Connect with us

SportsNews

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat disqualified before gold medal bout after coming in 100 grams overweight

Published

on

gettyimages-2165569388-612x612.jpg © Getty Images
Spread the love

India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics on the morning of her gold medal fight after coming in overweight, officials say.

Phogat was slated to lock horns with Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States later on Wednesday after beating Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán in the 50kg semi-final.

Sources told The Indian Express Phogat was approximately 2kg overweight on Tuesday night, after which the wrestler made a desperate bid to make weight by jogging, skipping and cycling through the night. At a weigh-in in the morning she was still 100 grams over, the outlet reported.

The Indian Olympic Association confirmed the news of her disqualification at around 8.30am Paris time.

In a statement, it said: “It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50kg class.

“Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.

“No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand.”

More follows…

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

SportsNews

Champions League: Nigerian singer, Joeboy loses N3million bet as Arsenal thrash Real Madrid

Published

on

Spread the love

Nigerian singer, Joeboy, lost a N3million bet after Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

Seven hours before kick-off, Joeboy posted a betting slip with the caption, “Cashing out on Arsenal tears tonight!”

The Controller crooner could have won N10,345,000 if Madrid has won at the Emirates.

But Declan Rice curled in two beautiful free-kicks to give the Gunners the lead, before Mikel Merino added a third.

The result left Joeboy short of words, as he could only tweet “Goodnight” at full time.

Arsenal will be looking to book their place in the semi-final when they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg next Wednesday.

Before that game, Mikel Arteta’s men host Brentford in the Premier League.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

Champions League quarter-final: Arsenal thrash Real Madrid as Inter beat Bayern

Published

on

Spread the love

Arsenal on Tuesday night thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg tie.

The first half ended in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

However, in the second half, Declan Rice’s brace and a goal from Mikel Merino gave Mikel Arteta’s side a first leg advantage ahead of the return leg next week.

Meanwhile, in the other Champions League last-8 first leg tie played, Inter Milan defeated Bayern Munich 2-1.

Lautaro Martinez gave the visitors the lead in the first half.

But Thomas Muller equalized for the hosts.

However, Davide Frattesi scored few minutes later to give the Serie A side a first leg advantage ahead of the return leg next week.

Meanwhile, the remaining quarter-final fixtures will continue on Wednesday.

Aston Villa will face Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will clash with Dortmund.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

Nigeria seeks to host 2030 Commonwealth Games

Published

on

Spread the love

Nigeria has formally expressed interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Abuja.

The Nigerian Olympic Committee, NOC, made the announcement following an executive committee meeting held on 3 April in Abuja.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the bid can only move forward if it secures the official backing of the Federal Government.

 

In a statement issued on Monday by NOC’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya, the committee stressed that hosting the Commonwealth Games would offer a strategic platform for Nigeria to exhibit its strides in national development, improve its international profile, and deepen the culture of sports across the nation.

Nezianya described the bid as a unique opportunity to reflect Nigeria’s growth, elevate its standing among the community of nations, and inspire a new generation of athletes.

Nigeria last hosted a major multi-sport event in 2003, when the 8th All-Africa Games (COJA 2003) took place in Abuja. NOC noted that the success of that event demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to organise large-scale international competitions and laid a strong foundation for future hosting ambitions.

A successful bid for the 2030 Games is expected to catalyse major investment in sports infrastructure, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.

NOC further stated that such infrastructural development would not only revitalise the nation’s sports economy but also provide lasting facilities for future generations.

Beyond infrastructure, the hosting of the Commonwealth Games would offer substantial economic and social benefits. The anticipated influx of international visitors would invigorate local businesses and the hospitality industry.

Meanwhile, the planning and execution of the event would generate employment and foster the acquisition of valuable technical and organisational skills.

According to the committee, the bid also seeks to present Nigeria as a nation that values athletic excellence, inclusiveness, peace, and cultural richness.

The next edition of the Commonwealth Games is set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 17 to 29 March 2026. Glasgow previously hosted the Games in 2014, the same year Nigeria submitted a bid but ultimately lost to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Africa is also poised to make history by hosting the Youth Olympic Games for the first time, with Dakar, Senegal, scheduled to welcome young athletes from 31 October to 13 November 2026.

Other significant forthcoming events include the Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina in February 2027, the African Beach Games in Equatorial Guinea later that year, the 14th African Games in Egypt from January to February 2027, and the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in July 2028.

Continue Reading

Trending