India finish 2nd in Asian Snooker C'ship
Doha: India settled for the Silver medal after losing to Pakistan 2-3 in the final of the Asian Team Snooker Championship here. After Babar Masih put a fluent 81 break to win the first frame against Pankaj Advani, Malkeet Singh restored parity with a 52 break win over Mohammad Asif. The doubles was the turning point where Asif played out of his skin to pull back a 62-point deficit and allow his partner Masih to wrap up the frame 70-72. Pushed on the back foot, Pankaj displayed fine potting to craft a frame-winning 68 break. It was then again down to Malkeet to save the day for India, but he could not on this occasion. Hours before that, Malkeet played the match of his life under pressure to clinch the deciding frame against Pakistan 2 and a berth for the Indian team in the final.
Woods maintains lead at Tour C'ship
Atlanta: Tiger Woods edged closer to snapping a five-year winless drought as the 14-time major winner maintained a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Tour Championship. Woods birdied the final hole en route to a 68 to tie Justin Rose (67) at seven-under par 133 in heatwave conditions at the East Lake golf course in Atlanta. Rory McIlroy, winner two years ago of both the FedEx Cup and Tour Championship, remains in the hunt in sole possession of third after shooting a 68. "The best way to describe today is I ground out a round," said Woods, a former two-time winner of the season-ending tournament. "I wasn't quite as sharp as I was Friday, but I hung in there and tried to miss the ball on the correct sides so I had angles. "For the most part, I did that." Woods' last victory was in 2013 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Chong Wei diagnosed with nose cancer
Kuala lumpur: Legendary shuttler Lee Chong Wei has been diagnosed with early stage nose cancer and he is undergoing treatment in Taiwan, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said Saturday. "In response to recent reports concerning Datuk Lee Chong Wei, BAM confirms that the player has been diagnosed with early stage nose cancer," BAM President Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said in a statement in their website. "Chong Wei is currently in Taiwan seeking treatment and I am pleased to inform you that he is responding well to his treatment and is currently resting and recuperating amongst family and close friends." Two months ago, BAM had issued a statement a couple of months back saying that Chong Wei had been diagnosed with a respiratory-related disorder in July and was taking a break. BAM said: "We urge everyone to respect his privacy and that of his family. BAM is in constant contact with Chong Wei and we will offer any support we can to our legend."
Selection trail for Gymnastic World C'ship
New delhi: Top Indian gymnasts, including Dipa Karmakar and Rakesh Patra, will feature in the selection trials here on September 29 and 30 for next month's Artistic Gymnastic World Championship in Doha. "A selection trial has been scheduled on September 29 and 30 to select the team for the World Championship," India's long time gymnastics coach GS Bawa said. Indian gymnasts were left in the lurch after reports emerged that the sports ministry refused to clear the team for the World Championship in Bulgaria since the Gymnastic Federation of India (GFI) is de-recognised and stands suspended as per the National Sports Code. "A maximum of six members — three boys and three girls — will be selected for the World Championship," Bawa said. The selection trials will decide who makes the cut for the prestigious tournament.
