Germany’s fastest sprinter Owen Ansah faces an anti-doping process
BONN (Germany), July 17: Germany’s fastest-ever sprinter is facing a potential ban as the national anti-doping agency looks into whether he failed to comply with a test.Owen Ansah, the first German sprinter ever to run under 10 seconds for the 100 meters, remains free to compete while the German agency carries out what it called a “results management process.” The agency, known as NADA, said Friday that Ansah is being investigated under a rule which bars athletes from evading, refusing or failing to submit to doping tests.Athletes across multiple sports have received lengthy bans under that rule in the past. Former Wimbledon tennis champion Marketa Vondrousova was given the maximum four-year ban for a typical first offense last month for refusing a test.No mandatory provisional suspension applies in Ansah’s case, NADA added.The 25-year-old Ansah, who improved his German record to 9.98 seconds last month, is considered a medal contender in the 100 and the 4×100 relay at the European championships in Britain next month.He did not immediately comment on NADA’s statement. (AP)
Leipzig sign French defender Maxime Esteve from Burnley
LEIPZIG, July 17: Leipzig signed French defender Maxime Esteve from relegated Premier League side Burnley on Friday.The 24-year-old Esteve signed a contract to 2031 and will wear the No. 3 jersey, the Bundesliga club announced.Kicker magazine said Leipzig was paying 25 million euros ($28.5 million) for the center back, a fee that could rise with bonuses if certain conditions are met.“He has many of the qualities we were looking for in this position ?” height, athleticism, a strong left foot, confidence in possession and the ability to step out and defend proactively,” Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer said. “Maxime is positive in the way he plays, a tough tackler, vocal and brings a huge amount of energy to the pitch. He is also a natural leader.”Other reinforcements Esteve is the first direct signing for the energy-drink manufacturer-backed club since Martin Demichelis was appointed coach as the fired Ole Werner ‘s replacement. (PTI)
Boxing: Hansika wins silver at Budapest Ranking Series
BUDAPEST, July 17: Former U-23 world championship silver medallist Hansika Lamba produced a spirited performance to secure a silver medal in the women’s 55kg category at the Polyak Imre, Varga Janos & Kozma Istvan Memorial Senior Ranking Tournament here.Displaying immense resilience, Hansika earned her place in the title clash with a sensational comeback victory in the semifinals, where she overturned a 2-7 deficit against Germany’s Anastasia Blayvas by executing a series of explosive takedowns to win 10-7.In the gold medal bout, the Indian wrestler put up a tough resistance against a formidable opponent in Ukraine’s Nataliia Klivchutska, eventually going down 0-5 on points (VPO) to finish second.The silver medal adds to a rapidly growing international resume for Hansika, who previously clinched a bronze at the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships.The Indian contingent’s freestyle wrestlers bolstered the nation’s medal count further by capturing two bronze medals on the second day of competition.In the 65kg third-place play-off, Vishal Kaliraman delivered a commanding tactical display to outclass Kazakhstan’s Ossumzhan Dastanbek 8-2.In the 125kg heavyweight class, Rajat Ruhal clinched the bronze medal, defeating against USA’s Mason Mark Parris.Ruhal was declared winner after the American wrestler was forced to forfeit the bout due to an injury. (PTI)
