SSKATEBOARDINGKATEBOARDING | Page 2 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 3 Yosozumi Bumrah wins battle strikes as India of the teens dominate on for gold Day 1

Thursday, August 5, 2021 ATHLETICS Dhul-Hijjah 26, 1442 AH McLaughlin GULF TIMES storms to gold and world record SP RT Page 4 FOCUS The bar is my opponent, says Barshim

By Sports Reporter the challenge at the time was that I when I asked, he (the referee) said yes Tokyo, Japan was returning from an injury. There and the celebrations started. Gian- were fears and questions. Will I suc- marco was screaming and me too, and ceed or not, especially since there was the atmosphere was very wonderful. utaz Essa Barshim has no time or tournaments to prepare. After I had got out of my operation been on top of his game There was a pressure factor from the for what is one of the most serious in- for more than just a few audience at Khalifa International Sta- juries ever, the doctor had told me ‘I years. He has come the dium. But thank God for the win. do not know whether you will be able MEDALS Mclosest to breaking the world record of to return or not’. The same was true for TALLY 2.45m, is the only high jumper to suc- him (Tamberi). Those were diffi cult cessfully defend the world title, and I knew that to reach the fi nal moments with immense pressure, and has won athlete of the year honours. I had to jump my best this we shared that, and so it was one of the Country G S B T And now he has the only medal that season, and to get a medal I reasons for making this decision. 1. China 32 22 16 70 was missing from his cabinet — an had to jump the best jump in 2. United States 25 31 23 79 ‘the world this year. Olympic gold. What did you think about the To- 3. Japan 21 7 12 40 On Sunday, he achieved that too, — Mutaz Essa Barshim, kyo competition coming into the 4. Great Britain 15 18 15 48 and won hearts and earned plaudits on his goals coming into Tokyo Games event, and who did you consider 5. Australia 15 4 17 36 for his sportsmanship when he asked your No 1 competitor? 6. ROC 14 21 18 53 to share the gold with his friend and When I came to Tokyo, I was sixth 7. Germany 8 8 16 32 competitor Gianmarco Tamberi after You are often seen sleeping and or seventh in the world ranking by 8. France 6 10 9 25 both were tied at 2.37m. relaxing during competition, be- virtue of my performances. I knew Yesterday, in a lengthy chat, the tween jumps. Do all the players do that to reach the fi nal I had to jump 9. Italy 6 9 15 30 Qatari superstar spoke about his so? you feel during those moments? psychological pressure, and run and my best this season, and to get a med- 10. Netherlands 6 8 9 23 struggle, his shared journey with No, I just do it after every jump to Gianmarco Tamberi and I have jump at a high level. The referee came al I had to jump the best jump in the 11. South Korea 6 4 9 19 Tamberi, the Olympic win, thoughts relax, gather my thoughts and focus been friends for 11 years; we were in to explain the new law that allows two world this year. So the focus was on 12. New Zealand 6 4 5 15 on retirement and a lot more. on my jump or the next one, which the youth category, then professional players to win gold. the level and not any player. A player 13. Cuba 5 3 4 12 Excerpts: I fi nd is better than watching other and we have a friendship that is not Such situations can be like ‘adven- may lead you at a small tournament, 14. Hungary 4 5 3 12 guys jump because that distracts me. just on the fi eld. He suff ered an in- tures’, and so it is important some- but in the world championships and 15. Canada 4 4 7 15 How diff erent was the compe- jury in 2016 and I suff ered the same times to refusing to take risks, espe- the Olympics, the competition is dif- 16. Brazil 4 3 8 15 tition at the Rio Olympics and When you made the decision to in 2018, and we both underwent the cially since you are competing at a ferent. So a player is not the focus, but 17. Czech Republic 4 3 1 8 the last World Championship in share the gold medal, it was with- same operation. When something high level. There were qualifi ers and the bar is my opponent. 18. Switzerland 3 4 5 12 ? in a few seconds. How did you like this happens, it is very diffi cult then a fi nal, and you might go for a In Doha, the level was good, but make that decision, and how did to come back, especially with the new jump and suff er an injury. So > Continued on Page 2 19. Poland 3 3 4 10 20. Croatia 3 3 2 8 21. Sweden 2 5 0 7 BEACH VOLLEYBALL 22. Chinese Taipei 2 4 5 11 23. Georgia 2 4 1 7 24. Denmark 2 2 3 7 25. Norway 2 2 1 5 26. Jamaica 2 1 2 5 27. Iran 2 1 1 4 27. Slovenia 2 1 1 4 29. Ecuador 2 1 0 3 Younousse-Tijan 30. Greece 2 0 1 3 30. Uzbekistan 2 0 1 3 32. Kosovo 2 0 0 2 32. QATAR 2 0 0 2 34. Spain 1 4 5 10 35. Romania 1 3 0 4 35. Venezuela 1 3 0 4 37. Ukraine 1 2 8 11 juggernaut rolls on 38. Kenya 1 2 2 5 39. Hong Kong 1 2 0 3 World No 1 Qatari pair beat Italy’s Nicolai-Lupo for a semis spot, Russian world champs up next 39. South Africa 1 2 0 3 39. Slovakia 1 2 0 3 42. Serbia 1 1 4 6 43. Austria 1 1 3 5 43. Indonesia 1 1 3 5 45. Belgium 1 1 1 3 45. Ethiopia 1 1 1 3 45. Uganda 1 1 1 3 48. Philippines 1 1 0 2 48. Tunisia 1 1 0 2 50. Turkey 1 0 5 6 51. Ireland 1 0 2 3 51. Israel 1 0 2 3 53. Belarus 1 0 1 2 53. Estonia 1 0 1 2 53. Fiji 1 0 1 2 53. Latvia 1 0 1 2 57. Bermuda 1 0 0 1 Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan (left) and teammate Cherif Younousse celebrate their quarter-final win yesterday. 57. Morocco 1 0 0 1 57. Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1 maestro. They were playing re- We did not give away a set. And 57. Thailand 1 0 0 1 ally well and not giving up. Now that already is a good thing.” 61. Armenia 0 2 1 3 we’ll get a good rest, because to- In the other quarter-fi nals, 61. Colombia 0 2 1 3 morrow we are going to be here Latvia’s Martins Plavins and 61. Dominican Republic 0 2 1 3 again,” said Younousse. Edgars Tocs beat Brazil’s Ali- 61. Kyrgyzstan 0 2 1 3 The Qatar team will face son Cerutti and Alvaro Morais 65. India 0 1 2 3 reigning world champions Filho 21-16, 21-19 in 43 min- 65. Mongolia 0 1 2 3 from the Russian Olympic utes. The Latvian pair had de- 65. Portugal 0 1 2 3 Committee (ROC) Viacheslav feated the other Brazilian pair Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoy- Bruno Schmidt and Evandro 68. Bulgaria 0 1 1 2 anovskiy in the last four stage. Oliveira on Monday. 68. Nigeria 0 1 1 2 Krasilnikov-Stoyanovskiy reg- They will face Norway’s 68. San Marino 0 1 1 2 istered a straight sets 2-0 (21- Christian Sorum and Anders 71. Jordan 0 1 0 1 16, 21-19) victory over Germa- Mol in the semi-fi nals tomor- 71. North Macedonia 0 1 0 1 ny’s Julius Thole and Clemens row, who defeated the ROC’s 71. Namibia 0 1 0 1 Qatar’s Ahmed Tijan (centre) prepares to spike as teammate Cherif Younousse (right) looks on during the beach volleyball quarter-final Wickler. Ilya Leshukov and Konstantin 71. Turkmenistan 0 1 0 1 against Italy’s Paolo Nicolai (left) and Daniele Lupo (not pictured) at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday. “It was a tough match. We Semenov 21-17, 21-19. 