Sports Shorts: Chawrasia maintains slender lead in Hong Kong

A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Saturday

SSP Chawrasia holds a one-shot lead heading into the final day of the Hong Kong Open after carding a 69 in the third round on Saturday, with Rafa Cabrera Bello and Wade Ormsby closing in on the leader to set up a nail-biting finish at Fanling.

India's Chawrasia, who is on the verge of his first European Tour title away from home, entered the third round with a two-shot lead and extended it to three at one stage before being chased down after a run of seven pars.

Spaniard Cabrera Bello and Australian Ormsby moved to within one shot of the Indian after recording a six-under-par 64 and a five-under-par 65 respectively at the Hong Kong Golf club to move to joint-second.

"I'm happy with the score today, although I definitely left a couple of shots out there, Chawrasia said after the round.

"I felt a little extra pressure today which probably why missed a couple of putts but I will think I can do something special tomorrow.

"This course really suits my game... I'll definitely have to shoot a low number to win because someone just behind me will definitely go low."

Swede Alexander Bjork and Ormsby led along with Chawrasia at the turn before the 39-year-old Indian surged ahead.

Recently-crowned Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, Bjork and Belgian Thomas Detry are a shot behind Cabrera Bello and Ormsby while defending champion Sam Brazel fell well off the pace.

Barshim and Thiam named World Athletes of Year

High jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim and heptathlete Nafissatou Thiam were named male and female world athletes of the year by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), at a ceremony in Monaco on Friday.

Qatari Barshim, 26, was unbeaten in 11 competitions in 2017, winning gold at the world championships and romping to the Diamond League crown.

Thiam, 23, also took the world title to add to her Olympic crown and broke through the 7,000 points barrier by registering 7,013 at a meeting in Austria.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe presented the trophy to Barshim, while International Athletics Foundation (IAF) Honorary President Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the trophy to Thiam.

"Tonight is our time to celebrate," Coe said.

"We have recognised the achievements and remarkable careers of some outstanding athletes, coaches and officials."

Maini enjoys podium finish in GP3 Series in Abu Dhabi

Young Indian racer Arjun Maini, who is Haas F1 development driver, started off the last race weekend of the GP3 Series with a podium finish in the first race at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Maini who qualified P5 on Friday, finished third after tyre of the car ahead of him deflated.

The JK Tyre and TVS supported driver started the race strongly, taking P4 into the corner of the first lap itself. The front four managed to break away from the rest of the pack by lap 5 with a healthy 5-second gap separating P4 and P5.

Despite a couple of virtual safety cars out on track, the front four kept pulling away. An intense battle for P5 and P6 between Ticktum, Lorandi, Schothorst and Boccolacci allowed Arjun to steadily cement his position till the last few laps of the race.

On the penultimate lap of the race, Pulcini's left-rear tyre deflated and allowed Arjun to secure a podium just as Arjun made a pass on him.

"It's great to be on the podium again after Barcelona. The Yas Marina Circuit has always been a very competitive track and getting a podium here is indeed a spectacular feeling. This was a tough race, and hopefully I am able to carry on this momentum into Race 2 and end the season on a high," Maini said.