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TABLE TENNIS - Int News 10 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportParis (France): Table tennis' tenth appearance at the Olympic Games concluded in thrilling fashion with two decisive matches that determined the Women's Team podium. China’s Women’s team continued their dominance in the event, securing their fifth consecutive gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Japan—marking China's historic 300th Olympic gold medal. Japan took home the silver. Meanwhile, Korea Republic earned the bronze, marking their first medal in the Team event since 2008.The conclusion of the Women's Team event at Paris 2024 marks the end of an extraordinary 15 days of table tennis held at the South Paris Arena 4, where more than 200,000 fans have created one of the best atmospheres of the Games. This thrilling Paris 2024 experience has elevated table tennis to new heights and showcased its growing global appeal, setting the stage for an exciting next chapter in Los Angeles 2028.China’s gold medal clash began with an intense doubles match, where Chen Meng and Wang Manyu faced a formidable challenge from Japan's surprise pairing of Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto. Despite the Japanese duo taking two games, the Chinese pair emerged victorious with a 3-2 win (9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10), giving China the critical first point. Building on this momentum, World No. 1 Sun Yingsha extended China’s lead with a dominant performance against Miu Hirano, winning 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-6).The final match saw Wang Manyu secure the gold for China by defeating Miwa Harimoto 3-1 (12-14, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6). In addition to being China's 300th Olympic gold medal, this victory marks another significant achievement as Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, and Chen Meng become the first trio to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the Women’s Team event. Meanwhile, with Japan's silver medal, 16-year-old Miwa Harimoto becomes the youngest table tennis medallist at Paris 2024."I was lagging behind when I came up, but I didn’t give up. Listening to everyone’s cheers, I became even more motivated. Each of us went all out today and played every position well. After these Olympics, I will take some time to reflect and continue working hard." - Sun YingshaIn the bronze medal match, Korea Republic ended their 16-year wait for a podium finish in the Team event by defeating Germany 3-0. The Korea Republic duo of Shin Yubin and Jeon Jihee started strong, winning the opening doubles match against Germany’s Yuan Wan and Xiaona Shan in a closely contested 3-2 victory (11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-8). Lee Eunhye then delivered a commanding 3-0 win (11-8, 11-9, 11-2) over Germany’s player of the tournament, Annett Kaufmann, setting the stage for Jeon Jihee to clinch the bronze for Korea Republic. Jeon Jihee’s decisive 3-0 victory (11-6, 11-6, 11-6) over Xiaona Shan sealed the win, bringing immense joy to the Korean team and fans at South Paris Arena. Reflecting on their achievement, Korea Republic's Shin Yubin expressed her pride, stating, "I'm so grateful to my teammates for playing so well and helping us secure a medal. Yesterday, Lee Eunhye and I watched videos together and discussed strategies. It felt like we executed them perfectly. I told her she was doing an excellent job, and I also praised Jeon Jihee, saying today she was amazing—absolutely perfect."
