U-23 Athletics: Kerala long jumper CV Anurag joins 8m club
Hanamkonda (Telangana), Oct 17: Kerala long jumper CV Anurag on Friday joined the coveted 8m club as he won gold on the second day of the Indian Open U23 Athletics Competition here on Friday. Anurag recorded a jump of 8.06m to better his own meet record of 7.87m set in 2024. The gold winning effort was Anurag’s personal best. The 21-year-old jumper got his rhythm right on his second attempt to break the 8m barrier. His opening jump was 7.88m. After the 8.06m mark, he had jumps of 7.96m, 6.62m, no mark and 7.88m. (PTI)
Anahat Singh reaches quarters of Boston Open squash
New Delhi, Oct 17: Reigning women’s national champion Anahat Singh completed a fine win over American Charlotte Sze to progress to the quarterfinals of the Boston Open, a $15,000 PSA Challenger event. The world No 45 and second seed defeated local challenger Sze 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 in the round-of-16 on Thursday after receiving a first-round bye. The Delhi teenager will next meet Egyptian eighth seed Jana Swaify. (PTI)
Shubankar fires 66 at DP World C’ship, Fleetwood emerges leader
New DelhI, Oct 17: In a span of just 24 hours, a “relaxed and rested” Shubankar Sharma turned despair into delight, firing a flawless six-under 66 to emerge as the best-placed Indian at tied 32nd after the second round of the inaugural DP World Championship here on Friday. Left two-over after the opening day, Sharma relied on his mantra of “do less and rest more”, producing six birdies to reach four-under 140 at the tricky Delhi Golf Club. Tommy Fleetwood, the reigning FedExCup champion, set the pace with a blemish-free 64 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend over overnight leader and playing partner Shane Lowry, who carded a steady three-under 69. USA’s Brian Harman, the 2023 Open winner, mixed eight birdies with a bogey in a 65 to join Lowry in second place at 11-under. Japan’s Keita Nakajima (65, 69) followed a shot behind, while Joost Luiten and Brandon Robinson-Thompson (69, 66) completed the top five. Once again, all eyes were on World No. 2 and five-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, who closed with four birdies in his last six holes to return a second successive 69 and move to tied 17th. (PTI)
Naomi Osaka is out of Japan Open quarterfinals with leg injury
Osaka, Oct 17: Naomi Osaka pulled out of her quarterfinal match at the Japan Open on Friday because of a left leg injury. Her withdrawal ahead of the match resulted in Jaqueline Cristian advancing to the semifinals on a walkover, the WTA Tour said. Tournament organizers said top-seeded Osaka hadn’t recovered from the injury sustained late in her second-round match. It will be Cristian’s third semifinal appearance of the year and her first on a surface other than clay. Before the injury, Osaka had wins over Wakana Sonobe and 2024 champion Suzan Lamens. After splitting the first two sets with Lamens, Osaka took a 5-0 lead in the third. But during a rally with Lamens serving at 0-5 and 30-15, Osaka pulled up with an apparent issue with her left leg. She won the point after Lamens sent a backhand wide but requested a medical timeout after the next point. Osaka, a four-time major winner, returned to the court with her left thigh wrapped and limitations in her movement but was able to close out on her third match point. Osaka lost in the second round of the China Open in late September and also lost in the second round at the Wuhan Open last week. In another quarterfinal at the Japan Open, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez beat Rebecca Sramková 7-6 (2), 6-3. (AP)
Karhana appointed safeguarding officer for Youth Asian Games
New Delhi, Oct 17: Olympian and 2009 Asian Championships gold medallist shot putter Om Prakash Karhana has been appointed by the IOA as the safeguarding officer of the Indian contingent for the Youth Asian Games. The third edition of the Youth Asian Games will be held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31. “It is a great honour and responsibility to once again be part of Team India – this time in a new role dedicated to safeguarding our athletes. I am thankful to Ms. P T Usha, President of the IOA, the Athletics Federation of India, and SAI for their guidance and constant support throughout my sporting journey,” said Karhana. A safeguarding officer is responsible for ensuring athletes’ safety and welfare. (PTI)
