MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2017 SPORTS

Chawrasia retains Taylor kicks Pau ’s ‘Kazu’ first player Indian Open crown to Castres win over 50 to score in J-League PARIS: Former All Black Tom Taylor kicked Pau to an : NEW DELHI: Japan’s oldest professional footballer Kazuyoshi Miura tallied anoth- Local favourite SSP Chawrasia made history after retaining his title important Top 14 victory over Castres yesterday, keeping er record yesterday, with a match-winning goal making him the first player at the Hero Indian Open with a remarkable seven-stroke win in New Delhi yester- the team in the hunt for a play-off place with an 18-12 over 50 to score in the J-League. Nicknamed “King Kazu” for his spirited grit day. Chawrasia, 38, became the first Indian to successfully defend a European win. The victory lifts Pau at least temporarily into fifth in and style, Miura sent a left-footer flying into the goal in the 40th minute, Tour title and the first player to win their first four events in their home country. the table ahead of Montpellier as the race to a top-six fin- securing Yokohama FC’s 1-0 victory against Thespakusatsu The five-time Asian Tour winner started the day with a joint lead at ish and the play-offs hots up. Montpellier clash with sec- Gunma. “I am always looking for opportunities to score goals. the DLF Golf and Country Club and ended at four-under when ond-placed Clermont later in other Top 14 game. Pau I was feeling particularly good today, and had a hunch that I the third round of the weather-hit tournament was complet- started the day in sixth place and badly needed a win with might score,” Miura said in a statement released to local ed Sunday morning. He did not look back in round four, tough fixtures up ahead including a visit to Clermont next media. The former international celebrated his 50th birthday carding a one-under 71 to finish with a 10-under 278 for weekend followed by a clash with top-of-the table La in February and has since sprinted into footballing history, the tournament and push Gavin Green of Malaysia into Rochelle with a visit to Toulon also on the agenda. Taylor, with several professional appearances, eclipsing the record of second place with 285. Chawrasia had finished runner- 28, capped three times for the All Blacks in 2013, kicked former England great who was 50 when he up four times at the tournament before finally triumphing the home side 12-6 up at half time and added two more turned out for Stoke City against Fulham in 1965. Though last season. “I’m winning back-to-back so I’m really very kicks after the break for a try-less win in a tight game the pin-up looks have been replaced by a few tell-tale happy,” said Chawrasia. “This is a very tough course so I was which looked as if it could have gone either way until the wrinkles and greying hair, Miura has signalled his just trying to play straight and in the right places. I played dying minutes. However, Castres failed to capitalise on intent to play until he’s 60. Miura shot to fame in the very consistently this week.” Chawrasia had to return to com- their few scoring chances and squandered their kicks, with early 1990s as Asia’s best known footballer, helping plete seven holes of his third round on Sunday morning after Julian Dumora firing wide in the 73rd minute in their last to put the Japanese game on the map after the pro- a storm hit play on the first two days. —AFP chance to close the gap. — AFP fessional J-League was launched in 1993. —AFP

SHOOTING

Late Sheikh Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah shooting tournament

By Abdellatif Sharaa Federations Eng. Duaij Al-Otaibi, Secretary traits represent the man who loves his coun- and Zaid Al-Mutairi third. In the Skeet women: Eman Al-Shamma General of KSF, ASF Obaid Al-Osaim, and try and was an example of forgiveness and In the trap men: Khalid Al-Mudhaf was took first place, Afrah Adel in second while KUWAIT: The tournament of the late Sheikh Kuwait Shooting Sport Club board members. humbleness. Al-Ghurab thanked the family of first, Talal Al-Rashidi second and Saad Al- Sheikha Al-Rashidi third. Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, held at KSSC Assistant Secretary Eng. Mohammad the late Sheikh for supporting shooting and Hubaida third. In the Juniors Skeet: Hamad Al-Ablani Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Al-Ghurba said the tournament enjoyed large shooters. In the double trap: Ahmad Al-Afasi first, first, Hamad Al-Khalidi second and Ahmad Al- Complex concluded Saturday in the presence participation by club, and National Guard Saad Lafi second and Meshal Al-Thafiri third. Azmi third. of representative of tournament patron shooters who competed hard in a friendly Results of the tournament were as follows: In the trap women: Sarah Al-Hawal was In the juniors trap: Bader Al-Adwani, won Sheikh Abdallah Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, atmosphere and results were promising. In the Skeen men: Salah Al-Mutairi won first, Shahad Al-Hawal second and Fatima first place, Faris Al-Mutairi second and Rashid President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting He said Sheikh Abdallah Al-Mubarak’s first place, followed by Saud Habib in second Fawzi third. Al-Rashidi third.

