1. Talon Grikspoor of the Netherlands won the singles title at the Maharashtra Open tennis tournament in Pune
Tags: Sports Sports News
The Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor prevailed in three-set final against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi to win his maiden ATP World Tour title as the first-time finalists dished out a gripping game of tennis in Pune on 7 January.
An overview of the news
Grikspoor (World No. 95) won a thrilling 4-6 7-5 6-3 title against his French opponent in two hours and 16 minutes to clinch the fifth edition of Tata Open Maharashtra title.
Both the players put on a scintillating performance in front of a packed Center Court crowd at the Balewadi Stadium and enthralled the fans with their breathtaking shot-making and tenacity.
The two had played a lot of junior tennis together, and in the 2021 season, were on a winning spree of Challengers, with Grikspur winning eight of those titles, Bonzi winning six.
It has been almost a decade since the Netherlands won a singles title on Tour.
South Asia's only ATP 250 was organised by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) in association with the Government of Maharashtra for the fifth year in Pune.
Earlier, the Indian pair of N Sriram Balaji and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan finished runners-up in doubles after going down 4-6, 4-6 against fourth seeded pair of Sander Gille and Joran Willijn in the final.
Gille and Vliegen secured their sixth ATP Tour title.
2. Koustav Chatterjee is India’s 78rd Chess grandmaster
Tags: Sports Person in news
19 year old Koustav Chatterjee of West Bengal became India’s 78th chess Grandmaster, securing the third and final GM norm at the MPL 59th National Senior Chess Championship 2022 being held in New Delhi. He is the 10th Grandmaster from West Bengal.
- This was the third GM norm for Koustav Chatterjee and he also crossed 2500 Elo rating points. To become a GM a player has to secure three GM norms and 2500 live Elo rating points.
- Viswanathan Anand was the first Indian to become the Chess Grandmaster in 1988.
Chess rating System
- Chess rating system is used in chess to estimate the strength and skill of a player.
- In chess, the Elo rating system is used to grade the players by International chess governing body FIDE.
- The highest rating for a chess player is Grand Master or GM followed by International Masters or IM and then Masters etc.
- Players are invited to various chess tournaments in the world depending upon their grading.
FIDE
The International Chess Federation or French acronym FIDE Fédération Internationale des Échecs) is an international organization that was set up on 20 July 1924 in Paris, France.
It is the international body which governs world chess championships.
President of FIDE: Arkady Dvorkovich,
Headquarters of FIDE: Lausanne, Switzerland
3. DEXA: BCCI introduces new selection criteria for Team India
Tags: Sports Sports News
The BCCI announced a major change in the selection criteria of players on 1st January.
Important facts
To review the team's performance in 2022, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah met India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Chetan Sharma on January 1.
The future of Indian cricket was discussed in the meeting, which was also attended by National Cricket Academy (NCA) director VVS Laxman.
The new criteria have been brought in to ensure the fitness of players before their selection as the team has been facing a serious injury crisis for the last one year.
The fitness of Indian cricketers has been a matter of concern with players like Deepak Chahar not playing regularly.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also out for a long time due to a back injury.
What are the new selection criteria?
The new rule brought back the Yo-Yo test and made it mandatory for players to be selected for the national team.
Players must take a 'DEXA' before being selected for the Indian team across all formats.
Emerging players have to play enough domestic seasons to be eligible for selection in the national team.
What is a Yo-Yo test?
The Yo-Yo test is an aerobic endurance fitness test that involves running between markers placed 20 metres apart at increasing speed.
The test was introduced during Virat Kohli's tenure as India captain and initially the passing score was 16.1, which was increased to 16.5.
What is Dexa?
DEXA, also called 'bone density test', is an X-ray technique used to measure bone strength.
From this it can be ascertained whether there is any risk of breaking or losing bones of the test taker or whether a player is at risk of fracturing any part of the body.
It also helps measure body composition and record body fat and muscle mass.
4. DEXA: BCCI introduces new selection criteria for Team India
Tags: Sports Sports News
The BCCI announced a major change in the selection criteria of players on 1st January.
Important facts
To review the team's performance in 2022, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah met India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Chetan Sharma on January 1.
The future of Indian cricket was discussed in the meeting, which was also attended by National Cricket Academy (NCA) director VVS Laxman.
The new criteria have been brought in to ensure the fitness of players before their selection as the team has been facing a serious injury crisis for the last one year.
The fitness of Indian cricketers has been a matter of concern with players like Deepak Chahar not playing regularly.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also out for a long time due to a back injury.
What are the new selection criteria?
The new rule brought back the Yo-Yo test and made it mandatory for players to be selected for the national team.
Players must take a 'DEXA' before being selected for the Indian team across all formats.
Emerging players have to play enough domestic seasons to be eligible for selection in the national team.
What is a Yo-Yo test?
The Yo-Yo test is an aerobic endurance fitness test that involves running between markers placed 20 metres apart at increasing speed.
The test was introduced during Virat Kohli's tenure as India captain and initially the passing score was 16.1, which was increased to 16.5.
What is Dexa?
DEXA, also called 'bone density test', is an X-ray technique used to measure bone strength.
From this it can be ascertained whether there is any risk of breaking or losing bones of the test taker or whether a player is at risk of fracturing any part of the body.
It also helps measure body composition and record body fat and muscle mass.
5. Smriti Mandhana nominated for the ICC Women cricketer of the year award 2022
Tags: Sports Person in news
Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian player to be included in the 2022 ICC women’s cricketer of the year nominee list announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). She has also been nominated for the best women player in T 20.
The International Cricket Council has announced the shortlisted cricket players for its year end awards. Four players are shortlisted in the men’s and women category for its various annual awards taking into account the performance of the players in the calendar year.