75. Kazakhstan 0 0 4 4 know this team really well. We “We made fewer mistakes. 76. Azerbaijan 0 0 3 3 The newly-crowned World process. For sure, the roads and never let go through the always play hard with them, Fighting for the medals in the Agencies 76. Egypt 0 0 3 3 Tokyo, Japan No 1 Qatari pair defeated the were very diffi cult, there were end of the fi rst set. The second because they are really strong. Olympics is a dream come true. Rio Olympics silver medal- some ups and downs. But set was far more competitive We’ve already played them We hope to bring some medals 76. Mexico 0 0 3 3 lists 2-0 (21-17, 23-21) in their we didn’t give up and we’re and the Italians even pushed fi ve times and it was in the fi - back to Norway,” Mol said. 79. Argentina 0 0 1 1 atar’s Cherif You- quarter-fi nals match at the thankful to be here,” said You- it to overtime. They denied the nal stages of tournaments. We Since beach volleyball be- 79. Côte d’Ivoire 0 0 1 1 nousse and Ahmed Shiokaze Park. nousse. Qataris two match points, but know how to play with them came an Olympic sport in 79. Finland 0 0 1 1 Tijan stunned Italy’s “I’m grateful to be in the Nicolai and Lupo could not on the third one, Younousse’s and how they play against us,” 1996, Brazil and the United 79. Ghana 0 0 1 1 Paolo Nicolai and semi-fi nal, because it took hold on to the three-point aggressive spike clinched their Stoyanovskiy said. States have dominated the 79. Kuwait 0 0 1 1 DanieleQ Lupo to storm into the us maybe six or seven years lead they opened early in the last four spot. “We are just very happy that event but countries like Qatar 79. Malaysia 0 0 1 1 beach volleyball semi-fi nals of to build this team. It’s a long match. After 8-8, the Qatari “It was a very tough game we won. For sure, we are im- and Latvia are now challenging 79. Syria 0 0 1 1 the Tokyo Olympics yesterday. process and we trusted the team took control of the game mentally. This guy is like a proving from game to game. their supremacy. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 5, 2021

FOCUS I have the ambition to continue, says Barshim From Page 1 Of course, I would love to be We began in November 2020, feel you have done something. It the world record holder during I spent three months and then is a huge motivation. After winning three Olympic my career, but there is no specifi c returned to Doha for 2-3 weeks. medals, and two world titles, time. Then again for two months, and After winning the gold, you have you thought about retir- When the body is suitable, the returned to Doha for another 2-3 went to celebrate with ing? atmosphere is suitable. Every weeks. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad At this level, when you last 6 or championship has its own cir- Since Ramadan I went to Doha al-Thani, President of the 7 years on top, every player thinks cumstances, and there is risk only for a few days. So maybe 6-7 Olympic Committee, and the about retirement. I had started if you attempt at competitions months in camps. Qatari delegation, how did thinking about retiring after the where the weather is not good. you feel? injury, but at the moment I can- Maybe in a tournament that In Olympic competitions, the Those were wonderful mo- not decide that thing. In fact, be- does not have qualifi ers like the results and numbers are low- ments, like a dream. When I be- fore I got the Olympic gold, I felt , or a one-day er than, say a world record. gan in sport, my ambition was that there was something miss- event, everything is good and we Why? to participate in the Olympics, ing. Even if I had stopped before can try that. Because at the Olympics, the then the dream grew and became I had achieved it, it was enough focus is on winning medals. Also, bronze, then it became silver and that I tried, but thank God I Do you feel that you have Olympics is held every four years, now gold. This is a very big and achieved the Olympic gold. Now, reached world glory? and one mistake can waste all indescribable feeling. When I see I have the ambition to continue, Personally, no. your eff orts. A lot is at stake. the video again I cannot believe. if there are no injuries. In order to keep up with my body, I have to Even after three Olympic How do you feel after the Now that you are a champion play two or three tournaments a medals and two world titles? whole world lauded your athlete, what is the most im- month, not fi ve or more. As a player, no matter what sportsmanship for sharing portant message you will give achievements I have, I celebrate the gold? to students and athletes? What next? for a day or two, or a week and It’s a wonderful feeling when The most important message There is the fi nal Diamond then think about what’s next. people interact with you posi- I can give them is that nothing League event in Zurich (Sep- Maybe after retirement, I will go tively through sports. That mo- is impossible. When I was at As- tember 9), and our focus is on it. back to see what I have achieved ment will be historic and I will be pire (Academy), the Moroccan Then there is a break, before the during my career and perhaps certainly proud of it for my whole Olympic champion Hicham El 2022 season begins. There are two then I will feel that, but now as a life. Guerrouj came to us. When you world championships — a world player I am thinking about what sit with him, you fi nd him talk- indoor championship in Serbia in is next. Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim (right) relaxes between his attempts during the men’s high jump final at the Tokyo What about the tweet by His ing to you about diffi culties and March, and the world champion- 2020 Olympic Games on Sunday. (AFP) Highness The Amir when he injuries, and about diligence and ship in America in July. So there Camp life, what does that described you as a role model work, and you feel that he is a will be pressure next season. mean to you? various events, sometimes even professional atmosphere, pre- go through long camps in Europe. for Qatari youth? human being like you. You think It is a very diffi cult life, but it is on a Friday. If you don’t attend paring for the upcoming events. How long did you spend in It is not an ordinary thing when about the possibility of repeating Is the world record on your necessary. When in Doha, there someone gets upset. So when you Travelling for 6-7 hours also camps in preparation for the the recognition comes from His an achievement like his, and this mind? are often invitations to attend are in a camp, you are in a more make it diffi cult, so it is better to Olympics? Highness the Amir, makes you is the most important thing.

