Category: Other Sports

A late bid by Max Verstappen for a fifth driver’s world title suffered a setback on Friday when he qualified only sixth for Saturday’s sprint race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Dutchman, who said he needs four near-perfect weekends to overhaul McLaren driver Lando Norris’s 36-point advantage in the title race, grumbled about the balance and handling of his Red Bull.

Norris, who won last year’s sprint race in Brazil, topped the times to take pole for the sprint and, after taking a one-point lead in the title race ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, seems to have seized the initiative again.

Piastri qualified third behind teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes. The outcome left Verstappen frustrated.

“I’ve got a lot of vibration in the car and a lot of ride problems,” said Verstappen. “It’s not what we want, but besides that, we also just don’t have the grip, and the middle sector is terrible.

“I just can’t get the car to turn, but at the same time, I can’t really rely on the rears. So, for us, it’s quite poor,” he said before adding. “But it is what it is.”

Norris was satisfied with taking his first sprint pole of the season.

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“It was a little bit tougher than I would’ve liked,” he admitted.

“But I think we did the job we needed to do, which was to be the fastest today. It’s trickier than Mexico and I’ve not been feeling quite as comfortable, but, therefore, it’s a great result for me.”

His team-mate and rival Piastri said: “I had a couple of big moments on my first lap, which wasn’t ideal.

“That was a bit of a shame, but ultimately I felt much happier today than during the last couple of weeks. It went well, I changed a couple of things, and ultimately I’m pretty happy.

“We can definitely fight with what we’ve got, and obviously, there are a lot more points on Sunday.”

Antonelli, who out-qualified team-mate George Russell and was only 0.097 seconds off Norris, was looking ahead to Saturday.

“We’re going to have to take care of the wind and expect quite different conditions,” he said.

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DOHA: Pakistan cueist Shahid Aftab made a winning start to his IBSF World Snooker Championship 2025 campaign, defeating India’s Paras Gupta 4-2 in the Round of 16 here on Wednesday.

Aftab displayed fine form throughout the contest, registering a composed performance under pressure.

He took the opening frame 73-25 before Gupta levelled with a strong response in the second.

The Pakistani cueist regained control in the third frame, producing a 72-point break to reclaim the lead.

Despite Gupta’s fightback to make it 2-2, Aftab sealed the next two frames decisively, including a 62 break in the fifth, to complete a 4-2 victory with scores of 73-25, 27-94, 77(72)-36, 58-76, 122(62)-6, 60-49.

However, it was a mixed day for Pakistan overall as veteran cueist Muhammad Sajjad suffered a 4-2 defeat against Hong Kong’s Fung Kwok Wai in a tightly contested match.

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Sajjad’s loss saw him move into Stage 1 (2nd Event) of the championship.

Following his Round of 16 triumph, Aftab advanced to the next stage of the tournament, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive at the global event.

Pakistan’s five-member contingent for the IBSF World Snooker Championship 2025 was confirmed by the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) on October 27.

The team includes three-time World Champion Muhammad Asif, Asjad Iqbal, Shahid Aftab, Muhammad Sajjad, and young prodigy Muhammad Hasnain Akhtar.

Asif, who entered the tournament as defending champion, earned a direct berth in the last 48, while Asjad Iqbal qualified on the basis of his performance in last year’s knockout stage.

Meanwhile, Hasnain Akhtar received automatic qualification as the reigning World U-17 Champion.

READ: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub make gains in ICC T20I Rankings

The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) has officially announced the  results of the 2025 Athletes’ Commission Election, with Pakistan’s Dr. Asra Waseem and Ukraine’s Dmytro Tron being elected as representatives.

The newly elected members will serve their term until 2028, in alignment with the JJIF Board’s electoral cycle.

The JJIF Athletes Commission plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of Ju-Jitsu athletes worldwide.

Two elected members of the commission hold full voting rights as members of the JJIF Board, ensuring athletes’ perspectives are directly integrated into the federation’s policy and decision-making processes.

Elected Members – JJIF Athletes Commission (Term: 2025–2028)

Isra Waseem – Pakistan
Mehran Sattar – Iran
Dmytro Pernykoza – Ukraine
Anna Fuhrmann – Austria
Gary Hensley – USA
Marianne Gaviño – Mexico

The elections were open to all international Ju-Jitsu athletes who have participated in JJIF-recognized competitions over the past four years. Voting took place on November 3, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Following the election, during the Athletes Commission’s internal session, Isra Waseem (Pakistan) and Dmytro Tron (Ukraine) were elected by a simple majority vote as the Athletes Commission Representative Speakers.

Their election marks an important milestone in strengthening the bridge between the JJIF leadership and athletes across all member nations.

Khalil Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation, extended his congratulations to Dr. Asra Waseem, stating:

“It is a matter of great pride for Pakistan that our athlete has been elected as a member of the JJIF Athletes Commission at the international level. Dr. Asra Waseem represents not only Pakistan but the entire South Asian region, serving as an inspiring role model for female athletes worldwide.”

Tariq Ali, Secretary General of the South Asian Ju-Jitsu Regional Association and the Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation, added:

“This is a historic and positive development, as it marks the first time Pakistan and the South Asian region have secured representation within JJIF’s international body.

Dr. Asra Waseem’s inclusion will bring significant benefits to athletes across the region and further strengthen Pakistan’s presence on the global Ju-Jitsu platform.”

The newly elected commission embodies JJIF’s commitment to transparency, integrity, inclusion, and effective athlete representation.

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Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge says he will run seven marathons on seven continents over the next two years to raise funds for causes he believes in, even as he continues to race at the elite level.

