Others

Reigning national champion Lakshya Chahar's Olympic dream suffered a setback as he became the fourth Indian boxer to bow out in the opening round of the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Busto Arsizio, Italy.Chahar, competing in the men's 80kg event, faced a formidable opponent in 2021 Asian Championships silver medallist Gheshlaghi Meysam of Iran. Despite a valiant effort, Chahar was knocked out in the third round, ending his hopes of securing an Olympic quota.The Indian contingent has faced a disappointing start to the qualifier, with all four boxers who have taken the ring failing to advance to the second round. World Championships bronze medallist Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (92kg), and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) all suffered first-round defeats.However, five Indian boxers remain in contention for Paris Olympic quotas: world championships bronze medallist Mohammed Hussamudin and six-time Asian Championships medal winner Shiva Thapa. A semifinal finish will guarantee them a quota.India has already secured four 2024 Olympic quotas through Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), who clinched their entry at the Asian Games last year.Boxers who fail to earn quotas in Italy will have a final chance to qualify for the Paris Games at the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifier, scheduled for May 23 to June 3 in Bangkok.

College Rivals, India's largest Esports talent hunt, concluded with a grand finale that saw 28 college students from across the nation triumph and share a generous INR 50 lakh prize pool. The event, organized by Ampverse and DMI Finance, featured a total prize pool of INR 50 lakh and attracted over 5,000 attendees.In the BGMI title, Divyansh Vashisht of Delhi School of Professional Studies, Palampur, emerged victorious with a 2-1 victory against Sahil Nagpal of APJ in the final match, securing the top prize of INR 4 lakh. Sahil secured INR 2 lakh, while Swayam Jain of IIPS and Deepak Mishra of DSNV were rewarded with INR 1 lakh each for finishing in third and fourth place respectively.The finale also provided a dream come true opportunity to one of the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) players by offering a professional Esports contract with Rivals Pro Esports.In addition to BGMI, the College Rivals grand finale showcased intense competition across other titles, including FIFA 23, Road to Valor, Valorant, Tekken 7, and Counter Strike-2, each boasting a prize pool of INR 5 lakhs. Winners in each category received a substantial INR 2.5 lakh prize, while the runner-up secured INR 1.5 lakh.Karman Singh Tikka of Delhi Institute of Management, Gurugram, demonstrated his expertise in FIFA 23 by defeating Danish Khan of DGMC with a 2-0 scoreline. Similarly, in Tekken 7, Vayam Bhatt of MVSIT, New Delhi, clinched victory with an identical 2-0 scoreline against Gurashish Singh of Jagannath University.Arnav Manoj of SRM University, Mumbai, displayed exceptional skill and determination in the Road to Valor title by securing victory in the final with an impressive 2-0 scoreline. In Valorant, Vinit Mane of DY Patil Arts and Commerce College, Pune, dominated the competition with a 2-0 victory, while another talented student from Pune, Samyak Magare of Ajeenkya DY Patil University, prevailed in Counter-Strike 2 with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph.Beyond the Esports competitions, the College Rivals finale provided attendees with a plethora of activities, including live performances from stand-up comedian Samay Raina and renowned music artists Seedhe Maut, Muhfaad, and Char Diwaari. Gaming enthusiasts also had the unique opportunity to interact with renowned Esports personalities such as Naman Mathur (Mortal), Payal Dhare (PayalGaming), Tanmay Singh (ScoutOP), and Yash Thakker (lolzzzgaming), who engaged in a BGMI match.The one-of-a-kind experiential LAN event also featured cosplay competitions, arcade gaming zones, racing simulators, VR cricket, AI live generation art, and a variety of food and beverages, creating an immersive and memorable experience for all attendees.The journey of College Rivals began in August with city qualifiers, where teams competed in bracket-based matches organized by city. Each city qualifier was conducted at the end of the City Tour by the College Rivals Truck which visited 25 colleges across five cities, including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, and attracted a total of 92,000 participants across the nation.

