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  • Historic 500th Win for All Blacks in Tight Clash with France

    Historic 500th Win for All Blacks in Tight Clash with France

    Three disallowed All Blacks tries, relentless French defence, and TMO interventions throughout all combined to continue the special rivalry between the two sides before New Zealand achieved its 500th Test victory in the first Lipovitan-D series clash in Dunedin on Saturday.

    The unfancied French belied all the controversy surrounding their selection for the tour with a gutsy display that was not quelled until the final moments of the game.

    It was a reminder that the French in the mood can cause problems for any All Blacks side, and they took advantage of the home side’s first Test of the year to unsettle their chances of making combinations. And they gave the All Blacks a reminder of their need for better execution in the air.

    There was satisfaction in the introduction of new players, with lock Fabian Holland making his mark as the All Blacks dominated the lineouts 19-5. No8 Christian Lio-Willie made some powerful runs with ball in hand, while prop Ollie Norris and flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi got a taste of how torrid Test matches can be during the final quarter especially.

    France had their heroes with fullback Theo Attissogbe who under pressure, especially from the All Blacks kicking, pulled off some remarkable saves that contributed to the effectiveness of the French defence, who made 224 tackles to 121 by the All Blacks, while captain and second five-eighths Gael Fickou was a constant presence in the backline.

    There was disappointment for the All Blacks 15 minutes into the game when they appeared to have scored after a break by halfback Cameron Roigard and a link with second five-eighths Jordie Barrett, who crossed. But the TMO ruled the ball had been knocked on earlier when prop Fraser Newell appeared to have completed a catch.

    From the scrum, France moved the ball when Attissogbe made ground on the outside before the ball was moved inside to centre Emilien Gailleton and Fickou, who went close to scoring before No8 Mickael Guillard picked it up to cross in the 17th minute.

    The response was immediate. In attempting to clear their line from the restart, French halfback Nolann Le Garrec had his kick charged down by lock Scott Barrett. The ball was moved to the left before it came back right, where Beauden Barrett threw a long ball to Will Jordan on the wing, and he crossed for his 39th try.

    He was moved to the wing after Sevu Reece failed an HIA after a first-minute head knock when attempting a tackle.

    The All Blacks got back into the French 22m area and built pressure before the ball emerged for replacement Damian McKenzie, who tap-danced his way through five tackles and, while finally put down, quick ball was moved by Roigard to flanker Tupou Vaa’i, who scored under the crossbar.

    Capping their improved second quarter, the All Blacks made the most of some burrowing, bullocking running by flanker Ardie Savea, who gave the attack momentum. The ball was released, and while the French defence affected the fluidity, the combination of Beauden Barrett and Jordan got the ball to Jordie Barrett, who had to take a low pass and work his way around a tackle attempt to ground the ball in the corner for a 21-13 lead at the break.

    A mistake at the restart by the All Blacks gave France a sniff, which they took, with Fickou taking the ball to the line before it was released to wing Gabil Villiere to score to get France back within a point.

    However, the All Blacks burst back after Roigard broke to the line to create a 46th-minute chance, which saw Beauden Barrett feed the ball to Jordan running from depth to break through two tackles to score his second.

    The French struck back when they made five changes for immediate effect, with Jacobus van Tonder breaking into space and only being pulled down by Roigard’s chasing tackle. However, in the goalmouth assault, it was fellow replacement Cameron Woki who scored.

    After Villiere was sin-binned for a deliberate knockdown, the All Blacks looked to have scored when Billy Proctor touched down, but a knock-on was ruled and the try scrubbed.

    However, within five minutes, the pain increased when the obstruction was ruled against Pasilio Tosi, which resulted in a third try being denied to Jordan.

