DOHA: It was a night of firsts at the World Aquatics Championships.
Siobhán Haughey of Hong Kong captured her first long-course world title in the women’s 200-meter freestyle on Wednesday. Ditto for Japan’s Tomoru Honda, who claimed the biggest victory of his career in the 200 butterfly.
That’s not all.
Daniel Wiffen used a strong finishing kick to capture the men’s 800 freestyle — Ireland’s first medal ever at the world championships. And Sam Williamson gave powerhouse Australia its first swimming gold of the competition in the 50 breaststroke.
For British star Adam Peaty, it was another disappointment at the Aspire Dome after a long layoff to deal with mental health issues. The world-record holder finished fourth in the 50 breast, just missing the podium after a third-place showing in the 100 breast.
Haughey, a three-time champion at the short-course worlds, finally touched first in the big pool after years of close calls.
She was the Olympic silver medalist in both the 100 and 200 free at the Tokyo Games, in addition to a runner-up finish in the 100 free at last summer’s world championships in Fukuoka.
Also, Haughey finished fourth in the 200 free — just off the podium — at both the 2019 and 2023 worlds.
“This really means a lot to me,” she said. “It’s nice to finally see the No. 1 next to my name.”
Haughey added to a bronze medal she won a day earlier in the 100 breaststroke, a surprising result in an event she swam “just for fun.”
She will face a much stiffer challenge at the Paris Olympics, where the 200 free will include Australian stars Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus, who were among the many no-shows for Doha.
“I feel like I can do a lot better,” Haughey said. “Paris is the main target, so hopefully tweak and fine-tune some things the next few months and I can have an even better swim in Paris.”
The first swimmer from Hong Kong to capture an Olympic medal was under world-record pace through 150 meters and held on at the end to win in 1 minute, 54.89 seconds. She finished well off O’Callaghan’s mark of 1:52.85 set at last year’s worlds.
The silver went to New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather at 1:55.77, giving her another medal after a victory in the 400 free. Australia’s Brianna Throssell took the bronze at 1:56.00.
Honda, who was silver medalist in the 200 fly at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze medalist in the event at the last two worlds, was first this time in 1:53.88.
“I’m so happy,” Honda said.
Italy’s Alberto Razzetti claimed the silver in 1:54.65, with the bronze going to Austria’s Martin Espernberger at 1:55.16.
Wiffen used a strong finishing kick in the grueling 800 free to capture the historic gold for Ireland in 7:40.94.
“I really wanted to win this one,” said Wiffen, the short-course world record holder in the 800 free.
Elijah Winnington of Australia claimed the silver at 7:42.95, while Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri — the 2019 world champion in the event — faded at the end to settle for bronze in 7:42.98.
Australia, which sent a small team to Doha that didn’t include most of its top stars, finally reached the top of the medal podium with Williamson’s victory in the 50 breast.
He touched first at 26.32 in the furious dash from one end of the pool to the other, followed by Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi (26.39) and American Nic Fink (26.49).
“I’m really at a loss for words,” Williamson said. “Just getting a chance to race these guys, they’re my heroes. It’s pretty special.”
Peaty was a bit further back at 26.77.
Fink returned for the final event of the night, helping the US to a dominating victory in the mixed 4x100 medley relay.
Fink, Hunter Armstrong, Claire Curzan and Kate Douglass posted a time of 3:40.22, nearly 3 seconds ahead of silver medalist Australia at 3:43.12. Britain took the bronze in 3:45.09.
At the halfway point of eight days of swimming in Doha, the Americans lead the table with five golds and 10 medals overall.
HIGH DIVING
Rhiannan Iffland of Australia won her fourth straight world title in women’s high diving.
The 32-year-old Iffland finished with 342.00 points off the 20-meter tower at Doha Old Port.
Canada took the next two spots on the podium in the non-Olympic event, with Molly Carlson claiming silver at 320.70 and Jessica Macauley grabbing bronze at 320.35. American Kaylea Arnett finished fourth.
The men’s final, from the 27-meter tower, is Thursday. France’s Gary Hunt led after the first two rounds.
WATER POLO
The United States and Hungary advanced to the Friday final in women’s water polo.
In the semifinals, the Americans knocked off Spain 11-9 and Hungary defeated Greece 13-11.
A night of firsts at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha
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A night of firsts at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha
- Siobhán Haughey of Hong Kong captured her first long-course world title in the women’s 200-meter freestyle
- For British star Adam Peaty, it was another disappointment at the Aspire Dome after a long layoff to deal with mental health issues
Seven Saudi-based foreign players to feature in 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- Five of the selected players featured in the latest season of the Saudi Pro League, while the remaining two played in the First Division
RIYADH: Seven Saudi-based foreign professional footballers have been called up to represent their national teams in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will take place in the US and Canada from June 14 to July 6.
Five of the selected players featured in the latest season of the Saudi Pro League, while the remaining two played in the First Division, highlighting the growing global impact of football in the Kingdom.
