TRULY TIMES 10 SPORTS JAMMU, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 Asian Wrestling Championship: Sarita Mor Akhil Rabindra: From go-karting in Bangalore in final; Seema Bisla, Pooja fight for bronze to only Asian at GT4 European Series The 24-year-old Rabindra recalls his journey from obsessing over cars as a kid, enjoying recreational go-karting to becoming the first Asian to be re-selected by the Aston Martin Racing Academy. Returning with the same well as discipline as any these days is advanced enthusiasm and team he other sportsman does. “This enough to ensure the safety raced for last year in the is something which many of the driver. “Accidents can French GT4 Championship, people get wrong. Racing is sometimes be brutal. But Reigning title holder Sarita Mor made an impressive Akhil Rabindra will be part- a very physically intensive technology in safety has comeback after a narrow opening-round defeat to storm into nering with 19-year-old sport, it is as physical as any gone up every year and in the 59kg final while Seema Bisla (50kg) and Pooja (76kg) French driver Hugo Conde at other sport. It’s the differ- today’s world, safety is at the will fight for bronze medals after losing their respective AGS Events Racing to com- ence between a commercial forefront and very crucial. semifinals at the Asian Championship on Thursday. pete in the GT4 European jet pilot and a fighter jet And today, if God forbid Sarita, who won gold in the 2020 conchampionship in Series. The tournament is set pilot. Basically, it is the G- someone did have a crash, New Delhi, lost her opening bout to Mongolia’s Shoovdor to begin at the Monza Circuit force that pushes into your the car will take most of the Baatarjav by 4-5 margin but came back strongly in the next in Italy from April 16-18. body and weight and that’s impact and is designed in a round against Kazakhstan’s Diana Kayumova, winning by The 24-year-old Indian when resistance comes into way that nothing comes on technical superiority in the first period. racer recalls his journey from play. You’re sitting in a the driver. But having said The lanky Kazkah had good reach but Sarita was agile obsessing over cars and cramped position under a lot that, drivers do get affected,” and aggressive. After earning a passivity point, Sarita speed as a kid, enjoying of external and internal heat said Rabindra, who himself unleashed a flurry of moves, starting with a take-down and recreational go-karting on and withstanding these got into an accident while followed that up with a gut-wrench and a couple of expose weekends to becoming the forces. In some ways, it is a driving a Formula car back in moves. first Asian to be re-selected diluted version of a fighter 2014, taking months to Against Kyrgyzstan’s Nuraida Anarkulova in the semi- by the Aston Martin Racing jet on the ground.” recover. final, Sarita was again aggressive from the beginning and Driver Academy. The intensity of training Aston Martin Racing finished the bout in a jiffy with quick expose moves after Obsession with cars and indianexpress.com ahead of then I went abroad, I realised cars are singular seaters, the sessions, however, is season- Academy for the third year getting hold of her opponent. speed Round 1 of the 2021 that one, talent abroad is very wheels are exposed and al for the Indian driver, who running She now has a chance to take revenge from Shoovdor, How does a boy from European GT4 competitive and hard and developed by a formula does not have the same India’s only GT4 racer who also reached the summit clash. Bangalore get himself into Championship. two, you have got to do a lot which means anything in the workout throughout the year. Akhil Rabindra has been In the 50kg competition, Seema had a terrible start as she the world of motor racing, Rabindra turned out to be of things right to make it to car cannot be beyond a cer- Pre-season is when the racers selected for the Aston Martin lost her opening bout by fall against Kazakshtan’s Valentina something still not very pop- good but being good is rela- the top. And that is going to tain specification. A GT car need to up their game to Racing aAademy for the Ivanovna but made a strong comeback in the next round ular in the country? For tive when it comes to recre- require a lot of financial is one you would see on the resume top-level of fitness. third year running. The 24- against Mongolian Anudari Nandintsetseg. Rabindra, it was taking a lik- ational go-karting. From resources, time and commit- road from the manufacture. “Mental fitness was not year old is also the only Trailing 0-2, Seema got on board with a passivity point ing to a hobby, pursuing it at there, he progressed to pro- ment. Somewhere along the “If you take Aston Martin really institutionalised or Asian in GT4 as of now and a take- down. She never looked back after that winning the national level and climb- fessional go-karting at the way, the click happened and Vantage, the car I race, it is popular when I started. But among 12 elite drivers from more point by employing gut-wrench and eventually won 7- ing the hierarchy of the sport. age of 14. He did junior rac- I got into financial racing.” available to buy from the in some ways, I just learned around the world. 