Sushil opts out of World Wrestling Championship
NEW DELHI: Struggling for form, double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar has decided to opt out of the World Wrestling Championship while Asian Games bronze medallist Divya Kakran has also pulled out of the prestigious event due to an ankle injury. Sushil had suffered an embarrassing first round exit from the Asian Games and his participation was shrouded in doubt. “Both Sushil and Divya have conveyed that they should not be considered for the Worlds. Jitendra Kumar will now compete in the 74kg. We have decided to field Navjot Kaur in the 68kg in place of injured Divya,” a WFI source said. Sakshi Malik will have to fight Sarita Mor for a place in the 62kg category. The World Championship will be held in Budapest from October 20-28.
PANGHAL FOR ARJUNA
NEW DELHI: Asian Games gold medal-winning boxer Amit Panghal was nominated for this year’s Arjuna awards by the Boxing Federation of India. There were doubts on whether he would be considered given a positive dope test back in 2012, for which he served a one-year ban. However, given the fact that he is done with the punishment for the “inadvertent” violation and that it happened when he was competing at the youth level, the BFI decided to send his name to the Ministry.
LOVLINA WINS
GLIWICE, POLAND: Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain defeated Russia’s Elmira Azizova in the opening round of the 13th Interna- tional Silesian Championship for women being held in Gliwice, Poland. Borgohain prevailed 4-1 in the welterweight (69kg) category contest.
KIMI FOR SAUBER
SINGAPORE: Kimi Raikkonen is leaving Ferrari for Sauber and will be replaced by rookie Charles Leclerc. Raikkonen, who won the 2007 Formula One title with Ferrari, will be heading back to Sauber from next season while Leclerc will take his seat alongside Sebastian Vettel.