ARCHERY

Indian compound women’s team assured of medal at Archery World Cup Stage-1

Indian compound women’s team, comprising Pragati, V. Jyothi Surekha, Madhura Dhamangaonkar, reached the final to assure the country of a medal in the Archery World Cup Stage-1 in Puebla, Mexico.

The top-ranked Indian side got a bye and beat Denmark 235-234 and Turkey 233-230 to set up a summit clash with USA.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Khalin Joshi extends lead to three shots at Andhra Open 2026

Khalin Joshi carded a one-under 70 to extend his lead to three shots at seven-under 206 after round three at the Rs 1 crore Andhra Open 2026 here on Thursday.

Bengaluru-based 33-year-old Khalin (68-68-70), a six-time winner, who opened the week at the DP World PGTI event with rounds of 68 and 68, now carries a comfortable advantage into the final round at the East Point Golf Club here.

Dubai-based Yash Majmudar (71-69-69) and Delhi’s Rashid Khan (70-72-67) were tied second at four-under 209. Majmudar returned a 69, while Rashid produced the day’s best round of 67 to move into contention.

Joshi, currently 55th on the PGTI Order of Merit, is now in prime position to end a four-year winless run, with his last title coming in Coimbatore in August 2022. With a three-shot advantage, Joshi will look to hold his nerve in the final round as he targets his seventh professional title.

The highlight of Joshi’s round was a strong recovery after a shaky start that included three three-putts early on. He bounced back with a tap-in birdie on the seventh after his approach shot left him inches from the hole, and then delivered a crucial eagle on the par-5 12th, where he sank a 15-footer.

“I didn’t get off to a good start, but I stayed patient and trusted my ball-striking. I’m driving it well and hitting my irons solid, so I just need to keep the putter going. I’m proud of the way I handled myself on the course despite the poor start and fought back on the back-nine,” Joshi said.

“Going into the final round, I’ve been in such situations before so I know that I just need to be in my zone and play good golf shots and that should take care of everything else.” The par-5 seventh has been adjusted to a 477-yard par-4, bringing the course par down to 71.

Majmudar, a San Diego University graduate, continued to impress with his unconventional one-handed chipping technique and looked set to close within two shots before a bogey on the final hole dropped him back into a tie for second.

Rashid, a two-time Asian Tour winner, surged into contention with a strong penultimate round of 67 which included an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys.

Kolkata’s Viraj Madappa (69-71-71), the youngest Indian winner on the Asian Tour and a winner on the DP World PGTI last season, was tied fourth at two-under 211 alongside Greater Noida’s Arjun Sharma (71-70-70), who has been one of the consistent performers on the DP World PGTI.

-PTI

HOCKEY

Semifinals decided at Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026

The eighth day of the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026 in Rajgir, Bihar witnessed Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh register wins in their respective Division ‘A’ quarterfinals at the Rajgir Sports Complex. 

In the opening game of the day, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey clinched a 2-1 victory against Hockey Chandigarh. Captain Dhiraj Pal (27’, 42’) scored for the winners, while Jasmeet Singh (59’) scored for Hockey Chandigarh.

In the second quarterfinal, Hockey Punjab secured a 5-3 win against Hockey Jharkhand in a high-scoring clash. Rajveer Singh (29’, 56’) scored a brace, while Akash Deep (11’), Sahabajpreet Singh (32’) and Sanmukh Singh (39’) also scored for Hockey Punjab. For Hockey Jharkhand, Ashish Tani Purti (15’, 19’, 56’) bagged a hat-trick.

The third quarterfinal saw Uttar Pradesh Hockey register a 6-3 win against Hockey Association of Odisha. Nitish Yadav (49’, 51’) scored a brace, while Karan Dhanuk (33’), Prahalad Rajbhar (39’), Captain Ketan Kushwaha (42’), and Romit Pal (52’) also scored for Uttar Pradesh Hockey. Deepak Prakash Toppo (34’, 45’, 57’) scored a hat-trick for Hockey Association of Odisha.

In the final game of the day, Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Haryana played out a 0-0 draw before the former clinched a 4-3 win in the shootout. Karan Gautam, Gazee Khan, Siddharth Ben, and Ronin Ningombam Singh scored in the shootout for Hockey Madhya Pradesh, while Ayush Rajak was exceptional in goal for them, making two crucial saves. For Hockey Haryana, Ashish, Sachin and Vishwjeet converted in the shootout.

– Team Sportstar

SHOOTING

Divya’s fourth, Gajanan’s fighting fifth on debut cap India’s day

Divya TS’ creditable fourth place finish in the women’s 25m pistol and Gajanan Khandagale’s fighting fifth in the men’s 10m air rifle on international debut were the highlights of India’s day at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Granada.

Divya shot 28 in her third individual World Cup final to finish just outside the medals while Gajanan bowed out with an effort of 187.5 in the men’s 10m air rifle final.

Rhythm Sangwan finished seventh in the women’s 25m pistol.

Gajanan also had a brilliant debut after he stormed into the final in second place with an effort of 634.3 in qualification, which was just 0.2 behind Paris silver medallist Victor Lindgren of Sweden.

Arshdeep Singh was 21st with 629.5 while Dhanush Srikanth was 23rd with 629.2.

All three Indians navigated the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) elimination relays safely as well, with Olympian and World Championship medallist Anjum Moudgil best with a 592.

Ayushi Podder shot 587 in the second relay and Surabhi Bharadwaj Rapole shot 582 as 58 of the 75 made it to the main qualification round.

– PTI

PICKLEBALL

Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) welcomes Delhi High Court’s refusal to stay Single Judge order

Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), the recognized National Sports Federation (NSF) for the sport of pickleball in India looks forward to continue its commitment towards the sport and the NSF regulatory compliances of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).

The Delhi High Court vide its judgment dated February 2 had dismissed the writ petition filed by All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) challenging the grant of recognition of IPA as NSF.

The judgment dated February 2 has been sought to be challenged by AIPA, by filing a Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) before the Division bench of the Delhi HC.

The Delhi HC, on April 7, issued a notice on the LPA and directed the MYAS to produce the record regarding the recognition process.

In alignment with the National Sports Development Code of India, which mandates that sports body recognition is subject to an annual review, and as had also been directed by the ld. Single Judge, the Court directed the Union Government to afford AIPA the opportunity to submit written representations and grant a personal hearing during the consideration of IPA’s annual renewal application.

The Division Bench despite repeated submissions being made by the counsel for AIPA did not grant a stay of the recognition granted to IPA and/or of the Ld. Single Judge’s order dated February 2. Furthermore, the Division Bench also did not accept the submission of the counsel for AIPA that the Union Government should be directed to conduct its annual review “uninfluenced” by the observations in the Ld. Single Judge’s order.

Indian Pickleball Association welcomes the transparency and the Court’s insistence on adhering to the provisions of Sports Code and IPA is confident that the comprehensive review of records will further validate the legitimacy of IPA’s operations and unwavering commitment to the growth of Pickleball in India under the prescribed regulatory framework.

The matter is now scheduled for further proceedings on May 11 and IPA remains fully cooperative with the Union Government and the Court to ensure a swift and just resolution.

– Team Sporstar

Published on Apr 09, 2026