SPORTS - Page 10

The United States artistic swimming team is aiming high for the 2024 Paris Olympics, buoyed by their qualification for the team event and the absence of their dominant rival, Russia. This marks a significant turning point for the American squad, which has yet to qualify for the team competition since 2008. Russia has cast a long shadow over artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming. Since 2000, they’ve swept every gold medal in both Olympic duet and team events. Their

The Philadelphia 76ers desperately needed a win on Thursday night, trailing the New York Knicks 2-0 in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Enter Joel Embiid, who delivered a performance for the ages, exploding for a playoff career-high 50 points to lift the Sixers to a 125-114 victory at home. Embiid was unstoppable throughout the night, converting on 13 of his 19 field goal attempts and a remarkable 19 of 21 free throws. He dominated the paint, showcasing a potent

On Monday night, the UConn Huskies cemented their place in college basketball history, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to claim their second consecutive national championship. This victory marks the first time a team has achieved back-to-back titles since the Florida Gators in 2006-2007. Led by a masterful performance from junior guard Tristen Newton, who notched 20 points and seven assists, the top-seeded Huskies displayed a potent mix of offensive efficiency and stifling defense. Purdue, boasting the two-time National Player of

Danielle Collins continued her red-hot form on Thursday, winning two matches at the rain-delayed Credit One Charleston Open to book her spot in the quarterfinals. The American, who announced this will be her final season on tour, has won an impressive ten consecutive matches and 20 of her last 21 sets. Wednesday’s downpour threw Thursday’s schedule into disarray, forcing a logjam of matches. Unfazed by the disruption, Collins took center court for the day’s opening match against second-seeded Ons Jabeur

For the second consecutive year, Caitlin Clark secured the Naismith National Player of the Year Award after shattering the NCAA Division I women’s single-season and career scoring records. Leading Iowa to a second consecutive Final Four appearance, Clark’s outstanding performance solidified her status as one of the top players in collegiate basketball. The senior guard was honored in a ceremony Wednesday night in Cleveland, where the Hawkeyes will play in Friday’s semifinals against Connecticut. Clark is the first player to

On Tuesday night, Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 25 points, with 17 of them coming in the fourth quarter, while Joel Embiid, returning to the lineup, added 24 points. Their efforts propelled the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-105 win over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder. The win by the defending Eastern Conference champion Sixers was their third straight and gave them a one-game lead over the Brooklyn Nets for eighth place in the league’s Eastern Conference standings with seven games remaining

Novak Djokovic, the current world number one, has announced the end of his coaching partnership with Goran Ivanisevic. The news comes just before the clay court season, marking a turning point for Djokovic after immense success under Ivanisevic’s guidance. Their collaboration began in 2019, and it proved to be a match made in tennis heaven. Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion, brought a wealth of experience and a fiery spirit to the court, perfectly complementing Djokovic’s strategic mind and defensive prowess.

Forward Kylian Mbappe emphasizes the importance of a strong response from France in their upcoming friendly against Chile following their unexpected 2-0 defeat to Germany. Despite being favored for Euro 2024, Didier Deschamps’ team’s humbling loss to the World Cup hosts serves as a wake-up call ahead of the summer tournament on home soil. Florian Wirtz made history by scoring Germany’s quickest international goal just seven seconds into the match, while Kai Havertz extended their lead early in the second

Malaysia has declined the opportunity to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, citing concerns over excessive costs and insufficient funding. This decision represents a significant setback for the quadrennial multi-sport event, which has faced challenges in securing willing hosts in recent times. In the wake of the Australian state of Victoria’s withdrawal as host last year due to escalating expenses, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the governing body of the Games, has been actively seeking an alternative venue. Victoria Premier Daniel

On Thursday, Qatar will resume their pursuit of a historic first qualification for the World Cup against Kuwait, with stability in the coaching staff but alterations on the field. This comes six weeks after their triumph in the Asian Cup held on home turf. Marquez Lopez, who guided the hosts to a 3-1 victory over Japan in the final on January 12, secured a contract extension until 2026 last month, having initially taken over from Carlos Queiroz on an interim