Category: 6. Sports

Sharvari Shende wrapped up India’s campaign at the World Archery Youth Championships 2025 with the gold medal in the Under-18 women’s recurve event in Winnipeg, Canada, on Sunday.

The 16-year-old archer became only the third Indian world champion in the women’s U18 recurve category, following in the footsteps of Deepika Kumari (2011) and Komalika Bari (2021).

Seeded 20th after qualifying, Shende stunned higher-ranked opponents en route to the gold medal.

She defeated the Republic of Korea’s third seed Kim Yewon in the final, holding her nerve in a shoot-off to win 10-9 after the match ended 5-5. In the semi-final, she had already toppled top seed Kim Minjeong of South Korea 7-3.

“Am I really the world champion? Oh my God, it was amazing,” said the 16-year-old Indian archer while speaking to World Archery after the final.

“I’m just thinking that I will shoot my best. One arrow will decide if I’m going to be a world champion or not. My coach was telling me to be confident, believe in yourself, you’re going to be the champion,” said Shende.

“I always had a dream to become the world champion and this is my last year in the cadet, so I feel very proud, I feel I make my India proud.”

Earlier in the week, Shende also helped India secure a bronze in the U18 women’s recurve archery team event. On the final day, Gatha Khadake and Agastay Singh added another bronze by edging Chinese Taipei in the U18 mixed recurve category.

The two medals took India’s overall tally at the World Archery Youth Championships 2025 to eight – four gold, two silver and two bronze.

India also dominated the previous edition held in Limerick, Ireland, two years back, claiming six golds, including three in individual events.

The World Archery Youth Championships 2025 was the 19th edition of the biennial meet that has been held since 1991. A total of 570 top youth archers from 63 countries around the world competed for medals in Winnipeg.

The next World Archery Youth Championships will take place in Antalya, Turkiye, in 2027.

World Archery Youth Championships 2025: Indian medal winners

• Recurve U18 women’s individual: Sharvari Shende – gold medal
• Compound U21 men’s team: Kushal Dalal, Apar Mihir Nitin, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru – gold medal
• Compound U18 men’s team: Mohit Dagar, Yogesh Joshi, Devansh Singh – gold medal
• Compound U21 women’s individual: Chikitha Taniparthi – gold medal
• Compound U18 women’s individual: Prithika Pradeep – silver medal
• Compound U18 mixed team: Prithika Pradeep-Mohit Dagar – silver medal
• Recurve U18 women’s team: Sharvari Shende, Gatha Khadake, Jiana Kumar – bronze medal
• Recurve U18 mixed team: Gatha Khadake-Agastay Singh – bronze medal

South American battles and final tune-ups ahead of WTCS French Riviera were on the menu over the past weekend and the days leading up to it. In Paraguay, there was a double gold for Team USA, while Team France claimed a double gold of their own in Uzbekistan. Perhaps the biggest statement, however, came from one of this year’s WTCS gold medallists. Find out all that happened in the latest Monday Morning Mix.

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Asuncion Junior Pan American Games

Braxton Legg (USA) starred in the men’s race at the Junior Pan American Games, beating out Blake Bullard (USA) and Andree Buc (CHI) in the final chase for gold. Bullard led the sprint distance 750m swim in 10:15. Legg was the next athlete out out, 10 seconds down, with Buc following a further 14 seconds in arrears.

Twelve men joined the lead trio at the head of the race on the bike. Caua Diniz (BRA) rode particularly well on a course that kept the leaders honest, trying his luck and coming away with the fastest split over 20km (27:37). Bullard and Buc, though, regained control on the run, with Legg emerging from T1 a few seconds back.

Legg had already medalled at Americas Cup events against senior fields this year and his composure separated him over the 5km run. A field-leading 14:23 proved too good for his rivals and handed him the win over Bullard by 13 seconds.

A second gold for the American team came through Naomi Ruff (USA) as she overpowered Sidney Clement (CAN) and Julia Visgueiro (BRA) in a successful breakaway. Clement stood atop the swimming charts, logging a split of 10:49 and creating a lead pack of five going into T1. Ruff and Visgueiro were with her while Zoe Adam (PUR) and Rafaela Capo (CHI) completed the breakaway quintet.

The pack was the fastest group on the road, save for a couple of athletes moving up between the various chase packs. By the time they made it to T2, Visgueiro’s 29:44 split was the joint-best of the day and the group’s efforts ensured no one in the chase would threaten the medals. Then, on the run, a 17:02 split by Ruff handed her the win in comfort. Her total time of 59:49 distinguished her as the only woman to finish in under an hour. View the full results here.

