Rio de Janeiro: Narsingh Yadav’s dream of competing at the ongoing Rio Olympics has come to an end with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upholding the World Anti Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal against the clean chit given to him in a doping violation case.

The ad hoc division of the CAS, which met here on Thursday to hear the WADA’s appeal against the clearance to Narsingh by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), also slapped a four-year ban on the Mumbai wrestler.

“WADA filed an urgent application before the CAS ad hoc division to challenge the decision of NADA India to exonerate Narsingh Yadav following two positive anti-doping tests with methandienone on June 25 and July 5. The athlete asserted that he was the victim of sabotage (food/drink tampering) by another person. WADA requested that a four-year period of ineligibility be imposed on the athlete,” the CAS said in a statement.

“The CAS panel did not accept the argument of the athlete that he was the victim of sabotage and noted that there was no evidence that he bore no fault, nor that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional. Therefore the standard four-year period of ineligibility was imposed by the panel,” the statement added.

“It is very sad and unfortunate. We were hopeful until the last proceeding of the CAS that he will get through which unfortunately did not happen,” Indian Chef de Mission Rakesh Gupta told IANS after the hearing.

“It is really very sad because he had a real potential to clinch a medal.”

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh called for a probe by the Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) into the whole affair.

“This should not happen to any sportsperson in the future. I demand a CBI probe into the entire issue so that this episode is not repeated in the future,” Brijbhushan told a television news channel.

“We feel sorry for Narsingh, this should not hapen to any athlete.”

Narsingh was embroiled in a doping controversy in the run up to the Olympics, but was cleared by the NADA ahead of the Games.

But the WADA decided to appeal to the CAS against the NADA’s clearance to Narsingh just two days before the star grappler was scheduled to compete at the Games.

“The CAS panel in charge of this matter heard the parties and their representatives today. The parties were informed that the application was upheld, that Narsingh Yadav was sanctioned with a four-year ineligibility period starting today and that any period of provisional suspension or ineligibility effectively served by the athlete before the entry into force of this award shall be credited against the total period of ineligibility to be served,” the CAS stated.

“Furthermore, all competitive results obtained by Narsingh Yadav from and including 25 June 2016 shall be disqualified, with all resulting consequences (including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes).”

With the CAS announcing its verdict, Narsingh’s campaign at the ongoing Rio Olympics has ended before it could start.

According to the official website of the Rio Games, the Mumbai grappler was scheduled to start his Olympic campaign against Zelimkhan Khadjiev of France in the qualification round of the men’s 74 kg Freestyle category on Friday.

The 26-year-old grappler also underwent his weigh-in on Thursday.

The CAS decision is a continuation of a long ordeal for Narsingh, who was preferred over double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar to take part in the Olympics by the WFI that led to a major legal battle between the two wrestlers.

Narsingh, who bagged the quota with a bronze medal finish in last year’s World Championships, won the legal battle, but then ran into trouble over alleged doping offences.

He first returned positive for a banned steroid following a dope test on June 25 by NADA, before being cleared on August 1.

The WFI also communicated to the world’s apex wrestling body, the United World Wrestling (UWW) that NADA has cleared Narsingh of all the doping-related charges and the 26-year-old would be re-included in the team for the 74kg competition.

The UWW gave the green light to Narsingh for participation on August 3. However, Narsingh’s route had to clear the final WADA hurdle to compete, which reviewed the NADA panel verdict and challenged it at CAS for further deliberation.

Narsingh had claimed of a conspiracy to frame him and had filed a police report in this regard, although he refrained from naming anyone.

The WFI chief had backed Narsingh’s claims and had asserted that a conspiracy was hatched to stop the wrestler from participating in the Olympics and this needs to be exposed in order to secure future generations of sportspersons.

(IANS)

Rio de Janeiro: Star shuttler P.V. Sindhu entered the women’s singles final to assure India of a second medal at the Rio Olympics while the Indian contingent suffered a blow with wrestler Narsingh Yadav being banned for four years over a doping offence.

Sindhu assured the country of at least a silver medal after thrashing Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in straight games in the women’s singles badminton semi-final at the Rio Olympics here on Thursday.

World No. 10 Sindhu continued with her giant-killing spree as she made light work of the Japanese to register a 21-19, 21-10 triumph in the semi-finals and become the first Indian shuttler to enter the final of the Olympics.

