Author: Raghav Singh

Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals held a narrow 3–2 advantage over Punjab Royals at the halfway stage of their Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2026 encounter, which is currently underway at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Tuesday.

Seeking their first win of the season, Tiigers displayed a spirited performance across the opening five bouts, while Punjab Royals kept the match competitive with key responses, setting up a finely balanced second half of the nine-bout match.

Early Lead for Tiigers

Tiigers struck first in emphatic fashion with Mukul Dahiya in the 86kg men’s contest. Dahiya overwhelmed Georgia’s Tariel Gaphrindashvili with relentless offense, piling on points through takedowns, turns, and a high-value throw before closing the contest by technical superiority, giving Tiigers the early lead.

Punjab’s Response

Punjab responded immediately in the 62kg women’s bout as Commonwealth silver medallist Ana Godinez showcased her dominance against Sarika Malik. Godinez repeatedly scored through takedowns and exposure sequences, eventually sealing the contest by fall and leveling the tie at 1–1.

Stellar Performance by Rohit Rahal

The momentum swung back towards Tiigers in the 65kg men’s contest, where Rohit Rahal delivered one of the standout moments of the evening. After conceding an early push-out, Rahal turned the tide with a series of takedowns across both periods and transitioned seamlessly into a fall to defeat Paris Olympic medallist Islam Guseinov.

Aman Sehrawat’s High-Scoring Display

Tiigers consolidated their advantage in the 57kg men’s bout, as captain and Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat produced a high-scoring display to beat Chirag Chhikara 17–7, pulling clear with repeated takedowns and push-outs in the second period.

Punjab Royals Fight Back

Punjab Royals stayed in contention through Priya Malik in the 76kg women’s category. Malik delivered a disciplined performance, maintaining constant pressure on Jyoti Berwal before asserting full control in the second period. She closed the contest emphatically with a high-value takedown to register a comprehensive 10–0 shutout.

Current Team Score

After five bouts, the team score stands at: Punjab Royals 2 – 3 Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals.

The match is currently in progress, with the 57kg women’s bout between Rajnita (Punjab Royals) and Alina Filipovych (Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals) underway.

On Day 7 of the Pro Wrestling League 2026, UP Dominators will take on Maharashtra Kesari at the Noida Indoor Stadium, with the contest scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM on Wednesday.

After two wins and three losses, including one at home in Vadodara, Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants are set to go all out in their final three matches of the WPL 2026, as they aim for a playoff spot at Kotambi Stadium.

Focus on Home Advantage

Addressing the media, players and coaches from the team highlighted the importance of returning to Kotambi Stadium and playing in front of their home supporters.

Head Coach Michael Klinger remarked, “Our initial strategy was to find the right combination, especially for our playing XI. We’ve spoken to the group about the brand of cricket we want to play and the targets we aim to achieve, both in Mumbai and now in Vadodara. I felt we played some really good cricket in our first couple of games with two solid wins, but in the last three matches we’ve fallen a little off the pace and haven’t played quite at our best. With three matches still to go, we remain very much in the competition. We will have to tweak our strategy slightly, especially with the playing conditions being different here.”

Captain’s Confidence

Captain Ashleigh Gardner echoed the belief within the group, stating, “We’ve played some good cricket and some not-so-good cricket, but it’s important to trust your preparation as individuals and as a team. We’re focused on building an environment where everyone is gelling well. For us, it’s about sticking to our processes and hopefully putting on stronger performances for our home crowd in these last three games.”

Adapting to Conditions

Senior pacer Renuka Singh discussed the need to adapt to the conditions in Vadodara. “The wicket here has been slightly different, with different soil and a bit less bounce. As bowlers, we need to adjust quickly to the conditions, and it’s great to be playing in front of our home crowd.”

Debutant Insights

Young debutant Anushka Sharma, who is having a promising season, shared her experience: “It’s been special so far. I’ve been given a clear role and the opportunity to bat in my natural position at one down, which has helped my confidence. Every day has been a new learning experience for me.”