3. Add to that, a sprinkle of ing and moved to the highest Explaining the hierarchy manufacture. The difference how to deal with it through Speaking on the support She faced a stiff challenge from Uzbekistan’s Jasmina luck and a push in the right national championships of the sport, Rabindra said is just the shell looks the the experience of being in he received from the acade- Immaeva in the semifinal which she lost 2-3. direction. before moving out of India. that transition is like the next same but everything on the different situations. But my, Rabindra said, “They She will now have to beat Taipei’s Yung Hsun Lin to win “I always liked cars and Akhil Rabindra aims to step. In the racing hierarchy, inside is different,” he said. nowadays, we would have a help in many different fronts bronze medal. speed. And when you are become a Formula driver. one goes for a faster car that “India not being a motor- mental coach the same way such as physical and mental In 76 kg, Pooja won her first bout 2-0 as the Korean very young, the only thing “Racing was never on my has more power. In go-kart- sport nation, there are only we have a physical trainer. training, technique of driving Seoyeon Jeong was too passive and followed that up with a legal you can do is rental go- mind but driving cars, look- ing, there are different class- that many championships They would prep you men- and a lot of on and off stuff. victory by fall against Uzbekistan’s Ozoda Zaripboeva. karting which were very few ing at cars and anything to do es — a micromax for kids, here and I have done most of tally for a season, during and They are not just focused on Mostly earning points through right-leg attacks, Pooja back in the day, I am talking with cars was. I always junior and senior. Once you them. Then it was time for off as well, how to be men- the driving part but it is a found a move — again a right-leg attack — in the beginning 10-12 years ago. There used thought I would own some- finish that, you look at GTs me to go out and compete.” tally sharp, stay motivated holistic approach to teaching. of the second period which led her to pinning her rival. to be a few places and it was thing nice and drive some- — GT4 and GT3. In the Physical and mental and keep calm during tough It is also the network as you She, though, was no match to Elmira Syzdykova in the expensive then, it is expen- thing nice. Even when I was Formula ladder, it’s F4, F3, endurance situations,” said Rabindra. get to interact with drivers semifinals as the sive now. It wasn’t every- go-karting, I could only think F2, and F1. Contrary to popular belief, Even though accidents are who would help you out in Kazak pinned her with a stunning move . one’s cup of tea but my par- of a few possibilities at that Explaining the difference motor-racing requires an not uncommon in the world different situations. They In the 68kg, Nisha was ousted after losing bothy her ents used to take me on the age. It was only when I got between Formula and GT, equal amount, if not more, of of motor-sports, Rabindra help tap into different forms bouts b y fall. weekends,” Rabindra told to a higher level in India and Rabindra said that Formula physical-mental fitness as said that the technology of support with ease.” Mirabai Chanu, Jeremy Lalrinnunga eye good No fans in stands: Rafael Nadal, India face an uphill task for against Latvia Novak Djokovic miss the energy show at Asian Weightlifting Championship in Billie Jean King Cup play-offs world was brought to a The Indian players have an grinding halt. onerous task at hand to com- She also flew to the US pete against higher-ranked last year to get treatment of Latvians, including 2017 her lower back pain from Dr. French Open champion Aaron Horschig, a physio Jelena Ostapenko, when they and strength and condition- strive to clear the World ing coach, which should ben- Group Play-offs hurdle at the efit her. Billie Jean King Cup, here Participating in this tour- from Friday. nament will also confirm By her own admission, Chanu’s Olympic spot as she Ankita Raina plays her best has competed in five of the tennis at this event, formerly Former world champion tion. In the last edition, the six mandatory qualifying Empty stands has been the told reporters. known as Fed Cup, and India Mirabai Chanu will look to gold medal went to Hou events. new normal for tennis since “The crowd helps you to would again expect her to put her best foot forward Zhihui of China 208kg Under the new rules, to last year due to COVID-19 keep going. You want to show punch above her weight after spending more than a (92kg+116kg) while North qualify for the Tokyo Games, restrictions but top men’s play- that you are in good shape. when she takes on Ostapenko Williams when Latvia played Sevastova said she knows year without competition Korea’s Ri Song-Gum a weightlifter must compete ers like Rafa Nadal and Novak “It’s true, personally I miss in the tie-opening match of against US in 2020 Fed Cup Ankita well but watched a when she spearheads the clinched the silver, lifting in at least one event in each Djokovic said they still find it the crowd. I can’t lie about that. the Play-offs where India are Qualifiers. few Youtube videos of Indian challenge at the Asian 200kg (86kg+114kg). of the three periods of six difficult to maintain their inten- I enjoy much more playing in competing for the first time. “We mostly play on hard Karman to get an idea about Weightlifting Championship China’s Zhang Rong had months (spread over sity during matches in the front of a good crowd than Though odds are against courts, so I am ready and her game. starting on Friday. finished with the same total November 2018 to April absence of