Category Archives: Sports

Ranji Trophy: Robin Uthappa’s ton puts Karnataka in command

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

RobinKF11nov2015

Mysuru:

India discard Robin Uthappa on Monday cracked his second century of the season to help Karnataka gain a 168-run lead after they declared their first innings at 400 for nine against Odisha on the third day of their Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match played here.

Trailing by 168 runs, Odisha were zero for one in their second innings when the umpires called off the day’s play due to bad light. Nataraj Behera and first innings centurion Govinda Poddar were batting on zero as opener Rajesh Dhuper (0) lost his wicket to Vinay Kumar in the very first over of their second innings. Karnataka, who registered their first outright win against Rajasthan in their previous match, would go for the second outright victory this season when they take the field on fourth and final day of the match tomorrow. Uthappa smashed a sparkling 148 runs off 257 balls with 11 boundaries and two sixes, and Karun Nair scored a useful 73 runs off 164 balls with six boundaries and a six. The duo stitched a 169-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which took the match away from the hands of Odisha.

After Odisha succeeded in breaking Nair and Uthappa’s partnership, the visitors did well to restrict the hosts by bagging six wickets for 103 runs, with slow-left-arm orthodox Dhiraj Singh (3/156) leading the fightback and ably supported by right-arm medium Suryakant Pradhan (3/94). Basant Mohanty and Biplab Samantaray claimed two and one wicket respectively. As Singh and Pradhan picked up wickets at regular intervals, lower-order batsmen including Chidamabarm Gautam (20), Stuart Binny (4) and Shreyas Gopal (13) failed to capitalise on Uthappa-Nair partnership.

Resuming at 255 for three, Karnataka soon lost Nair after he added 21 runs to his overnight score of 52. Left-armer Singh had him caught by Pratik Das. Binny lasted for seven balls and was cleaned up by Samantaray after he scored four. Gautam was out for 20 as he became another victim of Singh. Gopal and Jagadeesha Suchith did not last long and fell to Pradhan and Singh rather quickly which prompted Vinay to declare the innings.

source: http://www.sahilonline.com / SahilOnline / Home> Sports / by PTI / Home> Sports News / posted by Mubashir / Tuesday – November 10th, 2015

S Chikkarangappa wins Indian Masters

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
S Chikkarangappa (TOI Photo)
S Chikkarangappa (TOI Photo)

Bangalore :

Indian golfer S Chikkarangappa successfully defended his title after defeating compatriot Shubhankar Sharma on the first extra hole at the TAKE Solutions India Masters here on Saturday.

Chikka and Sharma, who shared the overnight three-shot lead, ended regulation play tied on 25-under 263 after posting identical final rounds of six-under 66s at the Eagle-The Golf Village.

The duo returned to the par-four 18th hole for the play-off battle where Chikka outplayed Sharma with a birdie against a par to claim his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the USD 120,000 event.

Abhijit Chadha, also of India, returned with a stunning 62 to take third place on 269 while countryman Rashid Khan and American Greg Moss settled one shot back in fourth following matching rounds of 67s.

Chikka, who fired seven birdies against a lone bogey, played consistently to stay in control for most of the round and kept his cool even when Sharma surmounted a late charge to force a play-off.
“I haven’t really performed well this season. This win came at the right time and I am confident this will be a sign of better things to come. There were a lot of expectations from me this week, especially from family and friends. I’m glad I didn’t disappoint them,” said the 22-year-old Chikka.

“I wasn’t really nervous out there. I just played my own game. I have been in this kind of situation before so I knew how to handle it. I guess my past experience helped. This win definitely boosted my confidence and I’m looking forward to better results at the Panasonic Open India on the Asian Tour next week,” he added.

Chikka will take home a winner’s prize cheque of USD 21,000 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points courtesy of his win.

Despite missing out on a grandstand finish, Sharma took pride in what was his best result on the ADT and a record personal best 72-hole score.

