Filipino gymnast who won 2 Olympic golds in Paris gets hero’s welcome and free buffets for life

Filipino gymnast who won 2 Olympic golds in Paris gets hero’s welcome and free buffets for life
Double-gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo of Philippines celebrates on the podium in Paris, France on Aug. 4, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Filipino gymnast who won 2 Olympic golds in Paris gets hero’s welcome and free buffets for life

Filipino gymnast who won 2 Olympic golds in Paris gets hero’s welcome and free buffets for life
  • The 24-year-old’s wins in the men’s floor exercise and vault were the largest victory ever by a Filipino athlete since the Philippines joined the Games a century ago
  • The euphoria over Yulo’s wins has provided a respite for a nation long ridden with poverty, deep divisions and conflicts

MANILA: Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in the Paris Olympics, flew home to a hero’s welcome Tuesday with a planned national tribute by the president and donors pledging more than $1 million worth of cash and gifts, including a resort house and free lunch buffets for life.
The 24-year-old’s wins in the men’s floor exercise and vault were the largest victory ever by a Filipino athlete since the Philippines joined the Games a century ago. Two Filipino boxers, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, won bronze medals in women’s boxing in Paris.
The euphoria over Yulo’s wins has provided a respite for a nation long ridden with poverty, deep divisions and conflicts.
“Filipinos all over the world stood united, cheering and rooting for you,” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said after Yulo, fondly called Caloy by friends, captured his second Olympic gold. “No words can express how proud we are of you, Caloy. You have achieved GOLD for the Philippines, not once, but twice!”
Arriving in Manila, Yulo and the other Filipino athletes who participated in the Olympics were welcomed by flag-waving admirers who yelled his name, reached out for handshakes and took selfies. The athletes were met by their families before proceeding to the Malacanang palace, where Marcos would honor them with medals and cash gifts, officials said.
Cash and gifts pledged by the government, business tycoons and leading Philippine corporations for Yulo, including a condominium unit and a resort house south of Manila, would amount to more than 58 million pesos ($1 million). Prominent companies offered free pizzas, ice cream and lunch and dinner buffets for life.
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who rose to global fame for winning titles in eight different weight classes and for his rags-to-riches life story, promised to reward Yulo with an unspecified amount of cash.
A celebratory parade for Yulo and the other athletes on Wednesday along Manila’s main streets is expected to draw thousands of people. It will pass near a poor community where he grew up and first trained in gymnastics with his siblings in a public gym, where a coach first noticed the impressive skills of the then-7-year-old.
“I’ll welcome him with a hug and we’ll jump together in joy,” Rodrigo Frisco, a 74-year-old relative, told The Associated Press in the neighborhood where the gold medalist has become a poster boy for hope. “Who would believe that these narrow alleys and small houses would produce a champion?”
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz clinched the first-ever Olympic gold for the Philippines in Tokyo in 2021.


5-star Al-Hilal round off a perfect week for Saudi teams in AFC Champions League

5-star Al-Hilal round off a perfect week for Saudi teams in AFC Champions League
Updated 02 October 2024
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5-star Al-Hilal round off a perfect week for Saudi teams in AFC Champions League

5-star Al-Hilal round off a perfect week for Saudi teams in AFC Champions League
  • The Riyadh club made it 2 wins out of 2 in the competition as they overwhelmed Al-Shorta of Iraq in a 5-0 victory
  • The previous day the Kingdom’s other contenders, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, also racked up victories on matchday 2

Al-Hilal thrashed Al-Shorta of Iraq 5-0 on Tuesday to make it two wins out of two in the AFC Champions League Elite, and three for three matchday 2 wins for Saudi clubs in Asia’s premier club tournament.

Following victories on Monday for Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, four-time winners of the competition Al-Hilal never looked to be in any danger in front of their home fans in Riyadh as they delivered a clinical, comprehensive victory without ever really breaking sweat and with each of the goals scored by a different player.

It was a ninth successive win in all competitions for the Saudi Pro League leaders and defending champions, who are once again starting to look very ominous, even at this early stage of the season, not only domestically but in the continental competition.

Their opening goal did not take long to arrive; 11 minutes, in fact. Aleksandar Mitrovic headed the ball across the face of goal for fellow Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who was coming in at the near post. His shot, from almost point-blank range, was well-saved by Ahmed Basil but Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica just a month ago as cover for the injured Neymar, was waiting to bundle the ball into the net from the rebound.

It was the perfect start and things got even better for Al-Hilal just four minutes later. Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi struggled to impress last season after arriving from Marseille in January but has looked much more settled this time around. He clipped a cross toward the near post from just outside a crowded area and Mitrovic was able to get in front of the defense to head home.

What had been a big ask for the Iraqis was starting to look like a mission impossible. Even when they did manage to make it into their opponents’ half, Kalidou Koulibaly or Ali Al-Bulaihi always seemed to be waiting to tidy up and eliminate any threat. Hussein Ali did manage a shot that went wide but that was about the extent of the Iraqis’ chances.

