Category: Sports, Karnataka State

An Atlantic Odyssey…. Ananya Prasad will be rowing solo 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean for a noble cause

Imagine travelling 3,000 miles rowing across the Atlantic Ocean for over 60 days to raise funds for a noble cause. Not many would come forward. But, Ananya Prasad, an Economics graduate from Sheffield University, is just about to embark on a voyage next month to raise funds for the London-based Mental Health Foundation and Deenabhandu Trust in Chamarajanagar. She has named her campaign as ‘Atlantic Odyssey.’

The Atlantic Row, considered to be the World’s Toughest Row, is held every year in the month of December, where rowers from across the globe participate in teams or alone to row across the Atlantic Ocean from San Sebastian village in La Gomera located in Canary Islands (Spain) till Nelson Dockyard in Antigua (Caribbean Islands). Ananya will be rowing solo in her journey.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Ananya said, “I have been associated with adventure sports since my childhood but rowing is something that I have picked for the past three years. I enjoy challenging myself which is why I chose rowing. It is important to understand the navigation system, using radio, fixing the boats while on water and most importantly to be mentally tough to overcome fear.”

Ananya will be using ‘Odysseus’, her 25ft ocean rowing boat built to withstand tough marine environments. The boat is completely neutral and self-sufficient, fixed with solar panels for all electronic needs.

It also has a water desalinator which helps convert ocean water into drinking water.

Ananya will have to face 30ft waves, sleep deprivation, isolation and the forces of the ocean for approximately 60 days.

This endeavour of Ananya  to row across the Atlantic is being supported by Mysuru’s Cycle Pure Agarbathi.

Ananya’s Mysuru Connection

Ananya, daughter of Dr. Poornima Prasad and Dr. G.S. Shiva Prasad couple, is a graduate of Economics from Sheffield University in the United Kingdom. While her mother Dr. Poornima Prasad is a retired General Physician, her father Dr. Shiva Prasad is a retired Paediatrician.

Ananya’s maternal grandfather is Guggari Shanthaveerappa Shivarudrappa (G.S. Shivarudrappa), who was awarded the prestigious ‘Rashtrakavi’ title by the Government of Karnataka in 2006 and her paternal grandfather Prof. Parashivamurthy was a Professor in the Department of Psychology, University of Mysore.

Ananya’s paternal uncle is the Founder of the popular Deenabhandu Trust in Chamarajanagar.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

K P Rinchan Wins gold medal at ‘All India Yachting Regatta-2024’

 K.P. Rinchan from Mysuru has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the Gold Medal at the National-level NCC camp, the All India Yachting Regatta-2024.

The All India NCC Yachting Regatta-2024 was held at INS Chilka in Odisha from Oct. 14 to 21, 2024. There were over 100 Cadets from 16 NCC Directorates and the challenges included varying wind conditions that tested the Cadets’ skills, strength and endurance levels. The INS Chilka is a premier basic training establishment for the Indian Navy.

Rinchan’s journey began with a selection to the Pre-Yachting Camp at the Royal Mysore Sailing Club (RMSC), at the backwaters of the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, where she clinched the gold in a unit-wise sailing competition.

Following this victory, she advanced to the second and third phases at INS Kadamba, Karwar, ultimately earning a spot at the national competition held at INS Chilka, Odisha, where she secured the top honour.

A student of Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE), Mysuru, pursuing her third-year engineering course, Rinchan is the daughter of Kandanda Harish Poovaiah and Thanachira Reena, residents of Vijayanagar Second Stage, Mysuru.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / FESTIVALS : DASARA 2024: Tableaux showcase vibrant Karnataka

This year’s grand Dasara concluded with a spectacular procession featuring 52 tableaux that celebrated the rich culture and traditions of our State.

For the first time, the number of tableaux exceeded 50, a significant increase compared to previous years, where it ranged from 28 to 35. This year, not only districts but also various Boards and Corporations participated with their tableaux.

Among the highlights of the procession was the tableau from Yadgir, showcasing the Thinthani Mouneshwara Temple, while Kodagu district highlighted the Harangi Reservoir, land conservation, coffee, pepper, and elephant camps.

Raichur district presented the Mudgal Fort, and the Chamarajanagar tableau captured attention by showcasing Soliga tribal culture. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) raised awareness for its ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ and ‘Ksheera Sanjeevini’ schemes, and Karnataka Soaps and Detergents displayed products highlighting Mysore Sandal Soap.

