Advani reaches final of World Billiards Championship
Carlow (Ireland), April 15: India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani has reached the finals of the IBSF World Billiards Championship beating compatriot Dhurv Sitwala here. He defeated Sitwala 1070-300 in a two-and-a-half hour semifinal. Sitwala took the initial lead with a break of 63 but from then on it was Advani show. Firing in back-to-back breaks of 173 and 205, the multiple world champion created a staggering 400-point lead. With breaks of 64 and 65, Sitwala could only admire when his opponent and dear friend was at the table, playing effortless billiards as he continued to score breaks of 117, 100, 96, 166, 53 and 74 to confirm his berth in the final. Advani is aiming to not only defend his world title, this will also mark a decade of remaining undefeated in the World Billiards Championships since 2016. The other semifinal will be between India’s Sourav Kothari and England’s David Causier. (PTI)
Mirabai elected as chairperson of weightlifting athletes commission
New Delhi, April 15: Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu was on Tuesday elected as the chairperson of Indian Weightlifting Federation’s athletes commission. Chanu described her appointment as an opportunity to “uphold the one of fellow weightlifters”. “The opportunity to represent and uphold the voice of fellow weightlifters is a matter of great pride for me,” Chanu, the first Indian weightlifter to win a silver medal at the Olympics, said in a release. “I pledge to take the responsibilities that come with the role seriously. I will work towards spreading the athletes’ voice and viewpoints across all key channels to ensure we can continue to focus on the sport without being distracted by external factors,” Chanu added. (PTI)
3 Indians set to compete in Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing C’ship
Chennai, April 15: The 2025 Idemitsu FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) Asia Road Racing Championship scheduled to be held later this month in Thailand would see the participation of top racers from newer geographies including Spain, England and Argentina. Sarthak Chavan, Chiranth Viswanath and KY Ahamed all from India would also be part of the TVS Asia One Make Championship (OMC) Season 4 in the event to be held between April 25 and 27 at Chang International Circuit, Thailand. A race-optimised 310cc motorcycle TVS Apache RR 310, from TVS Motor Company, would also feature this season, a company statement here said on Tuesday. As many as 15 riders from 12 countries would battle for the championship title which includes seven returning racers from the 2024 squad. Last year, Japan’s Hiroki Ono bagged his second championship title. (PTI)
Rivaan Dev Preetham excels in academy karting series in Spain
Valencia, April 15: Rivaan Dev Preetham, the only Indian to have won a race in the history of FIA Motorsport Games, finished P11 in the second round of the Champions of the Future Academy Programme here. Rivaan logged a poor qualifying time due to a strategy that did not work but managed a creditable finish in the first final after a forgettable P21 and P27 in the heats. The 11-year-old bounced back as he qualified fifth among 37 competitors from around the world and finishing P5 in the second heat. He went on to post another top-15 result, finishing 11th in the second final, for a satisfying outing in round 2 where he garnered 22 points. A Grade 6 student of Lady Andal House of Children in Chennai who won two national titles in 2023 and 2024, Rivaan is eyeing a hat-trick this year. (PTI)
Chris Jenkins quits as Commonwealth Sport prez
New Delhi, April 15: Chris Jenkins has resigned as Commonwealth Sport President, the organisation announced on Tuesday, acknowledging his longstanding service and significant contribution to the Commonwealth Sport movement. The Constitution allows for an interim President to be appointed in the wake of mid-term resignation of the incumbent and Donald Rukare has been given the role till the next General Assembly in November this year, according to Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir. “I am particularly proud of the opportunities I have been given to advance Sport for Development – and especially Para inclusion through our GAPS programme – and want to thank all my Commonwealth Games Association colleagues and friends for their support,” Jenkins was quoted as saying in a release which did not mention why he stepped down from the role. (PTI)