FOOTBALL
West Bengal dethrone Manipur from Junior Girls’ pedestal
West Bengal dethroned 12-time champion Manipur on penalties after the teams were level at 1-1 at the end of regulation time to win the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 1 for the second time at the RDT Stadium in Anantapur on Friday, September 25.
Diya Biswas gave West Bengal the lead in the 14th minute before Narmada Devi Mayengbam restored parity in the 50th minute. In the shoot-out, Moumita Majhi, Pallabi Barman, and Sudipta Mandal scored for West Bengal. For Manipur, only Mangaleibi Irom and Agunwangliu Khengtamei converted. West Bengal goalkeeper and captain Annyasha Neogi proved decisive as it won 3-2 on penalties and lifted its first title since 2012.
It was sweet revenge for West Bengal, which had lost 0-9 to Manipur in the final last year at the same venue.
-Sportstar News Desk
TENNIS
Khalin Joshi wins Bengaluru Open golf tournament
Local favourite Khalin Joshi closed in with a two-under 70 to complete a wire-to-wire victory at Bengaluru Open golf tournament on Friday.
The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer (61-68-69-70), who began the final round with a three-shot advantage at his home course, made five birdies and three bogeys to finish at 20-under 268.
His five-stroke victory secured his 10th DP World PGTI title and fourth of the season.
Joshi, an Asian Tour winner in 2018, collected Rs 15 lakh as prize money after recording his second consecutive triumph following last week’s Nava Raipur Open.
He climbed from seventh to second on the PGTI Order of Merit, taking his season earnings to Rs 67,34,225.
Gurugram’s Manu Gandas (69-68-64-72), the 2023 PGTI Rankings champion, made one birdie and one bogey in an even-par 72 to finish runner-up at 15-under 273. He earned Rs 10 lakh and rose from 20th to 12th in the season standings, with earnings of Rs 40,56,383.
Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat (68-69-69-70), the 2024 Rankings champion, made two birdies in a bogey-free 70 to share third place at 12-under 276 with Greater Noida’s Saptak Talwar (67-70-68-71).
Talwar’s one-under 71 featured six birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey. The Race to DP World India Championship leader earned Rs 5,49,800, taking his season earnings to Rs 96,82,284.
Ahlawat remained third in the standings with earnings of Rs 62,87,000.
Joshi attributed his recent success to greater mental strength and an improved ability to remain composed in contention.
“I’ve always considered myself a good player, but I had never closed tournaments as comfortably as I have over the past few months,” Joshi said.
“My mind used to race, which led to mental errors and missed opportunities. I feel stronger now and know that when I’m playing my best, I’m difficult to beat.”
Despite leading throughout the week, Joshi admitted to feeling nervous before pursuing his first professional victory at his home course. A 35-foot birdie putt on the opening hole settled him, but a three-putt bogey on the second immediately tested his composure.
– PTI
Published on Sep 25, 2026