The newly formed Vijayanagara district transported spectators back to the glorious days of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The audience also enjoyed the Bengaluru Urban district’s portrayal of the iconic Vidhana Soudha as the ‘Power House,’ while Bidar highlighted Kannada Pattadevaru. Koppal showcased traditional Kinnala art, and the Tourism department’s tableau presented the State’s tourism spots under the title ‘Ondu Rajya Halavu Jagattu.’

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Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd. featured Lidkar products, Uttara Kannada district displayed the Murudeshwara Temple, and Bengaluru Rural showcased Ramadevara Betta and Heggunda.

Karnataka Silk Industries Limited (KSIL) presented various silk products under the theme ‘Karnataka Reshme Namma Hemme,’ while Davanagere district spread a message of humanity with its tableau themed ‘Naavu Manujaru.’

Udupi showcased its rich culture and coastal heritage, Shivamogga district highlighted the ‘Kaitabheshwara Temple’ located in Kotipura, Soraba taluk, and Ballari district presented the   Kurugodu Temple.

The Mysuru district administration’s tableau, themed ‘Manavakulada Samanathe,’ emphasised the significance of unity among humanity. Other noteworthy tableaux included Bagalkote district’s ‘Rannana Kavya Gadayudha,’   Haveri district’s ‘Elakki Kampinadu’ and ‘Santara-Sahitigala Nelebidu’, and Ramanagara district’s portrayal of diversity.

Kalaburagi district showcased its commitment to development, while Vijayapura district featured Basavana Bagevadi. Belagavi district highlighted the 200 years of the Kittur War, and Chitradurga district presented its famous Fort and windmills.

Additionally, Chikkaballapura district showcased the Nandi Ropeway, Hassan district highlighted Belur and Halebidu and Tumakuru district featured Siddarabetta. Beyond the districts, various departments also participated, including Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation, Health and Family Welfare, Information and Publicity, Police, Minority Welfare, and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, all highlighting different Government schemes. Notably, the Health Department’s tableau raised awareness about female foeticide.

Institutions such as the Central Food Technological and Research Institute (CFTRI), All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), and Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) also presented their contributions through tableaux. The Indian Railways tableau showcased the Vande Bharat Express, which has been popular since its launch.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL : NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS : International equestrian event returns to India after 14 years with ‘The Asian Equestrian Federation Cup Youth (AEF Cup-CSIY-B) in Bengaluru, October 11-13

International-level equestrian events will return to India after a gap of 14 years on Friday with the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) hosting an FEI-approved Asian-level Showjumping event for youth riders. The Asian Equestrian Federation Cup-Youth (AEF Cup-CSIY-B), will be held in Bengaluru from October 11-13.

To create more competitive opportunities for young Indian riders, the AEF Youth Cup will ensure world-class competition at home. The competition will see a total of 11 countries, including hosts India competing at Bengaluru’s Surge Stable, which has state-of-the-art facilities.

The format of the competition is of borrowed horses with an age limit of 16-21 years for the riders having a 115 cm maximum jump level.

India will have two participants – E. Suryaa Aaditya and Avik Bhatia, as they topped the selection trials held at Surge Stable in Bengaluru on Thursday, which was attended by 11 riders.

“The EFI is proud to have successfully brought this FEI-approved international tournament to India after a 14-year hiatus. Hosting such a prestigious and competitive event is not just a point of pride for us at EFI; it’s a tremendous opportunity for Indian riders to experience top-tier competition right at home,” said EFI Secretary General Col. Jaiveer Singh.

“This tournament allows us to showcase India as a promising destination for international equestrian events, enhancing our status in the emerging global equestrian market. Moreover, it provides local riders with the chance to excel in familiar conditions, further elevating the sport in our country,” he added.

The other 10 participating countries — Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan — will put up one rider each, the EFI informed in a release on Thursday.

Both Surya and Avik have risen through the EFI junior rank competitions. Surya was a silver medallist at the Junior National Equestrian Championship (JNEC) in both Dressage and Jumping events in 2022. He has also won a silver medal at the Grade III NEC event last year.

