Sports News: General

BEIJING (AP) _ Usain Bolt had a double gold sewn up coming into Wednesday's 200-meter final, so he made the Olympics even more magical by conjuring up a world record to emulate the record he set in the 100.

THE TENSE and worried faces broke into wide smiles and the deafening silence gave way to thunderous celebrations the moment Vijender Kumar finished his quarterfinal bout on a winning note.

BOXING RUNS in Vijender Kumar's blood. His grandfather, Darayo Singh Beniwal, introduced the sport in their village, Kalwash; his father and uncles carried forward what has become a tradition in the family, inspiring their own children and others in the village to slip on the boxing gloves.

Two Indians, one destiny. Their fate intertwined in one moment of glory -a medal moment - sparked wild jubilation in a billion hearts. Finally, we did it. After 56 years we have more than two medals next to India's name.

He has got the will. He has got the looks and the hooks. Never flinching, he carries his doesn't-give-a-damn attitude into the ring. This victory will heal many a wound opened in the build up to the Olympics. From buying his own supplement to being termed a recluse, Vijender Kumar had endured it all.

AN UNASSUMING wrestler is a contradiction. The common notion about grapplers is that they are pompous and eager to show their strength at the first available opportunity. But Sushil Kumar, the man who earned India its second medal in Beijing - and the only one in wrestling after Khashaba Jadhav in the Helsinki Games in 1952 - is one of a kind.

Najafgarh has another hero. One whose rise reads like a fairytale. Sushil Kumar, who started sport under Mahabali Satpal in Chatrasaal Stadium, never for once stopped dreaming of getting on the podium at the Olympics.

The village is a stone's throw from cricketer Virender Sehwag's house and the India opener is a familiar name here. But for the inhabitants of Baprola village in Najafgarh, the real hero has always been Sushil Kumar.

1952: It was a decked up Karad (in western Maharashtra) that welcomed its glorious son with a 151-bullock cart procession. The adulation would have warmed Khashaba Jadhav's heart but beyond the exultation there was very little the bantamweight wrestling bronze he won at Helsinki brought with it.

By Alastair Himmer
BEIJING (Reuters) - The unbeaten United States continued their relentless quest for gold in the men's Olympic basketball tournament by crushing Australia on Wednesday.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) _ Noor Ahmad Gayezabi said a silent prayer while watching the small family TV with his 13-year-old son.

BEIJING (AP) _ The U.S. men's volleyball team came from behind Wednesday to defeat Serbia in five sets and remain undefeated in Beijing.

BEIJING (AP) _ The Russian men's volleyball team advanced to the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics in a 3-1 victory over Bulgaria on Wednesday that was marred by controversy.

BEIJING (AP) _ San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobli scored 24 points and former Toronto Raptor Carlos Delfino added 23 to propel defending Olympic champion Argentina into the Olympic basketball semifinals with an 80-78 win over Greece on Wednesday.

Beijing, Aug 20 (IANS) Following is the medals tally on the twelfth day of the Olympic Games here Wednesday. India is at 42nd position after wrestler Sushil Kumar clinched the bronze in the freestyle (66 kg).

BEIJING (AP) _ A Chinese tour guide has recovered from injuries sustained in a knife attack that killed one American and injured another on the first day of the Olympic Games in Beijing, state media said Wednesday.

Chandigarh, Aug 20 (PTI) Haryana Government today announced a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh for Vijender for winning bronze in boxing in Beijing Olympics.

Beijing, Aug 20 (PTI) Jamaica's sprint sensation Usain Bolt broke the 200 m with a sensational timing of 19.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Michael Johnson called Usain Bolt "Superman 2" after the Jamaican broke his world record in winning the 200 metres gold medal at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.

Chandigarh, Aug 20 (IANS) "Oye chhore, Vijender" (Hey lad, Vijender), Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda roared in his native tongue as state boxer Vijender Kumar Wednesday won his quarterfinal bout at the Olympics to move into the last four stage of the middleweight event and assure himself of a medal.