A Russian court sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on Thursday after finding her guilty of deliberately bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia, a ruling that President Joe Biden called "unacceptable."
Griner's lawyer Alexander Boykov told reporters they were hoping for the most lenient sentencing possible.
WNBA concerned over Brittney Griner situation
Iceland were holding Argentina 1-1 at halftime in their World Cup Group D match on Saturday after Alfred Finnbogason hit back to cancel out Sergio Aguero's opener for the South Americans.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
Panghal and Kaushik have entered the semi-finals at the Worlds, making it the first time when India have more than one boxer in fray for the medal rounds of the marquee event.
Russia will host the 2018 World Cup finals in 12 venues spread across 11 cities.
Mary Kom, who is an Asian Games winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will start the tournament as favourite in the women's category.
Competing in his maiden world championship, Negi, a former national champion, lost 1-4 to the sixth seed.
They showed big hearts. They were unfazed by the stature of their rivals and that's what is very important. You respect your rival but don't get intimidated by his CV, says India's High-Performance Director Santiago Nieva.
Asian silver medallist Kavinder Singh Bisht (57kg) and Sanjeet (91kg) advanced to the pre-quarter-finals with hard-fought wins in the World men's Boxing Championships.
Egypt are hopeful Mohamed Salah will be available for the start of their World Cup campaign in Russia but the team must find a way to avoid depending too much on the striker, coach Hector Cuper has said.
He has already scripted history but Indian boxing ace Amit Panghal (52kg) says he isn't quite done yet as he aims for the gold medal at the AIBA World Boxing Championships.
Hosts Russia will kick off next year's World Cup finals versus Saudi Arabia in Moscow and defending champions Germany will start against Mexico after Friday's draw threw up some mouthwatering clashes.
The second-seeded 23-year-old, who is also an Asian Games gold-medallist, thrashed his rival 5-0 to move into the pre-quarterfinals of the world showpiece. The Indian had been given a first-round bye.
She was the only remaining Indian woman in the World chess championships in Russia
Nieva said boxers in all the five Olympic categories for women will be picked after selection bouts over two days.
Egypt have gambled on Mohamed Salah returning to fitness in the coming weeks by naming him in their 23-man squad for this month's World Cup in Russia.
Salah is still in doubt for Egypt's opening match in Group A on June 15 against Uruguay in Ekaterinburg after suffering a shoulder injury in the Champions League final for Liverpool late last month.
S Vijayalakshmi is the lone Indian left in the fray.
Humpy cruised to an easy victory over Sabure in the first round of World women's chess championship.
Les Bleus needed a penalty, given by the video assistant referee, and goal-line technology to beat Australia 2-1 in their opening game and they were shaken up by Peru on Thursday but won 1-0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappe goal.
'I don't really care for awards for myself but I would be grateful if Anil Dhankar, my formative coach is considered for the Dronacharya'
Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg) became the first Indian to enter the finals of the men's AIBA World Boxing Championships while Manish Kaushik (63kg) signed off with a bronze medal after going down in the semi-finals
He had already scripted history but the Indian boxing ace said he wasn't quite done as he aimed for the gold in the World Championship
India were assured of an unprecedented two medals at the AIBA Men's World Boxing Championships after Amit Panghal (52kg) and Manish Kaushik (63kg) entered the semi-finals with impressive victories.
Mexico will look to add gloss to their World Cup campaign when they face Sweden in their final Group F match on Wednesday, with a win likely to boost the image of their embattled coach Juan Carlos Osorio back home.
Salah not risked as Egypt elect to look ahead after Uruguay loss
Amit Panghal said he was sure of a podium finish after putting in the hard yards ahead of the prestigious tournament.
'The judges won't be giving me points for my looks or height.' 'All I know is my punches are important and I just go about throwing them at my opponent.'
The pint-sized dynamo from Rohtak became the first Indian male boxer to claim a silver medal at the World Championships, which concluded in Ekaterinburg, Russia on Saturday.
The Indian juggernaut seemed unstoppable as four boxers, including Asian champion Amit Panghal (52kg), advanced to the quarter-finals with impressive victories.
Mexico, needing only a draw to reach the World Cup round of 16, were level 0-0 with Sweden at half-time in their Group F match on Wednesday, after surviving an aerial bombardment and a VAR review.
Japan twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Senegal in their World Cup Group H encounter on Sunday.
Japan basked in the glow of its World Cup soccer team's historic win over Colombia, a victory that has lifted the nation's mood after an earthquake struck its second-biggest metropolis Osaka.
Egypt's crucial performer has been battling against time to be fit for the Group A encounter since hurting ligaments in an awkward fall in the early stages of last month's Champions League final.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Monday
The favourites to win next year's World Cup in Russia were given navigable paths to the last 16 with the coaches of Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain having reason to feel reasonably optimistic after Friday's draw.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances