Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Milena Mendez dominates 120km Ladies Ride at HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Festival

    Milena Mendez dominates 120km Ladies Ride at HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Festival

    Argentine endurance specialist Milena Mendez delivered a masterclass performance at the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival, securing a commanding victory in the 120km Ladies Ride event on Tuesday. The prodigious 21-year-old rider, competing aboard M7 Endurance Stables’ mount Goldstream, demonstrated exceptional strategic prowess by overcoming an early eighth-place position to dominate the grueling desert course.

    The competition, held under ideal conditions at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam, saw Mendez complete the four-loop challenge in 4 hours, 21 minutes, and 45 seconds—finishing more than three minutes ahead of her closest competitor. Her average speed of 27.51 kph reflected a perfectly executed race strategy that saw her seize control during the second loop and maintain an unassailable lead throughout the remaining distance.

    Mendez’s teammate Shamma Darwish Alshihi achieved a remarkable comeback aboard SW Ikran, climbing from 28th position to claim second place with a time of 4:24:49. Sara Mohammed secured third position riding Rushoz Lieutenant, completing the course in 4:25:11.

    The festival, established in 2008, stands as the UAE’s most prestigious endurance riding event and reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s personal dedication to the sport. The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, himself a world champion endurance rider having claimed the FEI World Endurance Championship individual title in 2012, created the festival to promote the sport globally while attracting top international talent.

    Endurance riding, often described as the equestrian equivalent of a marathon, tests the resilience, pace management, and symbiotic partnership between horse and rider across challenging desert terrain. Mendez’s victory adds to her growing reputation following previous wins at the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival (2025) and the Shaikha Fatma bint Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup in Abu Dhabi.

    The winners were honored by Mirwais Azizi, Founder and Chairman of Azizi Group, alongside Ahmed Rashed Al Kaabi of Dubai Equestrian Club and Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. The festival continues through Saturday with additional high-stakes competitions including the Private Stables 120km event and culminating with the elite 160km Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup.

  • ‘Finally told in the end’: Ben Stokes leaves the SCG with injury in latest blow to England

    ‘Finally told in the end’: Ben Stokes leaves the SCG with injury in latest blow to England

    England’s disastrous Ashes tour in Australia has descended into further turmoil after inspirational captain Ben Stokes was forced from the field with a significant injury during the fourth day of play at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The all-rounder, who has been England’s most consistent performer throughout the series, sustained a right adductor muscle injury while bowling his 28th over under punishing conditions. Stokes immediately recognized the severity of the issue and left the field without completing the over, with Jacob Bethell completing his bowling duties. The injury represents the latest devastating blow to England’s already depleted squad, which has lost fast bowlers Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Gus Atkinson to various injuries throughout the series. Commentary teams from multiple networks expressed concern about Stokes’ condition, with former Australian cricketers Mark Waugh and Adam Gilchrist noting that the captain had been managing the groin issue throughout the tour. Despite the physical challenges, Stokes has delivered an exceptional individual performance throughout the series, taking 15 wickets and scoring two half-centuries while leading a team facing inevitable defeat. Fox Cricket commentator Isa Guha described Stokes as a ‘warrior cricketer’ who worked tremendously hard to achieve fitness for the series but ultimately succumbed to the physical demands of captaincy, batting, and bowling responsibilities. The injury raises serious questions about whether Stokes will be able to bat in England’s second innings as Australia’s lead approaches 200 runs, fueled by centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith.

  • ‘Surreal’: Josh Curran the latest NRL star to sign with the Perth Bears

    ‘Surreal’: Josh Curran the latest NRL star to sign with the Perth Bears

    The Perth Bears have significantly bolstered their inaugural squad with the strategic acquisition of versatile forward Josh Curran, securing his services on a substantial three-year contract. This pivotal signing marks another crucial step in building a competitive roster for their 2027 debut campaign.

    Curran, a 26-year-old veteran with extensive experience across three NRL clubs including the Roosters, Warriors, and Bulldogs, brings both versatility and prime athletic conditioning to the expanding franchise. His unique ability to effectively play both edge and middle forward positions, combined with his renowned work ethic, provides the fledgling team with exactly the type of dynamic player needed to establish immediate competitiveness.

    “This represents an extraordinary opportunity that I simply couldn’t decline,” Curran expressed regarding his transition. “The prospect of becoming part of the Bears’ foundational squad and having my name included among their initial signings feels remarkably surreal. I’m particularly motivated by the chance to engage with the community and help build something transformative from the ground up that could potentially inspire an entire state.”