Upcoming Fixture

Gujarat Giants will face UP Warriorz in their next WPL 2026 fixture at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, in a few days.

JSW Soorma Hockey Club delivered a stunning performance to beat league leaders Vedanta Kalinga Lancers 2-1 in Match 26 of the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 season at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium.

In their final league match, the table-topping Lancers struggled against a resilient Soorma side, whose composure kept their slim playoff aspirations alive. Victor Wegnez was named Player of the Match for his remarkable work rate in both attack and defense.

Match Overview

The match began cautiously, with both teams prioritizing safety for the first five minutes. The Lancers created the first opening in the 6th minute through Henderson, but the Soorma defense stood firm. Although the Lancers controlled possession, Soorma looked dangerous on the counter, winning the first penalty corner in the 10th minute. However, Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flick fired wide of the target. In the final minute of the first quarter, the Lancers nearly took the lead via a penalty corner, but goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch produced two impressive saves to ensure the first quarter ended goalless.

Key Moments

The second quarter saw both sides maintaining a disciplined structure. Soorma captain Harmanpreet Singh attempted to set up Lucas Martinez in the 17th minute, but the forward couldn’t find the decisive touch. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 23rd minute after a period of consistent passing. Nicolas Keenan made a surging run from the left flank; while goalkeeper Snowden saved his initial shot, Jeetpal pounced on the rebound to give Soorma a 1-0 lead. Frustrations mounted for the Lancers as they struggled to equalise, culminating in Dilpreet Singh receiving a 10-minute yellow card in the dying moments of the half.

Second Half Action

Starting the second half with a man advantage, Soorma applied immediate pressure. They earned a penalty corner in the 35th minute, forcing a superb save from Krishan Pathak off a near-perfect Harmanpreet drag-flick. Moments later, Soorma won a succession of penalty corners. In the 38th minute, they opted for a tactical variation; instead of a direct shot, the ball was slipped to Vivek Sagar Prasad, who slotted it into the net to make it 2-0.

The Lancers responded with a heavy offensive surge, but Vanasch continued to thwart their efforts. In the final quarter, the Lancers increased the tempo and finally pulled one back in the 48th minute through a goal from Henderson. Sensing an equaliser, the table-toppers pressed hard, with Marias’ shot going agonisingly wide in the 53rd minute.

The final minutes were frantic as the Lancers threw everything at the Soorma defense. However, led by the tireless Victor Wegnez, Soorma absorbed the pressure and held on to secure three vital points.

Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 51, following brilliant opening batting from wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee (46), helped Delhi Capitals secure a seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Inddigihunt in the 13th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at Kotambi Stadium on Tuesday.

Delhi’s Chase

The chase for a modest target of 155 almost stumbled midway, but Rodrigues ensured there was no late drama. Instead of depending on brute force, she focused on smart placement and consistent running between the wickets to guide Delhi to victory with six balls remaining, demonstrating her leadership at a crucial moment.

Mumbai’s Innings

Earlier, Delhi laid a strong foundation with the ball, highlighted by an impressive performance from Marizanne Kapp, who described the pitch as “not a nice wicket to bowl on.” Kapp excelled in the early overs, delivering 16 dot balls, conceding just eight runs in her four overs, and not allowing a single boundary. Her control, along with Nandani Sharma, left Mumbai struggling at 23/2 during the Power-play, with Sajana (9) and Hayley Matthews (12) dismissed early.

However, the Mumbai team stabilized their innings through familiar strengths. Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 65 runs from 45 deliveries, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed solidly with a score of 41.

At the first break, Mumbai stood at a precarious position of 47 for 2 after nine overs, with Sciver-Brunt on eight runs and Kaur on 18. Both players continued to build their partnership, adding 78 runs for the third wicket. They reached 100 runs after 13.6 overs, with Sciver-Brunt notching her 11th half-century in this league off just 34 balls.

