Bhagwan wins first medal for Daman

GUWAHATI: Pugilist Harsh Bhagwan finally opened tiny Daman and Diu’s medal account at the Khelo India Youth Games, claiming a silver medal on Tuesday.

Harsh won competing in the boys Under-17, 50-52kg category became the Union Territory’s first medal-winner in this edition of the Games. The 17-yearold broke into tears after winning his silver. “I started boxing because of my parents, who were firm that I take up an individual sport. They felt that it would make me more responsible, and not allow me to hide from my failures,” he said.

His coach at the Daman & Diu Boxing Federation Academy in Daman, Vijay Pahal, was disappointed at missing out on the gold but clearly was proud of his ward. “If someone wins, someone has to lose too. But I think he will learn from the loss. We will sit and analyse it,” Pahal said.

“However, if a boxer puts his heart into his performance, gives it his all, I am not one to complain,” he said

UP, HARYANA SHINE IN HOCKEY

Uttar Pradesh and Haryana won the gold medals in the U-21 boys and U-21 girls hockey competitions of the Khelo India Youth Games 2020 here on Tuesday.

In the U-21 boys category, Uttar Pradesh defeated Haryana 3-1 in penalty shoot-out after the two teams played out a goal-less draw at the Maulana Md Tayabullah hockey stadium.

In the U-21 girls event, Jharkhand conceded two goals in the last nine minutes as Haryana prevailed over 5-3 in a high-scoring encounter to bag the yellow metal. The bronze medal in the U-21 boys category went to Odisha, who defeated Chandigarh 3-1 in the penalty shootout following a 5-5 draw at the end of regulation time.

Maharashtra beat Mizoram by a solitary goal in the U-21 girls match.