Indian Sports Wrap, August 8: Manika Batra loses in first round at WTT Champions Yokohama

TABLE TENNIS

Manika Batra loses in first round at WTT Champions Yokohama

Manika Batra suffered a first-round defeat at the WTT Champions event in Yokohama, Japan, on Friday.

World No. 52 Manika, the only Indian participant, went down 0-3 (16-18, 8-11, 10-12) to World No. 34 Yangzi Liu of Australia in half an hour.

-Team Sportstar

BOXING

The 4th edition of the Sub-Junior Boys and Girls National Boxing Championships kicked off with an action-packed session at Galgotias University, Greater Noida, on Thursday.

Over 80 bouts were contested on Day 1 as India’s youngest boxing talents stepped into the ring with Haryana (Girls) and Services Sports Control Board (Boys) entering as the defending champions.

In the girls’ section, boxers like Hitaish Nahar (HP), Garima (HAR), and Naomi Kom (Manipur) impressed with dominant wins. Clean sweeps by Maanyata Chettri (SIK) and Lavanya Patil (Goa) caught the eye, while walkovers helped Vaidehi Chaudhari (GUJ) and Ekampreet Kaur (SSCB) advance.

Among the boys, strong performances came from the likes of Aryan Shekhawat (RAJ), Rehan Ansari (BIH), and Anmol Sharma (HP), who won their bouts with control and confidence.

The championship continues till August 13.

-Team Sportstar

E-SPORTS

S8UL’s Jonny storms into the EAFC playoffs at Esports World Cup 2025

After a thrilling run in Group E, Jonas Wirth (Jonny), representing S8UL Esports, qualified for the playoffs of the FC Pro 25 World Championship at the ongoing Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The tournament features 32 of the world’s best competing for $1.5 million (INR 12.5 crore) prize pool. All playoff matches will be played in a single-elimination format, with Jonny set to take the stage for his round of 16 match on Friday.

“It feels amazing to qualify for the playoffs,” said Jonas Wirth aka Jonny.

“Every match challenged me, but I stayed calm and played my game. I’m proud to represent S8UL and excited to give it my best in the Round of 16,” he added.

Jonny earned his place at EWC 2025 by finishing in the top four of the Virtual Bundesliga 2024–25, where he won three of his four group stage matches before narrowly missing out in the semifinals.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Ridhima finishes second in Taiwan Junior Open

Indian golfer Ridhima Kapoor shone at the Taiwan Junior Open – the most prestigious junior golf event in South East Asia — clinching second place.

Ridhima’s score over three days:

• Day 1 – 75 (+3)
• Day 2 – 75 (+3)
• Day 3 – 72 (Even Par)

Ridhima Kapoor poses with the Indian flag after finishing second at Taiwan Junior Open.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

It was the second podium finish for the youngster in the last two years. Ridhima was crowned champion at the Bali International (D Category) in 2024.

Bhatia shoots career-best 62 to lead St. Jude Championship on PGA

Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia stole the show in the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, carding a career-best 8-under 62 to take outright lead after day one.

It was a day of birdie streaks and ensured great early drama in the first of the three FedExCup play-offs on the PGA Tour.

The 23-year-old Bhatia, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, was brilliant in his final few holes.

After a fine front nine of four-under, Bhatia birdied 11th but gave back a shot on the 12th. Then he was on fire on the final stretch. He eagled the par-5 16th and that was followed by consecutive birdies on 17 and 18.

He said, “I just felt really in rhythm. The course sets up well for my game, and once I made that eagle, everything clicked. I wasn’t trying to chase anything — I just stuck to my process and got into a great zone.” Bhatia had seven birdies, one eagle, and one bogey and it was a personal best on the PGA Tour. It sets him up with a great chance to not only win his first playoff event, but also move into contention for the FedEx Cup.

Indo-British Aaron Rai shot an even par 70 with two birdies and two bogeys. He was tied 39th. He is currently 55th and needs to be inside Top-50 to play the next event.

– PTI

Veer Ahlawat placed 43rd, Shubhankar 77th in Nexo Championship

India’s Veer Ahlawat opened with a round of 1-over 73 and was placed 43rd, while compatriot Shubhankar Sharma endured another rough start before settling for the tied 77th position in the first round of Nexa Championship on the DP World Tour.

Ahlawat opened with four pars and then had five birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey in his 73.

Sharma shot 3-over 75 in the opening round at Trump International Golf Links.

Starting from the first tee he double bogeyed the third and then had three more bogeys to turn in 5-over. He did pick three birdies on the back nine against one bogey, but that was not enough to give him breathing space.

– PTI

ARCHERY

Four Indian archers in World Games QF, mixed team suffers first-round exit

Four Indian archers, Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav, Parneet Kaur and Madhura Dhamangaonkar, reached the quarterfinals of compound individual events at the World Games in Chengdu, China, on Friday.

However, the top-ranked Indian mixed team, comprising Abhishek and Madhura, exited in the first round.

-Team Sportstar

HOCKEY

Punjab wins India Sub Junior Men National Championship title

Punjab beat Jharkhand 4-3 in the final to win the 15th India Sub Junior Men National Championship title on Friday.

The summit clash between Jharkhand and Punjab was a closely contested one, with both teams fighting till the final whistle.

Jharkhand scored two back-to-back goals in the second quarter through Ashish Tani Purti (21st) and Anish Dungdung (24th).

However, Punjab equalised with Akshit Salaria (29th) and Varinder Singh (30th) scoring in quick succession.

Jharkhand’s Sukhu Guria (42nd) scored to give his team the lead once again. But a brace from Punjab’s Mandeep Singh (45th, 53rd) sealed the deal for Punjab.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh beat Madhya Pradesh 5-3 to win the bronze medal.

– PTI

TENNIS

Mahika wins AITA women’s tournament

Top seed Mahika Khanna subdued first-time finalist Jeetesh Kumari 6-4, 7-5 in the Rs. 100,000 AITA women’s tennis tournament at the DLTA Complex on Friday.

 Mahika Khanna won the women’s singles and doubles titles at AITA tennis tournament in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In a gripping contest of high-quality stroke play, the wiry Mahika pulled through with grit, technical proficiency and an explosive game. Jeetesh missed her chances to force a third set, as she slithered to a nervous finish.

Mahika went on to clinch the doubles title with Durganshi Kumar. The duo beat Jeetesh and Jasmine Rawat in straight sets.

– Kamesh Srinivasan