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Around the world

Earlier in the week, Dorian Coninx and Mathilde Gautier won at the World Military Championships in Uzbekistan. Gautier had enjoyed a successful start to the Samarkand World Cup earlier this year as she escaped off the front as part of a small breakaway. When her breakaway partners crashed out, however, she was forced to complete the bike alone and then fell back on the run. This time, she manufactured a happier ending with a commensurate performance across all three disciplines.

For his part, Coninx’s win showcased several of his best attributes, especially on the run, as he out-classed the field. One interesting point to note is that in the 2023 season, when he became world champion, Coninx did not win a WTCS medal until August. His impressive win therefore indicates a step forward in form that could translate at WTCS French Riviera and beyond.

Meanwhile, the latest supertri round in Chicago attracted a host of athletes that will be racing at WTCS French Riviera next week. Taking 1^st place in the men’s and women’s races were Alberto Gonzalez Garcia and Jeanne Lehair, beating out Tyler Mislawchuk and Georgia Taylor-Brown, respectively. Lehair’s win continues a phenomenal season and the speed the WTCS Yokohama winner showed on the run should put several of her French Riviera rivals on notice.

Dorothea Wierer, Tommaso Giacomel and the entire Italian team are preparing for their home Olympics at Milano-Cortina in 2026 with smiles, professionalism and the dream of making history.

A beautiful sunny day welcomed the Italian biathlon team in Forni Avoltri during a training camp that revealed the most authentic side of the squad: focus and dedication, of course, but also friendship, laughter, and late-night battles over the board game Risiko. In this calm yet energetic atmosphere, the Azzurri shared their thoughts on the season leading to the most anticipated moment: the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Tommaso Giacomel, Dorothea Wierer and Didier Bionaz, together with coaches Andrea Zattoni and Fabio Cianciana, offered valuable insight into how the team is experiencing the build-up to the five-ringed event.

Above all stands the calm confidence of Giacomel. At 25, he looks to the coming season with trust in the work he has done, perfectly representing how this team approaches the big event aware of its potential, built over years of hard work: “I feel good about it. I think it would be harder if I were an outsider. Instead, I know I’m among the favourites, so I feel calm, because if I do things well, the results will come. If I were an outsider, I’d need something extraordinary to reach a medal. To be honest, I’m also looking more at the overall World Cup than the Olympics.”

For coach Zattoni, another reason for their calm attitude lies on the fact that the path so far has been steady: “We haven’t had any problems, neither physical nor health issues. No injuries or illnesses that forced us to reduce training days. So overall, everything has been positive up to now, and we hope to continue this way.”

The project is clear: “Our goal is always to work hard and give our best. Until you’re right at the big event, the pressure is quite constant, quite like any other season. Having drawn up a training plan very similar to last year gives confidence to us, as coaches, but also to the athletes, because last season we saw that things worked well.”

His fellow coach Cianciana confirms: “I haven’t felt any tension. I think we’re quite ready. Last year we went through a very difficult December and first two weeks of January, and then we managed to come out of that dark time. I think that experience could help us manage the pressure that will come at the Olympics.”

In that sense, a major help comes from the group spirit which is also a strength: “I see professionalism, dedication to work, and also a great group atmosphere. They’re all friends, laughing, joking. In the evenings, they have huge Risiko matches with shouting, laughter and a lot of fun.”

But confidence does not come only from out-of-biathlon activities. The hard work is showing in the progresses of each and every of the team members: “I’m happy because in the functional tests you can see improvements. It confirms the whole process. Now it’s time to finalise.”

From the athletes’ side, Wierer is living this period with particular intensity, after announcing she will end her career after these home Olympics: “There are pros and cons in knowing that my clock is set to that goal. I can’t wait, because it’s a unique event, and not many athletes have the chance to compete in an Olympics at home, right where you grew up, where you first put skis on. It’s wonderful to be able to close my career like that, isn’t it?”

Her preparation has also been a little unusual, shaped by the many requests and commitments linked to being a home Olympics icon: “With the Games at home, everyone has something to ask of you, so you have to manage your schedule too. I chose to squeeze most commitments in spring, so in May I trained very little – about 30 hours, which some do in a week! Then I really started training in June, but things are going well. It’s not easy, because I feel this is a special year, and also very tiring from that point of view.”

For Giacomel, there is no doubt the veteran is doing everything to be ready for her final big stage in Antholz though: “She says herself that she’s counting the days. Honestly, I see her doing well for now, and I hope it continues like that. She’s still the same, always complaining – and that’s a good sign,” he commented with a smile.

Coming from a troubled winter, Bionaz, on the other hand, keeps a more detached approach: “Honestly, I’m not thinking much about it, even though it’s a question we get asked a lot. If you think about it, it’s something that happens once in a lifetime, and not everyone gets the chance to race an Olympics at home. But honestly, I’m not thinking about it now. My expectations are mainly to get back to doing what I know how to do. So, for the moment, I’m living it as a season like any other.”

This mix of calmness and awareness is well summed up by a conversation between Cianciana and Giacomel, as the coach recalls: “The other day Tommy told me: ‘We want to go to the Olympics to win, not just to take part.’ Right now, potentially, in our team there are two athletes who can win any race. But we all know how unpredictable a single race can be: in the sprint in Pyeongchang, Fourcade and JT Boe were the clear favourites, but they both missed three or four shots, and neither of them won. Like in every World Cup race, if you’re fast and you shoot well, you’re there. But of course, if you’re ranked fifth on paper and all four in front of you do the same, you may still end up fifth. But if even one of them misses a shot more than you, you’re ahead. That’s the beauty of our sport.”

A first test of this team’s progress in the lead up to the Olympics will come this weekend on the very stadium that will host the Games. In Antholz-Anterselva, the Italians will face a fierce international opposition during the Summer Biathlon National Championships. Wierer will be the only one to skip these competitions, a decision taken long ago to fit her different training schedule. However, the Italian veteran is already looking forward to the Loop One Festival in October, where she will be wearing a racing bib again.

Photos Gasparin/IBU

The no20 Algarve Pro Racing topped the LMP2 Pro/Am standings at the chequered flag with Kriton Lentoudis, Olli Caldwell and Alex Quinn finishing ahead of United Autosports. The LMP3 victory went to the n°8 Team Virage Ligier crew of Julien Gerbi, Rik Koen and Daniel Nogales.

Aston Martin become the fourth different LMGT3 manufacturer to win in the ELMS this season when Valentin Hasse Clot in the no59 Racing Spirit of Léman Vantage held off the challenge from Fabien Schiller in the no63 Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG on the final lap after a quick late pitstop by the Swiss team put Hasse Clot into the lead. The two cars were just 0.9 seconds apart at the chequered flag.

VDS Panis Racing leads the provisional overall standings. The team holds a 20-point advantage over Inter Europol Competition and 26 over IDEC Sport. In LMP2 Pro/Am, the battle is tighter, with Algarve Pro Racing three points ahead of AO by TF, while Proton Competition trails by 13 points. In the LMP3 category, CLX Motorsport enjoys a comfortable 31-point lead over Inter Europol Competition. Finally, in LMGT3, Racing Spirit of Leman capitalizes on its victory and Spirit of Race’s misstep to take the lead. However, the French squad holds only a one-point advantage over Iron Dames and five over Richard Mille AF Corse. Having led prior to the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Spirit of Race has dropped to fourth place.

The next race is the Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone on Sunday 14 September, Round 5 of the 2025 European Le Mans Series.

In the meantime, relive the best moments of the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps with the video below.

Photo credit : Twenty-one creation

MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – Uruguay (1-1) delivered the first major upset of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 by defeating the United States (1-1) 86-85. It marks only the second victory ever for the South American squad against the Americans in the competition’s history, with the first dating back to the 2001 edition.

The triumph also lifted coach Gerardo Jauri’s team into second place in Group A, putting them in control of their destiny in the race to the quarter-finals with just one game remaining in the group stage.

Turning point

The contest was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Uruguay went ahead by eight (78-70) on a three-pointer from Santiago Vescovi with 4:21 minutes left, but the United States responded with three long-range shots— one from Langston Galloway and two from Jahmius Ramsey, to take an 83-82 lead with just 1:18 remaining.

Moments later, Mateo Bianchi scored under the basket as the shot clock was about to expire, restoring Uruguay’s lead at 84-83 with 51 seconds to play. At the other end, Galloway carried his team throughout the game, but missed a wide-open three-pointer. While the Americans hesitated on whether to foul to stop the clock, Vescovi took advantage of the indecision and drove to the rim for a layup, making it 86-83 for Uruguay with 23 seconds left.

Ramsey had a three-point attempt to tie, but it rimmed out. Although Tyler Cavanaugh scored on an offensive rebound, only five seconds remained, and the U.S. had no timeouts left. Uruguay held on for the historic win.

