GOLF
Avani Prashanth struggles in third round as Pranavi makes early exit
India’s Avani Prashanth endured a difficult third round, carding an 81 to slip down the leaderboard at the 2026 Amundi German Masters on the Ladies European Tour.
After showing impressive resilience earlier in the week, the young Indian golfer struggled in challenging weather conditions during moving day at the Green Eagle Golf Courses near Hamburg.
Avani had opened the tournament with a 78 but bounced back brilliantly in the second round with a superb four-under 69 to comfortably make the cut. She was the lone Indian to make the cut, as Pranavi Urs missed the cut out and Vani Kapoor withdrew after a first round 83.
However, the demanding North Course and unpredictable weather proved far tougher in round three. Avani had no birdies and had four bogeys and two double bogeys and eventually signed for an 81, dropping well down the standings at 9-over-par after 54 holes.
-PTI
Rayhan Thomas within touching distance of top 20
Rayhan Thomas kept alive his hopes of a strong finish as he carded a third round of even par 70 to be placed tied 23rd with a total score of 5-under par at the Colonial Life Charity Classic in Elgin, US.
Thomas is seven strokes behind three co-leaders.
Thomas began his third round with a birdie on the first hole and added a second birdie on the seventh hole before dropping shots with a bogey on the eighth and a double bogey on the ninth.
On the back nine Thomas managed to pick a stroke on the 10th hole. Despite a bogey on the 12th he seemed set for a below par finish after a pair of birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. A late bogey on the 18th hole saw him finish the day with an even par card.
-PTI
WEIGHTLIFTING
2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships: Liu wins 110kg overall gold; Yousefi sets world record in +110kg
China’s Liu Huanhua emerged as the overall champion in the men’s 110kg category on the sixth day of the 2026 AWF Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships at the Mahatma Mandir Exhibition Hall in Gandhinagar.
Liu registered a total lift of 420kg to secure gold in the total and snatch categories, while Iran’s Alireza Nasiri dominated the clean and jerk section with a 231kg lift.
India’s Harcharan Singh delivered a spirited performance in front of the home crowd, finishing seventh overall with a total of 338kg.
The men’s +110kg category also produced a standout performance, with Iran’s Alireza Yousefi setting a new senior world record and Asian record in clean and jerk. Yousefi lifted 261kg to win gold in the section and also claimed silver in total with an aggregate of 445kg.
The president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation congratulated the medal winners and participants, saying their performances reflected the growing standard and competitiveness of Asian weightlifting.
The federation also commended the Indian contingent for its commitment and fighting spirit on the international stage.
-Team Sportstar
Published on May 17, 2026
