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US Open: Novak Djokovic still hopes to play in New York despite strict unvaccinated entry rules

Novak Djokovic said he remains hopeful he will be allowed to play at the US Open in August

Novak Djokovic said he remains hopeful he will be allowed to play at the US Open when it begins in late August, despite not being vaccinated against Covid-19.

The unvaccinated tennis star was booted out of Australia ahead of the Melbourne Slam back in January after the government decided he’d broken strict Covid-19 regulations and he failed with a legal challenge.

And the 35-year-old could face a repeat at Flushing Meadows but he insisted he is preparing to play at the US Open which begins next month.

Current rules require non-US citizens to show proof of being fully vaccinated before entering the country by air from a foreign nation. He would need an exemption to play.

And, Djokovic said on social media Saturday that he’ll be ready to go should he get the OK. The Serbian’s name appears on the entry list for the US Open, which will be held August 29 – September 11 in New York.

‘I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US,’ Djokovic wrote.

‘Fingers crossed!’

The Serbian proved he was preparing a he posted a video to his Instagram of him practicing.

Fans had shown their support for the tennis star on social media earlier this week with #LetNovakPlay.

Novak Djokovic said he remains hopeful he will be allowed to play at the US Open in August

Novak Djokovic said he remains hopeful he will be allowed to play at the US Open in August

The Serbian shared a video of him practicing to Instagram as he thanked fans for their support

The Serbian shared a video of him practicing to Instagram as he thanked fans for their support

Supporters thanked Djokovic for being a role model and praised him for sticking to his principles.

One posted: ‘With failing politicians and personalities in the World our children look to examples like you in sport .. your principles and what you stand for and what you have sacrificed make you the hero in all of this charade .. thank you.’

Another wrote: ‘He will be remembered for more than the sport he mastered. His actions of him standing up for freedom of choice, will go down in history.’

Another claimed the world will be waiting for the decision, claiming the country would become a laughing stock if the US denies Djokovic entry.

The tennis star is unvaccinated against Covid-19 and would need an exemption to enter the US

The tennis star is unvaccinated against Covid-19 and would need an exemption to enter the US

Fans shared their support for the 21-time Grand Slam winner on social media this week

Fans shared their support for the 21-time Grand Slam winner on social media this week

They said: ‘The whole world will be watching to see if the US deny one of the healthiest and fittest athletes of all time play the global and mandatory #LetNovakPlay @usopen

‘They will become an even bigger laughing stock if they deny him; @SecBlinken @POTUS @CDCgov @CDCDirector @USCIS’

Meanwhile, one supporter wrote: ‘Not only are you one of the best players that’s ever lived, you have shown to be a human being who believes his decisions should be, just that.

‘The facts are coming out thick and fast. As everyday goes by. It’s proves you 100 made the right choice. Well done sir.’

Another insisted that Djokovic had provided the sport with many entertaining moments and fans should repay him with their support.

They shared: ‘You have given us so many joys, beautiful sensations and satisfaction, that the least we can do for you is to wish the best for you. And thank you for your words…idemo Nole.’

One supporter insisted that Djokovic had provided the sport with many entertaining moments

One supporter insisted that Djokovic had provided the sport with many entertaining moments

As of Saturday morning, almost 45,000 people had signed a petition to allow him to play

As of Saturday morning, almost 45,000 people had signed a petition to allow him to play

As of Saturday morning, almost 45,000 people had signed a Change.org petition asking the US Tennis Association and the federal government to reach an agreement for Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam winner, to be allowed to play.

The USTA has said it will adhere to federal rules and won’t seek an exemption for any player – even a three-time champion like Djokovic.

He also thanked fans for their support, which undoubtedly includes their participation in a petition drive.

‘I just wanted to take a moment and say to all of you how grateful I am to see so many messages of support and love from all around the world these days,’ he wrote to fans.

