HP boxer Ashish in squad for Olympic qualifiers

Bengaluru

Middleweight boxer Ashish Kumar (in pic) and veteran Satish kumar ( 91kg) booked their places in the Indian men’s boxing squad for next year’s Olympics qualifiers, while comeback man Vikas Krishan (69kg) advanced to the finals on the opening day of the trials. Sundernagar lad Ashish defeated Ankit Khatana in a unanimous verdict to be assured of a spot in the squad for the Asia/Oceania zone qualifiers in China, scheduled from February 3 to 14. Satish booked his berth with a split verdict triumph over Narender. Joining the two was Sachin Kumar, who claimed the 81kg spot with a victory over Brijesh Yadav. Vikas Krishan, who quit the professional circuit after an injury breakdown earlier this year, moved into the final with a unanimous win over Ashish Kulheria. He will face Duryodhan Negi in the final tomorrow. Negi defeated Naveen Boora in a split decision.

New Panvel

Teen lifter Jeremy has eyes set on Tokyo ticket

Jeremy Lalrinnunga, the first Indian to win a weightlifting gold at the Youth Olympic Games, said he is fulfilling his father’s dream by representing the country in various senior weightlifting competitions. The 17-year-old’s father was a junior boxing champion but could not go on to represent India. “My father has been the biggest inspiration in my career. He has backed me fully since the time I decided to take up weightlifting. He was a boxer so he has shared all his experience of being a sportsperson with me. He was a junior champion, but unfortunately, he did not go on to play for India. Therefore, I am fulfilling his dream,” said Lalrinnunga. The weightlifter, who hails from Aizawl, is currently looking to book a berth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. — AGENCIES

Paris

Moreno given Monaco job after Jardim sacked

Former Spain coach Robert Moreno was named as AS Monaco manager on Saturday after Leonardo Jardim was sacked by the Ligue 1 team for the second time, offering the long-time assistant his first shot at club management. “Moreno takes over first-team duties in an agreement that runs until 2022,” said a club statement. Moreno has spent the bulk of his career as an assistant to Luis Enrique but became Spain coach in June after the Barcelona great stepped down from the role after his daughter Xana was diagnosed with cancer. She tragically passed away in August. Moreno led Spain to Euro 2020 qualification as runaway Group F winners, earning four victories and two draws as head coach as well as three wins while in temporary charge of the team while Enrique was on leave. The 42-year-old was expected to remain in charge of Spain until the end of next year’s tournament until Enrique decided to return to the role in November and declared he no longer wanted to work with Moreno due to a personal falling out.

Dubai

I want to act in a movie after I retire: Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to try his skills in acting once he is done playing football. “One of the things that I seek to challenge myself in, for example, is acting in a movie,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by ESPN FC at Dubai International Sports Conference on Saturday. Ronaldo, who plays for Italian champions Juventus, said he sees himself playing in the near future. He added that he wants to “continue my studies after retiring from football.” Agencies