EDDY MERCKX VS. TADEJ POGACAR | 1973 VS. 2026 | TOUR DE FRANCE 2026

 

MOST LE MANS 24 HOUR STARTS | BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVER

 

Circuit de la Sarthe legend Henri Pescarolo started in an incredible 33 Le Mans 24 Hours - 30 of those being consecutively between 1970 and 1999 😲

The Frenchman won Le Mans four times outright in 1972-4 and 1984, with a further two class wins in 1976. and 1992.

Pescarolo also started 57 F1 world championship grands prix between 1968 and 1976.

#LeMans24 #MotorSport

"PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD MAKE THE TRIP TO NEW YORK": PRESIDENT TRUMP COULD ATTEND NBA FINALS WHEN NEW YORK KNICKS RETURN HOME (REPORT)

The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs that season. New York last won the NBA title in 1973. Could a drought be ending for the Knicks soon? Well, New York will be on the road for Game 1 and 2 either against San Antonio or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Knicks will have Game 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 10. Is there a chance that President Donald J. Trump will be attendance for the NBA Finals like he has been with other major sporting events in the past? It remains to be seen.

President Donald J. Trump Could Be In Attendance For NBA Finals When New York Knicks Return Home

Oct 27, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trumo watch game five of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Nicholas McEntyre of nypost.com wrote about the latest reports about Trump potentially making an appearance at the NBA Finals in New York City. McEntyre said, 

“DJT at MSG.

President Trump could make the trip to New York to watch his hometown Knicks play in the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

The 79-year-old president is considering attending the monumental matchup when the Knicks host Game 3 and 4 of the championship series scheduled for June 8 and June 10, the New York Times reported.

Trump – who has made appearances at multiple large sporting events over the past year, including the Daytona 500, the US Open, a Yankees game and countless UFC fights – would be the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.

The commander in chief had originally planned on a surprise visit to Midtown for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals before the red-hot Knicks trounced the Cleveland Cavaliers to sweep the series in four games, according to the outlet.”

It would not be a surprise to see Trump make an appearance at the NBA Finals when it returns to New York. He also visited the New York Yankees locker room over the past year as well. Trump being in the crowd for a Knicks NBA Finals game would be interesting. The Knicks have won 11 straight games. What if New York wins the first two games on the road, but Trump shows up to Game 3 at the Garden and lose?

There is no doubt that a lot of Knicks fans and other Trump haters would blame him for the team losing. Well, it will be interesting to see if Trump is even going to show up to the NBA Finals to begin with here.

- Glenn Kaplan

ACHRAF HAKIMI MAKES HISTORY WITH LANDMARK WIN AS THE AFRICAN FOORBALLER OF THE YEAR AT THE 2025 CAF AWARDS

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Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, becoming the first defender in 52 years to earn the honour as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the final voteThe Moroccan full-back received the accolade after an outstanding 2025 season with PSG, during which he lifted the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup. Hakimi is the first Moroccan player to take the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first defender to do so since Zaire's Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

"It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award. This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in African," Hakimi said.

"And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all."

Morocco also dominated several other categories, with Saudi-based striker Ghizlane Chebbak named Women's Footballer of the Year and Al-Hilal keeper Yassine Bounou taking the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie secured the Women's Goalkeeper of the Year prize for a third consecutive time, following her recent transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League.

Cape Verde's Bubista was honoured as Coach of the Year after guiding the small island nation to its first-ever World Cup appearance, set to take place next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

- Indo-Asian News Service

A SHORT TALE OF THE SIMBA VS. YANGA DERBY AT NYAMAGANA STADIUM IN MWANZA, TANZANIA, EXACTLY 51 YEARS AGO

 

In the photo, Simba’s skilled goalkeeper Athumani Mambosasa is seen leaping high with great finesse to catch a long-range shot in front of Yanga striker Kitwana Manara ‘Popat’, while his defender Shabani Baraza stands ready to offer close support.

This took place on August 10, 1974, during the very first competitive derby between Yanga and Simba held outside Dar es Salaam, following their first friendly match in Dodoma back in 1959. The 1974 National Club Championship tournament was played in knockout format between July 18 and August 10 of that year.

In preparation, Simba, under coach Paul West Gwivaha, had returned from Poland, while Yanga, led by Zaire’s coach Tambwe Leya, came from Brazil and Romania after a planned trip to Germany fell through.

At the time, Simba were in blazing form, having eliminated Ghana’s Hearts of Oak in the African Club Champions tournament and awaiting a clash with Egypt’s Mehalla el Kubra, who would later knock them out in the finals.

In the Nyamagana match, referee Manyoto Ndimbo officiated the dusty and emotionally charged encounter. Simba took the lead in the 16th minute through striker Adamu Sabu, who replaced the injured Saad Ally.