The 35-year-old said it felt 'special' to have fans wish for him to compete in the tournament

The 35-year-old said it felt ‘special’ to have fans wish for him to compete in the tournament

‘It feels special that people connect with my tennis career in such a loving and supportive way and wish for me to continue to compete.’

Djokovic wasn’t allowed to play at the Australian Open in January because of his refusal to be vaccinated. He lost to rival Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals at the French Open in May, then defeated Nick Kyrgios to win Wimbledon in July.

European media outlets reported this week that the Serbian-American Voting Alliance sent a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to intervene to allow Djokovic to play.

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Euro 2022: England are eyeing Wembley glory as boss Sarina Wiegman hits back at ‘pressure’ barbs

England boss Sarina Wiegman hit back at claims that all 'the pressure is on England'

For just a moment, on Saturday night, the mask slipped and Sarina Wiegman displayed the mildest sense of irritation with her German opposite number’s claim that all ‘the pressure is on England.’

It was a reminder that it is always slightly different when these two adversaries are facing up to each other.

‘Did she also say why?’ Wiegman asked, when Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s claim about her was put to her. ‘We are not going to feel more pressure.’ England’s manager felt she’d already answered enough questions on the age-old issue of penalties in this fixture, too.

‘You’ve asked me before. We have practiced penalties and are prepared for everything. We are not going to do differently things all of a sudden.’

But a match this evening before 90,000 fans and a likely 14 million domestic TV audience, is different, however religiously the English ‘process’ stays the same.

There’s also huge hype in Germany, where a clip of striker Alexandra Popp turning up at Friday’s press conference in fake mustache and cap worn backwards — her riposte to being compared with Robert Lewandowski — has gone viral.

But it falls to Wiegman, only ten months into the job, to bring it home to her adoptive nation for the first time since 1966.

England boss Sarina Wiegman hit back at claims that all 'the pressure is on England'

England boss Sarina Wiegman hit back at claims that all ‘the pressure is on England’

And then there’s the level of physicality to be expected against Germany — on a level that Wiegman’s players have not seen before in this tournament. Things got a little spicy against Spain in the quarter-final, with allegations of their captain being elbowed in the neck before England’s equaliser, but Germany have put a boot in more than any other side.

‘I think at some point it might be a little physical Germany can play very direct,’ said Wiegman, a theme which was picked up by her captain.

‘That’s the nature of any German team,’ Leah Williamson said. ‘They’re physical, but I think our game is so strong, the way we play to combat that. It will be a good game, two different approaches potentially, but we have fight in us, it just comes out in us a little differently. It’s something to be aware of, but not something we can’t match.’

In other words, neither side will be taking prisoners. The Germans have committed 60 fouls in five games, the most by any team in the tournament and 20 more than England, and have also accumulated eight yellow cards.

The Lionesses are not holding back as they aim to make history at Wembley on Sunday

The Lionesses are not holding back as they aim to make history at Wembley on Sunday

Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg insists the pressure is firmly on the hosts

Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg insists the pressure is firmly on the hosts

Wiegman also found herself lumbered with the failings of the men in her last public pre-match discussion. Not only the shadow of 1996, when hosts England lost in a Wembley semi-final penalty shoot-out, but last summer’s defeat by the same method for Gareth Southgate’s men against Italy.

With quite enough expectation to contend with, this England manager batted that one away, when asked if she could make up for this. ‘I don’t think we should compare men and women. It’s one England, ‘she responded to the idea of ​​her side of her going one better. ‘Everyone there should cheer for the England team. I don’t think that’s going to be any different.’

The Germans were the ones looking more relaxed in front of the cameras. Voss-Tecklenburg breezily brought up the subject of Geoff Hurst and all that when she did not need to. She had been asked whether she had memories of the ’96 shoot-out when she said that she had been born in 1967 so she only had videos to go on. ‘Everyone knows the history between Germany and England and Wembley and goals and penalties. But that’s all in the past,’ she said.