“I kept calm out there. I played really well on the back nine and finished with four straight birdies to force extra time with Chikka. I knew I had a chance coming to the last two holes. It was a pity to miss out on the birdie putt in the play-off. I hit two good shots but I guess I just didn’t trust the putt,” said Sharma.

“Overall, it was still a great experience. I am happy with the way I played all week. This is my best result on the ADT. I didn’t expect myself to finish with a 25-under total so it was great,” added the 19-year-old.

source: http://www.timeofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Sports> Golf / PTI / October 31st, 2015

GOLF – Chikkarangappa, it is

Records, All, Sports

It took a play-off to determine the winner of the Take Solutions India Masters, and even then there was only a couple of inches in it. S. Chikkarangappa’s 9-iron from 145 yards on the 18th sailed past the flag, bounced once on the green, and rolled sharply back.

It left him needing a birdie putt of some four feet to win the tie-breaker, and he nailed it. Moments earlier, Shubhankar Sharma had watched his birdie putt, from 10 feet, settle inches wide of the cup.

It was thus by the finest of margins that Chikkarangappa defended his title at the Eagleton Golf Resort on Saturday. Shubhankar — dogged to the end — and he returned an identical tally of 25-under-263 to force the first play-off hole, when the local favourite triumphed. That it went down to the wire was due to Shubhankar’s run of four birdies on the final four regulation holes, a passage of play that included one putt from 20 feet on the 16th.

S. Chikkarangappa with the trophy after winning the Take Solutions India Masters / Photo: Shreedutta Chidananda
S. Chikkarangappa with the trophy after winning the Take Solutions India Masters / Photo: Shreedutta Chidananda

Chikkarangappa, level with his opponent overnight, had eased into a two-shot lead by the seventh hole, after a hat-trick of birdies had followed a bogey on the fourth.

It appeared that advantage would be enough, but Shubhankar simply would not give up.

“Even I didn’t expect that he would make four out of four at the end,” Chikkarangappa said later. “But I was confident. I have been involved in three play-offs as a professional and I’ve now won all three.”

It was an emotional victory for the 22-year-old, who was in tears as he embraced his mother afterwards. “I’ve been through a bad patch these last three months. I had a back injury that made me fear for my career. Also, losing on my home course would have been very hurtful,” he said.

Chikkarangappa took home a cheque for Rs.13,65,000, which lifted him to first place on the PGTI Order of Merit.

The win was his second on the Asian Development Tour and seventh overall. Abhijit Chadha, who shot the day’s best of 10-under-62, finished the tournament in third place at 19-under-269.

The scores (top eight after 72 holes): 263: S. Chikkarangappa (65, 66, 66, 66), Shubhankar Sharma (65, 64, 68, 66); 269: Abhijit Chadha (70, 69, 68, 62); 270: Greg Moss (62, 70, 71, 67), Rashid Khan (65, 70, 68, 67); 271: Himmat Rai (64, 67, 69, 71); 272: Anura Rohana (66, 73, 66, 67), Oskar Arvidsson (69, 69, 67, 67).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Shreedutta Chidananada / Bengaluru – October 31st, 2015

OGQ to support Jwala, Ashwini

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa.
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa.


Prakash Padukone hoped that OGQ’s sports science would make a difference to Jwala and Ashwini’s fitness levels.

Olympic Gold Quest, the not for profit organisation founded by sports legends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone, announced on Wednesday that it will support the badminton doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in the run up to next year’s Rio Olympics.

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone hoped that OGQ’s sports science would make a difference to Jwala and Ashwini’s fitness levels.

“Jwala and Ashwini are undoubtedly the number one women’s doubles pair in India and they are consistently among the top 20 in the world. I feel that OGQ’s efficient and timely support will help them immensely.

“I also believe that OGQ’s sports science team will make a difference to their fitness levels. The emotional support that OGQ provides the athletes will help Jwala and Ashwini completely focus on their training,” said Padukone.

Jwala said that OGQ’s support has come just at the right time with Olympics only nine months away.

