分类： sports

BIRMINGHAM – One of the most iconic records in European athletics was matched on Tuesday, as Greek long jump star Miltiadis Tentoglou claimed his fourth consecutive European long jump title, while Tokyo Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs saw his historic 100m three-peat bid derailed by a sudden injury at the championship event.

A two-time reigning Olympic gold medalist, Tentoglou entered the final as the favorite but faced relentless pressure from Swiss contender Simon Ehammer throughout the competition. Battling tricky, unpredictable wind conditions that disrupted the rhythm of most jumpers, the Greek star delivered a clutch performance on his fourth attempt, leaping 8.44 meters to secure the win.

With the victory, Tentoglou matched a long-standing record set by German great Heike Drechsler, who claimed four straight European women’s long jump titles between 1986 and 1998. Reflecting on the grueling competition after the win, Tentoglou called the final one of the most challenging of his entire career.

“This was one of the hardest finals I have ever done,” he told reporters. “I am good in all conditions but this wind was so hard on us long jumpers. Ehammer is a very strong guy and he was kind of OK with it. But for the other jumpers and me, it was incredibly difficult. I had to try so hard for this 8.44m jump. It is nothing for me usually but today it was so hard to do.”

Tentoglou added that the victory holds extra special weight after a tough competitive season, framing the win as a comeback starting point for future gold medal runs. “This is one of my most precious victories because it is also a complex season for me. This is the start of winning golds again,” he said.

Meanwhile, the evening brought disappointment for Italy’s Marcell Jacobs, the defending 100m champion who was heavily favored to clinch a third straight European title and match a historic record only previously achieved by Ukraine’s Valeriy Borzov and Britain’s Linford Christie.

The 31-year-old sprinter got off to a poor start in the final, and appeared to pull a muscle halfway through the race before slowing to a jog to cross the finish line, leaving the track with a visible limp. Speaking after the race, Jacobs confirmed he had felt discomfort in his adductor even before stepping into the starting blocks.

“I think my injury is serious because I felt something before the start when I tried the blocks. Something pulled on my adductor so I know it was serious,” he explained. “In the blocks I tried to push at the limit but at 50m I felt something pull seriously. Now I will try to understand how serious this is and we will see about the rest of the season. I cannot control everything and this is a part of the sport.”

With Jacobs out of contention, British sprinter Jeremiah Azu and Jamaican-born British athlete Zharnel Hughes Glave claimed the top two spots on the podium, with Glave taking gold in 10.09 seconds and Azu securing silver in 10.16 seconds. The win marked back-to-back British 100m titles, following Amy Hunt’s victory in the women’s event on Monday, which Glave described as “total domination” for the British sprint team.

In other championship action, Italy’s Nadia Battocletti continued her stellar medal streak by successfully defending her women’s 5000m title. The 25-year-old made her decisive move with 200 meters remaining in the race, pulling away from the pack to finish in 15:37.84. The win adds to Battocletti’s already impressive collection of accolades, which includes a 5000m/10000m double at the 2022 European Championships, two consecutive European cross-country titles, Olympic and world 10000m silver, and world indoor 3000m gold. Spain’s Marta García took silver, while Italy’s Micol Majori rounded out the podium in third.

The women’s 100m hurdles delivered a nail-biting finish, with Dutch star Nadine Visser edging out Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska by a fraction of a second to claim gold in 12.68 seconds, the result confirmed only after a photo finish. France’s Laetitia Bapte took bronze, beating out reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland.

In the men’s hammer throw, Hungary’s Bence Halasz, an Olympic silver medalist, broke Poland’s streak of dominance in the event to clinch his first major global gold medal with a world-leading throw of 84.25 meters. The win marks Halasz’s first major gold after seven previous close calls on the international stage. Germany’s Merlin Hummel took silver, while Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan secured bronze.

In a lopsided international rugby tour match played in wet, slippery conditions in Durban on Tuesday, New Zealand’s national men’s side the All Blacks secured a dominant 54-0 victory over the South African Sharks, but the talking point of the fixture centered on a heartfelt cultural gesture from a former All Blacks legend rather than the final scoreline.

Forty-four-year-old Ma’a Nonu, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand who joined the Sharks just last month in a player-mentor role, stepped forward to deliver a solo response haka after the All Blacks completed their traditional pre-match haka. In post-match comments to reporters, All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie revealed that his camp was fully aware of Nonu’s plan before kickoff, after the veteran center reached out directly to New Zealand’s defensive coach Tana Umaga to clarify the respectful, appropriate way to carry out his response.