Her half-century tied her with Meg Lanning for the record for most half-centuries scored in the multi-day competition. By the end of the innings, Harmanpreet Kaur had scored 41 before being dismissed by Sree Charani, while Sciver-Brunt remained not out, helping Mumbai finish at 154 runs for 5 wickets, with 42 runs scored in the last five overs, including a six off the final ball.

Delhi’s Bowling Highlights

In terms of bowling, Sree Charani stood out for Delhi, taking 3 wickets for 33 runs, including two wickets in the 18th over. Kapp supported her effort with 1 wicket for 8 runs, ensuring the Mumbai total was below expectations.

Delhi’s Response

Delhi’s innings began with a perfect start from their opening pair, Shafali Verma and Lizzy Lee, who quickly put pressure back on Mumbai Inddigihunt. Lee looked confident and fluent before falling to a tough umpiring decision. Shafali couldn’t translate her good start into a substantial score, and a surprising dismissal of Laura Wolvaardt added to the tension, recalling past missteps for Capitals fans.

Rodrigues then stepped up. Whether motivated by Amanjot Kaur’s unexpected throw or simply fueled by focus, the skipper delivered a captain’s innings marked by strategic placement and relentless energy between the wickets. She led the chase effectively, keeping Delhi in control and guiding her team to victory with calm confidence.

For Mumbai, WPL debutant Vaishnavi Sharma shone in the field, finishing with figures of 1 for 20. They may need to be cautious regarding Nicola Carey’s extended absence from the field during the chase as they move ahead.

Brief Scores:
Mumbai Inddigihunt Women: 154/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 65 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 41; Shree Charani 3-33, Marizanne Kapp 1-8) lost to Delhi Capitals: 155/3 in 19 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 51, Lizelle Lee 46; Vaishnavi Sharma 1-20, Amanjot Kaur 1-21) by seven wickets.

Mumbai Inddigihunt skipper Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged that her team was 20 runs short following their third consecutive defeat, as Delhi Capitals defeated them by seven wickets. Kaur highlighted ongoing issues with Power-play execution in both batting and bowling as a significant factor in the loss.

Delhi’s Bowling Dominance

Delhi Capitals established a solid foundation with their bowling attack, led by the impressive Marizanne Kapp. Kapp was exceptional at the beginning, delivering 16 dot balls and conceding just eight runs in her four overs, without allowing a single boundary. Her performance, along with Nandani Sharma, put Mumbai in a challenging position at 23/2 during the Power-play, with Sajana (9) and Hayley Matthews (12) dismissed early.

“Yeah, I think we were about 20 runs short with the bat. Even in the Powerplay, we weren’t able to execute properly – both with bat and ball, and that’s been a concern for us throughout this tournament. We really need to push ourselves more in that phase of the game,” Kaur said after the match.

“The Power-play has been tricky for us, especially because we’ve had to keep changing our opening combinations due to injuries. At the start of the tournament, a few players weren’t available, and now Kamalini’s injury has forced another change. That has affected our stability at the top, but it’s not an excuse – whoever goes out to open has to take responsibility and bat positively for the team.”

Bright Spot for Mumbai

For Mumbai, WPL debutant Vaishnavi Sharma shone in the field, finishing with figures of 1 for 20. Harmanpreet praised Vaishnavi’s performance, describing her spell as a turning point after she claimed the wicket of Shafali Verma and demonstrated control despite the challenging Power-play.

“On debut, Vaishnavi was really impressive, especially after a difficult Power-play for our bowlers. When she came in and got Shafali’s wicket, that was a big turning point. She showed great control and skill, and as a bowling unit, we need to learn from the areas she bowled today,” she said.

Key Contributions from Players

Despite the challenges, the Mumbai team managed to maintain stability through their key players. Nat Sciver-Brunt was instrumental in the innings, scoring an unbeaten 65 runs from 45 deliveries, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a solid 41 runs.

The MI captain emphasized that injuries and frequent changes to the opening pair have disrupted stability at the top, but underscored that responsibility and positive intent are essential for whoever opens.

