Popovici on top of the word after record-setting effort in 100m freestyle

Romania’s David Popovici reacts after winning and setting a new world record in the men’s 100m freestyle final on Aug. 13, 2022 at the LEN European Aquatics Championships in Rome. (AFP)
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Updated 14 August 2022
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Popovici on top of the word after record-setting effort in 100m freestyle

  • The 17-year-old Romanian double world champion swam 46.86sec to slice 0.05sec off the old world record set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in the 2009 World Championships, also in Rome, in the era of buoyant body suits

ROME: David Popovici reacted with “euphoria” after swimming the “best race I ever did” to break the men’s 100m freestyle world record at the European Championships in Rome on Saturday.

“It’s nice being able to say that I am the fastest to ever do it,” Popovici said.

The 17-year-old Romanian double world champion swam 46.86sec to slice 0.05sec off the old mark set by Brazilian Cesar Cielo in the 2009 World Championships, also in Rome, in the era of buoyant body suits.

“It was great and it’s very special to break this record that was set here in 2009 by Cesar Cielo,” Popovici added.

Popovici clearly enjoyed the moment.

“That was euphoria just kicking in. Simply that.”

“There’s not really a lot of adjectives I can give on how I’m feeling. I’m simply just happy,” said Popovici, who speaks faultless and exuberant English.

The fastest time in a textile suit had been 46.96 set by American Olympic champion Caeleb Dressel at the 2019 World Championships.

“I planned to go very fast and I planned to have fun and that was really about it,” said Popovici.

“It hurt, but it’s still worth it and I feel good now.”

Hungary’s Kristof Milak, the world record holder in the 200m butterfly, was second in 47.47 with Italy’s Alessandro Miressi third 47.63.

“Right now, I’m in the world record club,” Popovici said.

“Just after I finished, Kristof Milak said to me welcome to the club.”

Asked if he had swum the perfect race, Popovici replied: “I think so, yeah.”

But then he added: “Well my coach has to decide that but for the moment I think it’s probably the best race I ever did.

Popovici had eased into the final on Friday with a new European record of 46.98 seconds.

“Yesterday I said that the European record was just a step in the right direction, and I was right,” Popovici said.

In June, Popovici became the first man to complete the 100-200m freestyle double at the World Championships in nearly 50 years.

In Rome, he is also entered in the 200m which starts on Sunday and 400m which begins on Wednesday but refused to predict any more world records.

“I think I still like the 200 more but I have to get a little bit closer to the world record maybe not tomorrow, maybe not the day after tomorrow but I have a lot of time, so there is no rush,” said Popovici, who is expected to compete in the world junior championships in Peru starting at the end of August.

Another 17-year-old world champion also added European gold on Saturday.

Italian Benedetta Pilato won the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:05.97, more than a second-and-half outside the world record set by American Lilly King in 2017.

Pilato was followed home by compatriot Lisa Angiolini and Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte, the 50m world champion.

Swedish veteran Sarah Sjostrom won the women’s 50m butterfly gold for the fifth time in 24.96. The 28-year-old is the only woman to go under 25 seconds in the event in a 50m pool.

France’s Marie Wattel won silver with Maaike de Waard of the Netherlands third.

Frenchman Yohann Ndoye Brouard won the opening final of the evening when he took the men’s 200m backstroke in 1 min 55.62 sec.

He beat Hungary’s Benedek Kovacs and England’s Luke Greenbank.

Viktoria Milhalyvari-Farkas, an 18-year-old, led a Hungarian one-two in the women’s 400m individual medley ahead of Zsuzsanna Jakabos with Freya Colbert of Britain third.

Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri dominated the men’s 800m freestyle ahead of German Lukas Martens and a second Italian Lorenzo Galossi.

The British ended the evening by edging the Swedes and the Dutch to win the women’s 400x100m freestyle relay.


Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

Updated 21 sec ago
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Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

  • The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium

RIYADH: Fans will be granted free entry to Al-Inma Stadium on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia take on Australia in a must-win World Cup qualifier, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Sunday.

The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium.

The federation’s decision to open the gates free of charge was confirmed via the national team’s fan council on social media platform X, citing “appreciation of the support from the nation’s fans.”

The Green Falcons face a daunting task, as only a win by five goals or more will secure direct qualification to the 2026 tournament.

Failure to meet that target will see Saudi Arabia move into the fourth qualifying round.

That stage features six teams split into two groups, with each group winner earning a direct World Cup berth.

The runners-up will meet in a two-legged playoff to determine Asia’s representative in the intercontinental playoff.


Pakistan to face off Myanmar in AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday

Updated 08 June 2025
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Pakistan to face off Myanmar in AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday

  • The Pakistan team arrived in Yangon via private airline flight on Sunday
  • Pakistan are placed in Group E alongside Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Syria

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will face off Myanmar on Tuesday to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup tournament, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said on Sunday.

The Pakistan team arrived in Yangon via private airline flight on Sunday, according to the PFF. They will train in Yangon on Monday.

