15th - 19th May
History made at Somabay
At the third meeting of the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2023 in Somabay, Egypt, it was Mexico who stole the limelight with their first-ever gold medal as they claimed victory in the Mixed Team Technical. The competition took place over the previous weekend and concluded on Monday. Shuncheng Yang (CHN) also achieved success on his debut in the Men Solo Technical, while Vasiliki Alexandri (AUT) took gold in the Women Solo Technical. Shiyi Dai (CHN) and again Yang claimed the Women and Men Solo Free. Spain shone in the Women Duet Technical through Alisa Ozhogina Ozhogin and Iris Tio Casas, while their compatriots Fernando Diaz Del Rio Soto and Emma Garcia claimed the Mixed Duet Technical. Mexico's Nuria Diosdado Garcia and Joana Jimenez Garcia won the nation's second gold of the meeting in the Women Duet Free. Spain added the Mixed Duet Free to their medal tally through Diaz Del Rio Soto and Mireia Hernandez Luna. A fantastic weekend for Mexico was capped with Acrobatic gold, while Italy won the Mixed Team Free.
Shotgun experts were in Cairo for the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup. The thirty medal positions were divided between thirteen nations with China topping the table. The nation claimed seven including four gold. Israel's Nof HaGalil hosted the World Draughts Federation World Championship Blitz with Artem Ivanov (UKR) claiming victory. Dimitri van den Bergh (BEL) sealed a nightly win for the first time in the Professional Darts Corporation Premier League on Thursday, while Johnny Clayton (WAL) claimed a Play-Off place at a sensational night in Aberdeen.
In Rugby League news, France have announced that they will not be hosting the next World Cup scheduled for 2025. The International Rugby League (IRL) says it will now consider other options with the next board meeting due in July. With the Emilia Romagna region in Italy experiencing heavy flooding during the week sadly leading to loss of lives and destruction of property, Formula One understandably scrapped the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due over the weekend. Senegal came from behind to score two goals in four minutes to win 2-1 and clinch their first U17 Africa Cup of Nations title. The final was played against Morocco at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers. Burkina Faso claimed the bronze medal.
The Speed Project, an unsanctioned, unsupported 350-mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas via Death Valley, has reached its 10th anniversary this year. Despite being shrouded in secrecy, the incredible ultra-race has some of the best runners competing each year. Mostly featuring as a relay event, it has even added a solo category.
Until next time, have a great weekend in sport.