Category Archives: Sports

City skater Riya Saboo for South Korea

Education, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Riya Saboo, who is selected for Asian roller skating championship, to be held in South Korea in September. | Photo Credit: HAND OUT
Riya Saboo, who is selected for Asian roller skating championship, to be held in South Korea in September. | Photo Credit: HAND OUT

She will take part in Asian roller skating championship

City skater Riya Saboo is all set to take part in the Asian roller skating championship to be held in South Korea from September 4 to 14, according V P. Siddhartha Public School principal L.S. Ram Babu here on Tuesday.

The talented teenager, a Class X student of the school, is presently attending a training camp at Ahmedabad after completing her selection trials in the first week of May. “Riya will be taking part in frees style and pair skating along with Jaswanth Bathina,” he added.

Mr. Ram Babu said 15-year-old Riya, who started her tryst with skating in the age of seven, has so far participated in two world championships in Italy and China along with an Asian event in China. “She has so far clinched 14 national medals, including eight gold, and over 25 State medals that included 14 gold,” he said.

Synthetic rink

Roller Skating Andhra Pradesh secretary Durga Prasad said skaters from other Asian countries were in an advantageous position as they mastered skating on synthetic rink from the Day One. “For young Riya it will be a challenging task,” he said.

Hes said Vijayawada was yet to get a rink of international standards forcing talented skaters to look for advanced training in other places.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – May 23rd, 2018

Child archer Aarush creates national record

Records, All, Sports
Four-year-old Malapati Maruthi Aarush Reddy, who created a national record to enter the India Book of Records in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
Four-year-old Malapati Maruthi Aarush Reddy, who created a national record to enter the India Book of Records in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

A champion in the making, says Volga academy chairman

Archery in Vijayawada received a boost as the four-year-old kid Malapati Maruthi Aarush Reddy creating a national record in the individual archery segment by shooting more number of arrows in the least time from 15 metres distance on 122-cm target face.

The attempt, held at Volga Archery Academy in the presence of Indian Book of Records and Asia Books of Records adjudicator Biswadeep Roy, was witnessed by a good number of archers, parents and media personnel as young Aarush armed with Indian bow and wooden arrows, completed his mission with élan.

He slammed 118 arrows in 14.40 seconds from 15-meter distance on 122-cm target face thus creating a new record. “Aarush successfully completed 100 arrows and later slammed 18 more within the specified time to create a record,” said Mr Roy, who presented the citation on behalf of India Book of records.

“Both the parents and grandparents of Aarush, all four practising physicians, deserve a huge pat on their backs, for their untiring commitment to helping the kid reach his first major milestone in archery. He is practising in the academy for the past eight months. When I saw the inborn talent in him I decided to train him this feat just to help him grow as a professional archer confidently,” said Volga Archery Academy chairman Cherukuri Satyanarayana.

Aarush’s parents and grandparents are well established in Narasaraopet but for the sake of the kid’s s tryst with archery, they rented out an apartment in Kanuru for the convenience of training.

Mr. Roy hailed Volga Archery Academy for its contributions and pointed out that the academy was fast emerging as a base for kid archers to hog the limelight at the national level by taking a shot at the records.

”A few years ago, Dolly Shivani created national records and later shot into world fame as documentaries were as made for international film festivals I wish to see more kids coming forward to take a shot at the national records”.

He said Aarush come out with flying colours in the qualifying rounds as he fulfilled the criteria of shooting 70 arrows from the distance of 15-metres on 122-cm target face.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – May 21st, 2018

Prakasam girls go beyond boundaries in cricket

Sports
Eye on the ball: Scorching summer heat is no deterrent for these girls determined to prove their mettle at the PDCC-CSR Sarma College Grounds in Ongole. | Photo Credit: KommuriSrinivas
Eye on the ball: Scorching summer heat is no deterrent for these girls determined to prove their mettle at the PDCC-CSR Sarma College Grounds in Ongole. | Photo Credit: KommuriSrinivas

Small beginnings go with big dreams as they train rigorously for the Central Zone team

Some years ago, S. Chandrakala, 16, and her friends often faced the wrath of their parents and neighbours for damaging windowpanes of houses in Agraharam, a nondescript village near Veligandla in the Prakasam district. Now, she is a proud member of the Central Zone team attending a summer camp here, ahead of the cricketing season that starts in June.

