Briefly: 9-year-old Aarit youngest Indian to beat chess GM

Nine-year-old Delhi boy Aarit Kapil has become the youngest Indian to beat a chess Grandmaster as he emerged victorious against Raset Ziatdinov of United States in the ninth and penultimate round of the KIIT International open tournament here. At 9 years, 2 months and 18 days, Aarit is the youngest Indian and third in the world to beat a GM under the classical time control.

Muscat

Deepika nets hat-trick as India hammer Malaysia 5-0

Defending champions India shrugged off a slow start to record a 5-0 win over Malaysia in the women’s junior Asia Cup contest with yet another impressive showing in the tournament. It was also India’s third straight win over Malaysia in the history of the tournament, having beaten them 9-1 in the 2015 edition and 2-1 in the 2023 iteration of the event. Deepika (37th, 39th, 48th) was the star of India’s win as she netted a hat-trick of goals while Vaishnavi Phalke (32nd) and Kanika Siwach (38th) score one goal each.

Pune

Haryana record 21-point victory over Titans in PKL

Shivam Patare finished with 12 points as Haryana Steelers recorded a massive win by 46-25 against Telugu Titans in their Pro Kabaddi League match here on Monday. In the other match of the day, Dabang Delhi beat Puneri Paltan 30-26.

Hyderabad

Delhi FC pip Sreenidi Deccan, Inter Kashi hold Real Kashmir

Delhi FC lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with a well-deserved and hard-fought 1-0 win against Sreenidi Deccan FC, who missed out on a chance to go atop the 12-team I-League table here on Monday. In another match, Inter Kashi drew 1-1 with Real Kashmir to remain on top of the table due to better goal difference.

Bhubaneswar

Pooja scales new heights in high jump at Junior Nationals

Haryana’s international high jumper Pooja improved upon her own U-18 national record on the third day of the 39th National Junior Championships here on Monday. The 17-year-old Pooja scaled 1.85m during the heptathlon competition. Her previous national record was 1.83m.

New Delhi

India get tricky group in Asian Cup qualifiers final round

India were drawn in a tricky group along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers final round matches, beginning March 25 next year. Only the six group winners will qualify for the main tournament.