LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) — Members of Afghanistan’s national girls’ football team have fled across the border into Pakistan dressed in burqas, a month after the hardline Taliban swept back into power, officials said Wednesday. The group of junior players and their coaches and families had tried to escape the country last month but a devastating bomb attack at Kabul airport left them stranded, someone close to the team told AFP. “I received a request for […]
Sports — International
US Open champion Raducanu can ‘rule the world’ says former coach
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Emma Raducanu’s stunning US Open triumph showed the British teenager can “rule the world” of women’s tennis, according to her former coach. Raducanu has become a global sensation after the 18-year-old stormed through qualifying to win the US Open in just her second Grand Slam appearance. She defeated Leylah Fernandez in Saturday’s final in New York to become the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title […]
Queen leads explosion of British joy at Raducanu’s stunning Slam win
Emma Raducanu’s extraordinary US Open triumph on Saturday led to an explosion of joy in Britain, with Queen Elizabeth II leading the celebrations as the 18-year-old qualifier made tennis history in New York. Raducanu beat 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-3 to become Britain’s first women’s Grand Slam singles champion since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977, and the first player to win a major after coming through a qualifying tournament. “I send my congratulations […]
Holyfield tapped to take on Belfort after De La Hoya hospitalized for Covid
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Evander Holyfield will step in to face Vitor Belfort on Saturday after former boxing great Oscar De La Hoya was forced out of a one-off comeback bout because of Covid-19. But the bout has been moved from Los Angeles’ Staples Center to Florida after California boxing authorities refused to sanction a battle between Brazilian mixed martial arts star Belfort and former heavyweight world champion Holyfield — who will […]
Djokovic into US Open last 8, three wins from Grand Slam
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Novak Djokovic struggled but advanced within three matches of completing the first men’s singles calendar-year Grand Slam in 52 years on Monday by outlasting American Jenson Brooksby at the US Open. World number one Djokovic rallied past 99th-ranked Brooksby 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to book a quarter-final encounter with Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini in a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final. The 34-year-old Serbian star would become the first […]
Storey wins ‘race of truth’ for record 16th Paralympics gold
by Daniel HICKS TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Cycling queen Sarah Storey said she had to conquer a “race of truth” Tuesday as she claimed a British record-equalling 16th Paralympics gold medal. The 43-year-old, who won 3,000m pursuit gold on the track six days ago, blew away a high-class field in the women’s road C5 time trial at Fuji International Speedway to secure her 27th medal overall. “It’s the race of truth,” said Storey, who was […]
NBA says Covid vaccine required for referees
The NBA said Saturday it will require Covid-19 vaccinations for all referees working games in the 2021-22 season. The league said in a statement that the requirement was agreed with the National Basketball Referees Association. It allows some exemptions for religious or medical reasons. “The referees have also agreed to take any recommended boosters,” the league said. “Any referee who does not get vaccinated and is not exempt will be ineligible to work games.” The […]
Wheelchair racing legend McFadden wins 18th Paralympic medal
by Andrew MCKIRDY TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — US wheelchair racing legend Tatyana McFadden said she was “on cloud nine” after winning her 18th Paralympic medal on Saturday, four years after blood clots almost ended her career. McFadden took bronze in the women’s T54 5,000m to extend her streak of finishing on the podium in every Paralympic race she has entered since 2008. But she said just competing in Tokyo was a victory in itself, having […]
Pacquiao says he’s open to rematch with Ugas
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao has refused to rule out a rematch with WBA champion Yordenis Ugas following his upset defeat to the Cuban last weekend, which nudged the Filipino boxing star ever closer to retirement. Pacquiao, 42, told The Athletic website that he may consider fighting Ugas again in January following his unanimous decision loss to the 35-year-old in Las Vegas on Saturday. “Yes, I can come back in January. I […]
Tokyo 2020: Fireworks mark start of Paralympics opening ceremony
Fireworks are released at the Japan National Stadium as the Opening Ceremony for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games gets under way. © Agence France-Presse
Tokyo Paralympics to open as Japan battles virus surge
by Sara HUSSEIN TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo’s Paralympic Games open on Tuesday, with athletes hoping to shatter stereotypes and world records despite a year-long pandemic delay and as Japan battles a surge in virus cases. The Games will officially be declared open on Tuesday evening by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito but virus rules mean most of the stadium’s 68,000 seats will be empty. Still, the excitement is clear among the 4,400 athletes from 162 teams […]
Pacquiao says ‘may not’ return to ring after Ugas upset
Manny Pacquiao plans to take his time before deciding on his future but admitted on Saturday he may not return to the ring after his upset defeat to Yordenis Ugas. The 42-year-old Filipino boxing superstar indicated he now planned to turn his attention to his political career in the Philippines in the wake of a unanimous points defeat to Ugas. “In the future you may not see Manny Pacquiao fight in the ring,” Pacquiao said. […]