On The Up: Blood Diamond on UFC exit, renewed reason for competing ahead of King in the Ring return
The disappointment was clear for the world to see as he awaited the decision at UFC 293 in Sydney; a decision that was going
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1News
2 days ago
- 1News
Team owner predicts SVG will make a deep run in NASCAR playoffs
Labelling statistics as 'kind of an American thing,' Shane van Gisbergen avoids dwelling on his record-setting rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series. 'It normally hits me on the plane ride home or at 4am after a few beers,' van Gisbergen said after conquering the Watkins Glen International road course in New York for his fourth victory this year. 'I try to reflect on it, but I also try and get to the next week pretty quick. I'll try not to tweet at 4am this morning.' If the laid-back Kiwi were into chest-pounding on social media, the list of heady accomplishments includes being the third driver with four consecutive Cup wins on road or street courses, joining 2020 champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. It also includes being the first rookie with four victories — breaking a tie with seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson and three-time champion Tony Stewart — and the largest margin of victory (11.116 seconds) in Watkins Glen history, and second largest this season behind his 16.567-second win at Mexico City that was the biggest gap from first to second since 2009. Shane van Gisbergen (88) is introduced before the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Watkins Glen (Source: Associated Press) ADVERTISEMENT The next achievement could be the loftiest yet for the driver from Auckland, who struggles massively on the ovals that comprise most of the season. Can van Gisbergen be a legitimate championship contender in Year 1? Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, who put his reputation on the line and convinced sponsors to risk millions on an audacious plan to make the Cup playoffs with an inexperienced and unheralded rookie, suggests a deep run awaits the No. 88 Chevrolet. 'Shane just continues to go showcase why we've made a long-term commitment to him, why we brought him over here from New Zealand and built this team around him,' said Marks, who signed van Gisbergen to a multiyear extension last week. 'Because in a sport like this where winning is so important and so hard to do, if you can catch some lightning in a bottle like we've got with SVG, you've got to really lean into it. That's what we've done. It's like seeing a plan come together.' Shane van Gisbergen (88) drives during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Watkins Glen (Source: Associated Press) The plan now has a path to the doorstep of a Cup title. The first round of 16 drivers is contested on three ovals, but van Gisbergen has a sizeable 22-point cushion (victories are worth five points apiece for the playoffs) to overcome a 26.9 average finish on ovals. ADVERTISEMENT Pared down to 12 drivers, the second round features a road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A win there would catapult a driver into the third round, where eight drivers will square off for four berths in the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including poll numbers paint grim picture for leaders, Trump sending the National Guard into Washington, and where have all the coaches gone? (Source: 1News) 'He's in a really good position,' Marks said. 'I think we have a real opportunity to get to the Round of 8.' The playoffs open at tricky Darlington Raceway, whose odd shape is among the most difficult layouts in NASCAR, but van Gisbergen is more concerned about the first-round cutoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He finished 38th in his April 13 debut on the Tennessee short track. 'I ran terrible there,' said van Gisbergen, who finished 20th a week earlier at Darlington. 'Bristol was so far from anything I've ever done, and that's a really tough place. That's probably the biggest worry. Darlington, I feel fine, especially now that we have a lot of points. You've just got to have three solid weeks, and you might get through. We just have to play the averages, make no mistakes and make sure we're in a good spot every week.'