T20: Usman Khan shines with bat as Shaheens register first win
Sports Bulletin ReportDarwin (August 10, 2024): Pakistan Shaheens registered a 17-run win over Perth Scorchers in their opening game of the Top End T20 series 2024 on Saturday at the DXC Arena in Darwin.In pursuit of the 189-run target, Scorchers’ batters, Teague Wyllie (4, 5b, 1x4) and Sam Fanning (13, 11b, 2x4s) departed in the third and fourth overs, respectively.Joel Curtis (17, 21b, 1x4) and Corey Wasley (54, 27b, 6x4s, 3x6s) threatened the Shaheens bowling attack with a 58-run fourth-wicket stand which was eventually broken by legspinner Arif Yaqoob in the 11th over.In the following over, Jahandad Khan dismissed the aggressive Wasley as well with Scorchers requiring 96 runs in 51 balls. Baxter Holt (24, 21b, 1x4, 1x6) and Keaton Critchell (24, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) found the boundary on regular intervals for their 33-run fifth-wicket partnership before Holt was dismissed by Mohammad Abbas Afridi in the 16th over.Critchell departed for 24 off 18, hitting two fours and one six while Matthew Spoors, who remained unbeaten for 27 off 15 balls clubbing five fours, failed to make ends meet as Scorchers fell 17 runs short.Abbas and Jahandad picked up two wickets each while Mohammad Imran Jnr and Arif had one each to their name.Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Pakistan Shaheens posted a competitive total of 188-7 in the allotted 20 overs courtesy of 35-ball 57 from Usman Khan. Usman, batting at four, walked in to bat at the end of powerplay, struck four boundaries and three sixes in this outing keeping the Shaheens innings intact.Shaheens racked up 47 runs during the field restrictions, losing Haseebullah (12, 10b, 2x4s) and Tayyab Tahir (5, 11b, 1x4) in the course. Soon, Sahibzada Farhan too departed in the eighth over leaving Shaheens 58-3 in 7.3 overs.Skipper, Mohammad Haris (25, 19b, 3x4s) and Usman came together to put on 45-run fourth-wicket partnership off 28 balls before the former fell prey to Keaton Critchell in the 13th over.An over later, Mohammad Irfan Khan departed for a mere two off five balls, before Arafat Minhas played a powerful cameo of 31 runs facing 16 balls hitting three fours and one six.Usman and Arafat departed on consecutive deliveries before Mohammad Abbas Afridi (12 not out, 3b) belted two sixes in the last over to help Shaheens finish the innings with momentum. For Socrchers, Matthew Spoors bagged three wickets while Critchell, Luke Holt, Lucas Martin and Jhye Richardson picked up one each.Scores in brief (Pakistan Shaheens won by 17 runs):Pakistan Shaheens 188-7, 20 overs (Usman Khan 57, Sahibzada Farhan 36, Arafat Minhas 31, Mohammad Haris 25; Matthew Spoors 3-54)Perth Scorchers 171-6, 20 overs (Corey Wasley 54, Matthew Spoors 27, Keaton Critchell 24, Baxter Holt 24; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-32, Jahandad Khan 2-42).
CLIMBING - Int News 10 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportParis (France): Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret became a two-time Olympic Games gold medallist after winning the women’s Boulder & Lead competition despite a mid-session injury scare.Garnbret made the top step ahead of close friend and silver medallist Brooke Raboutou of the USA and bronze medallist Jessica Pilz of Austria. Garnbret’s gold also made her the first Slovenian to win two gold medals at a summer Olympic Games.Sitting on top of the Boulder standings at the end of the round, Garnbret went back into isolation ahead of the Lead round in some discomfort in her efforts on the fourth Boulder, as she explains: "I was really scared because my finger got stuck in between two holes (of a hold) and I couldn't get it out. So I was scared that I had fractured something, and I already fractured exactly this finger ten years ago.With her 84.4pts from Boulder and a climb of 84.pts on Lead, Garnbret was lowered to the floor where she was visibly emotional that she had retained the title she won at Tokyo 2020.Garnbret said: "I'm just feeling incredibly happy and proud of myself, what I did, and I'm relieved, because it's finally over. I qualified one year ago (at the IFSC World Championships Bern 2023), so it was hard to wait and to finally start the competition. I don't know if people realise how hard it is to go out there and just do it, but it wasn't easy at all, but I did it. I learned in Tokyo how to handle the pressure at the Olympics. And I could use that here, and I was just in my own world. I was just doing what I do in training, completely focused. I didn't let anything affect me. So I could just enjoy." Raboutou said: “Being in France, being half French, and having my French family out here, and the support from the crowd, I did feel it. This was just the dream. We have an incredible friendship, where we both want each other to do our best. That's what happened today, and it feels really good to share that with somebody. To share that connection as both a friend and an idol is incredible. I look up to her so much, and I'm so grateful for the support she's given me as well.” Pilz said: "I'm overjoyed that it worked out like that. I have to say, behind the wall (she felt pressure), clearly. But once I was on the wall, I just realised that this was my thing. I just feel comfortable on the Lead wall. I feel comfortable there and always much more excited. You don't know exactly what's coming. But in the Lead, I knew that if I climbed as easily as I did in the semi and could simply deliver my performance, then I could go far. I'm just happy that it worked out that way."
