Tokyo: World number one archer Deepika Kumari held her nerves to pip former world champion Ksenia Perova of the Russian Olympic Committee in a thrilling one-arrow shoot-off to advance to the women’s individual quarterfinals of the Olympic Games here on Friday.
Locked 5-5 after the regulation five-setter, the 27-year-old Indian delivered a perfect 10, hitting the bull’s eye, to topple the Russian, a team silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Starting off the one-arrow shoot-off, the Russian crumbled under pressure as she misfired a 7 while a composed Deepika sealed the issue 6-5 (10-7) without any fuss.
For the three-time Olympian Deepika, this was her first win from three matches against the 2017 world champion as she became the first Indian to make the last-eight in an individual event of the Olympics
In the quarterfinals, Deepika will face 20-year-old Korean top seed An San who bounced back from a set behind to oust local favourite Ren Hayakawa 6-4.
The Korean, who had broken a 25-year-old Olympic record en route to topping the ranking round, displayed incredible shooting of three 10s in her last three arrows to set up a clash against the Indian.
Deepika had faced the Korean once earlier, in the final of the ‘Tokyo 2020 Test Event’ at the same venue of Yumenoshima Park in 2019, and the Indian had lost to her younger opponent in straight sets.
“Now it’s going to be tougher and tougher ahead,” said Deepika, who is chasing the country’s first ever Olympic medal in archery.
“I’ve to fight and shoot better. I hope to do better in the next round. Right now, I need extra focus.
“I can’t win if I’m nervous. I’m trying my best to regain my touch as quickly as possible,” Deepika said of her nervy outing against the Russian.
She had failed to close out after taking 4-2 and 5-3 lead in the third and fifth sets respectively.
“I’m really nervous. Yes, I started off well but it was all about Olympic pressure. It really became difficult (afterwards) to find the yellow-ring (that gives scores of either 9 or 10).”
Deepika had a flying start and raced to a 2-0 lead, drilling a perfect 10 in her second arrow as the experienced Russian faltered with a 7 in the last arrow to concede the set by three points (28-25).
Up 19-17 after two arrows in the second set, the Indian needed a 9 to take a 4-0 lead but only to misfire a 7 as the Russian gained control by one point (26-27) with a 10 for a 2-2 overall score.
It was some tight shooting from both archers from there on as Deepika edged out narrowly (28-27) courtesy a 10 in her first arrow.
A 10 eluded Deepika in the fourth set as both players hit an identical 9-8-9 to take the match to the fifth set with the Indian in the driver’s set with a 5-3 lead.
But pressure got the better of Deepika once again as she could not capitalise her lead and misfired a 7 in her first arrow, conceding the set to her world number 8 opponent (25-28) to force a shoot-off after being 5-5.
Call it a stroke of luck or something else for Deepika, Perova misfired a 7 to start off the one-arrow shoot-off and the Indian held her nerves to seal the issue by hitting the bull’s eye.
“I just tried to live in the present. I was very much relieved after she hit a 7. It definitely boosted my confidence,” Deepika said of the shoot-off.
The sequence of the shoot-off follows the sequence of the start of the match, something that was chosen by the higher seed player.
Perova was a seed higher than Deepika who had finished ninth in the ranking round.
Deepika’s husband Atanu Das is the only other Indian in contention for a medal as he made the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday with a stunning shoot-off win over two-time Olympic champion Oh Jin Hyek.
“Obviously it boosted my morale. The pressure gets divided,” Deepika said of her husband as the duo are the first Indian couple to take part in the same discipline in the Games.
In his last-16 match slated on Saturday, Das will face home favourite Takaharu Furukawa, an individual silver medallist at the 2012 Olympics and a team bronze winner here.
Indian men’s team and mixed team were earlier knocked out by the Koreans in their respective quarterfinals.
Archives for July 2021
Shilpa Shetty’s mother lodges cheating complaint in Rs 1.6 crore land deal case
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty’s mother Sunanda Shetty has registered a complaint of cheating and forgery here against a property agent in a Rs 1.6 crore land deal in adjoining Raigad district, a police official said on Thursday.
According to the official, the case was registered against the accused, Sudhakar Ghare, on Wednesday at the Juhu Police station in suburban Mumbai on directions of a city court.
The accused allegedly forged documents to claim that the land in question was in his name and executed the Rs 1.6 crore deal with Sunanda Shetty, he said, quoting from the complaint.
However, when the fraud came to light, Sunanda Shetty asked Ghare to return her money, but he failed to do so, the official said.
He has been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, he said.
A senior inspector from the Juhu Police station confirmed registration of the case, but said no arrest has been made and further investigation was underway.