Four other girls have come here from western parts of the district — K. Rajeswari from Naidupalle village near Markapur, Sk. Zaina Bhanu from Giddalur, M. Lakshmi Sirisha from Prakalpadu and D.Neelima from Addanki.

They, too, hope to play for India one day.

The girls’ parents, all farmers, see a great future for their wards in the most popular sport in the nation.

What began as a casual game on the streets now encompasses rigorous training, both at the nets and at the open wickets, under the watchful eyes of coach D. Chandrika, a national player. Unmindful of the scorching sun, the girls work on their game at the sprawling CSR Sarma College Grounds, venue for a Ranji Trophy match in 2015.

Inspired by Mithali

Inspiration for these girls to achieve something big came from none other than the Indian captain Mithali Raj and her team-mates, who did the country proud by entering the final in the World Cup last year.

Selected by the Prakasam District Cricket Association president Namineni Kiran Kumar, the girls’ skills are being honed under the overall supervision of PDCC secretary Ch. Pratap Kumar. ‘

‘Lot of potential’

“The girls have a lot of dedication and the potential to become good players at a higher level with proper training,” says Dr. Kiran Kumar, who has made arrangements for their free boarding and lodging at the stadium, which was developed over the years to host first class cricket matches.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by S. Murali / Ongole – May 12th, 2018

Veteran paddlers from city for Las Vegas tourney

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

MohdIqbalMPOs15may2018

Jayaram, Mohammad Iqbal previously bagged medals in Thailand

City’s veteran paddlers – K. Jayaram and Iqbal Mohammad – are all set to take part in the world veterans’ table tennis championship be held at Las Vegas (USA) from June 18 to June 24.

They are among the nine players from the State vying for the honours in different age groups.

The annual event will be held for players above 50 years in both men and women categories.

Jayaram, a former State men’s ls champion for several years, had already represented India in Germany, Sweden, New Zealand editions and won the first international medal by bagging a bronze team medal in the Asian veteran championship in Thailand in 2011.

He also won two bronze medals in the veteran nationals and was all India civil services champion for six consecutive times.

Jayaram, who is working as Section Officer at Railway Audit, was selected for India based on his performance in the Pune Nationals.

“I am playing for the past 37 years without a break and has so far played more than 180 tournament finals. I am the current 50-plus AP State champion,” he said.

Fifty five-year -old Mohammad Iqbal, a State government employee who was given a wild card, will be accompanying Jayaram. Mr. Iqbal had represented India in Brazil, Sweden and New Zealand editions as well. He was also a member of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the Asian Veteran championship in Thailand in 2011. Both the players are fine-tuning their skills at Vijayawada Club.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – May 12th, 2018

The hotstepper

Amazing Feats, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 10-05-2018: Commander (Retd) Vallabhajosyula Sriramulu ,a walker who won gold medals in the XXII World Masters Athletics Championships under the age group 90-95 years with his wife Satyavathi in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 10-05-2018: Commander (Retd) Vallabhajosyula Sriramulu ,a walker who won gold medals in the XXII World Masters Athletics Championships under the age group 90-95 years with his wife Satyavathi in Visakhapatnam

Meet Commander Sriramulu Vallabhajosyula (retd.), who at 94, is preparing for the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships to be held in Spain

If you see an aged man brisk walking before dawn at the Beach Road, try not to ask him ‘Why are you angry so early in the morning?’ It’s most likely Sriramulu Vallabhajosyula, a 94-year-old currently preparing for the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC) in Malaga, Spain in September.

