News for 'CHAMPION'

Sharma And Imangali Dominate Asian Junior Rapid Chess

Sharma And Imangali Dominate Asian Junior Rapid Chess

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

India's Madhavendra Pratap Sharma and Kazakhstan's Akhilbay Imangali are leading the rapid event of the Asian Junior Chess Championship in Mumbai, both with a perfect score of 4 points after four rounds. While the open section sees clear leaders, the girls' rapid championship is a much closer contest with six players sharing the lead, all unbeaten. With three rounds remaining, the competition for titles and podium finishes remains intense in both categories.

Roger Federer: An icon returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium

Roger Federer: An icon returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Tennis icon Roger Federer made an emotional return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for an exhibition event, marking his first appearance since 2019. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who retired without a formal farewell in New York, delighted fans in singles and doubles matches alongside fellow legends.

Bhattacharya Holds Two-Shot Lead Heading Into Final Round

Bhattacharya Holds Two-Shot Lead Heading Into Final Round

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Delhi golfer Shaurya Bhattacharya maintained his two-shot lead after shooting a one-under 71 in Round 3 of the PGTI Kolar Open. He now aggregates 10-under 206, with Chandigarh's Angad Cheema and Hyderabad's Mohammed Azhar tied for second at eight-under 208. Bhattacharya faced challenging weather conditions but secured a crucial birdie on the final hole to restore his advantage for the final round.

Federer makes emotional return to Flushing Meadows for US Open exhibition

Federer makes emotional return to Flushing Meadows for US Open exhibition

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Tennis legend Roger Federer is set to make an emotional return to Flushing Meadows for an exhibition event, providing a long-awaited farewell to his fans at the US Open, an event he once dominated with five consecutive wins.

Top Golfers Tee Off At Coal India Open In Kolkata

Top Golfers Tee Off At Coal India Open In Kolkata

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

The second edition of the Coal India Open golf tournament is set to begin in Kolkata, featuring a strong field of leading Indian and international professionals competing for a prize purse of Rs 1 crore. Defending champion Angad Cheema and other notable golfers will participate at the Tollygunge Club.

F1: Norris claims Dutch GP glory as Antonelli extends Championship Lead

F1: Norris claims Dutch GP glory as Antonelli extends Championship Lead

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Lando Norris won a thrilling Dutch GP for McLaren's third straight Zandvoort victory, while Kimi Antonelli finished second to extend his F1 championship lead.

Sindhu's Sixth World Championships Medal Bid Halted

Sindhu's Sixth World Championships Medal Bid Halted

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's campaign at the World Championships concluded after a quarterfinal defeat to China's Wang Zhi Yi. Sindhu, a two-time world champion, fought hard but ultimately lost in three games, ending her bid for a record sixth medal at the prestigious event and India's hopes for a women's singles medal.

Akshay Bhatia Leads Indian Charge At BMW Championship

Akshay Bhatia Leads Indian Charge At BMW Championship

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Akshay Bhatia is the top-performing Indian-origin golfer at the BMW Championship, currently tied 16th and five-under par, securing his spot in the upcoming Tour Championship. Other Indian-origin players, Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala, are struggling to qualify.

'The ultimate goal is the Olympics': Arundhati after CWG gold

'The ultimate goal is the Olympics': Arundhati after CWG gold

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Indian pugilists Arundhati Choudhary and Jaismine Lamboria, both Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallists, shared their experiences and overwhelming reception following their historic victories in Glasgow, with Choudhary setting her sights on an Olympic medal.

India snub FIFA ASEAN Cup to face Brazil in October

India snub FIFA ASEAN Cup to face Brazil in October

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

India has withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise a high-profile international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in October. This decision, confirmed by AIFF, means India will miss facing Southeast Asian teams in a FIFA-sanctioned competition, opting instead for a more challenging opponent to improve its international standing.

11-YO Bodhana, 17-YO Shreyas create history at British Chess Champs

11-YO Bodhana, 17-YO Shreyas create history at British Chess Champs

Rediff.com10 Aug 2026

Indian-origin chess prodigies Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, and Shreyas Royal, 17, have made history by winning the 2026 British Chess Championships. Bodhana became Britain's youngest-ever Women's chess champion, while Royal scooped the overall British title, establishing their status as emerging world-class talents.

Ex-Wimbledon champion Vondrousova Banned For Four Years Over Doping Test Refusal

Ex-Wimbledon champion Vondrousova Banned For Four Years Over Doping Test Refusal

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Former Wimbledon women's champion Marketa Vondrousova has been suspended for four years by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for refusing an out-of-competition anti-doping test in December.

