On Day 9 of the Asian U-15 & U-17 Boxing Championships, six out of seven Indian pugilists secured their spots in the U-17 finals, reinforcing India’s impressive performance. In total, 21 Indian boxers across U-15 and U-17 categories are now set to vie for gold.

The U-17 women’s team showcased their dominance, with Ahaana Sharma (50 kg) leading the charge by achieving a knockout victory in the first round against Kyrgyzstan’s Akmaral Amantaieva.

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Khushi Chand (44–46 kg) triumphed over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Cherevata with a close 3-2 decision, while Jannat (54 kg), Simranjeet Kaur (60 kg), Harsika (63 kg), and Anshika (80+ kg) also claimed decisive victories to advance to the finals.

In the men’s U-17 category, Devansh (80 kg) showcased a composed performance, defeating Vietnam’s Nguyen Trong Tien with a score of 4-1 to secure his place in the finals.

Results

Men’s U-17 – Semifinals

48 kg: Meetei Ambekar Lairenlakpam (IND) lost to Zobeir Eisazehi (IRI) – WP 1:4

50 kg: Aman Dev (IND) lost to Khalif Rassul (KAZ) – WP 0:5

52 kg: Tikam Singh (IND) lost to Temirali Temirbayev (KAZ) – WP 0:5

54 kg: Udham Singh Raghav (IND) lost to Bobomurod Boymirzaev (UZB) – WP 0:5

57 kg: Rahul Gariya (IND) lost to Zubair Akramov (KGZ) – WP 0:5

63 kg: Aman Siwach (IND) lost to Saidkhuja Sadillakhujaev (UZB) – WP 0:5

80 kg: Devansh (IND) def. Nguyen Trong Tien (VIE) – WP 4:1

Women’s U-17 – Semifinals

44-46 kg: Khushi Chand (IND) def. Oleksandra Cherevata (UKR) – WP 3:2

48 kg: Jiya (IND) lost to Nazokat Mardonova (UZB) – WP 2:3

50 kg: Ahaana Sharma (IND) def. Akmaral Amantaieva (KGZ) – KO R1

54 kg: Jannat (IND) def. Balym Gabitkyzy (KAZ) – WP 5:0

60 kg: Simranjeet Kaur (IND) def. Daria Serhiienko (UKR) – WP 5:0

63 kg: Harsika (IND) def. Kateryna Moroz (UKR) – WP 5:0

66 kg: Prachi (IND) lost to Dilyara Tursynbek (KAZ) – WP 0:5

70 kg: Himanshi (IND) lost to Kamila Ospanova (KAZ) – WP 0:5

75 kg: Sanvi (IND) lost to Diana Nadyrbek (KAZ) – WP 0:5

80 kg: Prachi Khatri (IND) lost to Friza Tazhibaieva (KAZ) WP 1:4

80+ kg: Anshika (IND) def. Elnura Kongyrat (KAZ) WP 5:0

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to expand, with the BCCI planning to increase the tournament to 94 matches starting from the 2028 cycle. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal announced that 20 additional matches will be added to the current schedule of 74 matches when the next media rights cycle begins, while clarifying that there are no plans for more teams.

The IPL, which currently features 10 teams, underwent a format change in 2022, increasing from a 60-match structure following the introduction of the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Although there were discussions about raising the number of matches to 84 by 2025, these plans have been postponed due to scheduling conflicts with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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Currently, the IPL is locked in its window within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) until 2027, scheduled from mid-March to the end of May. However, Dhumal emphasized that the board is actively considering adopting a full home-and-away format, potentially encompassing 94 matches, once the new media rights cycle commences in 2028.

“Definitely, that could be a possibility. We’ve had discussions within the ICC and also in-house at the BCCI. Given the changing fan interests in bilateral and ICC events versus franchise T20 cricket, we need to take this conversation seriously to maximize value for all stakeholders,” Dhumal shared with ESPNcricinfo.

“Ideally, we’d want to expand our format from 74 to either 84 or 94 matches, allowing every team to play against each team at home and away. This requires a total of 94 games,” he added.

While Dhumal noted that expanding to 94 matches isn’t an immediate objective, he mentioned that the BCCI will evaluate the feasibility of such a plan moving forward.

“Considering our commitments related to bilateral cricket and ICC events, such expansion may not be feasible in the near term. However, as the landscape evolves, we may revisit this option,” Dhumal explained.

“There’s been an overload of cricket: following our Test series in Australia and the Champions Trophy, we are now also engaged with the IPL. This is why moving from 74 to 84 matches in 2025 seems impractical, but we will make a decision when the time is right,” he added.

No New Franchises

Amidst significant interest from potential investors, Dhumal confirmed that the BCCI doesn’t plan to introduce additional franchises in the immediate future.

“Ten teams are currently an optimal number. Our focus is on preserving interest in the tournament and ensuring the quality of cricket. There are no expansion plans in the short run. We will continuously assess the situation as it evolves,” he said.

Praising the current season’s success, Dhumal highlighted the competitive spirit among the teams and the rise of young Indian talent, expressing his hope for a new champion this season.

“Every year, the tournament has been growing. We are thrilled with how the fans have embraced this event, as reflected in phenomenal broadcast and in-stadium numbers. We are looking forward to the special 18th edition continuing its upward trajectory,” Dhumal said.

“I would love to see a team that has never won the trophy lift it this year. Teams like Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings have performed well but haven’t clinched a title. If they meet in the finals, I would be delighted to see a new winner emerge,” he added.

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa shattered the women-only world record at the London Marathon, clocking in at 2:15:50 to secure victory in the prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday.

The Olympic silver medallist pulled ahead of Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, earning her first London Marathon win after finishing second to Peres Jepchirchir last year.

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Jepchirchir’s previous record of 2:16:16 had been the benchmark for women-only races, and Assefa improved this time significantly, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of Jepkosgei (2:18:43). The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan came in third with a time of 2:18:59, as reported by World Athletics.

With such a competitive field, the women-only world record was a prominent goal. The leading group, including Jepkosgei, Assefa, Hassan, and Megertu Alemu, surged through the first 5 km in an impressive 15:34—well below the target pace for a sub-2:15 finish.

This pace was maintained through 10 km, reached in 31:16. By the halfway point, Assefa and Jepchirchir had distanced themselves, passing in 1:06:40, just 10 seconds ahead of Hassan.

As the leaders extended their lead, they reached 35 km at 1:52:12. It was at this point that Assefa made her move. A rapid 5:03 mile at the 24th mark set her apart, and by 40 km, she was 56 seconds ahead.

Finishing strong, Assefa crossed the line at 2:15:50—her second-fastest marathon, following her 2:11:53 in Berlin earlier this year, which had set a world record for a women’s marathon in a mixed race.

Meanwhile, in the men’s race, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe triumphed with a time of 2:02:27—the second-fastest London Marathon ever recorded. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo secured second place on his marathon debut, finishing in 2:03:37.