Thursday, September 24, 2009

Ramesh Kumar creates history, bags bronze in World Wrestling


World Wrestling Championship in Herning,

NEW DELHI: India's Ramesh Kumar created history by winning the bronze medal in the freestyle 74kg category at the World Wrestling Championship in Herning, Denmark.

The Uttar Pradesh wrestler did what Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar failed to achieve, clinching India's first medal in the prestigious event after a gap of 32 years.

Kumar defeated Alexandr Burca of Moldova on technical points after the repechage round ended with both the wrestlers tied at the score of 7-7.

Kumar, however, started the bout on a disappointing note, trailing 0-3 after the first period.

He then came back strongly in the second session to score two points and then finished off the final period picking up five points as against his opponent's four to finally come out victorious on technical points.

Kumar had earlier defeated Dustin Schlatter of the US 3-2 in the opening round. His next casualty was Great Britain's Michael Grundy, whom he beat 4-2 and then prevailed over Kiril Terziev of Bulgaria 7-4 in the quarterfinal.

Kumar, however, lost out on the gold medal opportunity, going down 0-5 to Chamsulvara Chamsulvarayev of Azerbaijan in the last-four stage to set up a repechage encounter against Burca.

The gold in this category was won by Denis Tsargush of Russia.

Earlier, Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar failed to replicate boxer Vijender Singh's feat and lost out on a medal opportunity in the elite event after losing the bronze medal play-off match in the 66kg freestyle category on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in the female style, India's Nirmala Devi lost in the opening round of the 48kg category to Great Britain's Yana Stadnik, while Babita Kumari bowed out in the quarterfinal against Natalia Budu of Moldova in 51kg division.

Soruce:TOI

KKR Coach picked, to be announced soon

Indian Premier League
Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders has picked its coach and his identity would be revealed soon by the team management, senior batsman Sourav Ganguly said today.

Tipped to return as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL III, Ganguly said, "The coach has been decided. But I cannot announce it. The team management (owners Shah Rukh Khan and Jay Mehta) will do it shortly."

The ace cricketer, who had a morning practice session in the indoor facility of Eden Gardens, said the Knight Riders will play three practice matches with the visiting Champions League Twenty20 teams in the first week of October.

It is learnt that the announcement will be done before the practice matches.

The Kolakta Knight Riders screened a mix of foreign and India coaches in a series of interviews held at Shah Rukh's residence last month.

The foreigners included Pakistani great Wasim Akram, former India coach John Wright, former England allrounder Dermot Reeve, former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus, former England coach Duncan Fletcher and former Australian batsman Michael Bevan.

The Indians list had former India and Kenya national coach Sandeep Patil, Mumbai Ranji coach Praveen Amre and former Tamil Nadu coach WV Raman among others.

The Kolkata IPL side is also expected to reinstate Ganguly in the capatain's seat, that was taken up by New Zealander Brendon McCullum last season.

The Kiwi wicketkeeper batsman will not be available for most of the IPL III (March 12-April 25) as he will be busy playing for the national side against Australia in the home series scheduled in March.

The high-profile side sacked Australia's World Cup winning coach John Buchanan after they finished sixth in the inaugural IPL and slipped to last place last season.

Buchanan's tenure was marred by controversy after the former Australian coach unveiled his multi-captaincy theory that generated a lot of debate worldwide and then replaced Ganguly, the local star, as captain.

When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya also said the announcement would be made shortly.

"It will be communicated shortly -- ahead of the three practice matches," Bhattacharya said refusing to elaborate further.


© PTI

BCCI-IMG dispute solved

BCCI
The BCCI has resolved the vexing IMG issue and will announce a fresh contract for the sports management firm that will pay them between Rs.25 crore - Rs.27 crore per year, according to a report in Cricinfo.

The Indian board had recently terminated the contract with IMG for the Indian Premier League, citing payments that were not commensurate with services rendered. When this prompted seven of the eight franchisees to shoot off letters to the BCCI and when ex-BCCI chief Sharad Pawar also expressed his concern, the current president Shashank Manohar was appointed to resolve the dispute.

The issue seems to have been resolved amicably, with the new deal being that IMG would be paid a fixed amount, as opposed to a percentage of the IPL earnings. The earlier deal meant that the Board had to fork out Rs.33 crore for IPL-2, which didn't sit well with some Board members.

"There is no issue anymore, tomorrow it will be announced," a top-ranking BCCI official was quoted as saying by the website yesterday.

Another key issue that is likely to be looked at is the reimbursement to the eight franchisees for losses incurred due to the shifting of the IPL to South Africa.

"We have already been told that it would only happen post Champions League but I'm sure if they would discuss the IPL accounts, the compensation to the franchisees would also be discusssed," a top official at one of the franchises was quoted as saying.

The other controversy brewing in the background is the situation in the Rajasthan Cricket Association, where two factions - one led by Sanjay Dixit and the other backed by Lalit Modi - are locked in a bitter struggle. Both factions are expected to send their representatives to the AGM, though which one would be or should be allowed is anybody's guess.


© Cricbuzz

Bracken ruled out of Champions Trophy

Australia's
Australia's preparations for the defence of the Champions Trophy received a major setback as fast bowler Nathan Bracken was ruled out of the tournament with a chronic knee injury.

According to reports in Australian papers, The decision to send Bracken home was made overnight in South Africa. The decision wasn't made because of any specific problem, but because of the long-term nature of the injury which had aggravated.

The seriousness of the injury is not yet known but it is also likely to place him in doubt for next month's Champions League Twenty20 tournament, in which he was due to represent his home state of New South Wales.

Bracken's loss is a serious blow for Australia, since he is currently their highest ranked ODI bowler. He has been an outstanding limited-overs bowler with his nagging accuracy, changes of pace and ability to move the ball.

Cricket Australia has not yet confirmed the decision, or who will replace Bracken in the 15-man squad.


© Cricbuzz