Duplantis ‘wrecked’ as Tebogo, Richardson star in Zurich

Botswana's Letsile Tebogo celebrates after winning the men's 200m final during the Diamond League athletics meeting at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on Sep. 5, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 06 September 2024
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Duplantis ‘wrecked’ as Tebogo, Richardson star in Zurich

  • World champion Richardson went some way to avenging her Olympic defeat by Julien Alfred by reversing the tables in the 100m
  • Botswana’s Olympic champion Tebogo also left it late for his victory in the men’s 200m

ZURICH: Armand Duplantis admitted to feeling “wrecked” after an exhibition 100m race, while Sha’Carri Richardson and Letsile Tebogo steamed to sprint victories at the Zurich Diamond League meeting on Thursday.

So much is now expected when Duplantis takes to the runway of the pole vault, but it was for him a relatively disappointing competition in cold and rainy conditions, albeit a victory.

The Swede won with a best clearance of 5.82m on countback from American Sam Kendricks.

“Mentally, I felt good today, but my body felt wrecked after yesterday’s race,” he said in reference to the 100m showdown with 400m hurdles world record holder Karsten Warholm.

Duplantis won the sprint in a “very impressive” 10.37sec to Warholm’s 10.47.

“For both of us it was a great experience,” said Duplantis. “It was super amazing. I think we built a super event, it was very new and innovative.”

While Duplantis at least picked up another win, Warholm was an absentee after pinging his hamstring after his sprint endeavors.

But as the loser, Warholm was deigned to wear one of the Swede’s national tops in action on Thursday.

While not competing, Warholm duly made an appearance on the track dressed in Duplantis’ kit, but said it was “terrible. I need to take a really good shower after this!“

The Norwegian added: “I would prefer to race rather than do the walk of shame. But I felt something in my hamstring. I tried to warm up but I made the decision not to run.

“I hope my good friend Mondo will let me get away with this. I hope not to do this ever again!” he said, passionately kissing a Norway flag thrown from organizers, to rapturous applause from the crowd.

Roshawn Clarke of Jamaica, in 47.49sec, won the 400m hurdles in his absence.

World champion Richardson went some way to avenging her Olympic defeat by Julien Alfred by reversing the tables in the 100m.

Richardson headed into the final 20 meters in third behind Saint Lucia’s Olympic champion Julien Alfred and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith.

But the American stayed strong and focused on the line, producing a savage dip for first place in 10.84 seconds, 0.04sec ahead of Alfred.

“I am training and executing because I know the race is not going to take care of itself,” said Richardson.

Botswana’s Olympic champion Tebogo also left it late for his victory in the men’s 200m.

The 21-year-old edged Olympic silver medalist Kenny Bednarek by 0.02sec as he won in 19.55sec.

“I always dig deep for the races and for everything, so, for me it means a lot,” said Tebogo.

And in a re-run of the men’s 1500m Olympic final, it was American Yared Nuguse who took the spoils, outsprinting Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen to the line in 3:29.21.

“This race was so highly anticipated and I knew that it was going to be quick in the end,” said Nuguse.

“Everyone could have got this race. I am glad I was still able to win.”

Beatrice Chebet, who became double Olympic champion in Paris (5,000m and 10,000m), fell short in her tilt at a world record in the shorter event.

Chebet had pacemakers, wavelight technology and a 30,000 sell-out crowd baying her on, but the Kenyan finally timed 14:09.52, all the while smashing by 21sec the meet record set back in September 2011 by compatriot Vivian Jepkemei Cheruiyot.

There was a fifth consecutive Diamond League victory for Ukraine’s Olympic champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who managed a best of 1.96m in the high jump for victory.

There were also two more dominant performances from Americans who’d struck gold in Paris.

First up, three-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser wrapped up another shot put competition with a winning 22.66m.

Grant Holloway then clocked a rapid 12.99sec for victory in the 110m hurdles.


