Leslie Xavier
Leslie Xavier is a former national wrestler, judoka and karate champion. He has been a sports journalist for more than a decade and writes on Olympic disciplines and motorsport.
Articles by Leslie Xavier
Gaurav Gill to drive in World Rally Championship 2 with Team MRF
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON APR 16, 2018 04:29 PM IST
Gaurav Gill and Team MRF will take the World Rally Championship 2 (WRC 2) plunge in Italy, at the Rally Italia Sardegna, to be held from June 7-10, joining in the seventh round of the championship as the plan is to play it a little conservative this time, making sure they don’t stretch their resources.
2018 Commonwealth Games: England beat India 2-1, win bronze in men’s hockey - highlights
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON APR 14, 2018 04:16 PM IST
Get highlights of the bronze medal play-off between India men’s hockey team and England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (CWG 2018) here. India went down 1-2 after a poor performance -- Sam Ward scored for England twice while Varun Kumar pulled one back for the Indians.
How Commonwealth Games cost Sushil Kumar and Indian wrestling stars a World Cup shot
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON APR 12, 2018 02:48 PM IST
The Wrestling Federation of India is happy to send a junior side for exposure to the UWW Freestyle Wrestling World Cup since the top wrestlers, led by Sushil Kumar, are set for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. But throwing a group of below-par wrestlers into the lion’s den could prove detrimental.
2018 Commonwealth Games: Erratic India punished by Pakistan in hockey opener - highlights
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON APR 07, 2018 01:04 PM IST
Get highlights of the India vs Pakistan hockey match from the 2018 Commonwealth Games here. Indian men’s hockey team fell prey to some lax defending and was held to a 2-2 draw by Pakistan in their 2018 Commonwealth Games campaign opener in Gold Coast.
Commonwealth Games 2018: Squash dreams rest on tested warhorses
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON APR 01, 2018 10:04 AM IST
With the new generation not showing potential, India will have to rely on stalwarts like Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa to bring home glory in the Commonwealth Games 2018.
Commonwealth Games 2018: India possess muscle to have free run in wrestling
By Navneet Singh & Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 29, 2018 10:14 AM IST
Sushil Kumar, Bajrang Punia, Rahul Aware, Mausam Khatri, Sakshi Malik, Babita Kumari and Vinesh Phogat will be some of the biggest names in the Indian wrestling contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.
Review: A Ringside Affair by James Lawton
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON JAN 27, 2018 05:14 PM IST
Though James Lawton occasionally frets about the fate of boxing, his narrative, which includes the fights he covered for US and UK newspapers, also looks at the struggles of the fighter
Motorsports rewind 2017: Lewis Hamilton stars but trouble brews in F1
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 28, 2017 11:02 AM IST
Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez clinched the top titles as motorsports enjoyed a turbulent 2017 season.
Vijender Singh has home challenger too as Brijesh Kumar Meena issues war cry
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 21, 2017 08:55 AM IST
Vijender Singh, the reigning WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight champion, will defend his title against Ernest Amuzu but he faces a challenge from Brijesh Kumar Meena who is the No 2 super middleweight boxer in India.
Vijender Singh faces an African next - How farcical are his pro boxing bouts
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 20, 2017 03:51 PM IST
The huge gulf between the world ranking of Vijender Singh and his latest opponent Ernest Amuzu of Ghana hints at another possible mismatch, which could potentially damage the reputation of the Indian boxer and his fledgling professional career.
FIH Hockey World League Final, India beat Belgium in shootout to enter semis, highlights
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON DEC 06, 2017 10:38 PM IST
India beat Belgium 3-2 in shootout to storm into the semifinals of the Hockey World League Final (HWLF) at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. After regulation time the scores were tied 3-3 with Gurjant Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh scoring for the hosts. Get highlights of the FIH Hockey World League Final, India vs Belgium quarterfinal here.
Superbike ‘sabotage’ mars JK Tyre -FMSCI National Racing season finale
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, Greater Noida
PUBLISHED ON NOV 19, 2017 11:31 PM IST
Former national champion K Rajini alleged that his Kawasaki Ninja ZX 10R was tampered with and damaged soon after he took pole for the JK Super Bike 1000cc race in the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship final round at Buddh International Circuit
Wrestler Sushil Kumar’s golden return shrouded in walkover ‘mystery’
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON NOV 18, 2017 10:54 AM IST
A rusty Sushil Kumar won the 74kg freestyle category at the ongoing national wrestling championships in Indore, the twin Olympic medallist receiving three walkovers en route to gold
Delhi Half Marathon: A race where runners stand to lose more than win
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON NOV 10, 2017 07:55 PM IST
The Delhi Half Marathon is all set to go off exactly as planned, despite the poor air quality pollution in the capital city and the event taking place when the particulate matter is at its highest
Andrea Dovizioso wins Malaysian GP, keeps MotoGP title race alive vs Marc Marquez
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, Sepang (Malaysia)
UPDATED ON OCT 29, 2017 10:44 PM IST
In a wet race, Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati beat teammate Jorge Lorenzo to win the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix, while championship leader Marc Marquez finished fourth. The Repsol Honda rider, however, still commands a 21-point lead over the Dovizioso.