Among the standout names is Julian Quinones, the prolific striker for Al-Qadsiah, who earned a spot on Mexico’s national team roster. Quinones had an impressive season, finishing as the fourth highest scorer in the top flight with 20 goals.
Panama included Orlando Mosquera, the dependable goalkeeper from Al-Fayha, who helped his team secure a 13th-place finish in the league.
The Jamaican squad features two Saudi-based players: Demarai Gray, the winger for Al-Ettifaq, and Damion Lowe, the defender from Al-Okhdood.
Curacao’s team includes relegated Al-Wehda midfielder Juninho Bacuna, and Jurien Gaari, the defender from Al-Hazem, who secured promotion to the SPL.
Finally, Honduras will be represented by Romell Quioto, the striker for Al-Arabi, who finished the season 12th in the second tier’s standings.
South Africa win first major cricket trophy in 27 years
- Match will go down as one of the greatest days in the country’s sports
LONDON: Chokers no more. The South Africans consigned the word to history when they ripped the World Test Championship mace from Australia’s callused grip inside four days of a riveting final at Lord’s.
South Africa wore a new label Saturday — champion — by claiming its first major cricket trophy in 27 years when it wrapped up a five-wicket win.
The last 69 runs required on day four were confidently knocked off by the Proteas in just over two hours — only three boundaries — with Australia typically fighting all the way to the inevitable end.
South Africa moved from a portentous 213-2 overnight to a winning 285-5, the second highest successful run chase in the 141-year test history at the home of cricket.
Victory laid to rest ghosts of heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages that have haunted South Africa for decades. The venues and dates are infamous in South Africa cricket, among them Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023 and Bridgetown 2024.
But London 2025 will go down as one of the greatest days in South Africa sports, when its cricket underdogs grabbed the advantage and didn’t let go against a red-hot Australia.
“While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said. “It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final. We’ve been etched in history, we’re part of something that has never been done. It’s special in a lot of ways. Also, it’s a chance for South Africa to be united. We’ve got a cause where we can put aside our differences and enjoy. We just have to embrace it.”
The stunning result also bodes well for South Africa’s preparations for its home ODI World Cup in 2027. It’s a different format, but the Proteas’ mindsets won’t be burdened by not having won a global trophy since the Champions Trophy’s precursor in 1998.
Australia didn’t give up the WTC mace easily, relentlessly attacking the stumps and trying to prey on any South Africa butterflies. The desperate Australians used up their three reviews in vain within the first 90 minutes and fought to the end. But the serial champions lost an ICC final for only a fourth time in 14 chances.
“They were fantastic in that fourth innings,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said. “There wasn’t a lot in the wicket but they didn’t give us a chance.”
The Proteas were staunch, losing only three wickets on Saturday. One of them was Aiden Markram, the colossus Australia could not topple until it was too late.
He resumed the day on 102 and was out for 136 when only six runs from victory. He spent six hours, 23 minutes in the middle. Australia didn’t celebrate his wicket. Instead, players slapped Markram on the back and congratulated him on his match-winning knock as the Lord’s crowd stood and applauded.
“Growing up, Lord’s was the one venue I wanted to play at,” Markram said. “To do it at a final and win is something really special.”
About 15 minutes later, Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run, a drive into the covers.
Markram and an injured Bavuma set up the victory the day before with an unbeaten partnership of 143 runs. They could not finish what they started, adding only four runs together before Bavuma edged Cummins behind for 66, one more than he had overnight.
Markram was named man of the match. He also took two vital wickets, that of Steve Smith on 66 in Australia’s first innings, when Smith became the highest foreign test run-scorer at Lord’s, and Josh Hazlewood to end Australia’s second innings. Kagiso Rabada had nine-for in the match.
South Africa’s target was set at 282, considered too far. But in a batting unit far less experienced than Australia’s and considered a weak point, Markram and Bavuma chanced on ideal batting conditions on day three Friday and exploited them mercilessly. The turning point was Bavuma dropped in the slips on 2 by Smith, who broke his finger and didn’t return to the match.
South Africa was criticized by some before the final for its supposedly easier road in the 2023-25 WTC cycle — it didn’t face Australia or England in a series — but it has won eight straight tests, its second longest streak in history.
“We’ve come a long way as a team, as a country,” emotional spinner Keshav Maharaj said. “We always say we want to be good people and play good. We’re moving in the right direction as a cricketing nation.
“After 25 years of pain, to finally get over the line is super emotional. We’re so grateful to have Temba to get us over the line. Diversity is our strength, so to see the crowd, they stand for the meaning of our rainbow nation. To lift the trophy is going to unite the nation even more.”
Al-Qadsiah to face Sevilla in Antonio Puerta Trophy memorial match
- Encounter with Spanish La Liga team on Aug. 4 will form key part of Saudi club’s preparations for 2025-26 season
ALKHOBAR: Al-Qadsiah Football Club will take part in the annual Antonio Puerta Trophy memorial match hosted by Spanish club Sevilla FC in tribute to the late Antonio Puerta.
