Rahi on top, Manu second in women’s 25m pistol T4 finals
Dehradun, June 8: Former Asian Games champion Rahi Sarnobat produced a commanding performance to win the women’s 25m pistol finals, outwitting double Olympic-medallist Manu Bhaker in the National Selection Trials 4 being organised to finalise India’s Asian Games shooting squad, here on Monday. Rahi, an Olympian, looked in control throughout the final and finished with 37 hits to comfortably take the top spot. Bhaker settled for silver with 35 hits, while Karnataka’s Divya TS claimed bronze with 29 hits. In the national rankings, world record holder and Munich World Cup gold-medallist Esha Singh retained the top position despite not participating in the trials, while Bhaker remained second. The T4 Rifle/Pistol trials are crucial from an Asian Games perspective, with 15 men and as many women shooters set to represent India across the 28 shooting events in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in September-October this year. The 12-member shotgun squad has already been announced, while the rifle and pistol teams will be finalised after the conclusion of the ongoing trials. (PTI)
Tennis players Dhamne, Adkar included in TAGG scheme
New Delhi, June 8: Rising stars Manas Dhamne and Vaishnavi Adkar were among four Indian tennis players inducted into the Government of India’s Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, a move welcomed by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) as a significant boost to the country’s high-performance pathway. The other two players included in the scheme are men’s singles player Dhakshineswar Suresh and doubles specialist Anirudh Chandrasekar. The four new inductees join 11 other Indian tennis players already supported under the TAGG scheme, including Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, Rutuja Bhosale, Arjun Kadhe, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, Vaidehi Chaudhari, Maya Rajeswaran, N. Sriram Balaji, Saketh Myneni, Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty. Under the TAGG programme, selected athletes receive support through international competition exposure, coaching assistance, sports science services, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning support, equipment assistance and other performance-related interventions. (PTI)
Federer will return to US Open to take part in exhibition event
New York, June 8: Roger Federer will play in an exhibition at the US Open this year, returning to the Grand Slam tournament that he is the only player to win five consecutive times. Days before being enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Federer will play in New York on August 25. The event, titled “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York,” also will include Andy Roddick, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi. Federer started dominating the event and won every one from 2004-08 as part of his 20 Grand Slam singles titles. (AP)
