Jay Prakash Rai feted

KATHMANDU: Jay Prakash Rai, black-belt first dan was felicitated by Nepal Goju-Kai Karate-Do Association (IKGA) for his success in climbing 6273 metre high Parchamo Peak. The programme was organised by the association under the convenorship of Ashok Kumar Pandey, vice-president of IKGA here today. Under the leadership of Ochi Eijirou of Japan, Rai along with Pemba Chiri Sherpa finished their expedition to the Peak, located in Solukhumbu on April 30 in nine hours and 55 minutes. Rai further aims to climb Mount Everest. — HNS

Sri Lanka take command

Harare: Marvan Atapattu and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara shared an unbeaten 334-run partnership as Sri Lanka raced to 443 for one wicket at the close on second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe. It was the highest ever Test partnership against Zimbabwe, overtaking the previous record of 313 by Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq for Pakistan in 1996-97. In the process, Sri Lankan skipper Atapattu moved to his sixth double century as he finished the day on 202 . Sangakkara was on 186. — AP

Korea, Italy, Russia qualify

TOKYO: Italy defeated Russia in five sets as both teams clinched a berth in the Athens Olympics at the women’s Olympic qualifying volleyball tournament. After dropping the first two sets, world No 4 Italy improved to 4-2 in the eight-nation tournament. In other games, South Korea defeated winless Nigeria to improve to 5-1 and clinch the tournament’s other ticket for Athens. Host Japan, which wrapped up a place in the Olympics on Friday, improved to a perfect 6-0 win over Taiwan. — AP