FOOTBALL - Int News 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Super Cup, the traditional curtain raiser in Saudi Arabian football, is set to ignite the 2024-25 season with an opening weekend of high-intensity football and fierce competition as the first matches of the new season kick off in Abha this week.Hosted in the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in the picturesque city of Abha for the first time, the top four teams from Saudi Arabian football’s historic 2023-24 season will compete for the first honours of the new season.As the top four finishers in the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) in the previous season, Al Nassr, Al Ahli, Al Taawoun and domestic treble winners Al Hilal will compete for the prestigious trophy to open the campaign.Following Al Hilal's record fourth Super Cup win in April, this year's tournament will continue with the expanded four-team format introduced in 2023. The semi-final phase will see Al Hilal begin their campaign against Al Ahli on 13 August, while Al Nassr take on Al Taawoun on 14 August in Abha. The winners will then proceed to the Saudi Super Cup final, set to kick off at 7.15pm local time on Saturday 17 August.As the domestic treble-winners last season, Al Hilal is aiming to maintain their flawless form from the 2023-24 campaign which saw the Riyadh side secure their record 19th league title under Portuguese manager, Jorge Jesus. Portugal’s Ruben Neves, Serbian duo Aleksandr Mitrovic and Sergej Milinković-Savić, and the returning Neymar are all set to feature in the season-opening competition in Abha.Returning for their second top-flight season, Al Ahli will provide a tough test for last year’s champions as the Jeddah team aims to secure their first Super Cup victory since 2016. With a strong pre-season featuring the return of international stars in Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, the opening match in Saudi Arabian football will provide a lively start to the new season.Al Nassr, led by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, have their sights set on redemption going into the new season, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out loss in the King’s Cup final to end a difficult campaign. With new signing Brazilian goalkeeper Bento set to feature, the Riyadh side will be aiming to add to their two previous successes in the Saudi Super Cup.
PCB unfolds Pakistan Test Team and Shaheens schedule of training
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan Shaheens will continue its training at the Islamabad Club for the series against Bangladesh ‘A’, while the Pakistan men’s cricket team will commence its preparations for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh on Sunday, 11 August, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.August 10, 2024: Bangladesh ‘A’ will arrive in the wee hours of Saturday. The PCB will share arrival images and videos with the media through its usual communication channels. Pakistan Shaheens will train from 2pm and beforehand at around 1.45pm, Kamran Ghulam will be available for brief stand-up interviews. Media will be allowed to cover the activities from 1.30pm to 3pm.August 11, 2024: Pakistan Test team will train at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 10am. Afterwards, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood will preview his side’s 2024-25 red-ball season by holding a media conference. Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ will train from 10am at the Islamabad Club. This will be a vision only opportunity for which media is invited from 11am to 12.30pm.August 12, 2024: Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ will train at the Islamabad Club from 10am. Afterwards, opposite captains Saud Shakeel and Anamul Haque will hold their pre-match media talks and will also take part in trophy unveiling ceremony at the ground. Media will be allowed to cover the activities from 11.30am. At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan Test team will train from 10am. This will be a vision only opportunity and no media interviews are planned.August 13, 2024: The first four-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ will commence at the Islamabad Club with the toss taking place at 09.30am and the first ball to be bowled at 10am. At the end of the day’s play, star performers from either side will be available for brief stand-up interviews. At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan Test team will train at 10am. This will be a vision only opportunity.August 14-15, 2024: It will be day two and three of the first four-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ with play starting at 10am. At the end of the day’s play, star performers from either side will be available for brief stand-up interviews. Pakistan Test team has opted not to train and has no media commitments planned.August 16, 2024: Fourth day’s play between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ will resume at 10am and afterwards, both captains are expected to be available for brief stand-up interviews to review the match. Meanwhile, Pakistan Test team will train from 10am at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. At this stage, it will only be a vision only opportunity and no media activities are planned. If there is a change, this will be communicated through PCB’s usual communication channels.