However, the euphoria in the Indian camp turned into dismay later in the day when Narsingh’s dream of competing at the Rio Olympics came to an end with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upholding the World Anti Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal against the clean chit given to him by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) in a doping violation case.

The ad hoc division of the CAS, which met here on Thursday to hear the WADA’s appeal against the clearance to Narsingh by the NADA, also slapped a four-year ban on the Mumbai wrestler.

“WADA filed an urgent application before the CAS ad hoc division to challenge the decision of NADA India to exonerate Narsingh Yadav following two positive anti-doping tests with methandienone on June 25 and July 5. The athlete asserted that he was the victim of sabotage (food/drink tampering) by another person. WADA requested that a four-year period of ineligibility be imposed on the athlete,” the CAS said in a statement.

“The CAS panel did not accept the argument of the athlete that he was the victim of sabotage and noted that there was no evidence that he bore no fault, nor that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional. Therefore the standard four-year period of ineligibility was imposed by the panel,” the statement added.

With the CAS announcing its verdict, Narsingh’s campaign at the ongoing Rio Olympics has ended before it could start.

According to the official website of the Rio Games, the Mumbai grappler was scheduled to start his Olympic campaign against Zelimkhan Khadjiev of France in the qualification round of the men’s 74 kilogram Freestyle category on Friday.

The 26-year-old grappler also underwent his weigh-in on Thursday.

“It is very sad and unfortunate. We were hopeful until the last proceeding of the CAS that he will get through which unfortunately did not happen,” Indian Chef de Mission Rakesh Gupta told IANS after the hearing.

“It is really very sad because he had a real potential to clinch a medal.”

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh called for a probe by the Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) into the whole affair.

“This should not happen to any sportsperson in the future. I demand a CBI probe into the entire issue so that this episode is not repeated in the future,” Brijbhushan told a television news channel.

“We feel sorry for Narsingh, this should not hapen to any athlete.”

But in the sports arena, India’s fortunes took a sudden turn for the better as Sindhu defeated World No.2 Wang Yihan on Wednesday, set up her semi-final clash with world No.6 Okuhara.

World No.10 Sindhu made light work of the Japanese to become the first Indian shuttler to enter the final of the Olympics.

With this win, the double World Championship bronze medallist improved her head-to-head record against reigning All England Open champion Okuhara to 2-3.

In the final, she will face two-time reigning world champion Carolina Marin of Spain, who beat defending champion Li Xuerui of China 21-14, 21-16 in the other semi-final.

Irrespective of the colour of the medal in the final on Friday, it will be India’s second medal in the Rio Games after wrestler Sakshi bagged a bronze medal in the women’s 58kg category.

Sindhu’s height and long reach gave her a lot of advantage against the pint-sized Okuhara, who also had her right thigh strapped.

Especially, Sindhu’s sharp cross-court game and half smash helped her get off to a fine start as she took the first game 21-19.

In the second game, Sindhu turned more aggressive and played a fearless game to stun the Japanese who looked short of ideas.

The 21-year-old Hyderabadi kept earning points, hitting one smash after another to enjoy a comfortable ride. As many as 10 points on the trot catapulted her to the final with a 21-10 win in the second game.

Afterwards, what followed was a screaming celebration from Sindhu and her camp.

“It’s historic day. I feel so proud. It’s a show of women power. Sindhu, Sakshi and even Saina all have shown great women power. I am keeping my fingers crossed for gold tomorrow,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) committee member Nita Ambani said.

“I am very happy and as Indians we are all feeling proud, especially Indian girls. I think, for us it’s a big, big occasion to celebrate the power of our young Indian girls.

“We need to make India a multisport nation. All children should play all games and experience them. We have to, specially encourage Indian girls to play more and different games in India,” she added.

“I am humbled and privileged to be working in the International Olympic Committee.”

The only disappointment of the day was wrestler Babita Kumari losing 1-5 to Greece’s Maria Prevolaraki in the women’s Freestyle 53 kg 1/8 Final.

Babita struggled to find her feet in the first period after being pushed out of the safety zone and then the Greek wrestler took another two points to extend the lead further to 3-0.

The 26-year-old Indian managed to bag a point in the second period as Maria failed to make the most of the 30-second advantage.

