22nd - 23rd April
Baku's Rhythmic World Cup Showdown
It was a special day in Baku on Sunday, capital city of Azerbaijan, as the next FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup reached the medals stage. Stiliana Nikolova (BUL) triumphed in the Hoop Final, holding off favourite Sofia Raffaeli (ITA). The Ball Final was claimed by Darja Varfolomeev (GER), while Israel won the Group 5 Hoops. Nikolova then went on to win the Clubs, before making it three Gold medals for the weekend in the Ribbon final. Israel again set the standard in the group repertoire by taking victory in the Group 3 Ribbons/2 Balls.
The AMA Supercross Championship reached Round 14 on Saturday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. With three rounds remaining Eli Tomac (USA) has put a little daylight between himself and Cooper Webb (USA) in the 450SX, but Chase Sexton in third place has a chance to claim the title also. In the 250SX, Hunter Lawrence (AUS) is 22 points ahead of his brother Jett. Alvaro Bautista (ESP) had a weekend to savour in the FIM Superbike World Championship as the Ducati rider claimed all three races in Assen, Netherlands, and is now 56 points clear in the championship standings. In the second round of the FIM Trial World Championship in Gouveia, Portugal, Emma Bristow (GBR) and Jaime Busto (ESP) have claimed the top podium positions. Jared Mees (USA) was the winner of the Progressive American Flat Track Dallas Half-Mile in Mesquite, Texas, on Saturday. Jake Gagne secured the podium at the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike at Road Atlanta.
The FIA Formula E World Championship spent the weekend in Berlin, Germany. It was also a special occasion for Jaguar as they claimed a maiden Formula E one-two for Mitch Evans (NZL) and Sam Bird (GBR). Round 8 on Sunday was claimed by Envision Racing's Nick Cassidy (NZL) that moves him to only four points behind championship leader Pascal Wehrlein (GER). Elfyn Evans (WAL) stormed to victory in Croatia at the next round of the FIA World Rally Championship, claiming the championship lead in the process. Kyle Busch secured his second win of the season of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series at the Talladega Superspeedway.
A number of International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships concluded over the weekend. In the Men's Division II, Group A, hosted in Madrid, Spain beat Croatia 5-2 in the final. In the Men's Division II, Group B final, New Zealand overcame the hosts Turkey 4-0 in Istanbul. South Africa claimed the Men's Division III, Group A title in Cape Town.
In sailing news, Arthur Kubelka de Carlos Back became the champion of the 2023 Optimist South American Championship held in Paracas, Perú. Winter Guard International, world governing body of the Sport of the Arts, hosted the World Class Percussion Finals. See the full results here:
Zagreb, Croatia, hosted a continental championship bringing the best of Europe together at the United World Wrestling European Championships. Follow the link for full results in ten weight groups each in Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling.
Staying with combat sports and on this occasion Sambo featured in Haifa, Israel, at another European Championships for all age groups. Sixty two titles were contested with the full results here.
Two major road cycling races concluded today in Belgium, part of the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women's WorldTour. Demi Vollering (NED) is in top form claiming the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, while Remco Evenepoel (BEL) won the men's race. Milton in Canada was the location for the next round of the Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup. Fourteen titles were contested with the full results here.
In further cycling results, Panama hosted the Road Continental Pan-American Championships with ten titles on offer.
Brooke Raboutou (USA) and Mejdi Schalk (FRA) are the Boulder Women's and Men's Champions at the IFSC Climbing World Cup in Hachioji, Japan. It was also Raboutou's maiden victory. South Africa Women and Tonga Men have won the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series at a cold and wet Stellenbosch, South Africa. Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum ran the second-fastest time ever at the London Marathon, smashing compatriot Eliud Kipchoge's course record. Dutch star Sifan Hassan also ran a remarkable race to win the women's event. Over to professional boxing where Gervonta Davis (USA) has improved his highlight reel to 29-0 with 27 knockouts, after defeating fellow American Ryan Garcia in a lightweight bout. Davis has now won five world titles in three weight classes.
China reigned at the World Table Tennis Macao 2023 with the Women's and Men's Singles titles going to Wang Manyu and Wang Chuqin respectively. Antalya hosted the World Archery World Cup Stage 1. Compound Team titles went to Denmark Men and USA Women, with India winning the Mixed Team title. In Recurve, the titles were claimed by China Men, Mexico Women, and USA as the Mixed Team champions. Jozef Bosanky (SVK) and Jyothi Surekha Vennam (IND) are the Compound champions, while Dan Olaru (ROM) and Penny Healey (GBR) claimed victory in the Recurve.
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina hosted ten of the men's strongest in the World World's Strongest Man 2023. Mitchel Hooper (CAN) is the new champion scoring a maximum 10 points in three from six events. In Parana, Argentina, Australia shut out favourites Japan to win their first ever WBSC U23 Softball World Cup. The hosts secured the bronze medal. Australia's Jack Besgrove was name the MVP. Over the Mexico City where Show Jumping fans headed for the next stage of the Longines Global Champions Tour. David Will (BEL) aboard My Prins van Dorperheide made history by taking individual honours. Malin Baryard-Johnson (SWE) still tops the overall standings.
Arborea in Sardinia hosted the 5th World Championship Shore Angling Pair Angling. Spain's Fernando and Aaron Salvador won the individual classification, with the team gold going to Italy.
Until next time, have a great week in sport.