GB’s Azu wins 60m gold, eyes on Nigeria’s Ochonogor to leap into history books
Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu sprinted to 60m gold in a dramatic photo finish at the World Athletics Indoor Championships to secure the first global title of his career.
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India's Sankar Subramanian Stuns World No. 2 Anders Antonsen In Swiss Open Quarter-Finals
India's Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian caused a major upset by knocking out world no. 2 Anders Antonsen of Denmark in a thrilling three-game contest to reach the men's singles quarterfinals of the Swiss Open Super 300 badminton tournament here. The 21-year-old from Tamil Nadu, a silver medallist at the 2022 World Junior Championships and currently ranked 64th in the world, put up an impressive display of defense to defeat the three-time World Championships medallist 18-21 21-12 21-5 in a 66-minute contest.
Struggling Medvedev suffers early exit in Miami
MIAMI, United States: Daniil Medvedev crashed out of the Miami Open in the second round on Friday after suffering a 6-2, 6-3 upset defeat to Spain’s 56th-ranked Jaume Munar. Medvedev, the 2023 winner in Miami, showed his frustration, hurling his racket on several occasions as the Mallorca-born 27-year-old picked up his third career win against a top 10 opponent. The Russian made 32 unforced errors and although he gave himself a chance of a comeback in the final game, he couldn’t convert on two break points. Karen Khachanov ensured the Nick Kyrgios comeback trail was cut short with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 win. Australian Kyrgios, who has struggled since wrist surgery, defeated Mackenzie McDonald in the first round to earn his first tour-level win since October 2022 but was unable to overcome Khachanov, who reached the semis in Miami in 2023. In the women’s draw, world number two Iga Swiatek advanced into the third round after surviving a second set dip to beat France’s Caroline Garcia 6-2, 7-5. Swiatek had beaten Garcia with ease at the same stage at Indian Wells earlier this month but she faced a little more resistance at Hard Rock Stadium. Swiatek was 3-1 down in the second set and had to save a set point, when serving at 5-4 down before rallying to win the last three games. “My energy level got down really fast.
Reading owner given deadline to sell club - EFL
Reading's Chinese owner Dai Yongge has been ordered to sell the third-tier club after being disqualified under the English Football League's owners' and directors' test, the EFL said on Friday.
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
PARIS: Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. Leon expressed their “anger and indignation” on social media, saying the decision “goes against the spirit of fair competition” and aim to appeal. A FIFA appeals committee, responding to a complaint by Costa Rican club Alajuelense, ruled that Leon and another club from Mexico, Pachuca, failed to meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership. Both sides are owned by Grupo Pachuca. Leon, the winners of the 2023 CONCACAF regions Champions Cup, were thrown out of the World Club Cup.
Man City launch Ramadan Esports Football Cup in MENA region
ABU DHABI: Manchester City announced on Friday the launching of Ramadan Esports Football Cup, a regional tournament spanning the Middle East and North Africa. The competition will engage participants from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria, the Emirates News Agency reported. Tournament regulations stipulate that on entering national qualifying rounds, participants are allotted a five-hour window to complete a maximum of ten matches against regional competitors. Leading players from each regional qualifier will advance to the semifinal stage, scheduled for April 4 at 13:00 (local time).
Liverpool’s Alisson returns early from Brazil duty with suspected concussion
BRASILIA: Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker has returned early to his club Liverpool after suffering a bang to the head while on international duty, the Brazilian football federation (CBF) announced Friday. The 32-year-old collided with opposing defender Davinson Sanchez in Brazil’s 2-1 win against Colombia in South American 2026 World Cup qualifying action on Thursday. Under FIFA’s concussion protocol, Alisson left the field in the 78th minute and must take a break, meaning he will miss out on Brazil’s clash with Argentina. “Alisson, who suffered a head knock, is fine and has no medical complaints,” a CBF statement read. “However, he needs to follow FIFA’s concussion protocol...(and) will return to (his) club to continue the recovery process.” Alisson joins a mounting list of injuries in the Liverpool squad, with defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley already on the treatment table. Another concern for manager Arne Slot is midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who withdrew from the Netherlands squad on Wednesday with a fitness issue. Liverpool sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League and are next in action on April 2 when they host local rivals Everton.
Canada's Homan wraps up round robin with wins, falls short of bye at curling worlds
Canada's Rachel Homan closed out her round-robin schedule with a pair of wins at the LGT World Women's Curling Championship in Uijeongbu-si, South Korea.