TABLE TENNIS
Manika Batra loses in first round at WTT Champions Yokohama
Manika Batra suffered a first-round defeat at the WTT Champions event in Yokohama, Japan, on Friday.
World No. 52 Manika, the only Indian participant, went down 0-3 (16-18, 8-11, 10-12) to World No. 34 Yangzi Liu of Australia in half an hour.
-Team Sportstar
BOXING
The 4th edition of the Sub-Junior Boys and Girls National Boxing Championships kicked off with an action-packed session at Galgotias University, Greater Noida, on Thursday.
Over 80 bouts were contested on Day 1 as India’s youngest boxing talents stepped into the ring with Haryana (Girls) and Services Sports Control Board (Boys) entering as the defending champions.
In the girls’ section, boxers like Hitaish Nahar (HP), Garima (HAR), and Naomi Kom (Manipur) impressed with dominant wins. Clean sweeps by Maanyata Chettri (SIK) and Lavanya Patil (Goa) caught the eye, while walkovers helped Vaidehi Chaudhari (GUJ) and Ekampreet Kaur (SSCB) advance.
Among the boys, strong performances came from the likes of Aryan Shekhawat (RAJ), Rehan Ansari (BIH), and Anmol Sharma (HP), who won their bouts with control and confidence.
The championship continues till August 13.
-Team Sportstar
E-SPORTS
S8UL’s Jonny storms into the EAFC playoffs at Esports World Cup 2025
After a thrilling run in Group E, Jonas Wirth (Jonny), representing S8UL Esports, qualified for the playoffs of the FC Pro 25 World Championship at the ongoing Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The tournament features 32 of the world’s best competing for $1.5 million (INR 12.5 crore) prize pool. All playoff matches will be played in a single-elimination format, with Jonny set to take the stage for his round of 16 match on Friday.
“It feels amazing to qualify for the playoffs,” said Jonas Wirth aka Jonny.
“Every match challenged me, but I stayed calm and played my game. I’m proud to represent S8UL and excited to give it my best in the Round of 16,” he added.
Jonny earned his place at EWC 2025 by finishing in the top four of the Virtual Bundesliga 2024–25, where he won three of his four group stage matches before narrowly missing out in the semifinals.
-Team Sportstar