Gaurav Gill wins Asia-Pacific rally’s NZ leg

India’s Gaurav Gill of Team MRF Tyres turned back a 33-second deficit to win the International Rally of Whangarei, the first round of FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, here today.

Overnight leader and teammate Ole Christian Veiby, who eventually finished second behind Gill, led by 23 seconds at the half-way mark today after first loop of three Special Stages. But he suffered brake failure on his Skoda Fabia R5 in the very first Stage after service which cost him one minute, 22.6 seconds. The 20-year old Norwegian was then docked a penalty of one minute, 30 seconds for reporting nine minutes late to the start of the next Stage which effectively ruined his chances of scoring a win in his maiden APRC appearance. Chennai: Joshna Chinappa scripted history by becoming the first Indian to clinch the Asian Squash title with a thrilling win over compatriot Dipika Pallikal Karthik in the women’s final, here.

In the men’s final, however, Saurav Ghosal went down fighting against No.1 seed Max Lee to finish second best.

In a clash between two players, who train together at the Indian Squash Academy here, Chinappa held off a fighting Pallikal 13-15, 12-10, 11-13, 11-4, 11-4 in 78 minutes to win probably her biggest title.

Railways defended their title at Hockey India Senior National Championship 2017 (Women) ‘A’ Division, beating Haryana 3-1 in the final.