Her captain Svenja Huth photographed the packed Wembley press conference room, while Voss-Tecklenburg eulogized about this final being the one the nation had always wanted. ‘We’ve dreamt of this to have a final against England at Wembley,’ she said.

Ellen White and Rachel Daly of England celebrate during their semi-final victory over Sweden

Ellen White and Rachel Daly of England celebrate during their semi-final victory over Sweden

‘I don’t think there are any bigger moments for our players. We really want to stay present and embrace everything. England v Germany electrifies football fans.’ Both sides feel the need for this tournament to very much be a game-changer for women in sport and society generally, long after the dust has settled on the final.

‘This hasn’t just been a change of moment football but society in general, how we’re looked upon,’ said Williamson, a schoolgirl when she watched the Great Britain team defeat Brazil in the London Olympics ten years ago today. That was another game-changer for our women’s game.

‘When we look back on the tournament, we will have started something. I’ve only been aware of the workplace in football but in the world women have more battles and hurdles to overcome.’

There’s plenty that Wiegman and her players will want to put out of mind. The fact that they have never won a tournament penalty shoot-out, for instance. They were first beaten on penalties in the final of the inaugural Euros in 1984 — by Tuesday’s semi-final opponents Sweden and were then knocked out by France by the same method in the quarter-finals of the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

Wiegman is expecting a physical battle from the Germans at the home of football

Wiegman is expecting a physical battle from the Germans at the home of football

Southgate’s coaches had the England players deliberately shouting at each other while they practiced kicks, to replicate the game environment, last summer. Wiegman is not thought to have repeated this practice but there has been an increase in the frequency of spot-kick practice since May.

If anyone is capable of allowing England to leave the past against Germany firmly where it belongs, then it is the impeccably calm Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to victory in 2017 when the Dutch beat Denmark 4-2 in the final with Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema scoring twice.

‘I think there is some rivalry with Germany, but whoever we would play against there would be some rivalry, because we want to win that final,’ she said. ‘Netherlands and Germany have some rivalry too.’

She is likely to select the same team for the final that she has throughout this competition, while Germany will probably line-up as they did in the semi-final against France. There is no chance that forward Klara Buhl will be available, even if she has recovered from Covid. A positive test saw her miss the semi-final.

England are now looking to make history by winning the Euro 2022 final on Sunday

England are now looking to make history by winning the Euro 2022 final on Sunday

There is no doubt how much remains on the occasion for both these nations. The Football Association knows that lifting the trophy on home soil could be transformative for the women’s game that they have invested so much in. Their German counterparts feel precisely the same.

‘At the beginning of the game, Wembley will be English and it would be nice if it belonged to us at the end,’ said Voss-Tecklenburg.

To which Williamson’s response was very much to the point. ‘I would be surprised if she didn’t hope that,’ the 25-year-old said.

‘She’s going into the game with the same goal as us. Ninety minutes of football will tell all. That’s what we’re focused on and probably what they will be too.’

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Jake Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr. cancelled, why was it cancelled, weight issues, statement, latest, updates

Jake Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr. cancelled, why was it cancelled, weight issues, statement, latest, updates

Just one week out from the fight, Jake Paul’s scheduled bout against Hasim Rahman Jr. has been canceled due to Rahman Jr. having serious issues with his weight cut.

The New York State Athletic Commission forced Rahman Jr., who normally fights at heavyweight, to submit regular weight checks to ensure he was cutting weight safely after the 31-year-old was given just one month to prepare.

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But according to Rahman Jr.’s promoter Greg Cohen, he was struggling badly with the weight cut and was sitting at 214 pounds just one week out from the bout.