SKATEBOARDING SPOTLIGHT Heat takes toll at Yosozumi wins battle women’s golf AFP down relentlessly. Also on four- Kawagoe, Japan under par is India’s Aditi Ashok, who as an 18-year-old featured high on the fi rst-round leader- orld number one board at Rio fi ve years ago when Nelly Korda carded she was the youngest player in of the teens for gold the fi eld. “Last time I was a rook- a 67 to be just a shot off the lead yester- ie, basically, and I just fi nished Skateboarding is one of four debut sports aimed at reaching new audiences Wday during a fi rst round played my high school exams and then I in searing temperatures at the was at the Olympics two months AFP women’s Olympic golf tourna- later,” she said. Tokyo ment which caused US star Lexi South Korea’s Park In-bee Thompson’s caddie to pull out made a solid start to her gold with heatstroke. medal defence with a two-under apan’s Sakura Yosozumi won the Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom 69, as only four shots covered women’s park competition to has a slender lead at fi ve-un- the top 23 on a packed leader- maintain the hosts’ stranglehold der par after an attritional board. Park was off to a fast on Olympic skateboarding yes- day in heat and humidity start in a group containing terdayJ and stop Kokona Hiraki and Sky at Kasumigaseki Country her fellow Rio medallists, Brown becoming the Games’ youngest- Club where the thermom- Lydia Ko (silver) and Feng ever gold medallists. eter topped 36C. Shanshan (bronze). New The 19-year-old opened the fi nal with “I was striking the ball all right Zealand’s Lydia Ko returned a a fl owing run featuring two 540s, with but not great,” said the world one-under 70 to be in a tie for her 60.09 points proving enough for vic- number 75 Sagstrom of her 66 16th, while China’s Feng, who tory ahead of teammate Hiraki, 12, and on the par-71 layout. “My short has indicated she may retire from Brown, 13. “This medal feels unreal — it game was my saviour.” Thomp- the LPGA Tour after the Games, feels like a dream,” said Yosozumi, as she son admitted she had been un- struggled to three-over 74. celebrated at a sun-baked Ariake Urban well herself before suff ering the World number two Ko Jin- Sports Park on Tokyo Bay. “I hope skate- blow of losing her caddie, Jack young of South Korea fought boarding is going to be very popular in Ja- Fulghum, on the back nine. USA back from a sloppy start with pan because of the strong performances golf team coach Donna Wilkins four birdies in fi ve holes from the of the Japanese team,” she said, adding: stepped in to carry Thompson’s 13th to get to three-under par, “Now I want to go back home and eat bag for the fi nal holes. a 68 leaving her just two off the some delicious food.” America’s Korda had six bird- lead. Matilda Castren of Finland Despite missing the title Hiraki, who ies in her four-under par round and Carlota Ciganda of Spain scored 59.04, achieved the rare feat of and said it had been important also shot 68s to lie tied fourth winning an Olympic medal before her to keep hydrated as the sun beat with Ko Jin-young. 13th birthday — the fi rst to do so since French rower Noel Vandernotte in 1936. Japan-born Brown, who became Britain’s youngest Olympic medallist, threatened to snatch a dramatic win with a fl aw- less closing routine but she was awarded Silver-medallist Japan’s Kokona Hiraki (left), gold-medallist Japan’s Sakura Yosozumi (centre) and bronze-medallist Britain’s Sky 56.47 points to take bronze. “It was un- Brown pose on the podium after the women’s skateboarding park final at the Tokyo Olympic Games yesterday. (AFP) believable,” Brown said of her medal- winning run. “Even right now it feels makes its Olympic bow. They had a shot at bettering Ameri- a year over the coronavirus pandemic. like a dream. It’s insane. I’m so happy Skateboarding is one of four de- can diver Marjorie Gestring, who won “Everyone did amazing, everyone was and so thankful and so proud of every but sports aimed at reaching new 3m springboard gold aged 13 years and doing so good, I’m so proud of every- one of the other girls, too.” audiences and in an ultra-young 268 days at the 1936 Games in Berlin. one,” she said, paying tribute to her friend There was heartbreak for world fi eld, only eight of the 20 competi- For Brown it completes a comeback just Yosozumi. number one Misugu Okamoto, who tors were out of their teens. The podium over a year after a horrifi c fall in training “Just being on the podium with my re- missed a medal when she fell on all three had a combined age of 44. Both Brown, at left her with skull fractures and a broken ally good friend is just insane.” runs in the fi nal to fi nish fourth. Japan 13 years and 28 days, and Hiraki (12 years wrist and hand. Brown, born to a Japanese mother and also snapped up the men’s and women’s and 343 days) were bidding to break an The accident would have ruled Brown, a British father, opted to compete for street titles and they have bagged fi ve of 85-year-old record to become the young- just 11 at the time, out of the 2020 Olym- Britain in 2019, saying the team off ered a India’s Aditi Ashok plays a shot during round one of the women’s golf the nine medals so far as skateboarding est champions in Olympic history. pics if they had not been postponed for more relaxed approach. at the Tokyo Olympics in Saitama, Japan, yesterday. ()

BOXING Cuba win gold again as distraught Briton refuses to wear silver

AFP After receiving his gold medal, want silver, I lost the gold, so to me points. Cuba, a powerhouse of Ol- Tokyo Lopez put his fi ngers to his lips, a it’s failure, so I am not going to cel- ympic boxing, have now won two of gesture he said was towards “those ebrate silver at the moment.” the three gold medals in the sport who were against me or thought It had all been so diff erent at the so far in Tokyo. The other went to uba’s Arlen Lopez won his that I would not be able to make start. Whittaker jigged his way into Japan. In the women’s competition, second Olympic gold med- it or lacked motivation”. His de- the ring at Kokugikan Arena, better there was also disappointment for al yesterday as he taught light was in stark contrast to the known as the home of sumo, Ja- India’s Lovlina Borgohain in the Ben Whittaker a boxing 24-year-old Whittaker, who cut a pan’s national sport. But the more welterweight semi-fi nals. She was lessonC in Tokyo — the disconsolate devastated fi gure at the medal cer- experienced Lopez had the Briton well beaten by Turkey’s fl amboyant Briton refusing to wear his silver emony, trudging to the podium dancing to his tune from the fi rst Busenaz Surmeneli, who will face medal and putting it instead with his hands in his pockets round, stalking Whittaker around China’s Gu Hong in the fi nal for in his pocket. The 28-year- and placing his medal in his the ring. Lopez beckoned his oppo- gold on Saturday. old Lopez was the aggressor tracksuit pocket rather than nent onto him, feeling that Whit- The 23-year-old Borgohain will throughout but he was sur- around his neck. taker was being too defensive, and a still take home bronze, equalling the prisingly only a split-points When reporters took pho- member of the British squad in the achievement of India’s trailblazing winner in the fi nal of the men’s tographs of the medallists, an mostly empty arena shouted at his Mary Kom, a 2012 bronze light-heavyweight. Lopez, who unsmiling Whittaker stood awk- team-mate to “show no respect”. medallist and national treasure won middleweight gold at the Rio wardly apart from the others and Lopez, a former world cham- back home. But like Whittaker, 2016 Olympics, fell to his knees and limply held his silver in his hand. pion in middleweight, led through Borgohain was not celebrating. “Í banged on the fl oor when he was “At the time I should have taken it two rounds of the scheduled three just lost the match now and defi - named the victor, while Whittaker on the chin and put the beautiful on the judges’ scorecards and the nitely not feeling good at this time,” Cuba’s Arlen Lopez (right) celebrates after winning against Britain’s Benjamin Whittaker (left) in quickly left the ring with his hands silver medal around my neck and only surprise was that he was not she said. “Not feeling good as I was the men’s light-heavy weight (75-81kg) final bout at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo. (AFP) over his face. just smiled,” he said later. “I did not awarded the bout on unanimous sure, 100%, to get the gold medal.” Gulf Times Thursday, August 5, 2021 3 SPORT

CRICKET HORSE RACING Sheikh Abdullah’s Joomana breaks Bumrah strikes as maiden in style

Agencies the early stages of the 1,400m Le Lion d’Angers, France contest. With a strong pace being set by Hypnotized, Joomana had to wo-year-old fi lly Jooma- be bustled along on occasion and India dominate Day na carried the colours still had a few lengths to fi nd en- of His Highness Sheikh tering the home straight. Abdullah bin Khalifa al- Staying on for pressure, TThani to victory when taking the Joomana closed strongly in- Prix Chateauneuf sur Sarthe at side the fi nal 200m and headed Le Lion d’Angers yesterday. Hypnotized in the shadows of Trained by Henri-Alex Pan- the post. Speedy Charm also tall, Joomana built on two- fi nished with a fl ourish and took 1 of England series placed eff orts at Deauville and third close home. Croan respectively, and scored a Bred by Haras de Victo, game victory, on her third start, Joomana is by Olympic Glory. BUMRAH TAKES FOUR WITH ROOT ONLY ENGLAND BATSMAN TO PASS 50 under jockey Soufi ane Saadi. Her dam, Scandalous was un- Breaking alertly from the raced, but has now produced stalls, Saadi settled Joomana just three winners and is a full sister AFP India’s Jasprit Bumrah (left ) celebrates with Nottingham, United Kingdom behind the early leaders through to dual Listed winner Sereth. teammates aft er taking the of England’s Jos Buttler during Day 1 of the fi rst Test at Trent ndia’s Jasprit Bumrah took Bridge in Nottingham, Britain, yesterday. (Reuters) four as England suff ered their latest batting collapse in slumping to 183 Iall out on the opening day of the fi rst Test at Trent Bridge yester- day. Bumrah, who struck with the fi fth ball of the match to remove Rory Burns for one of four ducks in the innings, took 4-46 in 20.4 overs, with fellow paceman Mo- hamed Shami also impressing with 3-28 in 17 overs. England Joe Root, who won the toss, top-scored with 64 and was the only bats- Soufiane Saadi (right) rides Joomana to victory in the Prix Chateauneuf man to pass 30, with Yorkshire sur Sarthe in Le Lion d’Angers, France, yesterday. (Jean-Charles Briens) team-mate Jonny Bairstow making 29 on his Test return. Bairstow’s exit on the stroke of FOCUS tea sparked a slump that saw Eng- land lose six wickets for 22 runs. England’s 138-3 was trans- formed into 160-9 against an Bangladesh stun attack without Ishant Sharma and off -spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, both dropped following Australia again to India’s loss to New Zealand in the inaugural World Test Cham- struggled again yesterday. Test innings since a brilliant 267 hind down the legside off Shami D. Lawrence c Pant b Shami ....0 pionship fi nal at Southampton Ben Stokes, who missed the against Pakistan at Southamp- for nought before Buttler, who J. Buttler c Pant b Bumrah ...... 0 lead T 20 series 2-0 in June. New Zealand series with a fi n- ton last year. looked desperately out of touch, S. Curran not out ...... 27 India then denied England ger injury, delivered a blow to Crawley had been largely nicked Bumrah to Pant for a 17- O. Robinson c Shami b Thakur .. 0 AFP and Mitchell Starc struck early to a breakthrough to be 21-0 at England’s hopes ahead of this untroubled until, on 27, he ball duck. S. Broad lbw b Bumrah ...... 4 Dhaka remove openers Soumya Sarkar, stumps, with both Rohit Sharma fi ve-match series when it was was caught behind after what By reaching 23, Root sur- J. Anderson b Bumrah ...... 1 for nought, and Mohamed Naim, and K L Rahul - only drafted in announced Friday the star all- seemed a speculative review passed Cook’s England record of Extras (b1, lb8, nb4) ...... 