Any lingering hopes Al-Shorta, who held Al-Nassr to a draw two weeks ago, might have had of getting back into the game were extinguished five minutes after the restart. Mitrovic played the ball on the edge of the area and it fell to Salem Al-Dawsari whose first-time, low shot headed smoothly into the bottom corner of the net.

Midway through the second half things almost got worse for the visitors when Leonardo broke into the penalty area and fired home from close range. However, the offside flag was up.

The home fans did not have too long to wait for a fourth goal. In the 73rd minute, Malcom did all the hard work on the right side before slipping the ball through to Portuguese international Joao Cancelo, who advanced to the near post and then pulled a pass across goal, where substitute Nasser Al-Dawsari made no mistake from the closest of range. He could not miss.

Another sub, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, came close to adding a fifth but the goalkeeper took the ball from his feet. Then a Cancelo shot from outside the area went just over the bar.

Right at the end, Al-Hilal did grab their fifth of the night and it was the best of the lot. Mohammed Kanno exchanged passes with Mohammed Al-Qahtani on the edge of the area and then bent the return into the top corner of the goal. It was the perfect end to a perfect evening.

On the evidence so far, with eight goals in two games and only one conceded, Al-Hilal are going to take some stopping.


Volleyball, badminton and futsal take center stage at the Saudi Games

Volleyball, badminton and futsal take center stage at the Saudi Games
Updated 02 October 2024
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Volleyball, badminton and futsal take center stage at the Saudi Games

Volleyball, badminton and futsal take center stage at the Saudi Games
  • In the group stage of the women’s volleyball, Al-Fayha defeat Al-Nassr, Al-Qadsiah beat Jeddah United and Al-Anqa are victors against Faid
  • In the men’s competition, Al-Hilal defeat Neom, and Al-Ahli secure the win over Al-Khuwaildia

RIYADH: In the women’s volleyball competition at the third Saudi Games on Tuesday, Al-Fayha defeated Al-Nassr 3-2 in Group A in the first match, Al-Qadsiah beat Jeddah United 3-0 in Group B, and Al-Anqa recorded a 3-0 victory over Faid in Group C.

In the men’s competition, Al-Hilal defeated Neom 3-0, and Al-Ahli secured a 3-1 win over Al-Khuwaildia. The men’s matches continue at the Ministry of Sports Hall in the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh on Wednesday with Al-Hilal vs. Abha at 2:00 p.m, Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nassr at 4:00 p.m. and Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Khaleej at 6:00 p.m.

The men’s and women’s badminton singles competitions began on Tuesday, with 32 players, representing 12 clubs, playing 24 matches. Both competitions continue on Wednesday with another 24 matches scheduled throughout the day.

In the Round of 16 of the futsal competition for deaf competitors, King Abdulaziz University defeated Jeddah Deaf Club 16-0, while Riyadh Deaf Club beat Taif Deaf Center 7-1. The quarter-finals begin on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, the 5x5 basketball competitions will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Paralympic Hall in the Olympic Complex. The Saudi Games continue until Oct. 17.


Newcastle struggle past fourth-tier Wimbledon in League Cup

Newcastle struggle past fourth-tier Wimbledon in League Cup
Updated 02 October 2024
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Newcastle struggle past fourth-tier Wimbledon in League Cup

Newcastle struggle past fourth-tier Wimbledon in League Cup

LONDON: Newcastle needed a penalty from Fabian Schar to beat fourth-tier Wimbledon 1-0 on Tuesday and set up a League Cup fourth round clash with Chelsea.

The tie had been switched to St. James’ Park after the League Two side’s pitch was severely damaged by flooding last week.

Newcastle made eight changes to the side which started Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester City and the Magpies struggled to hit top gear.

But Schar’s spot-kick in first-half stoppage time after Miguel Almiron had been felled inside the area was enough to book their place in the last 16.

Newcastle have not won a major trophy since 1969 and the pressure is on Eddie Howe to deliver silverware for a club backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

Chelsea’s trip to the north east and Tottenham’s clash with Manchester City are the standout clashes in the fourth round.

Liverpool visit Brighton, Arsenal will travel to Preston and Manchester United entertain Leicester.


Lewandowski hits brace as Barca crush Young Boys

Lewandowski hits brace as Barca crush Young Boys
Updated 02 October 2024
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Lewandowski hits brace as Barca crush Young Boys

