News for 'World Champions'

How Delhi International Open Is Nurturing India's Chess Talent

How Delhi International Open Is Nurturing India's Chess Talent

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

The 22nd Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, scheduled for January 2027, will feature a record-breaking prize pool of Rs 1.32 crore, making it the open tournament with the highest prize money globally. The event will have three categories, attracting FIDE-rated players, Grandmasters, and amateurs alike, with over 3,000 participants expected. This tournament has historically been crucial for developing Indian chess talent, including stars like D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, and aims to establish New Delhi as a global chess hub.

Japan vs Tunisia marks 1,000th FIFA World Cup match

Japan vs Tunisia marks 1,000th FIFA World Cup match

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th FIFA World Cup match

Women's T20 World Cup: India Face Must-Win Clash Against Australia For Semi-Final Spot

Women's T20 World Cup: India Face Must-Win Clash Against Australia For Semi-Final Spot

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

India will be desperate to overcome their fielding and batting woes when they take on six-time champions Australia in their final Group A clash at Lord's, in London, on Sunday.

Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian to win Norway Chess title

Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian to win Norway Chess title

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title.

Football bids farewell to Franco Baresi, the heart of AC Milan's golden era

Football bids farewell to Franco Baresi, the heart of AC Milan's golden era

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

Former AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, one of the most recognisable players of the golden era of Italian football in the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 66, his former club said on Friday.

Ousmane Dembele's Hat-Trick Overshadows Haaland And Mbappe!

Ousmane Dembele's Hat-Trick Overshadows Haaland And Mbappe!

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Ousmane Dembele delivered a sensational first-half hat-trick for France against Norway in their final Group I match, overshadowing the anticipated clash between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

Satwik-Chirag Stun World No 1 Pair To Reach Singapore Open Final

Satwik-Chirag Stun World No 1 Pair To Reach Singapore Open Final

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated the world number one pair from Korea to reach the final of the Singapore Open Super 750 badminton tournament.

England plot secret plan to stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

England plot secret plan to stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

England has devised tactics for Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the T20I series opener, amidst anticipation of his potential debut. The 15-year-old, who was the top scorer in this year's IPL, could become India's youngest international debutant, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record.

Hamilton celebrates first Ferrari win in Barcelona

Hamilton celebrates first Ferrari win in Barcelona

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Lewis Hamilton secured his first Grand Prix victory with Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix, ending Kimi Antonelli's winning streak. At 41, Hamilton became Formula One's oldest winner since Jack Brabham in 1970, marking his 106th career win.

FIFA World Cup: 'Hydration breaks add nothing but take away a lot'

FIFA World Cup: 'Hydration breaks add nothing but take away a lot'

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said the hydration breaks introduced in each half of matches at the World Cup add nothing to football while destroying the sport's cultural essence.

Indian Boxers Shine: Nine Semifinalists At Commonwealth Games

Indian Boxers Shine: Nine Semifinalists At Commonwealth Games

Rediff.com29 Jul 2026

India's boxing contingent had a stellar day at the Commonwealth Games, securing five more semifinal berths and bringing the total to nine. This achievement surpasses India's previous medal tally in boxing from Birmingham 2022, guaranteeing at least nine medals for the nation.

Is Antonelli already unstoppable in F1 2026?

Is Antonelli already unstoppable in F1 2026?

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Kimi Antonelli will either be Formula One's youngest world champion, well before the end of the season on current form, or the first driver to win five races in a row in a single campaign and not take the title.

Indian Chess Federation Unveils Landmark Stipend Programme For Young Players

Indian Chess Federation Unveils Landmark Stipend Programme For Young Players

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has disbursed Rs 42.3 lakh in quarterly stipends to 42 promising young chess players across India. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens, support coaching and travel, and nurture future champions, aligning with a vision to strengthen grassroots chess development.

Indian Contingent Struggles At Norway Chess Tournament

Indian Contingent Struggles At Norway Chess Tournament

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

The Indian contingent at the Norway Chess tournament faced a difficult day as all four players, including world champion D Gukesh, suffered defeats in Round 6. Magnus Carlsen gained momentum, while Wesley So took the lead.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Visa cleared, Cape Verde star Vozinha's mother ready for reunion

FIFA World Cup 2026: Visa cleared, Cape Verde star Vozinha's mother ready for reunion

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will finally get to watch her son play at the World Cup after receiving a visa to travel to the United States, following his tearful revelation that she missed his heroics against Spain due to travel issues.

