Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem soars into Paris Olympics final round with 86.59m javelin throw

Breaking News Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem soars into Paris Olympics final round with 86.59m javelin throw
Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan,competes during the men's javelin throw qualification at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France, on August 6, 2024. (REUTERS)
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Updated 06 August 2024
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Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem soars into Paris Olympics final round with 86.59m javelin throw

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem soars into Paris Olympics final round with 86.59m javelin throw
  • India’s Neeraj Chopra, Grenada’s Anderson Peters recorded throws of 89.34 and 88.63 meters respectively
  • Nadeem, a nine-time international medalist, is Pakistan’s best shot at a medal in Paris Olympics

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem qualified for the final round of the Paris Olympics 2024 men’s javelin throw contest on Tuesday, sending the light spear at an impressive distance of 86.59 meters to achieve the feat.

India’s Neeraj Chopra secured the top spot from Group B in the qualifying round, throwing the javelin a distance of 89.34 meters. He was followed by Grenadian athlete Anderson Peters, who scored a throw of 88.63 meters. 

“Arshad Nadeem has qualified for the final round with a throw of 86.59 meters,” Multan Sultans, a cricket franchise sponsoring Nadeem at the Paris Olympics, wrote on social media platform X. 

“Congratulations Arshad Nadeem!“

Athletes were required to achieve the qualifying mark of 84.00 meters to make it into the final round, which will take place on Thursday. 

Nadeem, a nine-time international medalist and four-time gold medalist who came fifth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is Pakistan’s best shot at a medal in the ongoing competition. The Pakistani star athlete won silver at the World Championships last year and gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 with a massive 90.18m distance throw.

The last time Pakistan won a medal at the Olympics was in 1992 in Barcelona, when it secured bronze in field hockey.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Julian Weber topped Group A with a throw of 87.76 meters, followed by Kenya’s Julius Yego from the same group who threw the javelin at a distance of 85.97 meters. Czech athlete Jakub Vadlejch recorded an impressive throw at 85.63 meters while Finland’s Toni Keranin threw the light spear at 85.27 meters.

Nadeem, who comes from humble beginnings from Khanewal city in Pakistan, is one of nine children of a daily wage laborer who showed great versatility as an athlete from a young age while dabbling in all kinds of sports at school.

Though the family lacked financial means to encourage Nadeem’s enthusiasm for sports, his spirit earned him the support he needed, with his elder brothers working to help him build a career in sports, the family told Arab News in an interview in 2021.


Arsenal, Man City qualify for Women’s Champions League group stage

Arsenal, Man City qualify for Women’s Champions League group stage
Updated 27 September 2024
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Arsenal, Man City qualify for Women’s Champions League group stage

Arsenal, Man City qualify for Women’s Champions League group stage
  • Real Madrid won 3-1 at home to Sporting Lisbon, with a brace either side of halftime by Sandie Toletti and a goal in second-half stoppage time from Alba Redondo
  • Last season’s semifinalists Paris Saint-Germain failed to overturn their first-leg deficit against Juventus as they lost 2-1 at home to the Italians on the night, and 5-2 on aggregate

PARIS: Arsenal and Manchester City both recorded handsome home wins in the second leg of round two qualifying of the Women’s Champions League on Thursday to book their places in the draw for the group stage.

Arsenal welcomed Hacken to Borehamwood trailing 1-0 after suffering defeat on the road to the Swedes last Wednesday.

But strikes by Lia Waelti and new signing Mariona Caldentey inside 40 minutes gave Jonas Eidevall’s side the lead prior to the break.

Beth Mead and Frida Maanum then put the tie beyond Hacken’s reach as Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners.

Manchester City went into their home leg with a comfortable 5-0 advantage after a dominant first-leg display in Paris last week.

A goal after two minutes by England striker Chloe Kelly effectively put an end to any hopes of an unlikely Paris FC comeback, before Khadija Shaw scored just after the half-hour and hour marks to seal a 3-0 win.

“I feel we can go a long way,” said City manager Gareth Taylor.

“I never would say we are going to win it. Getting out of the group stage is going to be our next objective.”

Real Madrid won 3-1 at home to Sporting Lisbon, with a brace either side of halftime by Sandie Toletti and a goal in second-half stoppage time from Alba Redondo easing the Spaniards to a three-goal winning margin over both legs.

Last season’s semifinalists Paris Saint-Germain failed to overturn their first-leg deficit against Juventus as they lost 2-1 at home to the Italians on the night, and 5-2 on aggregate.

Roma emerged 10-3 aggregate winners as they overpowered Swiss side Servette Chenois 7-2 in the return fixture in Geneva.

Dutch club Twente romped into the group stage as they scored four goals in both ties against Croatia’s Osijek on their way to an aggregate win of 8-1.

St. Polten of Austria won 5-0 in Slovenia against Mura to complete an impressive 8-0 aggregate win.

Celtic won 2-0 against visitors Vorskla of Ukraine to go through 3-0 on aggregate.

On Wednesday, two-time champions Wolfsburg, Norwegians Valerenga, Sweden’s Hammarby and Galatasaray sealed their places in the tournament proper.