Match officials announced for Test series against Bangladesh
Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka’s Ranjan Madugalle, who is a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control teams for the two ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 fixtures between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Both teams are scheduled to play first Test match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi from 21 to 25 August. The second Test match between the two sides will be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 30 August to 3 September.For the Test series, three umpires will be from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and two umpires are from the ICC International Panel of Umpires.For the Rawalpindi Test, England’s Richard Kettleborough will be the on-field umpire alongside South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock. England’s Michael Gough will be the third umpire, while Rashid Riaz of Pakistan will act as a fourth umpire.In Karachi, Michael Gough and Adrian Holdstock will perform the duties of an on-field umpires, while Richard Kettleborough will serve as a third umpire. Asif Yaqoob from Pakistan will be available as fourth umpire in the Test match.
FOOTBALL - National 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Legacy FC and Karachi City FC have secured their spots in the final of the National Women's Football Club Championship 2024, following their impressive performances in the semi-final matches held at Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad. Karachi City FC will face Legacy FC in the final on Saturday (August 10, 2024), at 8:30 pm at the same venue.In the first semi-final, Legacy FC showcased their dominance on the field with a resounding 6-0 victory over Karachi United. Eman Mustafa was the star of the match, delivering an outstanding performance with four goals. Kayanat Bukhari also contributed significantly, scoring a brace to secure the win for Legacy FC.The second semi-final saw Karachi City FC display their prowess, overwhelming Hazara Quetta with an 8-0 triumph. Zahmena Malik and Suha Hirani each scored a brace, while Nadia, Zulfia, Sanah and Aliza added a goal each, ensuring Karachi City FC's place in the final.
ATHLETICS - Int News 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportParis (France): Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the final of Javelin Throw event at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday.Arshad lauched a throw of 92.97-meter in his second attempt which was enough for him to secure gold medal. Pakistan's first Olympic medal winner since Barcelona 1992 ended the night with another gigantic 91.79m throw on his final attempt.Even Nadeem's last throw would've seen him break the Olympic record held by Andreas Thorkildsen of Denmark (90.57m in Beijing 2008) had it not been bettered by himself earlier in the final.This is the first-ever individual gold medal in Olympics for Pakistan, maiden n athletics and first gold in any discipline in the last 40 years.Pakistan won an Olympic medal after the gap of 32 years. The last time Pakistan won an medal was in 1992 when the national hockey team clinched bronze by defeating the Netherlands 4-3 at the Barcelona Olympics.Meanwhile, India's Neeraj Chopra, who was defending his gold, made a throw of 89.45 and bagged the silver medal. Grenada's Anderson Peters fetched the bronze medal with a throw of 88.54m.Neeraj Chopra fails to make it two gold medals in a row and despite the second-best throw of his career with 89.45m on his second attempt, it wasn't enough to beat Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan who crossed the 90m mark twice and set a massive Olympic record.The 26-year-old becomes the fifth two-time Olympic medallist from India after adding a silver to his Tokyo 2020 gold medal. Only Norman Pritchard, Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu and Manu Bhaker have achieved the same with the latter claiming two bronze medals at Paris 2024 Olympics.Athletes' Best Throw at Javelin Throw Final1- Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) — 92.97m2 - Neeraj Chopra (India) — 89.45m3- Anderson Peters (Grenada) - 88.544 - Jakub Vadlech (Czech Republic) - 88.505 - Julius Yego (Kenya) - 87.726- Julian Weber (Germany) - 87.407- Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) - 86.168 - Lassi Etelatalo (Finland) - 84.589 - Oliver Etelatalo (Finland) - 82.6810- Toni Keranen (Finland) - 80.9211 - Luiz Mauricio (Brazil) - 80.6712. Andrian Mardare (Moldova) - 80.10