“With less than nine months left for the Rio 2016 Olympics, I think OGQ support for Ashwini and myself has come at the right time. Our dream is to win a medal for India at the Olympics and OGQ support is a massive boost to us. I can already see an environment of excellence and positivity within OGQ. I wish to only focus on our Olympic preparations from now on,” said Jwala.

Ashwini added: “I am so happy that Jwala and me are a part of the OGQ family now. We have seen the way OGQ has been supporting other top badminton players over the years.

“We have already started working with OGQ a month back and the professional approach of the team, the warmth and the personal rapport is clearly evident. It is a huge relief to get this kind of support.”

Founded with a mission to help Indian athletes win Olympic gold medals, OGQ supports the training of 75 athletes in eight individual sports.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / PTI / New Delhi – November 04th, 2015

Shooting Range inaugurated at ASF, South Coorg

Records, All, Sports

Ashwini Sports Foundation, floatedby Olympian Ashwini Nachappa, takes a step closer to building itsworld-class facility in Coorg with inauguration of Shooting Rangeand Gymnasium at Gonikoppal, South Coorg.

Embassy Group, India’s leading real estate developer, haspartnered with Ashwini’s Sports Foundation (ASF) to launch thespanking new, world-class Embassy ASF 10m Shooting Range andGymnasium. It was inaugurated by Jitu Virwani, Chairman & ManagingDirector, Embassy Group and his wife Lina Virwani recently.

Arjuna Awardee, Ashwini, over the past decade, has been focusingon creating a unique approach to education that integrates sportswith academics at a very early age. Along with her husband DathaKaruambiah, she manages a school – KALS which put this approach intopractice. Talented athletes from this school are then absorbed intoASF, which then provides structured, world-class training through aunique 4-step model. More than 50 talented children have beenidentified and are training in Athletics and Hockey. With theEmbassy ASF Shooting Range, ASF will now addthis to its repertoire of sporting disciplines.

Speaking on the occasion, Jitu Virwani said that “we are verysupportive of Ashwini Nachappa’s and ASF’s efforts to popularizeshooting as a sport. We are extremely pleased to have collaboratedwith ASF to set up a facility that matches international standards.I am sure this shooting range will help many young rifle shootingaspirants develop their talent and become world beaters at nationaland international events. We stand committed to the vision of ASFand wish them all success in their future endeavours.”

Ashwini Nachappa said that “our intent at ASF is to create asustainable and replicable model that will enable talented athletesnot just in Coorg but from anywhere in the country to rise to theirfullest potential. I am hoping that in the next 5-7 years we areable to show results at the international level and be able toproduce world champions.

source: http://www.news.webindia123.com / WebIndia123 / News Home> India / Coorg, Thursday – October 29th, 2015

“UNI MSP VV RSS1452

Hockey India welcomes Hockey Coorg as the latest Associate Member unit

Records, All, Sports
Hockey is part of Coorg’s heritage
Hockey is part of Coorg’s heritage

Hockey India, the apex body governing the sport in India has introduced Hockey Coorg as an Associate Member unit from the state of Karnataka. The state of Karnataka will now boast of two member units, where Hockey Karnataka themselves already operate as a Permanent Member unit while the latest entrant Hockey Coorg will operate as an Associate Member unit. The newly formed Hockey Coorg, will see Mr. PE Kalaiah spearheading the unit as the President.

Hockey India, which currently has 20 Permanent Member units, will have 28 Associate Member units with the formation of Hockey Coorg. Karnataka has traditionally been a major contributor to the sport of Hockey.

Hockey Coorg’s primary functionality will be to manage the large talent pool from the Coorg region of the state that in the past has produced some great players like BP Govinda, Arjun Halappa, AB Subbaiah and MP Ganesh. A few of the current players donning the national cap from Coorg are VR Raghunath, SV Sunil, SK Utthappa, Nikin Thimmiah and Nithin Thimmaiah.