“We’ve played good cricket in the last three seasons, and we’re still working really hard this year. Injuries have made things tougher, but the next two games are very important, and we’ll go in with a positive mindset and 100 percent effort.”

After leading her team, Delhi Capitals, to their second victory of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 with a commanding half-century, captain Jemimah Rodrigues praised Marizanne Kapp’s outstanding Power-play spell that set the tone for their win over Mumbai Inddigihunt.

Kapp’s Exceptional Start

Delhi built a strong foundation with the ball, highlighted by an impressive performance from Marizanne Kapp. Kapp was exceptional at the start, bowling 16 dot balls and conceding just eight runs in her four overs, without allowing a single boundary. Her control, alongside Nandani Sharma, left Mumbai struggling at 23/2 during the Powerplay, with Sajana (9) and Hayley Matthews (12) dismissed early.

“Today was a very important game for us. I want to share this award with Kappy (Marizanne Kapp). I even asked if I could do that. The way she bowled in the Power-play got us into the game. It was one of the best spells she ever bowled. She is a legend of the game, but she still wants to become better,” said Rodrigues after the match.

Delhi’s Bowling Highlights

N. Sree Charani stood out on the bowling front for Delhi, taking three wickets for 33 runs, including two crucial wickets in the 18th over, restricting the Mumbai team to a total of 154/5. Kapp contributed further with a 1-wicket for 8 runs performance, ensuring the Mumbai total remained below expectations.

Key Performance from Rodrigues

After a strong start to the chase from Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma, Rodrigues’ 51 off 37 deliveries was key to Delhi’s victory. She partnered with Kapp to add a quick 31 runs off just 17 balls, with most runs coming in doubles. She noted that sharp running between the wickets and giving herself time initially were essential in building the innings on a challenging surface.

“Even when she came in, I thought what set our partnership was the running between the wickets. I think I have had a few conversations with a few people I trust. They have all told me to take some time initially. I have played a lot on pitches like this. So it is about getting through the first 10 balls. So I know if I do that, batting becomes easy,” she explained.

Mumbai’s Resilience

Earlier in the match, after suffering early jolts, the Mumbai Inddigihunt managed to create stability through their known strengths. Nat Sciver-Brunt showcased her reliability by being a pivotal part of the Mumbai innings with an unbeaten 65 runs off 45 deliveries, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a solid performance with a score of 41. Their partnership yielded 78 runs, which was crucial for Mumbai’s respectable total.

Rodrigues felt that anything under 160 was chaseable, provided partnerships were built, adding that she drew lessons from Sciver-Brunt and Kaur’s batting approach.

“We knew that anything under 160 was a fighting score. But we would need partnerships. I learnt a little bit from Nat (Sciver-Brunt) and Harmanpreet Kaur too, from the way they played tonight,” she concluded.

Junior national champion Hansini Mathan, wild card entrant Sanil Shetty, and the mixed doubles pairing of Payas Jain and Syndrela Das delivered impressive performances to upset higher-ranked opponents and progress to the second round of the WTT Feeder Series 2026, presented by the Sports Authority of Gujarat, at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara on Friday.

Hansini’s Stellar Showdown

The 16-year-old Hansini, the youngest junior national champion in India, showcased her top form against world number 78 and third seed Yoo Yerin from the Republic of Korea, securing a confident victory with scores of 11-8, 11-3, 11-9. In the next round, she will face Ryu Hanna from the Korean Republic, who narrowly defeated another young Indian talent, Tanishka Kalbhairav, with scores of 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9.

In women’s doubles, Hansini partnered with Sampada Bhiwandkar to create an upset over the third seeds Anusha Kutumbale and Baisya, winning 9-11, 15-13, 11-4, 6-11, 12-10.

Men’s Singles Highlights

In men’s singles, Shetty made an impressive comeback after trailing by two games and saving a match point to triumph over second seed Harmeet Desai, winning 6-11, 5-11, 14-12, 13-11, 11-7. In the pre-quarterfinals, he will meet qualifier Sougata Sarkar.