13 for nine, respectively. after Mayank Agwaral suff ered rounder was taking an indefi nite by the tourists revealed a thin 15,737 runs in all formats. Total (all out, 65.4 overs) .....183 fi f Hossain and Nurul made the a suspected concussion while break from cricket to “prioritise nick off Mohamed Siraj to Pant His fi fty took 89 balls but on Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Burns), 2-42 Hasan steered Bangla- hosts fi ght back with his 17-ball batting in the nets on Monday his mental health”. - much to the evident relief of 64 he was lbw, aiming across (Crawley), 3-66 (Sibley), 4-138 desh to a 2-0 lead over knock and a partnership of 37 for - nine not out. Remarkably, this But his absence was not the India captain Virat Kohli. the line, to Shardul Thakur with (Bairstow), 5-138 (Lawrence), Australia in the Twen- the third wicket with Mahedi. was a fi rst red-ball innings this reason for England’s top-order Opening batsman Dom Sib- Root not bothering to review. 6-145 (Buttler), 7-155 (Root), ty20A series with an emphatic But the 21-year-old Afi f season for both Bairstow and woes. Root’s decision to bat ley, whose 18 took 70 balls fell England’s tail, Sam Curran’s 8-155 (Robinson), 9-160 (Broad), fi ve-wicket win on yesterday. showed maturity to thwart the Jos Buttler, out for nought, with fi rst after winning the toss on a tamely when he chipped Shami 27 not out apart, unsurprisingly 10-183 (Anderson) Chasing 122 for victory, Bang- opposition bowling along with both batsmen not helped by the green-tinged pitch that prom- straight to Rahul at short mid- struggled before India held fi rm Bowling: Bumrah 20.4-4-46-4 ladesh depended on an unbroken Hasan, a wicketkeeper-batsman, fi xture schedule. ised to aid India’s four-man pace wicket. Root though square- against the veteran new-ball (2nb); Shami 17-2-28-3; Siraj 12- 56-run sixth-wicket partnership and take the team home. In June, England suff ered a attack was a bold decision given drove Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm duo of James Anderson and Stu- 2-48-1; Thakur 13-3-41-2; Jadeja between Afi f, who hit 37, and Earlier the tourists, who lost humiliating eight-wicket loss England’s well-known batting spin for four and struck a similar art Broad. 3-0-11-0 (2nb) Nurul, who made 22, to achieve the opener after being bowled to New Zealand at Edgbas- frailties. boundary off Shardul Thakur. India 1st Innings their target with eight balls to out for 108 in their chase of 131, ton that condemned them to a It took India just fi ve balls to But a fourth-wicket stand SCOREBOARD R. Sharma not out ...... 9 spare in Dhaka. slipped from 99-3 to 106-7 after fi rst home series loss in seven reduce England to none for one, of 72 ended off what became England 1st Innings KL Rahul not out ...... 9 Shakib Al Hasan made 26 but Marsh’s wicket. years, prompting former captain with left-hander Burns lbw on the last ball before tea when R. Burns lbw b Bumrah ...... 0 Extras (b1, lb1, nb1) 3 Bangladesh were in trouble at Marsh put on 57 for the third Alastair Cook to say the current review to a Bumrah Bairstow was lbw to Shami. D. Sibley c Rahul b Shami ...... 18 Total (0 wkts, 13 overs) ...... 21 67-5 in the 12th over when Ma- wicket with Moises Henriques, top order “can’t handle” the that cut back. New batsman England’s 138-4 at the in- Z. Crawley c Pant b Siraj ...... 27 Bowling: Anderson 3-1-9-0; hedi Hasan departed, who scored 30, after the depar- pressure of Test cricket. Zak Crawley came to the crease terval soon became 138-5 when J. Root lbw b Thakur ...... 64 Broad 5-1-9-0 (1nb); Robinson off Adam Zampa for 23. ture of the two openers. Many of the same batsmen having made just 123 runs in 12 Dan Lawrence was caught be- J. Bairstow lbw b Shami ...... 29 4-3-1-0; Curran 1-1-0-0. Pace bowler Mustafi zur Rah- Marsh was caught behind off man took three wickets to re- fast bowler Shoriful Islam before strict Australia to 121-7 despite Mustafi zur struck twice on suc- 45 by Mitchell Marsh, who got cessive deliveries to send skipper Kyrgios lacks fi ery passion in losing ATP Washington opener the same score in his side’s open- Matthew Wade back for four and ing loss of the fi ve-match series Agar for nought. Longing for the days when he who won the Washington event “My head’s in the shed, to be “I feel like I actually enjoyed my and I was getting fined and I was on Tuesday. The third T20 is on Friday with would scream and throw rac- when it was last played in 2019, honest.” tennis more when it was so up throwing my racquets. Bangladesh, who recorded all the matches to be played at quets, Nick Kyrgios struggled to lacked his trademark spark and Kyrgios, a six-time ATP cham- and down. Like you see me to- “That just meant that I just cared their fi rst ever T20 win over the same venue. care on crucial points in making passion in a 6-4, 6-4 loss pion, was known for racquet- day, like I’m losing and I’m barely a lot. I actually cared what was Australia in the previous match, a first-round exit on Tuesday at to American Mackenzie Mc- smashing anger and screaming getting angry,” Kyrgios said. happening. Now I lose and I’m have won two successive games BRIEF SCORES the ATP Citi Open. Donald. when upset. But those trade- “I actually miss the days when I actually happy for the other against their opponents for the Bangladesh 123 for 5 (Afif 37*) The 26-year-old Australian, “I’m disappointed,” Kyrgios said. marks were missing in defeat. was losing and I was carrying on guy.” fi rst time across formats. beat Australia 121 for 7 (Marsh Pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood 45, Mustafizur 3-23)

