Browsing: Sports
Waajidd produced a polished late-running performance to land the Wadi Al Sail Cup at the Al Uqda Racecourse Thursday.The four-year-old bay gelding, owned by Khalid bin Ghanem al-Kuwari and trained by Zuhair Mohsen, bounced back to form to get off the mark with authority, drawing clear by 1½ lengths under Szczepan Mazur to win the Thoroughbred Premium Maidens contest for 3-7-year-olds over 1200m.Settling midfield after the break, Waajidd was ridden with patience as Fine Art Dealer pressed forward to assume control and dictate the pace through the early and middle stages. He was closely tracked by Mockirr, Saniyaat’s Star and Beach Breeze, with the leading quartet opening up a clear gap on the remainder of the field as they approached the final bend.Turning for home, Mockirr moved up assertively to take the lead from Fine Art Dealer and the pair appeared set to fight out the finish. However, the decisive move was still to come. From the middle of the pack, Waajidd was unleashed with a sustained and telling run, producing a sharp turn of foot to sweep past the leaders and assert quickly. Inside the final 100m, Waajidd extended his advantage with each stride, pulling clear to secure a decisive victory. Manos Arriba, racing for Al Eida Racing and trained by Jassim al-Ghazali, finished strongly from the rear under Marco Casamento to take second, edging Mockirr by a neck. The Al Jasra Stud runner, trained by Abdulla al-Mulla, stayed on under Ivan Rossi to claim third.Alnood asserts authority to complete stable doubleEarlier in the day, Alnood continued her solid run of form with a decisive success in the fifth race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap for fillies and mares rated 65–85, for four-year-olds and up over 2000m, Class 4, contested by five runners. The five-year-old bay mare, racing in the colours of Injaaz Stud and trained by Julian Smart, recorded her second win of the season from four starts, to go with a runner-up finish in between, scoring by 1¾ lengths. She was partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot, who, like her trainer, completed a double on the day.The penultimate Local Purebred Arabian Handicap produced a dramatic blanket finish, with Al Mutaghatris, also trained by Smart and ridden by Boudot, prevailing by a narrow margin. Waajidd’s authoritative success then provided a fitting highlight to an absorbing 43rd Al Uqda Race Meeting. RESULTS43rd Al Uqda Race Meeting – Wadi Al Sail CupWINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1 – Wadi Al Sail Cup, Thoroughbred Premium MaidensWaajidd, Zuhair Mohsen, Szczepan Mazur2 – Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60)Perfect Approach, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Lukas Delozier3 – Purebred Arabian Handicap (45-65)La Quyood, Julian Smart, Pierre Charles Boudot4 – Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-55)Mallhog, Fahad bin Mubarak bin Jassim al-Groon, Salman Fahad al-Hajri5 – Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75)Future Man, Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan al-Sulaiti, Fayos Martin Borja6 – Purebred Arabian Handicap, Fillies and MareAlnood, Julian Smart, Pierre Charles Boudot7 – Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85)Al Mutaghatris, Julian Smart, Pierre Charles Boudot Related Story Source link
Combat sports is set to make its much-awaited debut in Qatar on Saturday when two WBA Muay Thai titles will be decided alongside a couple of MMZ bouts also lined up. Two WBC Muai Thai fights are also on the playing roster on Saturday, this was announced by Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani, President of the Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF), at a press conference that also featured the fighters, on Thursday. Ali Aliev will take on Chip Moraza-Pollard in the Cruiserweight WBC Muay Thai World Title fight while Sajad Sattari is lining up a potential win against Kaonar in the WBC Welterweight Muay Thai Diamond Title bout, Sheikh Fahad said. In two MMA bouts, Qatar’s Ruslan Satiev will take on Bairam Shammadov while Kerimkhan Kerimkhanov will fight against Abdulwahab Mashareqi. In two WBC Asia Boxing Title fights, Idriss Labidi will lock horns with Rivo Rengkung while Jadalie Medeiros vs Shirin Shabani is also on the list of fighters. “This is a dream come true for Qatar in combat sports,” Sheikh Fahad, Qatar’s retired professional boxer, said on Thursday. “It’s a great honour to host these fighters. Such an event has been a dream of mine for a long time. Every WBC fighter dreams of winning belts. There are four belts on offer. I am sure fighters will showcase a new era of combat sports in Qatar,” Sheikh Fahad said. Aliev, who is primed to take on Moraza-Pollard, said on Thursday: “It’s a dream to have such events in Qatar. It’s a unique and prestigious sport. Our vision is to promote combat sports. We want to go teach self-discipline to young fighters. We have great champions here. Before coming here, I had intense training. I am ready.” Moraza-Pollard said: “Ali is one of the best fighters in the world. I am ready for the 5 rounds and put on a good show. I’ve already had this belt. I lost it. It’s an honour to fight for it again.” Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani, President of the Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF), and Ghanem Saleh al-Kuwari, Head of Boxing at the QBF, pose…