Priyanuj Bhattacharya also caused a stir by defeating eighth seed Navid Shams of Iran 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4. He will next play against Yashansh Malik in the second round.

Mixed Doubles Action

In the mixed doubles first round, Jain and Das overcame a tough opening game to defeat Pal and Baisya, winning 4-11, 11-6, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, advancing to the next stage.

Top Players Progress

Other notable players in men’s singles included first seed Manush Shah, third seed Snehit Suravajjula, and sixth seed Ankur Bhattacharjee, all advancing to the next round. Manush triumphed over qualifier Parth Magar with scores of 11-7, 11-4, 11-4. Snehit defeated wild card entrant Pratham Madlani 11-5, 11-7, 11-3, while Bhattacharjee bested Abhinandh Pradhivadhi 11-6, 3-11, 11-8, 11-6.

Manush, hailing from Baroda, took charge early, leading 5-2 in the opening game. Despite Magar closing the gap to 7-6, Manush maintained control and secured the win effortlessly in the second and third games.

Upcoming Matches

In the pre-quarterfinals, Bhattacharjee will face Mudit Dani, who won against Ved Sheth with scores of 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6. Snehit will take on Divyansh Srivastava, who defeated qualifier Balamurugan Rajasekaran 11-6, 11-9, 11-4.

Sajeevan Sajana top-scored with a counter-attacking 45 off 25 balls and made the most of being dropped twice early on as Mumbai Inddigihunt (MI) posted a competitive 154/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium.

Early Struggles for MI

On a tacky pitch, incisive new-ball spells by Lauren Bell, Linsey, and Nadine de Klerk had reduced the defending champions to 67/4 after 11 overs. However, Sajana’s 82-run stand off 49 balls with Nicola Carey, who scored 40, pushed MI beyond the 150-mark. For RCB, Nadine claimed impressive figures of 4-22, leaving MI needing 155 to win, with dew expected to aid their chase.

Key Bowling Performances

Lauren delivered a superb opening spell, giving RCB the early edge. The England pacer bowled a brilliant maiden first over and consistently troubled Amelia Kerr with outswingers and fuller length balls before finally dismissing her for a scratchy four off 15 balls.

Lauren’s short-of-the-length delivery outside off-stump forced a desperate Amelia into a mistimed swipe, which was caught by extra cover. G. Kamalini kept MI going by hitting Linsey Smith for boundaries twice and then driving Lauren for another four.

Crucial Wickets for RCB

When Linsey returned, Kamalini quickly pulled and swept her for boundaries, as 13 runs came off the final Power-play over. However, RCB struck a critical blow when Richa Ghosh’s sharp glovework stumped Nat Sciver-Brunt for just four.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to steady the innings, hitting a boundary through midwicket and lofting another over extra cover. But Shreyanka Patil made her mark on her WPL comeback when Kamalini chopped onto her stumps for 32 while trying to sweep.

Harmanpreet’s dismissal compounded MI’s troubles as she nicked a length delivery outside off-stump from Nadine while attempting to hit an expansive cover drive. RCB could have claimed another wicket if Dayalan Hemalatha and later substitute fielder Sayali Satghare hadn’t dropped Sajana’s catch.

Sajana’s Explosive Finish

This proved costly as Sajana lofted and slogged Radha Yadav for six and four, while Nicola Carey slashed off her for another boundary. More runs flowed from Sajana’s bat as she pulled and lofted Arundhati Reddy for consecutive fours.

Despite Nadine’s return, Sajana continued her onslaught, slashing and whipping for more boundaries before pulling through the gap. Nicola, meanwhile, reverse-swept Shreyanka for four before going over Arundhati’s head for another boundary. Although Sajana and Nicola were caught out in the final over off Nadine, MI managed to surpass the 150-run mark.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai Inddigihunt 154/6 in 20 overs (Sajeevan Sajana 45, Nicola Carey 40; Nadine de Klerk 4-26, Lauren Bell 1-14) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on Friday stated that over the last one and a half years, the Central Government has laid a strong institutional foundation that clearly reflects its intent to reform Indian sports.