With the formation of Hockey Coorg, the region can now participate in the National Championships as a separate team, helping India unearth a larger pool of talent for the future. Speaking on the development, Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India said, “I am delighted to welcome Hockey Coorg as an Associate Member unit of Hockey India.

The region of Coorg has always given our country some exceptional athletes in the sport of hockey, and with the formation of this new unit, I am confident that we will be moving towards a formidable talent pool who only are going to help us carry forward the legacy and honour of the sport, bringing many laurels to the country.”

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Sports Keeda (SK) / Home> Hockey> News / Press Release / October 29th, 2015

Hockey Coorg gets associate member status

Records, All, Sports

The governing body for hockey in the country, Hockey India, announced on Monday that Hockey Coorg will be inducted as an associate member in their set-up.

The move will now see Karnataka represented by two individual bodies; Hockey Karnataka and Hockey Coorg, and both units will be allowed to field teams at the National Championships.

“Hockey Coorg’s priority will remain the same and that is to nurture talent for the Karnataka side,” PE Kalaiah, president of Hockey Coorg, told Deccan Herald. “They (Hockey Karnataka) will have first refusal of right (players) from the talent pool and we will then give the remaining players a platform to improve their skills.

“The concept of this membership is not to attract boys who are playing in Bengaluru but originally are from Coorg, but rather to have a larger talent pool that remains in the State. Plenty of players are either on the fringe or ply their trade in different States. We might as well have them play for our State and remain at home,” he explained, while alleying any fears of change in dynamics of the functioning of HK.

Spotting talent
Hockey Coorg has 24 senior teams from different parts of Coorg that are affiliated to them but talent-spotting at the school level remains on top of their list of priorities. “Hockey Coorg’s first preference will be to conduct school-level tournaments and ensure that the players have the right infrastructure and opportunity to play. Presently, more than half the boys at the SAI camp in Bengaluru are from Coorg and have worked their way up the existing system,” added Kalaiah.

Sandeep Somesh, Joint Secretary of Hockey Karnataka, echoed Kalaiah’s sentiments on the subject.

“This is a move in the right direction for Hockey Karnataka as the players we nurture will have more opportunities to represent the State, since Hockey Coorg is an affiliated body and we will get to choose the best players from a larger group,” he noted.
Sandeep also dismissed any concerns of presence of two teams hampering the functioning of the body.

“Nothing changes,” he stressed. “Though Hockey Coorg will be an independent body, Hockey Karnataka remains the regulating body for hockey in the State.”

While both bodies will look to work in tandem in the near future, plans on infrastructure and other training processess are still in the pipeline.

“Hockey Coorg will work alongside us in the future but the roles for both bodies will be clearly defined and we will look to execute them,” remarked Somesh.

While divulging into the role that Hockey Coorg could carry out, the former India International spoke of Coorg being a perfect breeding ground for budding talent.

“We have seen that over the last several years, Coorg has produced some of the best players that the country has seen. I have no doubt that they will continue to do a fine job. They have been organising inter-school and inter-college tournaments as well as club-level tournaments from where players have been spotted and trained,” he pointed out.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / by Arjun Ganesh / DHNS – October 27th, 2015

India Hockey Midfielder SK Uthappa Geared Up for New Zealand Challenge

Sports

India hockey mid-fielder SK Uthappa said that team team would aim to become a stronger attacking unit during the upcoming away Test series against New Zealand.

SK Uthappa says New Zealand tour will help India polish our skills for the 2016 Rio Olympics. (Image: Hockey India)
SK Uthappa says New Zealand tour will help India polish our skills for the 2016 Rio Olympics. (Image: Hockey India)

New Delhi:

The Indian hockey team would aim to become a stronger attacking unit during the upcoming away Test series against New Zealand as it prepares for the Hockey World League in November-December, mid-fielder SK Uthappa has asserted.

Aiming to do well in the tournament, which is scheduled from October 2 to 11, Uthappa said the team would look to showcase the dexterity gained from the ongoing preparatory camp.

