Home hero Marchand targets more Olympic gold as triathlons get go-ahead

Leon Marchand, of France, competes during the men's 200-meter breaststroke semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics Tuesday in Nanterre, France. (AP)
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Updated 31 July 2024
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Home hero Marchand targets more Olympic gold as triathlons get go-ahead

  • The 22-year-old swam four times across the heats and semifinals on Tuesday and hopes to have plenty left in the tank
  • In men’s basketball, the US have their sights set on the quarterfinals as they take on Olympic newcomers South Sudan

PARIS: French swimming sensation Leon Marchand bids for two more Olympic golds in the pool on Wednesday as organizers declared the River Seine was clean enough to stage both triathlons.

The men’s and women’s triathlons were given the green light a day after the men’s event had been postponed because of pollution levels in the Paris waterway.

“The results of the latest water analyzes have been deemed to be in order,” said a statement from World Triathlon and the Paris Games’ organizing committee early Wednesday, ending an anxious wait for athletes.

Home favorite Marchand had sent the crowd at La Defense Arena pool into a frenzy by winning the men’s 400m individual medley on Sunday and can expect another red-hot atmosphere when he races in the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke finals.

The 22-year-old swam four times across the heats and semifinals on Tuesday and hopes to have plenty left in the tank.

“It’s a lot for my system, so I’m going to have to sleep well, eat a lot, and I’ll be ready,” vowed Marchand, the poster boy for the Games in the French capital.

US great Katie Ledecky, a seven-time gold medalist, is out to defend her 1500m freestyle title after being relegated to bronze in the 400m behind Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.

Chinese world record-holder Pan Zhanle is favorite in the men’s 100m freestyle final, while 200m freestyle champion Mollie O’Callaghan will be expected to triumph in the women’s 100m free.

Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto goes for repeat gold in the men’s all-around final, where he is expected to face a ferocious fight from China’s Zhang Boheng

If Hashimoto delivers he will emulate countryman Kohei Uchimura by retaining all-around gold, and keep it in Japanese hands for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Games.

Revenge could be a powerful motivating force for Zhang after China’s late collapse in the team final allowed Japan to snatch gold.

In men’s basketball, the US have their sights set on the quarterfinals as they take on Olympic newcomers South Sudan.

Kevin Durant’s return from injury inspired the USA to a rout of Nikola Jokic’s Serbia in their opening game, an ideal start for the reigning champions eyeing a fifth straight Olympic crown.

“KD was phenomenal,” said LeBron James. “It’s almost like he never missed anything.”

Novak Djokovic, chasing an elusive Olympic tennis gold, meets Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the third round, while Carlos Alcaraz plays Roman Safiullin.

Alcaraz will then return to the court alongside Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the doubles.

In women’s football, title-holders Canada must beat Colombia if they are to advance to the quarterfinals following a six-point deduction over a spying scandal.

Canada, who won their first two group games, have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the punishment with a verdict expected Wednesday.

The USA are seeking to close out the group stage with a third straight win, against Australia.

Though the triathlons got the go-ahead, there was further disruption, albeit on the other side of the world, as the surfing events in Tahiti were further delayed by unfavorable winds and may not resume until Thursday.

Back in Paris, diving specialists China will seek to continue their dominance in the women’s 10-meter synchronized platform, a discipline they have won each time since its inclusion at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The first medals in rowing are on offer, in the men’s and women’s quadruple sculls, while Australia’s Jessica Fox has her sights set on another gold in the canoe slalom.

Gold medals are also up for grabs on Wednesday in fencing, judo, shooting, table tennis and BMX.


Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive despite consecutive losses

Updated 9 sec ago
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Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive despite consecutive losses

  • Pakistan need to beat New Zealand by “significant margin” to stay alive in tournament, says ICC
  • Skipper Fatima Sana, who missed previous match due to father’s passing, will rejoin team on Monday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup remain alive despite its back-to-back losses to heavyweights India and Australia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday. 
Pakistan began the tournament on a high note, beating Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Oct. 3 before losing to arch-rivals India by six wickets last Sunday. Pakistan suffered their worst defeat of the tournament so far on Friday, losing to heavyweights Australia by nine wickets. 
The South Asian country will now face a strong New Zealand side on Monday which has already defeated India in the tournament. 
“Pakistan are still in contention for the semifinals but will need to beat New Zealand by a significant margin to stand a chance,” the ICC said in a report. 
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who missed the previous game after her father passed away, will return to lead the team for the New Zealand fixture. 
However, the green shirts will have to do without pacer Diana Baig, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after a calf muscle injury that she sustained during the clash against Sri Lanka. 
“Najiha Alvi will replace Baig in the squad ahead of the final Group clash against New Zealand on Monday,” the ICC said. 
Pakistan squad:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Najiha Alvi.


