Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • 7 days to go: We list 7 things you could do at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

    7 days to go: We list 7 things you could do at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

    The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships return to Al Garhoud for a spectacular fortnight of world-class athletic competition, creating an electrifying atmosphere both on and off the court. With just one week remaining until the opening serve, the tournament promises an exceptional lineup of tennis excellence and fan engagement opportunities.

    Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina headlines the women’s competition as she returns to her adopted home of Dubai following her recent Grand Slam triumph. The 2024 tournament finalist, who relocated to the emirate two years ago, enjoys strong local support and arrives in peak competitive form.

    Beyond the center court action, the Championships offer complimentary access to side courts where spectators can witness elite matches featuring players of Coco Gauff’s caliber. The tournament’s layout provides numerous food and beverage options throughout the venue, ensuring an affordable and action-packed experience for all attendees.

    The WTA 1000 event (February 15-21) boasts an impressive field with all top 20 female players confirmed, including world number one Aryna Sabalenka, six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Świątek, and two-time Dubai champion Elina Svitolina. The subsequent ATP 500 week (through February 28) features defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas alongside former winners Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Ugo Humbert.

    British tennis fans will have particular interest in Jack Draper’s Dubai debut. The UK’s top-ranked male player, whose 2025 appearance was thwarted by injury, brings his exciting talent to the tournament for the first time following his 2024 US Open semi-final performance.

    The newly expanded Tennis Village enhances the fan experience with interactive games, competitions, and photo opportunities through partnerships with sponsors including Mercedes-Benz and Evian. The popular ‘Catch and Win’ challenge returns, allowing spectators to exchange balls caught during matches for gifts. Player interactions along the walkways and appearances by tournament mascots Ace and Annette provide additional opportunities for autographs and selfies.

    With convenient access via GGICO Metro Station eliminating traffic concerns, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships present an accessible world-class sporting spectacle for tennis enthusiasts and families alike.

  • Seifert powers New Zealand to their record T20 World Cup chase

    Seifert powers New Zealand to their record T20 World Cup chase

    In a spectacular display of power-hitting and calculated aggression, New Zealand scripted a new chapter in their T20 World Cup history by successfully chasing down Afghanistan’s formidable total of 182-6 with five wickets and 13 balls to spare in Chennai on Sunday.

    Opener Tim Seifert emerged as the undisputed hero of the match, delivering a masterclass in controlled aggression with his 65 runs off just 42 deliveries. His explosive performance, complemented by Glenn Phillips’ crucial 42-run contribution, propelled the Black Caps to their highest-ever run chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 167 against England in the 2021 semi-final.

    The chase encountered early turbulence when Afghanistan’s spin wizard Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in consecutive deliveries during the second over, dismissing Finn Allen (1) and Rachin Ravindra (0) to put New Zealand under immediate pressure. However, the match turned decisively when Seifert and Phillips forged a resilient 74-run partnership for the third wicket, systematically dismantling Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack.

    Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan provided a moment of breakthrough when he dismissed Phillips, who inside-edged onto his stumps, but not before the damage had been done. Seifert received a crucial reprieve when Rashid dropped him on 48 off his own bowling, a missed opportunity that proved costly for Afghanistan.

    The New Zealand opener reached his half-century in spectacular fashion, launching veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi for a massive six. Though Nabi eventually claimed Seifert’s wicket when the batsman top-edged to the deep, the foundation for victory had been firmly established. Mark Chapman contributed a quickfire 28 off 17 balls before Daryl Mitchell (25*) and skipper Mitchell Santner (17*) guided the team across the finish line.

    Earlier, Afghanistan had posted a competitive total thanks to Gulbadin Naib’s explosive 63 off 35 balls after early setbacks had reduced them to 44-2. Naib combined with Sediqullah Atal (29) in a 79-run third-wicket partnership that seemed to set the stage for an Afghan victory until New Zealand’s record-breaking response.

    Post-match, player of the match Seifert remarked: ‘It’s always nice to start the tournament with a few runs under your belt, but the main thing is we got the win. Tough conditions as well out there. Lost a couple of early wickets, so it’s nice to get the job done.’

    Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan acknowledged his team’s bowling deficiencies: ‘We haven’t landed the ball in the right areas. If we had bowled into the wicket and good length it was difficult to score. We need to improve in certain areas.’

  • US skier Vonn suffers horrific crash; dream to win Olympic downhill gold gone in 13 seconds

    US skier Vonn suffers horrific crash; dream to win Olympic downhill gold gone in 13 seconds

    In a tragic turn of events at the Milano Cortina Olympics, American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn’s courageous attempt to compete with a ruptured ACL culminated in a catastrophic crash mere seconds into her downhill run on Sunday. The 41-year-old champion, wearing bib number 13 and a protective brace on her injured knee, launched from the start gate with characteristic determination before disaster struck at the fourth gate.