Avik was adjudged the best junior rider (2023) and the best young rider this year at the Delhi Horse Show. He is also a medal winner at the junior and senior Nationals.

source/content: ianlive.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS / LIFTING: Pradeep Kumar, Shalan Pinto win Gold & Shalan Pinto Awarded ‘Best Lifter Title’ at 2024 Commonwealth Bench Press Championship,South Africa

 Pradeep Kumar and Shalan Pinto made India proud by winning gold medals at the 2024 Commonwealth Bench Press Championship, held in Sun City, South Africa, on October 4.

Pradeep Kumar clinched gold in the 83 kg category, lifting an impressive 237.5 kg. His victory came after a tough contest with Tom Morgan from New South Wales, with Pradeep successfully clearing all his lifts to secure the top spot.

In the 47 kg category, Shalan Pinto also took home the gold, lifting 65 kg. In addition to her gold medal, she was awarded the ‘Best Lifter’ title. Shalan has been training under Pradeep Kumar at Kasharp Fitness.

Expressing his gratitude, Pradeep Kumar thanked the Karnataka Powerlifting Association for the opportunity, Kasharp Fitness for its world-class facilities, Balanjneya Gymnasium for their guidance from the start, and Team India for their unwavering support.

Shalan Pinto, daughter of the late Alexander Pinto and Lydia Irene Lobo from Yeyyadi, Mangaluru, has had a stellar year. Her selection for the 2024 Commonwealth Bench Press Championship followed a series of strong performances in key competitions. She secured first place in the 47 kg junior category at the National Bench Press Championship in Maharashtra in January 2023 and earned second place in the same category at the National Bench Press Championship in Bengaluru in November 2023. Shalan also finished second in the 47 kg junior individual bench press at the National Powerlifting Championship in Punjab in June 2024.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

REGIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS: Samuel Simson wins gold at zonal Shotgun Trap Shooting competition in Hyderabad

 Samuel Simson, a 4th year BA LLB student of SDM College, Mangaluru, and son of Royprakash Simson and Cheryl Simson from Bajpe, has once again claimed the gold medal in the Zonal-level Shotgun Trap Shooting Competition held in Hyderabad.

The competition, organized by the Telangana Rifles Association, took place from September 27 to October 1 and saw participation from seven states.

Samuel’s achievement makes him the first person from Dakshina Kannada district to consistently win both silver and gold medals in the Zonal-level Shotgun Trap and Double Trap categories.

With this victory, Samuel has qualified for the upcoming National Trap Shooting Championship to be held in Delhi, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the sport.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SPORTS / CHESS: Atharv Venkatesh and Leah R Joseph are the champions of Karnataka State Under-11 Open and Girls 2024

Atharv Venkatesh (Bengaluru Urban) and Eshwar Veerappan Aiyappan (Mysore) scored 7.5/9 each at Karnataka State Under-11 Open Rating Championship 2024.

Atharv won the tournament on tie-breaks, Eshwar secured second place. Eight players scored 7/9. Out of them, top seed, Samaksh Ashok was adjudged third. In the Girls event, Leah R Joseph scored sole 7.5/9 to become the champion. Five players scored 7/9. Indusheetala N (Bengaluru Urban) and Anvita Sathi (Uttara Kannada) secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total combined prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹12000, ₹8000 and ₹6000 along with a trophy each respectively. The three-day nine-round rating tournament was organized by Giristuti Checkmate School of Chess Foundation from 30th August to 1st September Gujarat Bhavan in Belgaum, Karnataka. Photo: Praveena N

Bengaluru Urban players clinch the championships

Atharv Venkatesh, a student of Legacy School, Bangalore, scored 7.5/9 to win Karnataka State Under-11 Open. He was fourth seeded and suffered only one loss against Vyan Banchor in Round 3. Atharv won the tournament with better tiebreaks.

Leah R Joseph, a student of St. Pauls English School, Bangalore scored 7.5/9 and finished a half point ahead. She was fifth seeded and lost only one game against Aarna Jain in Round 5. This is Leah’s second State title. Last year she won Karnataka State Under-9 Girls Championship 2023.

