Super6, Author at The Sportz Planet

Clostebol — The Anabolic Steroid That Led To Jannik Sinner’s Three-Month Ban

World No.1 tennis player Jannik Sinner reportedly served a three-month ban after testing positive for Clostebol. This article explores the banned substance, how it’s used by athletes, and what the World Anti-Doping Code says about such violations.

Sports Ministry To Drive Franchise-Based Leagues Across 13 Disciplines

The Union Sports Ministry is set to facilitate franchise-based leagues in 13 sports including boxing, wrestling, and cycling. Backed by corporate sponsors, these leagues aim to tap into India’s talent pool and prepare for hosting global events like the Olympics.

BFI Names 19-Boxer Squad for Thailand Open

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced a 19-member squad for the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament 2025, scheduled in Bangkok from May 24 to June 1. The squad—comprising 10 men and 9 women—has been selected from the ongoing elite national camp at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, which is underway as the season builds toward key tournaments. The BFI followed its selection criterion, providing opportunities to silver medallists from the 2025 Elite Men’s and Women’s National Championships. Held under the aegis of Asian Boxing, the Thailand Open will see top national teams from across the continent compete, including powerhouses like China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Korea, and host nation Thailand. India’s men’s squad: Naothoi Singh Kongkham (47–50kg), Pawan Bartwal (50–55kg), Nikhil (55–60kg), Amit Kumar (60–65kg), Hemant Yadav (65–70kg), Deepak (70–75kg), Dhruv Singh (75–80kg), Jugnoo (80–85kg), Naman Tanwar (85–90kg), and Anshul Gill (90kg+) India’s women’s squad: Yasika Rai (45–48kg), Tamanna (48–51kg), Abha Singh (51–54kg), Priya (54–57kg), Sanju (57–60kg), Saneh (65–70kg), Anjali (70–75kg), Lalfakmawii Ralte (75–80kg), and Kiran (80kg+). Also Read: Delhi GM Chess Open To Offer Record ₹1.21 Cr Prize Pool Speaking on the occasion, BFI President-Chairman, Interim Committee, Mr Ajay Singh said: “With the team set to leave for the Thailand Open, we’re entering a very exciting phase for Indian boxing. This marks the beginning of a packed international calendar, with the World Cup stage tournament in Kazakhstan, the World Championship in Liverpool, the World Cup Finals in New Delhi, and several key tournaments, including the Asian Championship, lined up towards the end of the year. We have prioritised performance and transparency in our selection process—every boxer has earned their place through hard work and consistency. The national camp is already underway, and with the level of talent and structure now in place, I believe we are well-positioned to make a strong global impact in the months ahead.” The Patiala camp initially brought together 60 male and 60 female boxers, shortlisted from standout performers at the 2025 Nationals and gold and silver medallists from the 2024 REC Combined National Talent Hunt in Rohtak and Chief of Army Staff Cup in Pune. Following a round of internal assessments, the pool was pruned to 40 in each category. This refined core group will continue training through June, with additional athletes from an upcoming Elite Women’s Competition joining in July. The Thailand Open marks an important international outing in India’s boxing calendar, providing a platform for elite boxers to test themselves against Asia’s best, with momentum building toward the World Boxing Cup later this year.The Sportz Planet Desk

Inaugural Edition Of Enhanced Games To Take Place In Las Vegas In May 2026

The inaugural Enhanced Games, allowing performance-enhancing drugs, will debut in May 2025 in Las Vegas. Founded by Aron D’Souza, the event has sparked global debate, drawing criticism from anti-doping agencies and support from tech investors like Peter Thiel.

French Open Increases Its Prize Pool To Record $63.7 Million

The 2025 French Open boosts its prize purse to $63.7 million, with $2.9 million for singles champions. Top stars like Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Aryna Sabalenka headline the Grand Slam in Paris.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Sets New Viewership Record

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, co-hosted by UAE and Pakistan, set a new viewership record with 368 billion global viewing minutes—a 19% rise from 2017. India won the title, defeating New Zealand in a historic final that became the most-watched Champions Trophy match ever.

USTA Unveils $800 Million Modernization Plan for US Open Site

When the 2027 US Open rolls around the tournament will have a different feel to it. That is because the United States Tennis Association has announced plans to transform the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center which also includes modernizing the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and building a new state-of-the-art player performance center. The modernization and upgradation will take place at an initial projected cost of $800 million, which will be fully borne by the USTA. It is the largest single investment in the tournament’s history. The redevelopment work will be carried out in a way such that the 2025 and 2026 edition of the US Open are not affected in any way. The US Open is one of the four Grand Slams in professional tennis alongside the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon. It takes place in New York and happens in August-September every year. “The US Open is the pinnacle of sports and entertainment, with the greatest athletes and fans in all of sport, and this reimagination of Arthur Ashe Stadium and construction of a state-of-the-art Player Performance Center will enhance the experience for everyone that comes on site to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said Lew Sherr in a statement. Sherr is the CEO and Executive Director, USTA. Also Read: Transforming Indian Sports Infrastructure: Insights From Gallant Sports’ CEO Nasir Ali The entire redevelopment has been split into three phases. The timeline of these phases are as follows: Phase 1 (ahead of 2025 US Open), Phase 2 (between the 2025 US Open and 2026 US Open) and Phase 3 (between 2026 US Open and 2027 US Open). Phase 1 includes structural reinforcement of column loads at Arthur Ashe Stadium to support future in-stadium construction and upgrades, development of the first two floors of the upcoming four-story Player Performance Center—featuring parking facilities—in the current Parking Lot A, and various behind-the-scenes activities that will not be immediately noticeable to attendees of the 2025 US Open. Phase 2 will see will the removal and replacement of the existing courtside and suite levels in Arthur Ashe Stadium with a new, expanded courtside bowl and two dedicated luxury suite levels. Simultaneously, the top two floors of the four-story Player Performance Center in Parking Lot A will be constructed, though the facility will not be completed or accessible to players until after Phase 3, when interior work is finalized. The final phase will aim at completing all remaining projects in Arthur Ashe Stadium, including the construction of the iconic Grand Entrance designed by Daniel Libeskind; new loge and promenade levels featuring an expansive concourse and a publicly accessible premium bar with sweeping views of the Fountain Plaza and the Unisphere; and comprehensive upgrades to all concourses, encompassing enhanced retail, food and beverage areas, restrooms, and other fan amenities. Additionally, two new sets of escalators and two elevator banks will be added at the South entrance to improve crowd flow throughout the stadium. This phase will also introduce a series of premium hospitality lounges designed by Garrett Singer, offering unparalleled in-stadium experiences for premium ticket holders. Concurrently, the interior of the Player Performance Center will be completed and opened to competitors and teams ahead of the 2027 US Open. According to a Reuters report, this announcement comes seven years after the USTA completed a five-year, $600 million renovation project at the grounds. The report said that the 2024 edition of the US Open witnessed a record attendance as the tournament had a footfall of over a million tennis fans. Prakhar SachdeoThe Sportz Planet Desk

Author: Super6