    The win broke the run of three consecutive losses to France, while their 500th win lifted their overall Test percentage success rate of 76.80

    New Zealand 31 ( Will Jordan 2, Tupou Vaa’i, Jordie Barrett tries; Beauden Barrett 4 con, pen) France 27 (Michael Guillard, Gabil Villiere, Cameron Woki tries;     Joris Segonds pen; Nolann Le Garrec 3 con, pen). [HT: 21-13]

    New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

    Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie.

    France: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Tom Spring, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Joris Segonds, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Mickael Guillard, 7 Killian Tixeront, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Tyler Duguid, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 1 Giorgi Beria.

    Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy.

    Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

    Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Takehito Namekawa (Japan)

    TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)

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  • Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds past resurfaces amid Blake vs Justin

    Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds past resurfaces amid Blake vs Justin



    Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds past resurfaces amid Blake vs Justin

    Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds are back in the news years after their quiet divorce, as the actor’s current wife Blake Lively deals with a legal fight with her co-star Justin Baldoni.

    While Ryan and Lively are now seen as one of Hollywood’s most stable couples, some fans are revisiting his past with Johansson. 

    The two actors were once married, though their time together was short and mostly kept away from the spotlight.

    The Jurassic World actress and the Deadpool & Wolverine actor began dating in 2007, not long after Reynolds ended his engagement to singer Alanis Morissette. 

    And by May 2008, the former couple were engaged and later held a private wedding ceremony in Vancouver Canada.

    But the marriage did not last as work kept them away too often and that became too much to handle. 

    However, Scarlett was the one who ended things in 2010 and their divorce was finalised in 2011.

    Years later, the actress said that she was only 23 and Ryan was 31 at the time and did not really know what marriage meant back then.

    An insider revealed at that time: “They are being very civil about it. The big problem with their relationship is the distance. They spent a lot of time apart when they are working… She’s been unhappy for a while.”

    Scarlett and Ryan are back in the buzz as Blake Lively sues Justin Baldoni. She claims he entered her trailer while she was topless and crossed the line during a kiss scene in their film It Ends With Us.

    Justin then hit back with a lawsuit against both Blake and Ryan, claiming their team tried to ruin his name and demanded 400 million dollars in damages. 

    The legal fight is still far from over and for now, all eyes are on how this battle will play out.

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  • Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 to Stream on Crunchyroll in 2026 – Crunchyroll

    1. Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 to Stream on Crunchyroll in 2026  Crunchyroll
    2. Classroom of the Elite 2nd Year, You and I Are Polar Opposites and More Anime to Stream on Crunchyroll  Crunchyroll
    3. Re:Zero Season 4 Locks Down Streaming Home Ahead of Premiere  ComicBook.com
    4. Classroom of the Elite Heads to Crunchyroll Game Vault, Pre-Registration Goes Live  Crunchyroll
    5. Classroom of the Elite Season 4 Announces Streaming Home Ahead of Premiere  ComicBook.com

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  • Hollywood, on her terms: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who is promoting her latest film Heads of State in London, says she tries to take on characters that have agency

    Hollywood, on her terms: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who is promoting her latest film Heads of State in London, says she tries to take on characters that have agency

    Success is constant evolution, says actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a popular Hindi cinema star, who is now firmly focused on expanding her filmography in the West. In her latest Hollywood project Heads of State, Priyanka plays Noel Bisset, an MI6 agent with a past with the British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba). The actress said she has had a great run in India and is looking for something similar in her work in Hollywood.

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    “It is constant evolution for sure. I would’ve never imagined where I am today when in 2002, I started my first movie. But I feel like I’m really nascent in my work in the West so far. I have a major filmography in my Indian work. I’ve been able to work in various genres, work with the most incredible actors and filmmakers.”

    The actor has played central roles in shows and movies such as Quantico, Baywatch, Citadel, The Matrix Resurrections and Love Again. Priyanka said Heads of State, which is now streaming on Prime Video, was a fun film to do. “I want to be proud of the work that I take on. I try to take on characters that have agency and are strong and have something to do in the movies versus being ornamental.”