    The incident unfolded on the Olimpia delle Tofane course, a slope where Vonn had previously celebrated 12 World Cup victories throughout her illustrious career. Television coverage captured the horrifying moment when Vonn’s shoulder clipped a gate, sending her careening off the sunlit track at tremendous velocity before coming to rest in a tangled heap. Audible screams from the champion skier echoed across the mountainside as spectators and teammates watched in stunned silence.

    Emergency response teams swiftly surrounded the injured athlete, with a yellow medical helicopter arriving to airlift Vonn from the course in an orange stretcher. The aircraft transported her to Cortina’s Codivilla Putti Hospital for comprehensive medical evaluation, receiving applause from concerned spectators as it departed. No immediate update on her condition was provided following the evacuation.

    The crash cast a pall over what should have been a celebratory day for American skiing, as teammate Breezy Johnson secured the world championship title amid the somber atmosphere. Vonn, the 2010 downhill gold medalist, had hoped to make history as the oldest Alpine skiing Olympic medalist following two World Cup victories earlier this season.

    Fellow athletes and commentators expressed profound shock at the incident. Double Olympic gold medalist Tina Maze, providing analysis for Eurosport, noted that Vonn had ‘risked too much’ given her physical condition but acknowledged the skier’s legendary determination. FIS president Johan Eliasch characterized the event as ‘tragic’ while praising Vonn’s contribution to the sport, stating the race had ‘put our sport in the best possible light’ despite the unfortunate outcome.

  • ‘Dubai more than a second home’: Usman Nurmagomedov retains PFL belt, praises crowd support

    ‘Dubai more than a second home’: Usman Nurmagomedov retains PFL belt, praises crowd support

    In a spectacular display of martial prowess, Usman Nurmagomedov solidified his status as PFL’s undisputed lightweight champion with a decisive submission victory over Alfie Davis at Dubai’s Coca Cola Arena. The undefeated fighter demonstrated tactical superiority throughout the bout before securing a fight-ending choke that forced his opponent to tap out.

    The February 8th event witnessed an electric atmosphere as Nurmagomedov celebrated his latest triumph with Team Khabib, including legendary former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC titleholder Islam Makhachev in his corner. The victory marked another successful title defense for the rising star, but the champion’s post-fight reflections revealed a deeper connection to his host city.

    ‘Dubai transcends the concept of a second home for me,’ Nurmagomedov revealed to Khaleej Times. ‘The extraordinary crowd support provides additional motivation that truly impacts performance.’ The champion emphasized his comfort fighting in the emirate, where he has cultivated a growing fanbase through multiple appearances.

    Beyond personal achievement, Nurmagomedov highlighted Dubai’s emerging significance in the global mixed martial arts landscape. ‘We’re witnessing substantial growth in combat sports here,’ he observed. ‘With increasing young athlete participation and major fight events, Dubai is positioned to become a recognized hub for MMA development.’

    The event underscored the continued dominance of the Nurmagomedov fighting dynasty while spotlighting Dubai’s evolving role in hosting world-class combat sports competitions. As the sport gains traction in the region, the champion’s endorsement signals a promising future for MMA in the Middle East.

  • Italy enjoys a record-breaking day at the Winter Olympics by claiming medals in five events

    Italy enjoys a record-breaking day at the Winter Olympics by claiming medals in five events

    MILAN — Italy has catapulted itself into an unprecedented position at the Winter Olympics following an extraordinary medal-winning performance on home territory. The host nation achieved a remarkable milestone by securing five medals within a single day—the highest daily tally in Italy’s Winter Games history.

    The medal surge commenced with alpine skier Sofia Goggia capturing bronze in the women’s downhill event. Shortly thereafter, snowboarder Lucia Dalmasso mirrored this achievement with another third-place finish in the parallel giant slalom. The Italian team further elevated the nation’s standing by earning silver in the mixed relay biathlon, while speedskater Riccardo Lorello contributed bronze in the men’s 5,000 meters competition.

    Even before Dominik Fischnaller’s subsequent bronze medal in men’s singles luge, the official Milan Cortina Games Twitter account had already declared this Italy’s most successful day in Winter Olympics history. “Competing on home soil creates an unparalleled experience,” Lorello remarked. “The tremendous support from our fans played a crucial role. I’m delighted to have contributed to this historic achievement and take immense pride in all my Italian teammates’ accomplishments across various sports.”

