Sports

Sri Lankan bodybuilder Lucian Pushparaj, fondly known as ‘Asia’s Black Lion’, was placed fourth on a highly competitive world bodybuilding event held in Texas, USA. Pushparaj represented Sri Lanka at the recently concluded ‘Mr. & Ms. Atlas’ event which was organised by the Global Bodybuilding Organisation.

This is a significant moment for Sri Lanka since this is the first time a local bodybuilder has been placed highly at a world event. Competing with 34 participants, Lucian Pushparaj was able to secure fourth place bringing Sri Lankan bodybuilding to levels hitherto unseen, analysts in Colombo stated.

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova received a surprise marriage proposal from a fan at an exhibition game in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday.
The five-time Grand Slam holder, who is on tour as part of her preparations for next season, made a stop in Istanbul on Sunday to face local player Cagla Buyukakcay.

Sharapova was getting ready to serve when a fan unexpectedly shouted “Maria, will you marry me?” causing laughter from those in attendance at Sinan Erdem Hall. The former world number one didn’t hesitate, answering “maybe” to the stranger who interrupted her serve with the sudden proposal.

Buyukakcay, ranked 161st in the World Tennis Association (WTA) standings, showed fierce resistance in taking the first set to a tie break, before Sharapova eventually prevailed 7-6.

The more experienced Russian went on to seal victory by dismantling her Turkish opponent in the second set, 6-0.

READ MORE: Sharapova named in Indian luxury property fraud probe – report

Sharapova returned to action in April after serving a 15-month disqualification for the use of the banned drug meldonium.

This year she was granted a wildcard entry into the US Open where she knocked out the second seed Simona Halep of Romania in the first round and added two more wins before losing to Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in the fourth round.

In October, Sharapova claimed her first trophy after returning to the WTA tour by taking a hard-fought 7-5 7-6 victory over her 19-year-old Belarusian opponent Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Tianjin Open.

Sri Lanka bounced back in style with the change of format as they bundled India out for a paltry 112 in 38.2 overs in the opening game of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series at Dharamshala on Sunday. Pace bowler Suranga Lakmal, who bowled his allotted 10 overs on the trot, was the pick of the bowlers returning with figures of 4-13.

Sri Lanka wasted no time in chasing the target with opening bastman Upul Tharanga leading the way with 49 runs. Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella chipped in with 25 and 26 runs respectively to end India's misery.

The second One Day match will take place in Mohali on Wednesday (13).

India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs in the second test in Nagpur after the touring side were bundled out for 166 shortly after lunch on the fourth day.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed Chandika Hathurusingha as their new head coach. The 49-year-old former Sri Lankan all-rounder will take over the reigns of Sri Lanka Cricket from December 20, SLC announced. Interestingly, Hathurusinghe’s maiden assignment as head coach will be against his former team, Bangladesh.

Hathurusinghe was expected to take over as head coach of the Sri Lankan team from Trevor Bayliss after the 2011 World Cup, but was rejected due to differences with then SLC President D.S. de Silva.

Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that Hathurusingha will be the highest-paid Sri Lanka coach in history.

Hathurusingha had earlier coached Sri Lanka A and was also named as an assistant coach with the national team.

The right-handed all-rounder, who bowled medium-fast, had played 26 Tests and 35 One Day Internationals for the Sri Lankan national cricket team.

India declared their innings on day three of second Test match against Sri Lanka for 610 for six wickets on Sunday.