Aryna Sabalenka swept to her fourth successive Australian Open final with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Ukrainian Elina Svitolina Thursday in a semi-final overshadowed by geopolitical tension and will play familiar rival Elena Rybakina next.Rybakina set up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final at Melbourne Park by overcoming American Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-6(7), as the Russian-born Kazakh ramped up her own hunt for a second major title following her 2022 Wimbledon triumph.Top-seeded Belarusian Sabalenka will seek her third title at the tournament in four years and fifth Grand Slam trophy overall after another dominant display at what is now firmly her favourite hunting ground.”I just can’t believe that. It’s an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet,” world number one Sabalenka said.”I’m super happy with the win. She’s such a tough opponent and has been playing incredible tennis the whole week.”The defining moment for Sabalenka proved to be a hindrance call from the chair umpire mid-rally in the first set for a late non-standard grunt, a decision that stood following a video review and left the player fuming.”It was the wrong call, but whatever,” Sabalenka said.”She really – how do I say in a nice way – pissed me off, and it helped me and benefited my game.”I was more aggressive. I was not happy with the call.” SVITOLINA HOPED TO BRING UKRAINE ‘LIGHT’Since Russia’s invasion of its neighbour Ukraine in 2022, for which Belarus has been a staging ground, players from Russia and Belarus have been banned from representing their nations at the Grand Slams and tour events.Svitolina has been vocal about the strain of playing the countries’ players, and said that she hoped to bring her country “light” at the Australian Open amid a tough winter.The 27-year-old Sabalenka, however, crushed those hopes in a furious display of raw power.She became the third woman in the professional era to reach the Australian Open decider four times in a row following Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971-76) and Martina Hingis (1997-2002), who each played six finals in a row.”Gutted not to make it through tonight,” Svitolina told reporters. “Of course it’s very difficult when you’re playing a world number one on fire.” SVITOLINA COMPREHENSIVELY BEATENWhile 31-year-old Svitolina was comprehensively defeated, she fought hard from the first ball to the last. The 12th seed started with tenacity, hitting a forehand winner down the line on the first point returning serve.Sabalenka wobbled, giving up two break points with a loose backhand, but blasted her way out of danger.There was tension at 2-1 when Svitolina was awarded a point mid-rally, with Sabalenka penalised for hindrance.Incensed, she demanded a video review but the point stood. She channelled her frustration into breaking Svitolina, and then held for a 4-1 lead.Pinning Svitolina well behind the baseline, Sabalenka grabbed three set points and converted the third, roaring “Let’s go!” after a sizzling cross-court backhand winner.After 41 minutes of earth-shaking power, Sabalenka’s weapons finally misfired.She dropped the opening service game of the second set with a clutch of errors, raising cheers from a crowd yearning for a contest.But Sabalenka steadied herself, breaking Svitolina twice in succession. Svitolina never dropped her head and earned a break point when trailing 4-2 to put the match back on serve.Sabalenka was not to be denied, though. After thrashing a forehand winner down the line to save the break point, she proved unstoppable.Grabbing two match points with a huge serve, Sabalenka closed it out in style, swooping forward with a forehand cross-court winner to book her chance of claiming a third trophy at Melbourne Park.RYBAKINA’S TRADEMARK HEAVY HITTINGFifth seed Rybakina later made a blazing start on Rod Laver Arena as the 26-year-old dictated terms with her trademark heavy hitting to pile the pressure on American Pegula, who looked out of sorts under the lights.Sixth-seeded Pegula settled her nerves and stayed in touch at 4-2 down after saving break points, but Rybakina dialled up the intensity again and took the opening set with a cross-court winner to put one foot in the final.Having finished her 2025 campaign by toppling Sabalenka in the season-ending WTA Finals to lift the trophy, Rybakina looked in a hurry to book her 15th clash with the Belarusian as she broke Pegula for a 2-1 lead in the second set.The clean forehand winner that put Rybakina ahead drew a frustrated response from Pegula, who composed herself to break back and later saved three match points to draw level at 5-5.Rybakina responded immediately, assisted by the net cord, but a determined Pegula did not give in and forced a tiebreak where she squandered two set points before finally fading away.”It was an epic second set. Jessica played so well, fought to the end and I’m happy to be in the final,” Rybakina said.”It was really, really stressful. I had an epic tiebreak here (in 2024) … a little flashback came to me. I’m happy it turned my way and looking forward to playing on Saturday.” Related Story Source link
