Category: 6. Sports

A record-breaker chasing new territory

Kipyegon is no stranger to erasing what others considered permanent. She is the only woman to win three Olympic 1500m titles, claiming gold at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.

She has matched that feat with three world titles at the same distance, added another in the 5000m, and holds the current world records for both the 1500m and the mile. For a brief period in 2023, she also owned the 5000m world record, but lost it to Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay a few months later. Her compatriot Chebet claimed the most recent record in 2025.

Kipyegon’s form in 2025 has been exceptional. In June, she ran the fastest mile in history, albeit in an exhibition event that could not be ratified. In July, she returned to Eugene to lower her own 1500m world record to 3:48.68, the third time she has rewritten that mark.

The race bore all her trademarks: patience through the early laps, then an unanswerable kick that broke the field apart. In addition to being the only time under 3:49, Kipyegon currently holds five of the ten fastest times ever run in the event.

The 3000m, however, is not an extension of the 1500m. It demands a delicate balance between speed and endurance, with little margin for error in pacing, not to mention the tactics that come with any middle-distance race.

Kipyegon’s current personal best in the 3000m is 8:23.55, which was set in 2014 at the age of 20. Since then, she has matured into a more complete athlete, as well as a three-time Olympic champion and multiple-time world record breaker.

USADA announced today that Robert Jerry Qualls, of Reno, Nev., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted an additional three-month period of ineligibility for violating the terms of his sanction.

Qualls, 73, initially accepted a three-year period of ineligibility in June 2024 after his sample, collected in-competition at the USA Track & Field Masters 5km Championships on February 24, 2024, tested positive for prohibited substances. USADA was contracted by event organizers to conduct testing and results management for that event. The announcement regarding Qualls’s initial violation can be found here.

Under the terms of his initial sanction, Qualls is prohibited from participating in any capacity in a competition or activity authorized or organized by a World Anti-Doping Code signatory or club or member organization of a World Anti-Doping Code signatory. He is also prohibited from participating in any professional league, any international-level or national-level event organization, or any elite or national-level sporting activity funded by a governmental agency during his period of ineligibility. USADA received a tip that Qualls participated in the Nevada Senior Games and the Huntsman World Senior Games in October 2024—both of which are sanctioned by USA Track & Field—thereby violating the terms of his sanction.

Upon investigating the circumstances of the violation, USADA concluded that Qualls was operating under the mistaken belief that the terms of his sanction did not prohibit him from participating in these specific events, which he did not realize were affiliated with USA Track & Field. However, USADA concluded that an additional period of ineligibility was warranted because the events were in fact sanctioned by USA Track & Field, and like all sanctioned athletes, Qualls was responsible for understanding and abiding by the terms of his sanction.

Qualls accepted an additional three-month period of ineligibility, so his original three-year period of ineligibility, which began on April 2, 2024, has been increased to a 39-month period of ineligibility. In addition, Qualls has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained at the Nevada Senior Games and the Huntsman World Senior Games including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents, coaches, and medical professionals in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.

USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at playclean@USADA.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.

The US Open announced its singles main-draw wild cards on Wednesday, headlined by two-time champion Venus Williams.

It’s no surprise that the 45-year-old will be in Queens after returning to the Hologic WTA Tour last month at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she defeated Peyton Stearns to become the oldest player to win a WTA singles match in more than two decades.

Williams last competed in Cincinnati, losing to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets but making progress ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

“Coming off of this match, I feel amazing,” Venus said after the 6-4, 6-4 defeat last week. “So that means in this next period, I won’t have to fix injuries. I can work on power and speed instead of trying to make sure I’m not hurt going into the tournament. I’m very excited that I can have a different focus for the US Open.”

The seven-time Grand Slam champion will also play in the reimagined mixed-doubles tournament, partnering with Reilly Opelka, in the week leading up to the start of the main draw (August 19 and 20). 

She last played the Open in 2023, losing badly to qualifier Greet Minnen, 6-1, 6-1, in the first round. 

Williams wasn’t the only notable name given a wild card into the Open. Caroline Garcia, who is set to retire at the end of the season, also received one. The former World No. 4 reached the semifinals in Flushing Meadows in 2022, her best result at a Grand Slam.

Five other Americans were also granted wild cards: Former junior World No. 1 Clervie Ngounoue, current junior World No. 1 Julieta Pareja, World No. 104 Caty McNally, ACC Freshman of the Year Valerie Glozman (she plays for Stanford) and USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s champion Alyssa Ahn.

The final wild card went to Australian Talia Gibson, who’s currently ranked No. 107 in the PIF WTA Rankings. 

LUANDA (Angola) – Nigeria’s D’Tigers got their 2025 AfroBasket Group B campaign off to a right note with a 77-59 victory over the island nation of Madagascar on Wednesday afternoon at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda.

In the second meeting between Nigeria and Madagascar in the AfroBasket since 2011, it was the D’Tigers again that notched victory with a game-high 22 points from Caleb Agada. His teammates, Stan Okoye (13 points), team captain Ike Nwamu (12 points) and Kaodirichi Akobundu (10 points) contributed to Nigeria’s victory.

Sitraka Raharimanantoanina’s 20 points were vital for Madagascar but they weren’t enough to stop Nigeria’s dominant third quarter.

Other Malagasy players, who scored in double figures, were Kiady Razanamahenina (13 points) and Mathias M’madi (11 points).