Top International Archers To Compete In APL Season 2 In Hyderabad

Top International Archers To Compete In APL Season 2 In Hyderabad

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) will commence in Hyderabad on October 8, featuring 12 international archers, including Olympic bronze medallist Casey Kaufhold and other Olympic medallists like Mete Gazoz and Alejandra Valencia. The 11-day tournament aims to establish India as a key destination on the global archery calendar.

Manchester City's new head coach Maresca faces a monumental EPL challenge

Manchester City's new head coach Maresca faces a monumental EPL challenge

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Manchester City enter a challenging post-Guardiola era, with Enzo Maresca tasked with preserving their dominance, managing squad changes and meeting immense expectations in a fiercely competitive Premier League.

How 'Bromocriptine' Made A Champion

How 'Bromocriptine' Made A Champion

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Glimpses from the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals, where precision, preparation and perseverance shaped a memorable contest.

Italy's Sara Curtis breaks 50m backstroke world record for second time in two days

Italy's Sara Curtis breaks 50m backstroke world record for second time in two days

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Italian swimmer Sara Curtis, 19, has broken her own 50m women's backstroke world record for the second consecutive day, winning gold in 26.56 seconds at the European Championships in Paris.

BWF Worlds: Ayush Shetty STUNS World No 1 Shi Yuqi In Thriller

BWF Worlds: Ayush Shetty STUNS World No 1 Shi Yuqi In Thriller

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Ayush Shetty stunned world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi in a thrilling opening-round clash at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Monday.

15-Year-Old Delhi Teen Stuns World No 1 Magnus Carlsen

15-Year-Old Delhi Teen Stuns World No 1 Magnus Carlsen

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Fifteen-year-old Delhi chess prodigy Vandan Alankar Sawai stuns World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in an online blitz tournament.

Indian Golfer Pranavi Urs Makes Progress In Swiss Ladies Open

Indian Golfer Pranavi Urs Makes Progress In Swiss Ladies Open

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Indian golfer Pranavi Urs showed improvement in the second round of the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, moving to T-24. While Urs progressed, fellow Indian golfers Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar faced challenges, with Dagar at risk of missing the cut. Sweden's Kajsa Arwefjall leads the tournament, maintaining a strong performance.

Arsenal crush Manchester City 3-0 to lift Community Shield

Arsenal crush Manchester City 3-0 to lift Community Shield

Rediff.com16 Aug 2026

Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday, giving Mikel Arteta an early-season triumph while condemning new City boss Enzo Maresca to defeat in his first game in charge in the traditional curtain-raiser to the campaign.

Mourinho: Vinicius Jr faces 'bullying' from opponents and crowd

Mourinho: Vinicius Jr faces 'bullying' from opponents and crowd

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has accused opponents and supporters of 'bullying' Vinicius Jr, citing rough treatment in their 2-1 LaLiga win against Espanyol and calling it a 'pattern that repeats itself'.

Lionel Messi Scores Emotional First Goal Since Father Jorge's Death

Lionel Messi Scores Emotional First Goal Since Father Jorge's Death

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Lionel Messi scored his first goal for Inter Miami since the recent passing of his father, Jorge Messi, during a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union.

Sports Ministry Firm On Asian Games Tennis Selection Criteria

Sports Ministry Firm On Asian Games Tennis Selection Criteria

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Five Indian tennis players were excluded from the Asian Games squad because they did not meet the Sports Ministry's stringent international ranking criteria, a decision that has drawn criticism from veteran players like Rohan Bopanna but is being upheld by authorities to maintain administrative integrity.

SAI defends Asian Games snub of five Indian tennis players

SAI defends Asian Games snub of five Indian tennis players

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

SAI has defended the exclusion of five Indian tennis players from the Asian Games squad, saying they failed to meet the prescribed continental ranking criteria.

Vidit Reveals what Gukesh must fix before title defence

Vidit Reveals what Gukesh must fix before title defence

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.

Magnus Carlsen retains Esports World Cup chess title undefeated

Magnus Carlsen retains Esports World Cup chess title undefeated

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen successfully defended his title at the Esports World Cup chess competition, completing an undefeated campaign by defeating Belarusian grandmaster Denis Lazavik in a dominant final. Carlsen secured a 2-0 victory, showcasing his strategic prowess and determination throughout the tournament.

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand clinch maiden World Championship bronze after fighting semi-final loss

Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand clinch maiden World Championship bronze after fighting semi-final loss

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost to China's World No 1 pairing Tan Ning and Liu Shengshu in the semi-finals of the women's doubles event at the BWF Badminton World Championships in New Delhi on Saturday.

Shelton, Nakashima set up all-American final at Canadian Open

Shelton, Nakashima set up all-American final at Canadian Open

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Defending champion Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima have advanced to the Canadian Open final in Montreal, setting up an all-American clash.

