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Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Kenyan Chebet smashes women's 5,000 metres world record
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Kenya's Beatrice Chebet smashed the women's 5,000 metres world record with a time of 13 minutes 58.06 seconds at the Eugene Diamond League meet on Saturday, eclipsing the previous record set at the same venue in 2023. Olympic champion Chebet bettered the time set by Gudaf Tsegay by over two seconds, the Ethiopian's 14:00.21 obliterated when the Kenyan left Tsegay for dead with 200 metres to go as she sprinted for the line. Chebet looked in shock when she saw the time, adding to her world 10,000 metres record set in Eugene last year, but she had been threatening the record, running 14:03.69 in Rome last month. Tsegay, along with Kenyan Agnes Jebet Ngetich, kept pace with Chebet for almost the entire race, but had no answer when Chebet kicked for home, and Jebet Ngetich finished second in 14:01.29, the third fastest time ever. The 50th Prefontaine Classic promised fireworks, although Sweden's Mondo Duplantis failed in his bid to break his own world pole vault record for a 13th time. Duplantis, who recorded his best jump of 6.28 metres in Stockholm in June, faced little competition, with nobody left at 5.90, and after clearing six metres he attempted 6.29 but was unsuccessful in all three attempts. The women's 100m hurdles featured world record holder Tobi Amusan and Olympic champion Masai Russell, but Jamaica's Ackera Nugent came out on top, ahead of Amusan, with former world record holder Kendra Harrison third. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Asean needs 'bolder reforms' to attract investments in more fragmented global economy: PM Wong Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore CPF's central philosophy of self-reliance remains as pertinent as ever: SM Lee Singapore Credit reports among personal data of 190,000 breached, put for sale on Dark Web; IT vendor fined Asia Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted Singapore Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership; party launches 'renewal plan' Sport Liverpool will move on after Jota's tragic death, but he will never be forgotten Singapore Rock climbing fan suddenly could not jump, get up from squats "I knew that with the ladies I would be lined up with that I have to be at my A-game," Nugent said. "So, I came out here today and followed the instructions of my coach and I executed." REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Young & Savvy: Having a savings plan can help you cross life's milestones easier
Saving up for big expenses can be tiring, but it's also satisfying to see her efforts come to fruition, says the writer. SINGAPORE – Although we had budgeted about $60,000 for our home renovation, speaking to various contractors made my husband and I realise that our budget would quickly rise to $80,000. The factors that drove up our renovation costs include soundproofing the master bedroom, as my husband is sensitive to loud noises, and installing window grilles that are safe for cats that we plan to adopt. The biggest expenses for most people often occur shortly after they enter the workforce. This is especially so for young couples who are starting their lives together. In the Singapore context, we all know too well that when this major life milestone takes place, many young couples end up spending the bulk of their savings on their new homes, renovation costs and, yes, wedding expenses. As someone who has been in the workforce and earning a full-time salary for not more than five years, I was initially very worried about how I would afford all these things. Over the past year, my husband and I came up with a plan to work towards paying for these milestones. Firstly, we set aside a fixed amount of about $2,500 every month for upcoming expenses, and this sum goes into the joint bank account that we opened to save for big expenses. Some people might prefer saving what's left of their salary at the end of the month, but I've found that saving at the start of the month works better for me. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Asean needs 'bolder reforms' to attract investments in more fragmented global economy: PM Wong Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore CPF's central philosophy of self-reliance remains as pertinent as ever: SM Lee Singapore Credit reports among personal data of 190,000 breached, put for sale on Dark Web; IT vendor fined Asia Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted Singapore Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership; party launches 'renewal plan' Sport Liverpool will move on after Jota's tragic death, but he will never be forgotten Singapore Rock climbing fan suddenly could not jump, get up from squats Each month, my husband and I also discuss our investments, CPF contributions and bank balances. These numbers are all laid out neatly in an Excel spreadsheet, thanks to my partner, who loves planning and organisation. The spreadsheet shows us how much we have as a couple. While such sessions do not have to be monthly, scheduling a 'finance date' now and then is a good way for couples to keep their savings and