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Saturday is an action-packed day for Indian sport with the first AFC Asian Cup match, the start of the hockey Olympic Qualifiers as well as big matches in badminton and tennis.
The live blog is updated throughout the day, so keep checking back for updates and analysis.
Here are the key updates from January 13, Saturday:
Vijayveer Sidhu seals Olympic quota
Vijayveer Sidhu secured India’s Paris Olympic quota spot, reaching the final of the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta.
All he had to do was qualify for the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol final and he did so on fourth place with a score of 577. Four out of the six finalists were ineligible for quotas, which ensured India will have representation in the discipline.
Earlier in the day, there was another double podium to celebrate as Sift Kaur Samra and Ashi Chouksey won the silver and bronze medal in women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions. All three Indians in the fray had reached the final, veteran Anjum Moudgil being the third.
India already has the maximum available 2 Olympics quota in this discipline so there were no Paris berths on offer, but it was an encouraging performance from Sift and Ashi, who had done well at the Asian Games and will look to ensure they go for their first Olympics.
Bopanna-Ebden lose close final
Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Australian partner Matthew Ebden lost a very close final at the Adelaide International. The second seeded lost to third-seeded pairing of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 5-7, 7-5, 9-11.
The world No 3 Indian had the early 3-0 lead but Ram-Salisbury fought back to take the first set that went the distance. Bopanna-Ebden then took the second with a similar margin to force a deciding Tiebreak, which went into extra time. Ultimately, it was not to be for the Indo-Australian pair but the final run has shown that they are picking up from where they left off in the prolific season last year.
What to look forward to today?
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Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be in action in the semifinals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000, taking on reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae – after 4 PM
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Indian men’s football team will begin their AFC Asian Cup campaign against Australia – 5 PM
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The Indian women’s hockey team will play the opening match of the Olympic Qualifiers against the USA in Ranchi – 7.30 PM
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Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden play the men’s doubles final of the Adelaide International – 9 AM
What happened yesterday?
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Satwik-Chirag stormed into the semis of the Malaysia Open Super 1000.
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Another double podium for Indian shooting at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta.
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Bopanna-Ebden reach the Adelaide International final.
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Sumit Nagal qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open
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Jaipur Pink Panthers secured a win over Telugu Titans; Puneri Paltan beat Gujarat Giants.
You can check all the details of yesterday’s news events here