“The match between Pakistan and Myanmar will be held at Thuwana Stadium,” it said. “It will start at 3:30 PM according to Pakistani time.”

Pakistan have been training under the supervision of head coach Stephen Constantine in hopes of bouncing back from a 2-0 defeat to Syria in the campaign opener back in March.

Pakistan are placed in Group E alongside Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Syria.


Dubai remains a cornerstone in Carlsen’s journey, says father after Norway chess triumph

Magnus Carlsen lifted a record-extending seventh Norway Chess title. supplied
Updated 08 June 2025
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Dubai remains a cornerstone in Carlsen’s journey, says father after Norway chess triumph

  • Carlsen’s deep ties with Dubai began in 2004, when he achieved his final grandmaster norm at the sixth Dubai Open at just 13 years old

STAVANGER: As Magnus Carlsen lifted a record-extending seventh Norway Chess title on Friday, his father Henrik Carlsen reflected on the enduring significance of a city that has long been woven into the fabric of his son’s chess journey — Dubai.

“Dubai has been part of Magnus’ chess journey for over 20 years now,” Henrik said after his son secured victory with a final-round win over India’s Arjun Erigaisi.

“He took his final GM norm there in 2004, won his first double crown in 2014, and played his last World Championship match during World Expo 2020. That kind of continuity is rare.”

Carlsen, 34, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in chess history, finished with 16 points — narrowly edging out American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana (15.5) and reigning world champion D Gukesh of India (14.5). The win meant the Norwegian star extended a remarkable run at the top of the sport that now spans over two decades.

“I used to say that everything after he became a GM was a bonus — and the bonuses just kept coming,” Henrik said. “He’s still winning tournaments, still competing at the highest level even as he’s preparing for a new chapter, becoming a father himself.”

Carlsen’s ties to Dubai began in 2004, when he achieved his final grandmaster norm at the sixth Dubai Open at just 13 years old. The performance made him the youngest GM in the world at the time and the second youngest in history behind Sergey Karjakin.

A decade later, he returned to Dubai to make history again, clinching both the World Rapid and World Blitz Championships in June 2014 — becoming the first player to simultaneously hold world titles in all three time controls.

In 2021, the city again played host to a milestone moment. At Expo 2020 Dubai, Carlsen defended his World Chess Championship title against Ian Nepomniachtchi, including a marathon Game 6 that lasted nearly eight hours and 136 moves — the longest match in World Championship history.

Dubai was also the stage for Carlsen’s appearance in the inaugural Global Chess League in 2023, where he reaffirmed his dominance and trademark confidence. “I’m still the best,” he declared, a statement made with calm assurance and underlined by his relaxed demeanor.

Despite an evolving look — in Stavanger this week, rather than sporting his trademark ponytail his tousled hair whipped in the breeze — Henrik said little has changed beneath the surface.

“He’s still the same cocky young man — and I mean that in the best way,” he said, referring to a famous moment of frustration when Carlsen slammed a table after his loss to Gukesh in Round 6. “In our family, arrogance isn’t a flaw if you’ve earned it — and Magnus certainly has.”

Henrik also dismissed recent speculation about a possible move to the UAE for his son.

“He’s spent a lot of time there lately, mostly playing golf, but there are no plans to move,” he said. “He knows all the golf courses there, but he’s staying in Norway.”

Nevertheless, Dubai’s imprint on Carlsen’s chess legacy is undeniable.

“Chennai was his first World Championship match, but Dubai remains his last [as of now]. And in between, so many important things happened there,” Henrik said. “For Magnus, it may well be the most special place in the world.”

Elsewhere at Norway Chess, GM Anna Muzychuk claimed the women’s title, finishing ahead of China’s GM Lei Tingjie and India’s Koneru Humpy.

The tournament also marked a breakthrough moment for 15-year-old Emirati prodigy Rouda Al-Serkal, the UAE’s first Woman Grandmaster and a former world youth champion, who wrapped up her debut in the open category with three consecutive wins.


Farida P wins UAE President’s Cup in Sweden

Updated 08 June 2025
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Farida P wins UAE President’s Cup in Sweden

  • Racing series continues its successful run across European tracks

ABU DHABI: Farida P secured a valuable victory at Gardet Turf Racecourse in Stockholm on Friday, winning the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses at its sixth stop. The race coincided with Sweden’s National Day celebrations and attracted more than 50,000 spectators.

The UAE President’s Cup Series is held under the patronage and guidance of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president of the UAE, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Presidential Court. It supports a forward-looking vision for the development of Arabian horse racing and promotes breeding and ownership to preserve the breed’s noble heritage.

With the conclusion of the Swedish leg — the sixth race on the 32nd edition’s calendar — the series continued to record remarkable success across European circuits and has cemented its place among the world’s premier equestrian events held in Europe and America.