Lyon, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and holders Barcelona all automatically qualified for the group stage of the Women’s Champions League.

Now that all 16 group-stage spots have been decided, the draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday.


Tottenham overcome early red card to post 3-0 win in revamped Europa League

Tottenham overcome early red card to post 3-0 win in revamped Europa League
Updated 27 September 2024
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Tottenham overcome early red card to post 3-0 win in revamped Europa League

Tottenham overcome early red card to post 3-0 win in revamped Europa League
  • Ange Postecoglou: The red card was not ideal, we started really sloppily but the reaction afterwards was good
  • Roma allowed a late goal and settled for a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao following the Italian club’s turbulent recent stretch

Tottenham marked their return to European competition after one-year absence by overcoming an early red card to beat Qarabag 3-0 in the revamped Europa League on Thursday.

Defender Radu Dragusin was sent off in the eighth minute for bringing down Juninho to prevent the forward from going in alone on goal. But the hosts opened the scoring just four minutes later.

Brennan Johnson’s angled shot was his third goal in three games. Pape Sarr doubled the advantage early in the second half off a corner kick and Dominic Solanke finished it off on a rebound in the 68th.

“The red card was not ideal, we started really sloppily but the reaction afterwards was good,” Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou told TNT Sports. “We wanted to press high, even with ten men.”

Johnson also scored in a 3-1 win over Brentford in the Premier League and had a stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory over second-division Coventry the English League Cup three days earlier.

Tural Bayramov wasted a golden opportunity to score from the spot when the Azerbaijan visitors were 2-0 down.

Travel disruptions forced the game to start 35 minutes late.

Roma blow lead

Roma allowed a late goal and settled for a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao following the Italian club’s turbulent recent stretch that included firing coach Daniele De Rossi.

Aitor Paredes headed in the equalizer in the 85th minute to offset Artem Dovbyk’s first-half goal.

Roma beat Udinese 3-0 in Serie A on Sunday in the first game under new coach Ivan Jurić.

Bilbao winger Nico Williams came on as a substitute for last 30 minutes in his return from an ankle injury.

Ajax clean up

Mika Godts had two goals, Kian Fitz-Jim and Kenneth Taylor added one each for Ajax in a 4-0 rout of Besiktas.

Czech side Viktoria Plzeň scored two late goals from Prince Adu and Vaclav Jemelka to hold high-flying Eintracht Frankfurt to a 3-3 away draw.

Frankfurt, the 2022 Europa League winner led 3-1 on goals from Hugo Ekitike, substitute Junior Dina Ebimbe and defender Rasmus Kristensen.

Olympiacos, last year’s Conference League champion, started with a 2-0 loss to Lyon in France on second half goals by Rayan Cherki and Said Benrahma.

Braga rallied to beat nine-man Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1. Romania’s FCSB beat Latvia’s RFS 4-1 in Bucharest.

Fenerbahce, Rangers score early wins

Fenerbahce opened the competition with a 2-1 home win over Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise with both teams finishing the game with 10 men.

Defender Çaglar Soyuncu opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho’s team in the 26th with a half-volley from close range and Christian Burgess’ own goal in the 82nd made it 2-0 for Fenerbahce. Ross Sykes scored in stoppage time for the visitors.

Union defender Kevin Mac Allister received a red card in the 74th and Fenerbahce substitute Bright Osayi-Samuel was sent off in the final minute.

Last season, Fenerbahce eliminated Union in the round of 16 of the third-tier Conference League.

Europe’s second tier is a familiar turf for Mourinho, who led Manchester United to the 2017 title. He took the Fenerbahce job in the offseason. With Mourinho in charge, Roma lost the 2023 final to Sevilla after a penalty shootout.

In another early game, Rangers won 2-0 at Malmo.

The 2022 Europa League beaten finalist didn’t waste time. Nedim Bajrami scored in the opening minute. Ross McCausland scored in the second half.

Rangers lost in the 2022 final to Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club will be in action later Thursday, hosting Czech side Viktoria Plzen.

As in the Champions League, the traditional group stage of the Europa League has been replaced with an expanded league phase with all 36 teams competing in a single standings.

Each Europa League team will play eight games against eight different opponents through Jan. 30.


Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League

Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League
Updated 26 September 2024
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Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League

Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League
  • Union defender Kevin Mac Allister received a red card in the 74th
  • In another early game, Rangers won 2-0 at Malmö