As a young officer in the Indian Navy, every day after work, Vallabhajosyula would go sailing. But after retirement, he found it difficult to continue sailing since there weren’t any sailing clubs in Visakhapatnam back then. Far from confining himself at home, he took to brisk-walking instead. Since then, he has won several national and international competitions.

The nonagenarian is in splits as he shares incidents from morning walks. As if being perceived as angry wasn’t enough, Sriramulu deals with questioning looks, when he tells people how old he is. “Why would I lie about my age? Nowadays, when someone asks me how old I am, I simply smile and continue walking,” he says, laughing again.

Vallabhajosyula knows these question are well spirited but it breaks the rhythm of the training. Hence, he starts as early as 3.45 am, so that he can beat the heat, the traffic and the questions, all at once. But not all situations allow him to dodge the questions. Some early mornings, a senior citizen walks up to him and asks, ‘What do you eat?’ to which he responds sincerely. Raising his eyebrows, Vallabhajosyula sighs and adds, “Over the years, my diet has reduced.’’ He wonders if his dinky diet would be reasonable for others. He continues, “More than what one eats, one must pay attention to what they do after eating.” Vallabhajosyula sees walking not only as a hobby but also a great way to stay fit and uses weights only to strengthen his muscles, as he feels building the upper body will increase the weight on knees.

During his training, he doesn’t like to wear a watch or carry a phone. This is a cause of concern for Satyavati, his wife, because he fell down few times while walking. “One time he fell and got a severe bruise on his nose. But he managed to come back home. Of course, I get worried. But once he puts his mind to something, it’s hard to talk him out of it. He gives his 100%”, says 86-year-old , expressing her daily joy when she sees Vallabhajosyula return after the walk.

It’s been over 40 years since Vallabhajosyula settled down in Visakhapatnam. He took this decision keeping in mind the city’s strong association with the Indian Navy and the proximity to Machilipatnam, his hometown. Apart from race walking, Vallabhajosyula is immersed in non-fiction and books on astronomy.

His passion for astronomy made him a Navigation Officer in the Indian Navy. He has also stayed in Mumbai, Kochi and Visakhapatnam. But passionately recommends this city for it’s easy-going lifestyle, and credits the friendly people of Visakhapatnam. who know how to communicate effectively. Apart from the Beach Road, he recommends walkers of Visakhapatnam to walk up Kailasagiri Giri and enjoy the satisfying sea breeze after a challenging climb.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style / by Archit Mehta / May 11th, 2018

Vizag’s East Point Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Sports
Women playing golf at the 134-year-old East Point Golf Club, which will be upgraded to Category A to host international tournaments | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK
Women playing golf at the 134-year-old East Point Golf Club, which will be upgraded to Category A to host international tournaments | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK

The 134-year-old golf club may soon be hosting international and national level golf tournaments

If you are an ardent golfer, you’ll probably find the idea of vacationing and golfing at the same time, extremely enticing. With a perfect blend of salubrious climate, invigorating natural beauty and a top-notch golf course that is on the way of a makeover, Vizag has a symphony that not many places can offer for a golf holiday. This uniqueness of the place is now being tapped to put Vizag in the top of the international golfing map.

Nestled amid lush hills with a green carpet of grass all around, the 134-year-old East Point Golf Club (EPGC) may soon be hosting international and national level golf tournaments. Plans are afoot to turn the 100-acre 18-hole golf course at Mudasarlova to category-A course. “An additional land of 12.72 acres adjoining the existing land was given to EPGC by the government recently. We are planning to redesign the golf course to category-A from its present category-B status,” says T S Varma, secretary of East Point Golf Club says.

With an aim to put Visakhapatnam on the global golf tourism map, EPGC is also in talks with AP Tourism to host a tournament for golfers from Singapore. “We have reached out to the AP Tourism Department to showcase Vizag as a golf tourism destination. There are plans to host a golf tournament for a group of 50-100 golfers from Singapore and showcase the best of AP Tourism to international travellers,” says Varma.

