SPORT - The African Mirror

Jul

10

2024

Road to Paris: Ethiopia’s marathoners hope to relive legendary Olympic triumphs

ATHLETICS

WHEN Abebe Bikila ran barefoot over the cobbles in Rome to break the tape in the Olympic Marathon in world record time of 2hr 15 min 16 sec, he gave notice to the world of a sea-change in the sport of distance running. The year was 1960 and Bikila’s win signalled the start of African domination in the sport which has increased to a crescendo with the passing years and set a marker that many of his compatriots were to follow over the next six decades. At 28, Bikila became the second African to win Olympic marathon gold, following South…

Jul

09

2024

By STEPHEN GRANGER, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Road to Paris: African Olympic hopefuls shine in Durban ahead of the Paris Olympics

SPORT

JUST a month before athletes head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics, some of Africa's top marathoners gathered in the port city of Durban on July 7 to compete in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10k — and the results highlighted a depth of talent that suggests the Paris Olympics will be a spectacle of African running superiority. South African Olympian Elroy Gelant raced to victory in his life-best 10km of 27 min 47 sec, while Glenrose ‘Supercharger’ Xaba beat Elana Van Zyl Meyer’s 33-year-old national 10km record to cash in on lucrative incentives. Both Gelant and his teammate…

Jul

09

2024

By OLIVER OCHIENG, BIRD STORY AGENCY

South Africa set to host Basketball Without Borders camp

BASKETBALL

THE National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have settled on South Africa as the host of this year’s Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa edition event. The meet, in its 20th edition this year, will be held at the American International School of Johannesburg from Saturday 3rd to Tuesday 6th August 2024, marking the 16th time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program will be held in South Africa. According to NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi BWB Africa, this year’s edition will bring together 30 boys and 30 girls from more than…

Jul

08

2024

By The African Mirror

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon breaks world record

ATHLETICS

KENYAN track star Faith Kipyegon has once again etched her name in the annals of athletics history, breaking her own world record in the women's 1,500 meters at the Diamond League meeting in Paris. The news has sparked jubilant celebrations across Kenya, where Kipyegon is hailed as a national hero. Kenyan President William Ruto lead in the nation in celebration. He said: "Faith Kipyegon has once again made history. Congratulations on breaking your own record in the 1500m race. Your victory is a testament to the rewards of hard work and determination, a valuable lesson to the aspiring young athletes…

Jul

08

2024

By The African Mirror

Tears of joy after Hamilton’s first win since 2021 and his last at Silverstone in a Mercedes

MOTORSPORT

LEWIS Hamilton's emotional triumph at the British Grand Prix marked a historic and poignant moment in Formula One. The seven-time world champion ended a 945-day winless streak with a record-breaking ninth victory at Silverstone, in what will be his final home race with Mercedes. Reuters reports that Hamilton was overcome with emotion after crossing the finish line, shedding tears of joy as he celebrated his 104th career win. The British driver's voice faltered as he choked back tears while thanking his team and the 164,000 fans in attendance. "I'm still crying," Hamilton told former champion Jenson Button during the post-race…

Jul

06

2024

By The African Mirror

Spanish delight, German heartbreak in Stuttgart!

FOOTBALL

IN a night of high drama that will be etched in European football history, Spain delivered a knockout blow to Germany's Euro 2024 hopes, sending shockwaves through the Stuttgart Arena and beyond. The pulsating quarter-final clash, which seemed destined for penalties, was dramatically decided in the dying embers of extra time, leaving the host nation in unprecedented despair. As the clock ticked past the 119th minute, substitute Mikel Merino rose like a phoenix from the ashes of a gruelling battle, meeting Dani Olmo's pinpoint cross with a thunderous header that silenced the partisan crowd. The late Spanish surge not only…

Jul

04

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Thembi Kgatlana’s Side Tigres UANL named Super cup Champions

FOOTBALL

Thembi Kgatlana scored a crucial goal that helped her team, Tigres UANL Femenil, defeat Rayadas de Monterrey to win Liga MX's esteemed Super Cup. Mexican side U Tigres UANL Femenil, the 2023 Apertura champions, faced off against the 2023/24 Clausura champions, Rayadas de Monterrey. The women's Liga MX follows a similar schedule to the men's league, with two tournaments each season: the Apertura from July to December and the Clausura from January to May. The champions of each tournament compete in the Super Cup match. This match was the second leg of the Super Cup finals, which in the first…

Jul

03

2024

By Mpho Rantao

FE: Da Costa’s Portland double win sets up final showdown

MOTORSPORT

Antonio Felix da Costa’s third win in the United States has ignited the drivers’ championship battle, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The Portuguese driver secured his victory with his team, TAG Heuer Porsche, following two consecutive wins in previous rounds. Da Costa's skill and Porsche’s strategies were pivotal over the weekend, placing him in strong contention for the drivers’ championship against the current leader, Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy, fellow Jaguar driver Mitch Evans, and Porsche teammate Pascal Wehrlein. Da Costa started the race well, beating polesitter Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske) on…

Jul

03

2024

By MOGAMMAD SHARHIDD TALIEP

T20 World Cup: South Africa reached its first final ever – but staying at the top will take a rethink of junior cricket

SPORT

FOR the first time ever, South Africa reached the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. They lost to India in Barbados on 29 June. T20 (Twenty20) cricket is a shortened version of one-day cricket and has revolutionised the sport in the past 20 years. But, warns cricket scholar Sharhidd Taliep, if the country wants to keep reaching finals, it will need to modify the T20 format that’s played by young cricketers. Currently they play the same version of T20 as competitive adult cricketers and this isn’t good for growing the all-round skills needed. What’s your take on the…

Jul

02

2024

By STEPHEN GRANGER, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Eliud Kipchoge’s quest for a third Olympic gold is achievable – running experts explain

ATHLETICS

THE 2024 Paris Games are fast approaching and Kenyan marathoners are poised to shine, given the rich pool of talent in the country's Olympic team. Could this be 39-year-old Eliud Kipchoge's moment to make history as the first athlete to win three Olympic Marathon titles? The questions for Kenya's famed runners don't stop there, however. Another question is whether Helen Obiri could use the Paris games to upgrade her Olympic silver medal (she has two in the 5000m, from 2016 and 2020) to gold in the marathon to add to her world championship titles in 5000m and cross-country. Can Benson…