It forced a complete cancellation of the event and prompted a strongly-worded statement from Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

“On Friday, Rahman submitted a weight check to the NYSAC that demonstrated he had lost less than 1 pound since originally signing to take the fight 24 days prior,” the statement read.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 12: Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman face-off during a press conference at Madison Square Garden on July 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 12: Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman face-off during a press conference at Madison Square Garden on July 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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“This prompted the commission to declare that it would not sanction the fight at less than 205 lbs. Still, Jake Paul was prepared to move forward with the fight at this new weight and a new contract was sent to Rahman’s promoter reflecting a 205 lbs. limit, impose strict penalties should he fail to make weight.

“Upon receiving this new contract Saturday morning, Rahman’s camp indicated for the very first time that he planned to weigh 215 lbs. at the official weigh-in and would not agree to weigh-in at 205 pounds and informing Most Valuable Promotions that they are pulling out of the fight unless the fight was agreed to at 215 pounds.

“MVP and Jake Paul will not reward someone that has conducted themselves in such a deceiving and calculated manner. Therefore, MVP is left with no choice but to cancel the August 6th event.

“This forced outcome impacts Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano and every other fighter on this card who have trained endlessly over the past few months for this event. The boxing community must hold Hasim Rahman Jr. liable for his lack of professionalism.”

Rahman Jr. stepped in on one month’s notice as Paul’s fight against Tommy Fury collapsed for the second time.

Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, first withdrew due to broken ribs and a chest infection in December last year and then pulled out in July because of visa issues trying to get into the US.

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NRL 2022: Cronulla Sharks, Andrew Fifita, Nikkita Fifita, veteran prop dedicates try to wife

NRL 2022: Cronulla Sharks, Andrew Fifita, Nikkita Fifita, veteran prop dedicates try to wife

Sharks fans were chanting his name after scoring a vital try in Saturday night’s golden point victory against South Sydney but Andrew Fifita didn’t hear them.

Instead, the Cronulla veteran was thinking of a pre-match promise he’d made to his wife Nikkita.

“With it being Women In League round, I said I would score a try for her but she didn’t believe me,” Fifita said. “I knew I was going to get over, I just had a feeling, and it came true.”

The 68th minute try that put the Sharks ahead 20-14 was Fifita’s first for more than two years and to score in Women In League round held special significance for the Tonga international.

It is less than 12 months since the 33-year-old was placed in an induced coma after being rushed to hospital with a laryngeal fracture.

Fearing the worst, Fifita sent a text message to Nikita from the back of the ambulance to say goodbye.



Fifita at his damaging best!

He was in a coma for five days after undergoing emergency surgery and there were genuine concerns about whether he would survive – let alone play in the NRL again.

“That is why there was a lot of emotion when I went over,” Fifita explained. “It has been a long time, and especially for my missus and what she went through – especially [to score] in this round.

“I think the excitement got the better of me and I started pointing, saying ‘see, you don’t believe me’. Then I turned and the boys came sprinting in.”



Fifita leads Sipi Tau

As he sprung to his feet after charging through four Rabbitohs defenders to score, Fifita cupped his hand to his ear and pointed to his family in the crowd.

Sharks fans then began chanting, “Andrew, Andrew, Andrew”, as he halfback Nicho Hines lined up the conversion attempt, but Fifita insisted he didn’t hear them.

“I honestly didn’t hear it. I was saying to the boys, ‘What do you mean Andrew chant?’ When you get out there it’s different,” he said. “I’m grateful. At least I’ve left my touch on here.”

New Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been able to get the best out of Fifita, who

“I’ve loved working with him,” Fitzgibbon said. “One thing I find with Andrew is be honest with him in what you expect from him.

“He was off to a slow start for his pre-season. He had that throat injury and that’s something you can’t just turn up and forget about it.

“He had to go through a real process there of, ‘Do I want to do this? Can I do this?’ He’s so infectious and he cares so much.

Cronulla captain Wade Graham, who played alongside Fifita in the club’s 2016 premiership winning team, compared his try to the one he scored in their historic grand final triumph.