fans. without.” them, what may go in favour excited for it. I give my best “I watched for fun,” she While the last event the of 199kg as Chanu, but took 2020), at least six events The professional circuit was World number one Djokovic of the Indians is that the tie when I represent my country, said jokingly. Indians had participated was home the bronze due to a overall and in at least one shut down for several months produced a high-level perform- will be played on indoor hard I am more than ready,” “I watched to know what the National Championships higher snatch result. gold and silver-level event. last year before tournament ance to beat Italian 19-year-old court as the Latvians surpris- Ankita said at a virtual press are her weapons or weak- in February 2020 before the After recovering from a Among the male lifters, all organisers set up ‘biosecure Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-2 at the ingly did not choose clay conference. ness. It’s one thing to watch a weightlifting schedule went back injury, which marred eyes will be on the 2018 bubbles’ for players and sup- ATP Masters 1000 event but he courts, more suited to their Karman, who is making a video and different in real haywire due to the COVID- her progress in 2018, Chanu Youth Olympic Games gold port staff while keeping fans too said he missed the energy players, and the absence of comeback after an injury lay- life. You know more when 19 pandemic, the Qatar has constantly improved her medallist teenager Jeremy away from stadiums. generated by spectators. crowd support for the hosts. off, said she is physically you are on court.” International Cup in performance. In the 2019 Lalrinnunga. The 18-year- Barring the swing in “We need crowds back on Ankita (ranked 174) and prepared for the big chal- She played on clay court December 2019 was their World Championship, the old is the highest-ranked Australia in February, tourna- the stands. The crowd gives us Karman Kaur Thandi (ranked lenge. recently but said switching to last international competi- Manipuri breached the Asian outside the top-eight ments continue to be played in so much energy. Also it adds to 621), who takes on host num- “Fast or slow, it does not hard court won’t be an issue. tion. The 26-year-old Chanu 200kg mark by lifting 201kg and is placed 22nd in the front of a handful of fans at the motivation in a sense to ber one player Anastasija matter, both Ankita and I pre- She admitted that the surface remains India’s brightest (87kg+114kg). 67kg category. He will be most. what we do, the sport that we Sevastova (ranked 47), both fer hard courts. It’s a good would suit the Indians more. medal prospect for the gold- However, Jiang Huihua of keen to increase his ratings Nadal lost some of his inten- are a part of,” said Djokovic. said they are ready for a good opportunity for us,” she said. Uppal felt the absence of level Olympic qualifying China (212kg), Zhihui points and seal an Olympic sity during Wednesday’s 6-1 6- The Serb conceded however fight. Asked why he chose crowd will work in India’s event which was postponed (211kg) and Gum (209kg) berth. The Mizo weightlifter 2 win over Argentine Delbonis that he had been able to focus a Ankita played against Karman over higher-ranked favour. last year due to the pandem- lifted more than the Indian. had gone on a record-break- at the Monte Carlo Masters and bit more without all the noise. Sevastova way back in 2015 Rutuja Bhosale (419), cap- “We have got to this stage ic. The ace weightlifter, who Chanu’s best performance ing spree in his last interna- the Spaniard was in no doubt “We have this calm and kind at home in Ahmedabad, los- tain Vishal Uppal said he has (Play-offs) for the first time. competes in the 49kg catego- came at the National tional tournament. He had the absence of fans took some- of serenity on the stands and on ing an ITF final to her. Their gone by his “gut feeling”. The good thing is, there ry, will be eager to improve Championships last year smashed his own Youth thing away from the game. the court,” he added. “It just journeys have been contrast- “All my five players have won’t be 5-7 thousand fans her personal best (203kg) where she lifted 88kg in World and Asian record in “It’s difficult to keep going allows you to maybe focus on ing since then with worked hard. I felt Karman screaming at us but at the and finish on the podium, snatch and 115 kg in clean snatch, clean and jerk and sometimes with the same inten- yourself a bit more, not have Sevastova getting into top-50 can give us some extra on same time it takes the fun having missed the bronze by and jerk for a total of 203 kg total lift with an effort of sity without the crowd,” the 20- maybe as many distractions with a crushing backhand. day one. I have gone with my away. Ranking go out of win- a whisker in the 2019 edi- right before the sporting 306kg (140kg+166kg). times Grand Slam champion around that can happen.” She even beat Serena gut,” he said. dow in Bille Jean King Cup.” Azarenka skips Stuttgart Distance makes sense : Caster Semenya FC Goa hold Laurent event to get Covid-119 vaccine Blancís Al-RRayyan in AFC Champions League debut pins Tokyo hopes on 5,000 metres FC Goa, the first team the opposition attacks in the Caster Semenya won the case at the human rights from India to compete in first half and managed to 5,000-meter race at the court but it’s highly unlike- the group stage of the AFC match Al-Rayyan in terms South African national ly it would be