Pakistani Boxer Vanishes in Italy After Stealing from TeammateA Pakistani boxer, Zohaib Rasheed, has disappeared in Italy after allegedly stealing money from a teammate's bag, casting a shadow over the country's Olympic aspirations.Rasheed, a rising star in Pakistan's boxing scene, had traveled to Italy as part of a five-member squad for an Olympic qualifying tournament. However, his actions have brought shame upon the Pakistan Amateur Boxing Federation (PABF) and the nation.According to PABF secretary Colonel Nasir Ahmed, Rasheed took advantage of his teammate Laura Ikram's absence during training to steal foreign currency from her purse. He then vanished from the hotel, leaving his team and officials in shock."It is most embarrassing for the federation and country the way Zohaib Rasheed has behaved," Ahmed said. "He had gone there as part of a squad to take part in an Olympic qualifying tournament."Rasheed's disappearance is not an isolated incident. In the past, Pakistani athletes have used international competitions as an opportunity to seek a better future abroad.The PABF has notified the Pakistan Embassy in Italy and filed a police report. Authorities are actively searching for Rasheed, but he remains out of contact.Rasheed's actions have not only tarnished Pakistan's reputation but also raised questions about the integrity of the national boxing program. The PABF is now facing scrutiny over its selection process and the measures in place to prevent such incidents.The incident has cast a pall over Pakistan's Olympic hopes. Rasheed was considered a potential medal contender, and his absence will be a significant blow to the team's chances of qualifying for the Tokyo Games.

The Chicago Bulls staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Sacramento Kings 113-109 on Monday night, snapping a four-game losing streak against their Western Conference rivals.Coby White led the Bulls' charge with a career-high 37 points, adding seven assists and five rebounds. DeMar DeRozan, who had a quiet first half, exploded for 19 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 33. Ayo Dosunmu contributed 20 points, while Nikola Vucevic chipped in with 10 points and 13 rebounds.The Kings, who were led by De'Aaron Fox's 20 points and 10 assists, built a commanding 22-point lead in the third quarter. However, the Bulls refused to go away, outscoring Sacramento 36-18 in the final period.White's layup with 47.1 seconds remaining gave Chicago a 111-109 lead, and DeRozan sealed the victory with two free throws with 3.5 seconds left.The Bulls' comeback was fueled by their ability to force turnovers and capitalize on them. They forced 18 turnovers while committing only 10, leading to a 24-12 advantage in points off turnovers."I thought we were really active with our hands," said Bulls coach Billy Donovan. "Us being able to force turnovers certainly helps us get out in transition and it helps you generate some easy baskets."Despite being outrebounded 51-32, the Bulls' defense held strong in the fourth quarter, limiting the Kings to just 18 points."Obviously, everybody's down because it was a winnable game," said Kings coach Mike Brown. "Even though we feel like we didn't play well, we still felt it was a winnable game. We felt like we let this one slip through our fingers, and so it's tough right now."The Bulls will next face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, while the Kings will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers.

In a thrilling encounter at the Vivint Arena, the Utah Jazz emerged victorious over the Washington Wizards, snapping their eight-game losing streak. Jordan Clarkson led the charge for the Jazz, erupting for a season-high 38 points, including a decisive 12-0 run down the stretch.Clarkson's scoring outburst was complemented by Collin Sexton's 29 points and John Collins' double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. The Jazz, despite missing key players Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, showcased their resilience and determination.The Wizards, who have now lost 15 consecutive games, were led by Jordan Poole's 32 points. Kyle Kuzma added 23 points, surpassing 8,000 career points. However, Washington's efforts were ultimately undone by their inability to convert in the clutch.The game featured a high-scoring affair, with both teams shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. The Jazz and Wizards combined for 41% shooting from three-point range.Despite Washington's advantage in fast break points, the Jazz's superior execution in the final minutes proved decisive. Clarkson's late surge, which included five made shots in six attempts, propelled the Jazz to a 127-115 victory.The Wizards' losing streak now stands at 15, one shy of their franchise record set in 2010. The team will look to end their skid when they host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.Meanwhile, the Jazz will aim to build on their momentum when they welcome the Chicago Bulls to Salt Lake City on Wednesday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves extended their dominance over the Portland Trail Blazers, completing a four-game season sweep with a 119-114 victory on Monday night. Rudy Gobert led the charge with a double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds, his 43rd of the season. Michael Conley contributed 19 points and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and Naz Reid also made significant contributions.The Timberwolves' victory propelled them into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their impressive 30-9 record against Western Conference opponents and 23-8 home record highlight their dominance.Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-106. Bobby Portis stepped up in Antetokounmpo's stead, scoring 28 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and grabbing 16 rebounds. Damian Lillard led the Clippers with 41 points, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Bucks from extending their winning streak to six games.In New York, the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating the Brooklyn Nets 106-102. Luke Kennard led the Grizzlies with a season-high 25 points, while Jake LaRavia added 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies' strong rebounding performance and second-chance points proved crucial in overcoming the Nets' offensive struggles.