TCL player of the game

Vescovi, beyond hitting the decisive basket, came off the bench to power Uruguay with 24 points (including 4 threes) and 5 assists. Shooting guard Joaquín Rodríguez followed with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals.

For the U.S., Galloway tallied 25 points with 5 three-pointers, while Ramsey added 19.

Stats don’t lie

The key for Uruguay was inside play, despite concerns coming into the tournament about the team’s lack of size. They grabbed 45 rebounds (18 offensive) compared to the Americans’ 33. Those offensive boards translated into 20 second-chance points, while the U.S. managed just seven.

Uruguay also dominated points in the paint, 46-32.

Bottom line

It took 24 years for Uruguay to notch another win over the United States. The Americans still lead the head-to-head series in this tournament, 5-2.

Both teams will return to action on Tuesday, August 26, to wrap up the Group Phase. Uruguay will face the Bahamas, while the United States will take on Brazil.

They said

Vescovi credited the win to the cohesion the group has built during preparation and in the early stages of the tournament.

“We are a very united team. Everyone contributes in their own way— players, coaches, and the entire staff. Each one gives what they can from their role, and I think it’s showing,” said the University of Tennessee product.

“I believe the way we’ve been working is taking us in the right direction. It’s a joy to see things coming together on the court,” added the 23-year-old guard.

FIBA

PARIS (France) – Certain things are just meant to be. Take Zaccharie Risacher, for example.

He was meant to be one of the faces of French basketball’s future; he was meant to be an exciting, skilled athlete; he was meant to be a youngster that talks like a veteran. And he is embracing his destiny.

“My dad played for the national team for almost 15 years. I heard so much about his games and the way he was, the way he approached the game. That just made me proud for my whole childhood,” the 2005-born French international told FIBA.

“This time it’s my turn to make him and my family proud. It’s special for me too.”

The younger Risacher is approaching his first-ever appearance at FIBA EuroBasket with the mentality of someone who will, sooner or later, become a champion. At 20 years old, he already looks the part.

On top of that, new France head coach Frederic Fauthoux, can count on the youngster feeling immensely proud of representing his nation.

“The first time I heard our anthem before a game, it was special. It brings something different before the game, and I really enjoyed it. Ever since it happened, I feel something different wearing the French jersey,” the Atlanta Hawks winger said.

He has experienced it several times now, mostly at youth level.

Alongside his current teammate Alexandre Sarr, who was selected right behind him with the No.2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Risacher represented France in three consecutive summers from 2021 to 2023.

“Being able to represent my country is one of the most beautiful things in my life. To be able to do it with the senior team is a great experience. I can’t wait to be able to represent my country at EuroBasket,” he said.

Especially because he is carrying over the baton from his dad.

“It’s a dream come true for a kid from France like me to be able to compete with the French jersey on my back, with my name on my back; a name that my dad used to carry on his back too for the national team. It’s special.”

Obviously, France’s new and rising generation isn’t only about Zaccharie Risacher.

Alexandre Sarr, Matthew Strazel, Bilal Coulibaly, Sylvain Francisco, Theo Maledon, and other fresh faces wil shoulder a big part of the responsibility for Les Bleus in Katowice and, should France advance, in Riga.

They will have to step up in the absence of Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, Mathias Lessort, and Vincent Poirier.

“Obviously, we gotta adapt, and I feel like it wouldn’t be the same if they were there. But at the same time, it has been more than three weeks since we’ve been working and building chemistry, habits, and something special,” Risacher said.

“I think we have the right guys to compete at a high level. Also, for the next few years, we’re gonna be one of the toughest teams to face. I feel pretty excited about it, and super proud to be a part of this new generation.

“Everybody is a great player in their own teams, but we show up during the summer, we challenge ourselves, and we build something special, I think we have the same vision. Everybody tries to be great as a team. There’s no ego, bad vibes. Just one goal, one unity. That’s gonna be our biggest strength.”

While France has talent from top to bottom and depth in all positions, Risacher believes he can bring something special to the table.

“I just wanna play my game, I want to help my team win games, and I feel like that’s what I’m good at,” he said.

“I know I can bring different stuff: rebounding, scoring, being aggressive, shooting threes. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to help my team win games. That’s just the way it’s gonna be. I take pride in doing what I do.

“We’re gonna make sure to be in the right spot to make that happen. We want to win EuroBasket. We’re just not gonna worry about anything else but us, we’re gonna stay locked in together until we can get what we want.”

In Group D, France will face co-hosts Poland, three years after their last encounter at the Semi-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket 2022, as well as Israel, Slovenia, Belgium, and Iceland.