Babita once again went for aggressive play but Maria turned it around to add two more to her score. From then on, things started slipping from the Indian’s hands as Maria displayed great defensive skills to hold on and beat the Indian.

Meanwhile, at the golf course, India’s Aditi Ashok continued to impress as she carded a second straight three-under 68 to be tied eighth after the second round of the women’s golf event.

The 18-year-old got off to a flying start on Thursday after getting a birdie on the par-five first hole before getting two more birdies on the par-three fourth and par-four ninth holes till the halfway mark.

In the back nine, she bogeyed the par-five 10th hole before picking her again with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th hole.

However, a bogey on the par-five 18th hole again gave her a 68 that took her total to six-under 136. She shared the eighth position with four other golfers.

The Bengaluru golfer was four strokes behind leader South Korean Inbee Park, who carded a second straight 66 to sit at the top.

Lewis Stacy of the US carded a stunning eight-under 63 to be one stroke behind Inbee.

Britain’s Charley Hull (66) and Brooke Hendersen of Canada (64) shared the third spot with identical totals of eight-under 134.

(IANS)

by Cricbuzz

Unhappy with a few wet patches, as they felt more work was needed, the umpires decided to schedule another inspection at 10:00 AM local time. The toss will take place at 10:10 AM with play scheduled to start at 10:30 AM conditions permitting.

Pitch Report:
“It has been raining heavily over the past few days and the pitch was under covers. There might be some moisture on the surface, the wicket looks tacky and batting should be difficult for the first hour, before easing out. It’s a bowl first pitch,” said Jeff Dujon.

Chasing 324 for victory, Australia were all out for 160, half-an-hour before the tea break

Sri Lanka on Wednesday defeated Australia by 163 runs in the final Test in Colombo to complete a 3-0 sweep in the three-match series. With the series win, India, which was placed second on the ranking list ahead of the series, moved to the top spot.

Chasing 324 for victory, Australia were all out for 160, half-an-hour before the tea break, succumbing to their third successive defeat against the hosts.

David Warner top-scored for Australia with a fluent 68. Rangana Herath (7/64) was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with a 13-wicket match haul.

The teams now face off in a five-match one-day series beginning on Sunday in Colombo.

(Reuters)

Mumbai: India will play an international friendly match against Puerto Rico in Mumbai on September 3, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday.

The match will be played at the Andheri Sports Complex here.

“We are pleased to announce an International Friendly against Puerto Rico on September 3, 2016, in Mumbai,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said in an AIFF release.

“As per the August FIFA Rankings, Puerto Rico are ranked 114. Playing against such an opposition will help us prepare well for the forthcoming Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifiers,” Das added.

National coach Stephen Constantine stressed that the best way to test growth is to “playing higher ranked opposition”. India are currently ranked 152.

“During my previous tenure in India, we regularly played higher ranked Teams. It’s the best way to test yourself. Puerto Rico are presently ranked 114 and we look forward to playing them,” Constantine stated.

“The pre-season training camp had its own benefits and they were visible even in the high altitude in our unofficial friendly match against Bhutan in Thimphu. But this will be an entirely different ball game,” he added.

India beat Bhutan 3-0 in a friendly match on August 14.

(IANS)

Rio de Janeiro: Star wrestler Sakshi Malik brought an end to India’s long wait for a medal at the ongoing Rio Olympics, clinching bronze in the Women’s Freestyle 58kg category even as the Indian challenge in other disciplines continue to falter.

The 23-year-old from Rohtak overturned a 0-5 deficit in a hectic second round to script an 8-5 victory over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan in the bronze medal bout at the Carioca Arena 2 here on Wednesday.

It was a rousing display of fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude from the Indian.

Aisuluu was clearly the superior wrestler in the totally one-sided opening round, displaying impressive strength and technique to take five points and open up a formidable lead.

But Sakshi — who has previously shown a knack of staging strong comebacks — was a totally transformed grappler in the second round, taking eight consecutive points to send the sizable number of Indian fans in the stands into wild delirium.

Sakshi, who had also finished on the podium at the 2015 Asian Championships, created history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to clinch an Olympic medal.

Kaori Icho of Japan won the gold medal in the category while Russia’s Valeria Koblova — who had defeated Sakshi in the quarter-finals — took the silver.

Eight-time African champion Marwa Amri of Tunisia took home the other bronze medal in the category.