During initial probe, the police found the matter is two years old when Sunanda Shetty had purchased the relevant land in Karjat taluka, around 100km from Mumbai, from Ghare.
Using forged papers, the accused had claimed the land belonged to him and fraudulently sold the property to the complainant, police said.
When the complainant learnt about it, she immediately asked Ghare to return the money. When he failed to do so, Sunanda Shetty approached the local court seeking its intervention for registration of a case, they said.
The incident has come at a time when Shilpa Shetty is in limelight following the arrest of her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, in connection with alleged production of pornographic films.
Sri Lanka thrash India by 7 wickets to win series 2-1
Colombo: Sri Lanka spinners led by leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga rattled a depleted Indian batting to engineer a 2-1 series victory with a seven-wicket win in the third T20 International here on Thursday.
Batting first, India playing with at least two batsmen short were restricted to their third lowest total of 81 for 8 with Hasaranga getting 4 for 9 in 4 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka reached the target in 14.3 overs with Dhananjaya De Silva (23 ) scoring bulk of the runs. Rahul CHahar finished with 3/15 in 4 overs.
Brief Scores: India 81/8 in 20 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 4/9). Sri Lanka 82 for 3 in 14.3 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 23 batting, Rahul Chahar 3/15).
Delhi Assembly passes resolution against Asthana’s appointment; Kejriwal says move against SC order
New Delhi: The Delhi Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Centre to immediately withdraw the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the Delhi Police commissioner, with the AAP MLAs expressing “reasonable apprehensions” that he will be used to create “a reign of terror” against political rivals in the national capital.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the appointment as against the Supreme Court order and said the Union government should make appointments in accordance with rules.
Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, however, called Asthana an “honest and decorated” IPS officer who was awarded the President’s Police Medal twice.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the move aimed to “harass” the party leaders.
Raising the issue on the first day of Delhi Assembly’s Monsoon session, AAP MLA Sanjiv Jha moved a resolution, saying that Asthana’s appointment is “unconstitutional”.
“This House expresses its strong disapproval over the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, order dated July 27, 2021, appointing Rakesh Asthana to the post of Commissioner of Police, Delhi, for a period of one year or till further orders.
Given the past track record of this officer (Asthana), there is a reasonable apprehension that the central government will use him for foisting false cases on political rivals to create a reign of terror in the national capital, the resolution stated.
Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal noted, “I feel the appointment of Rakesh Asthana is against the Supreme Court order.
According to reports, he could not become the CBI director as he was ineligible for the post. He is also not eligible for this post (Delhi Police commissioner) for the same reason. The Centre should make the appointment as per rules,” he said.
The resolution passed by the Delhi Assembly also stated that such a controversial individual should not be heading the police force in the country’s national capital”.
The MHA order, is in complete violation of the Supreme Court judgement dated March 13, 2019, in clearly laying down that no individual who has less than six months of service left, can be considered for appointment as head of police force anywhere in the country.
“Further, the post of Commissioner of Police, Delhi, belongs to the AGMUT IPS cadre. This appointment of a controversial Gujarat-cadre officer, who has faced multiple enquiries on serious charges in the past, will only bring Delhi Police into controversies,” read the resolution.
The resolution passed by the House also directed the Delhi government to convey to the MHA that the appointment order of Rakesh Asthana be “immediately withdrawn” and fresh process for the appointment of Commissioner of Police for Delhi be initiated in accordance with proper rules and regulations.
The Union government had on Tuesday appointed Asthana as the Delhi Police commissioner, giving him a one-year extension on the new post days before his retirement.
Asthana, a 1984-batch IPS officer, was serving as the director-general of the Border Security Force and was due to retire on July 31.
AAP MLA Sanjiv Jha also questioned Asthana’s knowledge of Delhi and policing in the city as he was a Gujarat-cadre officer.
Participating in the debate, AAP MLAs Gulab Singh, Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, Somnath Bharti and B S Joon, supported the resolution and alleged that Asthana was brought to Delhi to “muzzle and harass the AAP .
Tripathi asserted that AAP leaders and workers were not scared by the appointment and added, “We are born out of revolution. We are not like the Congressmen in Gujarat.”
AAP MLA Bharti questioned the purpose behind Asthana’s appointment, alleging that he has been brought to harass AAP MLAs, councilors and the chief minister”.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that Asthana successfully investigated the Godhara carnage and Purulia arms drop cases.
“He also investigated the land scam related to the son-in-law of a political party chief. The House should welcome his appointment,” he said.