The New Zealand tour will be in preparation for the Hockey World League Raipur scheduled from November 27 to December 6 in Raipur, followed by the all important Rio Olympics next year. (Team Working on Penalty Corners And Defence, Says Manpreet Singh)

Well aware of the fact that mid-fielders have played an active role in scoring goals, Uthappa emphasised on ball possession to craft well-connected passes.

Speaking ahead of the Tour, Uthappa said, “The team has been trying to give their best so far and the New Zealand tour will help us to polish our skills for the most important 2016 Rio Olympics. We aim to capitalise more goal scoring opportunities and make our attack even stronger in the tour ahead.

“We will look to carry out our game strategies in high detail and structure as we expect an intense clash. The coach is working on different combinations so that we are aware what works best for us before the all important tournaments ahead. With Manpreet and Dharamvir back in the squad it automatically adds huge boost to the line-up.”

India and New Zealand A will be playing their first match on 2nd October 2015 in Auckland.

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV.com / Home> NDTV Sports> Hockey> News / by Press Trust of India / Sunday – September 27th, 2015

KARBONN SMART KPL: Uthappa powers Bijapur Bulls to victory

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Star of Mysore Managing Editor Vikram Muthanna is seen presenting the Man of the Match award to Robin Uthappa.
Star of Mysore Managing Editor Vikram Muthanna is seen presenting the Man of the Match award to Robin Uthappa.

Mysuru :

A blitzkrieg by left-hander J. Suchith, who hammered the fastest 50 of KPL, a 15-ball 54 for Mysuru Warriors, was not enough to stop the Bijapur Bulls from bulldozing their way to a convincing seven-wicket win over Mysuru Warriors in the Karbonn Smart KPL 2015 at the SDNR Wadiyar Grounds here yesterday.

Suchith’s blazing knock, studded with three fours and six towering sixes, matched Yusuf Pathan’s 15-ball 50 for Kolkata Knight Riders against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2014 season.

Chasing a target of 167 set by Warriors, Bijapur Bulls were well served by Robin Uthappa (49 n.o, 34 b, 3×4, 2×6) and opener Rajoo Bhatkal (40, 21b, 6×4, 1×6).

The Bulls were cruising along the chase all through with the openers putting on 66 for the first wicket. Then Uthappa took over and in the company of Sunil Raju (23) and M. Nidesh (24 n.o.,) guided the team towards victory. The wins also puts Bijpaur Bulls on top of the table with 11 points from five wins and one washed out contest.

Robin Uthappa was awarded the Man of the Match.

Earlier, Suchith’s knock and new skipper, CM Gautam’s 58 were the highlights of the Mysuru Warriors innings, who became virtually the first team in the league to face bowing out of competition. Taking first strike, the Warriors batsmen showed positives in their approach. There were small and useful partnerships up the order. But unable to step on the run-rate meant the team would finish with a total of a little too few.

But Suchith plundered the last two overs scoring 23 from the 19th and the last five balls of the 20th over, Abhimanyu Mithun was hammered for 24 runs which took the team to 167 from 120 in 18th over.

Seven-wicket win for Bellary Tuskers

In an earlier tie, skipper Bharat Chipli and Amit Vemra batted well to guide Bellary Tuskers register a seven wicket win over Belagavi Panthers.

A match-winning third wicket partnership off 111-runs in 84 balls between skipper Bharat Chipli 63 (54b, 3x4s, 3x6s) and southpaw Amit Verma 52 n.o. (48b, 4x4s, 2x6s), helped Bellary Tuskers to defeat Belagavi Panthers by a seven wicket margin.

Earlier, Belagavi Panthers batting first, began confidently with their openers Abhisek Reddy 35 (34b, 4x4s) and Stalin Hoover 23 (15b, 5x4s) adding 46-runs for the opening wicket in 5.3 overs, but after the fall of Stalin, wickets fell at regular intervals and Belagavi Panthers ended up scoring 136 for seven in 20 overs. R. Jonathan (20) and wicket-keeper bat G.S.Chiranjeevi (20) were the other contributors. Prasanna Patil impressed for Bellary Tuskers with three for 20.