The first half saw both teams butting heads to see which opponent would fold.

2025 BAL champion Agada (13 points) and Malagasy big man Raharimananatoanina (11 points) led their countries in scoring in the first half. Agada, who was 6-for-11 in field-goals, pushed the ball into the opposition’s paint, drove to the rim and also used his midrange to good effect.

Raharimananatoanina’s length troubled Nigeria with his midrange and inside game, making four of his six attempts. He also showed he can shoot it from three when he made his single attempt a minute into the game.

Nigeria finished the quarter 38-37 up after forward Akobundu cleaned up with a put-back dunk at the buzzer from a missed Agada three-point shot.

TURNING POINT: Nigeria took the game to Madagascar in the third quarter.

The D’Tigers got out of the blocks early in the third quarter with a nine-point lead (48-39) with single free throws from Akonbundu and Okogie, a jump shot from Zanna, and four points from Agada. A three-point Kiady Razanamahenina play with 4:42 played did little to stop the Nigerian onslaught. They added seven more points for a 55-46 lead at the end of the quarter.

By the fourth quarter, it was clear that the Malagasy had no answers for Nigeria, and they were worthy of their 18-point victory.

HERO: Caleb Agada brought his BAL form to the D’Tigers. He took control of the game for the Tigers, and he was a calming figure for them, especially when the game was tight in the first half. It

STATS DON’T LIE: Nigeria benefited from turnovers, scoring 13 points in the third quarter. The D’Tigers’ bench also came to the party with 13 points. Nigeria 23-for-54 in made field-goals, and they out-rebounded the Malagasy 36-38.

BOTTOM LINE: Nigeria were too good on the day, they played as a team, and if they maintain their group ethic, it will help them going forward in the tournament.

WHAT THEY SAID: “We stayed together. The first half was not our best, but we came back collectively and decided to be progressive in the second half. We got back to our identity, which is rebounding, boxing out and playing defence. Those are the main things we focused on in the second half.” – Nigeria guard Caleb Agada.

FIBA

Both sides emerged from the break with attacking intent, but it was the hosts who struck first, seven minutes into the second half.

Dejan Drazic, again at the heart of the action, weaved past two defenders down the left before unleashing a fierce effort from inside the box that forced a corner.

From the short corner, Borja Herrera whipped in a pinpoint cross and Javier Siverio rose highest to nod past the goalkeeper and double FC Goa’s advantage.

Al Seeb Club responded on the hour mark after Al Sulaiman Al-Busaidi cut the ball back from the byline for Nasser Al-Rawahi to calmly slot home and halve the deficit.

The Gaurs could have opened up a two-goal cushion again in the 71st minute but Udanta Singh’s header from a Borja Herrera cross was thwarted by Al Seeb Club’s defence.

FC Goa could have put the game to bed in the 81st minute when Borja Herrera played a precise cross into the box for an unmarked Javier Siverio. The Spanish striker brought it under control and turned smartly, but dragged his effort wide of the post.

In the closing stages, Al Seeb Club threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but FC Goa stayed disciplined, restricting the visitors to speculative efforts from range.

A missed counter-attacking opportunity in stoppage time left the hosts under heavy pressure in the dying moments. However, resolute defending saw them survive a goalmouth scramble and repel a few dangerous set-pieces to secure a historic victory.

The Gaurs will join Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the AFC Champions League Two group stage.

Organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the AFC Champions League Two is the second-tier club football tournament on the continent after the AFC Champions League Elite.

This was FC Goa’s first piece of action on the continental stage since 2021, when the Gaurs became the first Indian football club to play in the AFC Champions League group stage.

DRAFT POLICY SUMMARY

By declaring for the draft, players will be asked to acknowledge policies that include, but are not limited to:

• Player may potentially lose his college eligibility if an MLR contract is negotiated and / or signed;
• Player must be willing to relocate to any MLR team if he is drafted;
• Player must be willing to allow MLR to use his images and attributes during the 2025 MLR Draft.
• MLR teams retain the assignment rights of draftees through the mid-point of the next MLR season.

All MLR contracts fall under two categories:

• Standard Player Contract – Salaried, fixed term
• Associate Player Contract – Hourly wage

Once a player is drafted, the specifics of each contract, including type, compensation amounts, and term, will be negotiated between the League, team, and the player, once the player completes his collegiate eligibility.

A player that isn’t signed within the rights period, may enter the subsequent year’s Draft as long as they are eligible. If they lose their Collegiate eligibility, they may enter the MLR if a team desires their services. (Provided they are not College Draft Eligible)

Players who enroll but aren’t drafted may enter the MLR if a team desires their services and they are no longer eligible for the next Draft. If they are eligible for the next Draft, they shall enroll again to join MLR.

With notable exception, graduating seniors who were previously drafted as eligible juniors may sign at any time until that season’s MLR Championship Match (June 28th, 2025); if unsigned they shall re-enter the MLR College Draft.

Jed Melvin was a force to be reckoned with when he arrived at the New England Free Jacks midway through the 2024 season.

In less than two months, the 24-year-old flanker established himself as one of the league’s most astute operators and ended his season by not only lifting the Major League Rugby Shield but as the Championship Final’s Player of the Match.

Those weeks were nothing short of a whirlwind for Melvin.

After starting the MLR season thousands of miles away in Auckland, working as a civil engineer allowed the forward to achieve his aim of playing rugby for a full year.