After Sushil, Yogeshwar could also be missing from PWL 2

NEW DELHI: With Sushil Kumar’s chances of participating in the second season of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) next to nil, another star Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt is also likely to opt out of the upcoming event taking the sheen away from the tournament.

The London Olympic bronze medallist, who represented the Haryana franchise last year, in all probability will not be a part of the League, starting December 15, as his wedding is scheduled in January next year.

“It is very difficult for me to be a part of PWL as the League will take place in December and my wedding is in January. Although I have still not ruled it out completely, it seems unlikely,” Yogeshwar told PTI.

Asked if he is fit and has been training regularly, Yogeshwar said: “Yes, I am fit and train everyday. It is only because of the fact that my wedding date is so near the competition that it might be a little difficult for me to be a part of the League.”

In the inaugural edition of the PWL last year, 33-year-old grappler was ruled out mid way into the tournament after sustaining an injury, but he did well in the initial rounds to ensure that his team made it to the final, where Haryana lost to Mumbai.

Even the sources in the PWL organising committee on Thursday claimed that Yogeshwar was not likely to take part in the competition.

HARIKA CLOSE TO SEMIFINAL SPOT

CAP D’AGDE (FRANCE): Grand Master Harika Dronavalli, the lone Indian in fray at the 14th Anatoly Karpov Rapid International Chess Tournament, inched one step closer to the semifinals by extracting a hard-fought 87-move draw in a late game on Thursday.

She had the advantage of playing with white but had to use all her defensive skills against France’s GM Marie Sebag to get away with a crucial half point.

Harika is on 6.5 points after her penultimate league game and shares the joint fourth place with GM Romain Edouard. She will face Anatoly Karpov in her last match.

INDIAN COLTS GO DOWN TO BELGIUM

VALENCIA: After beating Germany in their opener, the Indian junior men’s hockey team went down 2-4 to Belgium in their second encounter at the 4-Nations Invitational tournament.

On Wednesday, Belgium broke the deadlock right in the first minute of the game, winning a penalty corner right off their first attack which Victor Wegnez converted successfully to give them the early lead.

The game’s pace dropped a bit after the goal, but Harmanpreet Singh brilliantly converted in the 11th minute to give India the equaliser. In an eight minute spell in the second half, Belgium scored thrice with Fabrice Van Bockrijck (49th minute), Antoine Kina (56th) and Gregory Stockbroekx (57th) getting on the scoresheet.

Ajay Yadav managed to reduce the gap with in the 60th minute.