East Bengal FC Vs Al-Arabi SC: Ticket Details For Crucial Continental Match

East Bengal FC Vs Al-Arabi SC: Ticket Details For Crucial Continental Match

Rediff.com8 Aug 2026

East Bengal FC is set to face Kuwait's Al-Arabi SC in a pivotal AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage match at Salt Lake Stadium, with tickets starting from Rs 149. This high-stakes fixture will determine the Indian Super League champions' continental future, offering a chance to secure a spot in the ACL Two 2026-27 group stage or drop into the AFC Challenge League.

Will These Celebrities Feature In Bigg Boss 20?

Will These Celebrities Feature In Bigg Boss 20?

Rediff.com24 Aug 2026

Looking at the unconfirmed list of contestants lining up for the 20th edition of Bigg Boss.

Arsenal sign defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa

Arsenal sign defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa

Rediff.com22 Aug 2026

Arsenal have officially signed England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on a long-term contract for a reported 55 million, significantly boosting their defensive options ahead of their Premier League title defence.

PSG score over Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup

PSG score over Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Paris St Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1 to retain the UEFA Super Cup, with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue. Despite Brian Madjo's equaliser for Villa, PSG secured their victory, marking another trophy for manager Luis Enrique and highlighting their continued dominance in European football.

Did Mumbai Indians Drop A Major Hint About Hardik Pandya?

Did Mumbai Indians Drop A Major Hint About Hardik Pandya?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Mumbai Indians' cryptic Instagram post has ignited fresh speculation about Hardik Pandya's IPL future.

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi And Nihal Sarin Secure Top-Eight Finishes At Esports World Cup Chess

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi And Nihal Sarin Secure Top-Eight Finishes At Esports World Cup Chess

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin concluded their campaign at the Esports World Cup Chess tournament in the quarterfinals, securing top-eight finishes. Erigaisi was eliminated by Hikaru Nakamura in an Armageddon tiebreak, while Sarin lost to defending champion Magnus Carlsen. Their performance marks India's strongest showing in the event, with both players earning USD 75,000 each from the substantial prize pool.

Nihal Sarin has a strong message for struggling Gukesh

Nihal Sarin has a strong message for struggling Gukesh

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin discusses fellow world champion D Gukesh's recent performance slump, attributing it to a lack of confidence rather than a decline in skill. Sarin expresses hope that the upcoming Chess Olympiad will help Gukesh regain his form. He also shares his views on the increasing role of AI in chess, the evolution towards faster formats, and potential improvements in the chess ecosystem.

Why Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi Doubts Online Chess Ratings For Official FIDE Status

Why Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi Doubts Online Chess Ratings For Official FIDE Status

Rediff.com15 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has voiced significant reservations regarding a proposal by World Chess and FIDE to convert online rapid and blitz ratings into official FIDE ratings. He highlights fundamental integrity issues, such as mouse slips and the lack of physical supervision in home-based online play, making it difficult to ensure fair play. Erigaisi also commented on World Champion D Gukesh's recent form and dismissed the idea that AI diminishes creativity in chess.

FC Goa face tricky AFC Challenge League group

FC Goa face tricky AFC Challenge League group

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

FC Goa has been drawn into a challenging group for the AFC Challenge League 2026-27, Asia's third-tier men's club competition. They will face Qadsia SC of Kuwait, Fortis FC of Bangladesh, and FC Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan in Group C, with matches hosted in Kuwait. This follows their recent exit from the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage.

'One percent lapse proved costly': Hardik Singh on Hockey World Cup loss to Netherlands

'One percent lapse proved costly': Hardik Singh on Hockey World Cup loss to Netherlands

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Indian men's hockey team vice-captain Hardik Singh has taken responsibility for the team's 1-3 defeat against the Netherlands at the FIH World Cup. He attributed the loss to a "one per cent lapse" in an otherwise strong performance, highlighting how small errors proved costly in a high-stakes match. Defender Amit Rohidas also acknowledged unforced errors in the final quarter.

India-Pakistan's last Hockey World Cup meeting: The 4-1 win that made history

India-Pakistan's last Hockey World Cup meeting: The 4-1 win that made history

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Sixteen years ago, when India and Pakistan last met in a men's Hockey World Cup, the contest was more than just two arch-rivals facing each other. It was about settling an old score. And as the two teams prepare to meet again after 16 years, memories of that evening remain fresh for those who were part of it.

'75-25': Nakamura makes shock call on Gukesh's title defence

'75-25': Nakamura makes shock call on Gukesh's title defence

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

World champion D Gukesh is 'crumbling under the weight of expectations' and needs to 'shut out the noise' to regain his form ahead of his title defence, said American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura. Nakamura also revealed that the 2028 Chess Olympiad could potentially be his last tournament featuring 'true classical' chess.