Moto GP: Marc Marquez crashes, Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa takes pole at Sepang
By Leslie Xavier | Sepang, Malaysia
PUBLISHED ON OCT 28, 2017 07:06 PM IST
A win or second-place finish would give Marc Marquez the 2017 MotoGP world title. However, his poor form and crash during qualifying at Sepang Circuit -- the Repsol Honda rider’s Malaysia jinx -- has given Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, who is starting from third place behind pole-setter Dani Pedrosa, a window of hope
MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso, Sepang ghosts stand between Marc Marquez and world title
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, Kuala Lumpur
UPDATED ON OCT 27, 2017 05:46 PM IST
With a 33-point cushion and two races to go, Repsol Honda’s defending world champion Marc Marquez could seal the 2017 title at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang Circuit this weekend, while Ducati’s veteran rider Andrea Dovizioso plans to spoil the party at his ‘favourite’ track
Salwan Race and a vision to transform video gamers into fit marathoners
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON OCT 20, 2017 04:06 PM IST
While the idea of running for sport or recreation has caught up in India in the last five years or so -- with many marathons and races being staged across the country -- the demography of Indian runners show that our children don’t run. Salwan Cross Country Race strives to get the kids moving, envisaging a fitter future for India.
FIFA U-17 World Cup, Mexico vs Chile highlights: MEX qualify for Round of 16 after 0-0 draw
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, Guwahati
UPDATED ON OCT 14, 2017 10:25 PM IST
Mexico and Chile played out a 0-0 in their FIFA U-17 Group F match in Guwahati on Saturday. The result saw Mexico finish third in the group and qualify for the Round of 16. Get highlights of the Mexico vs Chile match here.
FIFA U-17 World Cup, USA vs Colombia highlights: COL win 3-1, enter round of 16
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON OCT 12, 2017 10:23 PM IST
Colombia national football team beat USA in their final FIFA U-17 World Cup Group A match in Navi Mumbai on Thursday to progress to the round of 16 stage. Juan Vidal, Juan Penaloza and Deider Caicedo scored for Colombia while George Acosta hit the target for USA national football team. Get full-time score and highlights of USA vs Colombia match here.
India vs Macau AFC Asian Cup qualifier highlights: IND win 4-1, qualify for finals
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON OCT 11, 2017 10:38 PM IST
Indian national football team beat Macau 4-1 in their AFC Asian Cup qualifying match at Bangalore’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Rowllin Borges, Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua scored for the hosts who have qualified for the the finals in the UAE (2019) Get final football score and highlights of the India vs Macau match here
Hockey India’s appointment of Sjoerd Marijne as men’s coach defies logic
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON SEP 09, 2017 09:15 AM IST
Hockey India have pulled off a surprise and appointed Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, the head of the women’s team, as coach of the men’s hockey team after Roelant Oltmans was dismissed from the post. Harendra Singh will take over as the women’s team’s high performance specialist coach.
Floyd Mayweather wins, Conor McGregor too, as boxing loses some more ground
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON AUG 28, 2017 05:52 PM IST
Floyd Mayweather’s 10th round TKO of Conor McGregor in the super fight in Las Vegas gave him a 50-0 career record, but despite raising a lot of money for both boxers, the bout has perhaps damaged boxing’s credibility
Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor: Boxing super fight or a circus?
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON AUG 26, 2017 03:17 PM IST
Floyd Mayweather’s bout against Conor McGregor is being billed as the ‘Fight of the Millennium’, but will it live up to the build-up?
Khel Ratna, Arjuna: Authorities should set norms, and athletes their priorities, straight
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON AUG 06, 2017 09:49 AM IST
The announcement of the Arjuna, Dronacharya and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards have always attracted controversies and this year was no different with Rohan Bopanna’s angry outburst at the tennis association and Sardar Singh’s nomination
Rohan Bopanna: 7-year itch & freedom - expect more Slams from French Open champ
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JUN 11, 2017 08:34 PM IST
Rohan Bopanna, at 37, became the fourth Indian to win a Grand Slam, capturing the French Open 2017 mixed doubles crown with partner Gabriela Dabrowski at Roland Garros.
Pakistan in do-or-die vs South Africa: Emotional fans boost demoralised PAK
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JUN 07, 2017 02:04 PM IST
Pakistan cricket team had a little over two days to recover -- from Sunday, when they lost to Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team at Edbaston, to the match against South Africa cricket team in the same venue. Sarfraz Ahmed and Co. seem to have shaken off the blues, in typical Pakistani style that too.
Jehan Daruvala becomes 1st Indian to take pole in FIA F3 European Championship
By Leslie Xavier | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON APR 29, 2017 03:45 PM IST
Jehan Daruvala’s pole position in FIA Formula 3 Championship and his second place finish in the race -- in the second round (Monza) of his rookie season -- is a good start. But putting in consistent performances through the season is important so that the 18-year-old Indian can look to graduate to higher championships without stagnating like many other Indians before him.
Steffi Graf brought out the best in me: Arantxa Sanchez on her famous rivalry
By Leslie Xavier | New Delhi
UPDATED ON APR 18, 2017 09:02 AM IST
Former World No. 1 Spanish tennis star Arantxa Sanchez opens up to Hindustan Times about the game, the future of the sport in India and her career, including her rivalry with Steffi Graf
Hero’s J-Rod wins India Baja, Abdul Wahid Tanveer of TVS bags Merzouga ticket
By Leslie Xavier | HT Correspondent, Jaisalmer
UPDATED ON APR 30, 2017 05:07 PM IST
Joaquim Rodrigues of Hero Motosport won with ease in the moto segment of India Baja, beating TVS riders KP Aravind and Abdul Wahid Tanveer, who qualified for Merzouga Rally in Morocco next month, finishing which he would qualify for next year’s Dakar Rally. In Xtreme (four-wheelers), Gaurav Chiripal pipped Raj Singh Rathore to win in Jaisalmer
