U Mumba managed to get over the line against the Bengaluru Bulls in an action-packed contest that ended with a scoreline of 38-37, in Match 62 of PKL 11 at the Noida Indoor Stadium on Monday. Ajit Chouhan recorded a Super 10, Manjeet scored nine points, while Amirmohammad Zafardanesh and Sunil Kumar got four points each to help U Mumba outdo the Bengaluru Bulls, despite Pardeep Narwal’s Super 10. It didn’t take too long for the Record Breaker Pardeep Narwal and Chouhan to make their mark, making it a quick start for the two teams. The defenders managed to get themselves in the game soon enough, as the two teams traded blow for blow in the opening exchanges of this contest. Chouhan gave U Mumba a slender lead, eliminating two Bengaluru Bulls players in a Do-or-Die Raid, but Ajinkya Pawar struck right back with a two-point raid of his own. A Super Tackle from Amirmohammad Zafadanesh on Sushil put U Mumba in the lead once more, before Pardeep Narwal inflicted a two-point raid, resulting in an ALL OUT that helped Bengaluru Bulls get their noses in front. It was a high-octane first half that saw plenty of back-and-forth action. Pardeep Narwal was leading the way for the Bengaluru Bulls with eight points in the first half, while Ajit Chouhan also did the same for U Mumba. Also Read: Mumba coach Mazandarani hails Ajit Chouhan as the ‘raider to watch’ in PKL The Season 2 champions ended the half with a slender one-point advantage courtesy of Manjeet, who got himself to five points with some quick raids, closing half with the scoreline at 21-20. There was no separating the two teams as they went toe-to-toe in the second half as well. The defenses were on top in the second half, making it incredibly difficult for the raiders to dictate terms. U Mumba managed to get themselves a two-point lead before that was quickly wiped off by the Bengaluru Bulls. U Mumba once again managed to get a three-point lead courtesy of a Super Raid from Manjeet, who kept growing in confidence as the game progressed. Heading into the final quarter of the game, Pardeep Narwal completed his Super 10 to keep the Bengaluru Bulls in the game, even though they trailed by three points. The lead for U Mumba extended to five points after Ajit Chouhan completed his Super 10, seemingly putting his side in the driver’s seat. Keeping in tune with the theme of this close contest though, Bengaluru Bulls cut the deficit down to one point as Sunny enforced a Super Tackle on Manjeet. The thrilling action continued in the final stages of this game as the Bengaluru Bulls levelled things up with under four minutes to go. They momentarily had a narrow one-point lead as Nitin Rawal completed his High Five, before Sunil Kumar inflicted a Super Tackle on Sushil, putting U Mumba back in front with under two minutes to go. In the end, it was a clutch Super Tackle from Parvesh Bhainswal that put U Mumba in the lead by two points with 29 seconds left on the clock. As it turned out, that was enough for the Season 2 champions to clinch a dramatic victory with the scoreline at 38-37, helping U Mumba jump back to second place in the points table. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 10:44 PM IST | Noida | AgenciesThe rich tapestry of Indian sporting traditions was once again on full display during the Tata Steel Chess India Festival 2024 in Kolkata, as a heartfelt and unexpected gesture from young chess prodigy Bristy Mukherjee took center stage. As world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen stood ready to present the coveted winner’s trophy, a remarkable incident unfolded that left the Norwegian chess legend visibly moved. Mukherjee, who had just claimed victory in the All India Women’s Rapid Event (Event B) with a flawless 7/7 score, stunned the audience by bowing down and touching Carlsen’s feet before accepting her prize. #tsci2024 #TSCI #tatasteelchessindia #chess #indianchess #kolkata #womeninchess #chessmasters #chessfestival pic.twitter.com/OwkycSsrDc — Tata Steel Chess India (@tschessindia) November 17, 2024 This deeply symbolic act was a reflection of India’s long-standing tradition of showing respect to revered figures, particularly those who have achieved legendary status in their respective fields. Mukherjee, 20, whose triumph in the tournament marked a significant milestone in her career, clearly held Carlsen in the highest regard, and this gesture was an expression of both reverence and gratitude towards one of the greatest players the game of chess has ever known. Carlsen, taken aback by the unexpected homage, was momentarily speechless. His reaction, a wide and genuine smile, spoke volumes about the profound impact the gesture had on him. It was not just a moment of sportsmanship but an exchange of mutual respect between two generations of chess talent. As Mukherjee first shook Carlsen's hand and then lowered herself to touch his feet, the crowd erupted into a wave of applause, acknowledging the young player’s humility and the legendary status of the man standing before her. Also Read: 'Gukesh just doesn’t make mistakes': Indian Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay This was not the first time that Mukherjee had paid such a tribute. Earlier in the event, she had also touched the feet of another chess icon, Viswanathan Anand, when she went up to accept her trophy. Anand, who is not only a former World Chess Champion but also a beloved figure in the Indian chess community, was equally touched by the gesture. The fact that Mukherjee had taken the time to seek the blessings of both Carlsen and Anand underscored the deep respect she holds for the giants of the game. Speaking after the ceremony, Carlsen expressed his delight at being part of the event, which had brought together such a vibrant and passionate chess community. "It was definitely a fun experience to play here in Kolkata," Carlsen said. "It never really fit my schedule in the last few years, but it’s great to be back on Indian soil and play alongside these talented youngsters. I’m happy that I can still compete at a high level." Carlsen's words resonated with the audience, who had gathered in large numbers at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium to witness not only his chess brilliance but also to catch a glimpse of the global icon up close.