Nonu’s unexpected appearance on the match day squad came amid a wave of call-ups to the South African Springboks national side and multiple injury crises for the Sharks, leading Sharks coach JP Pietersen to name the veteran as a substitute. Nonu entered the game off the bench in the 62nd minute, when the Sharks already trailed 35-0, and played nearly 20 minutes in the one-sided contest.

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, Nonu framed the gesture as a tribute to the team he spent nearly 100 caps playing for. “It was such a privilege and an honour, to do the Haka, showing my respect on behalf of my family to the team I love,” he said. “It was great to see the New Zealand boys. The All Blacks opened up in the last 30 minutes and I was chasing my tail. Credit to them, they are improving, and all the best to the brothers for the next game.”

Pietersen praised Nonu’s impact on the Sharks squad both on and off the pitch, noting that the veteran has become a key resource for young backs developing their game. “Ma’a has been good for the guys, especially the backs. He is a great addition off the field, helping the youngsters prepare, warm up and get their mindset right,” Pietersen said, adding that Nonu had felt nervous about performing the solo haka before the match.

Beyond the viral cultural moment, the result marked the second consecutive win for the All Blacks on their South African tour, which kicked off last Friday. The All Blacks crossed for eight tries total in the cold, wet conditions, with play slowed early on by a string of New Zealand penalties that allowed the Sharks to control possession for the opening stages of the match. Rennie commended his side’s second-half adjustment, which saw the team improve its discipline and use tactical kicking to open up space in the Sharks defense.

“Conditions made it challenging to shift a lot of ball, but it was a really solid defensive effort,” Rennie said. “The last 40 minutes were very positive. I thought we kicked really well, our kicks in the central area of the field found a lot of space. Our option taking was pretty good. We gave away a lot of early penalties, so we struggled to get our hands on the ball. In the second half we were a lot more clinical and kicked really well. The response after our chat at half-time was good to see, because every penalty we concede is a chance for the opposition to slow the game down.”
New Zealand inside centre Jordie Barrett, who earned man of the match honors after scoring one try and creating several more with pinpoint cross-field kicks, echoed Rennie’s assessment of the win. “It was a pretty greasy surface and there was lots of water underfoot. So we are pretty proud that we backed our skills and got ascendancy after a tight first half,” Barrett said. “We need to tidy up our discipline and we let the Sharks into our 22 in the first 10 minutes. So the second half was about minimising those entries.”

The future of star Canberra Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh at the club has been thrown deeper into uncertainty after coach Ricky Stuart made his dissatisfaction clear by dropping the forward from the team’s latest squad. The axing comes directly after a high-stakes clash against the Newcastle Knights, where a rash “brain explosion” from Horsburgh cost the Raiders any chance of qualifying for this season’s finals.

During the match, the fiery forward was sin-binned for slapping Knights winger Dane Gagai. The penalty that followed gifted Newcastle two easy points directly in front of the posts, ending Canberra’s slim hopes of sneaking into the semi-finals. Stuart did not hold back his criticism in his post-match press conference, and this week he followed through with disciplinary action by leaving Horsburgh out of the matchday squad. With Simi Sasagi sidelined by injury, Savelio Tamale has been recalled to the centres to fill the gap in the Raiders lineup.

The sudden demotion has fueled widespread speculation that Horsburgh will leave the Canberra club at the end of the current season. Following the Knights defeat, Stuart pulled no punches when addressing the incident. “It should have been 26-all, and there’s a brain explosion when we got a penalty,” Stuart told reporters. “It was a fucking brain explosion and (we) lost the opportunity. We lost the start of the season because we were self-entitled and undisciplined and we lost the opportunity to still then continue and try to make the semis. It wasn’t everybody’s fault. There are 16 other blokes there that made a massive effort. There’s one shit bloody decision that has cost us.”

Beyond the Raiders drama, the latest NRL team selections brought mixed injury and availability updates for some of the league’s biggest stars across the competition. For the Sydney Roosters, star fullback James Tedesco is set to return to the field this week after missing last round’s victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, a major boost for the club’s push up the ladder.

Penrith Panthers, currently fighting for the top spot on the ladder, have listed Dylan Edwards, who replaced Tedesco in the NSW State of Origin side this year, on their extended reserves bench. Edwards has missed the last two matches with a shoulder injury, and his potential return comes as Panthers lose starting lock Isaah Yeo to injury, forcing Lindsay Smith into the starting lineup. Liam Henry has been promoted to the front row, with Edwards set to replace Jaxen Edgar if he passes his final fitness clearance.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles faced a major setback despite widespread speculation that star fullback Tom Trbojevic would make his return from a hamstring injury for Friday’s must-win clash against the Dolphins. Trbojevic has remained sidelined with the ongoing hamstring issue, though the Sea Eagles did receive one positive injury update, with winger Clayton Faulalo set to make his return from his own hamstring problem.