    Both Priyanka and Cena, who has a massive fan following in India for being a WWE wrestler before turning to acting, first met each other on the set of the Ilya Naishuller-directed movie.

    “I knew of John from his WWE days in India. He’s so well known in the country. It’s hard to not know him, especially when he made his transition into movies. I thought that was very interesting and his choice of parts were great. So, I was very excited to do this movie with him,” she said.


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  • The 5 Best High-Protein Foods for Gut Health

    The 5 Best High-Protein Foods for Gut Health

    • Yogurt, cheese, fish, poultry and beans are beneficial for your gut health.
    • Protein foods that contain pre- or probiotics, omega-3s and fiber can improve the microbiome.
    • Balancing protein foods with other macronutrients is best for an overall healthy eating pattern.

    When it comes to gastrointestinal health, there’s often a focus on eating probiotic-packed foods. However, all of the other foods you eat—including proteins—can influence the composition of the bacteria in your gut microbiome, too. Some are more beneficial than others. Learn about our registered dietitians’ top picks for digestion-friendly protein and keep reading to find out how dietary protein influences your gut health.

    1. Yogurt

    Yogurt is a concentrated source of protein that comes with beneficial live cultures (aka probiotics), such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. When consumed regularly, dairy products like yogurt may support the bacterial balance in the gut by increasing Lactobacillus bacteria. Enjoy yogurt on its own, add it to smoothies, fruit parfaits or make frozen yogurt cake and frozen yogurt popsicles.

    2. Fermented Cheese

    Whether you love Cheddar, Swiss or Parmesan, these cheeses are a good source of protein, and aged cheeses in particular may contain probiotics. Shred these cheeses and add them to salads—like this Apple & Cheddar Side Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette—or a wrap, or add pieces of cheese to a Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich.

    3. Fish

    Fish—especially fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines—are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties and can benefit your microbiome by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. Certain types of fish, such as salmon, also contain vitamin D, an essential nutrient that may influence the type of bacteria in the intestines, as well as protect intestinal lining from inflammation and injury. Kristen White, RDN, CLT, owner of Food Sensitivity Dietitian, says that fish is also generally easier to digest than red meat, which may be beneficial if you experience digestive issues. Check out our Healthy Fish Recipes for easy-to-prep meal ideas.

    4. Poultry

    Chicken and turkey are excellent sources of lean proteins. They contain amino acids such as glutamine and tryptophan, known to support a healthy microbiome. For example, tryptophan is metabolized by intestinal bacteria that may help make the intestinal lining strong and durable and reduce inflammation, says , Lina Begdache, Ph.D., RDN, a dietitian and assistant professor of Health and Wellness Studies at Binghamton University, State University of New York. In addition, poultry contains B vitamins that play a role in the production of butyrate, which also supports a healthy intestinal barrier.

    5. Beans

    Beans are a good source of fiber, an important nutrient that helps promote regular digestion and increase healthy bacteria in the GI tract. One cup of canned black beans provides about 17 grams of this important nutrient and 15 grams of protein. Beans are an excellent source of prebiotics, a nutrient that helps gut bacteria flourish, and research shows that eating more beans improves the growth of good bacteria in the GI tract. Check out all of our healthy bean recipes for inspiration.  

    Protein and Gut Health

    Research reveals that dietary protein may influence the makeup of the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as how it functions. The theory is that not all dietary proteins get digested, and as undigested protein arrives in the colon, some bacteria may use the amino acids (building blocks of proteins) as an energy source, producing byproducts called metabolites. These metabolites may then play a role in metabolism and our immune system.

    Are you going for plant- or animal-based protein? That makes a difference in this discussion. Animal proteins are complete proteins, meaning they provide all the essential amino acids in proportions needed for health, says White. These amino acids are crucial for a range of bodily functions, including tissue repair and immune system support.