In reply, Bellary Tuskers scored 137 for three in 19.2 overs. After a shaky start (21 for two in 4.2 overs), Bharat Chipli and Amit Verma pulled them out of the woods and helped their team cruise to a comfortable seven wicket win.

After five games, Bellary Tuskers have secured six points are placed third in the points table, while Belagavi Panthers having qualified with nine points from five games are in the second position.

The Scores Mysuru Warriors 167 for five in 20 overs (C.M. Gautham 58, J. Suchith 54 n.o., A. Mithun two for 35) lost to Bijapur Bulls 171 for three in 19.4 overs (Robin Uthappa 49 n.o., Rajoo Bhatkal 40, R.Samarth 34).

Belagavi Panthers 136 for seven in 20 overs (Abhishek Reddy 35, Stalin Hoover 23, G.S. Chiranjeevi 20, R. Jonathan 20, Prasanna Patil three for 20) lost to Bellary Tuskers 137 for three in 19.2 overs (Bharat Chipli 63, Amit Verma 52 n.o, H.S. Sharath two for 23).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Tuesday – September 15th, 2015

Joshna battles past Habiba for title

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
FIGHTING TITLE: Joshna Chinappa faced down a physically aggressive Habiba Mohammed to clinch the women's crown.
FIGHTING TITLE: Joshna Chinappa faced down a physically aggressive Habiba Mohammed to clinch the women’s crown.

England’s Adrian Waller makes it a no-contest against Mahesh Mangaonkar

Joshna Chinappa smashed her way past Habiba Mohammed 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 to lift the women’s title while England’s Adrian Waller backed his reputation as the men’s top seed at the NSCI Open, a $15,000 PSA event here on Sunday. Waller’s controlled play carved out a 3-1 victory over Mumbai lad Mahesh Mangaonkar.

Joshna, seeded third and facing the top-seeded Egyptian, kept her composure even after she got hurt in bizarre circumstances. With the first game in her pocket and up 3-1 in the second, Joshna’s face come in contact with Habiba’s racquet hand on the latter’s follow-through. The Indian crumpled on court holding the side of her face, went out for medical assistance and returned to the court more alert and determined to slog for victory.

The contest between the aggressive Egyptian, ranked 19th, against the experienced Indian, ranked 28th and working the angles, kept the chair umpire busy due to frequent body checks. Habiba was warned twice, first after the follow-through into the face, then for coaching assistance in game three.

Joshna, relieved to have pulled through in the face of ferocity, said: “On the circuit, she is known to be aggressive. The trick is to play your game without thinking too much about it. I went for my shots and left it to the umpire to take charge of the match.”

Wincing from memory of that blow, she added: “Habiba has a powerful follow-through and I almost walked into it. I almost felt like getting punched in the face, luckily I could return to the court after treatment. My victory had to do with experience. I have been on the tour more than her.”

Talking about squash rivalry getting physical on court, the champion said: “I have been involved in physical finals before, but girls play clean and fair. I enjoy those contests, matches are hard but you know rivals play fair. Unlike her they do not try to block so much. I tried not to get in her way.”

In the men’s final Mahesh clawed back in the third game, 14-12, after being kept at bay in the first two by his left-handed opponent. Waller then cut out the errors in the fourth to pick up the title.

“I could not convert openings into points, he did not allow me to fight back. Adrian showed what a huge talent he is,” said the third-seeded Indian later.

The results: Final: Women: Joshana Chinappa bt Habiba Mohammed (Egy) 11-8, 11-9, 11-6.

Men: Adrian Waller (Eng) bt Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind) 11-9, 11-2, 12-14, 11-6.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Special Correspondent / Mumbai – September 07th, 2015