South Sydney Rabbitohs have landed a huge boost ahead of their blockbuster clash against the Bulldogs, with star winger Campbell Graham returning to the matchday squad after recovering from a calf strain. The Rabbitohs will be without starting halfback Ashton Ward, however, who is out with a hamstring injury, opening the door for a rare starting spot for Jayden Sullivan. For the Bulldogs, the same injury has ruled out enforcer Sitili Tupouniua for an extended period on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, Cronulla Sharks will be without both Jesse Ramien (injury) and suspended prop Addin Fonua-Blake for their clash against Canberra, with Mawene Hiroti tapped to replace Ramien in the starting lineup. Brisbane Broncos will again be without halfback Adam Reynolds, who continues his recovery from a concussion, while the Dolphins have lost bench utility Kurt Donoghoe to a thumb injury. The Knights have received a major boost with key players Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland named as inclusions for their upcoming clash. For the Parramatta Eels, starting fullback Isaiah Iongi will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, replaced in the lineup by Apa Twidle.

A public spat has erupted between two Australian Football League (AFL) leaders across Bass Strait, after Geelong Cats chief executive Steve Hocking launched a playful but pointed jab at expansion club Tasmania Devils over the latter’s salary cap arrangements, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Devils head coach Ken Hinkley.

The conflict traces back to last week, when the Devils poached Nigel Lappin, Geelong’s highly regarded player development guru, away from the Victorian-based club. Hocking, who has already faced public scrutiny in recent days over the ongoing Jake Kolodjashnij concussion waiver controversy, faced questions about Lappin’s departure during an interview on Melbourne radio station K-Rock.

During the interview, Hocking framed Geelong as unable to compete to retain the respected development coach, throwing in a veiled dig at the expansion club’s soft salary cap rules. “I’m not sure there is any soft cap in Tassie, so good on him, it’s a great opportunity,” Hocking said.

Hinkley, a former Geelong player and colleague of Hocking’s, hit back at the claims during his own appearance on SEN Radio Tuesday, pushing back firmly against the insinuation that the Devils broke league rules to sign Lappin. “He can be sure of one thing that we have rules to abide by, so there’s nothing to worry about there, Steve,” Hinkley said.

The Devils coach did acknowledge that the AFL’s expansion framework grants the new franchise temporary concessions as it builds out its operations ahead of its entry into the elite competition in 2028. Hinkley confirmed that Tasmania does hold a “little leg-up in the short-term”, explaining that the league has put in place specific provisions to support the relocation of key staff over the next 18 months as the club gets off the ground. He added that every AFL club holds autonomy to allocate its soft cap spending to priorities that fit its unique needs, and for a start-up expansion side like the Devils, investing in high-quality player development is an obvious strategic priority.

Crucially, Hinkley rejected Hocking’s implicit suggestion that the Devils overpaid to land Lappin, noting that the entire AFL community already recognizes Lappin as one of the top development specialists in the competition. “That’s not to say that we’re certainly overpaying Nigel Lappin. It’s been acknowledged by the rest of the competition that Nigel is one of the absolute best in development,” Hinkley said. “So if you’re prioritising development, which we will be, it makes sense to invest in that area.”

The temporary soft cap concessions for Tasmania will expire in 2028, when the Devils join the AFL competition and their annual soft cap will be adjusted to match the same cap limit applied to every other existing club in the league.

After months of swirling transfer speculation, powerhouse NRL winger Brian To’o has formally put an end to rumors by signing a three-year contract with the PNG Chiefs, set to kick off in 2028. The news was officially confirmed earlier this week, marking one of the biggest high-profile player moves in recent rugby league off-season cycles. The four-time premiership winner kept his signature upbeat and playful demeanor as he walked past assembled media at Penrith Panthers’ headquarters this Tuesday, just hours after the transfer announcement broke.

Fellow Penrith winger Tom Jenkins has lavished unprecedented praise on his departing teammate, calling To’o the greatest winger to ever play the professional game. It is a bold claim, but one that is hard to refute when looking at To’o’s consistent on-field performance: he averages more than 180 running metres per match, and stands just one try away from hitting the career milestone of 100 tries.