Looking back at the 2016 grand finale

“It was an awesome moment for him. It was vintage Andrew,” Graham said. “He got the offload, broke the tackle, slipped through and reached out with one arm to put it down.

“He is a great character to have around the place, with how much care he has for the team and the club. It is so important for us and when he has energy like that, the whole club – not just the team – has energy.

“You heard the crowd chanting his name so he has worked hard and he has continued to plug away so it is good to see him get a moment like that.”

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Supercars Race 22 red-flagged after startline shunt

Supercars Race 22 red-flagged after startline shunt


Daniel Smith

Picture: Fox Sports

Race 22 of the Repco Supercars Championship at The Bend has been red-flagged after Thomas Randle stalled and was shunted by Andre Heimgartner.

Tickford Racing’s Randle had qualified second but could not get the #55 Castrol Mustang away from its grid box when the lights went out on the gantry.

Heimgartner (#8 R&J Batteries ZB Commodore), who started from Row 6, was unable to avoid the stricken Ford and ploughed into the back of it.

Nick Percat (#2 Mobil 1 NTI ZB Commodore) also sustained damage when Randle’s car cannoned into the side of his as he sped through the scene on drivers’ left.

Heimgartner and Randle both walked walk away from the wrecks, although the former looked particularly sore/winded, while Percat came to a halt at Turn 1.

The session is set to eventually go to a full restart, with Cameron Waters on pole position in one of the surviving Tickford Mustangs.

Up to 22 laps will be run, although time-certainty of 13:33 local time/14:03 AEST (plus one lap) may prevent the contest from reaching that distance.

Meanwhile, Red Bull Ampol Racing has fitted a new front bar to Shane van Gisbergen’s #97 ZB Commodore after he incurred damage in a separate incident further up.

He and James Courtney (#5 Snowy River Caravans Mustang) made contact on the run to Turn 1 which caused the New Zealander to swipe the rear of Waters’ #6 Monster Energy Mustang.

Update 13:16 AEST

The field has headed back onto the race track.

Update 13:20 AEST

Five-minute signal.

Update 13:23 AEST

Time-certainty now 13:30 local time plus one lap.

Update 13:29 AEST

Race has restarted.

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Aussies maintain focus for ‘dangerous’ Barbados side

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Australia will take nothing for granted as they confront familiar foes in their first ever match against Barbados in Sunday’s Commonwealth Games double-header at Edgbaston.

Barbados have played just one sanctioned international match, besting full member Pakistan on Friday, but boast seven players with West Indies experience, including two of the game’s most damaging T20 prospects in skipper Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin.

Five of the six bowlers used against Pakistan were part of the Windies’ 50-over World Cup side that made the semi-finals earlier this year.

Meg Lanning’s team can secure their spot in the Games semi-finals with victory on Sunday evening (3am Monday AEST), but Barbados have pledged to play with freedom against the world’s top-ranked team.

“We can go out there with no pressure on us,” Matthews declared after Barbados’ win over Pakistan.

“No one’s looking for us to win the match and it gives us a really good opportunity to head out there and play some natural cricket.

Australia’s top-order will be looking for improvement after stumbling to 5-49 against India on Friday, before a rescue job from No.6 Ashleigh Gardner and No.7 Grace Harris salvaged a crucial three-wicket win.

Speaking to cricket.com.au on Saturday, Australia selector Shawn Flegler hinted there would be little change to the XI – unless necessitated by illness or injury – during a whirlwind tournament that includes three group games in six days before finals.

“In these tournaments, once you start playing, unless there’s injuries or a real match-up that you’re trying to work towards, it’s pretty hard to change,” Flegler said.

“It was a tough call, leaving Nic (Carey) out (in favor of Harris), to be honest (but) that’s probably the swinging spot there, do we go another pace option or we go a batting option?

“We went the batting option this time … but if the situation or the conditions change significantly, then we know we’ve got Nic, we’ve still got Annabel Sutherland, we’ve got Amanda-Jade Wellington, we’ve got Ellyse Perry if one of our batters gets injured or gets sick.”

