Briefly: Archer Neeraj creates record in qualifying round
Jamshedpur
Uttar Pradesh archer Neeraj Chauhan shot 692 points to create a national record in the men’s recurve section of the Senior Nationals. Chauhan shattered three-time Olympian Tarundeep Rai’s earlier national record of 687 points. Dhiraj Bommadevara and Atanu Das took the second and third spots, respectively. Rai was fourth. In the women’s section, Olympian Ankita Bhakat topped with 667 points, followed by Simranjeet Kaur and Deepika Kumari.
New Delhi
India to host World Boxing Cup Final in November 2025
India is set to host the World Boxing Cup Final in November next year, reaffirming its support for the breakaway World Boxing body. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) will also simultaneously host the third World Boxing Congress, which will include elections for the presidency and executive board. The tournament will be the first international event hosted by the BFI after opting to join the new governing body earlier this year. The last time BFI hosted an international event was the International Boxing Association Women’s World Boxing Championship in 2023.
Sydney
Kyrgios to team up with Djokovic for doubles
Record 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will team up with former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios to play doubles at the Brisbane International. The pair, who have developed a friendship after once being at loggerheads when Kyrgios labelled Djokovic “boneheaded” and a “tool”, will use the ATP 250 event as a warm-up for next month’s Australian Open. Djokovic and Kyrgios have faced each other three times on the ATP Tour, with the Australian winning the first two encounters in 2017 before losing in four sets in the 2022 Wimbledon final.
ROME
Inter shock Lazio with stunning 6-0 away win
Defending champions Inter Milan stormed to a 6-0 win at Lazio in Serie A as they scored quick-fire goals either side of halftime in a superb display that silenced the Stadio Olimpico. Inter delivered a masterclass to overwhelm Lazio, with Hakan Calhanoglu breaking the deadlock with a 41st-minute penalty and Federico Dimarco making it 2-0 with a volley. Nicolo Barella slotted home for 3-0 six minutes after the restart before Denzel Dumfries netted two minutes later and Carlos Augusto and Marcus Thuram completed the rout late on.
Bournemouth
West Ham share points with Bournemouth
Enes Unal scored a superb free kick in the last minute of normal time to rescue a point for Bournemouth in a 1-1 home draw against West Ham in the Premier League. Both sides struggled to break down their opponent and goalkeepers made timely saves at each end. But in the 87th minute, just when it looked like a 0-0 draw was on the cards, West Ham took the lead thanks to a VAR-assisted penalty, converted by Lucas Paqueta.
Doha
Madrid’s Vinicius Jr named FIFA men’s player of the year
Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was named FIFA men’s player of the year. The 24-year-old scored 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions to help Real Madrid clinch the LaLiga and Champions League double, and he also netted in the final win over Borussia Dortmund.