MOTOR RACING NBK, Mastercard offer cardholders opportunity Will Power wins pole again at to attend ‘UEFA Champions League Final Cardiff 2017’ St Pete for IndyCar opener KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) tion to roundtrip transportation to and has launched its annual campaign to from the stadium, are all offered by ST PETERSBURG: Will Power won the pole 16th. Although a Chevy won the pole, reward NBK Mastercard Credit Cardholders Mastercard. for IndyCar’s season-opening race at St Honda qualified nine drivers in the top 12. by offering them four chances to win two NBK Assistant General Manager - Petersburg, proving he still is the best driv- The manufacturer has been overshadowed tickets to the semi-final and final matches Consumer Banking Group, Hanadi Khazal, er at navigating the temporary street cir- by Chevy since Chevy returned to IndyCar of ‘UEFA Champions League Final Cardiff said that NBK is always keen on rewarding cuit. It was a record seventh pole in eight in 2012. One Honda driver who had 2017’ held in Whales. As the official sponsor its customers by presenting them with the years at St. Pete for Power, who also won expected better qualifying results but of the UEFA Champions League, best exclusive and innovative services and the pole for this race last year. He’s a two- failed to get it was Marco Andretti, who Mastercard will be sponsoring the tickets products, and through its collaborations time winner at St. Pete and will try for win qualified 15th. Andretti is trying to be loos- provided to winners. with the most prominent and leading com- No. 3 in Sunday’s opener. er in the car and stop overthinking the The campaign, which runs through April panies worldwide. NBK is the only bank in Power ran the course Saturday in his decade of struggles he’s had searching for 30, 2017, provides NBK Mastercard Credit Kuwait to run such a campaign for its card- Team Penske Chevrolet with a lap of 1 success. Cardholders with the chance to be a part of holders. dded that this campaign is minute, 1.0640 seconds (106.118 mph). “It “This is hard to swallow, Andretti said. the most popular sporting event in the extremely popular in Kuwait and there is takes obviously a very good team,” the “This one hurts. We’re faster than this - last world, with two winners getting the oppor- an ever-growing interest to follow its Australian said. “Very happy to be on pole. year we went to the back of the field and tunity to attend the Semi-finals, and two uniquely enthusiastic games. “Thanks to Hanadi Khazal Can’t believe it’s now seven times.” had the pace to come back through, so winners attending the Final to be held on our exclusive collaboration with side of Kuwait or when they make a pur- Power did not race in last year’s opener. we’re going to have to do that.” The third June 3, 2017. The fully-paid trips, which Mastercard, football fans will have an chase online. Cardholders can boost their He became ill after his qualifying lap and turn of the circuit was reconfigured include a roundtrip airline ticket, hotel exclusive chance to attend the most chances of winning by increasing the IndyCar ultimately benched him for the Thursday evening, the day before Indy cars accommodation and game tickets, in addi- sought-after final games of the UEFA usage of their credit card during the length race because of concussion-like symptoms. hit the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street Champions League, directly on the stadi- of the campaign. It turned out Power had an ear infec- circuit. What once was a fast, sweeping um’s grass field.” NBK firmly establishes its leadership in tion, and not racing in the opener likely right-hand turn now has curbing that Pankaj Kathuria, Area Business Head, cost him a chance to win the champi- changed the apex and made the corner a the credit card domain in Kuwait through Northern Gulf, Mastercard, said: its continuous dedication to providing onship. Power finished second in the traditional braking area. Also, 180 feet of “Mastercard has a rich history of support- IndyCar standings last year to Team Penske wall on the drivers’ left side was moved more preferential services and benefits to ing globally renowned football events, and teammate Simon Pagenaud. Scott Dixon back almost 40 feet. “I would say turn three NBK Credit Cardholders, and its constant we have always endeavored to bring card- qualified second Saturday in the new is going to be the biggest difference on keenness for innovation and presenting Honda that Chip Ganassi Racing is fielding passing,” Graham Rahal said. “Turn three is holders unique experiences that take them rewarding offers that meet the expecta- this year, followed by James Hinchcliffe. obviously so much tighter now with a to the heart of their favorite games. We are tions and aspirations of its clients. NBK New Penske driver Josef Newgarden quali- brake zone there and stuff. It will be inter- excited to offer our cardholders rewarding credit cards have a worldwide global fied fourth while Takuma Sato, now driving esting to see.” incentives that give them the opportunity acceptance, as they are considered the for Andretti Autosport, and Tony Kanaan The track has retained its character, to embark on exceptional and priceless most convenient method of payment, round out the final six for Sunday. It wasn’t although it was repaved last month, with experiences.” while providing numerous distinctive ben- all smooth sailing for the Penske group, new asphalt on about 70 percent of the NBK Mastercard credit cardholders will efits, discounts, and rewards. despite two drivers in the top four. circuit. “It’s definitely different,” Kanaan be entitled to one entry into the draw for For more information, visit our website Reigning series champion Simon said. “I was expecting there to be a little every KD1 spent using their credit cards at nbk.com or NBK social media pages on Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves failed to more grip and for it to be smoother. In oth- locally, and three chances when they use Instagram @NBKPage and on Twitter advance to the second round of qualifying. er words, I was expecting us to lose a little their cards abroad during their travels out- @NBKPage. Pagenaud will start 14th, Castroneves of the beauty of this track.”— AP