Sisay Lemma, of Ethiopia, set a blistering pace and held on to win the Boston Marathon on Monday, running alone through most of the course to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 17 seconds — the 10th fastest time in the race’s 128-year history.
Lemma arrived in Boston with the fastest time in the field, becoming just the fourth person ever to break 2 hours, 2 minutes when he won in Valencia last year. And the 2021 London champion showed it on the course, separating himself from the pack in Ashland and opening a lead of more than half of a mile.
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Lemma ran the first half in one hour and 19 minutes — 99 seconds faster than Geoffrey Mutai’s course record pace in 2011, when he finished in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 2 seconds — the fastest marathon in history to that point.
Lemma dropped to the pavement and rolled onto his back, smiling, after crossing the finish line.
“I decided that I wanted to start fast early,” said Lemma, whose victory in London in 2021 was his only other major marathon victory. “I kept the pace and I won.”
Fellow Ethiopian Mohamed Esa closed the gap through the last few miles, finishing second by 41 seconds; two-time defending champion Evans Chebet was third.
Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia celebrates taking first place in the men’s professional field during the 128th Boston Marathon. (Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images) )Hellen Obiri, of Kenya, raises her arms as she crosses the finish line to win the women’s division of the Boston Marathon. (Charles Krupa/AP)
Hellen Obiri defended her title in the women’s race, outsprinting fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi down Boylston Street to win by eight seconds. Obiri is the first woman to win back-to-back Boston marathons since 2005. She finished Monday in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 37 seconds.
“Defending the title was not easy. Since Boston started, there have been only six women. So I said, ’Can I be one of them?’ If you want to be one of them, you have to work extra hard,” she said. “And I’m so happy because I’m now one of them. I’m now in the history books in Boston.”
The 34-year-old Obiri split from more than a dozen runners in the second half of the race then outfought a challenge from Kenyan Sharon Lodeki over the final three miles for the victory. It led a Kenyan sweep of the podium, with Lodeki crossing second in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 45 seconds. Two-time champion and 44-year-old Edna Kiplagat was third in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 21 seconds. Kiplagat finished 30th a year ago.
Punjab Kings slumped to yet another defeat, this time to Rajasthan Royals, in match number 27 of the IPL 2024 season at Mullanpur. The outcome ensured that they continued to struggle at the points table, finding themselves at number eight on the 10-team standings.
With regular captain Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out of the game owing to a niggle, Englishman Sam Curran was appointed as the team’s interim skipper instead.
Regardless, Punjab Kings’ co-owner Preity Zinta believes that her team needs a captain who can bring “stability and a champion mindset” among her players.
Moreover, the Bollywood actress claimed that five-time IPL-winning skipper Rohit Sharma has those attributes, and she will go out of her limits to acquire the Mumbai Indians legend if he is ever available at an IPL mega auction.
While speaking on Star Sports, Preity Zinta claimed that she would “bet her life” to get Rohit Sharma into the Punjab Kings team if the cricketer was ever available at the mega auction. Expressing her admiration for the Mumbai Indians legend, the Punjab Kings co-owner stated that her team is missing a captain who can bring “some stability” and a “champion mindset” among the players.
As it turned out, Rohit Sharma has reportedly expressed his willingness to part ways with the Mumbai Indians franchise following the IPL 2024 season.
If recent reports are true in any form, Preity Zinta might well receive a rare opportunity to fulfill her longing wish later this year at the auction.
As of now, her Punjab Kings troops are gearing up to host Mumbai Indians at Mullanpur in match number 33 of the IPL 2024 season on April 18.
Barcelona take on Cadiz in less than 12 hours in the 31st round of La Liga. Given that the clash is nestled between the two legs against Paris Saint-Germain, Xavi will be pressed to rotate his squad on the night, albeit not too much.
One of the players his side will go up against, Robert Navarro, is one from the club academy. Born in Barcelona, the youngster spent five years of his youth career in La Masia before moving to Monaco in 2018.
So far this season, the 22-year-old winger has scored one goal and provided one assist for Cadiz in La Liga and has made 20 appearances in the competition.
Navarro spoke to the media earlier today, addressing the upcoming clash against Barcelona, and providing an insider’s view on the team’s young talents as a former player of the academy.
He first spoke about Lamine Yamal and how he knew for long that the youngster would mark an era with Barcelona.
“Lamine was already’signed’. I remember being at the Sanse when I was 17 years old and showing Martín Zubimendi a video and telling him: ‘Look at this boy’.
I told him: ‘I haven’t seen anyone do what that boy does in La Masia‘. He is incredible, he can mark an era’,” he added.
Navarro, however, admitted that he did not see Pau Cubarsi’s rise coming, for he did not know the player during his time at the academy.
“I didn’t know Pau, and he is surprising me a lot. His passing is spectacular, and in defense, you think: ‘Osimhen is going to catch him’. And the guy holds on, he wins the duels. I congratulate him,” he added.
Finally, the Cadiz star spoke about Barcelona’s summer target, Martin Zubimendi, and remarked that he was not surprised by Xavi’s admiration of his former teammate.
“I’m not surprised that he wants him as a pivot. He has everything. I always made the joke and told him: ‘You’ve already taken something new out of your backpack.”
Juhi Chawla who is one of the co-owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL team along with her spouse Jay Mehta and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan revealed that she and Shahrukh are not the best people to watch an IPL match with.
She says that as owners, they are superbly tense when their team is playing.
“IPL is always exciting. We all are in front of our television sets. When our team plays, it is interesting to watch them and we all are highly tense,” Juhi Chawla said during Routes 2 Roots event in Mumbai.