Pakistan face China in Asian Champions Trophy hockey semifinal today 

Updated 16 September 2024
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Pakistan face China in Asian Champions Trophy hockey semifinal today 

  • Pakistan, who lost to India 2-1 on Saturday, thumped hosts China 5-1 last week 
  • Pakistan captain Ammad Butt says team will go “all-out” against China in semifinal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will lock horns with hosts China in the first semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy field hockey today, Monday, after losing their first match of the tournament to arch-rivals India last week. 

Pakistan are placed at number two on the points table, with undefeated India occupying the top spot. The green shirts have played five matches in the tournament out of which they have lost only one against India. Pakistan drew 2-2 against both Malaysia and South Korea last week before notching their first win of the tournament against Japan 2-1 on Wednesday. 

The South Asian country then beat China 5-1 on Thursday before losing to India 2-1 in a close encounter on Saturday. 

“The first semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy of Hockey will be played between Pakistan and China at Moqi tomorrow [Monday],” Radio Pakistan said on Sunday. “The match will start at 12:30 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time.”

Pakistan captain Amad Butt said on Sunday that his side would go “all-out” against China, saying that his teammates were well aware of the hosts’ strengths and weaknesses. 

“It also helps that we arrived for this tournament very early and played quite a few matches against China,” Butt said. “We look forward to a good game and if we win, there is nothing better than an India-Pakistan final.”

India, who have so far remained unbeaten in the tournament, will play against South Korea today in the second semifinal of the tournament. 

China began the tournament on a poor note with a 0-3 loss to India but had mixed results in their campaign with a 4-2 win against Malaysia, a 2-3 loss to South Korea and a 1-5 loss to Pakistan.

However, they will take the field today against Pakistan confident after beating Japan 2-0 last week.


A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun

Updated 16 September 2024
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A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun

  • Earlier this week, the Aces’ star broke the single-season scoring record that Jewell Loyd set last year

LAS VEGAS: A’ja Wilson became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a season when she had 29 in the Las Vegas Aces’ 84-71 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
Wilson hit a pull-up from the elbow with 2 minutes left in the game to reach the mark. Earlier this week, the Aces’ star broke the single-season scoring record that Jewell Loyd set last year. Las Vegas called timeout about 30 seconds later and her teammates mobbed Wilson.
She then went out on the court and acknowledged a loud ovation from the crowd clapping her hands.
The Aces (25-13) hold a one-game lead over Seattle for the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in that series. Las Vegas has won seven of its last eight games.
Connecticut (27-11) trails the Minnesota Lynx by two games for the No. 2 seed. The two teams play in Connecticut on Tuesday.
The Sun made just 4 of 16 from the field — 0 of 5 from 3-point range — in the third quarter as the Aces stretched an eight-point lead at halftime to 71-51 going into the fourth. Young’s pull-up jumper midway through the period made it 58-47 and Las Vegas led by double figures the rest of the way. Wilson was dominant at both ends, making 6 of 8 from the field and both of her 3-point shots while scoring 14 points with four rebounds and two blocks in the third quarter.
Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 18 points. Brionna Jones added 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds and Tyasha Harris scored 16 points.
Jones is averaging 20.1 points per game on 66 percent (59 of 89) shooting in seven games during the month of September.
Kelsey Plum, who finished with 14 points, hit a 3-pointer to five the Aces the lead for good and spark an 11-1 run that made it 48-40 when she capped the spurt with a step-back jumper to close the first half.


Rahm wins LIV Golf Chicago and 2024 individual crown

Updated 16 September 2024
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Rahm wins LIV Golf Chicago and 2024 individual crown

  • It was his second victory in the past three events, sandwiched around a runner-up finish to Brooks Koepka in a playoff at LIV Golf Greenbrier in August
  • In addition to his $18 million champion’s bonus, Rahm bagged $4 million for the tournament win

