Indian sports wrap, December 22: Anahat Singh wins third straight Western India Slam title

SQUASH

Anahat defends title at Western India Slam

Two-time champion Anahat Singh continued her dominance with a commanding 3-0 win over top seed Akanksha Salunkhe in an all-Indian women’s final of the 79th Western India Slam — a USD 9,000 Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger event — in Mumbai on Sunday.

The 16-year-old sensation, seeded second, outclassed compatriot Akanksha 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in just 25 minutes to successfully defend her title.

In the men’s final, second seed Ameeshenraj Chandaran of Malaysia overcame Czech top seed Viktor Byrtus 3-1 (15-13, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3) in a gruelling 60-minute clash to claim the title at the Cricket Club of India courts.

-PTI

CHESS

Adhiban wins Tashkent Chess Festival Masters

FILE PHOTO: GM B. Adhiban in action.
| Photo Credit:
VELANKANNI RAJ B/The Hindu

Adhiban Baskaran clinched the Tashkent Chess Festival Masters event with 7.5/9 on Sunday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Chennai Grandmaster remained unbeaten throughout the event while also gaining 21.2 Elo points en route to his title-winning run.

BASKETBALL

UP, Tamil Nadu emerge as champions in 49th sub-junior nationals

Uttar Pradesh boys and Tamil Nadu girls emerged champions in the 49th sub-junior national basketball championship at Saroornagar Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.

In the boys’ final, UP scored a hard fought 56 – 49 victory over Delhi after leading 34-30 at half-time. UP owed its victory to the trio of Jatin, Darshil and Kaushal, whereas for Delhi, Yadav and Shivam put up a good show.

In the girls’ final, Tamil Nadu scored an easy 68-46 win against Maharashtra after leading 35-15 at half-time. Tamil Nadu played a fast paced game from the start with Swathika and Mercy dominating the offence.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Tata Steel Golf Championship 2024: Veer Ahlawat clinches title

Champion Veer Ahlawat in the Tata Steel golf championship in Jamshedpur on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Veer Ahlawat rose to the occasion with a sterling performance as he shot a 7-under-64 on the fourth round and clinched the title in the play-off against Amardeep Malik after being tied 17-under-267 in the Rs. 3 crore Tata Steel golf championship at the Beldih and Golmuri golf courses on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Veer prevailed on the second play-off hole to bag the champion’s purse of Rs.45 lakh. He had already sealed his position at the top of the PGTI Order of Merit, and took the purse to a record collection of Rs.1.56 crore for the season. In the process, he won the card for the DP World Tour for next year.

It was a dramatic turn around for Veer after being placed tied sixth overnight, four shots away from the lead. On the front nine, Veer had an eagle and two birdies. He had a bogey on the 11th but recovered to sink four birdies.

Amardeep had a bogey-free round and led for the most part. He could have clinched the trophy in the first play-off hole, but for a lip-out from 20 feet. He collected Rs.30 lakh.

“I had worked a lot on my wedge play and that paid off today,” said Veer, who belongs to the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram.

“In the play-off, I used one of my favoured clubs, the gap wedge, to perfection. My parents and my wife landed up yesterday. Their presence on the course was huge encouragement for me to do well. It was a great season for me. I am working on a few things to prepare myself for different conditions in Europe,” said Veer.

The 21-yeear-old Shaurya Bhattacharya of Delhi was declared “Emerging player of the year”, as he won Rs.23,14,017, the highest by a rookie.

-Kamesh Srinivasan

TENNIS

Navi Mumbai ITF women’s tournament: Priska Nugroho beats Thasaporn Naklo in final

Priska Nugroho of Indonesia beat Thasaporn Naklo of Thailand 6-2, 7-6(3) in the final of the $40,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Ganesh Naik Complex on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Priska converted nine of 11 break points to prevail over the Thai, who converted five of 11 break points.

It was the third singles title of the year and eighth of her career for Priska, who did not drop a set in the tournament.

-Kamesh Srinivasan