ISTANBUL: Fenerbahce opened the revamped Europa League with a 2-1 home win over Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise with both teams finishing the game with 10 men on Thursday.
Defender Çağlar Söyüncü opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho’s team in the 26th with a half-volley from close range and Christian Burgess’ own goal in the 82nd made it 2-0 for Fenerbahce. Ross Sykes scored in stoppage time for the visitors.
Union defender Kevin Mac Allister received a red card in the 74th and Fenerbahce substitute Bright Osayi-Samuel was sent off in the final minute.
Last season, Fenerbahce eliminated Union in the round of 16 of the third-tier Conference League.
Europe’s second tier is a familiar turf for Mourinho, who led Manchester United to the 2017 title. He took the Fenerbahce job in the offseason. With Mourinho in charge, Roma lost the 2023 final to Sevilla after a penalty shootout.
In another early game, Rangers won 2-0 at Malmö.
The 2022 Europa League beaten finalist didn’t waste time. Nedim Bajrami scored in the opening minute. Ross McCausland scored in the second half.
Rangers lost in the 2022 final to Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club will be in action later Thursday, hosting Czech side Viktoria Plzeň.
In London, Tottenham’s game against Qarabag was delayed 35 minutes because of a travel disruption. Roma play Athletic Bilbao among other remaining late games.
As in the Champions League, the traditional group stage of the Europa League has been replaced with an expanded league phase with all 36 teams competing in a single standings.
Each Europa League team will play eight games against eight different opponents through Jan. 30.


PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’

PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’
Updated 26 September 2024
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PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’

PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’
  • “Once every four years there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup,” he said
  • The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15-July 13

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique on Thursday described the expanded Club World Cup, set to feature 32 teams next year, as an “exciting competition” while acknowledging the need to limit player workloads.
“Once every four years there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup,” he said, amid growing concern from players and coaches alike over the increasing number of fixtures.
The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15-July 13, with 12 European clubs set to take part in a tournament that has only traditionally involved the six continental champions and host nation.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri warned earlier this month that leading players could go on strike over the number of games they’re being asked to play.
The Spain international is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering ligament damage to his right knee at the weekend.
“Of course those involved must speak,” said Luis Enrique.
“I understand and I agree that the calendar is very busy, particularly that of Manchester City. Ours is less so because we have two fewer teams in our league and therefore four fewer matches.”
“A less hectic calendar would favor everyone,” he added.


PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh

PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh
Updated 26 September 2024
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PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh

PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh
  • Switzerland’s Husein Kadimagomaev will face Germany’s Zafar Mohsen in a featherweight match-up
  • Saudi Mostafa Nada takes on Egypt’s Ahmed Sami in a middleweight bout on the early card

RIYADH: Featherweights Husein Kadimagomaev of Switzerland and Germany’s Zafar Mohsen top the bill in a stacked card for the Professional Fighters League “Battle of the Giants” in Riyadh on Oct. 19.

Kadimagomaev enters the bout with an 11-1 record after an amateur record of 12-0, which has put him on the radar as one of the hottest prospects at featherweight. His professional career record includes six wins by knockout, and four by submission.

Meanwhile Afghanistan-born, Germany-based knockout artist Mohsen has had an accomplished career in Europe with his last three wins decided by guillotine, doctor’s stoppage, and a TKO.

The PFL event takes place at Mayadeen in Riyadh, with local fans getting a close look at Saudi mixed martial artist Mostafa Nada, who will take on Egypt’s Ahmed Sami in a middleweight contest on the early card.

Further regional interest will focus on the early card featherweight bout between the UAE’s Youssef Al Housani and the undefeated Morocco-born Taha “Atlas Lion” Bendaoud, who fights out of Las Vegas.

Alongside the confirmed main card, the full early card has been released, including a bantamweight match-up between Raufeon “Supa” Stots and Marcos Breno, who are joined by prospects and veterans from across the Americas, Europe and Asia taking part in PFL’s biggest event yet.

MMA superstar and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou makes his highly anticipated return to the sport. “The Predator” faces PFL heavyweight champion Renan “Problema” Ferreira, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, for the newly minted PFL Super Fights Championship Belt.

The co-main event will feature another world title fight — the Women’s Featherweight PFL Super Fight Championship. One of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time, Cris Cyborg, puts her legacy on the line when she squares off against PFL two-division champion Larissa Pacheco, who is out to prove she is the top women’s MMA fighter on the planet.

A third title fight of the night, the Bellator middleweight world championship, will be contested by undefeated Bellator middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards. The pair met in 2023 at Bellator 299 where Edwards took the fight to the champion and landed a savage elbow, opening up his opponent’s forehead, only for the champion to respond with a TKO finish in the third round.

At lightweight, former Bellator featherweight world champion A. J. McKee will provide a tough test for Paul Hughes, when the man with the longest winning streak in Bellator history (18) faces Northern Irishman Hughes, who many consider to be the top lightweight prospect on the planet.

‘Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact main card

Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC)

Women’s featherweight co-main event: Cris Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC) vs. Larissa Pacheco (23-4)

Bellator middleweight world title bout: Johnny Eblen (15-0) vs. Fabian Edwards (13-3)

Featherweight: Husein Kadimagomaev (11-1, 1 NC) vs. Zafar Mohsen (13-4)

Lightweight: A. J. McKee (22-1) vs. Paul Hughes (12-1)

 

‘Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact’ early card

Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots (20-2) vs. Marcos Breno (15-3)

Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov (15-4) vs. Dedrek Sanders (9-4)

Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov (7-0) vs. Nacho Campos (5-0)

Middleweight: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs. Ahmed Sami (11-4-0, 1 NC)

Featherweight: Youssef Al Housani (4-1) vs. Taha Bendaoud (3-0)