FOOTBALL Eriksen at Inter training ground, in ‘excellent shape’ aft er Euro collapse AFP Inter’s city rivals AC Milan, and the medics who rushed onto Van Gaal returns for third stint as Netherlands coach the fi eld and managed to save to his life. “The real heroes on that Dutchman Louis van Gaal will re- hristian Eriksen yes- night were the Danish captain turn for a third time as the national terday met his Inter Mi- and the medics who performed football coach, leading the team to lan teammates for the the initial CPR and defi brilla- the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the fi rst time since suff ering tion,” Taylor said. Dutch football federation (KNVB) cardiacC arrest at Euro 2020, in Kjaer and Leicester City goal- said yesterday. a visit to the Italian champions’ keeper Kasper Schmeichel won The appointment of the 69-year- training ground. In a statement, widespread plaudits for how old, dubbed the “Iron Tulip”, comes Inter said Eriksen, 29, paid a visit they handled the incident, rally- after the resignation of Frank de to the training centre at Appiano ing around their teammate and at Boer in June after the Netherlands’ Gentile outside Milan yesterday. present before joining the team Simone Inzaghi. Eriksen col- one point trying to calm Eriksen’s dismal last-16 exit from Euro 2020. “The Danish midfi elder met on the training pitch for a group lapsed towards the end of the fi rst distraught partner Sabrina Kvist The no-nonsense Van Gaal, whose the club directors, the coach, photo while holding up his Inter half of Denmark’s opening match Jensen, who fearing the worst last major job was at Manchester After all, I was appointed for that.” During Van Gaal’s first spell teammates and all of the staff shirt. His future at the club is in at the European Championship had come running onto the pitch. United, previously managed the His technical staff will consist of as manager the Dutch failed present. Eriksen is doing well and the balance due to his pacemak- against Finland, his life saved by In the aftermath Schmeichel Oranje between 2000-2002 and assistants Danny Blind and Henk to qualify for the 2002 World is in excellent physical and men- er, as footballers with one fi tted the quick thinking of his team- led criticism of the decision to 2012-2014, when they finished Fraser, and goalkeeping coach Cup in Japan and South Korea, tal shape,” Inter said. cannot play in Italy, unlike in mates and medical staff at the fi nish the Finland match, which third at the World Cup in Brazil. Frans Hoek, the KNVB said. The but the Netherlands finished “He will now follow the re- some other countries. Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. the Danes lost 1-0 and was held “Dutch football has always been Dutch federation said it had been third in Brazil in 2014 during his covery programme put forward The tests he is undergoing will On Tuesday Anthony Tay- up for nearly two hours before close to my heart and national looking for a coach with “excep- second stint. He then went on by Danish doctors in Copenha- eventually determine whether or lor, the referee on the spot when being completed in a bizarre at- coaching is in my view a key tional qualities” to turn the ship to take up a coaching job with gen, who will also co-ordinate not he can have it removed, al- Eriksen fell, said he “could tell mosphere, with several Denmark position for the further advance- around with a “minimal prepara- Manchester United, but was the clinical follow-up. The In- lowing him to stay at Inter. straight away” that he was in a players in tears on the pitch. ment of our football. Moreover, I tion period” for the World Cup. unceremoniously axed by the ter medical staff will naturally He is in any case not expect- serious situation. “I was actually Some Milan fans were so consider it an honour to coach the “With his experience and track club two days after winning the be kept informed and up to date ed to be back in action for six looking directly at him when he moved by Kjaer’s leadership that Dutch national team,” van Gaal record at the highest level, we FA Cup in 2016. throughout the process.” months, whether he stays in Italy fell over,” Taylor told the BBC. they called for him to be made said in a statement released by the believe that we have that coach Van Gaal at the time said Inter then released a short vid- or fi nds a new club elsewhere. “I could see his face as he fell. club captain. KNVB. “There is little time for the in Louis van Gaal,” KNVB Director winning the FA Cup with the eo which showed a smiling Erik- He arrived in Milan on Tues- I knew straightaway something In the absence of their star next qualifying matches, which are of Football Nico-Jan Hoogma said. Red Devils “was the greatest sen hugging his teammates and day and reportedly had a conver- was wrong because of how his player Denmark rode a wave of immediately crucial for participa- “Contact was established quickly achievement of my career.” The greeting members of Inter’s staff . sation with Inter CEO Giuseppe face looked and how he fell to the emotion to go all the way to the tion in the World Cup. The focus is and we have spoken frequently often brash and straight-talking Dressed in a dark jumper, cap Marotta before travelling to the fl oor.” Euro semi-fi nals, where they therefore immediately 100 percent since then. We are happy that Van Gaal announced his “retire- and shorts, Eriksen was given training ground on Wednesday to Taylor praised Denmark skip- were eliminated by England at on the players and the approach. Louis is taking on this job.” ment” in January 2017. a round of applause by those see his teammates and new coach per Simon Kjaer, who plays for Wembley. Thursday, August 5, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOCUS De Grasse ‘shocks the world’ as US sprinting drought continues

AFP could have won the gold medal Tokyo there. I was in great shape. To come back in 2018 and re-injure myself, the same hamstring, was ndre de Grasse said really devastating, but I kept with he had “shocked the the rehab...I had to keep going, world” after storming keep pushing.” to victory in the Olym- Starting in lane six in yes- picA fi nal yesterday as terday’s fi nal, de Grasse made the United States’ 17-year - a smooth start and led coming ing gold medal drought contin- into the straight to control the ued. Canadian star de Grasse race, holding off the challenge of completed a long road back from Bednarek and Lyles over the fi nal injury and illness to win gold in 50 metres. American 17-year-old 19.62sec, with the USA’s Kenny Erriyon Knighton fi nished just Bednarek taking silver in 19.68sec outside the medals in fourth in a and world 200m champion Noah time of 19.93sec. Lyles the bronze in 19.74sec. “He’s going to be dangerous The victory came fi ve years in the future,” silver medallist after de Grasse announced his Bednarek said of Knighton. “17 arrival among the elite of inter- years old and being able to run national sprinting with a silver this fast. He’s defi nitely going to medal in the 200m behind Usain Andre De Grasse (right) of Canada