investments on track. It is prudent to look ahead because there is nothing worse than being hit with an unexpected increase in essential expenses that you have no money to pay for. A case in point is the possible 30 per cent jump in our home renovation costs. My first reaction to big upcoming expenses used to be: 'How can I possibly afford that?' By laying out my finances clearly – seeing all the numbers in black and white – I now have more confidence in planning so that I can meet my financial milestones. During our monthly session, we also talk about our upcoming milestones and decide the budget for each one. This allows us to start saving for each milestone early and even leave some room for us to revise the budget, such as by reducing non-essential spending if necessary. Understanding your priorities can also help you save some money – it's not financially possible to have the best of everything and it's about making the best use of what we have. So singling out what's most important to you can ensure that your hard-earned money is spent on things that matter to you. For example, we decided that being able to house our cats safely and having a quiet master bedroom to sleep in every night would be more important than having fancy tiling for our home. As we plan to live in our first home for many years, it makes more sense to ensure that we spend a bit more on quality fixtures that will last longer. I also set aside money for our emergency fund every month, which has about three to six months' worth of our average monthly expenses. This is in case of job losses or sudden spikes in medical expenses. Let me share a useful shopping tip which I have personally found to be very effective in not only helping me save more every month, but also makes it less painful to cut down on expenses. It starts with changing your mindset when it comes to spending on things that you probably like but are not crucial to your day-to-day use. So before I make the decision to buy, I tell myself that I will delay the purchase by one week and see if I still want the item then. Just by going through this mental exercise, I have successfully resisted many non-essential purchases. Indeed, I have found it more fulfilling that I have succeeded in saving more each month, simply by not giving in to impulse shopping. I've also dialled back on agreeing to too many overseas trips with friends, as even short weekend getaways can quickly add to expenses. While it's important to save up for life's big milestones, I've made it a point not to compromise on the enjoyment part of life. After all, what's life without bubble tea a couple of times a week and spending money on things that make me happy, like cute K-pop merchandise. Saving up for big expenses can be tiring, but it's also satisfying to see my efforts come to fruition – being able to afford what is truly important to me. I hope my future cats will enjoy their new home as much as we do.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Krejcikova rues bad luck after running out of gas in Wimbledon loss
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 5, 2025 Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova reacts during her third round match against Emma Navarro of the U.S. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq LONDON - Barbora Krejcikova's run to the Wimbledon third round reminded her how it felt to compete on the biggest stage without being hampered by injuries but in a cruel twist of fate her body let her down and her title defence ended on Saturday. The 29-year-old Czech was knocked out when she was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-4 by American 10th seed Emma Navarro in a disjointed display where she led by a set and a break but ended up drained in the final set and needing treatment from the doctor. Tears flowed as she served to stay in the match at 5-3 and she fought on with a hold but the end came swiftly, continuing a frustrating season in which she has been battling a niggling back injury. "I was enjoying every match that I played here. I was enjoying being on court, being able to play, being pain-free, having some good moments, having some tough situations but overcoming them, enjoying the atmosphere," Krejcikova said. "I was also really enjoying the position that I was in. Unfortunately, it ended up this way, which is very unfortunate and really sad and disappointing for me." Krejcikova said that American Navarro was ultimately fitter than her and had more energy when it mattered to take control of the match. "First of all, I thought that it was the food, that I ate too early. That's why I started with all the bananas and all the sugars and stuff inside," Krejcikova said as she looked to pinpoint the reason for her on-court issues. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Asean needs 'bolder reforms' to attract investments in more fragmented global economy: PM Wong Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore CPF's central philosophy of self-reliance remains as pertinent as ever: SM Lee Singapore Credit reports among personal data of 190,000 breached, put for sale on Dark Web; IT vendor fined Asia Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted Singapore Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership; party launches 'renewal plan' Sport Liverpool will move on after Jota's tragic death, but he will never be forgotten Singapore Rock climbing fan suddenly could not jump, get up from squats "But I wasn't really feeling better, I was actually feeling worse and worse with time on court. It's very sad for me, very unfortunate." Krejcikova said she would now focus on the North American hardcourt swing with tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati ahead of the U.S. Open in August. "I don't know if I'll play something in between," said the world number 16. "I'm going to drop on the rankings, so I think I will need to play more tournaments to gain some points and to come back." REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Sabalenka and Alcaraz face seeds for first time at this year's Wimbledon
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Jul 4, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Aryna Sabalenka reacts to a point during her match against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain on day five at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images/File Photo LONDON - World number one Aryna Sabalenka continues her quest for a first Wimbledon title when she takes on Elise Mertens, while two-times defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Andrey Rublev when the fourth round begins on Sunday. TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: ARYNA SABALENKA V ELISE MERTENS After battling past Briton Emma Raducanu, Sabalenka comes up against a seeded player, who are thin on the ground following a brutal cull over the opening few days, when she meets Belgian 24th seed Mertens. After coming through a real battle against Raducanu, Sabalenka was not getting carried away about her chances even though she has yet to drop a set. "As my experience shows, it doesn't matter," Sabalenka said. "This win doesn't mean that I'm going to win the tournament. It doesn't mean anything. It's just a great match. "That's why I love sport. It's all about challenging yourself. When you go through tough challenges and you get the win, it's the best feeling." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Asean needs 'bolder reforms' to attract investments in more fragmented global economy: PM Wong Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore CPF's central philosophy of self-reliance remains as pertinent as ever: SM Lee Singapore Credit reports among personal data of 190,000 breached, put for sale on Dark Web; IT vendor fined Asia Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted Singapore Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership; party launches 'renewal plan' Sport Liverpool will move on after Jota's tragic death, but he will never be forgotten Singapore Rock climbing fan suddenly could not jump, get up from squats Mertens will need to snap a nine-match losing run against Sabalenka in order to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. TOP MEN'S MATCH: ANDREY RUBLEV V CARLOS ALCARAZ Alcaraz also meets a seeded player for the first time in what looks set to be a tough test against Rublev who has grown in confidence as his run continues, having begun with low expectations. "Before I start to play Wimbledon, I was making fun to my team, like I don't know what I'm going to do, if we're going to lose first round then we go home or not," Rublev said. "I'm playing good. I'm hitting the ball well. I start to feel that the level is there, and it's just a matter of time in terms of results." Alcaraz holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over the Russian 14th seed, but this will be their first meeting on grass. "It's going to be a really interesting one, to be honest, in the fourth round facing Rublev. I think it's going to be a really big challenge," Alcaraz said. "He's a really powerful player. I think he plays really well on grass because he always loves to be aggressive." LUCKY LOSER SIERRA FACES VETERAN SIEGEMUND Argentina Solana Sierra is the only lucky loser to make it to the women's fourth round and the 21-year-old comes up against the oldest female player left in the competition, Germany's 37-year-old Laura Siegemund. Siegemund, who made her Wimbledon main draw debut 10 years ago, had never previously made it past the second round, and her opponent is in the main draw for the first time. "I think we're both in the position that we didn't expect to go that far," Siegemund said. "We had both many matches. Obviously she's also a really good upcoming, young player, and I've seen her before." WIMBLEDON ORDER OF PLAY ON SUNDAY (prefix number denotes seeding) CENTRE COURT (play begins at 1230 GMT) Sonay Kartal (Britain) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v 24-Elise Mertens (Belgium) 14-Andrey Rublev (Russia) v 2-Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) COURT NUMBER ONE (play begins at 1200 GMT) 5-Taylor Fritz (U.S.) v Jordan Thompson (Australia) Nicolas Jarry (Chile) v Cameron Norrie (Britain) 30-Linda Noskova (Czech Republic) v 13-Amanda Anisimova (U.S.) COURT NUMBER TWO (play begins at 1000 GMT) 17-Karen Khachanov (Russia) v Kamil Majchrzak (Poland) Solana Sierra (Argentina) v Laura Siegemund (Germany) REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Former champion Elena Rybakina crashes out of Wimbledon
