Haryana dictates proceedings at U-23 National Wrestling Championship
Powerhouse Haryana clean swept the team titles across all three formats – men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s section – at the 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championship at MDU Rohtak.
The host state topped the men’s freestyle division with 200 points, the Greco-Roman category with 195 points, and the women's wrestling field with 183 points. The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) put up a strong challenge to finish as runner-up in both men’s freestyle (138 points) and Greco-Roman (165 points), while Maharashtra claimed the second spot on the podium in the women’s team standings with 160 points.
Lauding the performance of the young athletes, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Kumar Singh said, “The exceptional standard of competition witnessed here highlights the incredible depth in our U-23 ranks. Haryana’s clean sweep across all three styles underscores their robust training pipeline, while institutions like the Services and various state teams continue to push the benchmarks higher. The federation is fully committed to providing these top performers with elite international exposure as they transition to the senior level.”
-Team Sportstar
Sanya Vats bows out in Chennai HCL Squash PSA Challenger semis
Fourth seed Sanya Vats, the lone Indian in the semifinals of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour-Chennai, lost to top seed Rouqaia Othman at the Indian Squash Academy on Tuesday. The Egyptian won 11-4, 11-2, 11-5.
-Team Sportstar
Hockey India announces squads for men’s, women’s Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship
Hockey India on Tuesday announced the Indian sub-junior men's and women's squads for the inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, scheduled to be held in Muscat from July 20 to 25.
The tournament will feature Asia’s brightest emerging hockey talent, with seven teams each competing in both categories. The men’s competition will feature host Oman, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, while the women’s competition will see India, Pakistan, Oman, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran in action.
The Championship also carries added significance as it serves as the official Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
The Indian squads were selected from a group of 15 players each in the two national camps currently going on in Bhopal (women) and Chandigarh (men).
The sub-junior women's squad of 10 players includes goalkeepers Khili Kumari and Mahak Parihar. The defensive responsibilities will be shouldered by Nilam Topno and Kiran Ekka, while Diya, Pushpa Manjhi and Shruti Kumari form the midfield unit. The forward line comprises Nousheen Naz, Sandeepa Kumari and Sweety Kujur, who will captain the team.
The women’s sub-junior squad pose for a picture at the MP State Shooting Academy. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The sub-junior men's squad comprises goalkeepers Sawan Kumar and Ayush Rajak, with Karan Gautam and Ashish Tani Purti as the two defenders. The midfield unit features Rahul Yadav and Romit Pal, while the forward line consists of captain Ketan Kushwaha, Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh and Shahrukh Ali.
The male sub-junior counterparts are training in Chandigarh. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Speaking on the squad selection, Rani, coach of the sub-junior women's team, said, “We have selected a balanced squad with a good mix of skill, speed and character. The players have worked extremely hard during the preparatory camp and have shown great commitment to improving every aspect of their game.”
The sub-junior men's team has Sardar Singh as its coach, and he is confident the team will perform well in Oman.
“The squad has earned its place through consistent performances and a strong work ethic during the training camp. Hockey5s is an exciting format that rewards speed, creativity and composure under pressure, and the boys have adapted well to its unique demands. Our emphasis has been on building a cohesive unit that can execute our plans with confidence while playing an attacking brand of hockey.”
-Team Sportstar
Yanam restricted Ossudu, who became the first team to choose to bat this season, to 143/8. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
2026 PPL: Yanam get campaign back on track
Genid Yanam Royals got their campaign back on track by beating Ossudu Accord Warriors by seven wickets for their second win in five matches in the Shriram Capital-Pondicherry Premier League at the Siechem Stadium here on Tuesday.
Yanam restricted Ossudu, who became the first team to choose to bat this season, to 143/8, and achieved the target with 20 balls to spare on the back of a 79-run opening wicket stand between Vedant Bhardwaj and captain Aditya Garhwal.
Brief scores: Ossudu Accord Warriors 143/8 in 20 overs (Jai Dagar 46, Dhruv Reddy 33, Sandeep Paswan 2-23, Pranay Singh 2-21, Irfan-Ul-Haq 2-12) lost to Genid Yanam Royals 145/3 in 16.4 overs (Vedant Bhardwaj 44, Aditya Garhwal 31, Sidak Singh 2-30). Player of the match: Vedant Bhardwaj.
-Team Sportstar
Vani hungry for success as she faces a strong field in 10th Leg of Hero WPGT
Vani Kapoor headlines another strong domestic field at the 10th Leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour that begins at the Zion Hills Golf County here on Wednesday.
Vani, who staged a fine final round rally to win the ninth leg last week for her first success in 2026, tees off with the hugely talented Mannat Brar and amateur Tanishka Prithvi in the opening round.
Vani will once again face a stiff challenge from the likes of three-time winner in 2026 Ridhima Dilawari, Amandeep Drall, seasoned Tvesa Malik and Saanvi Somu, who has been gaining experience by playing on the Ladies Access Tour in Europe.
Sneha Singh, a former Hero Order of Merit winner, has been struggling of late and will look at getting back to her old form and rhythm, while Vidhatri Urs, Anvitha Narender, Seher Atwal and the experienced Neha Tripathi will also seek a return to their winning ways.
Hitaashee Bakshi will hope to get her clubs working the way she wants after a struggle on the Ladies European Tour, for which she wants to be ready again soon, including having a crack at the Hero Women’s Indian Open.
Once again the field has two sets of sisters – the Kangs — Heena and amateur Ceerat — and the Jadon sisters — Lavanya and Riya.
With 57 players in the field, the organisers have once again resorted to a two tee start and the field includes nine amateurs.
The last few seasons have seen amateurs make a mark on the pro circuit even before turning to the paid ranks.
-PTI
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Published on Jul 14, 2026