The memorial match is one of Spanish football’s most heartfelt fixtures, held annually to honor the memory of a player who had a lasting impact on Sevilla FC and its supporters.
Puerta died on Aug. 18, 2007, three days after suffering a series of cardiac arrests during a La Liga match against Getafe.
The memorial match will take place at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on Monday, Aug. 4, at 9 p.m. local time.
This fixture forms part of Al-Qadsiah’s pre-season training camp, which will be held across the Netherlands and Spain, ahead of the 2025–2026 season. The team is scheduled to play four friendly matches during the camp, including the high-profile encounter against Sevilla.
The memorial match reflects a broader collaboration between the two clubs, highlighting the symbolic importance of the event and Al-Qadsiah’s growing international profile.
Al-Qadsiah views the match as a milestone in its long-term strategy to foster relationships with leading football institutions and to strengthen its brand across the region and worldwide.
Thunder rally to beat Pacers, level NBA Finals at 2-2
- NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander finds a way to fight through for Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Thunder are seeking their first title since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008
LOS ANGELES, United States: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied for a gritty 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers that leveled the NBA Finals at two games apiece on Friday.
Frustrated for much of the game by Indiana’s relentless defense, NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander found a way to fight through.
He followed a three-pointer with a pull-up jumper to give the Thunder their first lead since the first half with 2:23 remaining.
They wouldn’t trail again. Gilgeous-Alexander, who didn’t get to the free-throw line in the first half, added six free-throws in the final 44 seconds.
“It’s a dog fight,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after another intense, physical battle between the two teams. “Every time you step on the floor, on both ends of the floor they make you work.”
Jalen Williams scored 27 points, Chet Holmgren added 14 points and 15 rebounds and Alex Caruso chipped in with 20 points off the bench for the Thunder.
Pascal Siakam scored 20 points to lead Indiana, adding eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points, Obi Toppin added 17 off the bench and the Pacers led by 10 late in the third quarter.
But Oklahoma City – who dropped back-to-back games just twice this season and haven’t lost consecutive games in the playoffs – clamped down defensively in the fourth, determined not to fall in a 3-1 hole.
“We knew it when we woke up this morning – 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We played with desperation to the end the game and that’s why we won.”
Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder must “maintain the same desperation” when they host game five on Monday.
The Thunder are seeking their first title since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, having won it all in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics.
The Pacers, chasing their first NBA title, struck first in another fast-paced opening quarter in front of their energized fans, making four of their first five shots and building a nine-point lead midway through the opening period.
Oklahoma hit back, putting together a 9-0 run to tie it, but the Pacers – with a strong defensive effort on Gilgeous-Alexander and four steals from Pascal Siakam – emerged from the first period with a 35-34 lead.
The back and forth battle continued in the second, when Oklahoma City led by as many as six but could never pull away and Haliburton converted a three-point play – driving through traffic for a layup and making the free throw, his first of the series – to put Indiana up 60-57 at halftime.
By then, tensions had already ratcheted up. Toppin was assessed a flagrant foul for a check that sent Alex Caruso sprawling under the basket.
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein confronted Toppin and both received technical fouls.
OKlahoma City’s Luguentz Dort was later assessed a flagrant foul for swiping an arm over Toppin’s head.
Toppin gave Indiana the first double-digit lead of the game with a dunk that put them up 86-76 late in the third.
But the Thunder dug deep, tying it up four times in the fourth quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander came through.
“You’re up seven at home you’ve got to dig in and find a way and we were not able to do it tonight,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “But give them credit. They kept attacking, kept attacking, and their defense was great down the stretch.”
Oklahoma City closed the game on a 12-1 scoring run, and Gilgeous-Alexander was the driving force.
“He’s unreal,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, although Caruso said nothing Gilgeous-Alexander does surprises him anymore.
“I’ve seen him do it night after night,” Caruso said. “He doesn’t show a lot of emotion on the court, but he’s one of the most competitive guys in this league.”
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to host football World Cup playoffs
- Group winners will take two automatic places at 2026 tournament finals in North America
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Qatar will host the Asian qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday.
The third and fourth-placed teams from the qualifiers that ended last week — Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar and the UAE — will form two groups of three teams and play from Oct. 8 to 14. The draw will take place on July 17.
Group winners will take the two remaining automatic places at the World Cup finals in the US, Canada and Mexico. The runners-up from each group will play two matches on Nov. 13 and 18, with the winners qualifying for the inter-confederation playoffs
Meanwhile this year’s Saudi Super Cup featuring Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr will be held in Hong Kong, football chiefs said on Friday. Matches will take place from Aug. 19-23 at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium.
“This represents a qualitative shift for the tournament, which has achieved remarkable success,” Saudi Football Federation secretary general Ibrahim Al-Qassim said.