Farida P, descended from (Al-Mourtajez x Hania Dea by Majd Al-Arab), owned and trained by Pieter Dekkers and ridden by jockey Fabian Lefebvre, delivered a brilliant performance in the most valuable Arabian horse race in Scandinavian history. With a prize purse of $114,000 (€100,000), the Listed race was run over 1,500 meters on turf and open to horses aged four and above. It featured nine of the top Arabian horses from Sweden and Europe.

The mare surged from behind with a powerful burst in the final stretch to take the lead and claim the title in spectacular fashion. Wissam Al-Khalediah, trained by Janusz Kozlowski and ridden by Per-Anders Graberg, secured second place while Gindor de Bozouls, owned by Omar Jorjar, trained by Elizabeth Bernard Jean-François and ridden by Mickael Forest, finished third.

Farida P completed the race in 1:38.08 minutes, raising her win tally to 13 and securing her second UAE President’s Cup title after winning the Dutch leg last year.

The race was attended by Faisal Al-Rahmani, secretary-general of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, Ahmed Al-Mansouri, representative of the UAE Embassy in Sweden, Suhail Zbibi, vice president of the Swedish Arabian Horse Association, and Saeed Al-Muhairi, representative of the organizing committee.

Musallam Al-Amri, member of the Higher Organizing Committee, said: “We are proud of the impressive success that the UAE President’s Cup continues to achieve across European tracks. The Swedish race has been a prime example of this success and reflects the Cup’s significance among Arabian horse owners and breeders around the world.

“Hosting the race on Sweden’s National Day, with such a large audience, demonstrates the committee’s commitment to embodying the vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and his leadership in elevating Arabian horse racing through participation in major global events. These strong races and generous prizes continue to support breeders and owners worldwide.”


Kings League MENA drops line-up of superstar team presidents

Updated 08 June 2025
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Kings League MENA drops line-up of superstar team presidents

  • Region’s biggest content creators join SURJ Sports Investment-backed Kings League MENA as team presidents
  • Tryouts open, giving talented amateur players from across the region an opportunity to join Gerard Pique’s seven-a-side competition

PARIS: Kings League, former Barcelona player Gerard Pique’s revolutionary seven-a-side football competition, is set to debut its new Middle East and North Africa league in Riyadh, in autumn 2025, under a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment announced last week.

As SXB FC, the team led by Saudi Arabian streaming sensation SHoNgxBoNg, took the field for its second game at the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 in Paris, the first team presidents of Kings League MENA were unveiled.

At the same time, the application portal for player tryouts was opened for the newest competition in Kings League’s growing global ecosystem. Talented amateur players from across the MENA region have a life-changing opportunity to play in Kings League, as the selection process gets underway.

Kings League MENA is the latest expansion of the rapidly-growing Kings League global competition ecosystem. This covers leagues in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Latin America and Spain, plus two annual international competitions: the Kings World Cup Clubs and the Kings World Cup Nations.

Through this partnership, SURJ is revolutionizing sport in the region — bringing the MENA region its first digitally native, fast-paced, always-on, creator-powered football league, as it continues to drive investment that helps elevate the area’s sporting ecosystem.

In a dramatic video presentation before the start of last night’s Kings World Cup Clubs match between SXB FC and Kunisports (the team led by football legend Sergio “Kun” Aguero), the first Kings League MENA team presidents were announced:

SHoNgxBoNg (27.6 million social media followers) — The Saudi Arabian streamer vies with Drb7h for the title of number one streamer in the Arab world. He is a two-time winner of Best Influencer at the regional Joy Awards and one of the founding figures of the POWR esports team. He is currently taking part in his second Kings League World Cup, after leading the Saudi Arabian national team to the Kings World Cup Clubs in Italy in January 2025.

Drb7h (8.6 million followers) — Drb7h and SHoNgxBoNg are considered the leading streamers in the Arab world. Drb7h is also from Saudi Arabia and is part of the Falcons Esports team. In 2024, he won the Best Streamer award from the Saudi Esports Federation.

Ilyas Elmaliki (3.9 million followers) — Morocco’s biggest streamer, the man from El-Jadida led the national team that rocked the Kings League universe with a sensational run to the semifinals at the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025.

Tarboun (11.2 million followers) — After a long break from streaming, the gaming legend from Egypt is back and has his eyes on glory in Kings League MENA.

Maherco (12 million followers) — The veteran PUBG and Fortnite streamer is representing Jordan. He will aim to make experience count against his young gun rivals.

Fwaz (861,000 followers) — A rising star of streaming from Kuwait and a key member of the TheUltimates.gg esports team.

Absi (9.9 million followers) — Another up-and-coming streamer, representing Jordan’s next generation.

MENA fans can expect big announcements about more team presidents, the participation of iconic football players, and other exciting developments in the build-up to Kings League MENA.

In the coming months, the players selected during the tryouts will be allocated to their Kings League MENA teams at a draft.

Then, at a special presentation in the weeks leading up to kick-off, the team names, kits, and logo designs will be revealed.