7th to 13th March
It has now been 10 days since Russia's declaration of war and invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state and European nation. Yesterday the United Nations claimed that so far the Ukraine civilian casualties exceed 750, with over 220 killed and over 530 injured. This figure will undoubtedly be much higher. Last week we mentioned that we expect the world to react against Russia, but at the same time we wondered whether there would be a more cautious approach against sports events. This was however, not the case as almost every competition within Russia has since been suspended or cancelled indefinitely. It is understandably the correct decision as a clear solidarity must be established with those being oppressed. At the same time one has sympathy for Russian athletes who are equally victims of a despicable act by their government. Although there are much bigger concerns than sport, this is what we report on and the reality is the fallout from the previous week's actions will have set back both nations for years to come. It is equally not our desire to comment on political matters. Even so, it is incredibly frustrating to witness the toothless nature of world organisations like the UN and NATO who were supposedly specifically established to come to the rescue in moments like these.
Despite the hurt we all feel for Ukraine, we must continue to tell you of the amazing sports events that have completed over the last week, and those currently in progress. We can start with the World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championship where last year's champion Ward Lemmelijn of Belgium came out on top again for the men. China's Zhang Peixin secured a 1-2-3 for her nation. The standout performance came from Spain's Reja Munoz, a Paralympian from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and 2020 in Tokyo, who broke the record in both the PR1 Men 2000m and 500m. The World Snooker Federation held their 2022 Championship at the Ding Junhui Snooker Academy in Sheffield, England. China's Si Jiahui became the third champion at the event, which received a record number of entries with over 270 players in the draw from 42 different countries. On the World Snooker Tour, it was again a Chinese victory as Fan Zhengyi caused a huge upset by defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of the European Masters. After staging a very successful Winter Olympics, Beijing is again the centre of attention with the Paralympic Games currently in progress. Friday was also the start of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
At the Bobsleigh Para World Championship in Lillehammer, it was Switzerland's Jonas Frei who successfully defended his title. Italy's Flavio Menardi claimed silver, while Switzerland's 48-year-old Christopher Stewart completed the podium. In road running, rising Ethiopian star Yalemzerf Yehualaw broke the women's world 10km record, clocking 29:14 at Castellón on the Spanish coast. At the recent World Padel Tour Miami Open, Arturo Coello (ESP) and Fernando Belasteguín (ARG) claimed victory for the men. In the women's final the Spanish duo of Gemma Triay and Alejandra Salazar claimed the top prize. Kyle Larson, the champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2021, continued his good form by claiming victory in the prestigious Daytona 500 last Sunday. Larson joins an exclusive club of only nine drivers who have won five times in a seven-race span since the Modern Era began in 1972. On Tuesday, Paul Coll became the first male New Zealander to reach world no.1 in the Professional Squash Association world rankings. World Athletics staged the Race Walking Team Championships in Muscat over the last two days. China's Ma Zhenxia helped claim her nation's third gold medal with the 20km victory. Sweden's Perseus Karlstrom earned his first global honours with the win of the 35km.
With the hope of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, have a great week in sport.
Aesthetic Group Gymnastics
9-11 March - Tallinn Trophy - Tallinn, Estonia
11-13 March - IFAGG World Cup I & Challenge Cup I - Tallinn, Estonia
Aquatics
7-13 March - FINA Women's and Men's Water Polo World League Intercontinental Cup 2022 - Lima, Peru
8-15 March - FINA Men's Water Polo World League European Qualification 2022 - Various
Artistic Billiards
11-13 March - CIBA Artistic Billiards Belgium Championships - Deerlijk, Belgium
Athletics
12 March - FISU World University Championship Cross-Country - Aveiro, Portugal
13 March - Nagoya Women's Marathon - Nagoya, Japan
Badminton
8-13 March - BWF Yonex Gainward German Open 2022 - Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Bandy
11-13 March - FIB 2022 World Championships Girls U17 - Lidköping, Sweden
Biathlon
10-13 March - BMW IBU World Cup - Otepaeae, Estonia
Bodyboarding
