Daily Archives: September 6, 2014

Four city karatekas strike it rich in world championship

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Kartekas from Hyderabad-based Okinawa Martial Arts Academy Sharath Verma, Tatikonda Kinshuk, M. Mohit and V. Saketh who won medals in the recent World karate championship in London are seen with their coaches and officials in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Kartekas from Hyderabad-based Okinawa Martial Arts Academy Sharath Verma, Tatikonda Kinshuk, M. Mohit and V. Saketh who won medals in the recent World karate championship in London are seen with their coaches and officials in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

They left the shores almost unnoticed and came back with a highly creditable three silver and a bronze. From the indoor hall of YMCA Okinawa Martial Arts Academy in Secunderabad to the London World Championship and back home with medals, it has been a memorable journey for karatekas – Sharath Verma (silver in 75 kg category), Tatikonda Kinshuk (silver in below 50 kg), M. Mohit (silver in the 25 kg for under-10 age group) and V. Saketh (bronze in the below 55 kg for under-16 years).

By virtue of being national champions in their respective categories, the karatekas found their way into the Indian team. In fact, four of the five-member squad hail from the city with the fifth being Aashmi Ashishe of Odisha (a silver medalist) and training here for the last few weeks under the tutelage of Grand Master S. Srinivasan and C.S. Shihan Sai Kumar.

Though there were very few to acknowledge their feat in the corridors of AP Olympic Bhavan in the city when they came a few days ago, it did not seem to matter to them. “This performance comes as a huge morale-booster for all those passionate about martial arts. We have a membership of over two lakh across India and about 100 in and around the city,” says Mr. Srinivasan.

Mr. Sai Kumar is grateful to Mahesh Kumar Goud, chief of the newly-formed Telangana Karate Federation, for getting financial help to Kinshuk.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – September 06th, 2014

Sania Dedicates US Open Title to Telangana and India

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

SaniaMPOs06sept2014

New Delhi :

Left teary-eyed after her Indianness was put into question just weeks back, tennis star Sania Mirza dedicated her US Open title to the country and the new state of Telangana, where her appointment as brand ambassador triggered a political furore.

Last night, the first-time combination of Sania and Brazil’s Bruno Soares clicked brilliantly as they secured a close win in the final to win the mixed doubles trophy.

“I am very happy, it’s great to win it with Bruno. For the first time we played together, it’s been great two weeks.

I dedicate this victory to everybody in India, my country, and to the state of Telangana and all people of Telangana,” Sania said from New York after winning the final.

“I am extremely ecstatic, it’s a dream come true, hopefully many more will come,” said the 27-year-old.

Sania’s third career Grand Slam came barely a month after she was branded ‘daughter-in-law’ of Pakistan by a BJP leader due to her marriage with cricketer Shoaib Malik. The comment was triggered by the Telangana government’s decision to appoint her brand ambassador of the newly-created state.

The Hyderabadi was forced to issue a statement to assert her roots and was seen breaking down on news channels while trying to do so.

Asked if the controversy played on her mind during the US Open campaign, Sania said she believes in moving forward and remains focussed on her game after stepping into the court.

“I don’t think we should focus on the negatives,” said Sania, who is first Indian female player and only the third from the country after Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes to have won Grand Slam titles.

Sania and Bruno were cruising in the Match Tie break and had five championship points after securing a comfortable 9-4 lead but a flurry of errors threatened to devastate their hopes.

Local hope Abigail Spears and Santiago Gonzalez made it 9-9 and looked like snatching it away from the Indo-Brazilian top seeds.

“We all had our hearts in our mouths at that point but we just tried to be positive and do whatever we could, help each other out and come out on top,” Sania said recalling the crunch moment.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by PTI / September 06th, 2014