    “Animal proteins are generally well-tolerated and easily digested by most people. [Animal proteins] can be particularly beneficial for individuals with digestive issues or sensitivities, as they are less likely to cause gastrointestinal discomfort than some plant-based proteins,” White explains. 

    Although animal proteins are complete, some plant-based and vegetarian proteins, like tofu and quinoa, are also complete proteins. You can still get all of the amino acids you need if eating primarily plant-based proteins, like beans and nuts, but it’s important to eat a wide variety of options to meet your needs. Animal proteins are easy to digest for most people, although many plant-based proteins provide other benefits, such as fiber and healthy fats. Eating a wide variety of protein options is recommended to provide a range of nutrients. 

    Considerations When Choosing Protein 

    • Change up your proteins: Eat a variety of animal- and plant-based proteins for balanced nutrition. Along with the animal proteins on this list, check out these plant-based foods that have more protein than an egg.
    • Think about cooking methods: “How these proteins are prepared can significantly impact their effects on gut health,” says White. Both White and Begdache recommend cooking methods such as grilling, baking, poaching and steaming to retain more nutrients and support heart and overall health.
    • Go for natural proteins over supplements: Protein powders and shakes have their place, and they can help you meet your protein needs. However, there’s a benefit to choosing food when you can, including a wider array of nutrients. 
    • While protein may play a key role in gut health, Begdache advises not to consume protein foods in large amounts without sources of fiber-rich carbohydrates, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains or legumes.
    • A high-protein, low-fiber diet may change the gut microbiome by altering the types of metabolites produced by intestinal bacteria. “The healthy microbes that live in the GI tract feed on undigested complex carbohydrates like fiber,” Begdache explains. “High-protein foods, [generally] tend to lack these complex fibers; therefore, their presence in the gut may change the composition of the gut microbiota into a less health-favorable one,” she says. Conversely, a high-fiber diet that includes complex carbohydrate foods may help protect the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation.

    • Begdache also indicates that protein digestion in the stomach differs from one person to another. “People with low stomach acid or pancreatic problems may not digest proteins effectively. Consequently, the more undigested proteins enter the colon, the less advantageous these proteins are,” she adds.

    Top Rated Gut-Friendly Protein Recipes to Try

    Our Expert Take

    What you eat—including protein choices—may influence the health and balance of your gut microbiome. Eating a wide variety of protein sources, particularly gut-healthy options like yogurt, fish, poultry, beans and fermented cheese, can help diversify and maintain the concentration of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

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  • I replaced my Ethernet cables with optical DACs and I won’t go back

    I replaced my Ethernet cables with optical DACs and I won’t go back

    I’ve been upgrading my home network lately, and while I was figuring out how some of the wired connections would go, I opted for RJ45 SFP+ modules because some of my devices have 10GbE NICs. I could have gone with a mix of Ethernet and fiber, but I wanted everything to be the same, so it’d be easier to install and have some spare parts.

    I was wrong. I should have gone for the mix, because I noticed some issues with the Ethernet runs. More specifically, the ones that use RJ45 SFP+ modules, where the transceiver gets way too warm for comfort even when idle. But I’ve also noticed issues with the 10GbE NICs on my motherboards glitching. If that’s through heat, it’s not fixable; if it’s driver issues, I’m not equipped to do that either, so it’s time to add some new adapters.

    I’ve never been so glad to have ATX motherboards with extra PCIe slots. I’ve added ex-enterprise networking cards and am now using SFP+ active optical DACs for the main connections around my office, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ll add more to the mix wherever I can, but I’m also looking at fiber runs with modules to have more flexibility over speeds and upgrades.

    Related

    4 reasons that Power over Ethernet now rules my home network

    I hate cables, so fewer is better.