Fore! Aussies go head-to-head on the golf course

With wet weather threatening to disrupt matches in Birmingham over the coming days, Flegler is particularly satisfied to already have two points on the board from the win over India.

There are no reserve days for group matches or the semi-finals, providing added incentive to finish on top of Group A and avoid a repeat of the stress that surrounded Australia’s last semi-final appearance at a major T20 tournament in 2020.

“There’s some very dangerous players (in the Barbados side) – they’ve got Dottin, Matthews – in T20 cricket it just takes one player to have a great day and momentum changes,” he said.

“And that’s what happened with us (against India).

“You can’t take anything for granted. And it’s a short tournament, we can’t afford to drop games.”

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia’s squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda- Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia beat India by three wickets

July 31: Australia v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3: Australia v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium

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Joel Selwood 350 games, Geelong vs Western Bulldogs, post-game celebration, video, reaction, Chris Scott interview

Joel Selwood 350 games, Geelong vs Western Bulldogs, post-game celebration, video, reaction, Chris Scott interview

Geelong captain Joel Selwood celebrated his 350th AFL game in perfect style, with a post-game moment summing up the veteran’s softer side off-field.

Selwood and the Cats notched a 10th consecutive win on Saturday night, defeating the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium to remain a game clear atop the AFL ladder.

A rousing post-game celebration of Selwood involved a chair-off from teammates, congratulations from friends and family, but took an unexpected turn when the 34-year-old ventured back out to the four corners of the centre-square to thank fans for their support.

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Geelong Cats press conference | 10:14

“How good does that look, how well is that done,” former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said on Fox Footy’s Best On Ground.

“Football is a team game, but it is played by individuals who contribute blood, sweat and tears to the cause.

“To be able to be acknowledged in that arena and in that cauldron of his own accord without even his teammates around, that’s pretty special.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott paid tribute to Selwood’s glittering career so far, but said the moment in the centre-square was an insight into the star skipper’s state of mind.

“The thing that keeps striking me about Joel is that he’s a carer,” he said.

“It might be a little bit of a soft word to attach to such a tough guy, but he’s always thinking about other people.

“That’s what I saw out on the ground too, he’s not going out to wave to the crowd and accept all the adulation, he’s going out there to thank them and show his appreciation for being a part of his big night and big career.”

Scott admitted he had been “a little bit emotional the whole week” about Selwood’s milestone and remains in awe of his side’s captain.

“I’m still pinching myself every day walking into the Geelong footy club,” he said.

“It’d be nice to be able to tell my kids and grandkids one day that I spent a lot of time with Joel Selwood. It’s a royal privilege.”

Selwood’s glittering CV could be capped this year with his first premiership as captain, having already played in three earlier in his career.

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‘False news’: Kyle Chalmers rubbishes reports of rift with McKeon, Simpson | Commonwealth Games

Kyle Chalmers says he feels victimized and almost quit swimming because of a media smear campaign based on a fake love triangle.

The Australian swim star has accused media of using him for “clickbait” by publishing stories about his relationships with Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson.

Chalmers and McKeon dated last year but have broken up, with McKeon now the partner of Simpson.

“It’s all just false news that is actually just crap, it’s honestly just a load of shit that is not true,” Chalmers told reporters on Saturday night.

The three swimmers are competing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Chalmers and McKeon won gold as part of Australia’s 4x100m freestyle mixed relay team on Friday night.

But some tabloid reports centered on Chalmers, painted as a jilted lover, supposedly ignoring McKeon in post-race celebrations.

“I definitely said congratulations,” Chalmers said. “If you watch the race back I actually walk up and say good job across the pool.”

McKeon agreed.

“I did [offer congratulations],” she said after winning another gold on Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.

Chalmers on Saturday night also won gold as part of Australia’s men’s 4x100m freestyle team.

Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson at training in Birmingham on the eve of the Commonwealth Games.
Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson at training in Birmingham on the eve of the Commonwealth Games. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

His swim helped Simpson earn a gold medal too – the celebrity swimmer will get a gold for being a heat swimmer in the event.

“I say good luck to Cody, I say good job to Cody, I sent him a message after the race,” Chalmers said. “I do nothing but be as positive as I possibly can.

“I support him on the team but, again, people just want clickbait on the article. It’s unfortunate that I can’t do anything right at this point in time.

“I think it’s fantastic that he’s here… it’s fantastic for our sport, it brings new viewers in. What he has achieved in two years of swimming is incredible.”

Chalmers said the media attention was impacting his mental health.

“You guys [media] don’t actually realize the impact you have on athletes, when we’re standing up to perform for not only ourselves but our country, you guys can affect a lot,” he said.

“And for me after trials I actually really sat down and assessed if I was going to continue on the sport, because for me I had given everything to this country, I have given everything to my sport … instead of focusing on the positives, you guys want to focus on the negatives again.

“You can try and bring me down all you want but it’s only going to last so long and I will stop talking to the media.”

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UFC 277: Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Dana White apology, video, Kai Kara-France

UFC 277: Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Dana White apology, video, Kai Kara-France

Brandon Moreno is a UFC champion again and looks set to face defending unified champion and longtime rival Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title.

But when Figueiredo entered the octagon after Moreno’s TKO win over Kai Kara-France, the new interim champion took a moment to think about what he said next.

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He wanted to make a statement, to “take the mic” and tell his intense rival: “Let’s go motherf***er”, as Moreno put it when speaking to media at the post-fight press conference.

“But everything I said was real. My daughter Madison is eight years old and now she understands everything,” he added.

“I knew I had the opportunity to be a better example for her. I don’t want it for her de ella, her dad de ella doing stupid things on television.

He wanted to make a statement, to “take the mic” and tell his intense rival: “Let’s go motherf***er”, as Moreno put it when speaking to media at the post-fight press conference.

“But everything I said was real. My daughter Madison is eight years old and now she understands everything,” he added.

“I knew I had the opportunity to be a better example for her. I don’t want it for her de ella, her dad de ella doing stupid things on television.

So, instead of engaging in a war of words, the two instead put their history behind them with a classy exchange.

“This guy right here, tonight is his night and he is the champion,” Figueiredo said, through a translator.

“I have a lot of respect for him… I want to take this fight home to Brazil.”

“I don’t hate you,” Moreno later replied.

“I don’t feel anything against you. I forgive you. Please forgive me if I did something bad against you. I want to fight in December.”

UFC boss Dana White confirmed he is hoping the sport will return to Brazil next year, adding: “We’ll see what this crazy world has to throw at us in the next six months.”

But White himself was actually apologetic for deciding to get Figueiredo to enter the octagon post-fight, admitting on reflection that it was a “pretty disrespectful” move.

“You know what, it was kind of an in-the-moment thing,” White told reporters.

“Then when I hear him get up there I was like: ‘Well that was f***ing rude’. This kid is having his moment from him and he’s got Figueiredo standing in his face from him.

“It happened, it wasn’t horrible and we meant no disrespect to Moreno but it came off pretty disrespectful.”

While White is typically not a fan of running a fight back any more than three times, he made it clear he is very happy to see Moreno and Figueiredo face off in what would be their fourth meeting.

“It is one of those unique, freaky deals where who doesn’t want to see that fight again,” he said.

“I’m the worst with that stuff. I hate that s***. If you’ve got a guy up 2-1 you don’t ever need to see that fight again but this is one of those weird ones where you can.”

