Rose Zhang Wins Cognizant Founders Cup, Ends Nelly Korda's Winning Streak

Rose Zhang Wins Cognizant Founders Cup, Ends Nelly Korda’s Winning Streak

Rose Zhang, the 20-year-old Stanford product, has finally delivered on the immense expectations surrounding her since her professional debut last year. On Sunday, she captured the Cognizant Founders Cup, her first LPGA Tour victory, with a stunning birdie run on the final five holes.

Zhang’s triumph ended Nelly Korda’s record-tying winning streak of five consecutive events. Korda, who had struggled in the final two rounds, finished tied for seventh.

Zhang’s victory was a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite a shaky start where she almost fell on her rear end, she managed to make par and maintain her composure.

As the round progressed, Zhang and Madelene Sagstrom engaged in a stroke-play duel, with the rest of the field trailing behind. Sagstrom held a three-shot lead after 13 holes, but Zhang’s birdies on 14, 15, 17, and 18 propelled her to victory.

Sagstrom, who had been seeking her first victory since 2020, was left heartbroken by the outcome. However, she acknowledged Zhang’s exceptional play and expressed her satisfaction with her own performance.

Zhang’s victory is a significant milestone in her young career. It reignited her passion for the game and proved that she has the talent and determination to compete at the highest level.

Seth Lugo's 12 Strikeouts Lead Royals to Victory Over Angels

Seth Lugo’s 12 Strikeouts Lead Royals to Victory Over Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Seth Lugo’s dominant performance on the mound and Hunter Renfroe’s timely hit against his former team propelled the Kansas City Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Lugo, in his first season with the Royals, showcased his exceptional pitching prowess by striking out a career-high 12 batters over eight impressive innings. He allowed only one run on five hits, continuing his remarkable start to the season. Lugo’s ERA now stands at a stellar 1.66, the best in the American League.

The Royals’ offense provided ample support for Lugo in the fourth inning. Renfroe, who played for the Angels last season, delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded, driving in Nelson Velasquez and Freddie Fermin. Michael Massey added another RBI with a sacrifice bunt, giving Kansas City a 4-0 lead.

The Angels managed to chip away at the deficit in the sixth inning when Willie Calhoun hit an RBI double. Calhoun struck again in the ninth with a solo homer, but it was too little too late for Los Angeles.

Patrick Sandoval, the Angels’ starting pitcher, pitched into the seventh inning but allowed 11 hits and four runs during the Royals’ fourth-inning rally. Sandoval has now lost five of his last seven starts.

The Royals’ victory marked their third in the four-game series against the Angels. Kansas City’s Brady Singer will take the mound in Seattle on Monday for the series opener against the Mariners. The Angels, meanwhile, will host the St. Louis Cardinals in Anaheim on Monday, with Jose Soriano scheduled to start.

India's Wrestling Hopes Dim as Only One Male Qualifies for Paris Olympics

India’s Wrestling Hopes Dim as Only One Male Qualifies for Paris Olympics

India’s Olympic wrestling hopes have been dampened after only one male freestyle wrestler, Aman Sehrawat, qualified for the Paris Games. Sujeet Kalkal and Jaideep Ahlawat’s losses in the repechage rounds at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul dashed India’s chances of sending more men to the Olympics.

Wrestling was India’s most successful sport at the Tokyo Olympics, with Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia winning silver and bronze medals, respectively. However, the sport has been plagued by turmoil in the past year due to protests and a lack of national camps.

Sujeet’s failure to qualify also ends Punia’s hopes of competing in Paris. Dahiya remains in contention, but he will have to prove his worth in selection trials scheduled for June 10.

In women’s wrestling, India has secured quotas through Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, and Reetika Hooda. Vinesh, who has been at the forefront of the wrestling protests, has the option to compete in either 50kg or 53kg.

WFI president Sanjay Singh emphasized that Vinesh must choose one weight class for the trials. “She has to choose between 50kg and 53kg; whichever weight she gives her weigh-in, she can compete in that,” Singh said.

Despite the challenges, India’s wrestlers remain determined to make their mark in Paris. However, the lack of preparation and turmoil within the sport have raised concerns about their ability to replicate their success from Tokyo.

Parveen Hooda: Embracing the Olympic Dream with Unwavering Determination

Parveen Hooda: Embracing the Olympic Dream with Unwavering Determination

Parveen Hooda, one of India’s four Olympic-bound boxers, is embracing the final stretch of her preparation for the Paris Games. Despite the sacrifices and challenges, she remains focused on her dream of Olympic glory.

Hooda’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by steady progress and unwavering determination. From her breakthrough victory over Sarita Devi in 2019 to her recent medal-winning performances at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Games, she has consistently proven her mettle.

The 24-year-old boxer has identified the need to enhance her technical skills in preparation for Paris. She has expanded her repertoire beyond her signature counterattacking style, improving her ability to initiate attacks and fight effectively at all ranges.