    Ethernet is fine, really

    But RJ45 transceivers get super hot and I hate it

    sf45 transceiver plugged into a network switch

    I’m not knocking Ethernet here, as with the correct CAT specification, I could get faster speeds than I already have. It’s not about speed, at least not here; it’s about reliability and temperature. Those are intertwined anyway, as the rising temperatures of my 10GbE ports and modules are affecting the stability and reliability of my network.

    How much of an effect is harder to quantify. I could set up network monitoring and see how many packets have to be re-sent, or do some deep performance analysis and get hard numbers, but I don’t have the time or inclination for my home lab. Not when I can fix the issue for a few bucks, which is what I did. If I had more than a few devices to upgrade, then I’d have run the numbers because the upgrade cost would have been more substantial.

    Some of my network gear has RJ45 10GbE but not enough ports

    firewalla gold pro hardware firewall ports

    I do have some hardware on my network with 10GbE-capable RJ45 ports, but they’re few and far betweenand are currently wired to my NAS and a Wi-Fi 7 access point. Some of my computers have 2.5 GbE ports and need a new NIC anyway, so why not get fiber-capable ones? The only piece I haven’t added yet is an all-SPF+ switch, but that’ll be the next thing that goes in, and then most of my office will be fiber runs.

    It was time for a change

    I now have faster speeds, and future upgrades are cheaper

    While looking for replacement network cards, I prioritized reliability over all else. If some level of upgradeability was available, that would be nice, too. Going to 10GbE was already a big jump, but I didn’t want to have to upgrade again if I hit the network’s limits. I wasn’t sure if I would, as the only thing hitting anywhere near 10GbE was my RAID when dealing with big file transfers, but after not planning the last network upgrade properly, I needed to do this the right way.

    10GbE SPF+ cards with one or two ports are fairly inexpensive, but they mostly use Intel chipsets, and I noticed many forum threads discussing issues. Not what I wanted to hear (or deal with!), but non-Intel cards were expensive. Or so I thought, as I headed to eBay, I found hundreds of older Mellanox adapters that were capable of 10/25GbE, with two ports, and for less than the Intel-based cards.

    A couple of purchases (and days) later, I had new-to-me networking cards and active optical DACs to replace the copper wires I was using. I knew I might run into firmware issues with the cards, but I had a list of resources to flash them with the correct firmware, and it turned out I didn’t need them as they got recognized straight away.

    Now I’ve got a more stable network, with less heat in my office, and optical cables that are much easier to route than the thick Ethernet cables I was using. Plus, it taught me a bit more about networking, including how enterprise hardware is easier to work with in terms of firmware flexibility, which was a nice surprise. And with every card having two ports, I can use them to link between my desktops, making it less of a hassle to run the cables.

    zyxel-wbe660s-front

    Related

    5 reasons I’m still hard-wiring Ethernet even when I have a Wi-Fi 7 AP

    Wi-Fi is pretty fly but I’m a consistency guy.

    Even though I love these optical DACs for my office, I still have a few Ethernet runs I can’t remove

    zyxel-wbe660s-ap-ports

    I’ve now got the bulk of my bandwidth-hogging devices on SFP+ active optical DACs, but I can’t switch out a few cable runs because I need PoE++ to power things like access points and other switches. Eventually, I’ll pull fiber through and replace the Cat5e that’s in my walls, but that day is far off. I need time to plan where power is coming from and save up for the eventual electrician bill. But until then, I know that the devices that need fast, stable networking are all handled by lasers, and I love the thought of that.

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  • Local mobile production up, sales down

    Local mobile production up, sales down

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    KARACHI:

    Despite growing local manufacturing, Pakistan’s mobile phone market continues to face headwinds, as locally manufactured and assembled handset sales declined by 8% year-on-year during both the first five months of 2025 and the broader 11-month period of FY25, according to data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

    Despite a 4% year-on-year rise in production during April and May 2025, reaching 4.84 million units, overall demand remains subdued compared to 2024, when sales were buoyed by pent-up consumer buying following the easing of import restrictions, noted Sunny Kumar of Topline Securities.

