Tag: Sports update

‘Indians cheering’: Rahul Gandhi as Praggnanandhaa enters Chess World Cup final

Political leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi congratulated teenage sensation R Praggnanandhaa for his stupendous victory against World No 3 Fabiano Caruana in the Chess World Cup semifinal.

18-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa at the FIDE World Cup chess tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo: X/@HardeepSPuri)

Political leaders cutting across party lines congratulated 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa after he stunned World Number 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals of the Chess World Cup. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest to ever reach the final of the tournament.

The teenage sensation continued his dream run in the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, as he outclassed US’ Fabiano Caruana 3.5-2.5 in a nerve-wracking tie-breaker. He will now take on World Number 1 Magnus Carlsen, a five-times title winner from Norway, in the summit clash.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended his best wishes to Praggnanandhaa for the summit clash against Magnus Carlsen and said that over a billion people in the country were cheering for him.

“Congratulations to R Praggnanandhaa for an outstanding FIDE Chess World Cup journey to the finals. My best wishes for the title match against Magnus Carlsen. More than a billion Indians are cheering for you,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated Praggnanandhaa and said it was a proud moment for the country as the teenager became the youngest player to reach the final of the Chess World Cup.

“India’s 18-year-old Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa creates history! Becomes the youngest player to reach the Chess World Cup final. Truly, a proud moment for India. Heartiest Congratulations! Now for the big match,” the minister tweeted.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/praggnanandhaa-victory-chess-world-cup-rahul-gandhi-hardeep-puri-viswanathan-anand-2424621-2023-08-22

Two men die in Cork Ironman competition

The men, in their 40s and 60s, got into difficulty in separate incidents in the swimming section of the race.

The start of the Ironman competition this morning Pic: Tri Coach Bjorn

Two men have died at an Ironman competition in Ireland.

The men, in their 40s and 60s, got into difficulty in separate incidents during the swimming leg of the race in Youghal, Co. Cork this morning.

They were removed from the water by emergency services but pronounced dead at the scene.

Irish police said they are investigating and the coroner has been notified.

The event had been postponed from Saturday due to flooding and bad course conditions after Storm Betty.

It consisted of a 1.9km swim in Youghal Bay, a 90km bike course and a 21.1km run.

The swim had already been cut from 3.8km due to poor weather conditions.

The race continued and competitors were allowed to finish despite the double tragedy in the first section of the race.

In a statement, the event organisers said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of two race participants at the Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork 2023.

“During the swim portion of Sunday’s race, safety personnel provided immediate medical attention upon recognising the athletes were in need of assistance.

“We share our greatest sympathies with the families and friends of the athletes and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time.

“We thank the safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athletes with medical assistance.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/two-men-die-in-cork-ironman-competition-12943927

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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