in action on his way to winning the be a monster in the future.” Bolt at the Olym- 200m final ahead of silver medallist Kenneth Bednarek (second left) Meanwhile bronze medal- pics. “I want everyone to know at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics yesterday. (Reuters) list Lyles, who had spoken of his that I shocked the world,” said de battles with depression before Grasse, who also took silver in the De Grasse said he had almost never gave up on me, even when the Olympics, said a long season 200m behind Lyles at the 2019 given up hope of returning to sometimes I gave up on myself. had fi nally caught up with him. world championships. top-level sprinting during dif- They said ‘You’ve got more in “Mentally and physically it’s De Grasse’s 200m victory in fi cult seasons in 2017 and 2018 the tank, don’t let the media and been a very long season, coming Tokyo and the 100m triumph of when he was hampered by a pressure get to you, get out there off anti-depressants, going on Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs ympics in Paris it will be 20 years to end that losing streak in To- Americans were going to win,” string of injuries and illness. “I’ve and be yourself.’” anti-depressants,” he said. mean that the US remains with- since and Shawn kyo, but was unable to respond as de Grasse said. “But this was my been training hard, I’ve been bat- “2017 was tough for me. I was “It’s nice to have the medal. I out a victory in the individual Ol- Crawford completed a 100-200 de Grasse controlled yesterday’s moment, I knew I had it in me, tling adversity going through my in London watching the world wanted the gold, but I have no re- ympic men’s short sprints since US double at the Athens Games. fi nal from start to fi nish. “I know and I just wanted to come out injuries,” de Grasse said. “But my championships and I felt I could grets on that. Everyone who’s up 2004. By the time of the next Ol- Lyles had been strongly tipped everyone was saying that the here and get the job done.” sponsors, my family, my friends have been there and felt like I here is very fast, I’m honoured.”

ATHLETICS Springsteen misses out qualifi cation for equestrian fi nal

Tokyo: Jessica Springsteen — the daughter of US rock star Bruce Springsteen — has added her name to the list McLaughlin storms to of off spring of the super rich who have strutted their stuff on the Olympic equestrian stage. Springsteen fell short in qualifying for yesterday’s individual jumping final on her horse Don Juan van de gold and world record Donkhoeve but still has the team event to look forward to later in the week in Tokyo. ‘The race doesn’t really start till hurdle seven. I just wanted to go out there and give it everything’ Springsteen is not the first equestrian competitor with AFP There was glory, and another bronze, famous parents to compete at Tokyo for Poland in the men’s hammer as Wo- the Olympics. Princess Anne, jciech Nowicki’s best of 82.52 metres the daughter of Queen Eliza- secured gold. Norway’s Eivind Henrik- beth II, represented Britain at nited States’ Sydney sen claimed silver, with four-time world the 1976 Games and McLaughlin obliterated her champion Pawel Fajdek taking bronze. Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, own world record to win Ol- Elsewhere on the track, there was a jumped at London in 2012, ympic gold in the women’s fi rst ever Olympic gold for an Ugan- winning a silver medal. U400m hurdles yesterday. At Tokyo’s Ol- dan woman as Peruth Chemutai out- The field in Tokyo also ympic Stadium, McLaughlin powered stripped the fi eld to win the 3000m includes Egypt’s Nayel Nassar, home in 51.46 seconds, with defending steeplechase. The 22-year-old timed shortly to be the son-in-law of champion Dalilah Mohamed claiming 9min 01.45sec, with American Court- billionaire philanthropist Bill silver in 51.58 after another classic duel ney Frerichs claiming silver and Kenyan Gates. between the two dominant American Hyvin Kiyeng bronze. “After my fi fth hurdlers. place at the world championships in Cunha wins women’s It repeated the feat of Karsten Doha, I knew a medal would be possible marathon swim Warholm, who took a huge slice off if I run a good race,” said Chemutai. the world record in the men’s race Dutch runner Sifan Hassan’s bid for Brazil’s Marcela Ana Cunha just 24 hours earlier. The 21-year-old an unprecedented Olympic distance said she had to be “cold McLaughlin’s blistering time bettered treble remains on course after she eased mentally” to see off the chal- her world record set at the US trials in into tomorrow’s 1,500 metres fi nal by lenge of defending champion Oregon in June, when she ran 51.90sec. winning her semi-fi nal. The newly- Sharon van Rouwendaal on “I saw Dalilah ahead of me with one crowned 5,000m Olympic champion — her way to Olympic gold in to go,” said McLaughlin. who also has the 10,000m in her sights the women’s 10-kilometre “I just thought ‘run your race’. The — will face a challenge to make it two marathon swim yesterday. race doesn’t really start till hurdle sev- out of two titles as Kenya’s defending Cunha won by less than a en. I just wanted to go out there and give champion Faith Kipyegon awaits her. second from a fast-charging it everything I had.” There was drama in the heptathlon as Van Rouwendaal in their early It was the fourth time since 2019 that British world champion Katarina John- morning duel in Tokyo, timing Mohamed and McLaughlin have met in son-Thompson pulled up with a right 1hr 59min 30.8sec to 1:59:31.7 a championship setting. On each oc- USA’s Sydney Mclaughlin (centre) crosses the finish line ahead of compatriot Dalilah Mohamed (left) and Netherlands’ calf injury in the fi nal event of the fi rst for the Dutch swimmer. Karee- casion the world record has fallen. “I Femke Bol in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) day, the 200m. It left reigning Olympic na Lee took the bronze medal think it’s just iron sharpening iron,” champion Nafi Thiam of Belgium, third for Australia. McLaughlin said after the epic clash. she refl ected on a race that she hamed said. on the men’s 800 metres continued by overnight, in prime position to defend Cunha, 29, finished 10th in “You need somebody who’s