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her third round match against Denmark's Clara Tauson. LONDON – Former champion Elena Rybakina became the latest star to suffer a shock Wimbledon exit, losing to Denmark's Clara Tauson 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 on July 5. Rybakina, the Kazakh 11th seed, won her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 and had reached the semi-finals last season. But the 26-year-old's hopes of another strong run were ended by 23rd-seeded Tauson in a third-round tie on Court Two. 'Before this grass season started, I had never won a match on grass. I'm super happy and proud of the way I played today,' said Tauson. 'Me and my coach, who's also my boyfriend... We worked so hard the whole year and the end of last year. Every one of my friends and people who came to support have been amazing. I've worked so hard towards this. I'm super pleased.' Rybakina, who reached the Australian Open final in 2023, joins a long list of high seeds to crash out of the women's tournament. Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen and Madison Keys all suffered upsets earlier in the week. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Asean needs 'bolder reforms' to attract investments in more fragmented global economy: PM Wong Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore CPF's central philosophy of self-reliance remains as pertinent as ever: SM Lee Asia Dalai Lama hopes to live beyond 130 years, much longer than predicted Sport Liverpool will move on after Jota's tragic death, but he will never be forgotten Singapore Tan Cheng Bock, Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership; party launches 'renewal plan' Singapore Rock climbing fan suddenly could not jump, get up from squats Life Japanese food in Singapore under $20: 5 hawker stalls serving restaurant-quality sashimi and donburi World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is the last of the top six seeds still standing at the All England Club. Rybakina's defeat continues a disappointing year for the former world No. 3, who has failed to make it past the last 16 at the three Grand Slams. Tauson is through to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time, and the first time since last year's French Open. The 22-year-old, a former junior world No. 1 whose promising career has been hampered by injuries, had lost in the first round on her three previous main draw appearances at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, seventh seed Mirra Andreeva outclassed American Hailey Baptiste 6-1, 6-3 under the Court One roof to equal her best Wimbledon run by reaching the last 16. In a first week littered with fallen seeds, 18-year-old Andreeva has made reaching the business end of the tournament look like a breeze and is yet to drop a set. 'Honestly, today I was so focused today,' she said. 'I knew it would be tough because she creates a lot of different stuff on the court and has a rocket of a forehand. With every match I play I feel my level is rising.' In the men's draw, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner eased through his third-round clash against Spain's Pedro Martinez 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. The Italian, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is seeking his first Wimbledon title. On July 4, his main rival Carlos Alcaraz made hard work of beating Jan-Lennard Struff to reach the last 16. The Spanish second seed eventually overcame German world No. 125 Struff 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to stay on track for a third straight Wimbledon crown. But he will have to cut out his errors if he is to become just the fifth man in the Open era to perform that feat. Alcaraz, watched by former England captain Gary Lineker and former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, made 28 unforced errors in an inconsistent display on Centre Court. But he conjured enough moments of magic to eventually subdue Struff and book his place in the fourth round, where he will meet Russia's Andrey Rublev on July 6. Off the court, scorching temperatures at this year's Wimbledon have led to a spike in hat sales while the tournament's famous towels are top of players' shopping lists. The grass-court Grand Slam, often known for its soggy conditions, began in roasting weather and the sun has mostly shone ever since. Dan Ashmore, head of retail, merchandise and licensing, said baseball caps were flying off the shelves, with more than 45,000 sold so far compared with 75,000 over the whole two weeks last year. Baseball caps are priced at £35, with Panama hats (£120) and raffia hats (£70) also selling well. 'Days one and two this year were a scorcher,' said Ashmore. 'Baseball caps were selling very, very quickly. We're about 25 per cent further ahead on baseball cap volume than we were at this time last year.' Players are also keen to stock up on Wimbledon merchandise and towels are top of their list. 'We had 175 players come through the Number One Court shop across the pre-championships weekend, and they are buying a cross-section of products,' added Ashmore. 'The towels are our No. 1 bestseller, and they are with the players as well.' AFP, REUTERS
