分类： sports

TOKYO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, continues to captivate millions of fans worldwide, including a unique admirer: Cocochan Hayakawa, a parrot with nearly 48,000 Instagram followers. Known for mimicking phrases like ‘Ohtani. Home run. Awesome,’ the parrot symbolizes the widespread adoration for the baseball phenom. Despite the Dodgers trailing 3-2 in the World Series against Toronto, fans like Hideyuki Kamimura, a Tokyo-based dentist, remain steadfast in their belief that Ohtani will lead the team to victory. Kamimura’s devotion is evident in his $10 million collection of Ohtani memorabilia, including three of the player’s helmets. Ohtani’s influence extends beyond the field, permeating Japanese culture even as the country is engrossed in its own Japan Series. His face dominates billboards, advertisements, and merchandise, endorsing products ranging from watches to rice balls. With an estimated $100 million in annual endorsements and a $2 million salary, Ohtani’s commercial appeal is unmatched. His teammates have even playfully mimicked his gestures from a sunscreen ad, showcasing his widespread popularity. To fans, Ohtani embodies perfection: a home run hitter, a skilled pitcher, a base stealer, and a humble personality. Max Bedding, a chemist from Sydney, captured the essence of Ohtani’s global impact during his visit to Japan, stating, ‘He is a tremendous athlete and a cultural phenomenon.’

In a thrilling showdown at Navi Mumbai, India, Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a masterclass performance, scoring an unbeaten 127 runs to lead India to a five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia in the Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinal on Thursday. Rodrigues’ stellar innings, which included 14 boundaries, powered India to chase down a formidable target of 339 runs in 48.3 overs, marking a record chase in World Cup knockout history. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also played a pivotal role, contributing 89 runs off 88 balls. Despite a valiant century from Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield (119 off 93 balls), the seven-time champions fell short of securing a spot in the final. India’s triumph ended Australia’s 16-match unbeaten streak in the tournament, dating back to 2022. The hosts will now face first-time finalists South Africa in the title clash on Sunday, with both teams vying for their maiden Women’s World Cup trophy. Rodrigues, named Player of the Match, expressed her joy and dedication, emphasizing the collective effort over individual glory. This historic victory has set the stage for an electrifying final, promising a new champion in women’s cricket.

Jannik Sinner made a commanding start to his Paris Masters campaign, defeating Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-2 in a swift one-hour and 27-minute match on Wednesday. The Italian, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his trademark efficiency, not facing a single break point while methodically securing breaks early in both sets. This victory keeps Sinner on track to reclaim the world number one ranking, should he clinch his maiden ATP 1000 title in Paris. His next challenge will be against Francisco Cerundolo, who earlier defeated Miomir Kecmanovic. Meanwhile, reigning champion Alexander Zverev faced a tougher battle, overcoming Camilo Ugo Carabelli in a grueling three-set match, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 7-5. Zverev, who narrowly avoided an early exit, will now face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the next round. Elsewhere, Casper Ruud suffered an unexpected defeat to Daniel Altmaier, while Daniil Medvedev advanced due to Grigor Dimitrov’s withdrawal. The tournament also saw Felix Auger-Aliassime stage a comeback victory, keeping his ATP Finals hopes alive.

The 2025 Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge is set to take place from November 22 to 23, marking a significant expansion in its history. For the first time, the event will span two days, with the participant quota increased to 3,000, setting a new record in terms of scale. Organized by Shanghai Tower and supported by the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, the challenge has been a prominent fixture in Shanghai’s sports calendar since its inception in 2017. It is widely regarded as a benchmark event, celebrated for its large scale, high points, and the unique setting of the world’s tallest building.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and the ambassador for the challenge, emphasized the significance of the event in a video message. ‘Shanghai Tower stands as a pinnacle of human urban architecture,’ he stated. ‘Towerrunning epitomizes the ultimate test of will and physical endurance. The fusion of this sport with this iconic building perfectly embodies the timeless theme of striving upward.’

Samaranch further expressed his hopes for the event, saying, ‘May it not only become a shining jewel in the global crown of towerrunning challenges but also serve as a bridge, connecting people from all corners of the world to collectively inherit and promote the undying Olympic spirit of resilience and the pursuit of excellence.’

This year’s event will feature both a full-distance race and a fun run. To further encourage local Chinese athletes, a special award will be offered to national participants, aiming to foster the development of domestic talent. The trophy for this year’s challenge, crafted by the Jingdezhen Ceramic Flagship Store, is engraved with the race’s key markers: ‘3,398 steps, 119 floors, and a vertical height of 552 meters.’

Registration for the event is now open, with participants able to sign up via Shanghai Tower’s official WeChat account and designated partner platforms.

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has taken a significant step in his recovery from a lower-back injury by resuming bowling practice. Cummins, who was sidelined for the opening Ashes Test in Perth starting November 21, is now eyeing a return for the second Test in Brisbane two weeks later. The 32-year-old fast bowler bowled off a short run-up during a net session at Cricket New South Wales’ training base on Tuesday, under the watchful eyes of coaching staff. Head coach Andrew McDonald indicated that Cummins would require at least four weeks of rehabilitation, effectively ruling him out of any warmup matches before the Gabba Test. In Cummins’s absence, Steve Smith will lead the Australian team in Perth, with Victoria fast bowler Scott Boland likely to fill the void. Australia currently holds the Ashes urn, having retained it after a 2-2 series draw in England in 2023.

The IAME UAE Series 2025/2026 season reached new heights during a thrilling double-header weekend at Dubai Kartdrome, hosting Round 2 on October 18 and Round 3 on October 19. The event, marked by scorching temperatures and intense competition, showcased the burgeoning talent of young drivers across multiple categories. Founded in Italy in 1968, IAME has become a global leader in kart engine manufacturing, with its UAE chapter spearheaded by Sheikh Waleed Al Qassimi. As the owner of RAK Track and president of IAME UAE, Sheikh Waleed has been instrumental in fostering a world-class motorsport ecosystem in the region. The weekend’s races were a testament to the sport’s growing popularity, drawing competitors and fans from across the GCC and beyond. Round 3, in particular, delivered nail-biting action across five categories. In the Bambino Class, Sam Testa secured a hard-fought victory, while Baptiste Augustin triumphed in the Mini Category. Leonidas Peruzzi continued his dominance in the Junior Class, and Youif Busenad clinched a dramatic win in the Senior/170 Category. Maximillian Dexter rounded out the weekend with a victory in the Senior Class. Sheikh Waleed Al Qassimi praised the event, highlighting the remarkable progress of karting in the UAE and the bright future ahead. With the Dubai rounds concluded, the championship now heads to Sharjah Kart Track for the next leg of this fiercely competitive season.