Beterbiev beats Bivol to become undisputed light heavyweight champion

Updated 54 min 18 sec ago
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Beterbiev beats Bivol to become undisputed light heavyweight champion

  • The 39-year-old Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) had won all 20 of his previous fights by knockout

RIYADH: Artur Beterbiev beat Dmitry Bivol by a points decision to become the first undisputed light heavyweight champion in the division for more than 20 years.
The 39-year-old Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) had won all 20 of his previous fights by knockout but was forced the distance by his fellow Russian rival in Riyadh in the early hours of Sunday morning in a fight that had several swings of momentum and was almost too close to call.
“I feel not bad,” Beterbiev said to DAZN after the fight. “I wanted to box with more quality. I’ll be better one day. It was a little bit uncomfortable.”
“Of course, it was a tough fight because Dmitry is a tough champion and he has tough skills, better than me.”
Throughout the bout there was never much between the two dominant fighters of the division as Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) used his speed to land early blows, while Beterbiev warmed to the task in the middle rounds before a late flurry in the final rounds appeared to clinch it.
“During the fight, we always try to change something,” Beterbiev said. “I didn’t deliver more punches, I don’t know. Today I am lucky too.”
In the end, two judges scored it 115-113, 116-112 for Beterbiev, with a third judge scoring it as a 114-114 draw.
“I am a warrior. I have no explanation because it looks like excuses. I am a warrior,” Bivol told DAZN. “I don’t know, I did my job but I felt like I could do better but it was just the opinion of some judges.
“Congratulations to Artur. He is powerful, very powerful. I have a bruise from my hand, he hit it and it was so hard.”
It was the first undisputed title fight in the division since 2002 and was the first time all four major world titles — WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC — have been up for grabs in the four-belt era.
They now all belong to Beterbiev.
He came into the bout with the WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight titles after defeating Callum Smith by knockout in January, needing just Bivol’s WBA belt — which Bivol won with a shock upset points decision over Canelo Alvares in May 2022 — to complete the set.
Both Russians showed patience in the opening rounds before Bivol went to work with his left jab and right hook as his speed began to trouble Beterbiev.
The tide began to turn through the fifth and sixth rounds as Beterbiev began landing his right hook, forcing Bivol onto the defensive.
The bout spurred to life in the seventh as both fighters attacked. A big left by Bivol forced Beterbiev against the ropes, but Beterbiev responded with a heavy jab and short left hook as both fighters ended the round showing damage.
Beterbiev had only been beyond round seven five times in his 20 previous fights, but Bivol was going to make this go the distance here as he was again the more assertive through rounds eight and nine.
But Beterbiev came back again in the 10th with a strong round to leave the fight in the balance and continued the assault into the 11th as a right hook to Bivol’s body was followed by an uppercut in a rare clear round win.
The final round saw Beterbiev up the tempo even more as he sought to extend his incredible record of winning every bout inside the distance. Bivol held on to deny his compatriot a knockout blow but hadn’t done quite enough to clinch it.
Earlier, Australian WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicolson beat Britain’s Raven Chapman by a unanimous points decision in the first-ever women’s world title fight in Saudi Arabia.


Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins

Updated 13 October 2024
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Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins

  • New Zealand take on Pakistan in last group match on Monday
  • Pakistan lost to Australia by 9 wickets earlier this week

DUBAI: South Africa and New Zealand enjoyed easy wins at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday to boost their bids for semifinal spots.
South Africa beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Dubai and finished with six points from three wins and a loss in Group B. England and West Indies have four points each in the same group. England has two games left, West Indies one.
Earlier, New Zealand had an emphatic eight-wicket win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Group A at Sharjah.
Two teams advance from each group.
Opening batter Tazmin Brits top-scored with 42 runs off 41 balls as South Africa cruised to 107-3 with 16 balls to spare.
Bangladesh spinner Fahima Khatun (2-19) had skipper Laura Wolvaardt (7) stumped in the third over but Brits was well supported by Anneke Bosch, who scored a run-a-ball 25 as they put on a key second-wicket partnership of 53 runs.
Earlier, Marizanne Kapp (1-10) and the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Nonkululeko Mlaba(1-11), both in four overs, set up South Africa’s victory by restricting Bangladesh, which won the toss, to 106-3 on a slow surface of Dubai International Stadium.
Bangladesh batters couldn’t score freely against fast bowlers Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka and were restricted to 21-1 in the first six overs. Sobhana Mostary (38) and captain Nigar Sultana (32 not out) tried to push the scoring rate, but South African bowlers always looked in control in the latter half of the innings. Mostary hit four boundaries before she was bowled by Mlaba in the 18th over.
Bangladesh, which beat first-timer Scotland in the opening match of the tournament, lost three matches in a row and bowed out of the event with two points.
PLIMMER LEADS NZ CHASE
New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer led the chase with 53 and Amelia Kerr was brilliant with an unbeaten 34 and two wickets. New Zealand reached 118-2 with 15 balls remaining after limiting Sri Lanka to 115-5.
Asian champion Sri Lanka crossed the 100-run mark for the first time in the tournament but rounded off its below-par campaign with four straight losses in Group A.
Unbeaten group leader and defending champion Australia has all but secured one semifinal berth. The other spot depends on if India beats Australia on Sunday then New Zealand’s last group match against contending Pakistan on Monday.
In an intense heat of 38 degrees, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made 35 off 41 balls with five fours, but once Kerr bowled her in the 14th over, Sri Lanka struggled to hit boundaries in the death overs.
New Zealand struck through spinners Kerr (2-13) and Leigh Kasperek (2-27).
Plimmer’s second T20 fifty came off 44 balls. Her and Suzie Bates (17) shared a 49-run opening stand. Plimmer holed out in the outfield and gave Athapaththu a consolation wicket.
Kerr scored better than a run-a-ball 34 with three boundaries, and captain Sophie Devine knocked off the winning runs with the only six of the game.


South Africa and New Zealand enjoy easy wins at Women’s T20 World Cup

Updated 13 October 2024
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South Africa and New Zealand enjoy easy wins at Women’s T20 World Cup

  • South Africa beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Dubai and finished with six points from three wins and a loss in Group B
  • New Zealand had an emphatic eight-wicket win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Group A at Sharjah

DUBAI: South Africa and New Zealand enjoyed easy wins at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday to boost their bids for semifinal spots.

South Africa beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Dubai and finished with six points from three wins and a loss in Group B. England and West Indies have four points each in the same group. England have two games left, West Indies one.

Earlier, New Zealand had an emphatic eight-wicket win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Group A at Sharjah.

Two teams advance from each group.

Opening batter Tazmin Brits top-scored with 42 runs off 41 balls as South Africa cruised to 107-3 with 16 balls to spare.

Bangladesh spinner Fahima Khatun (2-19) had skipper Laura Wolvaardt (7) stumped in the third over but Brits was well supported by Anneke Bosch, who scored a run-a-ball 25 as they put on a key second-wicket partnership of 53 runs.

Earlier, Marizanne Kapp (1-10) and the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Nonkululeko Mlaba(1-11), both in four overs, set up South Africa’s victory by restricting Bangladesh, who won the toss, to 106-3 on a slow surface of Dubai International Stadium.

Bangladesh batters couldn’t score freely against fast bowlers Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka and were restricted to 21-1 in the first six overs. Sobhana Mostary (38) and captain Nigar Sultana (32 not out) tried to push the scoring rate, but South African bowlers always looked in control in the latter half of the innings. Mostary hit four boundaries before she was bowled by Mlaba in the 18th over.

Bangladesh, who beat first-timer Scotland in the opening match of the tournament, lost three matches in a row and bowed out of the event with two points.

