Tag: victory

Philippines win first Asian Games men’s basketball gold in 61 years

justin Brownlee and John Bohannon in a basketball match
The Philippines’ Justin Brownlee is challenged by Jordan’s John Bohannon during the Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal match in Hangzhou on Oct 6, 2023. (Photo: AFP/William West)

The Philippines won their first men’s Asian Games basketball gold since 1962 on Friday (Oct 6) in a 70-60 victory over Jordan with American-born Justin Brownlee pouring in 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Both sides started slowly in an error-riddled first quarter in Hangzhou, which the Philippines edged 17-12, but Jordan – seeking their first Asiad title – rallied to enter half-time level at 31-31.

The momentum shifted back to the Philippines in the third quarter, however, and they took a 51-41 lead into the home stretch and then held their nerve for a famous victory.

Angelo Kouame added 14 points and Chris Newsome 13 for the Philippines, who won the title four times in a row from 1951 to 1962 but had made just one final since, in 1990.

As they went off the boil, China took over on the regional stage, winning eight of the last 11 golds with South Korea claiming the other three.

But there has been a changing of the guard in Hangzhou, with South Korea failing to make the knockouts and China relegated to third, winning the bronze medal match against Chinese Taipei 101-73 ahead of the final.

Former Brooklyn Nets starter Rondae Hollis-Jefferson top-scored for Jordan with a game-high 24 points.

Both sides suffered early nerves in the first quarter, with Jordan sinking just three field goals from 17 attempts and the Philippines faring little better with six from 18.

But a three-pointer from Brownlee just before the buzzer gave the Philippines the edge heading into the second quarter and they stretched their lead to 13 points.

Huge back-to-back baskets outside the arc from Fadi Mustafa and Jefferson helped haul Jordan back into the game and they went into half-time level.

Jordan took the lead for the first time when Jefferson sank a two-pointer soon after the restart, but the Philippines kept coming and seized back control, led by Brownlee and Newsome.

Taking a 10-point buffer going into the final quarter, they survived some nervy moments and clung on.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/asian-games-philippines-win-first-basketball-gold-61-years-3827211

Basketball Germany beat Serbia to win World Cup for first time

Basketball – FIBA World Cup 2023 – Final – Germany v Serbia – Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines – September 10, 2023 Germany players celebrate with the trophy after winning the FIBA World Cup 2023 Final REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

Germany won their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup title by beating undermanned Serbia 83-77 in a slugfest of the two European powerhouses on Sunday in Manila.

Germany leaned on a 22-10 surge in the third quarter, orchestrated by brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, to build a cushion and win the World Cup’s first all-European final since 2006.

The tournament most valuable player Dennis Schroder carried Germany with a game-high 28 points, way above his average of 17.9 points per game, and added two rebounds and two assists.

“This is an unbelievable group… coach did a great job bringing us together,” Schroder told a press conference. “Our defence and how we play as a basketball team is just special.”

Germany, who won all eight tournament games, became the first team since 2006 to win a FIBA World Cup crown while debuting in the final.

Serbia absorbed another heartbreak after losing to the United States 129-92 in the 2014 final, but finished better than their quarter-final exit in 2019.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/basketball-canada-ekes-past-us-capture-first-ever-basketball-world-cup-medal-2023-09-10/

Veteran Djokovic overcomes Shelton to reach US Open final

Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 8, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his semi final match against Ben Shelton of the U.S. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Novak Djokovic used his experience to overcome American Ben Shelton as the Serbian battled past his 20-year-old challenger 6-3 6-2 7-6(4) to reach his 10th U.S. Open final on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.

Shelton had flummoxed opponents in New York with his big serve, but the 36-year-old second seed Djokovic was able to harness his experience to neutralise a third-set surge from the young American.

He next faces the winner of a match between top seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and third seed Daniil Medvedev.

“Obviously I knew that he’s got a lot of firepower. He has an amazing pop on the serve, he’s just so dynamic and very unpredictable what comes next,” said Djokovic. “I just had to stay there mentally, present, calm, and focus on the game plan.”

Already assured of returning to the top of the world rankings when they are updated after the tournament, Djokovic will continue the hunt for his 24th Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court’s all-time singles record on Sunday.

Shelton handed Djokovic a break in the sixth game of the first set with a series of unforced errors, and the unseeded American was unable to convert his own break point chance in the ninth.

