Kabbadi changed my life: Simon Kibura

Simon Kibura is something of a novelty in Kenya. While the east African nation are known the world over for their prowess in athletics, Kibura is into a more uncommon sport He plays kabaddi. Like many other youngsters in Kenya, Kibura too tried his hand at athletics. Despite dabbling in various sports disciplines, success eluded him. But an introduction to kabaddi around a year ago changed his life. “I have taken part in the 400m event at the national level and was also good at discus throw, acrobatics and boxing. In fact, I was selected for discus throw at the national trials in 2011. But I did not make the cut. I also participated in 1500m running at the school level. “It’s very tough to be a track and field athlete back home. There is a lot of competition with only the best going all the way to the top. It’s like cricket in India,” Kibura, who is a part of Puneri Paltans squad, told this paper on Wednesday. “One of my friends Njoronge told me about this game last August. Since I used to play rugby, I liked kabaddi instantly as the two games have a lot of similarities,” he added....

Read More........ → October 21, 2014

Double kabaddi gold for India on penultimate day of Asian Games

The Indian men's kabaddi team clinched its seventh successive gold medal at the Asian Games after coming from behind to beat a spirited Iran 27-25 in the summit clash in Incheon, South Korea on Friday. The Indian team, which has been winning gold ever since the sport was introduced on the Asiad roster in 1990, was given a massive scare by Iran, who had finished runners-up in the 2010 edition as well. The Iranians took a massive 10-point lead in the first 20 minutes before the Indians got their act together to nullify the deficit and edge past in the closing few minutes of the match. In fact, the Indians managed to take a lead only in the 37th minute of the match. Earlier in the day, the Indian women's team beat Iran 31-21 for its second successive kabaddi gold medal at the Asian Games. India had won the top prize in Guangzhou, China four years ago - the first time women's kabaddi was introduced at the Asiad. India didn't have it easy and were made to work hard for the win by the Iranians, their only real competition in the tournament. A neck-and-neck start saw both teams defend extremely...

Read More........ → October 03, 2014

Historic squash show by India, shooters add another bronze

Nicol Ann David during the women's individual squash semi-final match in the 2014 Asian Games at Yeorumul Squash Courts in Incheon, South Korea. (AFP Photo) Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal scripted history on the squash court, while shooters also continued to deliver medals as India bagged two more bronze to boost their tally to six on the third day of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea on Monday. Pallikal settled for a bronze medal - the first by an Indian woman squash player - after losing to world number one Nicol David in the semi-finals. India were also assured of at least a silver in the men's singles event after Ghosal stormed into the final - the first from the country to achieve such a feat. Dipika Pallikal returns a shot against Malaysia's The shooting range continued to be a happy hunting ground for the Indian contingent with the women's pistol trio of Rahi Sarnobat, Anisa Sayyed and Heena Sidhu claiming a bronze in the 25m team event at the Ongnyeon International Range. While the women's pistol team, Pallikal and Ghosal stole the limelight with their performances,...

Read More........ → September 23, 2014