    With eight medals accumulated within just two days of competition—including gold, silver, and bronze medals secured on Saturday—Italy approaches nearly half of its all-time best Winter Games tally of 20 medals achieved at Lillehammer in 1994. This performance significantly surpasses Italy’s 11-medal count from the 2006 Turin Games and positions the nation strongly toward exceeding its 17-medal result from Beijing four years earlier.

    The current achievement aligns with Italian Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio’s stated objective of securing a minimum of 19 medals, announced during October’s 100-day countdown ceremony for the Milan Cortina Games.

  • Canada out in Olympic mixed doubles curling as Italy, the US and Sweden advance to semifinals

    Canada out in Olympic mixed doubles curling as Italy, the US and Sweden advance to semifinals

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — In a stunning reversal of fortune for a nation synonymous with curling excellence, Canada’s mixed doubles team suffered a devastating elimination from Olympic contention following a 9-5 defeat to South Korea on Sunday. The loss marked Canada’s fifth consecutive defeat in the tournament, dashing semifinal hopes for the highly-touted duo of Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant.

    The married couple, who entered the competition as overwhelming favorites, found themselves unable to overcome a series of critical setbacks throughout the round-robin stage. Despite promising victories against Czechia, Norway, and Italy earlier in the competition, the Canadian pair subsequently fell to the United States, followed by consecutive defeats against top-ranked Britain and underdog Estonia.

    Gallant cited challenging ice conditions as a significant factor in their performance, noting the team struggled to adapt to unexpectedly faster surfaces compared to previous days. The emotional toll was visibly apparent as Peterman wiped away tears following their elimination match against Sweden, while Gallant displayed visible exasperation as the couple moved quickly through media areas with minimal engagement.

    “The disappointment is profound,” Gallant stated. “While representing Canada at the Olympics remains an honor, we arrived with much higher aspirations.”

    The unexpected early exit represents a continuing trend of diminished Canadian dominance in Olympic curling, placing additional pressure on upcoming men’s and women’s teams set to begin competition February 11-12. Meanwhile, Italy, the United States, Sweden, and previously qualified Britain will advance to Monday’s semifinal matches.

    Peterman confirmed she would remain in Italy with their young son and family members to support Gallant during the upcoming men’s competition, noting the comfort of family support during this challenging period. When asked what would provide solace following their elimination, Gallant simply responded: “A hug from our son.”

  • Malinin of US, Sato of Japan to decide team figure skating medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics

    Malinin of US, Sato of Japan to decide team figure skating medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics

    MILAN — The battle for Olympic figure skating team gold has reached a dramatic climax at the Milan Cortina Games, with the United States and Japan deadlocked at 59 points heading into Monday’s decisive men’s free skate. The championship will ultimately be determined by the performances of American phenom Ilia Malinin and Japan’s Shun Sato in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the three-day team competition.

    The tiebreaker scenario emerged following Sunday’s women’s free skate, where American champion Amber Glenn delivered a disappointing performance that left the defending champion U.S. team level with their Japanese rivals. Glenn, who attempted the challenging triple axel that no other woman in the competition dared, faltered on her opening jump and made several subsequent errors throughout her routine. Her score of 138.62 points placed her third in the segment behind Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (148.62) and Georgia’s Anastasiia Gubanova.

    Sakamoto, the individual bronze medalist from the Beijing Games, overcame her own technical mistakes to secure a segment victory for Japan. Her triumphant scream upon seeing her scores reflected the intense pressure of the team event.

    Earlier in the competition, American pairs team Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea delivered a career-best performance when their team needed it most. Their emotionally charged program, set to a medley of 80s hits including ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World,’ earned 135.36 points and temporarily maintained the American advantage. However, Japanese pairs Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara responded with their own career-best score of 155.55 points, narrowing the gap and setting up the final showdown.

    The men’s competition features intriguing strategic decisions from both teams. Japan surprisingly substituted Yuma Kagiyama, who upset Malinin in Saturday’s short program, with Shun Sato for the free skate. The United States will rely on two-time world champion Malinin, whose planned program includes an unprecedented seven quad jumps—including his signature quad axel that no other skater has successfully landed in competition.

    In the race for bronze, Italy holds third place with 52 points, maintaining a narrow two-point advantage over Georgia with only the men’s free skate remaining.

  • Ex-India coach Lalchand Rajput out to win respect for UAE at T20 World Cup

    Ex-India coach Lalchand Rajput out to win respect for UAE at T20 World Cup

    Lalchand Rajput, the mastermind behind India’s triumphant 2007 T20 World Cup campaign, now faces an entirely different cricketing challenge as he guides the United Arab Emirates national team toward the 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The former Indian opener has transitioned from coaching a cricketing superpower to leading an associate nation through the unique complexities of international cricket’s competitive landscape.

