended 4 years for doping
Monaco, Feb 14: Japanese race walker Koki Ikeda, a former Olympic silver medalist, has been banned for four years for doping, the Athletic Integrity Unit said Friday. The athletics watchdog said that a disciplinary and appeals tribunal ruled that the 26-year-old Ikeda had broken anti-doping rules. Ikeda has been provisionally banned from competition since November 2024, with his results disqualified since June 2023. Doping authorities say abnormalities were detected in his blood samples taken in June, August and September of 2023. The AIU alleged the abnormalities “were indicative of blood manipulation.” Ikeda won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver at the 2022 world championships. (AP)
Iga Swiatek beats Elena Rybakina to reach Qatar Open semifinals
Doha, Feb 14: Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek reached the Qatar Open semifinals by beating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-5 on Thursday. Swiatek will face Jelena Ostapenko, who beat Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2, for a spot in the final. “The second set I felt like she raised her level so I needed to do that too,” the second-ranked Swiatek said after defeating Rybakina in what was a rematch of last year’s title match. Rybakina began the year with a 4-2 advantage head-to-head against Swiatek, but now they are tied. Ekaterina Alexandrova continued her winning run by eliminating sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Russian defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka earlier this week. Amanda Anisimova beat Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to advance. (AP)