Indian sports wrap, September 18: India to face UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal in group stage after World Junior Badminton C’ships Mixed Team Redraw 

BADMINTON

India to face UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal in group stage after World Junior Badminton C’ships Mixed Team Redraw 

Host India will face the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in the revamped World Junior Badminton Championships Mixed Team event, following a group stage redraw on Wednesday. The withdrawal of the Cook Islands prompted the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to reshuffle the field for the current 36 countries participating in the tournament, also known as the Suhandinata Cup.

The event, returning to India after 17 years, is set to be staged at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati from October 6-19.

India, seeded second in the event, is in Group H in the qualifying stage. While Nepal retains its place in the group, the UAE and Sri Lanka have now been added to Group H as per the updated draw.

The redraw has also brought significant changes to the other groups. Top-seeded Thailand stays in Group A, where it will compete alongside Japan, Portugal, and Ireland, marking a complete revamp from the previous grouping. Defending champion Indonesia will play the qualifying stage in Group F against Hong Kong China, Slovenia, and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, powerhouse China, with 14 Mixed Team Championship titles to its name, will feature in Group D alongside Türkiye, England, Uganda, and Ghana. In Group G, three-time winner South Korea will compete with Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Bhutan.

-Team Sportstar

WRESTLING

World Championships: Antim to fight for bronze

Antim Panghal was left to fight for a bronze medal after being outwitted by Paris Olympics silver medallist Lucia Yepez Guzman in the women’s 53kg semifinals, while Manisha Bhanwala (62kg) stayed in the medal race via repechage route at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, on Wednesday.

However, Radhika (68kg) and Jyoti Beriwal (72kh) were eliminated on day five of the prestigious tournament.

Antim, targeting her second World Championship medal after a bronze in the 2023 edition, had an easy start to her campaign when she knocked out Spaniard Carla Jaume Soner in mere 23 seconds but found a tough rival in China’s Zhang, who she edged past 9-8 in the quarterfinals.

Antim effected a decisive take-down move in the dying moments against Zhang to prevail in the tight contest.

However, Guzman proved to be a superior rival, who dominated the contest to win 5-3.

There was no attacking move by either of the wrestlers in the first minute. Antim attempted a right leg attack but Guzman was alert to thwart the attempt. Guzman scored a four-pointer to pull away as she ducked under and rolled the Indian.

The fast-paced first period ended with Guzman leading 4-1.

The Ecuadorian, taller than Antim, was strong in her defence as she kept control of the bout even as Antim tried all tricks to get going. Tactically superior, Guzman further increased the gap with a push out.

Antim pulled a take down towards the end but it only decreased the defeat margin. She left the mat crying as she was looking for a perfect redemption after the Paris Games fiasco where she made a first-round exit and was deported after her accreditation was cancelled following a breach of Games rules.

Manisha was outplayed 0-8 by North Korea’s Ok Ju Kim in the quarterfinals. Kim later made the final, opening the repechage route for Manisha.

-PTI

GOLF

Kartik continues to lead IGPL tournament

Kartik Singh continued to be on top of his game as he opened a three-shot lead with a three-under 67 on the second day of the IGPL golf tournament at the Jaypee Greens.

With the course being affected by heavy rain, the par was reduced to 70 for the second round, with hole four becoming par-3 instead of par-5.

Kartik had shot four-under 68 in the first round, and thus was sitting pretty on top with seven-under 135 in only his second professional tournament. He was tied eighth last week in Chandigarh.

Karandeep Kochhar and Pukhraj Singh Gill were in joint-second place with four-under 138.

The champion of the last tournament, Gaganjeet Bhullar was tied-fourth with two-under 140 along with Kartik Sharma, Veer Ganapathy and Raghav Chugh.

“I have played good golf in the first two days. I hope to keep going the same way and make fewer mistakes,” said Kartik, as he visualised a strong finish on the third day.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

SHOOTING

Vidarsa pips Nischal for top spot in national selection trials

Vidarsa Vinod shot 463.3 and beat Nischal by 2.1 points for the top spot in women’s rifle 3-position event in the fifth National shooting selection trials at the Madhya Pradesh Academy.

It was all quality from Vidarsa as she had done well in qualification earlier with the second best score of 590 out of 600.

Ashi Chouksey climbed to the third spot, after having shot 587 in qualification. Ayushi Podder, who topped qualification with 594, placed sixth ahead of Mehuli Ghosh and Priya. Surabhi Bharadwaj and Aakriti Dahiya were the others to make the final.

Nischal, topper Vidarsa Vinod (centre) and Ashi Chouksey in women’s rifle 3-position event in the National shooting trials in Bhopal on Thursday. 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

In men’s air rifle, Olympian Arjun Babuta topped 2.2 points ahead of Parth Mane, after topping qualification with 632.7. Vishal Singh placed third ahead of Abhishek Kamthe, Sandeep Singh, Nishan Budha, Shahu Tushar Mane and Dhanush Srikanth.

Anish Bhanwala won the rapid fire pistol event as he beat Neeraj Kumar 35-32. Qualification topper Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu (586) placed third. Udhayveer Sidhu, Omkar Singh and Ankur Goel were the others to make the final.

World Cup gold medalist Vijayveer Sidhu shot 576 and missed the final.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

FOOTBALL

Army Boys Company, Lakshadweep and ISSO Dominate on Day 3 of Subroto Cup Junior Boys (U-17)

Army Boys Company, Lakshadweep and ISSO registered big wins in the Junior Boys (U-17) category of the 64th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament on Thursday.

Army Boys Company overwhelmed Telangana Government Sports School, 18-0 in a one-sided contest. Viaphal scored a stunning seven goals (24’, 26’, 32’, 33’, 35’, 35+2’, 70’), while Henary also netted seven times (35’, 38’, 43’, 45’, 51’, 60’, 61’). Bikendra (9’, 47’) and Kerin (22’, 23’) also added to the tally.

Jayshree Periwal International School (ISSO) registered win with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Rashtriya Military School (RMS). Goals from Nubaid (21’), Somneel (45’), Parakaram (60’, 65’), and Vansh (70’) sealed the result.

Government Senior Secondary School (Lakshadweep) carried forward their momentum with another powerful display, defeating The Air Force School (TAFS) 6-1. Star striker Shameel once again dazzled with four goals (29’, 41’, 46’, 50’), supported by Raiz (34’). TAFS pulled one back through Amir (18’), but an own goal by Arav (52’) sealed their fate.

North Liberty Higher Secondary School (Meghalaya) edged out Mamta Modern Senior Secondary School (Delhi) 1-0 in a tight clash, courtesy of an early strike from Lyndoh (9’).

Farook Higher Secondary School (Kerala) overcame Ram Krishna Mission Vivekananda Vidyapeeth (Chhattisgarh) 1-0, with Jasheer (25’) proving to be the match-winner.

– Team Sportstar

HOCKEY

Naval Tata beats Roundglass in Punjab league

Naval Tata Academy, Jamshedpur, inflicted the first defeat on Roundglass Academy as it scored a 5-3 victory in the Punjab hockey league at the Surjit Singh Stadium.

It was Roundglass which opened the scoring, but the Jamshedpur team responded by striking five goals in a row through Sabian Kiro (2), Ganga Topno, Mohit Nayak, and Ashish Tani Purti to tilt the balance firmly in its favour. Roundglass recovered to score two goals to reduce the margin.

SAI, Sonipat, rose to the top of the table ahead of Roundglass (26), with 27 points, as it beat Surjit Academy 4-3. Tata was in the third place with 17 points.

– Kamesh Srinivasan

Published on Sep 18, 2025