分类： sports

In a commanding display of batting prowess, Yashasvi Jaiswal led India to a strong position on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies in New Delhi. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 173 runs, guiding India to 318-2 at stumps on Friday. The young opener notched his seventh Test century, facing 253 deliveries and showcasing remarkable resilience and skill throughout the day. Shubman Gill, captaining India for the first time in seven Tests, won the toss and elected to bat, contributing 20 not out by the close of play. India’s dominance continued after their emphatic victory in the first Test, where they won by an innings and 40 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. West Indies, who have not defeated India in their last 26 Tests since 2002, struggled to contain the hosts. Jaiswal reached his century off 145 balls, including 16 fours, during the second session. Earlier, India had gone to lunch at 94-1, with Lokesh Rahul dismissed for 38 off 54 balls. Sai Sudharsan, who scored a career-best 87, partnered with Jaiswal in a 193-run stand for the second wicket, propelling India to 220-1 at tea. Despite a dropped catch by West Indies’ Jomel Warrican, Sudharsan was eventually dismissed lbw in the final session. Jaiswal and Gill then steered India safely to the end of the day. Jaiswal’s innings marked the third-highest individual score by an Indian batter on the first day of a Test, trailing only Wasim Jaffer and Shikhar Dhawan. The 23-year-old left-handed opener, who has now crossed 150 five times in 48 Test innings, appears poised for further success on Saturday. India fielded an unchanged lineup, while West Indies made two changes, bringing in Anderson Phillip and Tevin Imlach.

The Phoenix Suns have touched down in Macau, setting the stage for two highly anticipated pre-season games against the Brooklyn Nets, marking the NBA’s first return to China since 2019. The matches, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, will be held at the Venetian casino and hotel arena in Macau, a special administrative region renowned for its vibrant casino culture. This event signifies a pivotal moment in the NBA’s efforts to rekindle its relationship with China, which had been strained since 2019 due to political tensions. The games are part of a multi-year partnership between the NBA and Chinese tech giant Alibaba, announced late last year. Notably, the Brooklyn Nets are owned by Alibaba’s chair, Joseph Tsai. This marks the first NBA fixture in Macau since 2007, underscoring the league’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the “tremendous interest in the NBA throughout China,” highlighting the league’s strategic push to tap into the country’s burgeoning basketball fanbase. Basketball’s popularity in China surged after Yao Ming was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2002, with the NBA estimating in 2019 that 300 million Chinese citizens played the sport. The upcoming games are seen as a milestone in the gradual reconciliation between the NBA and China, following a period of tension sparked by a 2019 controversy involving a Houston Rockets executive’s social media post supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protests. The incident led to a temporary suspension of NBA broadcasts in China, but games have since returned to Chinese TV channels. Fans in Macau have expressed their excitement, with many viewing the event as a long-awaited reunion with the league. Lyu Yizhe from Xiamen shared, “We’ve been preparing for this for two months. It feels special because we’ve been NBA fans since the Michael Jordan era.” Mole Zeng from Hangzhou added, “As the NBA grows in China, more star players will come here to meet us.” The games not only celebrate basketball but also symbolize a renewed cultural and commercial bridge between the NBA and China.

In a thrilling encounter at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, South Africa pulled off a stunning three-wicket victory against hosts India, thanks to a remarkable performance by Nadine de Klerk. The match, held in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, saw De Klerk score an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls, including five sixes and eight fours, to guide her team to a hard-fought win. South Africa chased down India’s total of 251 with just seven balls to spare, finishing at 252-7 in 48.5 overs. De Klerk’s innings was complemented by skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s steady 70 off 111 balls, which laid the foundation for the chase. Earlier, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Chloe Tyron (3-32) and De Klerk (2-52), had restricted India to 102-6 at one stage. However, Richa Ghosh’s explosive 94 off 77 balls, featuring four sixes and 11 fours, helped India post a competitive total. This victory marks South Africa’s second consecutive win after an initial 10-wicket loss to England, propelling them to fourth place in the standings. The Proteas will next face Bangladesh on Monday. De Klerk, named Player of the Match, expressed her elation, stating, ‘I just wanted to finish the game and give us the best chance. I love being under pressure, and this win gives us a lot of confidence.’ India, now third in the standings with two wins from three games, will face defending champions Australia on Sunday.

YOKOHAMA, Japan — The Baycurrent Classic, the PGA Tour’s sole event in Japan, kicked off with a strong showing from American golfers Max Greyserman, Bud Cauley, and Brian Campbell. Each carded an impressive 4-under 67 in the opening round on Thursday, securing a shared lead at the Yokohama Country Club. This year marks the tournament’s relocation from its previous venue east of Tokyo, where it was held as the Zozo Championship since 2019.

Eight players, including Australian star Adam Scott, trail the leaders by a single stroke, while seven others are two shots behind. Notably, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, both members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team that recently faced defeat, finished with even-par 71s. Defending champion Nico Echavarria of Colombia posted a 70, while Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, ended the day with a 72.

Greyserman, who narrowly missed victory last year by one shot after Echavarria’s birdie on the final hole, expressed his admiration for Japan’s culture and fans. Reflecting on the challenging conditions, he remarked, ‘In those difficult conditions, I’ll take that any day.’ He also acknowledged Echavarria’s past success, hinting at his own aspirations for the week. ‘Nico got it done that week. So maybe I can get it done this week,’ Greyserman added.

The tournament continues to draw attention as players vie for the title in one of the PGA Tour’s most unique international stops.

Danilo Yavhushyshyn, a 21-year-old Ukrainian sumo wrestler, has made a remarkable ascent in Japan’s traditional sport, adopting the ring name Aonishiki Arata. Leaving Ukraine shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he has rapidly climbed the ranks, recently defeating Mongolian-born Hoshoryu, one of Japan’s two grand champions, or yokozuna. At a recent press conference, Aonishiki focused on his sumo journey, avoiding political discussions despite Ukraine’s ongoing conflict. He shared insights into his rigorous training, dietary habits, and efforts to master Japanese, a language he has quickly learned since arriving in Japan. Aonishiki, who hails from Vinnytsia in west-central Ukraine, discovered sumo at the age of six. While his family now resides safely in Germany, he expressed hope that his success in sumo could inspire his fellow Ukrainians. Aonishiki’s rise is part of a broader trend of non-Japanese wrestlers excelling in sumo, including Mongolians and Hawaiians. Another Ukrainian, Shishi Masaru, also ranks highly in the sport. Ukraine’s strong wrestling tradition, highlighted by Zhan Beleniuk’s gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has contributed to sumo’s popularity in the country. Aonishiki, who weighs 125 kilograms, aims to gain 10 kilograms to compete more effectively in a sport where many wrestlers exceed 150 kilograms. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his craft and expressed a desire to visit Ukraine, his homeland, when conditions permit. He also revealed his interest in obtaining Japanese citizenship in the future.