WRESTLING
U17 World Championships: Sitender wins second world title; matches Sushil Kumar’s feat
India’s freestyle wrestling contingent concluded their campaign on a highly positive note at the 2026 U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. India’s overall medal tally across women’s wrestling and men’s freestyle swelled to an impressive 13 medals.
Sitender Malik defended his U17 world title in the 60kg division, securing a 3-1 win over Russia’s Sergei Karmrian. He etched his name in the history books as only the second Indian male freestyle wrestler to ever win two U17/Cadet World titles, joining Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar.
Sitender Malik defended his U17 world title in the men’s 60kg division.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Sitender Malik defended his U17 world title in the men’s 60kg division.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In the 45kg category, Hanumant Rajendra Jadhav dominated Iran’s Mahdi Davoud Damercheli to register a comprehensive 7-1 victory in the bronze medal playoff.
Adding a third medal on the final day, Saksham FNU engaged in a tightly contested 92kg bronze medal match against Iran’s Mohammad Reza Behrang Isazadeh, edging out a out a thrilling 3-2 victory on points (VPO1).
– Team Sportstar
GOLF
Kuwaki wins AIG Women’s Open; Aditi, Diksha miss cut
Japan continued its growing dominance in women’s golf as Shiho Kuwaki defeated Germany’s Esther Henseleit in a two-hole playoff to win the 2026 AIG Women’s Open, becoming the second successive Japanese champion after Miyu Yamashita’s triumph in 2025.
For India, however, the championship ended in disappointment with Hero-backed Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok bowing out after missing the cut on Friday.
Diksha Dagar, who had opened with an encouraging 2-under 69, was undone by a difficult second-round 78 to miss the weekend, while Aditi Ashok also failed to survive the cut.
Despite the early exit, both Indians will look to regroup as the Ladies European Tour season enters its closing stretch.
– PTI
HOCKEY
Karnataka, Jharkhand, MP register wins on day 7 of Junior Men National Championship
Karnataka, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh registered wins on the seventh day of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship in Coimbatore.
In a series of exciting Division ‘A’ matches at the Coimbatore Hockey Ground, Manipur and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu shared the spoils in a thrilling draw.
The day began with Karnataka securing a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Bengal.
After Suraj Kumar Sah (11’) handed Bengal the lead, Pradip Mandal restored parity with a goal just before halftime (30+’). Nitesh Sharma (38’) then put Karnataka ahead before Pradip Mandal struck again (51’). Achaiah MM (49’) also found the scoresheet for Karnataka.
Bengal fought back late through Rasin Aind (58’) and Abed Lugun (60’), but Karnataka held on to claim all three points.
In another closely contested Division ‘A’ fixture, Jharkhand edged Delhi 4-3. Sabian Kiro gave Jharkhand an early lead in the 4th minute before Prabhjot Singh (40’) levelled the scores for Delhi. Sabian Kiro completed his brace (47’), while Sujeet Kerketta (48’) and Ghuran Lohra (58’) extended Jharkhand’s advantage.
Delhi mounted a late comeback through Nishant, who scored twice (52’, 60’), but Jharkhand held firm to seal the victory.
The third match of the day saw Manipur and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu play out an entertaining 4-4 draw.
In the final Division ‘A’ fixture of the day, Madhya Pradesh registered a convincing 4-0 victory over Tamil Nadu.
In the remaining Day 6 Division ‘A’ fixtures, Odisha defeated Manipur 4-1, while Haryana and Madhya Pradesh played out a 2-2 draw.
– PTI
Published on Aug 03, 2026
