Kohli, LeBron, Nadal are owners in electric powerboating competition
Mumbai, Feb 19: Star India batter Virat Kohli, tennis legend Rafael Nadal, and basketball icon LeBron James are among the prominent team owners of the UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric powerboating competition. The event will feature a star-studded lineup of team owners from across sports, music, and entertainment, including Kohli, whose Team Blue Rising will compete in the global series. Besides Kohli, the championship boasts of high-profile team owners such as basketball legend James (Team AlUla), music producer and DJ Steve Aoki (Aoki Racing Team), and NFL great Tom Brady (Team Brady). Other teams include Team Drogba, owned by former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, Team Miami powered by Magnus, owned by Latin music star Marc Anthony, and Team Rafa, backed by tennis icon Nadal. Additionally, Hollywood actor Will Smith leads Westbrook Racing, while Marcelo Claure helms Team Brazil by Claure Group. (PTI)
Nedunchezhiyan-Prashanth duo in Maha Open doubles quarterfinals
Pune, Feb 19: Top seeded Indian pair of Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth beat the Danish duo of August Holmgren and Elmer Moller in straight sets to enter the doubles quarterfinals of the Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 men’s tennis tournament here on Wednesday. The Indian duo won 6-3, 7-6 (7) to book a last-eight stage berth. They will take on another Indian pair of Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan, who registered a 6-0, 6-4 win over the Belgian duo of Michael Geerts and Britian’s Billy Harris. Finalist in Delhi last week, Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Zimbabwe’s Courtney John Lock combined to get past Canadians Alexis Galarneau and Kelsey Stevenson, winning 6-4,7-6(1) to also make the quarterfinals. (PTI)
Champions Gopi T, Ashwini Jadhav return to New Delhi Marathon
New Delhi, Feb 19: Defending men’s and women’s champions Gopi Thonakal and Ashwini Madan Jadhav will headline in the 10th edition of Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon scheduled to take place here on February 23. Recognised by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) as a national event, the marathon will also see participation from the country’s top runners including Anish Thapa, Belliyappa, Man Singh, Akshay Saini and Vikram Bangriya the men’s section. The likes of Laxmi KM, Nirmaben Thakor Bharatjee and Disket Dolma will feature in the women’s field. The event, which is also recognised by World Athletics, is a qualifying race for International Amateur races. Runners will compete across four categories – full marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k. (PTI)
Jeevanji, Rana win gold in para athletics meet
Chennai, Feb 19: Paralympics bronze medallist Deepthi Jeevanji won gold in women’s 400m T20, while Soman Rana stunned Paris Games gold medallist Hokato Sema in F57 shot put competition at the National Paralympic Athletics Championship here on Wednesday. Reigning world champion Jeevanji dominated the women’s 400m T20 category, clinching gold with an impressive time of 57.85 seconds. Pooja from Haryana secured silver at 1:08.21s, while Bhuvi Agrawal, also from Haryana, took home bronze with 1:09.24s. In the men’s F57 shot put event, national record holder Rana delivered a stunning performance, defeating Paris Paralympics gold medallist Sema. Rana secured the gold with a throw of 14.42m, while Sema claimed silver with 13.53m. Shubhan Juyal from SSCB bagged the bronze with a throw of 13.39m. (PTI)