On watching the match with Shahrukh Khan, the actress said: “It is not good to watch a match with him because when our team is not performing well, he vents out his anger at me. I tell him to tell that to the team and not me. So we are not the best people to watch the match with. I think the same goes for a lot of owners. They all can be seen sweating while their teams play.”
Multan Sultans, previous edition’s runners-up, have started HBL PSL 9 on a high note after they defeated Karachi Kings by a healthy margin of 55 runs at their home ground, Multan Cricket Stadium. Reeza Hendricks and Dawid Malan scored half-centuries to take the team to 185 in the first innings. In reply, Karachi Kings could only manage 130-8 in the allotted 20 overs.
After winning the toss, Karachi Kings skipper Shan Masood invited Multan Sultans to bat first. Sultans found themselves in trouble as left-arm pacer Mir Hamza struck on the first ball of the third over to take out captain Mohammad Rizwan, who walked back for a measly 11-ball 12 which included two boundaries.
Hendricks, on his HBL PSL debut, took charge from the get-go as he looked to capitalise in the powerplay. After joining opening batter Malan on the crease, the South African top-order batter helped stitch a 121-run second-wicket partnership to power the innings.
Malan completed his half-century before he fell to HBL PSL debutant Daniel Sams in the 17th over. The left-handed batter returned to the pavilion after scoring 52 on 41, with four boundaries and one maximum.
Khushdil Shah, next batter in, entertained the crowd with an unbeaten quickfire 13-ball 28 on the back of four boundaries. An unbroken 47-run partnership between Khushdil and Hendricks took Multan Sultans to 185 in 20 overs.
Hendricks, who contributed an undefeated 79 on 54 while showcasing seven fours and three sixes, was adjudged player of the match after he finished as the top run-getter of the game.
Sams and Hamza were the only two wicket-takers for Karachi Kings.
Chasing 186, Karachi Kings got off to a stuttering start. Opening batter James Vince (5, 4b, 1×4) was caught by Mohammad Ali at third man after David Willey managed to draw a thick outside edge on the second ball of the third over.
On the subsequent ball, Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig copped a golden duck as Karachi Kings were reduced to 10-2 courtesy of Willey. The left-arm pacer’s lethal stint with the new ball justified Multan Sultans’ decision to choose the English bowler as the first pick of HBL PSL 9 player draft.
A 52-run third-wicket partnership between Shan and veteran Shoaib Malik allowed a semblance of stability in the innings. However, it was cut short in the ninth over when Shan (30, 31b, 4x4s, 1×6) was caught by Willey off leg-spinner Usama Mir.
Mohammad Nawaz joined Malik in the middle. The two batted together to add 37 to the total before right-arm pacer Abbas Afridi removed the latter in the 14th over. Malik had to walk back after hitting his 83rd T20 fifty making 53 on 35, on the back of five fours and two sixes.
In the same over, Nawaz was caught at extra cover by Hendricks for just seven runs as Karachi Kings slipped further into disarray.
The equation worsened for Karachi Kings in the 15th over as right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali, making his debut for Multan Sultans, returned with two wickets and just a run. In his subsequent over, he got Hamza out for a duck.
Keiron Pollard cleared the rope twice in the penultimate over aiming to reduce the deficit, however, with 67 required in the final two overs, the game had completely slipped out of Karachi Kings’ grasp.
Ali was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, as he grabbed three wickets while giving just 23 in his four overs as Multan Sultans registered a comprehensive win over Karachi Kings. Abbas – who picked up two for 16 in three overs – and Willey – giving 22 for two in four overs – supported Ali’s efforts. Usama also dismissed one batter.
Scores in brief:
Multan Sultans beat Karachi Kings by 55 runs
Multan Sultans 185-2, 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 79 not out, Dawid Malan 52, Khushdil Shah 28 not out; Mir Hamza 1-30, Daniel Sams 1-37)
Karachi Kings 130-8, 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 53, Shan Masood 30, Kieron Pollard 28 not out; Mohammad Ali 3-23, Abbas Afridi 2-16, David Willey 2-22)
Player of the match – Reeza Hendricks (Multan Sultans)
The 2024 MLB Draft promises to be an exciting event, featuring a college-heavy class with immense potential. Experts like Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo have made predictions for the top 10 picks, highlighting players’ strengths and potential roles in professional baseball.
JJ Wetherholt, INF, West Virginia: An incredible hitter, Wetherholt has shown remarkable batting skills, versatility in field positions, and a blend of power and speed
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest: With a strong combination of hitting ability and power, Kurtz stands out as a formidable player, potentially capable of playing in outfield positions
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State: Known for his batting prowess, Bazzana brings a valuable mix of power and speed, making him a top pick for the Draft
Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest: A pitcher with impressive strikeout rates and powerful pitches, Burns has already made a significant mark in college baseball
Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida: A two-way player, Caglianone has demonstrated power both as a hitter and a pitcher, showcasing versatility that’s rare and valued
Charlie Condon, 1B/OF, Georgia: Condon’s hitting ability and power make him a standout player, especially after leading the SEC in slugging percentage
Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa: Known for his athleticism and a fastball that hits triple digits, Brecht shows promise with potential improvements in command and feel
Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina: A player with significant physical upside, Honeycutt has shown capabilities as a potential five-tool center fielder
PJ Morlando, Summerville (NC) HS, OF: Morlando’s batting skills, especially as a high school hitter, set him apart, with a strong track record in international competition
Tommy White, 3B, LSU: White’s hitting and power have already made significant contributions to his team, including hitting the game-winning home run in a key game
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