Tag: Sports performance

HS Prannoy becomes only second Indian male shuttler to reach three consecutive BWF World Championships quarter-finals

Prakash Padukone was the first Indian to achieve this feat

India’s top ranked men’s singles player HS Prannoy stormed into the quarter-finals of the BWF World Championships 2023 by defeating 2021 World Champion Loh Kean Yew in three games. By the virtue of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 edition, HS Prannoy became the second Indian male player after Prakash Padukone (1880, 1983, and 1985) to reach three consecutive quarter-finals.

After an injury ridden career, HS Prannoy came back into the reckoning at the end of 2021 and was one of the last entrants at the BWF World Championships 2021. In the quarter-finals he was defeated by Loh Kean Yew, who ultimately went on to win the title by defeating former WR-1 Kidambi Srikanth. Prannoy took his revenge at the current edition in a closely-fought contest with the match lasting for over 70 minutes.

In the 2021 edition, three Indian male shuttlers reached the quarter-finals. In the following year, HSP once again couldn’t cross the quarter-finals barrier this time losing to Chinese Zhao Jupeng.

The 2023 season has by far been Prannoy’s most successful year, with him winning his first BWF Tour title – Malaysia Masters (BWF 500) and reaching the final of Australian Open (BWF 500). After back-to-back quarters losses, the Keralite will be up against mighty WR-1 Viktor Axelsen at the BWF World Championships 2023.

Source: https://khelnow.com/badminton/2023-08-bwf-world-championships-hs-prannoy-prakash-padukone-quarter-finals

Women’s World Cup: Spain’s match-winner Olga Carmona found out father had died after game

Olga Carmona, who plays her club football for Real Madrid, played a starring role in Spain’s World Cup campaign by scoring the winning goals in the semi-final and final.

Olga Carmona kisses the World Cup trophy after the game

The Spanish star who scored the match-winning goal against England in Sunday’s World Cup final found out her father had died after the game.

Olga Carmona’s 29th minute strike was all that separated the sides in Sydney, securing a 1-0 win.

The Spanish FA has announced she found out about the death of her father following the full-time whistle.

“We send out most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

“We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”

The 23-year-old Real Madrid star wheeled away in delight when her precise left-footed shot found the corner of Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps’s net.

She lifted her shirt to reveal the message “Merchi” on her compression top, which was reportedly a tribute to a friend whose mother recently passed away.

The defender, who scored a late winner in the semi-finals against Sweden, was named player of the match.

Real Madrid said the club’s “condolences and love” were with Carmona, her family and friends.

Spanish team ‘had something special’

Carmona took part normally in the post-match celebrations with her teammates on the Stadium Australia pitch; dancing, getting her medal and kissing the trophy.

According to the Spanish FA, Carmona’s father, who had been fighting a long illness, died on Friday – before the final got under way.

However, Spanish media outlet Relevo reported that family and friends decided not to tell her the news, so that she could focus on the match.

Carmona’s mother and brothers had rushed back to Spain – having originally been in New Zealand for the group stages – but arrived in Australia on Saturday to support her in the final.

It’s the first time Spain have won the competition.

“We felt this team had something special,” she said after the game.

Before news of her father’s death, the Spanish FA had said title celebrations would take place in Madrid when the squad return home on Monday.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/womens-world-cup-spains-match-winner-olga-carmona-found-out-father-had-died-after-game-12944295

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