SQUASH
Indian boys’ team reaches semifinals, confirms medal at World Squash Junior Championships
Indian boys’ team defeated third-seeded South Korean side 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the World Squash Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.
Having reached the semifinals for only the third time in history after 2008 and 2012, the boys’ team is assured of at least a bronze medal.
In the opening tie, Yusha Nafees took down Jeong Uk Ryu 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9) but the Koreans bounced back as Joo Young Na defeated Sandhesh Pr 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-4). In the decider, K S Arihant beat Jonghyeok Lee 3-1 (11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4) to seal the victory.
In the semifinals, the Indian boys will be up against USA.
Later, on Wednesday, the Indian girls’ team fell to a 3-0 defeat again top seed Egypt in the quarterfinals.
Nadien Elhammamy defeated Anika Dubey 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-5) in the opening clash of the quarterfinal, before Unnati Tripathi lost 3-0 (11-1, 11-3, 11-0) to Amina Orfi. The tie was comprehensively sealed as Sohayla Hazem brushed past Navya Sundararajan 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-3).
-Team Sportstar
BOXING
Forty Indian boxers set to compete at Asian U19, U22 Championships
India’s contingent of 40 promising youngsters is set to compete at the Asian U19 and U22 Boxing Championships, which kicks off on Wednesday in Bangkok, Thailand. Spanning until August 12, the tournament will bring together 396 boxers from 26 nations, making it one of the premier stages for emerging talent across the continent.
Held at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, the event is being organised by the Asian Boxing in association with World Boxing and the Thailand Boxing Association. It features two age groups – U19 (born between 2007 and 2008) and U22 (born between 2004 and 2006) – with both men and women competing under Olympic-style boxing rules.
The Indian team features a strong mix of talent across both divisions. Leading the charge is three-time Asian Champion and two-time National Champion Vishvanath Suresh, who will be one to watch. Joining him are Sagar, a National Championship gold medallist; Preet Malik, a National Games silver medallist; Suman Kumari a Khelo India gold medallist and senior nationals performer; Yakshika, a Asian Youth Championship 2024 bronze medallist; Nisha, multi-time national medallist with international exposure; Muskan ,Sub-Junior Nationals 2024 silver medallist; and Vini, School Nationals gold medallist.
Boxers will compete across 10 weight categories in each division. For U19 men, the categories range from 47kg-50kg up to +90kg, while U19 women will fight in classes from 45kg-48kg to +80kg. The U22 men and women will compete in the same weight ranges.
-Team Sportstar
SWIMMING
Shoan Ganguly finishes 38th in 200m medley at World Championships
Indian swimmer Shoan Ganguly finished 38th in the men’s 200m medley on day four of the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old from Karnataka clocked 2:05.40s to finish eighth in his heat and 38th overall, failing to progress to the 16-swimmer semifinals.
Reigning Olympic champion Leon Marchand topped the heats. The 23-year-old Frenchman clocked 1:57.63s, while Australia’s David Schlicht (1:59.50) was the last swimmer to make the semifinals.
-PTI
CYCLING
Cycling Federation signs MoU with Manav Rachna
The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) to design an educational and career pathway for the cyclists.
The partnership will help the cyclists pursue higher education while continuing with their professional training in the sport.
There will be a joint Cycling Coaching Academy that will offer UCI-aligned coaching certification course, apart from a Diploma course in Cycling coaching and Sports Sciences.
“Our mission is to nurture world class talent and this collaboration will help build a strong academic and scientific foundation for our cyclists. Together, we aim to create a new benchmark in cycling education, coaching and capacity building,” said the secretary general of CFI, Maninder Pal Singh.
“With CFI’s technical strength and international affiliations combined with MRIIRS’s academic and sports science infrastructure, this partnership sets the foundation for a professional and robust environment for aspiring cyclists and sports professionals,” said the vice president of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, Amit Bhalla.
-Team Sportstar
TENNIS
Rod Laver junior challenge: Argentina beats India
Argentina beat India 4-2 in the fourth league match of the IC Rod Laver junior challenge tennis tournament in Barcelona, Spain.
It was the third defeat in four matches for the Indian team following the ones against Spain and Italy. India had beaten South Africa in the six team competition played on a round robin format.
The results (league):
Argentina bt India 4-2 (Tomas Re bt Samarth Sahita 3-6, 7-5, [10-7]; Felipe Gonzalez bt Araadhya Kshitij 7-5, 4-6, [10-7]; Sofia Meabe bt Saanvi Misra 6-2, 6-1; Camila Markus lost to Rishitha Basireddy 1-6, 6-4, [1-10]; Tomas & Felipe lost to Samarth & Araadhya 4-6, 7-6(4) retired; Sofia & Camila bt Saanvi & Rishitha 6-1, 6-2).
– Kamesh Srinivasan
AITA: Heisnam beats Arjun Rathi in quarterfinals
Qualifier Shanker Heisnam beat lucky-loser Arjun Rathi 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(6) in the men’s quarterfinals of the HPCL Mittal Rs. 200,000 AITA ranking tennis tournament at the CLTA Complex on Wednesday.
In the women’s section, Mahika Khanna outplayed third seed Jeetesh Kumari 6-2, 6-2.
The results (quarterfinals):
Men: Sarthak Suden bt Svarmanyu Singh 6-2, 7-6(3); Parv Nage bt SM Aadhithya 7-6(4), 6-3; Jagmeet Singh bt Ricky Chaudhary 6-2, 4-6, 6-2; Shanker Heisnam bt Arjun Rathi 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(6).
Women: Sahira Singh bt Jaya Kapoor 6-2, 6-1; Mahika Khanna bt Jeetesh Kumari 6-2, 6-2; Rya Sachdeva bt Divya Bhardwaj 6-1, 7-5; Tejasvi Dabas bt Manshi Singh 6-3, 7-5.
– Kamesh Srinivasan
Challenger tournament: Karan Singh knocked out in pre-quarters
Karan Singh knocked out third seed Ivan Gakhov 6-3, 7-6(7) in the pre-quarterfinals of the $60,000 Challenger tennis tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
In the quarterfinals, Karan will play Alexandr Binda of Italy.
In the $100,000 Challenger in Lexington, USA. qualifier Dhakshineswar Suresh beat fifth seed Billy Harris of Britain 6-3, 7-5 in the first round.
There was success for Sumit Nagal in the Challenger in Germany, as he outplayed Carlos Jover of Spain for the loss of four games in the first round.
The results:
€145,250 Challenger, Porto, Portugal
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Nicolas Barrientos (Col) & Joran Vliegen (Bel) bt Sriram Balaji & Vijay Sundar Prashanth 7-6(3), 6-3.
€91,250 Challenger, Hagen, Germany
Singles (first round): Sumit Nagal bt Carlos Jover (Esp) 6-2, 6-2.
$100,000 Challenger, Lexington, USA
Singles (first round): Dhakshineswar Suresh bt Billy Harris (GBR) 6-3, 7-5.
€91,250 Challenger, Liberec, Czech Republic
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Szymon Kielan & Filip Pieczonka (Pol) bt Prajwal Dev & Nitin Kumar Sinha 6-4, 6-3.
$60,000 Challenger, Astana, Kazakhstan
Singles (pre-quarterfinals): Karan Singh bt Ivan Gakhov 6-3, 7-6(7); Alexandre Bakshi (Geo) bt S Mukund 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Yusuke Kusuhara & Shunsuke Nakagawa (Jpn) bt Moerani Bouzige (Aus) & Sai Karteek Reddy 6-2, 6-4.
$30,000 ITF men, Brazzaville, Congo
Singles (first round): Aditya Balsekar bt Julian Desousa (Ned) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5; Nicolas Jadoun (Fra) bt Prakaash Sarran 6-1, 6-2.
$15,000 ITF men, Monastir, Tunisi
Singles (first round): Manas Dhamne bt Gokberk Saritas (Tur) 6-1, 6-4.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Valentin Carvalho (Fra) & Samir Reguig (Alg) bt Taha Kald (Irq) & Aaron Samson 6-4, 6-2.
$15,000 ITF men, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Singles (first round): Pawit Sornlaksup (Tha) bt Daksh Prasad 6-2, 6-2; Yuhei Kono (Jpn) bt Dheeraj Srinivasan 7-6(4), 6-1.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Dheeraj Srinivasan & Abhinav Sanjeev
Shanmugam bt Credit Chaiyarin & Noppadol Noikor (Tha) 7-5, 7-6(4); Yuttana Charoenphon & Kasidit Samrej (Tha) bt Manish Sureshkumar & Vishnu Vardhan 3-6, 6-3, [10-5].
$15,000 ITF men, Bali, Indonesia
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Farzan Amiri (USA) & Ashwin Sharma (Aus) bt Parth Aggarwal & Yash Yadav 2-6, 6-1, [10-8]; Jack Loutit (Nzl) & Felix Mischker (GBR) bt Dharmil Shah & Caheer Warik 6-3, 7-5.
$60,000 ITF women, Lexington, USA
Singles (first round): Ayana Akli (USA) bt Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-4, 6-2.
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Clervie Ngounoue (USA) & Alexandra Osborne (Aus) bt Arianne Hartono (Ned) & Prarthana Thombare 6-3, 6-4.
$30,000 ITF women, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Singles (first round): Fangran Tian (Chn) bt Shrivalli Bhamidipaty 6-4, 6-4; Vaidehee Chaudhari bt Tanuchaporn Yongmod (Tha) 6-2, 7-5.
$30,000 ITF women, Roehampton, Britain
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Naiktha Bains (GBR) & Rutuja Bhosale bt Georgiana Mittelu & Ciara Moore (GBR) 6-1, 6-1; Alicia Dudeney & Amelia Rajecki (GBR) bt Humera Baharmus & Adaugo Ukaegbu (USA) 6-1, 6-1.
$15,000 ITF women, Monastir, Tunisia
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Severine Deepner & Carla Grignac (Fra) bt Madison Frahn (Aus) & Himadri Kashyap 6-3, 6-2.
$15,000 ITF women, Huamantla, Mexico
Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Gala Arangio (Arg) & Diva Bhatia bt lourdes Ayala (Arg) & Natalia Salazar (Mex) 6-3, 6-3.
– Kamesh Srinivasan
FOOTBALL
Durand Cup 2025: NEROCA snatches late draw against TRAU
NEROCA FC struck in stoppage time to salvage a point against TRAU FC in Imphal in a Durand Cup 2025 group E fixture on Wednesday.
TRAU had dropped deep to defend its slender lead in the 96th minute when a cross from the left flank by Zlex Mangang was headed across goal by Waikhom to Arunkumar Singh, who timed his dive perfectly to nod the ball into the bottom corner.
The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when right-back Khunjamayum Raj Singh surged forward from near the corner flag and curled into the goal while trying to put in a cross.
But the game turned on its head when TRAU was down to 10 men. Dhanachandra Mutum received a second yellow card in the 76th minute.
In Kolkata, two late second-half strikes by Bhupinder and Brazilian Cledson da Silva gave I-League side Namdhari Sports Academy an opening win over Bengaluru’s South United FC (SUFC).
-Team Sportstar
WRESTLING
Under-17 World Wrestling Championships: Four Indian girls in finals
Rachana (43kg), Moni (57kg), Ashvini Vishnoi (65kg) and Kajal (73kg) entered their respective finals to remain in gold medal contention at the Under-17 World Wrestling Championships in Athens on Wednesday. The finals will be held on Thursday.
-Y.B. Sarangi
HOCKEY
15th India Sub Junior Men National Championship: Bengal, Telangana register wins
Bengal and Telangana put on dominating performances defeating Goa and Himachal in their respective Division B matches on Day 3 of the 15th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship.
In the opening match of the day, Bengal and Goa went toe-to-toe for the first two halfs before Munna Kumar Singh opened the former’s account converting a penalty corner. Goa equalised soon, ending the third quarter at 1-1.
Bengal’s Shivam Rabidas and Hiten Rajak gave their team a two-goal advantage. Sahil Pramod Jambotkar reduced Goa’s deficit to just one goal before Suvam Patra converted a PC to the end match 4-2 in favour of Bengal.
In the second match of the day, Telangana had a dominating start, with Amit Dayal (11’) and Sairam Chouhan (14’) giving the team an early two-goal advantage in the first quarter itself. Himachal gave a tough fight in the second quarter and didn’t let Telangana increase lead.
Making a comeback in the second half, Sidhant Kaushal (33’) scored early for the team and gave a fighting chance going into the final quarter. However, despite all its efforts, the early goals by Telangana proved too much for the team, and it lost 1-2 by the end of the fourth quarter.
Day 3 Results:
Hockey Bengal defeated Goans Hockey 4-2 in Division ‘B’
Telangana Hockey defeated Hockey Himachal 2-1 in Division ‘B’
– Team Sportstar
GOLF
Diksha all set for her favourite Major at AIG Women’s Open
India’s Diksha Dagar is set to make her sixth appearance in her favourite Major, the AIG Women’s Open, when she tees up at the Royal Porthcawl this week.
The two-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner, who has been on the Tour full time since 2019, holds the record for the most top-10 finishes by an Indian on the Tour. She has 22 top-10s in 130 starts.
Diksha also finished second at the Lalla Meryem Cup this year.
This year, Diksha is the only Indian in the field on the AIG Women’s Open. In five previous starts in the event, Diksha has made the cut only once, finishing T-21, the best ever by an Indian.
Meanwhile, fresh off a sensational victory at last week’s ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, England’s Lottie Woad will be the one to watch out for.
Woad will tee up in round one alongside defending champion Lydia Ko and 2023 champion Lilia Vu.
Ko will tee up as the defending champion. The 28-year-old claimed her third major title last year in St. Andrews by two strokes over Lilia Vu, Jiyai Shin, Nelly Korda and Ruoning Yin. The final day saw Ko fire a round of three-under par (69) to claim the title.
-PTI