US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested on Thursday in Florida, where she was reportedly clocked driving over 100 mph.Jail records showed Richardson was booked on a charge of dangerous excessive speeding, the arrest made by officers of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Her bond was set at $500.Richardson, a former 100m world champion who won 100m silver and relay gold at the Paris Olympics, is no stranger to controversy.The 25-year-old Texan was arrested in July at Seattle-Tacoma Airport after shoving her boyfriend, fellow sprinter Cristian Coleman.She offered Coleman an apology via social media, and no charges ensued.Richardson was controversially barred from the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after testing positive for marijuana following her victory at the US trials and drawing a one-month suspension.Florida’s “super speeder law” aimed at combating a rise in traffic fatalities and serious crashes took effect last July.It criminalizes driving 50 miles per hour over a posted speed limit or driving over 100 mph.A first conviction can be punished by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.bb/amz Source link
TOPSHOT – Real Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois (2nd-L) hugs Benfica’s Ukrainian goalkeeper #01 Anatoliy Trubin (C) at the end of the UEFA Champions League…
Al Rayyan and Al Duhail players battle for the ball at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan held Al Duhail to a 1-1 draw in a high intensity round 14 clash of the Qatar Stars League at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday.Adil Boulbina scored for Al Duhail in the 13th minute while Wesley Ribeiro Silva shot home the equaliser for Al Rayyan in the 34th minute.Al Rayyan got a reprieve in the 72nd minute when a penalty was overturned following VAR after Boulbina had stumbled with Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada getting his fingertips at the ball.It was the Red Knights who attacked from the word go. In the very 6th minute of play a strong Karim Boudiaf header off a corner kick was blocked by Abunada. Minutes later, another Al Duhail attempt found the bottom of the left post but only for the ball to move out.Soon, Boulbina found the net converting a Bourigeaud Benjamin cross from the right. The Lions hit back with Wesley moving the ball centre just outside the box before making a successful strike into the net.While Al Rayyan tried to push hard in the second session, they were unable to find a finish. Al Duhail kept the tempo trying to encash on opportunites but they too failed to convert a second time. Al Duhail moved up to sixth place with 20 points, while Al Rayyan climbed to fourth on 24 points.Earlier, Al Shamal and Al Sailiya played out a goalless draw at the Al Shamal Stadium. The results meant that Al Shamal remained in third place with 25 points and Al Sailiya in tenth with 12 points.Today, Al Ahli will lock horns with Qatar SC at Al Thumama Stadium at 5:45pm before Al Gharafa take on Al Sadd at the Thani Bin Jasim Stadium at 7:45pm. Source link
Kristen Vanderveen stamped her authority in the final round of the HH The Father Amir’s Prix, delivering a standout victory in the CSI5* Table A jump-off over 155cm at Al Shaqab yesterdayThe American rider proved untouchable in a high-speed barrage, guiding 12-year-old gelding Bull Run’s Jireh to a flawless round in 40.14 seconds, a time that proved unbeatable until the very end. Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner came closest to denying Vanderveen, producing two clear rounds with Clearround IL Mondo but finishing just fractions behind in 40.53 seconds. Kristen Vanderveen celebrates with her 12-year-old gelding Bull Run’s Jireh after winning the CSI5* jump-off 155cm class during the final round of the HH The…
Michael Carrick has made a great start to his spell as interim manager with a 2-0 victory against City followed by a thrilling 3-2 win at…
Tour 4 of HH The Father Amir’s Prix begins today at Al Shaqab, bringing the four-leg international series to a decisive close with final series points and overall honours to be settled by Saturday. All eyes will be on the CSI4*-5* standings, where Britain’s Scott Brash holds a commanding lead on 144 points, ahead of Eve Jobs of the United States on 95 and fellow Briton Harry Charles on 84. In the CSI1* category, Qatar’s Saad Ahmed al-Saad tops the table on 49 points, with compatriot Hussain Said Haidan close behind on 43. The series has gathered momentum over the first three tours at the Longines Arena. Tour 1 set the tone with three Grand Prix jump-offs across categories, while Tour 2 raised the standard with the introduction of CSI5* competition, highlighted by Brash’s victories in both the CSI5* 1.60m and CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix classes. Tour 3 followed a similar script as Brash again claimed a double win, with Qatari riders continuing to post strong home performances across the programme.The final tour features CSICh-B, CSI1*, CSI3* and CSI5* competitions from morning through evening. Tomorrow’s schedule includes major CSI5* action, notably the 1.55m Jump-Off class and the popular Six Bars event. Saturday will deliver the decisive Grand Prix programme, with the CSI1* 1.30m, CSI3* 1.50m and the showpiece CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix all decided by jump-offs. Deputy Director of the championship Mohammed Jaber al-Khayarin said: “Tour 4 is the final step of the four-tour series, and we’re looking forward to three days of top competition.”Abdullah al-Qashouti, Director of Marketing and Communications for HH The Father Amir’s Prix: “Tour 4 is the moment when everything comes together: the final points, the Grand Prix, and the outcome of the series. Alongside the headline CSI5*, Friday’s programme includes the Six Bars class, always a favourite with spectators. We encourage fans to plan their visit and experience the atmosphere across the weekend at Al Shaqab.” In the CSI4*-5* rankings, Brash leads on 144 points, followed by Jobs on 95 and Charles on 84. Anastasia Nielsen of Monaco is fourth on 67, with Megane Moissonnier of France and Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj tied on 66. Austria’s Gerfried Puck sits seventh on 61. The CSI1* standings remain tightly contested, led by al-Saad on 49 points, with Haidan second on 43. Egypt’s Fatima Mohanad Alkishawi is third on 24, followed by France’s Jean Francois Rondoux on 23 and Suzette Tittle of the United States on 20.Inaugurated in 2025, the Doha Equestrian Tour is staged at Al Shaqab and brings together elite riders and horses in a premium international series aimed at strengthening Doha’s status as a global equestrian hub. Related Story Source link
Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and standalone 25th Grand Slam crown, but only after a cruel twist of fate for Lorenzo Musetti, who quit their quarter-final due to injury yesterday holding a comfortable lead. While the stars may seem to be aligning for Djokovic in his bid for more major glory, the road will only be more rocky after Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton to book a blockbuster semi-final against him, and Carlos Alcaraz potentially in the final. Like Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek arrived in Melbourne chasing a career Grand Slam – the feat of winning all four of the sport’s biggest trophies – but her bid went up in smoke after a defeat by Elena Rybakina earlier in the day. Jessica Pegula had little trouble as she reached the Melbourne Park semi-finals for the first time after dashing fellow American Amanda Anisimova’s hopes of reaching three straight major finals. The drama in the day session was reserved for the afternoon match and Djokovic arrived fresh for the battle with fifth seed Musetti after getting a walkover on Sunday from injured Czech Jakub Mensik. The Serb made a fast start but it was then one-way traffic as the artistic Musetti showed his full range of strokes and bagged the opening two sets, before the Italian pulled up holding the upper part of his right leg at the start of the third. Musetti looked to soldier on after receiving treatment, but lasted only one more game and he threw in the towel leading 6-4 6-3 1-3 as stunned fans at the Rod Laver Arena let out a gasp and Djokovic quietly heaved a sigh of relief. “I don’t know what to say, except that I feel really sorry for him and he was a far better player,” Djokovic said. “I was on my way home. These things happen in sport and it’s happened to me a few times, but being in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, two sets to love up and being in full control, I mean it’s so unfortunate.” ‘SOMETHING STRANGE’ A heartbroken Musetti said he was pained by having to retire after taking a big lead against the experienced Djokovic, adding the trouble in his leg first began in the second set. “I felt there was something strange,” he said. “I continued to play, because I was playing really well, but I was feeling that the pain was increasing, and the problem was not going away. “In the end, when I took the medical timeout … and started to play again, I felt it even more and it was getting higher and higher, the level of the pain.” Although he eclipsed Roger Federer with his 103rd match win at Melbourne Park, the task will get only tougher for Djokovic when he meets Sinner, who won a 22nd consecutive set against Shelton in a 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory in the evening session. Djokovic admitted that Sinner was the “absolute favourite”. “You never know,” he said. “Hopefully, I can deliver my A-game for that match, because that’s what’s going to be needed at least to have a chance. “I wasn’t playing close to my best today, so I’m going to have to change that around,” Djokovic said after the match. DOMINANT DISPLAY As one fifth seed crashed, another advanced as Elena Rybakina booked her place in the semi-finals with a dominant 7-5 6-1 win over six-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek. The Pole was left to rue the defeat and the lack of privacy in difficult moments off the court where players cannot escape cameras, a day after Coco Gauff’s racket-smashing meltdown in response to her defeat by Elina Svitolina. “The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo, where they are observed even when they poop?” she said. “That was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have privacy. It would be nice also to have your own process and not always be observed.” All eyes were on sixth seed Pegula as she stayed on course for her maiden Grand Slam trophy by beating Anisimova 6-2 7-6(1), sparkling despite testing moments towards the end of the clash. “I’m really happy with my performance,” Pegula said. “From start to finish there was a lot of momentum swings, but I thought I came out playing really well, and was able to just hold on there in the second and get that break back and take it in two. I showed good mental resilience there at the end not to get frustrated.” Source link