From Pakistani Arshad Nadeem’s gold to Djokovic’s tennis triumph, 10 big moments of Olympics

Gold medallist Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony for the men's javelin throw athletics event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 9, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 12 August 2024
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From Pakistani Arshad Nadeem’s gold to Djokovic’s tennis triumph, 10 big moments of Olympics

  • Nadeem clinched javelin gold with record-breaking 92.97-meter throw to win country’s first medal since 1992 
  • Djokovic won the men’s final to become fifth player to complete Golden Slam of all four majors and win Olympic gold

PARIS: From a colorful, sometimes controversial opening ceremony to boxers caught up in a gender row to respectful bows on the gymnastics podium, the 2024 Olympics served up many memorable moments.
AFP Sport looks at 10 of the best:

-- Organizers promised a spectacular opening ceremony and the rain-soaked boat parade on the River Seine ended up making global headlines, but not for the expected reasons.
Church leaders, conservatives, and even US presidential candidate Donald Trump were left outraged by a scene involving drag queens and lesbian DJ Barbara Butch that appeared to parody Jesus’s Last Supper.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly denied any such intention. He and others involved ended up facing vicious online harassment that led to police complaints.




Hungary's Kristof Rasovszky swims in the Seine river to the finish line during the men's 10km marathon swimming final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Pont Alexandre III in Paris on August 9, 2024. (AFP)

-- Novak Djokovic stunned Carlos Alcaraz in a memorable men’s final to clinch tennis gold and become only the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam of all four majors plus Olympic gold.
The 37-year-old celebrated with a roar that echoed around Roland Garros before the tearful Serb clambered into the player’s box to embrace his wife Jelena and two children.
“There is no greater inspiration than representing your country,” said the 24-time Grand Slam title winner.
Alcaraz was also in tears, claiming he “had let Spain down.”




Serbia's Novak Djokovic shows his gold medal after defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles tennis final at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, on August 4, 2024. (AP)

-- Simone Biles may have been the star of the show but she was widely praised for bowing to her arch-rival Rebeca Andrade on the podium.
Biles said it was “just the right thing to do” after she and team-mate Jordan Chiles finished in silver and bronze medal position respectively behind the Brazilian in the floor final.
“Rebeca’s so amazing, she’s queen,” said Biles.
Romanian Ana Barbosu was later awarded the bronze medal after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Chiles should not have been upgraded from her initial fifth-place finish.
-- World champion Noah Lyles roared to victory in 9.79sec to claim gold in a dramatic men’s Olympic 100m final in the closest finish in modern history — just five thousandths of a second separated him from Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
“I’m the man among all of them. I’m the wolf among wolves,” said Lyles whose victory was only confirmed after a photo-finish.




Silver medalist Simone Biles, of the United States, left, and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles, of the United States, right, bow to gold medalist Rebeca Andrade, of Brazil, during the medal ceremony for the women's artistic gymnastics individual floor finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, on August 5, 2024, (AP)

-- Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won the men’s javelin title, his country’s first individual gold at an Olympics, with a Games record of 92.97m.
In second place was India’s defending champion Neeraj Chopra.
“Rivalry is there when it comes to cricket matches, other sports, the two countries have a rivalry, but it’s a good thing for the young people in both countries to watch our sport and follow us. It’s a positive thing for both countries,” said Nadeem.

-- Images of Olympic table tennis players from North Korea and South Korea taking a selfie together on the medal podium went viral in South Korea, hailed as a rare show of cross-border unity.
After South Korea won bronze and North Korea silver in the mixed doubles behind China, South Korea’s Shin Yu-bin took a group photo after the medal ceremony.
North Korea’s Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong, the South’s Shin Yu-bin and the victorious Chinese team Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha all beamed into Lim’s phone, a South Korean-made Samsung.
“A selfie with both Koreas’ national flags and a Samsung phone,” said the widely read daily JongAng Ilbo.