    Bears coach Mal Meninga praised the acquisition, highlighting Curran’s dual capabilities: “Josh possesses that rare combination of ball-playing finesse and defensive tenacity. He competes with exceptional intensity and demonstrates unwavering commitment to elevating his teammates’ performance. Beyond his on-field attributes, I’ve been tremendously impressed with his off-field leadership and substantial community investment efforts.”

    This signing continues Perth’s deliberate recruitment strategy that has already secured talents including Toby Sexton, Liam Henry, and Harry Newman. With Curran’s addition solidifying their forward pack, the organization now shifts focus toward acquiring marquee players for key spine positions as they continue constructing their historic inaugural roster.

  • Jacob Duffy named in New Zealand’s squad for the T20 World Cup

    Jacob Duffy named in New Zealand’s squad for the T20 World Cup

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Cricket New Zealand has unveiled its formidable squad for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, with record-setting pace bowler Jacob Duffy earning his maiden tournament selection following an extraordinary 2025 season. The 31-year-old right-armer shattered a four-decade-old national record by claiming 81 international wickets throughout the year, surpassing legendary all-rounder Richard Hadlee’s previous benchmark of 79 wickets set in 1985.

    Duffy’s remarkable performance has propelled him to second place in the global T20 bowling rankings, making him the only member of New Zealand’s 1,064-cap experienced squad yet to feature in a T20 World Cup tournament. He joins an established pace attack featuring Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for the championship scheduled across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

    The Black Caps will be led by all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who captains a balanced squad featuring specialist spinner Ish Sodhi alongside all-round options Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra. The batting department boasts power hitters Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, who will join the squad following his commitments in Australia’s Big Bash League.

    Head coach Rob Walter expressed confidence in the team’s composition, stating: ‘We’ve assembled a squad with substantial power and technical skill in our batting lineup, complemented by quality bowlers capable of adapting to diverse conditions. Our five all-rounders provide distinctive strategic options, and this experienced group possesses valuable sub-continent playing background.’

    The team faces some fitness concerns with Allen (finger/hamstring), Chapman (ankle), Ferguson (calf), Henry (calf), and Santner (adductor) currently undergoing treatment. Additionally, Ferguson and Henry may require short-term paternity leave during the tournament as their partners are expecting childbirth.

    Duffy’s selection comes after he shouldered New Zealand’s pace responsibilities across all formats during the domestic season, filling the void left by injured regulars including Henry, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Kyle Jamieson (designated as pace bowling reserve), and Nathan Smith. His 81 wickets came at an impressive average of 17 across 36 international matches.

    New Zealand will fine-tune their preparations with a white-ball series in India during January, followed by a warm-up encounter against the United States before commencing their World Cup campaign in Group D alongside Afghanistan, UAE, South Africa, and Canada.

  • ‘Brutal’: Alex de Minaur reveals why he chose to withdraw from Australia’s Davis Cup campaign

    ‘Brutal’: Alex de Minaur reveals why he chose to withdraw from Australia’s Davis Cup campaign

    Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur has described his withdrawal from next month’s Davis Cup tie in Ecuador as a ‘brutal decision,’ revealing he made the difficult choice to prioritize his long-term physical condition over national team duties. The announcement comes as the 26-year-old prepares to reach a career-high world No. 5 ranking next Monday.

    De Minaur, who has battled persistent hip issues throughout his career, consulted extensively with team captain Lleyton Hewitt before determining that competing on clay in Quito’s high-altitude conditions posed unacceptable risks to his health. The Australian squad will instead be led by James Duckworth, with support from Aleksandar Vukic, Rinky Hijikata, Jordan Thompson, and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

    ‘Davis Cup has been my priority for basically my whole career,’ de Minaur stated following his United Cup victory alongside Storm Hunter in Sydney. ‘To me, there’s no greater goal than to be able to lift the trophy one day with Lleyton, with the team, for Australia again.’

    Hewitt fully endorsed the decision, emphasizing the need to protect de Minaur from reinjury after the player previously competed while hurt for nine months. ‘Considering the time of the year, where it is, the conditions, the surface, so many variables,’ Hewitt explained, ‘we’ve come up with a plan that we think is best for him moving forward.’

    Australia must defeat Ecuador to advance to a second-round matchup against either Norway or Great Britain, with winners qualifying for the final eight in Bologna later this year. De Minaur confirmed he would definitely be available for subsequent rounds should Australia progress.

