Picture Credit: Twitter
With former women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal smashing retirement rumours to Andy Murray pulling out of the ongoing Canadian Open, in the last 24 hours, fans witnessed some major actions in different sporting disciplines. Fans were treated with some of the most exciting sporting events in last few hours.
Here are some trending events from across the sporting universe:
Tennis
Andy Murray pulls out from Canadian Open due to abdominal strain
Tennis star Andy Murray pulled out from the ongoing Canadian Open due to abdominal strain. The 36-year-old was set to lock horns with Italy's Jannik Sinner in the round of 16 on August 11, Friday, but he decided not to risk any further injury and withdrew from the tournament. The British icon later released a statement and announced his decision in the same.
Murray said that while the injury isn’t severe, he doesn’t want to risk it further. He said, "This is not as bad as that but obviously the danger if you compete and play on it is you make it worse. I'll need to see how it develops over the coming days and hopefully feel better in a few days. I'm really sorry. Thank you."
Hockey
Rani Rampal blows out retirement rumours; says she has "more to give as player"
Former India women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal quashed rumours of her retirement and said that she still has more to give to the sport. Rampal was at a Hockey India event on Thursday, August 10, where she addressed the media and said, "I am not retiring since I know I still have more to give to the sport as a player. I have this thing in me to not give up. If I had to, I’d have given up after the Olympics.”
Not only this, but Rampal also took an indirect dig at the Indian team coach Janneke Schopman and said that whatever happened to her wasn’t right. Rampal said, "Whatever happened to me wasn’t right in the last two years. I came back from an injury, was the top scorer at the National Games but wasn’t picked. The best person who can answer this is the chief coach or the selectors because I don’t know the answer.”
Football
Real Madrid Thibaut Courtois to undergo surgery after suffering torn ACL
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a torn cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and hence will undergo a surgery in the upcoming days. The club gave their confirmation on the same on Thursday, August 10. Not only this, with Courtois being out for a few months, Madrid will reportedly look for a new person to fill Courtois’ shoes.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Spain makes to semifinal with 2-1 win over Netherlands
Spain made it to their first ever semifinal of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 as they gained a 2-1 victory over Netherlands on August 11, Friday. The first goal of the game came in the 81st minute, when Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty into a goal. Things were in favour of them until Netherlands’ Stefanie van der Gragt hit a goal for her side and took the score 1-1, forcing some extra time.
In the semifinal clash, they will lock horns with Sweden, who beat Japan 2-1.
Basketball
Nike confirms relaunch of Kobe Bryant's sneakers and apparel brand
One of the leading athleisure brands Nike gave its confirmation on relaunch of Kobe Bryant's brand . Not only this, but Nike also unveiled the new products on their SNKRS app. The brand by the NBA star consists an iconic line of sneakers and apparel. Since 2005, Nike has launched 22 signature sneakers of Bryant, and each of them features his innovative input.
Badminton
BWF World Championship 2023 draw: PV Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag get first round bye in first round
The Badminton World Championship 2023 draw was held on August 10, Thursday at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) HQ in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 16 Indian players were part of the draw, where four will participate in the singles’ events in the upcoming tournament. This year’s edition will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from August 21 to 27. As per the draw, PV Sindhu and the star duo of Satwik and Chirag have received byes in the first round.
India tally adds one silver and two bronze at Commonwealth Youth Games 2023
Indian athletes won one silver and two bronze medals on August 11, at the VII Commonwealth Youth Games. Where Barla Asha Kiran won a silver for the county in Women’s 800m run, Pooja bagged a bronze in Women’s High Jump. In addition to them, Arjun grabbed another bronze for India in the Javelin Throw event.
With three medals on last day, the Indian tally read five, with two silver and three bronze, securing 18th spot on the standings.
