Seven Indian boxers roar into final at Youth World Boxing Championships

Young Indian boxers continued their dominance at the International Boxing Association (IBA) Youth Men’s and Women’s World Boxing Championships 2022 as seven of them advanced to the finals after their stunning victories in La Nucia, Spain.

Youth Asian champions Vanshaj and Vishwanath Suresh marched into the men’s semi-finals along with Ashish to maintain the all-win record for India, while Keerthi (+81kg), Bhavna Sharma (48kg), Devika Ghorpade (52kg) And Raveena (63kg) advanced in the women’s section.

Vishwanath from Chennai registered a 4-1 win over Puerto Rico’s Juanma Lopez, Vanshaj (63.5kg) and Ashish (54kg), who are from Haryana, won 3-1 against Deshawn Croklem of the United States and Khujnazar of Uzbekistan. 2 and won 4-3. Nortojiev respectively in their thrilling semi-final bouts, read a statement issued by the Boxing Federation of India. ,

Women boxers, on the other hand, registered comfortable wins apart from Keerthi’s 3-2 win against Kazakhstan’s Asel Toktasyn. Raveena and Bhavna defeated their Kazakh opponents Asem Tanatar and Gulnaz Burbayeva by unanimous decision. Devika of Maharashtra defeated America’s Amida Joy 4-1.

Meanwhile, four other Indian women – Tamannaah (50kg), Kunjaradevi Thongam (60kg), Muskaan (75kg) and Lashu Yadav (70kg) signed off with bronze medals after their respective semi-final losses.

Indian boxers have reasserted their dominance at the prestigious championship as 11 out of 17 quarter-finalists have confirmed medals – the most for any country in the ongoing edition, which has seen close to 600 boxers from 73 nations participate .

Uzbekistan are second with 10 assured medals while Ireland and Kazakhstan are joint third with seven medals each.

India’s dominance in the women’s section is another highlight of the tournament as eight boxers have won medals, the most for any country, followed by Kazakhstan (5) and Uzbekistan (4).

Bhawna and Devika along with all three male boxers will fight for the gold on Friday while the others will play the finals on Saturday.

Originally published at Pen 18

world cup: FIFA World Cup 2022 matchday 5: Today’s games and schedule

November 24, 2022 The fifth day of the Qatar World Cup sees World Cup powerhouse Brazil in action, at a time when both Argentina and Germany have lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia and Japan in their last two matches. Today’s matches and match timings are as follows:

Switzerland v Cameroon
In today’s first kick-off, Granit Xhaka-led Switzerland will face five-time AFCON winners Cameroon. The Europeans introduce a new coach and remain unbeaten in World Cup qualifying. The Cameroonians, on the other hand, are a bit shaky and come into the tournament as the fourth lowest ranked side.

Switzerland vs Cameroon begins at 3:30 PM IST.

Uruguay vs South Korea
An uneven matchup, today’s second game could prove to be another surprise result as South Korea have confirmed talisman Hyung-min Son is fit to play against Uruguay today. The South American came into the game in uncertainty with new coach Diego Alonso – who takes over at the end of 2021 – leaving the team in disarray.

Uruguay vs South Korea will start at 6:30 PM IST.


portugal v ghana
Cristiano Ronaldo-led Euro winners Portugal will face four-time AFCON champions Ghana in what is predicted to be a spicy fixture as the African nation returns to the World Cup having been absent for the 2018 edition. This is his fourth World Cup appearance since 2006.

Portugal vs Ghana will start at 9:30 PM IST.


brazil vs serbia
Technically a November 25 match, the Brazil v Serbia game takes place on matchday five in Qatar, with the South Americans projected as favorites to win this year’s tournament. Their first test comes in the form of a dark horse Serbian team, who topped their group in qualifying after beating eventual Euro winners Portugal 2–1.

The Brazil vs Serbia match will begin at 12:30 PM IST on November 25.

Originally published at Pen 18

japan: Qatar FIFA World Cup: Japan stuns Germany with late strike; wins 2-1

Japan’s Ritsu Doon and Takuma Asano struck the final blow in the last 15 minutes to give Japan a stunning 2-1 victory over four-time champions Germany in their World Cup Group E opener on Wednesday.

The Germans dominated the contest at the Khalifa International Stadium and took the lead in the 33rd minute with a penalty from Ilkay Guendogen after wing-back David Raum was fouled by Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.

Germany came closest to scoring in the 16th minute with a superb corner kick from Joshua-Walter Kimmich, who was headed in by Rudiger.

Germany were awarded a free-kick as Thomas Müller was brought down by Takefusa Kubo in the 18th minute but the Germans failed to convert. Gundogan troubled the Japan team with his superb footballing skills as he constantly managed to find spaces in the field.

However, the second goal never came, and Japan’s raids into the German half became more and more frequent, culminating in Daun’s equalizer and Asano’s superb finish eight minutes later.

The defeat in the opening match of a major championship was the third in a row for Germany after losing to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, when they lost to France in the first round as reigning champions, and to France at Euro 2020.

(with inputs from agencies)

Originally published at Pen 18

Takuma Asano: A Precision Katana Cut: Takuma Asano, 83’ Against Germany

It could be a German who first showed 25 years before the World Cup that light bends under the influence of gravity. But Japan’s Takuma Asano finished 83rd.
^third Minutes in their first match against Germany on Wednesday that really demonstrated ‘how it’s done’.

