Author: space4knews

On Tuesday, China secured the gold medal in women’s volleyball at the Asian Games by defeating Japan in straight sets, 3-0. China triumphed with set scores of 25-19, 25-20, and 25-23, earning their 10th gold medal in this competition. Meanwhile, the Nepalese women’s volleyball team was eliminated in the group stage and finished in 12th place.

In the final match, China took an early lead by winning the first set decisively at 25-19. They maintained a slight advantage throughout the second set, closing it out 25-20. The third set saw Japan start aggressively, taking a 7-1 lead. However, China rallied back, improving their serving and blocking to level the score at 19-19. The tightly contested set went back and forth with multiple ties, but China ultimately secured the set 25-23, sealing the match 3-0 in their favor.

With this victory, China claimed their 10th gold medal in women’s volleyball at the Asian Games and retained their title as defending champions. In the semifinals, China had narrowly defeated Thailand 3-2, while Japan secured their spot in the final by sweeping South Korea 3-0. Previously, China had also beaten Japan in straight sets to win the women’s volleyball gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. The Nepalese women’s team, however, was eliminated in the group stage and ranked 12th in the tournament.

In a five-over T20 match between India and Japan, India secured a 2-run victory after a wide decision was reversed. With six runs needed off the final four balls, Japan’s Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted a shot initially called wide by the umpire, leading to a decision reversal. India had scored 32 runs for 4 wickets in their five overs, and after Japan ended their innings at 30 runs, India recorded one of the lowest successful run chases in T20 cricket. The match took place on October 6 in Kathmandu.

During the crucial phase of the historic T20 international between India and Japan on Tuesday, the umpire’s wide call reversal sparked questions over India’s victory. Due to rain, the match was reduced to five overs, with Japan requiring 6 runs from the last four balls against India. While bowling, Axar Patel faced a reverse hit attempt from Japan’s Alexander Shirai-Patmore. The ball turned towards the leg side and was about to go outside the line. On-strike umpire Chris Thurgate initially declared it a wide as it did not make contact with the bat.

Following this, bowler Axar Patel and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson expressed dissatisfaction, while Indian captain Shreyas Iyer engaged in discussion with leg umpire Chris Brown. After the players showed their concerns, the two umpires consulted and overturned the wide decision. Thurgate rescinded his initial call, which meant Japan then needed 6 runs off 4 balls, recalculated to 7 runs off 3 balls. Japan was unable to reach the required runs in the remaining deliveries, resulting in a 2-run victory for India.

According to cricket law 2.12, umpires may alter their decisions until the next ball is bowled, making the reversal of the wide call legitimate within the rules. The main point of contention is whether a ball played with a reverse hit should be considered a wide. ICC guidelines on wides state that when the batter plays a reverse or switch hit, both sides of the wicket are considered offside. In such cases, the ball must travel at least 75 centimeters outside the outer stump to be called wide. Shirai-Patmore’s change of stance did not affect the decision based on this rule. Both reverse and switch hits are governed by the same regulation. Since the match had no television umpire or DRS system, the umpires on the field consulted each other to correct the call.

At the 20th Asian Games, Nepal’s Chandrabahadur Thapa was defeated 5-0 by India’s Mandengbam Jadumani Singh in the men’s 55 kg boxing event, exiting the competition in the first round. Chandrabahadur, who was considered a strong medal contender, suffered a setback that has further diminished Nepal’s chances of winning a medal. Earlier, Ramisha Shrestha and Dhanbahadur Darlami were also eliminated, while Khagendra Rokamagar, Kusum Tamang, Asmita Duval, and Rabin Nepal continue to compete.

On October 6, in Kathmandu, the men’s 55 kg weight class matches took place at Japan’s Nishio Gymnasium as part of the 20th Asian Games. Chandrabahadur Thapa faced off against India’s Mandengbam Jadumani Singh, who scored 5 points, while Chandrabahadur was unable to register any. With such a decisive loss by Nepal’s leading medal hopeful in the opening round, hopes for a boxing medal have waned.

Previously, karateka Erica Gurung also came close to winning a medal but was defeated. In boxing, Ramisha Shrestha and Dhanbahadur Darlami have already been eliminated, and the competition continues for Khagendra Rokamagar, Kusum Tamang, Asmita Duval, and Rabin Nepal.

England’s 36-year-old fast bowler Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket due to injuries. Over his 11-year career, Wood took 119 wickets in 38 Test matches, 80 wickets in 70 One Day Internationals, and 54 wickets in 38 T20 internationals. He was a key contributor to England’s victories in the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.

