Lewis Hamilton clinches pole position for season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton will be on pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. (AFP)
Updated 24 November 2018
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Lewis Hamilton clinches pole position for season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

ABU DHABI: Five-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton clinched pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Saturday.
The Mercedes driver’s 11th pole of the season and record-extending 83rd of his career looked in some doubt as Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was quicker at the first time split.
But Vettel went too wide on the last turn and qualified only third behind the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton is aiming to sign off in style with an 11th win of the season, while Bottas has yet to win one and Vettel’s last victory came at the Belgian GP in August.
For the second straight year, four-time F1 champion Vettel led during the championship only to finish second behind Hamilton.


Saudi boxing’s inaugural ‘Kingdom’s Belt’ Championship crowns winners in Riyadh

Updated 08 February 2026
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Saudi boxing’s inaugural ‘Kingdom’s Belt’ Championship crowns winners in Riyadh

  • Record participation of 246 fighters highlights growing momentum of boxing across the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation staged its inaugural “Kingdom’s Belt” Championship in Riyadh this week, with champions crowned on Saturday after four days of competition.

Held at the Mike Tyson Club in Boulevard City, the tournament featured 246 male and female fighters representing 46 clubs from across the Kingdom — the largest turnout for a domestic boxing championship organized by the federation.

Athletes qualified through regional tournaments, setting up national-level competition across multiple weight divisions in both men’s and women’s categories.

The championship formed part of the federation’s official calendar and was run under technical and administrative supervision, with bouts conducted in line with approved regulations and officiating standards.

Fighters progressed through preliminary rounds and semifinals before Saturday’s finals, where winners received the Kingdom’s belts during the closing ceremony.

The event showcased competitive matchups across divisions and highlighted the continued growth of organized boxing in Saudi Arabia.

Federation officials said the tournament represents an important addition to the domestic calendar, offering athletes a structured pathway to compete nationally while supporting efforts to develop the sport across the Kingdom.