Lewandowski hits brace as Barca crush Young Boys

BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Barcelona as they demolished Young Boys 5-0 in a one-sided Champions League clash on Tuesday.
The Catalan giants, five-time winners, made amends for their defeat by Monaco in their first match by thumping their Swiss visitors.
Raphinha and Inigo Martinez strikes as well as an own goal helped Hansi Flick’s side secure a sizeable victory and boost their goal difference significantly.
Barca coach Flick rolled out arguably his strongest available team after the loss at Monaco, despite the Swiss side’s struggles.
Young Boys are in the relegation zone of their domestic league with just one win in eight games and were thrashed at home by Aston Villa on their European debut this season.
It took Barcelona just eight minutes to move ahead, with Lewandowski applying a poacher’s finish to Raphinha’s cross-shot.
Jules Kounde hammered over and Ferran Torres had a shot saved as Barcelona dominated, but Young Boys carved out a first opening after 30 minutes when Ebrima Colley pulled an effort wide.
Raphinha, enjoying a strong start to the campaign, doubled Barcelona’s lead from close range after Pedri’s shot was blocked but the ball ricocheted to his feet.
Center-back Martinez headed home Barca’s third from Pedri’s free-kick shortly afterwards as the Catalans overran their ragged visitors.
Torres wasted a fine chance for the fourth when he fired straight at Young Boys goalkeeper Marvin Keller when well placed to score.
Lewandowski netted his second with a close-range header after Martinez had nodded Lamine Yamal’s corner back across the face of goal as Barcelona began the second half just how they finished the first.
It was the 36-year-old’s ninth goal in 10 games this season as he enjoys a revival under his former Bayern Munich coach Flick.
Young Boys winger Joel Monteiro struck the crossbar but that was as close as the visitors came to joy in Catalonia.
Barcelona fans were pleased to see Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong come on as a substitute for his first appearance since an ankle injury in April as the game petered toward a close.
Mohamed Camara deflected Alejandro Balde’s cross into his own goal for Barcelona’s fifth in the 81st minute.
Home supporters chanted the name of former Barca midfield icon Andres Iniesta, after reports the Spanish 2010 World Cup winner will announce his retirement next week.
Monteiro had a late goal ruled out for offside and Inaki Pena made a smart save at his near post late on, with Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny watching on from the presidential box.
Barcelona are poised to sign the former Juventus and Arsenal stopper to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.


Havertz and Saka star as Arsenal sink PSG

Havertz and Saka star as Arsenal sink PSG
Updated 02 October 2024
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Havertz and Saka star as Arsenal sink PSG

Havertz and Saka star as Arsenal sink PSG
  • There was further good news for Arsenal as Spain midfielder Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut for the last 30 minutes

LONDON: Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka inspired Arsenal’s 2-0 success against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as the Gunners secured their first win in the Champions League this season.
Havertz headed Arsenal into the lead and Saka netted before the interval to underline their superiority at the Emirates Stadium.
After drawing their opening league phase tie at Atalanta, Mikel Arteta’s side moved onto four points in their bid to reach the knockout stage of the revamped tournament.
Eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals last season and pipped to the English title by Manchester City, the Gunners are now unbeaten in nine games in all competitions this term as they chase silverware on both fronts.
There was further good news for Arsenal as Spain midfielder Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut for the last 30 minutes.
Merino’s recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in his first training session following his close-season move from Real Sociedad was a welcome boost for Arteta with Martin Odegaard currently sidelined.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was back in goal for PSG after missing the last three games with a thigh injury and the Italian had an early test of his fitness as he sprinted off his line to save at Gabriel Martinelli’s feet.
Saka, captaining Arsenal for the night, quickly switched the momentum in the hosts’ favor when he cut in from the right flank to curl just over from the edge of the area.
Havertz rewarded Arsenal’s relentless pressure with the opener in the 20th minute.
Leandro Trossard curled a pin-point cross into the six-yard box and Havertz made a perfectly-timed run behind the visitors’ flat-footed defense to bravely head past the advancing Donnarumma.
The Germany forward, who scored Chelsea’s Champions League final winner in 2021, endured a difficult start with Arsenal after moving across London for £65 million ($86 million) last year.
But since the start of February, only three Premier League players have more combined goals and assists in all competitions than Havertz’s tally of 21 as he banishes the ‘waste of money’ jibes.

PSG’s cause wasn’t helped by the absence of France winger Ousmane Dembele, who was left out after the 2018 World Cup winner’s reported clash with boss Luis Enrique when he was substituted in their win over Rennes on Friday.
Dembele is PSG’s most potent attacking force following Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid.
Nuno Mendes tried to provide an attacking spark for the spluttering visitors as the defender’s blast from 18 yards smashed off the post and bounced to safety.
But Arsenal were always in control and Saka doubled their advantage in the 35th minute.
Under the guidance of their set-piece guru Nicolas Jover, Arsenal have become lethal from free-kicks and corners, while PSG are notoriously deficient in that area.
So it was little surprise that Arteta’s team were able to capitalize on their dead-ball expertise yet again.
Whipping an in swinging free-kick toward Donnarumma’s goal, the England forward expected a team-mate to get a touch on his delivery.
Instead, there was enough swerve on the ball that it eluded a gaggle of players and caught the slow-to-react Donnarumma unsighted as it flashed into the net.
Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior have been involved in more Champions League goals than Saka since the start of last season.
Trossard shot just wide before half-time as PSG’s creaky defense looked more League One than Ligue 1.
Donnarumma made a fine save to keep out Martinelli’s volley soon after the interval, but PSG were inches away from grabbing a lifeline when Joao Neves’ effort smacked off the bar.
On a rainy evening in north London, Arsenal battened down the hatches in the closing stages as they eased to a significant victory.