Latest news with #championship
Malay Mail
15 minutes ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
China Open: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai crash out in first round
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — The hopes of national mixed doubles pair of Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie of reaching the final of China Open Badminton Championship were dashed in the 2025 edition when they crashed out in the first round in Changzhou today. The world number six was shown the way out by Indonesian pair, Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu in 21-18, 22-24, 15-21 over an hour. This is Soon Huat-Shevon's second defeat to the same pair, apart from failing to retain their runner-up position in the tournament in the 2024 edition. Meanwhile, the national professional men's doubles, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, had to forget their desire to defend the championship title when they were shocked by a defeat to the world's 40th ranked pair from South Korea, Kang Min Hyuk-Kim Dong Ju 15-21, 21-15, 21-17 in 56 minutes. It was a double defeat for the world's third-ranked pair, who also failed to defend their Japan Open title when they lost in the final last Sunday. The country's number one men's doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, started the Super 1000 tournament campaign on the right foot when they defeated Danish pair, Rasmus Kjær-Frederik Søgaard 21-19, 21-15 in 41 minutes. Awaiting them in the second round are either French pair, Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov or Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander Lindeman of Canada. — Bernama
Japan Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Jonas Valanciunas sets record straight: he will play for Nuggets
Jonas Valanciunas appears to be all-in for his 14th NBA season. After initially balking about joining the Denver Nuggets, the 6-foot-11 Valanciunas said this week that he will play for the franchise. Denver acquired him from the Sacramento Kings earlier this month but the 33-year-old Lithuanian was more interested in playing overseas for Greek team Panathinaikos. "I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me," Valanciunas told BasketNews. "The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait. I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship." Valanciunas is entering the second season of a three-year, $30.3 million deal. The Nuggets acquired Valanciunas to give backup support to center Nikola Jokic, a three-time league MVP. Jokic averaged a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last season, his eighth straight campaign of averaging more than 30 minutes per outing. Valanciunas has played as a reserve just 89 times in his 937-game career and 60 of them came last season when he split the campaign between the Washington Wizards (49 games) and Kings (32). He averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds while averaging a career-low 18.8 minutes. Overall, Valanciunas has career averages of 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds while playing for the Toronto Raptors (2012-19), Memphis Grizzlies (2019-21), New Orleans Pelicans (2021-24), Wizards and Kings. He has a career field-goal percentage of 56%.
CBS News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. "More is required," the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. "You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else and they're going to see that and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building," Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet. The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. "Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us," right tackle Brian O'Neill said, "and we need to find a way to make that happen." As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. "We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first," O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. "It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to." The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. "Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth," Adofo-Mensah said.
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Dana White Announces 3 Huge UFC 320 Fights, Including 2 Title Bouts
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 17: UFC President and CEO Dana White hosts the UFC 318 press ... More conference at Smoothie King Center on July 17, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC) Tuesday, July 22 was one of those days for UFC CEO Dana White. The face of the biggest MMA organization in the world dropped one of those fight info bombs. White announced four enormous fights for October that could reconstruct the championship landscape in the UFC. Let's start with UFC 320, which is set for Las Vegas on October 4. There are three huge fights confirmed. In the main event, reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev will rematch former two-division champion Alex Pereira. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: Alex Pereira of Brazil ties up with Magomed Ankalaev of Russia in a ... More light heavyweight title fight during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) Ankalaev dethroned Pereira in a disputed decision at UFC 313 in March. The Brazilian gets a chance to win back his title before potentially making a move up to heavyweight. More on that division in a minute. The champion is riding an 12-fight win streak in the UFC. His only career loss came via submission in the final second of his UFC debut. The first fight with Pereira was razor-close, with Ankalaev using his grappling edge to edge out the win. In the co-main event of the Vegas card, reigning UFC men's bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will attempt to log his third successful title defense in the calendar year when he takes on Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili's strength of schedule has been unbelievable throughout his career. He's already arguably the best bantamweight in UFC history. But if he knocks off Sandhagen, he has to silence any critic that suggests he's not atop the mountain when it comes to 135-pounders. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 07: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia reacts after his submission victory ... More against Sean O'Malley in the UFC bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 316 event at Prudential Center on June 07, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Dvalishvili is on a 10-fight win streak with victories over Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and Sean O'Malley (twice). No one in bantamweight history has a better case for sustained excellence, especially when you consider the variety of styles he's dominated. A win over Sandhagen would make him a front runner for Fighter of the Year. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 06: Cory Sandhagen is seen on stage during a Q&A session prior to the UFC ... More 316 ceremonial weigh-in at Prudential Center on June 06, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Sandhagen is a longtime contender who has never had his opportunity to fight for the title. He's getting his opportunity on October 4, and it is coming on what's shaping up to be a massive card. Here is a look at White's announcement: As if that wasn't enough, White also announced Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Jiri Prochazka on the main card. That fight could easily be a co-main event of a pay-per-view. On this card, it'll probably be a step down. The winner could be in a position to challenge for the title at 205 pounds. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 09: Khalil Rountree Jr. reacts after his knockout against Anthony Smith ... More in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) If Pereira wins, he'll probably move up and vacate the title. If he loses, the winner of Rountree–Prochazka would have as strong of a case as anyone besides No. 3 Carlos Ulberg for the title. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic enters the octagon in the UFC ... More light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) That's a healthy day's worth of major UFC announcements, but there was one more. White also announced the main event for UFC 321 on October 20 in Abu Dhabi. Newly crowned undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will make his first title defense against Ciryl Gane. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Tom Aspinall of England reacts to defeating Sergei Pavlovich of ... More Russia by TKO in the interim UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) While this matchup doesn't jump out as a mouthwatering fight, it is good to see the heavyweight title back in the mix with some clarity around it and the champion. Aspinall is finally getting a chance to move on with his life and to prove he's a legit world champion. Gane has struggled to look world-class for years.
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Boxing Fight Card: Undercard
FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Claressa Shields reacts at the end of the tenth round against ... More Danielle Perkins during their undisputed heavyweight title bout on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Claressa Shields, the undefeated and undisputed women's heavyweight boxing champion, puts all of her titles on the line this weekend when she faces Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shields, a former undisputed champ at middleweight and light heavyweight, became the undisputed heavyweight titleholder earlier this year. Daniels is the current IBF light heavyweight champ and former IBF heavyweight titleholder. We look at the undercard for the Shields vs. Daniels boxing event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions and streams on DAZN. Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Full Fight Card Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Main Event Claressa Shields (16-0) vs. Lani Daniels (11-2-2): 10 rounds, for Shields' undisputed heavyweight championship Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Undercard (DAZN) Samantha Worthington (11-0-0) vs. Victoire Piteau (14-2-0): 10 rounds, for the vacant WBA women's junior welterweight interim title Caroline Veyre (9-1) vs. Licia Boudersa (24-3-2): 10 rounds, featherweight Pryce Taylor (8-0-0) vs. Robert Simms (12-4-1): Eight rounds, heavyweight Tony Harrison (29-4-1) vs. Edward Ulloa Diaz: 10 rounds, middleweight Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Undercard (YouTube) Leon Lawson III (17-1-0) vs. Ryan Wilczak (11-1-0): Eight rounds, middleweight Da'Velle Smith (12-0-0) vs. Martez McGregor (9-8-0): Eight rounds, super middleweight Cameran Pankey (11-1-0) vs. Dominique Griffin (6-9-2): Six rounds, featherweight Jaquan McElroy (2-0-0) vs. Joshua Flores (5-6-0): Four rounds, middleweight Kahmel Makled (2-0-0) vs. Devario Hauser (0-0-0): Four rounds, light heavyweight Sardius Simmons (1-0-0) vs. Demetrius Banks (13-16-2): Four rounds, heavyweight Samantha Worthington Vs. Victoire Piteau FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Vaida Masiokaite (L) and Samantha Worthington fight during the third ... More round of their women's super lightweight bout on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Samantha Worthington was the first female boxer signed by T-Rex Promotions, the company headed by Claressa Shields. That signing, which is a co-promotion with Salita Promotions, took place in June 2024. At the time, Worthington was 8-0 with six knockouts. "The super lightweight division of women's boxing is one of the most competitive,' said Dmitriy Salita at the time, 'and Samantha will be a great addition to make the division even more diverse and exciting. She will bring a strong U.S. presence and be a new face on the global stage of women's boxing.' Today, Worthington is 11-0 with seven KOs. She is coming off a unanimous decision win over Vaida Masiokaite on the undercard of Shields' February event. 'I feel so confident that I'm more than ready to make a statement at this level, and that statement will be made in the ring July 26, at Little Caesar's Arena,' Worthington said of Saturday's fight. 'The super lightweight division isn't ready for 'The Heat' and I'm about to show exactly why I belong at the top.' Victoire Piteau is riding a five-fight winning streak heading into Saturday's event. She is coming off a November 2024 unanimous decision win over Ioana Fecioru. 'My ambition is to conquer the most prestigious fights and win the most iconic titles in the world of boxing,' said Piteau. 'To get there, I will give everything—my strength, my courage, and my unwavering determination. I can't wait to fight in the United States against Samantha Worthington. From now on, I continue writing my story in the United States, ready to win with heart, fierce determination, and the utmost respect for this sport.' Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card How to Watch Or Stream: DAZN Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Streaming Cost: $29.99 per month $19.99 per month for a one-year subscription $224.99 for 12-months access (pay in full up front) DAZN is currently having a (limited time) 30 percent off sale on two of its offerings: $13.99 per month for a one-year subscription $157.49 for 12-months access (pay in full up front) Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels FLINT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 02: Claressa Shields arrives for her undisputed heavyweight title bout ... More against Danielle Perkins on February 02, 2025 at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by) Shields (16-0-0) is the most decorated women's boxer in history. A two-time Olympic gold medal winner, the 30-year-old from Flint Michigan, turned pro in November 2016. In her fourthpro fight, Shields earned the WBC and IBF super middleweight belts with a TKO win over Nikki Adler. Two fights after that, Shields won the vacant WBA and inaugural IBF middleweight titles with a decision victory over Hanna Gabriels. She added the WBC middleweight crown in November 2018 with a decision over Hannah Rankin. Then, in her ninth pro fight, Shields picked up the WBO middleweight belt with a 2019 decision over Christina Hammer. With that victory, Shields became the undisputed middleweight champ. In January 2020, Shields moved down to junior middleweight to face Ivana Habazin for the vacant WBC and WBO titles in that weight division. Shields won that contest via unanimous decision. Then, in March 2021, Shields became the undisputed junior middleweight champ when she defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire via unanimous decision. Shields then defended her middleweight titles three times between February 2022 and June 2023. In July 2024, Shields moved up in weight to face Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse. Shields won that fight by second-round TKO to become the WBC and WBF heavyweight champ. She was also named the WBO light heavyweight titleholder. In her most recent outing, Shields went 10 rounds with Danielle Perkins to become the undisputed heavyweight champ. ESPN has Shields ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in women's boxing. Daniels is the No. 1 ranked women's light heavyweight according to ESPN. The 37-year-old New Zealander turned pro in 2017. In her first attempt to win the WBO light heavyweight title, Daniels fell short, falling to Geovana Peres by decision in 2019. That matchup was a rematch of a 2018 scrap, which Peres won by split decision. Those losses remain the only blemishes on Daniels's record. In May 2023, Daniels earned the vacant IBF heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Alrie Meleisea. She has defended that belt once before dropping to light heavyweight, where she won the vacant IBF light heavyweight crown with a majority decision over Desley Robinson. Daniels defended her light heavyweight title in September 2024, beating Bolatito Oluwole by unanimous decision. Daniels has never fought outside of New Zealand. Claressa Shields Tags 3 Legends In Latest Callout Claressa Shields On Lani Daniels Fight DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 27: Claressa Shields poses for the crowd during her ring walk before her ... More WBC WBO lightweight championship fight at Little Caesars Arena on July 27, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by) 'I am so excited to be defending my Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena,' said Shields. 'My fights continue to get bigger and better. My opponent, Lani from New Zealand is coming to bring all the smoke, or so she says! This fight will be a sellout of 19,000 so get your tickets and be there to witness herstory on July 26 with the GWOAT.' Lani Daniels on Claressa Shields Fight 'To be the best you have to fight the best. I te pō pouri rawa, ka ara te marama, ā, ka kitea te pono,' said Daniels in her native Māori. 'On the darkest nights the full moon will rise and the truth will be revealed." We will have more on the Claressa Shields Vs. Lani Daniels as fight night nears.
