Pugilists Joyshree, Ambekar, Sahil start India’s campaign with wins
Bangkok, March 8: The Indian youth boxing team made a strong start to its campaign at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 here on Sunday, with Joyshree Devi Chirom, Ambekar Meetei Lairenlakpam and Sahil Duhan registering victories. In the women’s 54kg category, Joyshree secured a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) victory in the second round against her opponent from Tajikistan. In the men’s division, Ambekar (50kg) and Duhan (60kg) also began their campaigns on a winning note, both recording 5-0 unanimous decision victories over opponents from the Philippines and China respectively. The Indian team is competing in the Youth Olympic weight categories, making the tournament an important step in the pathway towards the qualification and preparation for the big event. The World Boxing Futures Cup, being held from March 8 to 15, brings together some of the most promising youth boxers from across the world and serves as a key developmental event in the global boxing calendar. Indian youth boxers had delivered a historic performance last year at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, clinching seven medals including four gold, two silver and one bronze marking India’s best-ever showing in youth boxing at the continental stage. The Indian contingent will look to build on the positive start as the preliminary rounds continue in Bangkok. (PTI)
Shivam Lohakare wins men’s javelin throw gold
Patiala, March 8: The spotlight was on two young javelin throwers – Shivam Lohakare and Anand Singh – on the final day of the fifth edition of the Indian Open Throws Competition here at National Institute of Sports. Lohakare walked away with the honour, winning the men’s javelin throw gold with a distance of 81.08m. After his opening throw of 81.08m, Lohakare had no mark in the remaining five attempts. Anand, representing SSCB, took home silver with a throw of 76.94m, while Odisha’s experienced javelin thrower and Asian Games medallist, Kishore Kumar Jena, claimed bronze with a distance of 74.75m. Jena took a temporary break from competition last season due to a nagging ankle injury but was satisfied with a podium finish on his return to competition. “I’m working to regain my lost form,” the Asian Games silver medallist said. “This season is important for me and I hope to stay healthy to qualify for the Asian Games in September.” In the U18 discus throw (1.5kg) competition, Nishchay missed the national record of 64.09m set by Arjun in Coimbatore in 2010. Nishchay’s best throw on Sunday was 63.90m. (PTI)
Arshdeep wins 25m pistol T3 finals at shooting National Selection Trials
New Delhi, March 8: Arshdeep Kaur secured the top spot in the finals of 25m pistol women event in a high-quality field of the National Selection Trials (Group A) that also featured double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. The Punjab markswoman, who qualified in eighth position, edged out the experienced Divya T.S 37-36 to finish on top in the eight-shooter final. Former Asian Games champion Rahi Sarnobat secured the third place with 33 hits, after Divya prevailed over her in a shoot-off. Rhythm Sangwan finished fourth, followed by Niveditha V. Nair, Bhaker, nationals bronze medallist Anjali Choudhary and Chinki Yadav, who completed the top eight. The qualification and finals of 50m Rifle 3 Positions for both men and women along with the qualification and finals of 10m Air Pistol men will be held on Monday. (PTI)
About 6000 women runners turn up for Pinkathon
New Delhi, March 8: Nearly 6,000 women runners participated in the Pinkathon on the International Women’s Day here on Sunday. Returning to the capital after six and a half years, the event featured race categories from 3km, 5km, and 10km to ultra-distances of 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and 100 km relay. Infant-carrying mothers participated in the 3 km category with their infants, while grandmothers, cancer survivors, and long-distance runners shared the same start line. One visually impaired runner competed in the ultra-distance 50 km category and one in the 100km relay. In the 3 km race, Kriti Sharma secured first place with a timing of 17:31, followed by Sanjana Kumari in second place at 17:45 and Kiran Singh in third with 18:33. In the Lifelong 5 km category, Aayushi Gupta claimed the top podium position with a finish time of 24:37, while Sarika Yadav finished second at 24:59 and Shillaza Girdhar placed third with 28:51. In the 10 km race, Pooja emerged victorious with an impressive time of 40:45, followed by Gayatri Mathur in second place at 45:53 and Nikita Rathee in third with 46:49. (PTI)
NZ woman fast bowler Lea Tahuhu retires from ODI cricket
Wellington, March 8: Veteran New Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu on Sunday announced her retirement from Women’s ODI cricket. The 35-year-old Tahuhu drew curtains on a 15-year career, finishing with 125 wickets from 103 matches, a record for the New Zealand Women’s ODI team. She made her debut against Australia in June, 2011. Tahuhu went on to feature in four Women’s ODI World Cups (2013, 2017, 2022 and 2025). Her match against England in last year’s World Cup was her final ODI for New Zealand. In World Cups alone, Tahuhu picked up 36 wickets, a record for New Zealand, and the ninth best on the all-time charts. “It’s always been a privilege and honour to pull on the White Ferns shirt in ODI cricket,” Tahuhu said in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket. Tahuhu, however, will continue in the T20 format and desires to defend the T20 World Cup title for New Zealand in the upcoming edition of the event to be held in England and Wales. (PTI)