By halftime, Simba were ahead, but Yanga equalized in the 87th minute through Gibson Sembuli. The match ended in a draw after 90 minutes, prompting an additional 30 minutes of extra time. In the 97th minute, Sunday Manara received a chest pass from his brother Kitwana Manara and scored the winning goal for Yanga.

It was sweet revenge for Yanga after being knocked out by Simba in the 1973 semi-finals, losing the title they had held for five consecutive years.

The match was riddled with injuries; Saad Ally fainted after colliding with Sembuli, and Willy Mwaijibe was injured in a clash with goalkeeper Elias Michael. Both were taken to Bugando Hospital for treatment, with their positions filled by Kessy Manangu and Muhidini Fadhili, respectively.

#yanga #youngafricans #simba #simbasportsclub #makinikia #muhidiniIssaMichuzi #IssaMichuzi #Michezo #mpira 

--- Muhidin Issa Michuzi

VON DIESEL TURNS HEADS AFTER HITTING 'CAREER-HIGH' WEIGHT FOR SURPRISING NEW ROLE

Image via Universal

Vin Diesel has been hitting the gym and is fully committed to his latest transformation.

In a series of recent Instagram posts, the Fast & Furious star gave fans an inside look at what his training routine is looking like these days. And though he's always been known for his jacked physique, his latest posts show he's pushing even harder in the gym.

In one post shared earlier this week, he's seen sitting on an incline bench mid-workout, his arms pumped as he recovers from a heavy set of presses. In the same post, he shares a video of himself pedaling an exercise bike while throwing boxing punches, visibly drenched in sweat.

In a more recent training clip, posted yesterday, Vin Diesel takes on a brutal hybrid move. He starts in a high plank, performs a plank pull through, presses the dumbbell overhead, lands the weight, and drops into a pushup.

"After writing several scripts… and completing the body transformation for Theo…Now I grind for the iconic characters return. Thanks for inspiring me. Hope to make you proud…," he captioned the post.

Vin Diesel is currently training for his role as Theo Kojak in the upcoming movie reboot of the classic detective series Kojak, which originally ran from 1973 to 1978.

"I actually had to gain a lot of weight before this portion of the project. And I actually peaked to 270, which is a career high for me," he said in a video shared to social media on July 17. "I can't tell you how rewarding it is as an actor."

- Kelsey Kryger, C.P.T. Men's Fitness

CAMERON NORRIE EQUALS IMPRESSIVE ANDY MURRAY FEAT WITH SHOCK WIMBLEDON WIN

Cameron Norrie has matched an excellent Andy Murray record with a surprise second round Wimbledon win over Frances Tiafoe.

The 2022 semi-finalist came from a set down to beat the American 12th seed 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-5 on No.1 Court in the tournament's latest shock result.

Norrie has claimed his second career win over TiafoeCredit: Getty

Tiafoe has become the 14th top 32 seed in the men's singles event to lose either their first or second round matches in SW19.

But it's Norrie who has made the headlines with a victory that sees him go level with tennis legend Murray at Grand Slams.

He is just the second Brit after Murray to beat ATP top 20 opposition at all four major events since the rankings were introduced in 1973.

Norrie will face the winner of Jiri Lehecka vs Mattia Bellucci in back-to-back third round appearances at Wimbledon.

During his post-match interview with the BBC, the 29-year-old spoke on his delight with another crucial victory on home turf.

"I was really happy when I saw the schedule and that I was on Court One, it's my favourite court and has an amazing atmosphere," he said.

"I think we both played at a really high level and I stayed so calm. I was just playing point for point, I served so well and I was enjoying the battle.

"It was really nice to play Frances in a big match here at Wimbledon and I was really happy with my level. I didn't drop too much and I was happy to get over the line in the end."

Norrie was all smiles when walking onto the court and when asked about his delight, he added: "It’s so special. You forget so quickly.

"I walked around the corner and you just feel goosebumps and I feel this as such a special court, a special tournament, so much tradition and you walk out with a different sort of feeling.

Norrie has been loving life at Wimbledon so far in 2025Credit: Getty

"I was just trying to take it all in and enjoy it and smile as much as I could. It was a really nice experience today and I was happy with my level and enjoyment factor."

Norrie is in the third round at Wimbledon for the fourth time in his career.

Tiafoe on the other hand has been sent packing early as the top seeds continue to struggle at the All England Club.

He has now equalled a feat that only Murray was able to boastCredit: Getty

Four of the top ten - Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev - have all exited.

Ugo Humbert, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov are some of the other notable losers as of day three.

- Robert Calcutt

BOB ARUM NAMES THE ONLY HEAVYWEIGHT WHO COMES CLOSE TO EQUALLING GEORGE FOREMAN'S POWER

Legendary promoter Bob Arum has worked with a number of legendary heavyweights throughout his career, including the late, great George Foreman.