Hooda’s transformation has also extended to her mental fortitude. She has worked diligently with a psychologist to strengthen her mental resilience, recognizing the importance of handling pressure in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.

Despite the intense training and sacrifices, Hooda remains grounded and focused on her ultimate goal. She has limited her phone usage, minimized social interactions, and adopted a strict diet to maintain her weight.

Hooda’s unwavering determination and belief in her abilities have been instrumental in her success. She is confident in her ability to perform well in Paris, knowing that she has overcome numerous challenges and gained invaluable experience along the way.

Indian Men's Hockey Team Intensifies Training for Paris 2024 Gold Medal Quest

Indian Men’s Hockey Team Intensifies Training for Paris 2024 Gold Medal Quest

With the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaching, the Indian men’s hockey team is intensifying its preparations to end a 44-year gold medal drought. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh has revealed that the team is in the “last stages of an intense training block” as they aim to secure a top-four finish in Pool B and progress to the quarterfinals.

India faces a formidable challenge in Pool B, which includes reigning Olympic champions Belgium, world number three Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. The team will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia.

“We are in the last stages of an intense training block right now,” said Harmanpreet. “The team has worked on the areas we felt needed attention after the Tour of Australia. Soon, we will head to Europe to play some essential matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 to test ourselves against some tough opponents like Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain.”

Vice-captain Hardik Singh expressed his excitement for the Olympics, stating, “The team is leaving no stone unturned in our endeavor to change the color of our previous medal and clinch Gold at the Olympics this time. We have players like PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh who could be playing their fourth Olympics along with quite a few players who could be playing their third Olympics, including our Captain. Their experience has been instrumental in molding some of the younger players we have in the squad right now.”

India has a rich history in hockey at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals. The team’s last Olympic medal was a bronze in Tokyo 2020.

As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, the Indian men’s hockey team is determined to make history and bring home the gold medal that has eluded them for over four decades.

Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Again, Wei Yi Extends Lead in Superbet Chess

Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Again, Wei Yi Extends Lead in Superbet Chess

India’s R Praggnanandhaa continues to impress in the Superbet rapid and blitz chess tournament, securing another victory over world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway. However, Wei Yi of China has extended his lead to a commanding 2.5 points after the first day of blitz.

With nine rounds remaining in the blitz event, Wei Yi has accumulated an impressive 20.5 points, including seven wins on the opening day. The Chinese prodigy appears unstoppable and is poised to claim the first leg of the Grand Chess Tour unless a significant setback occurs.

Carlsen, with 18 points, trails Wei Yi by a significant margin. Praggnanandhaa’s consistent victories over the world champion in rapid chess have contributed to Carlsen’s current position. However, Praggnanandhaa remains behind the leaders with 14.5 points, making it a two-horse race for the title.

Arjun Erigaisi of India occupies fourth place with 14 points, followed by Duda Jan-Krzysztof of Poland with 13 points. Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and Vincent Keymer of Germany are in sixth and seventh place, respectively, with 12.5 and 11.5 points.

Anish Giri of Holland has improved his position to ninth with 10.5 points. In contrast, world championship challenger D. Gukesh of India continues to struggle, languishing at the bottom of the standings with 9.5 points.

Carlsen has acknowledged that his nervous system was affected by his second-round loss to Praggnanandhaa. The world number one managed to secure six points out of nine, a respectable result, but he suffered another blunder against Abdusattorov after his defeat to the Indian prodigy.

Wei Yi began the day with a loss to Gukesh but quickly recovered, conceding only a draw to Carlsen while winning the remaining seven games. Gukesh had a challenging day despite his strong start against the tournament leader, scoring only 2.5 points.

Arjun’s victories over Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh keep him in contention for a podium finish. Despite losses to Wei Yi and Carlsen, Arjun secured five wins and two draws in his other games, giving him optimism for the final day.

Braves' No-Hit Bid Broken by Martinez Homer in 4-1 Win

Braves’ No-Hit Bid Broken by Martinez Homer in 4-1 Win

Atlanta’s Max Fried and two relievers combined for a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings before New York’s J.D. Martinez homered to spoil the bid as the Braves beat the Mets 4-1 on Saturday. Fried opened with seven no-hit innings, and Joe Jiménez worked around a pair of walks in the eighth before Raisel Iglesias retired the first two batters of the ninth. Martinez homered just over the wall in right field on the next pitch off Iglesias, who walked Jeff McNeil and allowed an infield single to Harrison Bader before retiring Brett Baty on a fly to center.

The Braves have not thrown a no-hitter since Kent Mercker’s gem against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8, 1994. The no-hitter drought is the fourth-longest in the majors. The Braves have the second-most wins and second-lowest ERA in baseball since 1994, a span in which Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz pitched for the team.

In other MLB action, the Blue Jays overcame a six-run deficit to beat the Twins 10-8, the Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Nationals, the Rays beat the Yankees 7-2, the Phillies extended their winning streak to 13 games with an 8-3 win over the Marlins, the Orioles edged the Diamondbacks 5-4 in 11 innings, the Tigers beat the Astros 8-2, the White Sox topped the Guardians 3-1, the Pirates edged the Cubs 10-9, the Giants beat the Reds 5-1, and the Brewers defeated the Cardinals 5-3.