In his reply over the debate in the House, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain dared Bidhuri for action against the “son-in-law” he was not naming and added that the BJP and Congress are “two sides of the same coin”.
He supported the resolution, saying the central government should not have defied the Supreme Court directions while making the appointment.
Mary Kom slams IOC Boxing Task Force for “poor judging”, says can’t believe I’ve lost
New Delhi Six-time world champion M C Mary Kom on Thursday slammed the International Olympic Committee’s Boxing Task Force for “poor judging” in her flyweight (51kg) pre-quarterfinal at the Tokyo Games which she lost despite winning two of the three rounds.
The Task Force is conducting the boxing competition in Tokyo after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) was suspended by the IOC for alleged misgovernance and financial wrongdoing.
“I don’t know and understand this decision, what’s wrong with the Task Force? What’s wrong with the IOC?” she asked in a telephonic interview to PTI after the 2-3 loss to Colombian Ingrit Valencia in the pre-quarters in Tokyo.
“I was also a member of the Task Force. I was even giving them suggestions and supporting them in ensuring a clean competition. But what have they done with me?” she said.
The 38-year-old, multiple-time Asian champion who was eyeing her second Olympic medal after the bronze at the 2012 London Games, said this evening’s loss did not sink in even after she had gone for her dope test.
“I was happy inside the ring, when I came out, I was happy because in my mind I knew I had won. When they took me for doping, I was still happy. Only when I saw the social media and my coach (Chhote Lal Yadav repeated it to me), it sunk in that I have lost,” she said.
“I had beaten this girl twice in the past. I couldn’t believe that her hand was raised by the referee. I swear, it hadn’t struck me that I lost, I was so sure,” she added.
The Indian trailed 4-1 in the opening round with four of the five judges scoring it 10-9 in favour of Valencia. In the next two rounds, Mary Kom got three of the five judges to rule in her favour but the overall score-line was still in favour of Valencia.
The Manipuri needed a 4-1 verdict in the final round to swing the bout for her.
“The worst part is that there is no review or protest. Honestly I am sure the world must have seen, this is too much what they have done,” she said.
“I should have got the second round unanimously, how was it 3-2? What happened was totally unpredictable,” she reasoned.
The IOC’s Boxing Task Force had promised a more transparent judging system after amateur boxing’s credibility took a hit during the 2016 Rio Olympics judging fiasco which led to suspension of 36 officials.
Mary Kom is part of the BTF’s 10-member athletes ambassadors group.
She represents the Asian bloc in the panel, which also comprises the likes of Ukrainian legend Vasyl Lamachenko (Europe), a two-time Olympic and world gold-medallist who now plies his trade in the professional circuit, and five-time world champion and 2016 Olympic gold-winner Julio Cesar La Cruz (Americas) among others.
“…in a minute or in a second everything gone for an athlete. This is unfortunate what has happened. I am disappointed by the judging,” she said.
But the veteran is in no mood to quit despite her Olympic journey coming to an end with the Tokyo edition. At present, boxers above 40 are not eligible to compete at the Games.
“I will take a break after coming back, spend time with family. But I am not quitting. If there is any competition, I will continue and try my luck,” she said.
The AIBA is trying to regain IOC recognition by ringing in several changes in the administrative set-up under new President Umar Kremlev, which includes the introduction of the bout review system to ensure that boxers’ grievances are addressed.
“You can’t do that here. I would have definitely protested otherwise,” Mary Kom said.
Facing flak, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says his remarks on rape victims ‘taken out of context’
PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who has drawn criticism over his remark about to the gang-rape of two girls, on Friday said his statement was taken out of context, and added that the safety of minors has to be a shared responsibility.
Four men, one of them a driver with the agriculture department, allegedly posed as policemen and raped two girls after beating up the boys who were with them on Benaulim beach on Sunday.
All the accused have been arrested.
On Wednesday, Sawant had said in the state Assembly that parents need to introspect
The chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, had said parents have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their children and hinted that they should not let their children, particularly minors, out at night.
But his remarks drew angry reactions.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Sawant said, “My statement about the unfortunate incident was taken out of context.”
“Both – as the head of a responsible government and as a father of a 14 year old daughter, I was deeply pained and disturbed. The pain of this incident is inexplicable,” he added.
The chief Minister said that at no point he had tried to deny the right to security provided by the law.
“Goa police has been a truly professional force especially when it comes to security of women and children. They have already acted swiftly and arrested the accused, and let me assure you that I shall ensure that the culprits get the most stringent punishment under the law,” he added.
The safety of our citizens is always my government’s top priority, he said.
“Safety of children especially the minor ones has to be a shared responsibility. Our right to security has to be strengthened further with more cautiousness. Children, especially minors, need guidance of their elders,” he said.
The chief minister said that there is a curfew imposed in the state, and people are restricted at public places.
“So, when I spoke about a shared responsibility for minor children, it was out of concern, care and love for my fellow citizens and our children,” he added.
“We all love our kids. Being the chief minister, my feeling of concern is extended to all the children of Goa,” Sawant said.
He added that both as an individual and as the chief minister, he can never ever directly, indirectly or remotely hurt the sentiments of the fellow citizens of Goa.
“I put this on record today,” he said.
Sawant reiterated that there would be no compromise in matters concerning the safety and security of children.
“Let there be no place for misunderstanding. Let us stand united. Let us trust each other. Let us stand united as one Goa so that all such evils can be defeated with all our might,” he said.
Karnataka sees 34% jump in fresh Covid cases
BENGALURU: After 19 days, the daily Covid caseload in the state has crossed the 2,000-mark. The last time this happened was on July 10 when 2,162 cases were reported. On Thursday, the state reported 2,052 cases, or 34 percent jump in cases, with Bengaluru accounting for 506 (34 percent more than Wednesday’s count of 376). The tally now stands at 29,01,247.
In the last seven days, 18 districts reported a higher case fatality rate than the state average. Kodagu, Shivamogga, Ballari, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Dharwad, Mysuru, Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru Urban have higher deaths per million than the Karnataka average, which stands at 521. The highest number of deaths have been in the 60 to 69 age group with 10,545 patients succumbing to the virus. With 1,332 discharges, the total recoveries have gone up to 28,41,479.
CBSE to announce class 12 results by 2 pm on July 30
NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will announce results for class 12 on Friday, according to officials.
The board exams were cancelled this year in view of the aggressive second wave of COVID-19, and the result will be announced on basis of an alternate assessment policy by the board.
Raj Kundra arrested as he was not cooperating with probe: Mumbai police to HC
MUMBAI: Mumbai Police on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that businessman Raj Kundra was arrested in an alleged case of production and streaming of pornographic films as he was not cooperating with the investigation.
In an affidavit filed in response to Kundra’s petition challenging the arrest, the police also argued that section 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, which is about “publishing/creating pornographic content”, was rightly invoked in the case.
Kundra was arrested by the Mumbai crime branch on July 19, and is presently in judicial custody.
His bail application was rejected by a lower court on Wednesday.
In his petition, he claimed that the material which he allegedly disseminated through apps was not pornographic, and at the most it could be described as “lascivious”.
Kundra (45), who is married to actor Shilpa Shetty, also alleged that the police had not issued any notice under section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure before arrest, which is mandatory.
As per section 41A, the police may, in cases where arrest is not warranted, issue summons to the accused and record his or her statement.
The police said in their reply that a notice was issued prior to the arrest, but Kundra refused to accept it.
“The fact that the petitioner refused to accept the notice implies that the petitioner refused to cooperate with the investigation,” said the affidavit filed by inspector Kiran Bidve.
During the hearing before Justice A S Gadkari on Thursday, Kundra’s lawyer Aabad Ponda argued that when such a notice is issued, a period of two weeks is given to the person to appear for questioning.
“Kundra was not even given two days or two hours. His office premises were searched by the police on the afternoon of July 19. This went on for about three to four hours during which Kundra was present and cooperating. Later in the evening he was asked to accompany the police to the police station where he was arrested,” Ponda said.
The police in their affidavit, however, alleged that when the search was underway, Kundra and his “IT technician” Ryan Thorpe started deleting messages from a WhatsApp group, thus destroying evidence.
To prevent them from further tampering with evidence, Kundra was taken to police station and arrested, the police claimed.
Justice Gadkari will continue the hearing on July 31.
Covid-19 Update India 44,230 fresh cases 555 more fatalities in last 24 hours
NEW DELHI: With a single-day rise of 44,230 cases, India’s COVID-19 tally climbed to 3,15,72,344 on Friday, while the death toll due to the viral disease shot up to 4,23,217 with 555 more people succumbing to it, the Union health ministry said.
The number of active coronavirus cases in the country registered an increase for the third consecutive day, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
The number of active cases has gone up to 4,05,155, accounting for 1.28 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.38 per cent, the data showed.
An increase of 1,315 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 tally in a span of 24 hours.
The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.43 per cent, according to the ministry.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 3,07,43,972, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 per cent, the data showed.
The cumulative number of Covid vaccine doses administered in the country so far has reached 45.60 crore.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 last year, 30-lakh mark on August 23, 40-lakh mark on September 5 and 50-lakh mark on September 16.
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