11-13 March - IBC World Tour - Lurin Pro, Peru
Bodybuilding
10-14 March - 1st IFBB Fitness Challenge Asian Championships - Kish, Iran
Boxing
27 February to 16 March - ASBC Youth & Junior Boxing Championships - Amman, Jordan
11-24 March - EUBC U22 European Boxing Championships - Elite Men & Women U22 - Porec, Croatia
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
March 12-13 - Indianapolis International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu and Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2022 - Indianapolis, IN, USA
Carom Billiards
10-13 March - World Championship National Teams 3-Cushion - Viersen, Germany
Chess
28 February to 14 March - FIDE World Chess Grand Prix Series - Belgrade, Serbia
12-27 March - FIE - ISF World School Chess - Online
Cricket
4 March to 3 April - ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 - New Zealand
4-8 March - India v Sri Lanka (1st Test) - Mohali, India; Pakistan v Australia (1st Test) - Rawalpindi, Pakistan
7 March - New Zealand Women v Bangladesh Women (Match 5) - Dunedin, New Zealand
8 March - Australia Women v Pakistan Women (Match 6) - Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
8-12 March - West Indies v England (1st Test) - North Sound, Antigua
9 March - West Indies Women v England Women (Match 7) - Dunedin, New Zealand
10 March - New Zealand Women v India Women (Match 8) - Hamilton, New Zealand
11 March - Pakistan Women v South Africa Women (Match 9) - Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
12 March - West Indies Women v India Women (Match 10) - Hamilton, New Zealand
12-16 March - Pakistan v Australia (2nd Test) - Karachi, Pakistan; India v Sri Lanka (2nd Test) - Bengaluru, India
13 March - New Zealand Women v Australia Women (Match 11) - Wellington, New Zealand
Curling
March 12-26 - Banff 2022 - World Deaf Curling Championships - Banff, Canada
Cycling
6-13 March - UCI WorldTour - Paris-Nice - France
7-13 March - UCI WorldTour - Tirreno-Adriatico - Italy
12 March - UCI Women's WorldTour - Miron Ronde van Drenthe - Netherlands
Equestrian
8-13 March - FEI World Cup - Winter Equestrian Festival - Wellington, FL, USA
11-13 March - FEI World Cup - The Dutch Masters - 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
12 March - Group One Racing - Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup; Sistema Stakes; New Zealand Stakes - Ellerslie, New Zealand; Tab Australian Cup; Seppelt Wines Newmarket Handicap - Flemington, Australia; Coolmore Classic - Rosehill, Australia
Games
4-13 March - Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games - Beijing, China
Golf
10-13 March - TPS Hunter Valley - Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, Australia; Honda LPGA Thailand - Siam CC, Pattaya Old Course, Thailand; MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood - Pecanwood G & CC, South Africa; THE PLAYERS Championship - TPC Sawgrass, FL, USA
Gymnastics
10-13 March - 28th FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships - Baku, Azerbaijan
Hockey
12-13 March - FIH Hockey Pro League - India v Germany (M/W) - Bhubaneswar, India
Ice Hockey
3-8 March - 2022 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship Division IV - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
13-18 March - 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Men's World Championship Division III, Group B - Cape Town, South Africa
Kite Sports
9-13 March - IKA Formula Kite Grand Prix Cabarete - Cabarete, Dominican Republic
11-17 March - IKA Formula Kite Open Asia-Pacific Championships - Najomtien Beach, Thailand
Mixed Martial Arts
March 12 - Bellator MMA - Adam Borics v Mads Burnell; Phil Davis v Julius Anglickas; John Salter v Johnny Eblen; Jay Jay Wilson v Gadzhi Rabadanov - St Louis, MO, USA
March 13 - UFC Main Card - Thiago Santos v Magomed Ankalaev; Marlon Moraes v Song Yadong; Sodiq Yusuff v Alex Caceres; Khalil Rountree Jr. v Karl Roberson; Drew Dober v Terrance McKinney; Alex Pereira v Bruno Silva - Las Vegas, NV, USA
Modern Pentathlon
11-15 March - UIPM Global Laser Run City Tour - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
12 March - UIPM Global Laser Run City Tour - Kimberley, South Africa
Motor Racing
March 12-13 - FIA World Endurance Championship - Official Prologue Sebring - Sebring Raceway, FL, USA
March 13 - 2022 NASCAR Cup Series - Avondale, AZ, USA
Motorcycling
4-10 March - Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge - Abu Dhabi, UAE
March 10 - Progressive AFT - Volusia Half-Mile 1 - Barberville, FL, USA
11 March - FIM X-Trial World Championship - Nice, France; Progressive American Flat Track - Volusia Half-Mile II - Barberville, FL, USA
March 12 - AMA Supercross Championship Round 10 - Detroit, MI, USA
Padel
5-13 March - World Padel Tour - Reus Costa Daurada Open 2022 - Reus, Spain
8-13 March - FIP World Tour - Cairo, Egypt
Pickleball