    Local mobile phone companies manufactured or assembled 4.84 million units during April and May 2025, reflecting a 4% year-on-year increase compared to 4.65 million units produced in the same period of 2024, according to PTA. This brings the total number of locally assembled units in 11MFY25 to 26.09 million, which, however, marks an 8% decline in sales compared to the corresponding period last year. Similarly, for the first five months of 2025, locally manufactured or assembled sales stood at 12.05 million units, also down 8% year-on-year.

    Industry sources attribute the decline in overall mobile phone sales to several factors. Firstly, there is a high base effect from 2024, when the industry experienced exceptional growth due to pent-up demand after the lifting of import restrictions. Secondly, the average mobile replacement cycle has extended from 2.5 years to 3.5 years, driven by a lack of compelling new model launches. Lastly, persistently high inflation and weaker rural consumer demand have dampened overall spending on mobile devices.

    Despite the volume decline, Pakistan has significantly increased its reliance on local assembly. In the first five months of 2025, 94% of mobile phone demand was met through local manufacturing and assembly, compared to the five-year (2020-2024) average of 77% and the nine-year (2016-2024) average of 52%.

    Of the 12.05 million units assembled during the first five months of 2025, 54% (6.53 million) were 2G feature phones, while the remaining 46% (5.52 million) were smartphones. The top 10 locally assembled brands included Infinix (1.34 million units), VGO Tel (1.33 million), itel (1.07 million), Vivo (0.96 million), Samsung (0.67 million), Xiaomi (0.65 million), G’Five (0.64 million), Tecno (0.62 million), Nokia (0.52 million), and QMobile AL (0.5 million).

    Within the listed companies, Air Link Communication (AIRLINK), which assembles Tecno and Xiaomi phones, stood out as a key player, with both brands ranking among the top 10 during the first five months of 2025.

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  • England playing catch-up – what went wrong in France defeat?

    England playing catch-up – what went wrong in France defeat?

    The bulk of England’s issues seemed to stem from midfield as Georgia Stanway and Walsh were overrun and their opponents were devastating on the break.

    Wiegman admitted sloppiness in possession played into France’s hands as they pressed hard and took advantage of individual errors.

    Captain Leah Williamson was visibly frustrated at full-time and described the errors as “some cheap sort of emotional defending”.

    France winger Sandy Baltimore won her individual battles with her Chelsea team-mate Lucy Bronze – the England defender losing six duels, the most by any player.

    And until Walsh’s 87th-minute strike, the Lionesses had not achieved a shot on target.

    “I think we played like we were a little bit scared,” said Carter.

    “Maybe we weren’t aggressive enough, maybe we were worrying about their threats in behind and what they can do rather than doing what we can do.

    “We didn’t do as well on the ball, or off the ball. The only positive to take is the last 10 minutes. I really believed we would get a [second] goal.”

    England’s level seemed to surprise French media, who had largely written off their side’s chances when key centre-back Griedge Mbock was ruled out through injury.

    “I didn’t think the French could play at this level already and I didn’t think England could be so disappointing like they were for an hour,” French journalist Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live.

    France manager Laurent Bonadei admitted England’s explosive start, that saw Lauren James create a handful of chances, took them by surprise. But he felt his side controlled proceedings after that and “physically it was not easy for England”.

    James’ apparent free role certainly looked exciting at the start – but did it leave her side exposed in midfield?

    Wiegman’s response to that question was emphatic.

    “[James] didn’t have a total free role. We got exposed by losing balls in moments where we didn’t want to lose the ball,” she said. “That was the main topic we wanted to find a solution for.”

    Following the introductions of Chloe Kelly, Grace Clinton and Michelle Agyemang, the Lionesses responded, but too late to change the outcome, and former midfielder Karen Carney was far from impressed.

    “It wasn’t good enough. We were bullied all over the pitch. We didn’t win enough duels. We looked like we’ve never played together,” she told ITV.