18 November,2024 04:30 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentSpanish rider Jorge Martin claimed his first MotoGP World Championship title after finishing third in the season-ending Barcelona GP on Sunday. Also Read: Tyson has no regrets over loss for fighting ‘one last time’ Defending two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia, who started the race 19 points behind Martin, took the chequered flag for the 11th time this season but it was not enough to wrest the title from the Spaniard. “It sounds amazing,” said an emotional Martin after being addressed as a world champion for the first time. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 07:45 AM IST | Barcelona | AFPFormer world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said Saturday he has no regrets over losing to Jake Paul in their heavyweight boxing match-up after climbing into the ring “one last time.” The 58-year-old legend dropped a unanimous decision on Friday to 27-year-old Youtube fighter Paul at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, before 72,300 fans and 60 million more households worldwide, according to telecaster Netflix. Also Read: Deepika stars as India enter semis with 3-0 win over Japan “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” Tyson posted Saturday on X. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.” Tyson, who said he nearly died in June over health issues, had left open chances for another ring return in comments shortly after the defeat. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 07:43 AM IST | Washington | AFPDefending champions India stormed into the semifinals of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy with an unbeaten record, defeating Japan 3-0 here on Sunday. Continuing her stellar form, star striker Deepika netted a quickfire brace from penalty corners in the final quarter to seal the victory, following vice-captain Navneet Kaur’s opener in the 37th minute. Also Read: ‘We need to improve everything’ With this win, India topped the league stage with maximum 15 points from five matches, ahead of Olympic silver medallists China (12 points). India will take on fourth-placed Japan in the semi-final on Tuesday, while China will play third-placed Malaysia in the other last-four game. Deepika, the tournament’s leading scorer, now boasts 10 goals, including four field goals, five penalty corners, and one penalty stroke, underscoring her dominance. In the day’s other matches, Malaysia beat Thailand 2-0, while China defeated South Korea by an identical margin. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 07:40 AM IST | Rajgir | PTIFive-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek clinched back-to-back wins to lead Poland into their first Billie Jean King Cup semi-final on Saturday. Also Read: Slovakia beat Australia to reach semi-finals Swiatek, the World No.2 in singles but playing her first doubles match in the tournament since 2019, teamed with Katarzyna Kawa to defeat Marie Bouzkova and Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-4 to complete a comeback 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. In Monday’s semi-finals, Poland will face 2023 runners-up Italy who earlier edged out Japan 2-1. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 07:35 AM IST | Spain | AP | PTISlovakia followed up its win over the United States with a 2-0 victory over Australia to reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup finals on Sunday. Also Read: Iyer to lead Mumbai as Shaw returns for Mushtaq Ali Trophy Rebecca Sramkova cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Ajla Tomljanovic to clinch Slovakia the victory after Viktoria Hruncakova rallied to defeat Kimberly Birrell 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3 for her sixth straight BJK Cup win counting singles and doubles. Slovakia had beaten the US—the competition’s most successful nation—in the first round of the finals in Malaga. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 07:33 AM IST | Spain | AP | PTIRafael Nadal is ready to skip singles matches at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga if he feels he is not good enough to help Spain succeed in his farewell tournament. Nadal is retiring after the Davis Cup, the 22-time Grand Slam champion worn down by too many injuries at the end of his 20 years on tour. Also Read: "I think he’s probably under pressure a little bit": Glenn McGrath on Virat Kohli “I’ll try to prepare as best as possible so I can be available to play, but I want to help anyway I can, playing or not playing,” Nadal, 38, said on Saturday. “First we have to see how I’m feeling in training. If I really don’t see myself ready to have a chance of winning in singles, I’ll be the first who won’t want to play,” he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 November,2024 07:15 AM IST | Madrid | AP | PTIUS President-elect Donald Trump was greeted by chanting fans as he attended the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight bout at New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Trump entered the arena shortly before the start of the main card accompanied by UFC chief executive Dana White, who was a prominent backer during his election campaign. Several political allies of Trump were also in attendance for the mixed-martial arts fights, including entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been asked by Trump to lead efforts to cut government inefficiency. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump has nominated to be health secretary, was also at the fight and a photo posted on X showed the pair flying to the event together on Trump's private plane. The night had the feel of a post-election night out for the Republicans. Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman tapped for the role of director of national intelligence, was also in the crowd along with Trump's sons Eric and Don Jr and musician Kid Rock -- a regular at Trump rallies. Also Read: Rory McIlroy sees Donald Trump win as key to bridging divisions between PGA Tour and LIV Golf After waving to the chanting crowd, Trump warmly greeted UFC broadcast analyst Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who also endorsed Trump after he appeared as a guest on his show. The venue's "jumbotron" giant screen above the cage where fighters did battle then showed a video featuring highlights of the election campaign with soundbites from Trump. Trump became the focal point of attention as he made his entrance to The Undertaker's iconic theme song. Trump, known for his penchant for WWE themes at public events, opted for the "American Badass" theme this time—The Undertaker’s entrance music during his early 2000s transformation, when the wrestler rode a motorcycle to the ring. This theme was a staple for nearly four years. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK ARE WALKING OUT WITH DANA WHITE!!! 🇺🇸#UFC309 | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ➡️ https://t.co/uXQAMHNTBd pic.twitter.com/VpggsWHtwZ — UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 17, 2024 The film ended with the numbers 45 and 47 on the screen, representing the Republican's previous and upcoming presidency. Fans chanted "USA, USA," a refrain frequently heard at Trump rallies, including one he held at Madison Square Garden last month. Also Read: When MS Dhoni took a swing at US politics...on golf course with Donald Trump: WATCH Trump watched the fights alongside Musk from front row seats next to the caged octagon. After Jon Jones defended his heavyweight title with a third-round technical knockout against fellow American Stipe Miocic in the main event, the fighter celebrated with Trump's trademark 'YMCA' dance. "I want to say a big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight," said Jones, receiving a huge roar of approval from the crowd. After leading the crowd in another round of "USA, USA" chant, Jones then passed his heavyweight championship belt to Trump and spent some time in conversation with the President-elect. Trump frequently attends UFC events and attended three fights during his campaign for the White House. His ties to the fight world run deep. He featured retired WrestleMania star Hulk Hogan at the Republican convention in August and hosted UFC bouts at his casinos in the early days, when the series struggled to gain traction and well before it became today's multi-billion success. (With AFP inputs)
17 November,2024 03:11 PM IST | New York | mid-day online correspondentJake Paul believes he can fight for a championship belt within two years. Mike Tyson might be finished in the ring after the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion's first sanctioned pro bout since 2005. An event hyped like a prize fight turned into a glorified sparring session, the eight-round bout won by Paul in a lopsided unanimous decision at the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys on Friday night. There will continue to be questions for Paul over when he will fight a contender in his prime, as opposed to aging former champs, mixed martial artists or journeymen boxers. The 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer's answers have been consistent, and now he has a timeline. "I think it could happen in the next 24 months," Paul said. "I truly, truly believe in my skills and my ability and my power. And the cruiserweight division is seemingly open for the taking on that timeline." Tyson, whose last fight before retiring was a loss to Kevin McBride 19 years ago, said he was confident in taking on Paul because of an entertaining exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in front of no fans during the pandemic in 2020. Also Read: Leaked 'script' claims Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul wasn't what it seemed A shorter fight (instead of 10 or 12 rounds) with shorter rounds (two minutes instead of three) and heavier gloves fell far short of entertaining. The International Boxing Hall of Famer came at Paul hard in the opening seconds, and briefly again to start the second round. Otherwise, he mostly let Paul come to him, and Paul said he thought Tyson was too fatigued to be a threat beyond the third round. Still, Tyson wouldn't say immediately afterward it was his last fight after the officially recorded loss dropped his record to 50-7 with 44 knockouts. "It depends on the situation," Tyson said before suggesting a fight with Paul's older brother, Logan Paul, who was standing near him in the ring. "I'll kill you, Mike," Logan Paul shot back, using an expletive for