India’s challenge at the Badminton Asian Championships 2024 ended as ace shuttlers HS Prannoy and PV Sindhu bowed out. India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra said that he is aiming to breach the 90m mark and might do so before the Paris Olympics 2024.
Read below to learn more about the latest happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Badminton
PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy bow out of Badminton Asia Championships 2024
India’s challenge at the Badminton Asian Championships 2024 ended as ace shuttlers HS Prannoy and PV Sindhu bowed out. Prannoy and Sindhu faced heartbreaking losses in their respective pre-quarterfinal rounds. Sindhu slumped to 6th seed Han Yue of China in a tough three-round challenge. Prannoy, on the other hand, went down to Li Chun Yi, in the second round of men’s singles. Apart from this, India’s doubles hope also ended as the duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lost to the third-seeded Nami Matsumya and Chiharu Shida 21-17, 21-12 in the second round.
Athletics
I will try to breach the 90m mark before Paris Olympics 2024: Neeraj Chopra
India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra said that he is aiming to breach the 90m mark and might do so before the Paris Olympics 2024. Speaking at an event, Chopra said, "I will try to breach the 90m mark before that (Paris Olympics). Hopefully, it happens before Paris, and everything is going on smoothly, so (people) might not have to wait till the Olympics, it might happen before that. The preparation is good." Speaking about his preparation, Chopra said, “During the start of the season, the focus was on fitness and strength and no specific javelin training. I think I got a lot of improvement in technique because of that. Besides, the strength and conditioning training in South Africa and Turkey has also gone well.”
Chess
D. Gukesh outplays Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov, shares lead with Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi
Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh became the only Indian to post a win in the fifth round of the Candidates 2024, after outplaying Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov. With this, he grabbed a share of the lead alongside Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi. Gukesh and Ian share the top spot with 3.5 points, where they are followed by America’s Fabio Caruana with just half a point. Speaking of other Indians, R.Praggnanandhaa played a draw with Nepomniachtchi. Vidit Gujrathi also played a draw with Caruana.
Tennis
Daniil Medvedev loses cool, lashes out at umpire in Monte Carlo R16
Daniil Medvedev lashed out at a supervisor during his Monte Carlo Round of 16 clash at the Monte Carlo Masters. The incident took place before the second round's tie-breaker when Medvedev was unhappy with a line call. Medvedev lost his cool and lashed out at one of the officials for the wrong call. He was heard saying, “Who will take action? Yesterday the ball is out. It’s called in. This ball is out there. Who will take responsibility? It’s not my responsibility to referee the matches. It’s this guy in the glasses. He doesn’t need glasses because he doesn't see anything.”
We are old but gold: Novak Djokovic after joining Rohan Bopanna in elite club
Novak Djokovic the secret of him and Rohan Bopanna being on the top in their respective categories and said “We are old but gold.” Djokovic posted a picture of him and Bopanna on social media and wrote, “Age is just a number. For us, that is number 1.” In a video posted by ATP, Bopanna told Djokovic, “Tennis teaches us so many wonderful things. Experience wins and that is where I have got it.” The Serb replied, “I would say experience but also still being dedicated and devoted to the game every single day. I see him (Bopanna) in the gym for countless hours and also more hours with the physio, a bit more than before (laughs) but it is amazing to share the Tour with you for so many years.”
Andrey Rublev stunned by Alexei Popyrin in Monte Carlo Masters
Defending champion Andrey Rublev was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-4, 6-4 loss in the second round against Australian Alexei Popyrin. Popryin will clash against Australian Alex de Minaur in the next match, and the latter beat Dutchman Tallon Grieskpoor 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. On the other hand, Janiik Sinner advanced to the third round of the tournament with a 6-1, 6-2 win over America’s Sebastian Korda.
Football
AIFF cancels games as Manipur teams refuse to travel to Aizawl
The All India Football Federation had to cancel the last two games of Aizawl FC after two teams from Manipur, TRAU FC, and Neroca FC refused to travel to Manipur, citing security reasons. Manipur has been divided on the lines of violence since May, last year. Due to this, both the clubs were forced to play home games outside the state. However, the AIFF decided to cancel games after TRAU told the federation that “life and safety is more important than football.”
Fans troll Lionel Messi with ‘Cristiano’ chants in Inter Miami’s 5-2 loss to Monterrey
Cristiano Ronaldo fans finally got their redemption time as they unfurled roaring chants of the Portuguese superstar to mock Argentine great Lionel Messi and Inter Miami following their heartbreaking loss to Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final. The Mexican club showed a dominant display against the visiting side as they advanced to the next round with a bolstering 5-2 aggregate win. Notably earlier this week, Argentine fans had mocked Cristiano Ronaldo after the Al-Nassr skipper received a straight red card from the referee for elbowing the opposition player during the play. Ronaldo was poked heavily with the “Messi Messi” chants after Al-Alami knocked out of the Saudi Super Cup to Al-Hilal in the semi-finals.
Referee made a huge mistake: Thomas Tuchel as Bayern denied penalty after Gabriel's handball
After a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League QF, Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel spoke about the non-penalty call over an apparent foul by Gabriel Magalhaes. He said, “The referee made a huge mistake, there was a penalty for handball. I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands. What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a 'kid's mistake' and he won't give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarterfinal. It's a horrible, horrible explanation. Kid's mistake, adult's mistake, whatever - we feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”
Major Football Results
Champions League Quarter Final
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Dortmund
PSG 2-3 Barcelona
Argentina- Federal A Zona A
Sansinena BB 0-1 Olimpo
Brazil-Copa do Nordeste QF
Bahina 3-0 Nautico
Sport Recife 2-1 Ceara