LOS ANGELES: Spain’s Jon Rahm fired four birdies — including a 12-footer at the 17th — to win LIV Golf Chicago on Sunday and clinch the Saudi-backed circuit’s individual season title worth $18 million.
The two-time major winner from Spain, who made the jump to the breakaway league last December, captured his second victory in the past three events, sandwiched around a runner-up finish to Brooks Koepka in a playoff at LIV Golf Greenbrier in August.
Rahm, who hasn’t finished outside the top 10 in 11 events, arrived at Bolingbrook Golf Course near Chicago this week with Joaquin Niemann — a two-time winner this season — his only rival for the season title.
After a six-under-par second round on Saturday, Rahm took a one-shot lead over compatriot Sergio Garcia into the final round, with Niemann three adrift and needing to finish in front of Rahm to bag the individual champion’s bonus.
Rahm had birdies at the third, sixth and 10th holes, and after letting a couple of birdie chances go begging, he sealed it with his birdie at 17, carding a four-under final round for a 54-hole total of 11-under par.
“I woke up really nervous today,” Rahm said. “I wanted to do a really good show and get it over the line. Just really happy I played as good as I did.
“To go bogey-free on the weekend, one bogey all tournament, it’s quite spectacular,” he said. “I’m very proud of the putt on 17, which made 18 a lot, a lot, easier.”
In addition to his $18 million champion’s bonus he bagged $4 million for the tournament win.
He finished three shots better than Niemann, whose four-under final gave him an eight-under total that left him tied for second with Garcia.
The LIV season concludes next week with the team championship in Dallas.
After that, Rahm has his sights set on playing a trio of DP World Tour events to maintain his Ryder Cup eligibility.
He said Wednesday he was unwilling to pay the fines levied by the DP World Tour on golfers who fail to obtain releases to play in LIV events that conflict with tour tournaments.
Rahm has reportedly appealed the fines, and as that process plays out would be eligible to tee up at the Spanish Open later this month.
 


Winners of Riyadh dodgeball championship crowned

Updated 15 September 2024
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Winners of Riyadh dodgeball championship crowned

  • The competition had contests in three categories — men, women and under-16s

RIYADH: The winners at the Riyadh 2024 Dodgeball Championship were crowned on Sunday.

The competition had contests in three categories — men, women and under-16s — and the champions were awarded their prizes by Abdulaziz Al-Hazani, executive director of the Saudi Dodgeball Federation.

The championship saw 25 teams of 215 players compete, who were challenging for a SR7,000 ($1,865) top prize of a SR45,000 prize pot.

In the men's competitions, the Samurai team won the gold medal, with the Dark team taking the silver medal, and the Shabab Club team claiming the bronze medal.

The Doggers team won the gold medal in the women's competitions, the Flame team took silver, and the Raging Fire team won the bronze medal.

The Saudi Dodgeball Federation is preparing to hold two other tournaments in September, with a tournament in Jeddah on Sept. 19 and another in Dammam on Sept. 26.


Newcastle strike back to win at Wolves, move into Premier League top four

Updated 15 September 2024
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Newcastle strike back to win at Wolves, move into Premier League top four

  • Eddie Howe’s men have picked up 10 points from possible 12

WOLVERHAMPTON: Harvey Barnes’ stunning strike sent Newcastle third in the Premier League on Sunday after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Wolves.
Mario Lemina had swept the home side into a first-half lead at the end of a swift counter-attack.
However, Wolves remain without a win in the Premier League this season as Newcastle’s greater quality proved decisive after the break.
The Magpies’ performances have been far from convincing so far this season.
Yet, Eddie Howe’s men have still picked up 10 points from a possible 12.
Howe responded to another lacklustre opening 45 minutes with a triple half-time change with Alexander Isak among those to come off at the break.
Newcastle could have found themselves 2-0 down before the fightback started when Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed off the post.
Instead, fortune favored the visitors when Schar’s speculative shot flicked off the head of Craig Dawson and flew beyond Sam Johnstone.
Barnes needed no such luck as he arrowed a rocket into the top corner 10 minutes from time to snatch all three points.
Newcastle still required a brilliant save from Nick Pope to deny Matheus Cunha in stoppage time and leave Wolves in the bottom three.
However, they survived to move level with second-placed Arsenal, just two points behind Manchester City.