“He’s the best ever,” Jenkins told reporters. “He’s insane. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it – he’s the best to ever do it, and I’m convinced he’ll hold that title for a long time to come. On and off the pitch, he’s such an incredible presence to have in the squad. He’s the kind of person you can always turn to and rely on, no matter what.”

To’o will remain with the Panthers for the 2027 season, fulfilling the final year of his current contract before making the move to PNG. His departure is just one of several key outgoing changes for Penrith this cycle: Liam Henry, Jack Cole and Scott Sorensen will all leave the club at the end of the 2026 season. Looking ahead to 2027, a number of other star Panthers players are out of contract, including club legends Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, with club management currently working aggressively to retain the core of their premiership-winning squad.

Despite the wave of departures, Jenkins emphasized that the Panthers’ renowned tight-knit team culture remains unshaken. “Once you’re part of this squad, you’re always part of the family, and everyone buys into that,” he explained. “Of course it’s hard when boys come forward and tell you they’re moving on. But it’s important to be transparent about future plans. That clarity helps everyone plan ahead, and it also shows that every player is focused on doing their job for the team right now, which is what matters most.

“It was obviously a shock. Naturally, you want everyone to stay together. But we don’t dwell on contract talk around the group. Every player has their own support network, and if anyone needs to talk, we’re all here for each other. At the end of the day, every decision is about what works best for the player and their family. We fully support Bizza and whatever choice he makes for his future.”

That sentiment was echoed by Liam Henry, the fellow Panther who will depart the club at the end of 2026 to join the Bears. Henry said he completely understands why To’o would jump at the opportunity with PNG after giving so many successful years to Penrith. “Of course, you want to keep every great player you love at the club,” Henry said. “But this is an incredible opportunity for Bizza and his family. We’re all so happy for them. One door closes, another opens, and he’s stepping through that new door. He still has this coming season and next to go, and I know he’ll make every minute count for the Panthers.”

The PNG Chiefs have already locked in several high-profile signings for their 2028 squad, and multiple Panthers players have argued that To’o’s signing will go down as the club’s most important recruit to date, given his proven track record of elite performance and leadership.

The Penrith Panthers’ 2024 NRL title ambitions have been thrown into question following a pectoral injury to co-captain and star forward Isaah Yeo sustained during last Friday’s clash against the New Zealand Warriors. But current teammate Tom Jenkins and club legend Royce Simmons are pushing back against widespread skepticism that the side cannot claim the premiership without their key leader on the field.

Yeo’s injury diagnosis has delivered a glimmer of hope for the Panthers: the star lock does not require emergency surgery, opening a narrow pathway for a potential return to the field ahead of the upcoming finals series. The forward is already prioritizing a non-surgical recovery to push for a comeback, with his work ethic and competitive drive drawing praise from club insiders.

Jenkins, Penrith’s prolific try-scoring winger, had a straightforward message for critics writing off the Panthers’ chances. “You’re silly if you’re saying that [we can’t win without Yeo],” Jenkins told reporters, adding that the entire squad is fully behind their co-captain’s recovery push. “I’m not too sure of the full extent of the injury, but we’re backing him all the way. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him soon. He’s in good spirits, and we’re here to support him every step of the way, no matter how long his recovery takes.”

Simmons, a Panthers hall of famer, went as far as to name Yeo the greatest forward in the club’s decorated history, saying the 28-year-old stands head and shoulders above any other forward to pull on the Penrith jersey in his lifetime. Even so, the club legend said he is confident the side can still claim the premiership if Yeo cannot make it back, and he put his own money on a last-minute comeback.

“If I was a betting man – and I am a betting man – I’d put a fiver on him to say that he plays another couple of games yet,” Simmons said. “He’s one tough customer who’s dedicated, and he’ll push this right to the limit. He’ll try everything he can before he commits to an operation, so I wouldn’t rule him out just yet.”

If Yeo is forced to sit out the remainder of the season, the Panthers are expected to turn to former Australian Kangaroos representative Lindsay Smith to fill the void at lock. Smith, who has spent most of the season starting at prop, has previously impressed when shifted into the lock position – including a man-of-the-match performance in Penrith’s Round 18 victory over South Sydney, widely cited as one of his best outings for the club.

Jenkins said Smith, who notched his 100th NRL game for the Panthers last week, is more than capable of stepping into Yeo’s role. Nicknamed “Larry” within the squad, Smith has drawn comparisons to Yeo for his playing style, with some teammates even labeling him “Yeo 2.0”, Jenkins explained. “He is such a quality player. He played his 100th game last week, but you could argue that he’s played a lot more with the way he carries himself on the field. I’m really excited for the opportunity he’s got ahead of him.”