Open Top 3 (L to R): 3rd Samaksh Ashok 7/9, 1st Atharv Venkatesh 7.5/9 and 2nd Eshwar Veerappan Aiyappan 7.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N

Eshwar Aiyappan from Amrita Vidyalayam, Mysore scored 7.5/9 and secured second place. He was seeded eleventh and suffered only one loss against Indrajit Majumdar. Eshwar drew with the eventual champion, Atharv in the final round. Indusheetala Natarajan from National Hill View Public School, Unit 2 Bangalore scored 7/9 and finished second. She was seeded sixth and her only loss was against Aadya Gowda. Indusheetala drew with the eventual champion in the Girls, Leah in the final round.

Girls Top 3 (L to R): 3rd Anvita Sathi 7/9, 1st Leah R Joseph 7.5/9 and 2nd Indusheetala 7/9 | Photo: Praveena N

A total of 153 players in the Open and 91 in the Girls took part from various districts of Karnataka. The nine-round Swiss league Rating tournament took place from 30th August to 1st September 2024 at Gujarat Bhavan in Belgaum, Karnataka. 

It was organized by Giristuti Checkmate School of Chess Foundation, Belgaum.

The time control was 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

source/content: chessbase.in / Praveena N (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Kavitha of MAHE & Archana Trust secures gold for Karnataka Bocce Team in National Bocce Championship, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

The Special Olympics Karnataka State Bocce Team has achieved remarkable success by winning gold medals in both the male and female categories at the recently concluded National Bocce Championship, held in Gwalior from September 1 to 5. The team’s outstanding performance has brought immense pride to the state of Karnataka.

Among the athletes, Kavitha, a native of Hunsur, Mysuru District, who has been a resident of ASARE for the past 15 years, played a key role in the team’s success. After participating in the state-level Bocce competition on July 29, in Davanagere, conducted by Special Olympics Bharath Karnataka, Kavitha was selected as part of the Karnataka team for the national event. At the National Bocce Championship in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, the team, including Kavitha, showcased their dedication and teamwork, winning two gold medals.

ASARE, where Kavitha resides, is a trusted institution dedicated to helping mentally challenged citizens. It was jointly established by Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Archana Trust with the noble aim of providing essential support to those who face challenges in mental growth due to various reasons. This victory is not just a personal achievement for Kavitha but also a testament to the empowering work done by ASARE in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The success of the Karnataka Bocce team is a reflection of the collective efforts of the athletes, coaches, and support staff, as well as the commitment of Special Olympics Bharat Karnataka to fostering an inclusive environment where athletes can thrive.

“We are thrilled with the team’s outstanding performance. This achievement, particularly Kavitha’s success, is a result of hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport. It also underscores the importance of supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities and celebrating their remarkable capabilities,” said members of the Special Olympics Bharat Karnataka committee.

This historic victory exemplifies the strength of inclusion and the incredible potential of athletes when given the opportunity to compete and succeed.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / SWIMMING: Karnataka retains title at 77th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2024

An eventful last day of the 77th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2024 ended with Karnataka being crowned champions again. They earned 17 Gold medals, 12 Silver medals and four Bronze medals to clinch the title. Maharashtra was the overall Runner-up with 6 Gold medals, 4 Silver Medals, and 4 Bronze medals.

Aneesh S Gowda, from Karnataka, was named the Individual Champion from the Men’s category with four Gold medals and Hashika Ramachandra, also from Karnataka, claimed the top spot among Women with three Golds and one Silver medal.

The icing on the cake for Karnataka was the creation of a new record in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle. Prithvi M, Kartikeyan Nair, Akash Mani, and Srihari Nataraj combined to post 3:28.09 and better Karnataka’s own record of 3:28.16 from 2023. Unni krishnan s, Vikkas Prabhakar, Vinayak Vijay, and Anand As from Services Sports Control Board finished second with 3:28.93.

The meet also witnessed Railway Sports Promotion Board’s Shivangi Sarma, Astha Choudhury, Kanya Nayyar, and Avantika Sudhir Chavan break Maharashtra’s existing record of 4:02.24 in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle, created in 2023, by clocking 4:01.83. Karnataka’s Shirin, Vihitha Nayana Loganathan, Shalini R Dixit, and Hashika Ramachandra came in second at 4:02.62.

In the Women’s 400m Individual Medley, Karnataka’s Thanya Shadakshar was marginally leading in the initial 100m of Butterfly but Maharashtra’s Saanvi Deshwal pulled ahead of her in the next 100m Backstroke. Thanya made up some distance in Breaststroke to come up alongside Saanvi and in the last 100m of freestyle put a significant distance between them to finish first with 5:08.10 while Saanvi came in second with 5:10.89.