going had led coming off the fi nal hur- “I’m truly happy with the perform- leading Ferguson Rotich home for a 1-2 her title in Thursday’s second day of the event at the Rio Olympics to push you to your best and that’s dle before she was reeled in just ance that both of us have put on and ku- fi nish for the east African powerhouses. competition which features the long and fifth at the Games what we do so well,” the 21-year- metres short of the line. “When dos to Sydney.” Both women smiled and Korir, who succeeds injured two-time jump, javelin and the 800m. in 2008. old added. “Every time we step on the you have someone as strong a com- embraced after yesterday’s classic duel champion David Rudisha as gold med- Canada’s Damian Warner was in pole The Brazilian said she had track it’s always something fast.” petitor as Sydney, you can’t mess up in blazing sunshine at Tokyo’s Olympic allist in the event, timed 1:45.06, Rotich in the men’s decathlon, with fancied arrived in Japan desperate to Mohamed , the reigning world cham- and that’s where the pressure really lies Stadium. taking silver ahead of Poland’s Patryk French rival Kevin Mayer, the world win gold. pion, echoed McLaughlin’s remarks as – not having any room for error,” Mo- Emmanuel Korir ensured Kenya’s grip Dobek. record holder, in fi fth.

SC hosts fan parties for Qatar SPOTLIGHT and Mexico supporters during Concacaf chief praises Qatar’s Gold Cup debut Concacaf Gold Cup Agencies Las Vegas Doha: The Supreme Commit- Fan Leader Network – which Director, said: “The Gold Cup tee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) was recently launched by the SC provided a vital opportunity to hosted fan parties for Qatar and and Qatar Football Association – engage with fans at home and atar Football Association (QFA) Mexico supporters during the and had the opportunity to ask abroad as we edge ever nearer President HE Sheikh Hamad bin 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. questions about the FIFA World to hosting the FIFA World Cup. Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani met Organised by the SC’s Fan Cup Qatar 2022, which will kick For Mexican fans, it was a Concacaf chief Victor Montag- Engagement Division, the online off on 21 November next year. chance to learn more about our lianiQ during the fi nal of Gold Cup, which events included special guests The second party was held culture, hospitality and passion United States won on Sunday after a 1-0 win and a range of engagement op- ahead of Qatar’s semi-final for football – helped by Yezenia over Mexico at Allegiant Stadium in Las Ve- portunities, along with a chance match against the United States. Navarro, a Mexican social media gas, Nevada. to review teams’ performances It was hosted by Qatar Legacy influencer who lives in Qatar. The meeting discussed bilateral relations at the Gold Cup less than 18 Ambassador and beIN Sports For local fans, the party was an and ways to strengthen and further develop months before the FIFA World presenter Mohamed Saadon opportunity to celebrate Qatar’s them. They also discussed mutual interest Qatar Football Association (QFA) President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Cup. Both parties included fan al-Kuwari. Al-Kuwari discussed success in the tournament and matters and agreed to promote co-operation al-Thani (second right) poses with Secretary-General at Supreme Committee for Delivery predictions and quizzes, among Qatar’s successful run to the look forward to hosting the further to develop football ties between Qa- & Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi (right), Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani (third right, QFA other interactive activities. last four of the Gold Cup and World Cup on home soil in only tar and Concacaf member nations. Secretary-General Mansoor al-Ansari (second left) and QFA’s Executive Director of the The first party was held looked forward to the team’s 15 months’ time.” The meeting was also attended by Sec- Strategic and Institutional Planning Off ice Mushtaq al-Waili (third left). ahead of Mexico’s 3-0 victory participation in the first FIFA Samantha Sifah, the SC’s Fan retary-General at Supreme Committee over Honduras in the quarter- World Cup to be held in the Engagement Manager, said: for Delivery & Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi, fi ghters and played top-class football. Off in North America, Central America and the finals. Fans were introduced Middle East and Arab world in “The parties provided a chance QFA’s Executive Director of the Strategic the pitch, they’ve been a great ambassador Caribbean. The partnership sees the QFA to former Mexico striker Luis 2022. The party was attended for fans in Qatar and Mexico to and Institutional Planning Offi ce Mushtaq to their country, region, and the continent and the SC play a vital role in all levels of Hernández, the joint highest by fans in Qatar and across discuss their team’s journeys to al-Waili and QFA Secretary-General Man- of Asia. I thank them for that and for being football and sport across the Concacaf re- World Cup goal scorer for his the region, all supporting the 2022 as they excelled at the Gold soor al-Ansari, class and for their friendship,” said Montag- gion and help deliver long-term football for country, who discussed the Maroons’ journey throughout Cup. Overall, it was hugely excit- “This year, we’ve hosted the Asian Cham- liani. development programmes across the region. Mexicans’ tactics and prepara- the tournament. ing for fans and a forerunner for pions, Qatar, at the Gold Cup. They have In September 2020, QFA and the Supreme Firstly, the partnership includes Qatar’s tions for 2022. Additionally, fans Fatma al-Nuaimi, the SC’s the fantastic football fans expect made a tremendous contribution to the Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) participation as a guest nation in the re- learned more about the Qatar Communications Executive to see in Qatar next year.” tournament, not only on the pitch but also formed a new strategic partnership with gion’s top football competition, the Con- off the pitch. On the pitch, they’ve been Concacaf, the governing body for football cacaf Gold Cup, in 2021 and 2023.