    Rajput’s squad finds itself in one of the tournament’s most demanding groups, facing established test nations including South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. For the UAE, making only their third appearance in cricket’s premier T20 event, the ambition extends beyond mere participation. “Our primary objective is to secure a landmark victory against a top-test playing nation,” Rajput revealed in a recent interview. Such an achievement would provide his developing team with crucial experience and establish a foundation for future success.

    The coaching veteran acknowledges the distinct challenges facing associate-level cricket, particularly regarding limited match exposure and high-pressure competition. Since assuming his role in February 2024, Rajput has implemented a philosophy centered on incremental improvement rather than radical transformation. “I instruct my players to target just a 10 percent enhancement from their current capabilities,” he explained. “Significant transformation occurs through gradual progression, not overnight revolution.

    Drawing from his background in Mumbai’s intensely competitive cricket circuit, Rajput emphasizes mental resilience and work ethic as critical components for success. He recognizes that his players, while talented, come from an environment with less competitive infrastructure and more comfortable lifestyles than those in traditional cricketing nations. “We’ve concentrated extensively on cultivating a stronger work ethic,” Rajput noted. “The correlation is undeniable: increased effort generates improved fortune.”

    The UAE will commence their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Chennai, representing both a formidable challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate their evolving capabilities under Rajput’s strategic guidance.

  • Olympic court rejects Italian curler’s claim of nepotism for losing place to official’s daughter

    Olympic court rejects Italian curler’s claim of nepotism for losing place to official’s daughter

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal from Italian curler Angela Romei, who alleged nepotism influenced her exclusion from the national team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The ruling was issued Sunday following an expedited hearing.

    Romei contended that the Italian Curling Federation’s selection process was compromised by a conflict of interest when it named 19-year-old Rebecca Mariani to the team. Mariani is the daughter of Marco Mariani, the federation’s technical director and a former Olympian who competed when Italy last hosted the Winter Games in Turin in 2006.

    In her appeal, Romei, a European Championship silver and bronze medalist, presented herself as the more experienced and qualified athlete. The CAS judge acknowledged the concerns raised but ultimately found insufficient evidence to conclude that Mariani’s selection was unreasonable or that the head coach would intentionally choose an inferior athlete to benefit a federation official’s family.

    The court’s statement noted the judge was ‘not unsympathetic’ to Romei’s position but emphasized that the selection decision fell within the federation’s discretion. Rebecca Mariani is slated to serve as the reserve for the Italian women’s team, which will be skipped by Stefania Constantini, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles from the 2022 Beijing Games. The women’s curling competition is scheduled to begin Thursday in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

  • Vonn crashes in downhill as Johnson wins gold

    Vonn crashes in downhill as Johnson wins gold

    In a dramatic turn of events at the Cortina Winter Olympics, American skier Breezy Johnson captured an emotional gold medal in the women’s downhill competition while her teammate Lindsey Vonn suffered a catastrophic crash that likely ended her Olympic career.

    The 41-year-old Vonn, competing just nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee, lost balance after hitting a gate on her first jump during Sunday’s event. Despite completing two successful training runs on the iconic Olimpia delle Tofane course, Vonn required lengthy medical attention before being airlifted off the piste via helicopter as stunned spectators applauded in support.

    Vonn had been taking an extraordinary risk by competing with a completely torn ACL sustained during the final World Cup race before the Games in Switzerland. The legendary skier had targeted the downhill as her preferred event while also being entered in the super-G and team events, though her participation in any remaining competitions now appears highly unlikely.

    Meanwhile, Breezy Johnson delivered a blistering performance with a time of 1:36.10 seconds that secured her the gold medal. The 30-year-old world champion watched Vonn’s crash from the finish line with her head in her hands, having completed her own run sixth in the starting order. Germany’s Emma Aicher claimed silver by a razor-thin margin of 0.04 seconds, while Italian favorite Sofia Goggia took bronze.

    Vonn’s crash created challenging conditions for subsequent competitors as the delay caused snow conditions to deteriorate in the midday sun. The incident also visibly unsettled the field, with Andorra’s Cande Moreno also requiring helicopter evacuation after crashing into a gate.

    The four-time Olympian had remained defiant in the face of medical skepticism, publicly refuting a doctor’s claim that her injury was ‘not a fresh tear’ by confirming her ACL was ‘100% torn.’ Vonn had hoped to replicate her triumphant Vancouver 2010 downhill gold medal performance, but instead faced what appears to be a devastating conclusion to her Olympic journey.