Indian Trap Shooters Seek Strong Showing at ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Tangier

Indian Trap Shooters Seek Strong Showing at ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Tangier

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

Indian trap shooters are aiming for a better performance at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Tangier after a disappointing showing from the skeet team. Key athletes like Bhowneesh Mendiratta, Prithviraj Tondaiman, and Kynan Chenai are set to compete.

Expanded World Cup boosts India's qualification hopes: Bhutia

Expanded World Cup boosts India's qualification hopes: Bhutia

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia says FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup format significantly improves India's chances of qualification while creating new opportunities for emerging football nations across Asia and beyond.

Can Gukesh Bounce Back At Norway Chess?

Can Gukesh Bounce Back At Norway Chess?

Rediff.com29 May 2026

D Gukesh aims to rebound at Norway Chess after a challenging start, while R Praggnanandhaa enjoys a strong position. Gukesh's performance against Praggnanandhaa in round five will be crucial in determining his title contention.

Can Gukesh Bounce Back At Norway Chess?

Can Gukesh Bounce Back At Norway Chess?

Rediff.com29 May 2026

D Gukesh aims to recover at Norway Chess after a difficult start, while R Praggnanandhaa enjoys a strong position. Gukesh's performance against Praggnanandhaa in round five will be crucial for his title aspirations.

'I just wanted to fight': Meenakshi on shocking Vinesh

'I just wanted to fight': Meenakshi on shocking Vinesh

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Asian Championships silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat aims to become the world champion this year after defeating Vinesh Phogat at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) women's trials for the Asian Games squad.

Wesley Out Of Brazil World Cup Squad, Ederson Called Up

Wesley Out Of Brazil World Cup Squad, Ederson Called Up

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Brazilian defender Wesley has been ruled out of the World Cup squad due to a left thigh muscle injury sustained during a friendly match.

FIFA World Cup: 'Let's talk football': Vozinha shrugs off visa drama

FIFA World Cup: 'Let's talk football': Vozinha shrugs off visa drama

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was not too keen to discuss it on Thursday but finally conceded he was very happy his mother had obtained a U.S. visa and would be able to watch him play against Uruguay in the World Cup this weekend.

Nine medals assured! India's boxers make CWG history

Nine medals assured! India's boxers make CWG history

Rediff.com29 Jul 2026

Indian boxers delivered a flawless performance at the Commonwealth Games, with four more pugilists - Ankush Yadav, Sakshi Chaudhary, Arundhati Choudhary, and Sachin Siwach - advancing to the semifinals. This brings the total number of Indian boxers in the semifinals to nine, ensuring a minimum of nine bronze medals for the country.

DP World PGTI Launches NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial Golf Tournament

DP World PGTI Launches NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial Golf Tournament

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

The DP World PGTI has launched the inaugural NexGen Vijay Kumar Memorial golf tournament to honour the late Indian golfing legend, Vijay Kumar. The event, held at his home course in Lucknow from June 9-11, celebrates his legacy and aims to inspire new talent.

Australia ready to defy expectations against Turkey at World Cup

Australia ready to defy expectations against Turkey at World Cup

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Australia's coach Tony Popovic expresses confidence in his team's ability to challenge favourites Turkey in their World Cup opener in Vancouver, despite being considered underdogs. He also confirmed the squad is fully fit, including Mohamed Toure.

Marquez magic! Ducati star storms to German GP victory

Marquez magic! Ducati star storms to German GP victory

Rediff.com12 Jul 2026

Seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez secured a commanding victory at the German Grand Prix, completing a Sachsenring double and significantly strengthening his position in the championship battle, now sitting third in the standings.

T20 World Cup: We want to play aggressive brand of cricket vs Australia, says Smriti Mandhana

T20 World Cup: We want to play aggressive brand of cricket vs Australia, says Smriti Mandhana

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on Saturday said India will play an "aggressive brand of cricket" against Australia in the must-win Women's T20 World Cup match in London.

German Footballers Wary Of Venomous Snakes At World Cup Camp

German Footballers Wary Of Venomous Snakes At World Cup Camp

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

German footballers at their FIFA World Cup base camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are concerned about venomous snakes, specifically copperheads, after spotting one. Captain Joshua Kimmich expressed worries about potential bites, a sentiment echoed by Swiss and Norwegian teams, highlighting an unusual distraction for players preparing for the tournament.

