Sarvesh becomes first Indian high jumper to finish in top-three in DL
Monaco, July 11: National record holder Sarvesh Kushare scripted history by becoming the first Indian high jumper to finish on the podium at a Diamond League meet, claiming third place on his debut in Monaco and joining an exclusive four-member club of Indian achievers. The 31-year-old Kushare sailed over 2.26m to take the third spot in a star-studded field Friday night and grabbed a remarkable personal milestone. He was competing just two weeks after setting a national record of 2.31m while winning gold at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar last month. He became only the fourth Indian to finish in top-three of a Diamond League event after javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra (13 times since 2022), long jumper Murali Sreeshankar (once in 2023) and former discus thrower Vikas Gowda (on two occasions in 2015). (PTI)
Animesh clocks fastest 100m by Indian in foreign soil, finishes 2nd
Wetzlar (Germany), July 11: Commonwealth Games-bound sprinter Animesh Kujur clocked the fastest-ever 100m time by an Indian on foreign soil, finishing second at the Fast Arms Fast Legs meet, a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event. The 23-year-old crossed the finish line which a personal best effort of 10.14 seconds in the final, improving on his 10.19-second effort in the heats earlier in the day on Friday. The timing is now the second-fastest ever by an Indian, behind Gurindervir Singh’s national record of 10.09 seconds, set at the Federation Cup in Ranchi in May. It also makes Animesh the owner of three of the five fastest 100m timings by an Indian. Before Gurindervir’s record-breaking run, Animesh had held the national record in 100m event. (PTI)
Asian U-23 Athletics: Shivaji wins 2nd silver; India add 3 more medals
Ordos (China), July 11: Promising distance runner Shivaji Parashuram claimed his second silver after finishing runner-up in the men’s 10,000m with his personal best timing in the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships, here on Saturday. Discus thrower Priya and 400m hurdler Shravani Sangle added bronze as India added three medals on the third and penultimate day to take India’s tally to 11 medals. It was Shivaji’s second medal of the championships after finishing second in the men’s 5,000m on the opening day. (PTI)
Indian GM Iniyan wins 6th La Plagne Open
La Plagne (France), July 11: Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Pa triumphed at the 6th La Plagne Open International Chess Tournament, delivering an unbeaten performance in the Masters category here. The tournament, which concluded on Friday, featured 142 players from 20 countries, including 13 Grandmasters and 22 International Masters. Iniyan scored 7.5 points from nine rounds to claim the title. The 23-year-old Indian remained unbeaten, registering six wins and three draws to finish as the clear winner. (PTI)
