3rd - 7th April
Women's Six Nations So Far
As the Women's Six Nations enters a break over the coming weekend, the current standings give us a valuable insight on which nation will most likely lift the trophy on the 29th April. After round two, England, Wales, and France remain unbeaten, with the former leading the table. England have won the championship for the last four years and are favourites to continue as the team to beat. They meet Wales next weekend and France in the final round that will determine their present dominance and firm grip on the competition. In other rugby union news, New Zealand's men and women continue to set the pace in the World Rugby Sevens Series. The men are in Singapore over the weekend with three rounds remaining, while Toulouse in May is the final round for the women.
India's city of Bhopal hosted the most recent International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup Pistol/Rifle. Eighteen medals were shared by twelve nations, making it one of the closest competitions for some time. Germany and Slovakia shared the top spot with one gold and one bronze each. In squash news, Belgium's Tinne Gilis, winner of the women's singles gold at the World Games 2022, has been named ‘Athlete of the Month’ by The World Games.
China's Lei Tingjie has won the Women's Candidates Final, which means she can now challenge Ju Wenjun, China's chess grandmaster, in the upcoming Women's World Championship match, scheduled for July in Shanghai and Chongqing. The only cycling road race that completed during the week is the UCI ProSeries - Scheldeprijs in Belgium. Home hero Jasper Philipsen became the elite winner. Wembley Stadium lit up on Thursday night at the inaugural Women's Finalissima, an intercontinental football match organised by CONMEBOL and UEFA and contested by the winners of the Copa América and UEFA European Championship. England defeated Brazil 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-all.
Darts champion Jonny Clayton has made it back-to-back wins at the most recent PDC Cazoo Premier League in Birmingham, England, on Thursday. The reigning champion Toni Bou (ESP) won in Bordeaux, the second brand new venue of the FIM X-Trial World Championship. Bou now leads the standings on 79 points, followed by fellow countryman Jaime Busto on 59. Taiwan beat Iceland 3-2 in the final of the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division II, Group A, played in the San Jeronimo Arena in Mexico City.
Until next time, have a great weekend in sport.