March 10-13 - PPA Tour - PPA Riverland Open - Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
Pool
2-12 March - EPBF European Championships Men, Women, U23 & Wheelchair Athletes - Laško, Slovenia
Powerlifting
8-13 March - European Classic Master Powerlifting Championships - Vilnius, Lithuania
Rodeo (Pro)
March 10-13 - 94th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo - Arcardia, FL, USA
March 11-13 - Scottsdale Breakaway Roping - Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Parada Del Sol - Scottsdale, AZ, USA
March 12-26 - Rodeo Austin - Austin, TX, USA
(*Prize money of $20k or higher)
Roller Sports
11-13 March - World Skate Arena Battle Inline Freestyle - Rome, Italy
Rowing
9-13 March - 2022 World Rowing Indoor Sprints - Virtual
Rugby Union
5 February to 20 March - Rugby Europe Championship 2022 (Men)
5 February to 19 March - Six Nations (Men)
19 February to 12 March - Rugby Europe Championship 2022 (Women)
11 March - Wales v France - Cardiff, Wales
12 March - Italy v Scotland - Rome, Italy; Romania v Georgia - Bucharest, Romania; England v Ireland - London, Great Britain
13 March - Spain v Portugal - Madrid, Spain
Sailing
7-11 March - ILCA Master Central & South American Championship - Punta del Este, Uruguay
8-13 March - iQFoil International Games - Puerto Sherry, Spain
12-18 March - ILCA Senior (ILCA 4 & 7) Central & South American Championship - Punte del Este, Uruguay
Shooting Sport
26 February to 8 March - ISSF World Cup & World Target Sprint - Cairo, Egypt
8-19 March - ISSF World Cup Shotgun - Nicosia, Cyprus
Skating
5-11 March - AmCup Final & US Masters Open Championships - Salt Lake City, UT, USA
12-13 March - ISU World Cup Speed Skating Final - Heerenveen, Netherlands
Ski & Snowboarding
1-9 March - 41st Alpine Junior World Ski Championships - Panorama, Canada
7-13 March - FIS Freeski Junior World Championships; FIS Snowboard Freestyle World Championships - Leysin, Switzerland
9 March - FIS Men's Slalom World Cup - Flachau, Austria
9-11 March - FIS Telemark World Cup and Junior World Championships 2022 - Mürren, Switzerland
10 & 12 March - FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup - Reiteralm, Austria
10-12 March - FIS Speed Skiing World Cup - Idrefjäll, Sweden; FIS Freeski Slopestyle World Cup - Tignes, France; FIS Ski-Flying World Championships - Vikersund, Norway
11-12 March - FIS Women's Giant Slalom and Slalom World Cup - Åre, Sweden
11-13 March - FIS Ski Cross World Cup - Reiteralm, Austria; FIS Nordic Combined World Cup - Schonach, Germany; FIS Women's Ski Jumping World Cup - Oberhof, Germany; FIS Cross-Country World Cup - Falun, Sweden
12-13 March - FIS Men's Giant Slalom World Cup - Kranjska Gora, Slovenia; FIS Snowboard Parallel Slalom World Cup - Piancavallo, Italy
12 March - FIS Dual Moguls World Cup - Chiesa in Valmalenco, Italy
Ski Marathon
13 March - Worldloppet Engadin Skimarathon Main 42km FT - Samedan, Switzerland
Sled Dog Sports
10-12 March - IFSS/WSA World Championships (for RNB teams) - Östersund, Sweden
12-20 March - IFSS World Cup - Lekkarod - Bessans-Bonneval, France
March 12-13 - IFSS World Cup - Hanson Hills - Grayling, MI, USA
Snooker
7-13 March - World Snooker Tour Turkish Masters - Antalya, Turkey
Squash
6-11 March - PSA World Tour - Optasia Championships 2022 - London, Great Britain
12-17 March - PSA World Tour - CIB Black Ball Open 2022 - Cairo, Egypt
Surfing
3-13 March - World Surf League Championship Tour Stop 3 - Peniche, Portugal
8-9 March - World Surf League Junior Tour Stop 1 - Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
March 9-13 - World Surf League Junior Tour Stop 2 - Shepard Beach Park, Cocoa Beach, FL, USA
12-13 March - World Surf League Junior Tour Stop 3 - Redhead Beach, NSW, Australia
Tennis
9-20 March - BNP Paribas Open (WTA/ATP) - Indian Wells, CA, USA
Triathlon
12 March - 2022 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship Manama - Zallaq, Bahrain; 2022 Europe Triathlon Cup - Lievin, France
12-13 March - 2022 Americas Triathlon Cup, Para & Junior North Americas Championships Sarasota-Bradenton - Nathan Benderson, FL, USA
12 March - 2022 Americas Triathlon Cup - La Paz, Mexico
13 March - 2022 Oceania Triathlon Cup - Mooloolaba, Australia; 2022 Oceania Triathlon Para Championships - Stockton, Australia
Waterski
9-14 March - Moomba Masters International Invitational Championships - Melbourne, Australia
Wheelchair Basketball
8-12 March - Men's U23 Americas Championship - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Wheelchair Rugby
6-13 March - WWR 2022 Americas Championships - Medellín, Colombia
Wrestling
7-13 March - European Championships U23 (FS, GR, WW) - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
* We have listed the above events based on the best information we can obtain. The current circumstances mean some of these may be postponed or cancelled at the last moment.