Plimmer leads NZ chase

New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer led the chase with 53 and Amelia Kerr was brilliant with an unbeaten 34 and two wickets. New Zealand reached 118-2 with 15 balls remaining after limiting Sri Lanka to 115-5.

Asian champions Sri Lanka crossed the 100-run mark for the first time in the tournament but rounded off their below-par campaign with four straight losses in Group A.

Unbeaten group leaders and defending champions Australia have all but secured one semifinal berth. The other spot depends on if India beat Australia on Sunday then New Zealand’s last group match against contending Pakistan on Monday.

In an intense heat of 38 degrees, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made 35 off 41 balls with five fours, but once Kerr bowled her in the 14th over, Sri Lanka struggled to hit boundaries in the death overs.

New Zealand struck through spinners Kerr (2-13) and Leigh Kasperek (2-27).

Plimmer’s second T20 50 came off 44 balls. Her and Suzie Bates (17) shared a 49-run opening stand. Plimmer holed out in the outfield and gave Athapaththu a consolation wicket.

Kerr scored better than a run-a-ball 34 with three boundaries, and captain Sophie Devine knocked off the winning runs with the only six of the game.


India sweep series against Bangladesh with 2nd highest T20I score powered by Samson’s ton

Updated 13 October 2024
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India sweep series against Bangladesh with 2nd highest T20I score powered by Samson’s ton

  • India hit the most runs in boundaries in a T20I game, that included 22 sixes, their highest total in a T20 game, and 25 fours
  • Samson put on 173 runs in 11 1/2 overs for the second wicket with Yadav that was India’s third highest partnership for any wicket in T20s

HYDERABAD, India: Sanju Samson smacked his first Twenty20 century off 40 balls as India beat Bangladesh in the third and final match by 133 runs to sweep the series 3-0 on Saturday.

Samson was out for 111 off 47 balls, including eight sixes and 11 fours.

He had help in Hyderabad from skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who hit a 35-ball 75. Hardik Pandya smacked 47 off only 18 as India finished at 297-6, the second highest total in T20 internationals and exceeded only by Nepal’s 314-3 against Mongolia in the 2023 Asia Cup.

India hit the most runs in boundaries in a T20I game. That included 22 sixes, their highest total in a T20 game, and 25 fours.

In reply, Bangladesh was restricted to 164-7. Towhid Hridoy was 63 not out off 42 deliveries, and Litton Das hit a 25-ball 42. Wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi took 3-30 in four overs.

Opting to bat first, India lost opener Abhishek Sharma (4) early once again. It didn’t deter Samson though, who got going for once.

Samson raced to 50 off 22 balls, hitting two sixes and eight fours. His next 50 came off 18 deliveries — including another six sixes and three fours — in the second quickest T20 hundred by an India batter after Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball ton against Sri Lanka in 2017.

Samson put on 173 runs in 11 1/2 overs for the second wicket with Yadav. It was India’s third highest partnership for any wicket in T20s.

“The team management has backed me. I could have done much better (in previous matches), and it can get frustrating,” Samson said. “When you are playing for the country, it comes with a lot of pressure. But with experience, I learnt how to deal with pressure.”

The Tigers’ brief respite came from a floodlight failure in the ninth over, but it wasn’t enough. On resumption, player-of-the-match Samson smacked five sixes — 30 runs – off the next over bowled by wrist spinner Rishad Hossain.

Samson was finally caught in the 14th over, while Yadav had reached 50 off 23 balls. Overall, the India captain hit eight fours and five sixes, before falling in the next over.

India was then at 206-3 in 14.3 overs and it accelerated further thanks to a rapid 70-stand between Riyan Parag and Pandya.

Parag scored 34 off 13 but it was in-form Pandya who stole the show hitting four sixes and four fours.

In reply, Bangladesh was down to 59-3 in 5.2 overs. The top three didn’t contribute much, while Das propelled the innings. He hit eight fours.

Bishnoi became the second quickest Indian bowler to 50 T20I wickets, when Najmul Hossain Shanto (14) was caught behind. He also had Das out caught in the 12th over.

Das and Hridoy added 53 off 38 balls for the fourth wicket.

India had already sealed the series win with an 86-run victory in the second T20 on Wednesday. India won the first T20 in Gwalior by seven wickets. India swept the two-match Test series against Bangladesh 2-0.