Category: 6. Sports

Australia’s two-time world indoor champion Nicola Olyslagers improved her own Oceanian record to 2.04m to win a thrilling high jump battle on the first day of the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich on Wednesday (27).

The record-breaking action took place on the Sechseläutenplatz as part of the two-day Weltklasse Zürich, where Diamond Trophies, prize money and wild card entries to the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 are up for grabs.

Ukraine’s world record-holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh had won the past three Diamond League women’s high jump titles and started as the world leader. While she still managed to match her previous world-leading mark, that 2.02m clearance wasn’t enough for the Olympic and world champion to clinch another crown this time and she settled for second place, while Great Britain’s Morgan Lake and Ukraine’s Yuliia Levchenko both cleared 2.00m – a national record for Lake, who placed third on countback.

Olyslagers entered the contest at 1.91m and cleared each height up to her winning mark on her first attempts. Mahuchikh needed two tries at 2.02m and after watching her rival soar clear at 2.04m, she decided to skip straight to 2.06m. Olyslagers was confirmed the champion when Mahuchikh’s three attempts were unsuccessful.

There was also a brilliant battle in the men’s pole vault and while Mondo Duplantis and Emmanouil Karalis may not have hit the heights they might have hoped for, they captivated the crowd with their rivalry up to attempting 6.10m.

Sweden’s Duplantis, who raised his world record to 6.29m in Budapest two weeks ago, opened his campaign at 5.50m and managed that, 5.80m, 5.90m and 6.00m on his first attempts. After clearing 5.65m and 5.90m first time, Olympic bronze medallist Karalis needed all three tries at 6.00m. He rattled the bar on his third attempt but it stayed up, keeping the contest alive.

Karalis was first to try 6.10m – a mark that would have added two centimetres to the Greek record he set at the start of the month – but he knocked off the bar, as did Duplantis, who clinched his fifth consecutive Diamond League crown when they both failed their next two tries. USA’s Sam Kendricks finished third on 5.80m.

Just two centimetres separated the top two in the men’s long jump and Simon Ehammer delighted the home crowd by soaring to the title.

The 2024 world indoor heptathlon champion regained the crown following his first Diamond League Final victory in 2023, leaping 8.32m in the third round. Italy’s world indoor champion Mattia Furlani responded with 8.30m in the fifth round but he was unable to go any farther with his final attempt. Australia’s Liam Adcock was just six centimetres behind that mark with 8.24m in the final round and finished third.

USA’s two-time world champion Joe Kovacs rebounded after missing out on a place for the World Championships in Tokyo by winning his fourth Diamond League title.

He led the contest with 22.10m from the second round and then improved to 22.46m from his fourth throw – just two centimetres off his season’s best – to beat his compatriot Payton Otterdahl, who threw 22.07m, and Jamaica’s Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, who managed 21.87m.

Jessica Schilder secured her first Diamond Trophy, prevailing in a clash with Chase Jackson and Sarah Mitton.

Canada’s two-time world indoor champion Mitton was initially declared the winner, following a 20.67m throw – the third-best mark of her career – from the second round. But it was later judged to be a foul and Schilder moved up into top spot thanks to the 20.26m the Dutch 2022 world bronze medallist managed in the fourth round.

USA’s two-time world champion Jackson managed 20.08m from one of her two valid marks to place second, while Mitton was third with 19.99m in the final round.

USA’s Katie Moon kicked off the first day of finals by regaining a Diamond League title she first won in 2023. The two-time world champion cleared 4.82m on her first attempt and secured victory when her compatriot Sandi Morris was unable to make it over either 4.82m or 4.89m – Morris skipping straight to the higher bar after a single failure at 4.82m.

Moon also tried 4.89m once and then passed to 4.90m. Her competition came to an end when she knocked off the bar on both her attempts. It was a US top three, as Emily Grove equalled her PB to finish third on countback on 4.75m.

The competition continues on Thursday (28), when a further 26 Diamond League titles will be decided.

Jess Whittington for World Athletics

Results

 

Nike is unveiling Sam Kerr’s first Player Edition model of the Mercurial football boot, which reflects her tenacious attacker’s mentality and deep Australian roots while celebrating her long-held status as one of the game’s most iconic athletes.

Sam’s Player Edition boot, which debuts alongside her first collection of performance apparel and sportswear, stands as a tribute to her 11-year journey as a professional footballer, showcasing the intensity she brings to the pitch and her enduring love for her hometown of Perth. Sam’s new Mercurial also represents her drive, alongside Nike, to uplift the next generation of female footballers — raising the standard of the game so all athletes know their names belong on boots.

“Through the creation process it was always important that the boot tell my story: how a kid from East Fremantle got this far by following her dreams,” says Sam, referencing her upbringing in suburban Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

The boot brings forward the industry-leading performance expected from Mercurial in a design that features a light, neutral palette inspired by the sand of Australia’s beaches. Vibrant pops of teal, pink and orange symbolize the ocean, sunsets and rocks that remind Sam of home, while her “Consistent” mantra adorns the upper in a unique tattoo style, alongside nods to her on-pitch position (“Forever Forward”) and hometown identity (“Perth Swagger”).