-- Australian skateboarding sensation Arisa Trew, just 14, won the women’s park event to become her country’s youngest ever gold medallist.
Trew nailed a high-risk and high-speed final round in her trademark pink helmet, bringing the crowd to their feet at a sun-drenched Place de la Concorde.
The event also featured 11-year-old Zheng Haohao, the youngest athlete ever to represent China at the Olympics.
“Skateboarding in the Olympic Games isn’t much different from skateboarding in my neighborhood. It’s just more spectators,” she told reporters.




Australia's Arisa Trew reacts after a run in the women's park skateboarding final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris on August 6, 2024. (AFP)

-- On a raucous night at Roland Garros, the storied home of the French Open, Algerian gender-row boxer Imane Khelif claimed gold and used her platform to hit back at “attacks” and “bullying” before defiantly declaring “I am a woman like any other.”
Together with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who also fought in Paris, Khelif was disqualified from last year’s world championships after they failed gender eligibility tests.
However they were cleared to compete in Paris, setting the stage for one of the biggest controversies of the Games.
“I am fully qualified to take part, I am a woman like any other. I was born a woman, lived a woman and competed as a woman,” said the 25-year-old.

-- Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez made Olympic history when he became the first athlete to win five consecutive individual golds in the same event, bettering the records of Games icons such as Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps.
The soon-to-be 42-year-old then placed his shoes in the center of the mat to signify his intention to retire.
“Wrestling has been the love of my life, for all of my life,” he said.

-- Turkish Olympic shooting silver medallist Yusuf Dikec became an overnight sensation for his casual style during competition.
His eye-catching posture saw the marksman wearing standard glasses, a team T-shirt and with his left hand casually tucked in his pocket.
Other than his pistol, he notably had none of the specialized equipment used by athletes in the hyper-precise event, like headphones, special lenses or a hat.
“The name’s Dikec. Yusuf Dikec,” said a social media post in reference to cinema icon James Bond.


Formula 1 races take an unpredictable turn as McLaren boss Zak Brown revels in ‘best season’

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Formula 1 races take an unpredictable turn as McLaren boss Zak Brown revels in ‘best season’

  • There have been six different winners in the last eight races, representing four different teams
  • Verstappen’s dominance in 2022 and 2023 broke records
LEBANON: After a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix, it seems like nearly half the field is capable of winning races in Formula 1.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown, whose driver Lando Norris is Max Verstappen’s closest title challenger, says he’s enjoying the best show he’s seen in his eight years in F1.
There have been six different winners in the last eight races, representing four different teams. Verstappen, whose dominance in 2022 and 2023 broke records, still leads the standings but his last win was in June.
“I think this is the best season I can think of ever in Formula 1 since I’ve been here,” Brown told The Associated Press from the IndyCar season finale at Nashville Superspeedway in Tennessee.
Could it even be better than the 2021 fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, which was decided on the final lap of the year and helped fuel F1’s Netflix boom? Brown thinks it might be.
“That was mega exciting, but it’s just two guys, two good guys. Now you’ve got four good teams in today’s race,” he said.
“To have four teams that can win any weekend, and (Sergio) Perez was obviously back on form today, eight drivers going into Singapore and we’re going ‘I don’t know which of these four teams might win. I don’t know which of these eight drivers might win,’ I can’t recall Formula 1 having that level of competitiveness.”
There was non-stop action Sunday.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took the win in Baku, but only after a daring overtake on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Perez was in the mix for Red Bull until he and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. collided, handing third to Mercedes driver George Russell.
Further back, Norris surged through the field from 15th on the grid to finish fourth ahead of Verstappen and take another bite out of the champion’s standings lead.
Teams’ performances fluctuate week by week, depending on upgrades from the factories, track conditions and setup changes, like the one which Verstappen blamed for ruining his weekend in Azerbaijan.
Even a change of tires can turn an also-ran into a contender, Russell said Sunday.
“Just in this one race, we had a car that could have won if you took the pace from half of the race and a car that should have been outside the top 10 from the other half,” he said, adding: “So I hope we’ve got the faster version” for next week’s race in Singapore.
The Singapore street track hosted one of the most competitive races of an otherwise Red Bull-dominated 2023 season. On worn tires, Sainz held off Norris’ McLaren and the two Mercedes of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and Russell, who crashed from third on the last lap.
Piastri is F1’s on-form driver with the most points of anyone in the last seven races. He knows just how many moving parts are involved in success this year, and how quickly it can all change.
“We’ve been in with a chance everywhere, and I think today was definitely one of those days where we weren’t necessarily the quickest, but we had a car that could put us in the fight,” the Australian said.
“We had a pit stop that could put us in the fight. We had some teamwork that put us in the fight. And it all managed to pay off.”