SSCB’s Vinayak Vijay was leading the 400m Individual Medley in the first 100m Butterly, accompanied by Dhulipudi Varshith, from Telangana and Yug Chelani, from Rajasthan. Dhulipudi and Yug overtook Vinayak in the next 100m Backstroke, but Vinayak clawed his way back into contention in the Breastroke. In the last 100m of Freestyle, Yug Chelani and Andhra Pradesh’s Mongam Theerdhu Samadev turned the table to finish first and second with 4:36.39 and 4:36.44 respectively.

The Women’s 200m Backstroke saw Odisha’s Pratyasa Ray lead in the first 50m but Bengal’s Soubrity Mondal turned on the after burners to snatch the lead and held it for the rest of the race to finish first with 2:21.76 and Pratyasa finished second with 2:24.29.

In the Men’s 200m Backstroke, Tamil Nadu’s Nithik Nathella and Maharashtra’s Rishabh Anupam Das went neck to neck, Rishabh began pulling ahead halfway through the race but in the last 50m sprint Nithik overtook Rishabh and claimed first place, clocking 2:03.47. While Rishabh finished second at 2:04.03.

Srihari Natraj shared his experience saying, “It was a great meet, coming back from the Olympics, it was a great chance to compete with friends. Karnataka put on a great show and retained the title again, I’m sure they would’ve won without me.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SWIMMING RECORDS: Bengaluru’s Siddhartha Agarwal becomes oldest Indian to swim solo across English Channel

Siddhartha Agarwal, a 49-year-old swimmer from Bengaluru, has made history by becoming the oldest Indian to swim across the English Channel. Agarwal successfully navigated the 42-km stretch between England and France on August 29, completing the grueling swim in an impressive 15 hours and six minutes.

Reflecting on his achievement, Agarwal said he wasn’t sure about achieving this feat.

Agarwal’s quest in the freezing waters of the English Channel first began in 2018 when he crossed the Channel as part of an eight-member relay team. Incidentally, this was the same year when Srikaanth Viswanathan, also from Bengaluru, entered the Limca Book of Records for becoming the oldest to swim the English Channel solo at the age of 46.

Six years later, Agarwal, affectionately known as “Sid” in the swimming community, surpassed his compatriot’s record. The final 10 km of his swim presented the greatest challenge, as he battled rigid conditions and high tides, exacerbated by winds reaching approximately 25 miles per hour. Despite these obstacles, Agarwal successfully completed the swim, solidifying his place in the record books.

“Until I actually completed the swim, I never believed that I could actually do this. It took me a while for it to sink in. What worked for me was that I trusted my coach, I believed in the process and just focused on what I needed to do that week and that month,” Siddhartha was quoted as saying in a release from Swim Life.

It was the mammoth preparations for the solo swim under a taskmaster of a coach Satish Kumar, a former international swimmer himself, that was the most challenging.

“I was never a swimmer; at best I would splash around in the pool at my school as a kid. To inculcate the discipline and clock those regular hours in the pool despite my role as an entrepreneur in real estate and family commitments was the real challenge that excited me,” Agarwal said.

“The preparations would start with 3km swims, at a pace of 2min 15secs per 100m. The distance would increase and the pace would reduce as we got closer to the date of the solo swim. Satish was a real taskmaster, his rules were simple: If you can’t achieve that day’s target of distance and pace, he would cancel out the enter session as invalid and start afresh the following day,” he added.

With the growing popularity of endurance sports among Indians across age groups, open water swimming is truly catching on with professional set-ups like Swim Life opening doors for amateur swimmers to take up a new challenge and pursue a fitness regime that promises a lifestyle change.

Satish, who trained Siddhartha, believes this feat will inspire several others to take up open water swimming.

“Sid is really a man on a mission when he sets his sight on a goal. It wasn’t easy swimming the channel. Though the swim was for 15 hours, the training was for 15 months. We had trained and mastered every aspect of the channel before the swim,” Satish said.

“With his incredible discipline and dedication, Sid could fight the most challenging situations in the sea on that day. This success comes as a huge inspiration for amateur swimmers, regardless of their age, who are dreaming of achieving similar feat in their lifetime.”

source/content: ddnews.gov.in (headline edited)