heard before Champions League, of possession. championships on Thursday the Tokyo Games open on punched above their weight FC Goa’s disciplined in a personal-best time and July 23. to hold Qatar’s Al-Rayyan, defending frustrated the then said she’s likely to Semenya’s story has been one coached by renowned opponent and coach Juan focus on long-distance of sport’s most contentious French World Cup winner Ferrando would be a satis- events for the rest of her since she arrived as an Laurent Blanc, to a goalless fied man. career. unknown teenager and won draw in Margao. It has been a good debut That could be her best hope of the 2009 world title in the FC Goa produced a com- outing for Ferrando’s side running at this year’s Tokyo 800 in a blisteringly fast mendable performance to in the premier competition Olympics after being barred time. It was then announced keep the side coached by as it managed to keep a from defending her 800- she had undergone sex veri- the former Paris Saint- clean sheet and maintain meter title. Semenya’s participation in the rules. She has refused to fication tests during those Germain manager at bay for possession against a fancied The two-time Olympic cham- event at the nationals was bow to those rules and take championships and her the full duration of the opponent. pion won the 5,000 in 15 confirmed the day before medication to lower her nat- career has been submerged match. Having won the ISL minutes, 52.28 seconds at the meet started and is a ural testosterone levels, in a complex argument over Rising to the occasion League Winners’ Shield in Tuks Athletics Stadium at departure from her previous calling the regulations sex and gender since. were the likes of Ishan the 2019/20 season, FC the University of Pretoria. plans after announcing last unfair and discriminatory. Semenya was assigned female Pandita and young goal- Goa qualified for the 2021 That was outside the year that she would attempt She can now only run in the at birth and has identified as keeper Dheeraj Singh AFC Champions League Olympic qualifying stan- to qualify for the Tokyo 100 and 200 meters, or in female her whole life. But Moirangthem, who, among group stages. dard of 15:10.00 but Games in the 200 meters. long-distance races. All of World Athletics argued in others, made a brilliant save Besides Al-Rayyan, the Semenya has until the end “We had to look into‚ can we those events are unfamiliar court that she is “biological- in the 87th minute and a Gaurs will also have to con- of June to qualify for do 200 for the next five to her. ly male” with the typical crucial tackle before that to tend with other well-known Two-time Australian Open While both the ATP and Tokyo. years? It was not really in Semenya also hasn’t given up male XY chromosome pat- deny the fancied visitors. Asian clubs in Persepolis champion Victoria Azarenka WTA Tours have encouraged Although the nationals are our favor,” the 30-year-old on getting the rules over- tern, and her testosterone As expected, Al Rayyan FC (Iran) and Al Wahda said she has pulled out of athletes to accept vaccine South Africa’s main trials Semenya said Thursday. turned in court. She said in level is higher than the typ- looked the dominant team (UAE) in the competition. next week's WTA 500 event shots when available some of for the Olympics, athletes “I’m getting old‚ I’m scared February she was challeng- ical female range. That from the beginning, creat- Goa’s last competitive in Stuttgart as it coincides the top players expressed a only need to register a qual- to tear my muscles. We had ing the testosterone policy gives her an unfair advan- ing the best chances of the match was more than a with her scheduled COVID- reluctance to get vaccinated ifying time once at any rec- to sit down and make sure at the European Court of tage over other female run- match with Yacine Brahimi month ago against Mumbai 19 vaccination. at the recent Miami Open. ognized meet before the that the decision that we Human Rights in her third ners, the track and field leading the attack at the City in the second leg of the "I will unfortunately not be Under updated COVID-19 June 29 cutoff. make makes sense. legal appeal against them. body says. World Athletics Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. ISL play-offs. able to compete in Stuttgart protocols on the men's tour, It’s still a long shot for the Distance makes sense.” Semenya has previously said it would allow However, finishing let Al-Rayyan’s last match ... next week as I will be players who have been vacci- 800-meter specialist, but Semenya is barred from run- lost court cases against Semenya to run in female the visitors down on the was on April 9 in the Stars receiving my first dosis (sic) nated are no longer consid- Semenya’s time on ning in events from 400 World Athletics at the Court competitions if she reduces day. League and they came into of the vaccine at the same ered as close contacts of any- Thursday was more than 22 meters to one mile at top of Arbitration for Sport and her testosterone level The Indian Super League the Champions League with time," the Belarusian world one testing positive for the seconds faster than her last track meets under World at the Swiss supreme court. through medical interven- team deserves credit for the a lot of competitive action No. 15 said on Twitter. novel coronavirus. outing in the 5,000. Athletics’ testosterone No date has been set for her tion. manner in which it thwarted under their belt.