Monday, 29th August
The Growth of Formula One
Max Verstappen produced a masterful driving display yesterday after claiming the Belgium Grand Prix, despite starting from P14 on the grid at Spa-Francorchamps. It was a 1-2 for the Red Bull team as teammate Sergio Perez crossed just over 17 seconds later, followed by Ferrari's Carlos Sanz to complete the podium. Verstappen is now 93 points clear of Perez on the driver standings with Red Bull equally dominating the constructors' championship. Ferrari are the nearest rivals, while Mercedes is off the pace this season. We have 22 rounds in 2022 making it the longest season in the history of Formula One. Next season may move to 24 rounds as Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has been reviewing potential new locations like Johannesburg and Las Vegas. An announcement should follow in early October. As wonderful as it is that Verstappen is on course to defend his champion status, many fans would most likely feel we need it to be closer on the driver standings. Audi announced earlier in the week that the car manufacturing giant will join Formula One in 2026, a new competitor the sport most definitely needs. Further motor sport news has the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series now in the Playoffs phase. Chase Elliott leads the final 16 drivers as the championship next has three race weekends to determine the Round of 12. For motocross fans, the Pro Motocross and Supercross held in the States, will combine at the end of each season to create the SuperMotocross World Championship.
Bernau Bei Berlin hosted the International Association of Ultrarunners 100 km World Championships over the weekend. Japan's Haruki Okayama and France's Floriane Hot are the men's and women's champions. There were several age group champions and up to 400 athletes participated. Buenos Aires hosted the South American Half Marathon Championships where Ethiopia's Gerba Dibaba and Kenya's Irine Jepchumba Kimais claimed gold. The United Kingdom's Max Trueman is the Junior Real Tennis World Champion after defeating Bertie Vallat 6-3 6-5 at Hayling Island, England. The 17th World Rogaining Championship was held in the Czech Republic over the weekend, making it the third visit to the host nation in the history of the sport. Fifteen champions were crowned in the 24 hour category.
Sweden's Meja Ortengren lead her team to claim the Espirito Santo Trophy, the Women's World Amateur Team Championships held in France. Staying with France where Spain were beaten in overtime by 65-61 in the Women's U16 Basketball European Championship 2022 held in Matosinhos, Portugal. Korea ended a 22-year wait to win the FIBA Basketball U18 Asian Championship. Hungary are laying the foundation for future water polo success as they claimed both the FINA Men's and Women's Cadet World Championships over hosts Greece. South Africa produced four gold medals in the final day of the World Squash Federation World Masters. Over 1500 matches were played between 650 athletes. In the Racketlon World Championship, France's Myriam Enmer and Britain's Luke Griffiths are the Women's and Men's Singles Champions.
Mexico City hosted the recent XXI Racquetball World Championship. Bolivia's Conrrado Moscoso and local star Paola Longoria are the Men's and Women's Singles Champions. Spain's Dani Sánchez dominated the recent Carom Billiards World Cup 3-Cushion held in Seoul. Sweden's Tilda Månnson and France's Dorian Coninx won the World Triathlon World Cup held in Bergen, Norway, for the first time. Spain beat Japan 3-1 in the final in Costa Rica to claim the FIFA Women's U20 Football World Cup. In a dramatic final day in Los Angeles, Australia are the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series champions for the first time. Kris Molle is the Chuckwagon Racing Century Downs Finals aggregate winner that took place in Calgary over the weekend. Fifteen champions were also crowned at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Les Gets, France, on Sunday.
In rugby union, Argentina stunned the hosts to win in New Zealand for the first time. The score was 25-18 in Christchurch and the Pumas still top the Rugby Championship standings. British-Belgian Mack Rutherford, 17, became the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a small aircraft. Rutherford completed a five-month journey across 52 countries.
Until next time, have a great week in sport.