India, Kazakhstan draw 1st match of quarterfinal

Sitges (Spain): India drew 2-2 against Kazakhstan in the first match of the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women’s Team Chess Championship here today. India’s No. 1 player D Harika drew Zhansaya Abdumalik as did R Vaishali against Dinara Saduakassova. Bhakti Kulkarni’s loss to Meruert Kamalidenova was neutralised by Mary Ann Gomes with an 85-move win over Gulmira Dauletova. In the other first matches in the quarterfinals, Russia beat FIDE Americas 4-0, Armenia beat Ukraine 3-1, and George beat Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5.

Yankton (USA)

Verma makes first round exit from World Cup Final

Ace Indian compound archer Abhishek Verma endured a rare medal-less outing at the World Cup Final as he went down to eventual silver-winner Braden Gellenthien of the USA in his first-round match here.

New Delhi

More than 10 boxing bouts manipulated at Rio Games

More than 10 bouts in the 2016 Rio Olympics boxing competition were manipulated for “money” and other “perceived benefits”, an independent investigation has revealed, prompting the international boxing association (AIBA) to promise a “tough” selection process for referees and judges at the upcoming men’s World Championships. The first phase report has revealed that “a system for the manipulation of bouts by officials existed at Rio”.

Beijing

Beijing Winter Olympics will not allow foreign spectators

A 21-day quarantine for non-fully vaccinated athletes, officials and workers will be in force at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the IOC said. Agencies