    The news comes amid positive form for de Minaur, who delivered a straight-sets victory over Jakub Mensik at the United Cup on Tuesday night, signaling strong preparation for the upcoming Australian Open.

  • Premier League: Chelsea appoint Rosenior as new head coach

    Premier League: Chelsea appoint Rosenior as new head coach

    Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach, marking a significant leadership transition following Enzo Maresca’s departure. The 41-year-old English manager has committed to a long-term contract extending through 2032, representing the fourth permanent coaching appointment since Todd Boehly’s American consortium acquired the club in 2022.

    Rosenior transitions from French Ligue 1 side Racing Strasbourg, where he notably achieved European qualification with a seventh-place finish despite working with a comparatively modest squad. His coaching journey includes previous roles at Derby County and Hull City in England’s second division, complemented by a respectable playing career spanning Fulham, Hull City, and Brighton & Hove Albion.

    The strategic appointment leverages the multi-club ownership structure connecting Chelsea and Strasbourg, both under the BlueCo consortium led by Boehly. This organizational synergy facilitated Rosenior’s emergence as the prime candidate to stabilize Chelsea’s recent performance decline, with the team managing only one victory in their last eight Premier League matches.

    Rosenior inherits a squad positioned fifth in the league standings, seventeen points behind leaders Arsenal after twenty matches—a notable decline from their third-place position and title contention status in November. His immediate challenge commences with Wednesday’s London derby against Fulham, where he must begin addressing the team’s inconsistent form.

    In his inaugural statement, Rosenior expressed profound honor at joining Chelsea, emphasizing his commitment to preserving the club’s winning tradition while building strong connections within the expensively-assembled roster of international talents. He will be accompanied by assistants Kalifa Cisse and Justin Walker from Strasbourg, maintaining continuity within his coaching staff.

  • UAE Team Emirates-XRG rounds off historic 2025 with international recognition

    UAE Team Emirates-XRG rounds off historic 2025 with international recognition

    Spanish sports media titan Marca has bestowed top international honors upon UAE Team Emirates-XRG and its star cyclist Tadej Pogacar, recognizing their extraordinary achievements during a record-shattering 2025 season. The Emirati cycling squad was named Best International Team of 2025, while Slovenian sensation Pogacar claimed the title of Best International Athlete, cementing their status as global sporting icons.

    The awards come as the culmination of an unprecedented campaign that saw UAE Team Emirates-XRG dominate professional cycling with historic results. The team achieved a monumental 97 victories throughout the season – the highest single-season tally ever recorded in cycling history – accompanied by 56 podium finishes. Remarkably, 20 different riders contributed to this success, demonstrating exceptional squad depth and consistent performance across all competitions.

    This recognition extends beyond cycling’s traditional boundaries, with Marca’s selection placing UAE Team Emirates-XRG ahead of internationally renowned sports organizations including Paris Saint-Germain Football Club and the McLaren Formula 1 racing team. The honor underscores the team’s evolution from cycling specialists to genuine global sports powerhouse.

    Pogacar’s individual accomplishments formed the cornerstone of the team’s success. The Slovenian champion secured his position as UCI world No. 1 cyclist with victories including the Tour de France and three Monument classics, alongside podium finishes in all five Monument events. His consistent excellence across diverse racing formats ultimately earned him the Marca award over other international sports stars such as Jannik Sinner and Shohei Ohtani.

    Team principal and CEO Mauro Gianetti acknowledged the significance of receiving recognition from outside the cycling world: ‘This reflects not only our 2025 achievements but the collective effort of our entire organization. Being acknowledged beyond our sport demonstrates the magnitude of what we’ve accomplished and provides tremendous motivation as we approach the 2026 season.’

    The Marca awards serve as validation of UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s third consecutive year as UCI World Tour top-ranked team, confirming their sustained dominance in professional cycling. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, this international recognition establishes new benchmarks for cycling teams aspiring to global sporting relevance.

  • Creators Dubai Desert Classic returns as golf’s social media stars take centre stage

    Creators Dubai Desert Classic returns as golf’s social media stars take centre stage

    Dubai is redefining golf’s digital landscape as the Creators Dubai Desert Classic (CDDC) prepares for its second installment from January 17-18, 2026. This groundbreaking event converges social media influence with professional golf, creating an innovative platform that transforms how global audiences engage with the sport.

    The tournament assembles 16 premier sports and lifestyle content creators from across North America, Europe, and Australia for a unique two-round strokeplay competition. The action commences with a dramatic floodlit session on the Faldo Course against Dubai Marina’s glittering skyline on January 17, followed by a concluding round on the iconic Majlis Course on January 18—the same championship layout that will host the Hero Dubai Desert Classic days later.