Originally published as UFC boss apologises for ‘disrespectful’ move after Moreno fight

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Carrigan faces lengthy ban for ‘horrendous’ tackle on Hastings as Tigers put dent in Broncos’ top-four hopes

Carrigan faces lengthy ban for 'horrendous' tackle on Hastings as Tigers put dent in Broncos' top-four hopes



Broncos star Patrick Carrigan is facing the prospect of missing the rest of the regular season through suspension after being referred straight to the NRL judiciary for his “horrendous” hip-drop tackle on Jackson Hastings in Saturday night’s upset loss to the Wests Tigers.

He will front the judiciary on Tuesday night to face the dangerous conduct charge for a tackle in the 73rd minute

The Tigers lock limped off and was on crutches on the sidelines after the game with fears he has suffered a syndesmosis injury and will not play again this year.

Interim coach Brett Kimmorley was fuming over the incident.

“I thought the tackle was a pretty ordinary tackle,” Kimmorley said. “It is something that has crept into the game a little bit and it needs to be looked after because it’s a horrendous tackle and the outcome can be really bad.”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters denied Carrigan’s tackle was intentional and was one of those things that happen “in the heat of the battle”.

Rabbitohs prop Tom Burgess is looking at a ban of 1-2 matches for his high tackle in extra time against Cronulla which led to him being sent off while Raiders prop Joseph Tapine can accept a $1000 fine for contrary conduct in the only other charge from Saturday’s matches.

On the match itself, Kimmorley said it “wasn’t a fluke” that his Wests Tigers put a huge dent in Brisbane’s top-four hopes with an upset 32-18 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

The Broncos have surrendered fourth spot to the Storm, who beat the Warriors 24 hours earlier, when they put in a flat performance against a team that was running last.

And the good news for the Tigers is they have lifted themselves away from last spot with their boilover victory, assigning Gold Coast to wooden spoon favoritism after they went down to Canberra earlier in the day.

Maybe it was karma for Wests after they were denied a legitimate win the previous week when a bunker blunder ruined their hopes up securing a precious two competition points against the Cowboys in Townsville.

“With the hard work the players have put in for a number of weeks, this has been coming,” said interim coach Brett Kimmorley.

“I’d like to think this wasn’t a fluke what we achieved tonight. The journey the team went on after Sunday night when things went against us and had all reason to fall into a heap now, I’m proud of these boys as a coach.”

Walters admitted his side were second best.

“In the critical moments the Tigers were just better than us,” he said. “You don’t have to be too far off (your game) at this level to lose.

“I think the Tigers’ football of late has been very good, and I don’t think they should be sitting where they are on the table.”

Tigers winger Brent Naden opened the scoring in the 12th minute to give the visitors a 6-0 lead. Tesi Niu leveled the scores midway through the first half when he chimed into the back line down the right edge.

Five-eighth Ezra Mam made it 12-6 when he twisted his way over the line and Naden should have hit back seven minutes from halftime but ran out and fumbled a pass with the left corner just a few meters away.

Wests ended up equalizing just before the break when Kelma Tuilagi broke free and turned the ball inside for a juggling Jock Madden to touch down after being called into the side by Luke Brooks, who is out for the rest of the year with a calf complaint.

They went 18-12 up six minutes after the restart when Adam Doueihi batted back a bomb and center Starford To’a plunged over out wide.

The Tigers made it 24-12 when bench prop Zane Musgrove crashed over for just the third try of his career.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Daine Laurie of the Tigers attempts to break away from the defense during the round 20 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium, on July 30, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Daine Laurie. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brisbane fought their way back into the contest midway through the second period when Jordan Riki muscled his way over the stripe to halve the deficit.

Just when it looked like the Broncos were going to level it up heading down the stretch, the Tigers extended their lead to eight when Carrigan was penalized for the hip drop tackle on Hastings.

The lock limped off and was in crutches on the sidelines before the full-time siren sounded.

Doueihi slipped through some threadbare defense to seal just their fourth triumph since 19 starts this season and the first since interim coach Brett Kimmorley took over from Michael Maguire last month.