Icho also created history by becoming the first-ever wrestler to win four Olympic titles. She is also the first female in any sport to win gold at four Olympics in an individual event.

Earlier, Sakshi had crashed out of contention for the gold medal after a one-sided 2-9 loss to Valeria in the quarter-finals.

Sakshi, who trailed 0-1 after the first period, made a comeback in the initial minutes of the second period to go 2-1 up.

She, however, failed to maintain the lead as the Russian overpowered her with some incredible moves to take an unassailable 9-2 lead in the dying minutes.

But with Valeria later making it to the final, Sakshi qualified for the repechage round for a shot at the bronze medal.

She started her bid for the bronze in superb fashion by defeating Orkhon Purevdorj of Mongolia 12-3 in the Repechage Round 2 to move within striking distance of a medal.

Sakshi’s medal capped another day of heartbreaks for India including an unfortunate injury to Vinesh in the women’s 48kg Freestyle category that forced her out of the competition.

Vinesh had sustained what seemed to be a serious knee injury during her bout against Sun Yanan of China in the quarter-finals.

The Haryana grappler, one of India’s best bets for a medal, had received a bye in the opening round. She then started her campaign on a rousing note with a dominant 11-0 thrashing of Alina Emilia of Romania in the pre-quarterfinals.

The 21-year-old was leading 1-0 against the Chinese grappler at the time of her injury.

The match was immediately stopped to allow medical attention to Vinesh. After the Indian physio declared that Vinesh will not be able to continue, Sun, who was leading 2-1, was declared the winner by injury.

Vinesh, who got her injured knee wrapped and put in a brace, was taken away on a stretcher. She was then shifted to the Athletes Village where a clinic has all the facilities for medical test. However, she had to wait about an hour for the MRI, since the machines were busy with other athletes.

Later, doctors said Vinesh’s injury was a “ligament tear” and no fracture was seen.

“She will recover from the injury in about two weeks, but for her to start wrestling will take about six weeks at least,” the Chief Medical Officer of the Indian contingent in Rio, Pawandeep Singh Kohli told IANS.

The doctor said she sustained the injury when her opponent in the wrestling match caught her foot and turned it sharply, putting pressure on the knee. “It’s an agonising pain when a ligament tears,” he said. A brace has been put on her leg. She will be examined after two weeks and then advise given on future course of treatment.

The other events on Wednesday witnessed a by now familiar pattern of Indians producing brave efforts only to fizzle out in their respective disciplines.

The day started with Srikanth going down after a valiant fight to two-time defending champion Lin Dan of China in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event of the badminton competition.

Five-time world champion Dan edged out World No.11 Srikanth 21-6, 11-21, 21-18.

With this win, the 32-year-old Chinese legend took a 3-1 head-to-head lead against the 23-year-old Indian shuttler.

In the semi-finals, Dan will face his long-time rival and Malaysian veteran Lee Chong Wei, who crushed Chinese Taipei’s Tou Tien Chen in a dominating 21-9, 21-15 victory.

Wednesday also witnessed Tintu Luka finishing sixth in her women’s 800 metre heats despite clocking her season’s best timing.

In track and field, Tintu was the lone Indian athlete in action on Wednesday.

She started off well but her strategy backfired to finish with a timing of 2:00.58 minutes in Heat 3. Tintu finished overall 29th in the qualification round.

The qualification round was topped by Canada’s Melissa Bishop followed by Marina Arzamasova of Belarus and Habitam Alemu of Ethiopia at the second and third spots respectively.

In the women’s golf event, India’s Aditi Ashok carded an impressive three-under 68 to finish tied seventh after the opening round.

The 18-year-old got off to a flying start after getting a birdie on the par-four second hole before getting two more birdies on the par-five 10th and par-three 14th holes to get a 68 in a flawless round.

The Bengaluru golfer shared the spot with Lexi Thomson of the United States, Britain’s Charley Hull and the Spaniard Azahara Munoz.

Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand set the pace with a six-under 65 as she enjoyed a one-stroke lead at the top over the South Korean duo of Inbee Park and Seiyoung Kim.

It was an eventful round for Ariya, who got an eagle on the par-five fifth, alongside seven birdies against a double bogey on the par-three fourth and a bogey on the par-four 11th.

(IANS)