“The colors of the boot are what I think of when I think of home: Perth’s ocean and sunsets,” says Sam. “It’s a reminder of where I’m from.”

A stripe down the toe of Sam’s Player Edition is inspired by Cathy Freeman, the iconic Australian sprinter who famously wore a one-piece Nike bodysuit while taking gold in the 400-meter run 25 years ago in Sydney. At the top of the stripe is a call to Cathy’s 2000 Olympic win; at the bottom are the Roman numerals XX, a reference to Sam’s jersey number.

Further, the boot includes references to pivotal seasons throughout Sam’s career: her 2009 debut with the Matildas, 2017 Golden Boot and landmark 2020 Chelsea FC campaign. The sock liner also includes messages to inspire the next generation of footballers to embrace their true selves on and off the pitch, with the phrase “Be who I am” on one foot and “Be who you are” on the other.

In an additional nod to Sam’s commitment to the next generation, her signature is emblazoned on the heel, ensuring every athlete has a signed pair.

Debuting alongside Sam’s Player Edition boot are a Nike Field General sneaker and oversized fleece hoodie that pay homage to her game and style. The sneaker complements the color palette and design elements of the Mercurial boot, incorporating personal messages on the upper and tongue, along with Sam’s signature at the ankle. The front of the hoodie features understated design elements such as a teal embroidered Swoosh, XX logo and SK signature, while the back is bold and playful — sporting the phrases “Be Who I Am, Be Who You Are,” “Golden in 2017,” “You Just Never Know” and “Me vs The World.”

Both pieces pair with a performance top and short that incorporate the color palette of Sam’s Player Edition model, reinforcing the collection’s cohesive visual identity and Sam’s connection to her Australian roots.

Sam’s Player Edition of the Nike Mercurial Superfly and her performance apparel and sportswear collection will be available in Australia beginning August 28. The boot, performance apparel and sportswear will be available globally at nike.com and select retail locations September 2.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu continued her campaign at the BWF World Championships 2025 badminton in Paris with a hard-fought victory over Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa on Wednesday.

The 15th-seeded Indian badminton player overcame a sluggish start to prevail 21-19, 21-15 in a 43-minute contest in the round of 32 match.

Sindhu, who claimed the badminton world title in 2019, has now reached the third round of the World Championships for the first time since her 2021 quarter-final run.

The match saw Sindhu trail 3-9 and later 12-18 in the first game. The Indian responded with a run of six straight points to edge ahead and eventually close out the opener 21-19. In the second game, she dictated the rallies against the world No. 40 Letshanaa.

Sindhu will next face world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi of the People’s Republic of China, a player she last defeated in 2022 but has fallen to in their two most recent meetings.

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the ninth seeds in men’s doubles, showcased their trademark attacking style against Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han.

After a nail-biting first game that ended 22-20, they controlled the second 21-13 to reach the round of 16, where they will meet sixth seeds Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China.

The Indian pair had a four-point lead at 20-16 in the opening game before Liu and Yang forced a 20-all tie. Satwik and Chirag then sealed the game with two straight points.

In the second game, the duo quickly built a decisive lead and maintained it to complete the victory.

In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto advanced comfortably, defeating Ireland’s Joshua Magee and Moya Ryan 21-11, 21-16 in just 35 minutes.

The 16th-seeded Indian pair will face fifth seeds Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong China in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, it was the end of the campaign for Ruthvika Gadde and Rohan Kapoor in the mixed doubles. The world No. 33 Indian pair lost to the fourth-ranked Malaysian pair 21-16, 21-11 in the second round.

India has won at least one medal at every edition of the Badminton World Championships since 2011.

Jonas Vingegaard regained the red jersey after stage five of the Vuelta a España in a dramatic team time trial in which Israel Premier-Tech were delayed by pro-Palestinian protesters on the route.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG won the stage but Visma-Lease a Bike’s second-placed finish allowed Vingegaard to regain the lead from Groupama-FDJ’s David Gaudu.

Although team time trials are now quite rare on Grand Tours, the format is making a comeback, with the time for each team considered when the fourth rider crossed the line on the 24.1km stage in Figueres.

Gaudu was level on time with race favourite Vingegaard after stage four, but the Frenchman took the leader’s red jersey on countback. However, Visma-Lease a Bike turned the tables on Wednesday.

Team Emirates-XRG finished with a time of 25min 26sec, averaging nearly 57 km/h, while Visma-Lease a Bike finished 8sec behind. Groupama-FDJ could only manage ninth place, 24sec behind.

Vingegaard now holds an eight-second lead over the Team Emirates-XRG trio of Juan Ayuso, João Almeida and Marc Soler. Lidl-Trek’s Giulio Ciccone is 9sec back while Gaudu is 16sec behind in the general classification.

Israel-Premier Tech were stopped on the road by a group of protesters holding Palestinian flags, with half the team forced to a complete stop before they set off again.