October 6, Kathmandu – Experienced England pacer Mark Wood has decided to retire from international cricket following medical advice that injuries have made it impossible for him to continue playing Test and ODI formats. Wood made his Test debut at Lord’s against New Zealand in 2015 and went on to claim 119 wickets in 38 Tests.

He participated in four Ashes series and delivered memorable performances, including the winning wicket at Trent Bridge in 2015 and an intense spell at Headingley in 2023. Wood was part of two England World Cup-winning squads; in the 2019 home ODI World Cup, he took 18 wickets, playing a vital role in securing the title. During the 2022 T20 World Cup, he picked up 9 wickets across four matches.

On announcing his retirement, Wood said, “Playing for England was the greatest honor of my life. I tried repeatedly to come back from injury, but this time I couldn’t win that battle.” England Cricket’s Managing Director Rob Key praised Wood as one of the most exciting fast bowlers of his generation and commended his significant contributions to two World Cup victories and Ashes successes.

The Japanese men’s cricket team was narrowly defeated by India in a rain-affected, five-over T20 International match by a margin of 2 runs. India scored 32 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their 5 overs, while Japan managed 30 runs for 3 wickets. This match was organized to formally mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Kathmandu, 6 Ashoj – The Indian men’s cricket team secured a 2-run victory in a historic T20I match against Japan. Due to rain interruptions at Japan’s small cricket ground, the game was limited to 5 overs. India set a target of 33 runs, which Japan chased down but only managed 30 runs while losing 3 wickets. Winning the toss, India opted to bat first and posted 32 runs with 4 wickets down in their 5 overs. Captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16 runs, supported by Sanju Samson who scored 9 runs. For Japan, Charlie Hara Hinze took 2 wickets, while Ibrahim Takahashi and Benjamin Ito Davis claimed 1 wicket each. This match was held to celebrate the formal commencement of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Japan.

Summary and editorial review. At the 20th Asian Games, in the women’s boxing 51 kg weight category, Nepal’s Ramisha Shrestha was defeated 5–0 by Vietnam’s Tam Nguyen Thi in the first round. In the men’s 55 kg category, Nepal’s Chandbahadur Thapa is set to compete today against India’s Mandengbam Jadumani Singh. Meanwhile, in the men’s 70 kg category, Dhanbahadur Darlami was eliminated in the first round. Kathmandu, 6 Ashoj – In the boxing competition at the 20th Asian Games, Nepal’s Ramisha Shrestha exited in the opening round. The bout took place Tuesday at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan, where Ramisha lost decisively by 5–0 to Vietnam’s Tam Nguyen Thi. Tam Nguyen Thi advanced to the quarterfinals with this victory. Also today, in the men’s 55 kg division, Nepal’s Chandbahadur Thapa will face India’s Mandengbam Jadumani Singh. Earlier, in the men’s 70 kg category, Dhanbahadur Darlami was knocked out in the first round. Competitors Khagendra Rokamgar, Kusum Tamang, Asmita Duval, and Rabin Nepal remain in the tournament and are scheduled to compete in upcoming bouts.

At the 20th Asian Games, all Nepali participants in soft tennis were eliminated without winning any medals. In the men’s singles, Pradeep Khatri lost 4–0 to players from South Korea and the Philippines, exiting during the group stage. In the women’s singles, Georgia Chaudhary was defeated 4–0 by players from Mongolia and Japan, leading to her elimination from the competition. Kathmandu, 6 Ashoj.

In the men’s and women’s singles events at the 20th Asian Games, both Pradeep Khatri and Georgia Chaudhary were eliminated during the group stages without securing any victories. The matches took place on Tuesday at Japan’s Higashiyama Park Tennis Centre. In men’s singles, Pradeep suffered two 4–0 defeats, first against South Korea’s Hanyul Lee and then against Joseph Arsilas from the Philippines, causing his exit from the group stage.

In the women’s singles, Nepal’s Georgia Chaudhary was defeated 4–0 by Mongolia’s Namunkhuslen Erdenbileg and Japan’s Temma Rena, resulting in her elimination. In mixed doubles, the pair of Georgia and Kamal Bhandari won one match to advance to the second round, but could not progress further after a 5–1 loss to the Indonesian pair Fernando Sanger and Arasi City.

In the men’s team event, the Nepalese team comprising Pradeep Khatri, Kamal Bhandari, and Brijesh Pandey lost both group stage matches by identical 3–0 margins to South Korea and Indonesia. While Pradeep remained winless in men’s singles, Kamal secured a single victory by defeating Laos’s Phathana Luangsisombath 4–3, but this was insufficient to advance beyond the group stage, following a loss to Chinese Taipei’s Yu-Sung Chang in the opening match. Ultimately, all Nepali players participating in soft tennis left the competition without earning medals.