    This initiative represents a strategic evolution in sports presentation, leveraging the massive reach of digital creators to connect with younger, digitally-native demographics. The inaugural 2025 edition demonstrated extraordinary engagement metrics, generating 13.3 million views from a single highlight video and contributing to an estimated 192 million impressions through the tournament’s influencer program.

    Tournament Executive Director Simon Corkill emphasized the event’s significance: “The CDDC addresses a fundamental shift in global golf consumption. While traditional broadcast remains vital, the most rapid audience expansion occurs through digital storytellers who shape culture, lifestyle, and sport in real-time.”

    Participating creators including Mac Boucher (Canada), Georgia Ball (UK), and Sara Winter (USA) will provide unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, blending competitive golf with authentic content creation. The expanded two-day format enables deeper storytelling opportunities that showcase both elite golf and Dubai’s credentials as a premier sporting destination.

    The event runs parallel to the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 22-25), which features defending champion Tyrrell Hatton alongside golf superstars Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Viktor Hovland. The tournament further enhances its appeal with Tournament Town—a vibrant fan zone featuring live music, culinary experiences, and family activities—solidifying its status as one of Dubai’s most inclusive sporting festivals.

    Highlight coverage from the Creators Dubai Desert Classic will premiere across official social channels on January 20, offering global audiences a innovative perspective on competitive golf.

  • ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy makes special appearance at DP World ILT20 final

    ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy makes special appearance at DP World ILT20 final

    The iconic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 trophy made its inaugural public appearance during the DP World International League T20 final in Dubai, generating significant excitement among cricket enthusiasts. The prestigious silverware was unveiled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the championship clash between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates, serving as the opening ceremony for the global trophy tour leading up to the February 2026 tournament.

    In a special ceremony orchestrated by tournament organizers and DP World, Afghanistan pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq received symbolic match tickets for his national team’s opening fixture against New Zealand. The historic match is scheduled for February 8th in Chennai, marking Afghanistan’s inaugural game of the global championship. Naveen-ul-Haq, who recently competed for MI Emirates in the ILT20 tournament, accepted the tickets during the celebratory event.

    The cricket spectacle witnessed Desert Vipers claiming the ILT20 championship under the exceptional leadership of English all-rounder Sam Curran. Curran’s remarkable unbeaten 74 runs from 51 deliveries secured both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors, culminating in a dominant 46-run victory against MI Emirates.

    The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7th to March 8th, featuring the world’s premier cricketing nations in a month-long display of elite T20 competition. Tournament organizers have implemented unprecedented affordability measures, with entry-level tickets starting at just ₹100 (approximately $1.11) in Indian venues and LKR 1,000 (approximately $3.26) in Sri Lankan stadiums.

    Cricket fans worldwide can track the trophy’s journey through official social media channels @icctrophytour, while ticket reservations are available through the official portal: Tickets.CricketWorldCup.Com.

  • Sichuan’s national ice and snow season opens in Bipenggou

    Sichuan’s national ice and snow season opens in Bipenggou

    The mountainous region of Bipenggou in Sichuan province transformed into a winter sports paradise as the 8th National Fitness Ice and Snow Season commenced on January 6, 2026. Located in Lixian county within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, the high-altitude ice and snow park hosted the prestigious opening ceremony that attracted both distinguished guests and winter sports enthusiasts.

    The festival opening featured an impressive array of winter activities, with participants enjoying snowboarding adventures, exhilarating snow tubing sessions, high-speed snowmobiling, and unique snow tank experiences. The event simultaneously hosted a competitive cross-country skiing race that drew athletes and skiing devotees from across Sichuan and the neighboring Chongqing municipality.

    Organizers emphasized this year’s strategic focus on creating synergistic connections between winter athletics and broader cultural tourism initiatives. The festival represents a deliberate effort to stimulate sports tourism consumption while promoting healthy outdoor lifestyles among China’s diverse ethnic communities. The Bipenggou venue, with its pristine alpine environment and modern facilities, provides an ideal setting for advancing winter sports accessibility throughout southwestern China.

    This annual celebration marks a significant development in China’s ongoing mission to cultivate winter sports culture beyond the northeastern regions, particularly following the successful 2022 Winter Olympics. The event demonstrates how mountainous areas like Sichuan can leverage their natural topography to create sustainable winter tourism economies while encouraging national fitness initiatives among all demographic groups.