The Prague Masters Chess tournament in Prague has reached its halfway point, with four rounds remaining. Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh, currently tied for fourth place, face crucial matches in the upcoming round.Praggnanandhaa, known as "Pragg," will face tournament leader Nodirbek Abdusattarov, while Gukesh will play against Mateuesz Bartel of Poland, who is currently in last place. A win for both Indians would significantly boost their chances of finishing on the podium.Abdusattarov, the world number five, has maintained his lead with four points out of a possible five. However, it remains to be seen if he can sustain his momentum in the remaining rounds.Parham Maghsoodloo, who entered the tournament with impressive results, has been playing cautiously since winning the first two rounds. He needs to improve his performance to remain in contention for the top prize.Richard Rapport, known for his unconventional style, stands third with three points. The Hungarian-turned-Romanian will be looking for opportunities to capitalize on his strengths.Vidit Gujrathi, the other Indian in the tournament, has had a mixed start. After four consecutive draws, he lost to Praggnanandhaa, costing him valuable points. However, Gujrathi is known for his ability to perform well in the latter stages of tournaments.Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi has surpassed Viswanathan Anand to become the top-ranked Indian player for the second time in three days. Erigaisi is leading the Shenzen Masters in China and has also entered the top ten in the world live rankings for the first time.

Josh Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP and three-time All-Star, has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after a 13-year career. The 38-year-old made the announcement on "The Mayor's Office" podcast, hosted by former first baseman Sean Casey.Donaldson's career peaked from 2013-17, when he established himself as one of the top third basemen in the league with Oakland and Toronto. In 2013, he finished fourth in the AL MVP voting with Oakland, and two years later, he won the award with Toronto. That season, Donaldson led the AL in RBIs (123), total bases (352), and runs (122), helping the Blue Jays reach the AL Championship Series.From 2014-16, Donaldson earned three consecutive All-Star appearances and finished fourth in the AL MVP voting in 2016. After injuries limited his playing time in 2017 and 2018, he signed a one-year contract with Atlanta and finished 11th in the NL MVP voting in 2019.Donaldson's performance declined after signing a four-year, $92 million contract with Minnesota at age 34. He was traded to the Yankees ahead of the 2022 season and struggled with New York, hitting just .142 with 10 homers in 33 games. He was released in August and signed a minor league deal with the Brewers, where he hit .169 in 17 games."As things kind of kept transpiring, I just really felt it had to be a perfect situation for me to go back and play," Donaldson said. "There were a couple of opportunities out there, but at the end of the day, things weren't really clicking and meshing for myself to be ready and go into a season mentally and physically ready to play."Donaldson finishes his career with a .261 batting average, .358 on-base percentage, 279 homers, and 816 RBIs in 1,383 regular-season games. He played for Oakland, Toronto, Cleveland, Atlanta, Minnesota, New York, and Milwaukee.

TCU's remarkable start to the season has been fueled by a blend of experience and youth. The Horned Frogs, who reached the College World Series last year, have replaced key contributors with a group of talented freshmen and transfers who have made an immediate impact.Three freshmen have played pivotal roles: Sam Myers, Chase Brunson, and Ryder Robinson. Myers leads the team in batting average (.419) and RBIs (10), while Brunson is batting .390 and Robinson has been a versatile presence at third and shortstop, batting .345.Transfers have also made significant contributions. Peyton Chatagnier, a second baseman from Mississippi, is batting .319 and leads the Big 12 in walks (14). Wichita State transfer Payton Tolle has been a solid weekend starter, along with Kole Klecker and Zack Morris.Despite some struggles on the mound, TCU's bullpen has been a strength, led by Zachary Cawyer and Braeden Sloan. The Frogs have a knack for winning close games, with eight of their victories coming by three runs or less, including five by one run.TCU's success has not gone unnoticed. Wake Forest remains the consensus No. 1 team in the polls, but Arkansas and LSU are close behind. Arkansas' pitching staff has been dominant, averaging a nation-leading 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings.Other notable performances include Ryley Preece of Morehead State, who hit five home runs over the weekend, and Riley Huge of Winthrop, who set a national season high with 20 strikeouts in a single game. Florida's Jac Caglianone starred on both the mound and at the plate in a series-clinching win over Miami.