Crippa wins Paris Marathon, Ethiopia’s Demise smashes record
PARIS, April 12: Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa was the fastest of nearly 60,000 runners in the Paris Marathon on Sunday, while Shure Demise of Ethiopia smashed the course record to win the women’s race.Demise ran the 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) through the French capital in a personal-best time of 2 hours, 18 minutes and 34 seconds, shaving more than a minute off the previous women’s fastest time in Paris set by Kenyan runner Judith Jeptum Korir with 2:19:48 in 2022.The 30-year-old Demise wasn’t the only one to beat Korir’s mark as she reached the finish on Avenue Foch opposite the Arc de Triomphe ahead of compatriot Misgane Alemayehu (2:19:08), Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai (2:19:17) and another Ethiopian, Enatnesh Alamrew Tirusew, (2:19:18).The Ethiopian-born Crippa finished in a personal best 2:05:18, five seconds ahead of Bayelign Teshager of Ethiopia and 10 ahead of Sila Kiptoo of Ethiopia.“My marathon career begins today,” the 29-year-old Crippa said. “I’ve finally found the right path. It was incredible. Around the 33rd kilometer, I realized it would be my day, and when, at the 39th kilometer, I saw my opponents struggling, I decided to attack.” Crippa went on to become the first Italian winner. (AP)
Sivaraj, Kamali crowned national surfing champions
NEW DELHI, April 12: Sivaraj Babu and Kamali Moorthy bagged the men’s and women’s Open surfing title respectively in the Little Andaman Pro 2026 tournament here on Sunday.Sivaraj emerged the national champion with a score of 13.63, clinching victory by a razor-thin margin of just 0.30 points over Srikanth D, who finished at 13.33.Kishore Kumar followed closely with 12.87, while Sanjay Selvamani posted 9.30 in a fiercely contested heat.The Surfing Women’s Open Final saw a dominant performance from Kamali, who successfully defended her crown.Kamali delivered an outstanding score of 15.83, winning by a comfortable margin of 4.19 points over Sugar Shanti Banarse (11.64).Devi Ramanathan (7.84) and Riva Aurora (5.23) rounded off the final standings.In the SUP Sprint Men’s Final, Sekar Pachai continued his stellar run in the championship, clocking 1:22.32 to secure the top podium position. He was followed by Akash Pujar (1:24.65) and Selvarasan Nagamuthu (1:29.98), completing a highly competitive race.The SUP Sprint Women’s Final saw Vijayalakshmi Irulappan deliver a commanding performance, finishing first with a time of 1:40.35.Arthi secured second place with 1:48.02, while Nishi finished third at 2:47.94. (PTI)
Kerala win Asmita Khelo India South Cycling Meet with 35 medals
KOCHI, April 12: Kerala on Sunday emerged overall champions at the Asmita Khelo India Women’s League, delivering a dominant performance with a total of 35 medals.The host state clinched 11 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals to secure the top honour at the two-day event held from Saturday.Tamil Nadu finished runners-up with 14 medals, including seven gold, one silver and six bronze.Karnataka claimed third place with seven medals (two gold, two silver and three bronze), while Telangana finished fourth with five medals, comprising one gold and four silver.The championship was jointly organised by the Sports Authority of India’s Khelo India division, the Cycling Federation of India and the Kerala Cycling Association (PTI)
