Sports

Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, announced she is expecting her first child on January 11, days after withdrawing from the Australian Open. The 25-year-old announced her withdrawal from the opening Grand Slam of the year this week after not participating on the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open in September. “Can’t wait to go back on the …

The official next stop for Dave Ildefonso is Korea. On January 8, Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) officially announced the addition of the former Ateneo Blue Eagles star to their team. Ildefonso joins the expanding number of Filipino basketball players who have taken their skills to Korea, including his former Gilas Pilipinas colleagues Rhenz Abando, SJ …

After taking note of their past mistakes, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) are sure that this year’s Petronas Malaysia Open (Jan. 10-15) would have a significantly improved performance. Today, Datuk Kenny Goh, the secretary-general of BAM, assured the press that all previous criticisms of the Super 1000 event from players, spectators, and authorities had been taken into account. This pertains …

Melvin Jerusalem opened the boxing season for the Philippines by winning the WBO global minimumweight championship on January 6 in Osaka, Japan. Better and wiser than when he first fought for a world title six years ago, Jerusalem stopped Japanese champion Masataka Taniguchi with a vicious straight right to the face in the second round at the Edion Arena. Taniguchi …

The Asia Cup, which will be played in a 50-over format, will take place in September of this year, according to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), though the schedule and the host nation have not yet been revealed. The BCCI does not want to play in Pakistan because of political tension between the two nations, despite Pakistan being the initial …

Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring in 2023 for an exhibition match organized by the Japanese mixed martial arts company Rizin Fighting Federation, he revealed in Japan on the eve of the new year, Saturday, December 31. During an in-ring appearance at the Rizin 40 event in Saitama Super Arena, the eight-division Filipino champion made the announcement. Pacquiao, who …

Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, the club announced on Friday, December 30, after leaving Manchester United to become a free agent. Ronaldo left Old Trafford last month after an explosive televised interview in which the 37-year-old forward said he felt betrayed by the club and had no respect …

Pele passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday, December 29. Tributes poured in for the Brazilian legend who defined the sport and inspired generations. The Brazilian government proclaimed three days of mourning, and the arch of football’s cathedral, Wembley Stadium, was lighted in Brazil’s national colors, as sports stars and leaders of state bowed to the man who …

In 2023, gymnast Carlos Yulo intends to return to the Olympics by placing in the top eight of the all-around at the September FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. Gymnasts from China, Japan, and England have already won 15 of the 94 available spots for the 2024 Paris Olympics, making it more difficult for the Tokyo Olympian to …

The offensive mocking of France forward Kylian Mbappe by some Argentina supporters during celebrations in Buenos Aires to welcome back the World Cup champions should be examined by FIFA, a top French government official said. During Argentina’s joyous return, a group of fans torched an improvised coffin lid emblazoned with a crucifix and a photo of Mbappe. During an open-top …