The 93-year-old’s first championship promotion was with Muhammad Ali back in 1966, when he defended his heavyweight title against George Chuvalo in Toronto, Canada.

Arum went on to establish Top Rank in 1973, where he has played an instrumental role in promoting over 500 world title bouts across five decades. As well as working alongside Ali, the 93-year-old has promoted fighters such as Foreman, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao to name just a few.

Arum promoted Foreman’s incredible 1994 victory over Michael Moorer, which saw ‘Big’ George become the oldest heavyweight champion in history when he captured the WBA and IBF titles with a tenth round stoppage over the previously unbeaten heavyweight star.

In an interview with Sean Zittel, Arum was asked how he believes the heavyweight icon would have fared against the stars of today, before saying former that former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is the only fighter who comes close to carrying the level of punching power that ‘Big’ George did.

“I think quite well, because I don’t know any heavyweight around who had the ring savvy that he had and the punching power that he possessed. Of heavyweight fighters with punching power, the one that came close was Wilder, but Wilder didn’t have the defensive skills that George had and couldn’t take a punch the way George did.”

Foreman picked up 76 victories throughout his tenure, with 68 of those coming via stoppage. Perhaps one of the most famous wins of his career came in January 1973 when he dropped Joe Frazier six times before knocking him out in the second round of their bout to become the world heavyweight champion for the first time.

Wilder has 43 knockouts from his 43 wins and believes himself to be the biggest puncher the sport has ever seen. After back-to-back losses in Saudi Arabia against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, the 39-year-old is making a low-key comeback this June before one last crack at the top level.

 - Toby Morgan

ARSENE CHARLES ERNEST WENGER | FORMER LEGENDARY ARSENAL COACH

Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger is a French former football manager and player who is currently serving as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development. He was the manager of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, where he was the longest-serving and most successful in the club's history. His contribution to English football through changes to scouting, players' training and diet regimens revitalised Arsenal and aided the globalisation of the sport in the 21st century.

In 1969, Wenger was recruited to nearby third division club Mutzig. The club was famed for playing the "best amateur football" in Alsace and managed by Max Hild, who would later go on to become Wenger's mentor. Wenger's emergence at Mutzig aged 20 was considered too late for him to build a reputable playing career. 

Football was not seen as his future; the plan was for him to run the family's spare parts business. He was, however, of the age to start increasing his tactical knowledge of the sport. He frequently read France Football and alongside Hild made trips to Germany to watch Bundesliga matches and observe the different managerial styles. During Wenger's three years at Mutzig, the club beat Strasbourg 3–0 to win the Coupe d'Alsace. He also represented Alsace in a competition held annually between the regional leagues.

Wenger took his studies further, and in 1971 enrolled at the Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) at the University of Strasbourg to read politics and economics after a brief stint in medicine.

In 1973 he joined semi-professional club Mulhouse and balanced his football career with his education.Wenger completed an economics degree a year later. He was selected to represent the national French students squad and visited Nigeria, Lebanon, and Uruguay – where the World Students Championship was held in 1976. 

Wenger did not participate in the event as he was injured; Jean-Luc Arribart, captain of the team recalled: "By the end of that trip, Arsène had almost taken on the role of assistant coach and team joker rolled into one."

At Mulhouse, Wenger was managed by Paul Frantz, who also had a profound impact on his career. It was he who formalised Wenger's beliefs on the importance of nutrition, isometrics and working on a player's strong points.

Wenger played in midfield for Mulhouse, often positioned on the right. In their final game of the 1974–75 season, the club beat Nancy to avoid relegation, but shortly afterwards, Frantz resigned.[32] Wenger also made the decision to leave, as the regular commutes to Mulhouse from Strasbourg overwhelmed him.

In 1975, he rekindled his friendship with Hild and signed for amateur club ASPV Strasbourg (Vauban). Hild needed a midfielder "who could organise play and also have a sort of hold over the team" and decided to recruit Wenger. Vauban was formed in 1971, and made steady progress up the French football league system thereafter; Wenger's three seasons at the club culminated with promotion to the third division.

#declanfosisports #arsenal #arsenewenger 

EUSÉBIO DA SILVA FERREIRA | 'THE BLACK PANTHER OF MOZAMBIQUE '

 

Eusebio da Silva Ferreira (1942 – 2014) was one of the greatest players in world football. Strong in acrobatics, powerful in conclusions, he scored in any way. Let it be witnessed by the fact that, with Benfica, in 614 matches, both official and friendly, he scored 638 goals.

Born in Mozambique, today Maputo, at the time Portuguese colony, arrived in Lisbon very young and wore the Benfica shirt for 15 years winning 11 championships (the first in 1960-61, the last in 1971-72); 5 Portuguese Cups and a Champions Cup (1961-62).