Dr. Mandaviya was addressing the Sports Governance Conclave organised by the Government of India, in association with the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The conclave saw participation from representatives of National Sports Federations (NSFs), State Olympic Associations, and members of the IOA Executive.

Minister’s Address

In his address, the Minister highlighted the Government’s uncompromising priorities for India’s sports ecosystem, emphasizing governance reforms, competitive exposure, systematic talent identification and nurturing from grassroots to elite levels, strengthening the coaching ecosystem, and expanding private sector participation in sports infrastructure, academies, and leagues.

“Once a decision is taken, the Government has demonstrated both political will and clarity of purpose in its implementation,” he noted, citing vital initiatives like the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), Khelo Bharat Niti, reforms in ANSF norms, and enhancements in coach recruitment systems.

Clear Position on Federations

The Minister made the Government’s position clear, asserting that persistent issues within sports federations, including internal politics, corruption, unfair selection trials, injustice to athletes, governance disputes, and financial irregularities, must now end. “For us, the athlete and the nation’s reputation are paramount,” he emphasized, mentioning that while the Government respects the autonomy of federations, there must be a commitment to integrity, transparency, and athlete-centric governance from all sporting bodies.

He stressed that the successful implementation of the NSGA would depend on the federations themselves, requiring them to ensure fair and timely elections, financial transparency, functional athlete commissions, ethics commissions, and strict compliance with governance norms.

Professional Approach Encouraged

Calling for a professional and future-oriented approach, the Minister urged every federation to prepare a clear roadmap for the next 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. He underscored the necessity for sports bodies to be professionally managed, with qualified CEOs, financial experts, marketing professionals, international-level coaches, and specialized operations teams.

Dr. Mandaviya also announced that the Government would soon introduce key policy initiatives, including transparent and standardized selection trials, the “One Corporate, One Sport” model, and improved athlete welfare packages.

Investment in Sports Science

Highlighting the significant public investment being made in sports science, nutrition, injury management, and high-performance support, he called upon federations to align with the Government’s pace and ambitions.

Reiterating India’s long-term sporting vision, the Minister declared that achieving a Top-10 finish in the Olympic medal tally is a non-negotiable national goal, underlining the critical role of National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations in achieving this objective.

“Performance must show consistent improvement in every major international competition, beginning with the Asian Games 2026. The Commonwealth Games 2030 should emerge as a landmark success for India, both as hosts and as a sporting powerhouse,” he stated.

Dr. Mandaviya described the present phase as the ‘golden period of Indian Sports’ and concluded with a strong message of accountability: “History will remember what we achieve now, and it will not forgive what we fail to do.”

Defending champions Kerala men and Odisha women registered contrasting victories to retain their Beach Soccer gold medals in the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2026 at the Ghoghla Beach in Diu on Friday.

With just one day remaining in the second edition of KIBG 2026, Madhya Pradesh surged to the top of the medals tally, securing two gold medals in Pencak Silat. Sarun Sonwane (Male 70-75kg) and Mahendra Swami (Male 85-90kg) won in their respective weight categories, elevating the state’s tally to three gold, one silver, and one bronze.

Haryana stood second with two gold, four silver, and two bronze, while hosts Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu claimed third place with two gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.

The Khelo India Beach Games 2026, organized by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, is taking place under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and national sports federations. The event features over 1100 participants competing across eight different sports—volleyball, soccer, sepaktakraw, kabaddi, pencak silat, open water swimming, mallakhamb, and tug-of-war.

Kerala and Odisha Shine in Beach Soccer Finals

In the Beach Soccer finals, Kerala men thrashed Goa 8-2, while Odisha women triumphed over Gujarat 2-1. The men’s final saw Kerala start strong with two early goals within the first two minutes. Although Goa’s Abel Gurjao managed to reduce the deficit in the eighth minute, Kerala restored their lead just a minute later. By the end of the second quarter, Kerala had extended their lead to 6-1 and comfortably retained their title.

In the women’s final, Khundongbam Ambalika scored the decisive goal in the 28th minute for Odisha after both teams were tied 1-1 at halftime. Manisha Naik had initially put Odisha ahead in the 13th minute, but Gujarat equalized a minute later through Bhumisha Dravid.

Anurag and Ashmita Excel in Open Water Swimming

Earlier, Anurag Singh from Uttar Pradesh and Ashmita Chandra from Karnataka secured the men’s and women’s gold medals in the 10km Open Water Swimming competition. Anurag, participating in his first Khelo India Beach Games, finished with a time of 2:22:02, a significant 16 minutes ahead of silver medalist Akshaj P.

Trained in Delhi under the guidance of his father, Anurag prepared for KIBG with intense endurance training over the last month, resulting in a race where he faced minimal challenges.

Rajasthan Dominates Beach Kabaddi

Rajasthan made a significant impact by clinching both the men’s and women’s gold medals in Beach Kabaddi, overcoming strong Haryana teams. In the women’s final, Rajasthan defeated Haryana 47-27, while their men secured a 43-36 victory for a remarkable double win.

Haryana’s Beach Sepaktakraw team ensured they captured at least one gold on Friday after defeating Uttar Pradesh 15-8, 15-7. In the men’s final, Bihar edged out Andhra Pradesh 15-13, 15-13.

TODAY’S RESULTS

Beach Pencak Silat
Women Tanding
Class D 60-65kg: Gold – Nyia K Thono (Nag); Silver – Chetna Tanwar (Har); Bronze – Piyu Das (Odi), Meko Liyak (Arunachal Pradesh)
Men Tanding
Class D 60-65kg: Gold – Shahid Hilal (J&K); Silver – Vinay (Har); Bronze – Suraj Yadav (UP), Ashish Sharma (DND&D)
Class E 65-70kg: Gold – Saliq Bin Farooq (J&K); Silver – Ashish Kumar Singh (Del); Bronze – Suraj Gora (Raj), Sheikh Arbaj Ali (Cht)
Class F 70-75kg: Gold – Sarun Sonawane (MP); Silver – Chetan Prajapati (Utr); Bronze – Hansda Akash (DNH&D), Sarfaraz Ali (J&K)
Class I 85-90kg: Gold – Mahendra Swami (MP); Silver – Arvinder Singh (J&K); Bronze – Ravi Choudhary (Raj), Rudra Pratap Sadangi (Odi)
Class J 90-95kg: Gold – Kitenlo K Thono (Nag); Silver – Saleen Sultan (J&K); Bronze – Chaina Ram Sepat (Raj), Gautam (Har)

Beach Kabaddi
Women: Gold – Rajasthan; Silver – Haryana; Bronze – Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
Men: Gold – Rajasthan; Silver – Haryana; Bronze – Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh

Beach Soccer
Women: Gold – Odisha; Silver – Gujarat; Bronze – Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh
Men: Gold – Kerala; Silver – Goa; Bronze – Karnataka, Maharashtra

Beach Sepaktakraw
Women Quad: Gold – Haryana; Silver – Uttar Pradesh; Bronze – Odisha, Nagaland
Men Quad: Gold – Bihar; Silver – Andhra Pradesh; Bronze – Haryana, Delhi

Open Water Swimming
Women 10km: Gold – Ashmitha Chandra (Kar) 2:46:34s; Silver – Aasra Sudhir (Kar) 2:47:57s; Bronze – Diksha Yadav (Mah) 2:49:04s
Men Regu: Gold – Anurag Singh (UP) 2:22:02s; Silver – Akshaj P (Kar) 2:38:27s; Bronze – Kanishka S A (Kar) 2:41.51s