CLIMBING - Int News 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportParis (France): Indonesia’s Veddriq Leonardo took Olympic gold in the men’s Speed – the first for climbing, the first for Indonesia at Paris 2024 and the first for his country in a sport other than badminton.China’s Wu Peng won silver and USA’s Sam Watson won bronze in what was a consistent and fast finals series with five out of the eight races all producing sub-5 races.The first was Wu versus the world champion Matteo Zurloni of Italy with just 0.002 in it as Wu posted a 4.99(5)s and Zurloni a 4.99(7)s. Wu also had to beat the world record holder Watson to set up the final race with Leonardo who first beat France’s Bassa Mawem and then Iran’s Reza Alipour Shenazandifard.Leonardo posted a PB of 4.48s in the semi-final with Alipour Shenazandifard, and he had to as the Iranian also scored a PB of 4.84s. Leonardo’s PB didn’t last that long as he also needed another, this time of 4.75s, to beat Wu for the gold medal as Wu posted his PB of 4.77s in yet another close race.On his in Leonardo said: "I feel very happy, I feel very joyful to bring the first gold medal for Indonesia at Paris 2024 to my country."On dealing with the pressure he said: "I was very excited, and there was also anxiety. My heart raced, but I stayed focused and finished it."Looking at the immediate future, there is another goal for Leonardo: "Now I'm going back to Indonesia and focusing on training. We train together in Indonesia and focus on the next competitions and also to break the world record."There will be a welcoming party. It is going to be amazing for me."After his silver Wu said: "I'm not in my best shape today. Usually I feel lighter and I don't need so much power to get up. Today my body felt heavy but I managed to make quick adjustments."I was nervous but tried to focus on myself. I didn't think about how others would be performing. For me it was important to just get over the first round, I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself. But I was really happy to have made it to the final."After losing at the semi-final stage, Watson had to compose himself for the bronze small final against Alipour Shenazandifard. And the American composed himself very well as he once again lowered his
TABLE TENNIS - Int News 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportParis (France): Thursday’s action at South Paris Arena 4 has set up a thrilling Gold Medal match in the Women’s Team event for Saturday at Paris 2024. Just like in Tokyo 2020, China’s Women’s Team will face Japan in a much-anticipated showdown as they battle for gold. China secured their place in the final after a dominant 3-0 victory over Korea Republic. The match began with Chen Meng and Wang Manyu winning the doubles encounter 3-1 (11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) against Shin Yubin and Jeon Jihee. Sun Yingsha then extended China’s lead with a commanding 3-0 (11-5, 11-1, 11-3) victory over Lee Eunhye. Wang Manyu sealed the win, defeating Jeon Jihee 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-3), ensuring China’s chance to fight for their fifth consecutive Women’s Team Gold Medal at the Olympics. In the other semifinal, Japan's Women's Team advanced to the final with a dramatic 3-1 victory over Germany. The match kicked off with Miu Hirano and Hina Hayata securing a 3-1 (11-3, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8) win in the doubles against Xiaona Shan and Yuan Wan. Germany's 18-year-old sensation, Annett Kaufmann, levelled the score with a stunning 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) victory over world number 8 and 16-year-old Miwa Harimoto, showcasing her remarkable talent on the world stage. However, Miu Hirano regained Japan's lead with a 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) win over Yuan Wan. The tie was decided in the final singles match, where Miwa Harimoto delivered a dominant 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-0) victory over Xiaona Shan, securing Japan's spot in the gold medal match and making Harimoto the youngest table tennis medallist at Paris 2024.
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