Australia's Socceroos Dismiss US Hype Ahead Of World Cup Showdown

Australia's Socceroos Dismiss US Hype Ahead Of World Cup Showdown

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Australia's assistant coach Hayden Foxe states that the Socceroos are mature enough to handle media hype and social media comments ahead of their World Cup match against co-hosts the United States. Despite being written off by some US commentators, the team is confident after a strong start to the tournament, having defeated Turkey 2-0. Players are focused on the upcoming game, drawing motivation from past criticisms while remaining grounded.

Russia controversy derails Andrea Pirlo's Italy hopes?

Russia controversy derails Andrea Pirlo's Italy hopes?

Rediff.com26 Jul 2026

Andrea Pirlo's potential appointment as Italy's head coach is facing significant political opposition due to his commercial ties as a global ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet, with Italian parliamentarians and football federation figures expressing concerns.

Manu Bhaker And Samrat Rana Clinch Silver At ISSF World Cup

Manu Bhaker And Samrat Rana Clinch Silver At ISSF World Cup

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Samrat Rana won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, narrowly missing gold to China.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Struggling Spain face another stubborn opponent in Saudi Arabia

FIFA World Cup 2026: Struggling Spain face another stubborn opponent in Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Spain arrive into their Group H clash against Saudi Arabia needing a sharper attacking display after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match in Atlanta.

Ganguly 'surprised' by India's white-ball slump, backs team to bounce back

Ganguly 'surprised' by India's white-ball slump, backs team to bounce back

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed surprise at India's recent white-ball slump, which saw them suffer a crushing 125-run defeat against England and a 0-2 series loss to Ireland, but backed the team to recover, while also commenting on his upcoming biopic 'Dada'.

Indian Sprinter Vishal TK Aims For Glory At Commonwealth Games

Indian Sprinter Vishal TK Aims For Glory At Commonwealth Games

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

Indian quarter-miler Vishal TK, fresh from a historic season where he became the first Indian man to break the 45-second barrier in the 400m, is set to make his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow. The 22-year-old, a four-time national champion and a key member of India's relay teams, is confident of delivering a breakthrough performance, crediting his rigorous training at Inspire Institute of Sports and the support system for his preparation. He aims to continue raising the bar for Indian athletics on the global stage.

US men's cricket team in line for home Olympic berth, women to sit out

US men's cricket team in line for home Olympic berth, women to sit out

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Reigning world champions India, Britain, South Africa and hosts United States are set to feature in the men's Twenty20 competition when cricket returns to the Olympics at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles following a qualification pathway approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Ronaldo and Portugal chase elusive FIFA World Cup title

Ronaldo and Portugal chase elusive FIFA World Cup title

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his 6th FIFA World Cup, headlines the Portugal squad that has a glittering supporting cast that includes Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes.

Juergen Klopp appointed Germany head coach on four-year deal

Juergen Klopp appointed Germany head coach on four-year deal

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp has been appointed as the head coach of the German national football team on a four-year contract, following Julian Nagelsmann's departure and a series of disappointing World Cup performances.

'This goal belongs to Spain': Torres' historic strike

'This goal belongs to Spain': Torres' historic strike

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Spain forward Ferran Torres dedicated his World Cup-winning goal to the entire nation after his extra-time strike secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. The 26-year-old's solitary goal of the tournament proved decisive, ending Argentina's hopes of retaining the title and delivering Spain's first World Cup triumph since 2010. The win also extended Spain's unbeaten run to a European-record 38 international matches.

How Gukesh Signalled World Championship Readiness

How Gukesh Signalled World Championship Readiness

Rediff.com7 May 2026

D Gukesh showcased his World Championship preparations by defeating his title challenger, Javokhir Sindarov, and drawing with Wesley So at the Grand Chess Tour's Super Rapid and Blitz event.

Portugal to honour Diogo Jota with special wristbands at World Cup

Portugal to honour Diogo Jota with special wristbands at World Cup

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Portugal's World Cup squad will wear commemorative wristbands in tribute to their late former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last year. Midfielder Vitinha discussed the team's approach to the upcoming tournament, acknowledging logistical challenges and expressing his personal ambition to win the World Cup.