emphasis. But Tyson said he had gone in the ring "one last time" in a social media post Saturday that provided details about the health scare he faced that forced the postponement from the fight's original date this summer. "I almost died in June," Tyson wrote on X. "Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won." There's no question the younger Paul will be back in the ring. The former social media influencer started boxing about 4 1/2 years ago and has always said he wants to be a championship fighter. "He's a very good fighter," said Tyson, the undisputed heavyweight champ from 1987-90, after Paul won 80-72 on one judge's scorecard and 79-73 on the other two. Also Read: Rapper Drake loses Rs 2.9 crore bet after Paul wins against Tyson in boxing Paul still has plenty to prove, though. He is 11-1 with seven knockouts, the only loss to Tommy Fury, the less-accomplished brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The former Disney Channel star has proven he can create hype for just about any fight. The first live sports event on Netflix was viewed in 60 million households, the streaming company said Saturday. Netflix said further details on viewership would be available next week. According to reports, Paul's payday was $40 million, compared with $20 million for Tyson. Paul mentioned his number during a promotional event over the summer. Organizers estimated the AT&T Stadium crowd at 72,000, and it appeared to be a legitimate number. "There may never be another moment like this in boxing, but I believe we can find something," Paul said. "And I think there are a few names out there that make sense, that the events will be just as big." In the days before his fight with Tyson, Paul mentioned super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, considered one of the best boxers in the world. An opponent of that magnitude is probably at least several fights away for Paul, and it might not be long before age becomes an issue for the 34-year-old Alvarez. Paul's camp will never question its ability to put on a show. "Boxing is ebbs and flows, ups and downs, big events, small events, medium-size events," said Nakisa Bidarian, Paul's promoter. "Our philosophy is it's not about what is the decision that happens in the ring. It's about the attitude that you have and the product you create and how you entertain the fans. And there's no more entertaining of an athlete than Jake Paul." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 November,2024 02:48 PM IST | Texas | mid-day online correspondentThe much-anticipated showdown between boxing legend Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul took place in front of a packed crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and it was Jake Paul who emerged victorious. The 27-year-old Paul clinched a unanimous decision after eight rounds, with the judges scoring the bout 79-73 in his favor. Paul’s superior speed, agility, and movement were on full display as he outclassed the 58-year-old Tyson, who struggled to keep up with his younger, faster opponent. From the outset, it was clear that Tyson, despite his legendary status, was not the same fighter who once ruled the heavyweight division. His reflexes appeared sluggish, and his punches lacked the power and precision that defined his prime. Tyson managed to land just 18 out of 97 punches, a stark contrast to Paul's more active and effective offense. In comparison, Paul threw an impressive 278 punches, connecting on 78 of them. Tyson found himself in trouble early in the third round when Paul unleashed a flurry of punches, but the veteran continued to fight on, showing heart and determination despite his visible limitations. Also Read: Rs 8.4 crore on Tyson’s fists! Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat 'goes all in' in this wild boxing bet As the final seconds of the eighth round ticked down, Paul even took a moment to bow in respect to Tyson, acknowledging the former champion’s career and legacy. The fight, which many had expected to end sooner, lasted a full eight rounds—defying the predictions of some who had anticipated Paul would knock Tyson out by the fifth. Possibly leaked script for the Tyson vs Paul fight. pic.twitter.com/vBbaJdi3gC — OutlawPatriot (@Outlaw_Patriot1) November 16, 2024 Prior to the fight, a fake 'script' of the match had gone viral on social media, with the document suggesting Paul would knock out Tyson in the fifth round. This only fueled the controversy surrounding the fight, as fans questioned whether the bout had been fixed. However, the thrilling back-and-forth action in the ring contradicted these rumors, and the fight concluded with Paul’s clear superiority. The financial stakes of the fight were equally monumental. Reports indicated that the total prize purse for the event was a staggering $60 million. According to Forbes, Jake Paul’s share amounted to $40 million (approximately Rs 338 crore), while Tyson earned a still impressive $20 million (roughly Rs 169 crore). The hefty paydays further emphasized the massive commercial appeal of this spectacle, solidifying both fighters as key players in the boxing world, even as questions about the integrity of the match lingered.
17 November,2024 01:46 PM IST | Texas | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