Expanded NEOM Beach Games return in November

Updated 53 sec ago
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Expanded NEOM Beach Games return in November

  • Third edition of games takes place from Nov. 3-23, 2024 with athletes from around the world in six international sports events

 

NEOM: NEOM Beach Games is returning for its third edition this November with an expanded lineup of athletes and competitive events.

Olympic gold medallists Cassandre Beaugrand and Alex Yee (triathletes), Worthy De Jong (3x3 basketball player) and Veddriq Leonardo (speed climber) will be among the 1,000 athletes, coaches and team officials attending NEOM for six sports events that will start on Nov. 3.

NEOM Beach Soccer and NEOM Titan Desert will return to the event.

The sixth sport at the 2024 NEOM Beach Games, the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup NEOM, is a new event for this year. Welcoming the world’s leading open water swimmers, the concluding activity for the latest edition of NEOM Beach Games will be held in the Red Sea. 

Jan Paterson, managing director of sport at NEOM, said: “It is hugely exciting to be hosting the NEOM Beach Games for its third edition, including welcoming a number of athletes and medalists from the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“With the addition of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup NEOM and two compact venues at NEOM Bay and Bajdah Desert, we are looking forward to offering an exciting experience for athletes and spectators alike and helping to establish NEOM as a destination for global sports amongst our natural sporting landscapes.”

 


MOD UAE triumphs in jiu-jitsu finale in Abu Dhabi

Updated 23 min 27 sec ago
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MOD UAE triumphs in jiu-jitsu finale in Abu Dhabi

  • Commando Group secures second place at AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-jitsu Championship

ABU DHABI: MOD UAE were crowned champions at the AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship which concluded on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

The tournament, organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro, drew elite athletes from across the globe, and included those competing in the purple, brown, and black belt divisions.

Commando Group secured second place, followed by Al-Wahda Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.

This year’s championship had a 50 percent increase in professional competitors compared to last year. On offer were crucial ranking points and the opportunity to qualify for the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship later this year.

Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAEJJF, said the championship was a “premier platform for the finest professional athletes.”

“This tournament is not just a sporting event; it reflects the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s vision to grow and elevate the sport both locally and internationally.

“It plays a key role in boosting the athletes’ rankings and improving their performances, both for seasoned professionals and emerging talent.”

Masilva Noza, coach of MOD Academy, said: “This tournament truly stands out due to the fierce level of competition, particularly with black belt athletes from various countries showcasing their skills.

“It offers professionals a valuable opportunity to implement new strategies and put their techniques to the test against highly seasoned opponents on the mat.”

He said the tournament gave athletes the chance to enhance their international rankings. “That’s why we entered over 150 male and female athletes, ensuring we gained the maximum advantage from this prestigious event.”

Emirati champion Khalid Al-Shehhi, a black belt from Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, who won gold in the 62 kg professional category, said: “The competition today was incredibly tough, as I faced highly skilled and experienced opponents.”

He said the tournament has helped him prepare for the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Greece and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.


Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season

Updated 32 min 56 sec ago
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Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season

  • Benzema-inspired Jeddah giants thrash We had to go top as Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq also maintain 100 percent starts

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League swung back into action after the two-week international break with Al-Ittihad — champions in 2022-2023 — signalling their intention to once again challenge for the title after a crushing 7-1 win over Al-Wehda that puts them top of the table.

Al-Ittihad explode into action on and off the pitch

As Sunday morning dawned, Al-Ittihad knew that they needed to beat old rivals Al-Wehda by six goals to move above Al-Hilal into top spot and they did just that, winning 7-1.