He was 7 times the top scorer of the Portuguese league, Ballon d'Or in 1965 and twice the Golden Boot (the first edition in 1968 and 1973).

He played three more Champions Cup finals and was the trophy's top scorer in 1965, 1966 and 1968.

He was, of course, a pillar of the Lusitanian national team with which they won third place in the 1966 World Cup and was the top scorer of the 9 nets event.

MAY'S DEATH SPARKS TRIBUTE FROM BASEBALL WORLD AND BEYOND

 Tributes poured in for Willie Mays following news that the Major League Baseball great died on Tuesday at the age of 93, with the Hall of Famer being remembered as a "legend and pioneer" of the game.

Mays was an electrifying centrefielder during a 23-year playing career during which he established himself as one of the greatest all-around players of all time.

"Today we have lost a true legend," said San Francisco Giants Chairman Greg Johnson.

"In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays' combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart."

Mays, who was known as the "Say Hey Kid" because of his standard greeting, spent most of his career with the Giants -- six in New York and 15 in San Francisco -- before finishing up with the New York Mets in 1972 and 1973.

"Willie Mays was one of the greatest to ever play the game," said Mets owner Steve Cohen.

"Willie ended his Hall of Fame career in Queens and was a key piece to the 1973 NL championship team. Mays played with a style and grace like no one else."

Mays made his professional debut with the Negro League's Birmingham Black Barons at age 17. When his death was 1973 during a Barons game on Tuesday, those in attendance stood and saluted him with an applause.

Fellow Giants legend Barry Bonds, who is Mays' godson, also took to social media to pay tribute.

"I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion," Bonds wrote on Instagram.

"I have no words to describe what you mean to me - you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever."

Teams from across MLB mourned Mays' death.

The Los Angeles Dodgers called him "incomparable" and the Boston Red Sox said he was a "legend and pioneer of the game".

The tributes also came in from outside of MLB.

"His impact extends far beyond baseball," California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement, while Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said on social media that Mays was "one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball".

- Reuters 

BILL WALTON, NBA HALL OF FAMER AND FREE SPIRIT, DIED AT 71

Reuters 

 Bill Walton, a two-time NBA champion and member of the basketball Hall of Fame, whose brilliant but injury-riddled career led to a second act as a free-spirited broadcaster who waxed philosophical on the air, died on Monday at the age of 71, the National Basketball Association announced.

Walton, who had a prolonged battle with cancer, was surrounded by his family when he died, the National Basketball Association said.

"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement that recalled his many accomplishments on the court and his "insightful and colorful commentary" as a broadcaster. "But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life."

Walton, a 6-foot-11 (211-cm) center who moved gracefully despite his height, rose to stardom in college where he was part of the University of California, Los Angeles, dynasty under Coach John Wooden, winning National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in 1972 and 1973.

The first overall pick of the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Walton established himself as a force early in his professional career, leading Portland to the championship in the 1976-77 season, and he was named Most Valuable Player the following year.

But with brittle bones in his feet, Walton missed three of the next four seasons, mostly as a member of the San Diego Clippers, and later came back as a bench player for the Boston Celtics, helping them win the NBA championship in 1985-86.

In the years following his NBA career, Walton turned to sports broadcasting and was involved with multiple charitable and philanthropic organizations, clinics and camps. He served as both a studio analyst and a color commentator.

'TREMENDOUS IMPACT'

Multiple injuries, including from a bicycle accident, continued to afflict him after his playing days, interrupting his career as a whimsical broadcaster who could intersperse criticism of the officiating of a game with riffs on human consciousness.

He was also known as an avid fan of the Grateful Dead, going on the road with the psychedelic band, often wearing a tie-dye T-shirt common with the group's fan base.

Walton suffered from myriad injuries throughout his life, requiring 38 orthopedic surgeries, according to an interview with the Advanced Medical Technology Association.

In his 2016 autobiography "Back from the Dead," Walton begins in the summer of 2009 when he was in so much pain from his injuries that he was forced to live on the floor of his San Diego home for most of the previous 2-1/2 years. He wrote, "If I had a gun, I would use it."

But with time, as well as inspiration from thinkers as diverse as Coach Wooden, George Bernard Shaw and the Grateful Dead, he was able to convalesce from spine surgery and resume broadcasting, Walton wrote.

While at UCLA, Walton broke multiple school records and stands atop the school's career rebounding list while also ranking among the top 10 leaders in program history in multiple statistical categories.

"It's very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA's program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball," UCLA's men's head basketball coach Mick Cronin said in a statement.

"Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a player, it's his relentless energy, enthusiasm for the game and unwavering candor that have been the hallmarks of his larger than life personality."

- Daniel Trotta

JOGINDER SINGH & TIM SAMUELS | MITSUBISHI COLT GALANT GTO | EAST AFRICA SAFARI RALLY 1973