Kriish Tyagi enters pre-quarters of Karnataka Open
Bengaluru, May 12: Wildcard Kriish Tyagi made the most of familiar home conditions as the 19-year-old Indian registered an impressive straight-sets victory to enter the pre-quarterfinal of the Karnataka Open ATP Challenger here on Tuesday. Playing his first professional event of the season on the courts he has grown up on, Kriish produced a composed performance to defeat Japanese qualifier Taiyo Yamanaka 6-2, 7-5. India also had more reasons to cheer as Mukund Sasikumar and Manish Sureshkumar advanced to the next round with solid victories. Mukund overcame Malaysia’s Mitsuki Wei Kang Leong 6-3, 7-6 (1), while Manish edged past American qualifier Ronit Karki 6-4, 7-6 (7) in a tightly contested encounter to enter the last 16. However, it was the end of the road for several other Indian players. Digvijaypratap Singh pushed fourth seed Philip Sekulic hard before losing two close tie-break sets 6-7 (5), 6-7 (5). Sixth seed Karan Singh squandered a 5-3 lead in the first set before bowing out after a 6-7 (6), 3-6 defeat to Japan’s Kokoro Isomura, while another local lad D Prajwal Dev lost to Australia’s Joshua Charlton 6-1, 6-4. Qualifier Aditya Vishal Balsekar, who had raised hopes after making the main draw, went down to Israel’s Amit Vales 6-2, 6-2. (PTI)
SAI announces 2030 CWG engagement initiatives for youth
New Delhi, May 12:In a bid to build momentum for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Tuesday announced that three nationwide engagement initiatives have been launched, including a reel-making contest for youngsters. As part of the campaign, participants can take part in the ‘Commonwealth Games 2030 Torch Design Contest’, the ‘CWG Reel Challenge’, and the ‘Commonwealth Games 2030 Quiz’. The competitions are open to all MyBharat users and “seek to build awareness and excitement around the the Games”. The ‘Torch Design Contest’ invites citizens to design a torch concept inspired by “India’s culture, heritage, innovation, sustainability, and sporting excellence.” “Entries may be submitted in digital or hand-drawn format along with an optional concept note of up to 200 words. The contest began on Monday and will end of May 20. Selected winners will receive Fit India hampers and recognition certificates, while eligible participants will receive digital participation certificates. (PTI)
Teen sprint sensation Gout to lead Aus’ world juniors squad in Eugene
Brisbane, May 12: Star sprinter Gout Gout has already set an international record faster than Usain Bolt could produce at the Under-20 level, and now he’ll get a chance to lower it when he leads Australia’s 75-strong squad for world juniors in Eugene, Oregon in August. “I’m really excited to get out there at World Athletics Under 20s,” Gout said. “It’s a great stadium and place to run fast, and I feel confident I’ll be ready to step up and make Australia proud.” Gout will compete in the 200 metres – he already holds the under-20 world record in that event – and he’ll also be part of Australia’s 4×400 relay team. The 18-year-old was aiming to break the 10-second barrier legally for the 100 metres at the Australian junior titles last month, but he finished just outside the mark. He said his sole reason for racing was just to confirm his spot for the world juniors. (AP)