It started with 60,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City putting on a show with top-class tifos. Al-Wehda had started the season well but were unable to live with the Tigers who seem to be enjoying life under new coach Laurent Blanc. Karim Benzema certainly is, firing home a hat-trick (which included one spectacular strike) to remind the rest of the league that Al-Ittihad have a world-class striker but also a team full of firepower as well as a desire to get back the title after a disappointing season last time around.

And there’s more. New signing Moussa Diaby recorded no less than four assists, a feat that has never been bettered in the history of the league. If he continues this way and Benzema stays fit and in this kind of form, then Ittihad have a real chance. No wonder, at the end, that fans chanted “Bring on Al-Hilal.” Saturday’s clash against the champions should be a classic.

Al-Hilal and Al-Dawsari looking ominous

Three games, three wins, but did anyone really expect anything different? After the 3-0 win over Al-Riyadh, the opposition coach Sabri Lamouchi said that Al-Hilal are the best team in Asia. Few would argue with that.

Especially when they have Salem Al-Dawsari in such form. The 2022 Asian Player of the Year returned from international duty in China to inspire the champions. Not only did he open the scoring, he then made both for Aleksandar Mitrovic — the Serbian striker is also picking up where he left off last season. Al-Dawsari said that the new boys Marcos Leonardo and Joao Cancelo have slotted right in.

That is what happens under coach Jorge Jesus. Just like Manchester City in England, Al-Hilal are looking ominous even at this early stage. The positive for the rest of the league is that they have not yet played one of their title rivals and they also have the Asian Champions League this week to focus on. Their next opponents, Al-Ittihad, do not.

Ronaldo may benefit from midweek rest

After Al-Nassr’s 1-1 draw with Al-Ahli, fans in Iraq may be devastated that Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the trip for their AFC Champions League clash, but it could help Al-Nassr’s domestic challenge. It will not have gone unnoticed in the yellow corner of Riyadh that last season, Al-Hilal dropped six points over the whole campaign. Already in the first three games, Al-Nassr have dropped four. There is still a long way to go but they really need to get into their groove. Only a 99th minute own goal gave them a share of the points against Al-Ahli.

It ended a memorable match. These are two of the biggest teams in Asia, with an impressive following from Al-Ahli generating a great atmosphere. There are more twists to come this season, but Nassr cannot afford to fall too far behind the leaders.

Steven Gerrard setting the pace

A 2-1 win at Al-Fateh made it three wins from three for Al-Ettifaq this season. Last season, Steven Gerrard’s men also started well but this already looks a more solid version of the team from Dammam. The Greens have conceded only one goal in the three games and are looking hard to beat.

Gerrard has brought in a number of new players since the start of last season but Moussa Dembele remains arguably the most vital, scoring winning goals in the first two games including an impressive 1-0 victory at Al-Shabab on the opening day. At the back, former Al-Nassr centre-back Abdullah Madu already looks to be a rock and new goalkeeper Marek Rodak has settled in quickly. With Gini Wijnaldum and Seko Fofana looking good in midfield, there are reasons for fans in the east to be optimistic. Next week’s clash against Al-Nassr, who will be looking for revenge for last season’s early loss, is going to be one to watch.

Al-Qadsiah get a reality check

The newly-promoted team from the east lost their first game of the season, 1-0 to an Al-Shabab team that is looking more solid than in recent years. Al-Qadsiah made waves in the summer with signings such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Marseille and Nacho from Real Madrid. With two wins in the first two games, it was all looking a little easy but Al-Shabab demonstrated that life in the big time is going to be anything but. Going up against a well-organised defence with Nader Al-Sharari a standout, was a different challenge.

That is OK, as Al-Qadsiah — owned by Aramco — are still a work in progress. Even with the big names that coach Michel has at his disposal, there are no expectations for a title challenge this season. Fans will be excited to see where they place at the end of it all but, more pressing, is how they bounce back from their first defeat. There are two winnable fixtures before the big clash against Al-Ahli.


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.