If there’s one particular team Risacher would like to play, it’s the most star-studded one.

“I wanna play Serbia because of my former teammate Bogi [Bogdan Bogdanovic]. I just feel like it will be a great matchup. Being able to play against him will be great. In Atlanta, he was there and taught me a lot of things,” he said.

“It would be special for me to be able to challenge and compete against him.”

Risacher and the new-look France are sure ready to compete against anyone.

FIBA

Residents have been left outraged after vandals destroyed a cricket pitch in Croydon, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Concerns remain about vandalism in at Norbury Park following the incident reported on 18 August.

Jenni Rodgers, leader of the group Friends of Norbury Park, said: “We will have to wait for a new pitch to be put down. I am just sick of this actual lack of respect.”

A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “Our parks team have made the area safe by removing the hazardous debris, but unfortunately, the pitch cannot be currently used. We will work with the police and encourage anyone with information to contact them.”

Regular park user John Kuhrt posted on Facebook that the damage was “a proper demolition job” rather than just a “mindless bit of vandalism”.

Reflecting on previous incidents, Ms Rodgers said: “It does seem like every time we do something, there is just sort of vandalism in response. We put up two notice boards and they were vandalised.”

Both Ms Rodgers and Deborah Bestwick, of Norbury Village Green Residents’ Association, told the LDRS that litter is often scattered across the pitch after weekend games and “we have just begun to get really sick of it”.

The Friends group regularly carries out litter picks around the park and, together with the council’s contractors, helps keep it clean.

Referring to the vandalism, Ms Bestwick said: “All of the organisations are really distressed. It is massively destructive.”

Norbury Labour councillor Shafi Khan first sought funding for the pitch in 2019, securing support from the council, which remains responsible for its upkeep and now its repair, the LDRS said.

A spokesperson for Croydon Council added: “We are appalled by this outrageous act of vandalism on this community asset in Norbury Park, which has impacted on and saddened the local community.

“We have reported the incident to the police and would like to thank residents who have contacted the Council to report this senseless act of vandalism.”

Cristiano Ronaldo achieved another career milestone during the Saudi Super Cup final between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese forward scored to bring his tally to 100 goals since joining the Saudi Pro League.

Despite his goal, Al-Nassr were edged out in the match, with Al-Ahli securing a 3-2 victory.

The final was closely contested, with both sides creating opportunities, but Al-Ahli held on to claim the trophy.

Ronaldo’s career statistics continue to highlight his longevity and consistency. He scored over 450 goals for Real Madrid, more than 100 across two spells at Manchester United, and also made significant contributions at Juventus and Sporting CP.

On the international stage, he has scored over 120 goals for Portugal, further cementing his place among football’s greatest scorers.

His achievements in Saudi Arabia add to his long-standing reputation as one of the sport’s most prolific scorers.

This latest milestone underscores his continued impact across multiple competitions, even as Al-Nassr narrowly missed out on the Super Cup title.

In Lahore, under the banner of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the spectacular event “Battle of Truth Pakistan Combat Night” was held. It featured thrilling contests from the Pakistan Open MMA Championship and Road to Brave 100.

The flurry of punches and kicks inside the ring and the fighters’ intense action kept the audience captivated.

Eight fighters qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia, while five fighters secured spots in the Road to Brave and the World Championship.

In the Pakistan Open MMA Championship bouts, fighters from Islamabad dominated. Abdul Manan, Moiz Satti, Siddiq Ullah, Ayan Hussain, Shahab Ali, and Sajid Katoushi defeated their rivals to claim victories. These winners qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia.

The qualifying fights of Road to Brave 100 also proved highly exciting. In the Flyweight category, Aqib Awan defeated Egypt’s Al Hassan Muhammad. In the Bantamweight category, Babar Ali overcame Azerbaijan’s Sharkhan Valili, while in another Bantamweight fight, Pakistan’s Zia Mushwani beat Iran’s Saman Moradmand. In the main event, Pakistan’s Rizwan Ali defeated Egypt’s Adham Muhammad to claim the title.

In the women’s contests, Pakistan’s Iman Khan delivered a stellar performance, knocking out Tunisia’s Maha in the very first round.

Overall, eight Pakistani fighters qualified for the World MMA Championship in Georgia, while five fighters booked their places in Road to Brave 100 and the World Championship in Bahrain.

President of the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Umer Ahmed, said: “This event will prove to be a milestone in showcasing Pakistan’s talent to the world, and our fighters will bring pride to the nation on the global stage.”