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The protest cost them several seconds, with the team eventually finishing 19th, 54sec slower than Team Emirates-XRG.

Former Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke has undergone his sixth skin cancer surgery, this time to remove a lesion from his nose. The 44-year-old World Cup–winning skipper shared a post-surgery picture on Instagram, urging his followers to take skin checks seriously, especially in sun-intense countries like Australia.“Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia. Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to get your skin checked. Prevention is better than cure but in my case, regular check ups and early detection is key,” Clarke wrote.Clarke was first diagnosed in 2006 while still playing cricket and has faced multiple procedures since then. In 2019, he had three non-melanoma lesions removed, including one from his forehead. In 2023, he required 27 stitches after basal cell carcinoma was taken out from his chest. That same year, he partnered with the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation to raise awareness.The type of cancer behind his most recent surgery has not been confirmed, though past reports have mentioned basal cell carcinoma.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. These cells can damage nearby healthy tissue, and in some cases, spread to other parts of the body.The most common types are: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Both are usually treatable when caught early. The most dangerous form is melanoma, which spreads more quickly and is harder to cure.

Why skin cancer happens

Skin cancer begins when the DNA inside skin cells becomes damaged and the body fails to repair it. Normally, DNA acts like an instruction manual, telling cells when to grow, divide, or die. But when that manual is corrupted, cells start multiplying uncontrollably, forming tumors.The main culprit is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. UV rays penetrate the skin and damage DNA directly, creating mutations. Over time, repeated exposure builds up, and the risk of cancer rises. That’s why areas like the face, shoulders, and arms are hotspots for skin cancers—they absorb the most sun.

But UV isn’t the only factor. Genetics also plays a powerful role. People who inherit faulty DNA repair mechanisms (for example, mutations in the CDKN2A gene linked to melanoma) may develop skin cancers even with limited sun exposure.The immune system is another piece of the puzzle. A healthy immune system can often detect and destroy abnormal cells before they become dangerous. But in people whose immunity is weakened—because of aging, certain medications, or medical conditions—mutant cells slip through and grow unchecked.Finally, skin type matters. Individuals with fair skin have less melanin, the pigment that naturally protects against UV damage. This makes them more vulnerable to DNA mutations. But darker skin tones aren’t immune—skin cancers can still occur, and when they do, they’re often diagnosed later, making them more dangerous.

Risk factors for skin cancer

Some people are at higher risk than others. Factors include:Skin that burns easily, especially fair skin with blond or red hair, light eyes, or freckles.Frequent or intense sun exposure without protection.Use of tanning beds.A history of blistering sunburns, especially in childhood.Previous cases of skin cancer.A family history of skin cancer.A weakened immune system due to illness or medication.

Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis claimed another victory, soaring to the men’s pole vault win at the 2025 Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland.

The two-time Olympic champion who struck gold in the French capital with a world record jump of 6.25m, won the competition on Wednesday evening (27 August), clearing 6.00m to also claim the Diamond League title in his discipline.

Since Paris, Duplantis has steadily raised the world record, moving it up four times – including most recently at the Gyulai István Memorial in Budapest on 12 August where he improved the mark to 6.29m.

There was no world record in Zurich but he cleared the bar in his first attempts at 5.50m, 5.80m, 5.90m, and 6.00m before three misses at 6.10m.

It was a rare tight battle with Paris 2024 bronze medallist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece who also managed 6.00m but had to settle for second place two misses at the height. The Greek had cleared 5.65m and 5.90m on his first attempts.

American Sam Kendricks, the Paris 2024 silver medallist, was third. After clearing 5.80m, he had one miss at 5.90m and another one at 6.00m before retiring from the competition.

Competition in Zurich continues Thursday (28 August) with the track events where Olympic champions Julien Alfred and Noah Lyles are expected to take part.

Lights, camera, action for LA28

This Olympic cycle has seen an injection of glitz into the sport itself. These World Championships are the first to be held largely indoors, giving a more immersive experience to fans inside the arena and out.

“We also had the World Cup in Budapest this year where it was like an indoor venue,” says Whitaker. “There were loads of lights, it’s really dark and it looked really good on camera. I’ve enjoyed watching the boys after I finish competing – it’s so nerve-racking and the atmosphere is great.”

Yasser Hefny, a former world champion for Egypt, agrees. “Every era had its beauty,” he says.

“I think the team who’s working to improve Pentathlon has done an incredible job taking us from these very long days to a very exciting, complex event that excites people a lot with very short breaks. It’s more appealing for the younger generation.”

That appeal is one reason Modern Pentathlon has gone from having its Olympic place threatened, to being a spectacle that will open LA2028.

For Whitaker, that should mean a first Olympic experience, after she missed out on Paris 2024. “It was really unfortunate that each nation only had two spots because we are all very much capable,” she concludes.

“But Kerenza Bryson and Kate French were the right pick, they’re two incredible athletes who were deserving to go and it’s made me hungrier for the next four years. It’s a shame that I didn’t get to go with the riding being there for the last time. But we’ve got to move on and adapt and become OCR ninjas.”