timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Weak CWG field is perfect opportunity for Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik to regain lost touch

Weak CWG field is perfect opportunity for Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik to regain lost touch

The CWG will be important not only for Vinesh and Sakshi but also for Bajrang Punia, who has been a bit iffy about his attacking prowess since suffering a mind-unsettling and doubt-creating knee injury ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. He recently underwent a few medical tests, and the results restored his confidence that his body is not in danger of breaking down, if pushed. He can afford to go all out at the CWG, where wrestling powerhouses like Iran, Russia, Japan and Kazakhstan do not compete.

Unfinished business: Lakshya Sen ready to dazzle in Birmingham again

badminton, has some unfinished business in Birmingham. Four months ago, it was in Birmingham that he became the first Indian man in 21 years to reach the finals of the All England Championship, only to see the gold medal slip out of his hands. The 20-year-old from Almora will have another opportunity to dazzle in Arena Birmingham this year and he is keen to go all the way, albeit, in a different tournament -- the Commonwealth Games, beginning July 28.

Magnus Carlsen will not defend world chess title next year

Magnus Carlsen will not defend his world championship in 2023 against Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi as he is not motivated to play another match, the Norwegian five-time champion said in a podcast on Wednesday. If Carlsen does not defend his title, Nepomniachtchi is likely to face the runner up in the recent Candidates tournament, China's Ding Liren. "I feel I don't have a lot to gain, I don't particularly like (the championship matches), and although I'm sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons and all of that, I don't have any inclination to play and I will simply not play the match," he said on the podcast for his sponsor Unibet.

Argentina international Dybala joins AS Roma on free transfer

Dybala, who was linked with a transfer to Serie A side Inter Milan after his deal with Juventus expired, has signed a three-year contract with Roma. The deal is worth 6 million euros ($6.14 million), Italian news agency ANSA said. "The days that have led up to me signing this contract have been filled with so many emotions," Dybala said in a statement.

CWG-bound sprinter Dhanalakshmi and triple jumper Aishwarya Babu fail dope test

Commonwealth Games after failing a dope test while national record holder triple jumper Aishwarya Babu has also tested positive for a banned substance, sources said on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Dhanalakshmi, who was named in the 36-member Indian athletics team for the Birmingham CWG, returned positive for a banned steroid in a dope test conducted abroad by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the World Athletics. "Dhanalakshmi tested positive in a dope test conducted by AIU.

Abdullah Shafique's hundred helps Pakistan pull off big chase to beat Sri Lanka in 1st Test

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the opening Test in Galle on Wednesday. Chasing 342, Pakistan wrapped up victory in the second session to go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.

CWG 2022: I am an Olympic medallist but don't want to stop learning; wrestler who bit me now a good friend, says Ravi Dahiya

Training zor shor se chal rahi hai bhaisaab, bas jaake desh ke liye medal lana hai" (Training is in full swing. Just have to go there and try and win a medal for my country) - India's star wrestler Ravi Dahiya (57kg) told TimesofIndia.com while gearing up for his maiden Commonwealth Games appearance. Dahiya has been in great form over the last year or so. The 24-year-old wrestler from Nahri village, in Sonipat, won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year and then a gold medal at the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in April earlier this year. This was Dahiya's third gold medal at the Asian Championships overall and the youngster is eager to continue his gold-medal winning spree at the CWG.

I beat better throwers than me for Olympic gold, cut-throat competition now at World Championships: Neeraj Chopra

"In athletics, it's very simple. If you are throwing, it should be the farthest; if you are jumping, it should be the highest; and if you are running, it should be the fastest" is how Neeraj put it during this interaction. There can't be a simpler way than that to put things into perspective. Neeraj, in fact, is a master of that -- keeping things simple. In a couple of days' time, Neeraj will be at the second biggest stage after his Olympic triumph -- the ongoing World Championships in Oregon, USA, where he will run in to throw the spear to a distance that could potentially fetch India only its second World Championships medal. Former long-jumper Anju Bobby George's 2003 bronze is still the only World Championships medal won by an Indian. Neeraj's current form and decorated run-up to the competition promises to add to that tally.

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Weak CWG field is perfect opportunity for Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik to regain lost touch

Unfinished business: Lakshya Sen ready to dazzle in Birmingham again

Magnus Carlsen will not defend world chess title next year

Argentina international Dybala joins AS Roma on free transfer

CWG-bound sprinter Dhanalakshmi and triple jumper Aishwarya Babu fail dope test

Abdullah Shafique's hundred helps Pakistan pull off big chase to beat Sri Lanka in 1st Test

CWG 2022: I am an Olympic medallist but don't want to stop learning; wrestler who bit me now a good friend, says Ravi Dahiya

I beat better throwers than me for Olympic gold, cut-throat competition now at World Championships: Neeraj Chopra