Kou Itakura’s long ball was caught by Asano from a free kick. He makes a run to the German box with Borussia Dortmund’s 6ft 3in defender Nico Schlotterbeck, the 5ft 8in Bochum forward moving like a ship against a speed-boat. This is an impossible angle for the Japanese, made more difficult as the attacker and defender – Manuel Neuer not yet visible in the picture – push each other as if in a fast-paced James Bond sequence. on the roof of the train.

Remarkably, Asano not only keeps his ground, but he also finds a slit between Neuer and the still-looming Scholterbeck to smash the ball soaring into the roof of the German net. This physics-defying goal that sealed Germany’s fate remains the most difficult – and best – goal ever scored in a tournament that has already overturned established laws, awaiting re-evaluation.

Originally published at Pen 18

Harbhajan Singh: Someone like Ashish Nehra more suited to T20 coaching job than Dravid: Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh feels someone like Ashish Nehra should be a part of India’s T20 coaching setup as he knows the shortest format better than current head coach Rahul Dravid.

Nehra had retired from the game in 2017 and led Gujarat Titans to the title on his IPL debut earlier this year.

“In T20 format you can have someone like Ashish Nehra who recently retired from the game. He knows it better, with all due respect to Rahul, we have played together for so many years, he has a huge Knowledge is there but it is a difficult format.

Harbhajan said, “Whoever has played the game recently is better for coaching job in T20. I am not saying that you should drop Rahul from T20. Ashish and Rahul will make this team for 2024 World Cup.” can work together for.” The spin mahan is part of the Delhi Bulls team that features in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

England’s T20 World Cup triumph has sparked debate over split coaching and picking different players for different formats.

“Such an arrangement also makes it easier for Rahul who can take a break like the New Zealand tour and Ashish can work in his absence,” he added.

Asked about different players for different formats, Bhajan said, “It’s fine. It works for me.”

The 42-year-old feels the Indian team’s approach will have to change whether the current top three – Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli – extend their careers till the 2024 World Cup or not.

“The approach has to change in the T20 format. The first six overs are crucial. If that doesn’t happen you will be depending on Hardik or Surya to get you 50 in 20 balls. If they don’t fire, you will be finished. ” One down par total.

The veteran, who played 103 Tests, said, “England changed their attitude and they have won two World Cups. T20 should be played like T20 and not like ODI.”

In the absence of seniors, India fielded a young top-three in New Zealand.

“All the top-three (Rohit, Virat, KL) need to raise their strike rate. When you are batting at 110 or 120 strike and trying to make 180 it is difficult. Have to score at least 9 runs. First 10-12 overs.”

Does he see Kohli and Rohit playing in the shortest format?

“I am not going to comment whether they want to play or not. They are quality players if they can stay fit then why not, provided the approach is different. Players cannot be changed overnight, the approach has to be changed.”

Harbhajan said that Hardik Pandya should captain India in T20 after Rohit Sharma.

If that happens then Hardik is the right choice.

Talking about the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament, Harbhajan said that he is excited to be a part of the league.

“I’m really excited. Don’t know how many games I’ll play. It’s a good format and a shorter format than T20. It’s a faster format and good for the fans. Going forward, it could grow into something huge. ” ,

Originally published at Pen 18

FIFA World Cup 2022: Japan gets 2 late goals to beat Germany 2-1

Originally published at Pen 18

Suryakumar Yadav ODI ranking: ICC ODI Rankings: Suryakumar Yadav continues to stay at top, Hardik Pandya 50th among batters

Star India batsman Suryakumar Yadav retained his top spot while all-rounder Hardik Pandya moved up to joint-50th in the ICC Men’s T20 International batting rankings released here on Wednesday. Suryakumar consolidated his position at the top of the rankings after scoring an unbeaten 111 in the second T20I against New Zealand.

Suryakumar has gained 31 rating points from the series and his 890 points puts him 54th ahead of Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, who is second.

On the other hand, Hardik, who led India in the series against New Zealand, reached the joint 50th position among batsmen after scoring an unbeaten 30 in the final match.

In the bowlers’ list, veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has moved up two places to 11th while left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has moved up one place to 21st. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has jumped eight places to reach the 40th position.

Kohli ranked sixth in ODI rankings

The talismanic Virat Kohli has moved up to sixth in the ODI rankings while skipper Rohit Sharma remains at number eight.

Injured Jasprit Bumrah, who is ranked 11th, is the top-ranked Indian in the bowlers’ list.

Australia openers David Warner and Travis Head have made remarkable gains in the ODI player rankings after a stupendous 269-run stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), while Steve Smith’s consistent performances in the home series against England have earned him a career-best 100 runs. Helped to find the best match. Seventh place

Warner, formerly the top-ranked batsman, gained a spot to reach fifth position in the list after his score of 106 in the final match helped him score 240 runs and win the Player of the Series award.

Head, who scored 208 runs after his player-of-the-match effort of 152 at the MCG, has moved up 12 places to 30th position.

Smith finished third in the run-scorers’ list, his 195 runs good enough to move him up three places to seventh, a position he had gained in January 2017. positions, respectively.

Pacer Mitchell Starc, who was adjudged player of the match for his figures of four for 47 in the second ODI in Sydney, has moved up four places to fourth, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa (up eight places) Gained seventh) and Pat Cummins (up one place to 17th) have also moved up the rankings for bowlers.

For England, Phil Salt and Dawid Malan have entered the top 100. Salt has moved up six places to be ranked 97th, while Malan has moved up 56 places to be ranked 100th.

Originally published at Pen 18