Aman Sehrawat Secures India's First Paris Olympics Quota in Wrestling

Aman Sehrawat Secures India’s First Paris Olympics Quota in Wrestling

Aman Sehrawat has secured India’s first quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics in men’s freestyle wrestling, triumphing in the 57kg division at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul. The Asian Games medalist showcased his dominance throughout the tournament, comfortably winning all his bouts.

In the crucial semi-final, Sehrawat faced Asian Games silver medalist Chongsong Han of North Korea. Despite a tight first period, Sehrawat’s superior technique and relentless attacks proved too much for Han. He secured a 12-2 victory, sealing the Olympic quota for India.

Sehrawat’s success also provides a lifeline to Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, who competes in the same weight class. The Olympic quota belongs to the country, and Sehrawat will likely have to win the selection trials at home to represent India in Paris.

Sujeet Kalkal also impressed in the 65kg division, reaching the semi-finals before losing to experienced Mongolian wrestler Tomor-Ochiryn Tulga. However, the 22-year-old will have another chance to qualify for Paris in the repechage on Sunday.

Sehrawat’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by consistent progress. In 2022, he became the world U23 champion. Last year, he won bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games and gold at the Asian Championships in Astana. Despite missing out on qualification at the 2023 world championships and the Asian Qualifiers, Sehrawat remained determined and seized his opportunity in Istanbul.

Sehrawat’s victory is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian wrestling. With Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia also in contention, India has a strong chance of medaling in the 57kg and 65kg weight classes at the Paris Olympics.

Chess Legend Praises Praggnanandhaa's Efficient Autograph Technique

Chess Legend Praises Praggnanandhaa’s Efficient Autograph Technique

Chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has garnered praise from legendary grandmaster Gary Kasparov for his quick and efficient autograph-signing technique. In a video posted on Twitter, Kasparov remarked, “Smart lad; a fast and short signature means your hand doesn’t get sore so quickly!”

Praggnanandhaa’s rise to stardom has been meteoric. In 2023, he became the youngest player to reach the World Cup final, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand. His impressive victories over Magnus Carlsen in 2022 brought India’s chess prowess into the spotlight.

The Chennai-based prodigy began his chess journey at the tender age of 5. By 12, he had become India’s youngest and the world’s second-youngest Grandmaster. Praggnanandhaa’s love for mathematics and his ability to unwind with Tamil music and television shows add to his multifaceted personality.

In 2023, Praggnanandhaa secured a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. His achievements have cemented his status as one of the most promising young chess players in the world.

Kasparov’s praise for Praggnanandhaa’s autograph-signing technique highlights the importance of efficiency and practicality in the world of chess. The ability to conserve energy and maintain focus during long tournaments can give players a competitive edge.

Praggnanandhaa’s success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent. As he continues to climb the ranks of chess, he is sure to inspire future generations of players and bring further glory to India on the global stage.

Indian Wrestlers Face Mixed Fortunes at World Qualifiers

Indian Wrestlers Face Mixed Fortunes at World Qualifiers

Deepak Punia’s Olympic qualification hopes suffered a major setback at the World Qualifiers in Sofia, Bulgaria, as he succumbed to a crushing first-round defeat. The 23-year-old, who narrowly missed a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games, was outmuscled by China’s Zushen Lin in the 86kg category, losing 4-6.

Punia’s fate now rests on the Chinese wrestler reaching the final, which would open up the repechage route for the Indian. However, the odds are stacked against Punia, as Lin is a formidable opponent.

Meanwhile, young Aman Sehrawat emerged as a beacon of hope for India, advancing to the 57kg semifinals with two dominant victories. The 20-year-old, who is the reigning U23 world champion and Asian Championship title winner, showcased his strength and technique in both his bouts.

Sehrawat comfortably defeated Georgi Valentinov Vangelov of Bulgaria 10-4 before overpowering Ukraine’s Andrii Yatsenko by technical superiority. Yatsenko proved to be a quick opponent, but Sehrawat’s superior strength allowed him to control the match and secure a takedown victory without conceding a single point.

In the 65kg category, Sujeet Kalkal also impressed, winning his first two bouts with a 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov and a technical superiority victory against Korea’s Junsik Yun. Kalkal faces a tougher test in the quarterfinals.

Jaideep Ahlawat also advanced to the quarterfinals in the 74kg weight class, pulling off a stunning four-pointer double-leg attack to defeat Moldova’s Vasile Diacon 5-3. He followed that up with a technical superiority victory against Austria’s Simon Marchl.

Despite these positive performances, the Indian contingent suffered setbacks in other weight classes. Deepak (97kg) and Sumit Malik (125kg) both lost their first-round bouts, leaving Punia as the only remaining hope for an Olympic berth.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart