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Tuesday marks the start of the 2024 international badminton season with the Malaysia Open Super 1000 where the top Indians have a challenging draw while Super Cup begins in Odisha without Indian football's national team stars.
The live blog is updated throughout the day, so keep checking back for updates and analysis.
Here are the key updates from January 9, Tuesday:
Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award ceremonies
Sheetal Devi, who offered up one of the Moments of the Year in 2023, with two golds at the Para Asian Games, received her Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu.
President Droupadi Murmu presents the Arjuna Award 2023 to Sheetal Devi for her excellent performance in Para Archery.#NationalSportsAwards2023 @Sheetal_archery pic.twitter.com/SFSSy8vv99
- Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) January 9, 2024
Malaysia Open
Kidambi Srikanth staged a superb comeback to win his first round tie against sixth seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in three games by a 12-21, 21-18, 21-16 scoreline. The two players were evenly matched in the first game, with Srikanth leading 8-7 only for Christie to rattle off nine consecutive points and lead 16-8 before closing out the first game.
Both players were tied at 18-18 in the second game, before Srikanth won three consecutive points to force a decider. The Indian made a terrible start in the third game, trailing 0-5 and 9-14 after which seven consecutive points saw him take the lead, which he never relinquished as he closed out the game 21-16 to progress to the second round.
Earlier, Aakarshi Kashyap, India's sole representative in women's singles at the Malaysia Open lost 15-21, 15-21 to China's Zhang Yi Man. Kashyap, ranked 40th in the world, was promoted from the reserves after Carolina Marin pulled out with illness, and offered no real challenge to Zhang, ranked 17th. The Indian only led once in the entire match (5-4 in the second game) and was comfortably second best.
MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila made an early exit from the competition, going down in straight games to Fang-Chih Lee - Fang-Jen Lee of Chinese Taipei, 16-21, 19-21.
The other Indians in action today are Tanisha Crasto - Ashwini Ponnappa and Rutaparna Panda - Swetaparna Panda in women's doubles.
Rudrankksh Patil and Mehuli Ghosh win gold, Rhythm Sangwan and Arjun Singh Cheema claim silver
India's successful run at the Asian Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia continued with Rudrankksh Patil and Mehuli Ghosh winning gold in the 10m Air Rifle mixed team event. The Indian pair beat Shen Yufan and Zhu Mingshuai of China in the gold medal match by a 16-10 score to stand on the top step of the podium.
Since mixed team events only take place from qualified shooters, there are no Olympic quotas on offer for winning this event.
Later, Rhythm Sangwan and Arjun Singh Cheema won silver in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team final, losing out to Vinh Thu Trinh and Huy Quang Pham of Vietnam by a 11-17 scoreline.
PV Sindhu to return from injury in February
PV Sindhu will return to action at the Asian Team Championships as she was named in the Indian squad. Taking place in Malaysia from February 13-19, the event will offer qualification points in the Race to Paris Olympic qualification.
India squad:
Men's Team: Prannoy HS, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, Chirag Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Dhruv Kapila, M R Arjun, Suraj Goala, Pruthvi Roy
Women's Team: PV Sindhu, Anmol Kharb, Tanvi Sharma, Ashmita Chaliha, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Ashwini Ponnappa, Tanisha Crasto, Priya Devi Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra
Hockey India appoints Herman Kruis as High Performance Director
Hockey India have appointed experienced Dutch coach, Herman Kruis, as their new High Performance Director. He will assume the role till September 2024, overseeing the National Junior and Senior programs of Hockey India, including the Coaches Education Pathway among other tasks.
Kruis, a certified FIH Coach-Educator, has two decades of experience, having won the European Cup at the club level eight times in a row, while also having spells in charge of the Netherlands hockey team.
"Hockey India is delighted to appoint senior Coach Herman Kruis as the High Performance Director of Hockey India. He will oversee the various programs run by Hockey India including the Junior and Senior programs. I wish Herman the very best as he assumes this new role," said Hockey India President, Dilip Tirkey.
Expressing his delight on being appointed as the High Performance Director, Kruis said, "I am looking forward to this new stint with Hockey India. The Indian teams are on the cusp of creating history and I look forward to utilizing my expertise in helping the teams and Hockey India in achieving their goals for this year."
What to look forward to today?
India's top badminton players look to start 2024 on at the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000.
The Kalinga Super Cup kicks off with3 ISL clubs in action in East Bengal vs Hyderabad FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Sreenidi Deccan
Indian rifle and pistol shooters look to seal more Paris Olympic quota at the Asian Olympic Qualification
India's best table tennis stars begin their 2024 season at the WTT Star Contender in Doha.
Action continues in the Mumbai leg of the Pro Kabaddi League, with Telugu Titans taking on Bengal Warriors
Updates and developments in Indian wrestling as Sanjay Singh's WFI defies the Sports Ministry.
What happened yesterday?
Pistol shooters Varun Tomar, Esha Singh sealed India's 14th and 15th Paris Olympic quotas.
Sports Ministry warned the suspended WFI against attempting to organise wrestling nationals.
Inter Kashi won their playoff match to make the cut for the Super Cup.
Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi registered victories in the PKL
You can check all the details of yesterday's news events here