History

The club was started around 1884 primarily for the relaxation of the British, a purely white man’s domain. Originally, the golf course was located in the area where the VUDA Park and The Park stand today. It moved to its present location at Mudasarlova in 1964, thanks to the efforts of Raja PV Gajapathi Raju of Vizianagaram and other avid golfers then.

Over the years, with some efforts, golfing in the city received an accelerated push; as a result, today the club has 1,100 members out of which 300 are active golfers. “In today’s high work pressure life, the game is a great de-stresser and soothes your frazzled nerves,” say the golfers. On April 1, EPGC hosted its annual award ceremony ‘Captain’s Nite’. “This is one event in the calendar of the club that every golfer in the city looks forward to. Apart from a golf tournament on March 31 and April 1, the winners of the 12 tournaments held over the year were honoured and awarded on that day in front of the entire golfing fraternity,” Varma says. ‘Captain’s Nite’ saw a host of glittering events like performances by popular drummers groups and a dance group apart from other cultural events.

The game is rapidly shedding its ‘elitist’ tag and India is seen as an affordable golfing destination. “We do have a lot of potential for golf tourism in the country, though a lot needs to be done. At our East Point Golf Club, for instance, facilities like rooms for golfers to stay and convention centre are needed. But we are facing challenges with funding at present,” Varma says.

Way of life

Over the years, golfing has become a way of life for many in the city and also moved from being a man’s domain to include a vibrant team of women golfers. “I learnt the rules of golf even before I started playing as I would accompany my husband to the golf course and watch them play,” says Hajra Saleh. She was one of the first women to join EPGC back in 2003. “Those were the days when we didn’t have a practice range and the golf course was a huge patch of brown, unlike the rolling greens that exist now,” she recollects. Today, she has not only mastered the game, but also won several tournaments. Others like Sajeeda Kalagara feel that the game is therapeutic. “Just by simply looking at the golf course you feel so relaxed! You can socialise on golf courses and now we have a Whatsapp group of women golfers who meet regularly and play,” she adds.

There are many youngsters of the EPGC family who today are playing at the South Zone level. For instance, Sriya along with Prisha and Prabhav are selected to participate at the South Zone tournament of Indian Golf Union to be held shortly in Coimbatore. According to golf pundits, the game instils self-discipline, upright manners and an important set of values within children and hence is being seen as an effective way to boost emotional intelligence. “Golfing is addictive for everyone! Once you experience a day in the green grass surrounding the hills around the East Point Golf Club, it’s a feeling that is sure to linger longer than expected!” exclaims Hajra.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Society> History & Culture / by Nivedita Ganguly / April 06th, 2018

Srikanth on top of the world

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Srikanth thus became only the second Indian after Saina Nehwal, who had occupied the women’s top spot in 2015, to achieve the feat.

K. Srikanth always let his racquet do the talking. Even for all those who are regular to Gopi Academy where the champion shuttler puts in that extra effort to become a better player, he acknowledges the presence of visitors with a smile and gets back to business.

One needs to probe him to get replies since Srikanth is not one of who loves to engage in long conversations.

So, after the 25-year-old scaled the summit of the world men’s singles rankings on Thursday, he just looked at it as just another achievement, gently reminding that he had bigger goals to chase, including the Olympics gold.

“I always believed that if you are consistent in any sport, these things (rankings) automatically will fall in place. Honestly, I never chased them, but was fully aware that if you keep winning titles, you are bound to be there at the top,” said Srikanth.

“To be the No. 1 now after being ranked No. 338 about six years ago is a fabulous journey,” he said.

Inspiration

“Yes, being World No.1 is something which not everyone is able to achieve. That way it will remain one of the special moments of my career and can only be a huge inspiration for better deeds,” said Srikanth, who has had a dream run in the recent past.

He won four Super Series titles and guided India to the team gold in the on-going Commonwealth Games. “Well, my immediate goal is to win the singles gold at the CWG,” he added.

“The ranking is definitely a big load off my shoulders as many people have been asking me about this wherever I go. So, it’s a big relief,” he added.