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Tall Blacks heading to Asia Cup quarters
Flynn Cameron. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES The Tall Blacks thumped Chinese Taipei 118-78 to finish top of group D at the Fiba Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia yesterday. It secures an automatic place in the quarterfinals and a four-day break to recharge. Flynn Cameron powered the Tall Blacks with 28 points — a record for a New Zealander at the Asia Cup — as well as nine rebounds and eight assists. Mojave King continued his solid form with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and Taylor Britt added 14 points. It was just 19-18 at the end of the first quarter but the Tall Blacks clicked into gear and led 49-35 at halftime and 84-59 at the three-quarter mark. The Tall Blacks shot 54.7% from the field (41/75) and 44.1% from deep (15/34), and destroyed Chinese Taipei on the glass, claiming a 61-22 rebound advantage. They claimed a staggering 19 offensive rebounds, five to King alone. The Hinton brothers, Robert and Adam, led Chinese Taipei with a combined 40 points and six triples. — The New Zealand Breakers have completed their roster by signing 2.08m American forward Rob Baker as the team's final import player. Baker has played professionally in the Slovak Basketball League, Japan's B League, and the NBA G League. He most recently played for German EuroLeague Club ALBA Berlin, and made the Indiana Pacers roster for the 2025 NBA Summer League, where he scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Breakers president Dillon Boucher said Baker, who went to Harvard University, was a versatile forward who would bring a strong presence to the team. "His experience and talent will be a huge asset to our squad," Boucher said. "His recent performances have shown he is a dynamic player, and we believe he will be an excellent fit for our team culture." Baker joins fellow imports Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Izaiah Brockington. He will join the team after competing for the United States in the Fiba AmeriCup in Nicaragua later this month. — Allied Media/RNZ
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Hoiho boss confident about future
Southern Hoiho general manager Angela Ruske has plenty of optimism about where the franchise can head this season. Earlier this year, Sports Entertainment Group announced it was handing back its playing licence for the Hoiho and the Otago Nuggets, who wrapped up their NBL season last month. SEN and the New Zealand National Basketball League confirmed in June both teams would be handed over to a local ownership group. Ruske expected the licensing handover to be official in the next couple of weeks and the new ownership group was awaiting confirmation before making any official Hoiho signing announcements. "We're wanting to, I guess, go full steam ahead once we get that over the line," Ruske said. "We're really happy about the local ownership and what it will bring to the team." Things appear to be tracking well in the background and after a period of uncertainty about the future of the Hoiho, Ruske was rapt to still have women's basketball front and centre in Otago. "It's incredibly exciting. "Obviously the ownership group are really passionate. Having that ... connection with the community also really changes things. "There's a real sense of the community involvement. "It's the most excited I've been about being part of both the women's, and men's, teams since we've been in the league, so it's going to be an exciting next few years." The Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league, getting under way next month, is starting slightly earlier this season. The Southern Hoiho, who finished 3-9 in 2024, play the opening game against the Mainland Pouākai in Christchurch on September 26. They are on the road for the opening three games before playing their first home game at the Edgar Centre against the Tokomanawa Queens on October 11. The Hoiho will host all six of their home games in Dunedin, the same as last year. The Mainland Pouākai have made the big splash, signing premiership-winning coach Alex Stojkovic from the Whai. Whai players Morgan Yaeger and Mckenna Dale are also signing with the Pouākai. Americans Leilani Correa and Taylor Mikesell, who were both drafted by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA before being waived, and Australian 3x3 Commonwealth Games medallist Marena Whittle have signed as well. The Whai, who won their inaugural title last year, will be coached by Tane Bennett. American Mikayla Cowling and Jade Kirisome have re-signed and Tall Fern Emme Shearer joins. The league playoffs are scheduled for early December. On December 6-7, the No 1 seeds will play the No 4 seeds in one semifinal and, in the other, No 2 meets No 3 The final will be played on December 14 at the home of the highest-ranked team. Tauihi league Southern Hoiho draw • Mainland Pouākai, Christchurch, Sept 26 • Tauranga Whai, Tauranga, Oct 3 • Northern Kāhu, Auckland, Oct 5 • Tokomanawa Queens, Dunedin, Oct 11 • Northern Kāhu, Dunedin, Oct 19 • Tokomanawa Queens, Porirua, Oct 26 • Mainland Pouākai, Dunedin, Oct 31 • Tauranga Whai, Dunedin, Nov 7 • Northern Kāhu, Auckland, Nov 9 • Tokomanawa Queens, Dunedin, Nov 16 • Mainland Pouākai, Dunedin, Nov 20 • Tauranga Whai, Tauranga, Nov 29
