Sports — International

‘Goal is to win’ Gobert says as he joins NBA’s Timberwolves

Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert said Wednesday his mission with new team Minnesota is simple. “The goal is to win a championship, that’s what I came here to do,” the 30-year-old French center said at an introductory press conference days after reports of his trade from the Utah Jazz shook up the NBA off season. The Timberwolves confirmed they had acquired Gobert “in exchange for guards Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and […]

World number one Axelsen out of badminton’s Malaysia Masters

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Dominant world number one Viktor Axelsen withdrew from badminton’s Malaysia Masters starting Tuesday, saying he needed to “rest and recharge” after winning the Malaysia Open, Indonesia Open and Indonesia Masters in the past month. “I would have loved to compete again here in Kuala Lumpur this week, and then (next week’s) Singapore Open,” Axelsen posted on social media late on Monday. “However when I woke up this morning, my body […]

Russian ban and Olympic dream prompted Georgia switch before Wimbledon

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Natela Dzalamidze, who switched from representing Russia to playing for Georgia on the eve of Wimbledon, said Thursday she had always intended to change her nationality to boost her dreams of taking part in the Olympics. The 29-year-old has a Georgian father and Russian mother. Both still live in Moscow. She circumvented the ban on Russian players, imposed at the All England Club following the invasion of Ukraine, by her […]

NBA MVP Jokic re-signs with Denver in record $264 mn deal: US media

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic will stay with the Denver Nuggets on a five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension that is the biggest in league history, US media reported Thursday. The Denver Post was among several outlets reporting Serbian star Jokic’s mammoth deal as the league’s free agency negotiating period got underway. As the Post noted, the move wasn’t unexpected after Jokic, drafted in the second […]

Irving will opt into NBA deal and stay with Nets: report

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn star guard Kyrie Irving says he will opt into a $37 million player contract option for next season to remain with the NBA Nets, The Athletic reported Monday. The report comes two days before a deadline for the 30-year-old American to decide about fulfilling his four-year commitment to the Nets and star big man Kevin Durant. “Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be […]

Artistic swimmer Alvarez finds peace and beauty in images of her rescue

  BUDAPEST, Hungary (AFP) — American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez said she was “shocked” when she saw the “beautiful” AFP photographs showing her sinking unconscious to the bottom of the pool and being rescued by her coach at the World Swimming Championships. Alvarez fainted and dropped to the bottom at the end of her individual routine and was saved by her quick-thinking coach. AFP’s underwater robot camera captured astonishing images as the drama unfolded. Alvarez, […]

Magic conjure surprise with Banchero No.1 NBA Draft pick

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Paolo Banchero was the surprise top pick at the NBA Draft on Thursday as the Orlando Magic confounded expectations by swooping for the towering teenager from Duke University. The highly rated 19-year-old power forward — who stands 6ft 10in (2.08m) and weighs in at 250 pounds (113kg) — averaged 17.2 points per game in the 2021-2022 season. Orlando’s decision to opt for Banchero wrongfooted many pundits, with Jabari Smith […]

US swimmer rescued from World Championship pool after fainting

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AFP) — Artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was dramatically rescued from the bottom of the pool by her coach after fainting at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Andrea Fuentes leapt in to rescue Team USA’s Alvarez, who had sunk to the bottom of the pool and was not breathing after completing her routine during Wednesday night’s solo free final. “It was a big scare. I had to jump in because the lifeguards weren’t […]

Curry, Warriors storm to seventh NBA crown

  BOSTON, United States (AFP) — A dazzling performance from Stephen Curry powered the Golden State Warriors to a seventh NBA Finals crown on Thursday, securing a 103-90 victory over the Boston Celtics to clinch a 4-2 series triumph. Warriors talisman Curry produced yet another masterpiece with 34 points, seven assists and seven rebounds as Golden State wrapped up their fourth title in eight years to silence Boston’s raucous TD Garden. The 34-year-old Curry was […]

Asian markets hit by recession fears, yen drops after BoJ decision

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets mostly fell Friday after another hefty drop in New York as central bank interest rate hikes fan fears of a recession, while the yen sank after the Bank of Japan said it would not yet follow its global peers in tightening policy. Gone is the optimism that flowed through trading floors immediately after the Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced its biggest rate increase for 28 years as global […]

NBA: Past 10 champions

  BOSTON, United States (AFP) — Past 10 winners of the NBA Finals after the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics 103-90 on Thursday for a 4-2 triumph in the championship series: 2022: Golden State Warriors 2021: Milwaukee Bucks 2020: Los Angeles Lakers 2019: Toronto Raptors 2018: Golden State Warriors 2017: Golden State Warriors 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers 2015: Golden State Warriors 2014: San Antonio Spurs 2013: Miami Heat Most NBA titles: 17: Boston Celtics […]

Hong Kong to play at Asian Cup for first time since 1968

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong celebrated a slice of history on Tuesday after reaching the Asian Cup for the first time since 1968. The Chinese territory will play India later in the day in their final qualifier for next year’s regional showpiece but went through beforehand thanks to a 4-0 win for the Palestinians over the Philippines. The big win sent the Palestinians through and they took several other teams with them including […]