Haryana’s Manisha Kalyan becomes first Indian to play in UEFA Women's Champions League

20.08.2022 - 07:03 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

football at Engomi, near Cyprus’s capital of Nicosia. At the stroke of the 60th minute in the match between Apollon Ladies FC and SFK Riga, Manisha Kalyan came in as a substitute for the former at Makareio stadium and became the first Indian footballer — among both men and women — to play in the topmost European club competition, the Uefa Champions League.

For Haryana girl Manisha, it was not the impending history for the nation but the personal milestone and earnestness to stay focused that topped the mind ahead of her debut. “Coach (Laurent Fassotte) had told me before the match to be prepared and that I would get some time in the match, even if it was for 10-15 minutes.

So I had begun preparing myself,” Manisha told TOI on Friday. “I was telling myself that I needed to be ready, to give my very best.

The entire time, the focus was on giving my best for the club.” In fact, I had played some matches for the national team that had more intensity than yesterday’s (Thursday) game and I believed I was ready for it,” Manisha added.

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ZURICH: Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday achieved yet another historic feat as he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League Finals title. Chopra began with a foul but jumped to the top spot with a throw of 88.44m -- his fourth career best -- in his second attempt, and that turned out to be his winning effort. He had 88.00m, 86.11m, 87.00m and 83.60m in his next four throws. Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic finished second with a best throw of 86.94m which he registered in his fourth attempt. Julian Weber of Germany was third with a best of 83.73m.

Neeraj Chopra Becomes 1st Indian To Be Crowned Diamond League Champion

Neeraj Chopra on Friday was crowned Diamond League 2022 champion as he won the final in Zurich with a best throw of 88.44m. Chopra became the first Indian to win a Diamond League final. The Diamond League trophy adds to his historic gold medals in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the Tokyo Olympics. Chopra managed to stave off a strong challenge from Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jakub Vadlecjh, who registered a best throw of 86.94m.

Asia Cup 2022: Virat Kohli smashes 100 T20I sixes, becomes second Indian player to do so

Virat Kohli on Thursday completed 100 sixes in T20I cricket, becoming the second Indian batter to hit a century of sixes and the tenth overall player to achieve this landmark. Virat accomplished this landmark during India's final Super Four clash against Afghanistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022. Virat finally completed his much-anticipated 71st century. He smashed an unbeaten 122 in just 61 balls with 12 fours and six sixes. Now, Virat has a total of 104 sixes, which is the ninth-highest in T20I cricket.

Champions League: Celtic welcome the champions

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Iga Swiatek Becomes First Polish Woman To Reach US Open Quarterfinals

World number one Iga Swiatek became the first Polish woman to reach the US Open quarter-finals on Monday when she defeated Jule Niemeier in an error-strewn last-16 clash. French Open champion Swiatek recovered from a set and a break down to see off her 108th-ranked German opponent, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0. Top seeded Swiatek will face US eighth seed Jessica Pegula for a place in the semi-finals.