In the second set, Shelton’s best weapon failed him as he helped Djokovic secure a break with a double fault in the fifth game and he dropped his racquet in frustration as he sent a forehand out to hand the Serb another break in the seventh.

Djokovic was competing in his 47th major semi-final while Shelton was appearing in his first. The difference in experience was apparent as the second seed broke Shelton with a fine forehand winner in the opening game of the third set.

But the American came to life late as he fended off a break point with a 143-mph (230-kph) ace in the fifth game to a chorus of cheers from the home crowd.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/veteran-djokovic-overcomes-shelton-reach-us-open-final-2023-09-08/

Twitter Reactions: Mitchell Marsh, Tanveer Sangha power Australia to their biggest victory over South Africa in T20Is

Australia hammer South Africa in the first T20I at Durban (Photo Source: Twitter)

The first T20I encounter between South Africa and Australia, part of the Australia tour of South Africa 2023, took place at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday. After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bowl first, setting the stage for a competitive battle.

Australia Innings:
Australia posted a formidable total of 226-6 in their allotted 20 overs. The batting highlights included a powerful knock from newly-appointed captain Mitchell Marsh, who scored a remarkable 92 not out off 49 deliveries. Tim David also played a pivotal role with a quickfire 64 runs off 28 balls. Their efforts contributed significantly to Australia’s commanding total.

Bowling figures for South Africa:
Lizaad Williams emerged as the standout bowler for South Africa, securing three crucial wickets while conceding 44 runs. Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and Tabraiz Shamsi each claimed a wicket, albeit conceding runs in the process.

South Africa Innings:
In pursuit of Australia’s formidable target, South Africa struggled and managed to score 115/10 in 15.3 overs. Reeza Hendricks showcased an impressive performance with the bat, amassing 56 runs off 43 balls. However, remaining South Africa line-up struggled against the Australian bowlers.

Bowling figures for Australia:
Tanveer Sangha shone with the white leather on his T20I debut, capturing four wickets while conceding 31 runs. Marcus Stoinis and Spencer Johnson also contributed significantly with three and two wickets, respectively.

Source: https://crickettimes.com/2023/08/twitter-reactions-mitchell-marsh-tanveer-sangha-power-australia-to-their-biggest-victory-over-south-africa-in-t20is/

Neeraj Chopra Pips Pakistan’s Ashraf Nadeem To Clinch India’s First-Ever Gold In World Athletics Championships

Neeraj Chopra managed a best throw of 88.17m in his second attempt in the men’s javelin final to secure the first position

India’s Neeraj Chopra made history on Sunday as he clinched India’s first ever gold medal in the World Athletics Championships after beating Pakistan’s Ashraf Nadeem in the men’s javelin final.

Neeraj Chopra managed a best throw of 88.17m in his second attempt in the men’s javelin final to secure the first position ahead of of Nadeem, who managed 87.82m in the final round.

The rise and rise of Neeraj Chopra

The gold medal in the world championships adds to Neeraj’s tally of top positions in the 2016 South Asian Games, 2017 Asian Championships, 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2018 Asian Games, 2020 Olympics, 2022 Diamond League, 2022 world championships and the 2023 world championships.

Adding to the significance of the moment, three Indian athletes claimed spots in the top eight, with Kishore Jena (84.77m) and DP Manu (84.14m) securing the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

This marks the first instance of three Indian athletes finishing in the top eight of a World Championships event.

https://twitter.com/JioCinema/status/1695881053159006373?s=20

The legend of Neeraj Chopra

At 25 years old, Chopra’s standout performance came during his second attempt, as he registered his best throw of the day. His series included a foul to start, followed by throws of 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m, and 83.98m.

Securing the silver was Pakistan’s reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Arshad Nadeem, who achieved his season’s best throw of 87.82m. Meanwhile, the bronze went to Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic.

Neeraj Chopra enters elite company

Chopra has now joined an elite club, becoming just the second Indian athlete, following the legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra, to concurrently hold titles from the Olympics and World Championships. Bindra claimed the World Championships title at the age of 23 and an Olympic gold at 25.

Notably, Chopra, who originally made history as India’s first track and field Olympic gold medalist at the Tokyo Games in 2021, secured a silver medal in the 2022 edition of the World Championships. Prior to him, long jump legend Anju Bobby George had secured a bronze in the 2003 World Championships.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/neeraj-chopra-beats-pakistans-ashraf-nadeem-to-clinch-indias-first-ever-gold-in-world-athletics-championships

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