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IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Comrades Marathon winners Dijana, Steyn clinch third and fourth titles
Tete Dijana won his third Comrades Marathon title in the down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Tete Dijana won his third Comrades Marathon title while Gerda Steyn claimed her fourth title in the men's and women's races on Sunday. Dijana won the down run from Pietermaritzburg in the time of five hours, 25 minutes and 27 seconds in a tense finish in Durban. Steyn crossed the line in five hours, 51 minutes and 19 seconds. According to IOL Sport, there were some runners who went out to set the pace in the beginning of the race but they ran out of steam quickly and the real contenders then took over. Dijana moved into the lead with 16km left in the marathon. It came down to the final 8.5km of the down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, in which Dijana running at the front would outlast Wiersma. At that point, Dijana clung to a 44-second lead over Wiersma. With 4km left, the lead was 51 seconds. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Gerda Steyn clinched her fourth Comrades Marathon title on Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers In the women's race, Steyn was happy to let Elizabeth Mukoloma lead the way in the early stages of the race. Just over the two-hour, 20-minute mark, Mukoloma had opened up a major gap over Steyn as she went out at a blistering pace. Mukoloma's pace was so impressive that if she had kept it up she would have broken the down-run record. But by the 2h42 mark, Steyn caught Mukoloma and took the lead in emphatic style and opened up a significant gap on her competitors. THE MERCURY
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Down run dark horse: Givemore Mudzinganyama backed to shock Comrades field
Can Mudzinganyama upset the field? Zimbabwean Givemore Mudzinganyama has been tipped as the dark horse in Sunday's Comrades Marathon down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Photo: Phando Jikelo/Independent Newspapers Image: Phando Jikelo/Independent Newspapers Tough as predicting who would win the men's race of the Comrades Marathon is, a former winner of the Down Run believes Givemore Mudzinganyama has the potential to spring a shock. Shaun Meiklejohn acknowledges that title holder Tete Dijana and Piet Wiersma are the favourites, but he believes a surprise cannot be ruled out. "There are a lot of contenders," the 1995 champion told IOL Sport. "The Nedbank team has a bit of depth and I am sure Piet is hoping to make amends after that second-place finish from two years ago. He left his charge a little too late then and will believe he can win if he pounces in time. "Tete knows what it takes to win and he's also desperate to make amends for last year when he had a very poor run. On a good day, he's gonna be hard to beat — he seems to like the Down Run..." Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Meiklejohn, who is going for his 33rd race, has been impressed by Entsika Athletics Club star Mudzinganyama and expects him to do well. "Givemore is a Two Oceans winner and after finishing tenth last year in his first Comrades, he showed he has the talent. It's a good sign — he's got the taste of it, and he will start this one with confidence." While he admitted to not knowing the Zimbabwean that well, Meiklejohn believes Mudzinganyama is built for the Down Run. "Looking at his build from afar, he appears more of a downhill runner. I believe the Up Run tends to favour the shorter guys. If he has trained well, I think Givemore can spring a shock." While it is called the Down Run, Meiklejohn says the initial part of the race will leave the runners feeling they've been duped. "When you leave Maritzburg, you start doubting if it is the Down Run because you are climbing until a few kilometres after the halfway mark." The nine-time gold medalist says patience is key to winning Comrades. "The top runners who are patient — that will stand them in good stead. I don't think the novices will know how to be patient." Biding your time, he says, comes in handy after the 60km mark when the race essentially starts. "The thing with Comrades is that you are tired when you get to 60km, and then you have to start running down those very steep declines. Botha's Hill softens you up for Fields Hill, then you go to Pinetown before you reach Cowies. The one who survives the three jarring downhills has a good chance." Such is the tight competition for this year's race that Meiklejohn believes there will still be a handful of runners in contention after 45th Cutting. "They are so evenly matched in terms of running ability, it is going to be about the one who wants it the most. And even then, there are three or four who want it more." IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cristiano Ronaldo's next move: From Club World Cup contenders to shock African suitors
Where is Ronaldo going to end up? IOL Sport looks at Cristiano Ronaldo's possible destinations after the global football megastar announced his decision to part ways with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr. Photo: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via AFP Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via AFP Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Al Nassr. The global football icon announced on his social media channels on Monday that he was looking for a new challenge. "This chapter is over," Ronaldo Instagram with a photo of him in an Al Nassr shirt. "The story? Still being written. Grateful to all." With Ronaldo leaving Al Nassr, IOL Sport takes a look at potential destinations as the attention now focuses to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Most likely Al Hilal's name has been mentioned as a possible destination for Cristiano Ronaldo. Like Al Nassr, they're swimming in money, so his astronomical wages would not be a problem for them. Al Hilal are also based in Riyadh, so Ronaldo wouldn't have to deal with the whole schlep of having to move house. Importantly, Al Hilal are playing at this year's FIFA Club World Cup. Ronaldo signing for Al Hilal would also be FIFA's dream as it could set up a potential meeting with football's other global superstar Lionel Messi, who plays in the colours of Inter Miami in America's MLS. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In the mix Every football romantic would love to see Cristiano finishing his career at Sporting, where it all began for him. However, the club's modest bank account could prove a stumbling block. Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca have openly stated their interest in bringing Ronaldo to Africa. Earlier this week, the club signed former Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who said: "The president is very ambitious and is still working with some very big names. It is true that Cristiano is one of them." They now have a little over two weeks to find the cash to tempt Ronaldo to leave the sandy dunes of the Middle East for the sandy dunes of North Africa. Morocco's close proximity to Portugal could be a pull factor. Like Wydad Casablanca, Al Ahly have tried in the past to bring the megastar to Africa, but his huge wage demands have kept them at bay. Where fans want him to go Many football fans around the world would love to see him head over to Inter Miami to play alongside Lionel Messi. However, any deal to sign Ronaldo would probably see the club break the MLS' salary cap. But, with Inter Miami owner David Beckham one of the most powerful people in American football, anything can happen. Burnt bridges, but possible Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is a fan of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a fan of Amorim. He could be tempted to return to Old Trafford for a third time, but enough bridges have been burnt, especially with the Glazer family who still own the club. Amorim needs someone who can score goals, and despite being on the other side of 40, Ronaldo still has goals in him. But, the chances of Ronaldo returning to United are remote. He could also return to Real Madrid, where he remains a legend. But for that to happen, Florentino Perez would have to leave his role as the club's president.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket: End of an era for Indian cricket
END OF AN ERA India's captain Virat Kohli (3L) celebrates with India's Ishant Sharma (L) and teammates after the successful appeal for the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow on the fifth and final day of the second cricket Test match between England and India at Lord's cricket ground in London on August 16, 2021. Batting great Kohli announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, just days before India name their squad for a tour to England. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP "It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket," the 36-year-old Kohli posted on his official feed, which has 271 million followers. Since making his debut in 2011, Kohli struck 30 hundreds and 31 fifties with a highest score of 254 not out. Kohli, who scored 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, posted the decision on Instagram five days after India captain Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career. Batting great Virat Kohli announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket on Monday, just days before India name their squad for a tour to England. Virat Kohli's Test Captaincy Journey: A Legacy of Dedication and Triumph "Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life. "As I step away from this format, it's not easy -- but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for." An inspirational figure, Kohli was India's most successful Test captains with 40 wins and 17 defeats in 68 matches before stepping down from the role in 2022. The next best are Mahendra Singh Dhoni with 27 wins from 60 and Sourav Ganguly with 21 from 49. "I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude -- for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. "I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile." Kohli's lack of form in the five-day game may have been behind his decision to call it a day. After averaging close to 55 at his peak between 2011 and 2019, the figure dropped to 32.56 over the past 24 months. Kohli's last Test was in Sydney in January when India lost the match and with it the series 3-1 to Australia. Apart from an unbeaten century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth, Kohli managed just 90 runs from eight innings in the five-Test series. The 36-year-old Kohli was part of the "Fab Four" quartet of batting greats who dominated Test cricket over the past decade, alongside Steve Smith of Australia, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Joe Root of England. Nicknamed "King Kohli", he was India's batting backbone across three international formats and ended his Twenty20 career with a match-winning innings in his team's World Cup final victory in Barbados last year. Kohli then walked away from the shortest format along with Rohit. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kagiso Rabada is no bad boy; he's served his time
LESSON LEARNT Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play after SAIDS ruling, stating 'this moment will not define me' following recreational drug incident and that's exactly how the matter should be treated by the public writes IOL Sport's Michael Sherman. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix In fact, though most people remember Gibbs for this incident, other teammates Roger Telemachus, Paul Adams, Justin Kemp, and Andre Nel were also guilty of 'smoking grass' alongside the talented Proteas top order batsman. That, in my opinion, is far less serious. It reminded me of when Herschelle Gibbs was fined for smoking marijuana back in 2001 after beating hosts West Indies in a Test series. That turned out not to be the case, as the 29-year-old confirmed in his statement that it was a recreational drug. When Kagiso Rabada announced he had tested positive for a banned substance over the weekend, I was worried it was a performance-enhancing drug. Kagiso Rabada Cleared to Play After SAIDS Ruling: 'This Moment Will Not Define Me' Though I'm willing to be that was not the first or last time Gibbs was a naughty boy, I'd be willing to bet it could well be for Rabada. There's probably no greater athlete in South African cricket at the moment than Rabada, but he's still human and he made a big mistake. In a poll conducted on the IOL WhatsApp channel on Monday, 70% of people believed Rabada should face no further reprimand. It was also confirmed on Monday afternoon that Rabada had already been cleared to return to action for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS). The matter then, seems ready to be put to bed as Rabada himself said as much in his statement: 'Moving forward, this moment will not define me.' That, for me, shows that Rabada will have learnt from the incident, and he will never want to put playing the sport that he loves in jeopardy again. After he's hung up spikes, maybe then he can give Gibbs a call. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