Players nominated for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022
Smriti Mandhana of India, Nat Sciver of England, Amelia Kerr of New Zealand and Beth Monney of Australia.
Players nominated for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2022
Pakistan captain Babar Azam, England Test team captain Ben Stokes, Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe and the New Zealand Test team captain Tim Southee.
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2022
England Test team captain Ben Stokes, Johnny Bairstow of England, Usman Khwaja of Australia and South African fast Bowler Kagiso Rabada.
International cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket.
Headquarters: Dubai
Chairman: Greg Barclay of New Zealand
6. Ronaldo joins Saudi club Al Nassr with record $214 million contract
Tags: Person in news Sports News
After leaving the Manchester United club on 30 December 2022, Portugal team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Important facts
Ronaldo left Old Trafford after a television interview last month. He said that he has been cheated by the club.
Al Nassr issued a statement saying that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be under contract until 2025.
Although he did not reveal any financial details, Ronaldo's contract is estimated by the media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($214.04 million), the highest salary in football history.
Ronaldo will move to Saudi Arabia after a stellar spell at Spanish club Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, winning two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups.
Ronaldo's inclusion will provide a boost to the Saudi Arabian club, which is looking to add to its nine Saudi Pro League titles.
About Al Nassr
Al-Nassr is a club from Saudi Arabia that competes in the Saudi Pro League. It is one of the most successful teams in the country. It was formed in 1955.
Al-Nasr, nicknamed Al-Alami or Faris Najd, is located in the capital city of Riyadh. It is formally managed by Rudi Garcia of Roma, Marseille and Lyon.
Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar joined in 2021 and is a key player for the team.
Brazilian defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo and former Arsenal shot-stopper David Ospina signed for the club in 2022.
7. Hockey Haryana Women’s U-18 team wins Khelo India Youth Games 2022
Tags: Sports Sports News
Hockey Haryana's women's team won the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Women’s Under 18 Qualifiers title after defeating Madhya Pradesh 2-0 in the final at Bhubaneswar on December 30.
Important facts
In the final match, Pooja and Gurmail Kaur scored a goal each for Haryana to turn the match in their favour.
Odisha stepped up to claim third place after beating Jharkhand by 2-1 in the 3rd and 4th place encounter.
Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand have qualified for the Khelo India Youth Games (Women) to be held in Madhya Pradesh next year.
Awards List
Best Goalkeeper: Kavita (Haryana)
Best Defender: Yogita Verma (Madhya Pradesh)
Best Midfielder: Manisha (Haryana)
Best Striker: Bhumshika Sahu (Madhya Pradesh)
8. Hockey Haryana Women’s U-18 team wins Khelo India Youth Games 2022
Tags: Sports Sports News
Hockey Haryana's women's team won the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Women’s Under 18 Qualifiers title after defeating Madhya Pradesh 2-0 in the final at Bhubaneswar on December 30.
Important facts
In the final match, Pooja and Gurmail Kaur scored a goal each for Haryana to turn the match in their favour.
Odisha stepped up to claim third place after beating Jharkhand by 2-1 in the 3rd and 4th place encounter.
Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand have qualified for the Khelo India Youth Games (Women) to be held in Madhya Pradesh next year.
Awards List
Best Goalkeeper: Kavita (Haryana)
Best Defender: Yogita Verma (Madhya Pradesh)
Best Midfielder: Manisha (Haryana)
Best Striker: Bhumshika Sahu (Madhya Pradesh)
9. Hockey Madhya Pradesh clinches Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Men's U-18 title
Tags: Sports Sports News
In hockey, Madhya Pradesh clinched the title by defeating Odisha 6-5 in the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Men's Under-18 qualifier title in Bhubaneswar on 30 December.
Important facts
In a thrilling final, Jamir Mohammad was the star of the final, scoring a hat-trick, while Ali Ahmed, Mohammad Zaid Khan and captain Ankit Pal scored one goal each for Madhya Pradesh.
On the other hand, Anmol Ekka, Paulus Lakra, Deepak Minz and Akash Soreng scored one goal each for Odisha.
Haryana defeated Jharkhand 2-0 to secure the third position in the competition. Amandeep and Roshan scored the goals for Haryana.
With this, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana and Jharkhand have qualified for the Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Madhya Pradesh next year.
Award List
Best Goalkeeper : Ravi (Haryana)
Best Defender : Sundaram Rajawat (Madhya Pradesh)
Best Midfielder : Prem Dayal Giri (Odisha)
Best Striker : Ali Ahmad (Madhya Pradesh)
10. Hockey Madhya Pradesh clinches Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Men's U-18 title
Tags: Sports Sports News
In hockey, Madhya Pradesh clinched the title by defeating Odisha 6-5 in the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Men's Under-18 qualifier title in Bhubaneswar on 30 December.
Important facts
In a thrilling final, Jamir Mohammad was the star of the final, scoring a hat-trick, while Ali Ahmed, Mohammad Zaid Khan and captain Ankit Pal scored one goal each for Madhya Pradesh.
On the other hand, Anmol Ekka, Paulus Lakra, Deepak Minz and Akash Soreng scored one goal each for Odisha.
Haryana defeated Jharkhand 2-0 to secure the third position in the competition. Amandeep and Roshan scored the goals for Haryana.
With this, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana and Jharkhand have qualified for the Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Madhya Pradesh next year.
Award List
Best Goalkeeper : Ravi (Haryana)
Best Defender : Sundaram Rajawat (Madhya Pradesh)
Best Midfielder : Prem Dayal Giri (Odisha)
Best Striker : Ali Ahmad (Madhya Pradesh)