    “This is our trophy and that wasn’t good enough. We played into their hands a little bit too much.”

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  • Owens-Delerme and Brooks lead close contests in Talence | REPORT

    Owens-Delerme and Brooks lead close contests in Talence | REPORT

    Puerto Rico’s Ayden Owens-Delerme and USA’s Taliyah Brooks lead after the first day of action at Decastar, but it’s all to play for at the World Athletics Combined Events Tour Gold meeting in Talence.

    Owens-Delerme amassed 4469 points on Saturday (5) to hold an overnight lead of 117 points over Kendrick Thompson of The Bahamas in the men’s decathlon. But several athletes in the field, including 2019 world champion Niklas Kaul and European champion Johannes Erm, have the potential to produce big scores on day two, so nothing is guaranteed.

    The situation is similar in the women’s heptathlon; Brooks – a strong day-one performer – has a 59-point lead with her current score of 3850. But just 84 points separate the next six athletes in the standings.

    Owens-Delerme took an early lead in the decathlon with a 10.48 run in the 100m, but Thompson moved into the lead after the long jump, leaping 7.70m to Owens-Delerme’s 7.44m.

    The Puerto Rican regained pole position thanks to a 16.13m heave in the shot put, but again it was short-lived as France’s Teo Bastien jumped to the top of the standings after clearing 2.06m in the high jump.

    Owens-Delerme ended his day with a meeting record of 46.43 in the 400m to finish the day with a leading tally of 4469. Thompson covered a lap of the track in 48.56 to move into second place. Erm’s 48.13 was one of the fastest of the day and the Estonian currently sits in fourth behind Bastien.

    Kaul ended the day in seventh overall, but is only marginally behind his pace from Götzis, where he went on to score 8575, so the German is certainly one to watch on Sunday.

    The women’s heptathlon got off to a strong start with Michelle Atherley equalling the meeting record of 12.88 in the 100m hurdles. US compatriot Brooks was marginally behind in 12.91 with defending champion Martha Araujo also breaking 13 seconds (12.97).

    World U20 champion Jana Koscak moved up the standings after the high jump with her 1.82m leap being the best of the day, but a 1.79m clearance from Brooks kept the world indoor bronze medallist in the lead. Araujo and Atherley were third and fourth overall, within touching distance of Koscak.

    Koscak took a brief lead after the shot put, thanks to the Croatian’s throw of 13.91m. Brooks threw 13.39m and held on to second place overall, ahead of Araujo (13.55m). 2019 world bronze medallist Verena Mayr (14.70m) and Germany’s Vanessa Grimm (15.03m) were among the leading performers in the shot put and they moved into fourth and fifth overall.

    Brooks regained her lead in the final discipline of the day, the 200m, running a solid 23.87 to bring her leading tally to 3850. Araujo ended with 24.11, giving her a score of 3791 – slightly ahead of her pace from Götzis, where she set her recent PB. Koscak’s 24.94 kept her in contention, while Lithuania’s Beatrice Juskeviciute (23.64) and Atherley (23.66) made up some ground in the 200m.

    Heading into day two, Brooks may well be able to hold her own in the long jump, but the javelin could be the turning point as Araujo appears to have the advantage there. Atherley, meanwhile, is capable of making up ground in the 800m.

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  • World records for Chebet at 5000m and Kipyegon at 1500m in Eugene – worldathletics.org

    1. World records for Chebet at 5000m and Kipyegon at 1500m in Eugene  worldathletics.org
    2. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet shatters women’s 5,000m world record  France 24
    3. Hull the standout Australian at Diamond League in US  inkl
    4. Faith Kipyegon sets 1,500 world record at the Prefontaine Classic  itemonline.com
    5. ATHLETICS: History at the Pre Classic with historic13:58.05 world record by Chebet and 3:46.68 from Kipyegon among nine world leads!  The Sports Examiner

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