“This is a big year for Indian badminton and I would be glad to be part of anything that will bring name and fame for us. In the process, winning gold in the Asian Games and the World championship are something which should make anyone proud,” said the 2016 Rio Olympics quarterfinalist.

“I dedicate this feat to my parents, coach Gopi (Chand) Sir, my physio Kiran and all the support staff at the academy and all those who always backed my abilities right through my career,” said Srikanth.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / New Delhi – April 12th, 2018

Venkat Rahul Ragala adds 4th gold to India’s weightlifting haul at CWG

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

Venkat Rahul Ragala became the fourth Indian weightlifter to claim a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games , coming out trumps in a tense contest here on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

The Indian was locked in a close battle with Samoa’s Don Opeloge, who ended with a total of 331kg (151kg+180kg).

Both the lifters opted for 191kg as their final clean and jerk lift and both of them failed but Rahul clinched the top prize owing to Opeloge’s failed second attempt at a 188kg lift.

Had Opologe managed a good final lift, Rahul would have ended with a silver as he had already fouled his third attempt.

In the Commonwealth Championships last year, Rahul had lifted a total of 351kg (156kg+195kg).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sport / PTI / Gold Coast – April 07th, 2018

Skater boys from Visakhapatnam to represent India in Cambodia

Sports

Visakhapatnam :

After receiving a bronze medal and making India proud in the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, which was recently held in Hong Kong, city boy Priyam Tated and his brother Pratham Tated, both in class IX, have been selected by the Cambodia Ice Skating Federation  to participate and represent India in the Combodia National Figure Skating Championship, scheduled to be held from April 5-7 at Phnom Penh.

Participants from as many as 11 countries including Singapore, Malaysia , Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and China will be participating in the international championship. Around seven skaters from India will be participating in different categories of the competition. Priyam and Pratham Tated will be participating in the Basic Novice B sub-junior category (13-15 years).

“Most of the skaters who perform at figure skating competitions prefer spins, jumps, lifts and spirals. To present a unique style, this year I will perform double axel and triple mape in the competition. There are a few technical elements that I always keep in mind while performing at national and international competitions”, gushed Priyam while speaking to TOI.

Secretary of Sivaji Park Skating rink Association, Mahendar Tated said that a special training session will be held in Malaysia from April 2-4 where coaches from Russia will train the skaters.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Visakhapatnam News / TNN / April 01st, 2018

Guntur doctor wins Natgeo award for physical therapy app

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports, World Opinion
Asha J Gummadi
Asha J Gummadi

Therax Portal helps physiotherapists to share home exercise programmes with patients

A neuro physical therapist from Guntur has won the National Geographic Chasing Genius Challenge in the U.S. for designing a web/mobile application that helps patients with home exercise programmes in their native language.

Dr. Asha’s web application — Therax Portal — is now helping physiotherapists to prescribe, customise and share home exercise programmes with their patients in their native language.

Thousands of people living in rural areas across the world now use the app to get access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises. In places where there is no internet facility, people are taking printouts of the programmes. “People in rural areas are forced to travel long distances to get quality treatment, and by using the application, they can do the exercises at home. The exercises can be modified by their physiotherapists during check-ups. I have watched my grandparents struggle to get access to effective rehabilitation as they were living in rural areas in India,” Dr. Asha said.

The Natgeo challenge is part of a marketing strategy to popularise a television series — Genius — and rewards innovative ideas. Participants have to create a one-minute video about an idea they had to solve a problem using wireless connectivity. Over 1,050 entries competed for the award, and of them, 10 ideas were considered for final round held in March and the winner was chosen based on votes through social media platforms such as Facebook.

Dr. Asha entered the competition with an idea, “Empowering Telerehabilitation with digital connectivity”, and stood out as the winner. She is at present residing at Philadelphia in the U.S. where she works at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. Daughter of former principal of Government College for Women, Guntur, Gummadi Narayana Rao, Dr. Asha graduated from Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, and later moved to the U.S. to pursue Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – April 01st, 2018