Kipchoge’s “World Tour” was announced after the Kenyan great, a former world record-holder, finished the New York Marathon on Sunday, crossing the line in 17th in 2hr 14min 36sec to cheers from the Central Park crowd.

“This unprecedented two-year journey will take (Kipchoge) across the world to compete in marathons on all seven continents, while continuing to race at the elite level,” Kipchoge’s management team said in a statement.

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“This project aims to inspire the world to become a running world while raising funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation in support of education and environmental causes worldwide, bridging the things that Eliud so deeply cares for.”

Before Sunday’s race, Eliud Kipchoge told Olympics.com that he wanted to run in Antarctica, saying his new project was a chance to “do that extreme thing that can make someone work hard.”

Kipchoge, who will turn 41 on Tuesday, said in a statement that his globetrotting project will let him “compete not only for records but for the people.

“I want to continue to push myself to run at my best but I also want to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited.”

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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will face off in an exhibition match in South Korea in January ahead of the Australian Open, organisers said Monday.

Italy’s Sinner usurped his rival from Spain as world number one after winning the Paris Masters for the first time on Sunday.

Four-time Grand Slam winner reclaimed the world number one ranking by defeating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in the final of the Paris Masters after Carlos Alcaraz suffered a surprising early exit in the second round.

As the pair head into the ATP Finals, taking place from November 9-16 in Turin, defending champion Sinner has significantly more points to defend compared to the Spaniard, who exited last year’s season-ending event during the group stage.

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Following the ATP Finals, the two best players in men’s tennis will meet in the “Hyundai Card Super Match” on January 10 in Incheon, near Seoul.

“For domestic tennis fans, it will be the very first opportunity to see the two top-ranked players compete,” said a Hyundai press release.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has complained about there being too many matches on the ATP Tour, leads their head-to-head record 10-5.

Jannik Sinner will defend his Australian Open title in the first Grand Slam of 2026, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.

READ: Babar Azam shares heartfelt message after T20I series triumph

SALT LAKE: In a night packed with drama and redemption, CM Punk knocked out Jey Uso in Saturday Night’s Main Event here at the Delta Center to become the seventh-time WWE World Champion.

Punk successfully regained the Championship after defeating Uso and held it for more than five minutes.

 

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Earlier, Rollins was set to compete; however, he vacated the title because of injury. Punk came in the match on the back of winning the triple threat match, while Uso secured a victory in a battle royal to earn the spot in a bid to win the championship title.

The match remained competitive throughout, with Punk hitting his final Go to Sleep move, pinning Uso to win the title.

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Following a slow start, the game ended with a powerful finish. In the second half, there were numerous close calls, with both wrestlers utilizing their final moves. Eventually, Punk smashed several GTS finishers and pinned down his opponent.

After the match, CM Punk celebrated in style with Jey Uso looking on, experiencing the sting of defeat yet again.

Post-match, Punk celebrated with the pyro going off, while Uso was forced to watch on, feeling the agony of defeat yet again.

With this win, CM Punk is now a seven-time WWE World Champion and a ten-time World Champion overall in his career.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s 13-year-old Mahnoor Ali etched her name into the record books by becoming the youngest player in the country’s history to qualify for an international squash event.

She has qualified for the 3rd Chief of Naval Staff International PSA Satellite Championship ($3000) on Saturday.

The tournament, currently underway at the RK JK Squash Complex in Karachi, has drawn top local and international players.

But it’s the young prodigy from Pakistan who has stolen the spotlight, earning her place through sheer talent, composure, and grit beyond her years.

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This achievement not only cements Mahnoor’s place as one of Pakistan’s most promising young athletes but also signals a powerful resurgence for the country’s long-celebrated squash legacy.

Earlier this year, Mahnoor Ali had already made waves on the international circuit when she clinched a silver medal at the 32nd Asian Junior Squash Championships held in Gimcheon, South Korea.

Seeded 3/4 in the Girls’ U-13 category, she displayed remarkable control and dominance, defeating India’s Anika Kalanki 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 in the quarterfinals before advancing to the final with ease.

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Pakistan’s Rashid Naseem delivered a stunning performance in Romania, setting four new world records in the famous international TV show “The Ticket.”

Known for his unmatched precision, speed, and raw power, Rashid stunned the live audience and judges alike as he broke multiple records back-to-back.

He began by breaking concrete blocks with his elbow, then crushed cans blindfolded, hammered a nail with his head, and smashed coconuts and soda cans, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

Beyond his record-breaking display, Rashid also showcased Pakistan’s culture by presenting Sindhi Ajraks to the judges and fellow participants, a gesture that drew warm applause and admiration.

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Having already represented Pakistan in countries like Italy, Germany, Spain, Korea, China, Singapore, and now Romania, Rashid continues to wave the national flag high, without any government backing.

“It’s not easy to set world records and appear on international shows without support, but I never gave up. I just hope one day my hard work will be recognised at the national level,” he said.

Rashid Naseem remains Pakistan’s most decorated martial artist, holding the most individual world records not just in the country but across the globe.

He has surpassed over 40 Indian records and broken benchmarks previously held by athletes from England, China, Italy, Iran, Egypt, Germany, Serbia, and Switzerland.

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Bahrain: Pakistan’s emerging wrestler Hasan Ali clinched a bronze medal after displaying an outstanding performance in the Beach Wrestling event at the Asian Youth Games 2025, held at Sama Bay, Bahrain.

Throughout the beach wrestling event, Hasan delivered impressive performances and won a medal in the 70kg category. Notably, this is Pakistan’s contingent’s first individual medal.

During the group match, Hasan outplayed the Korean and Jordan’s opponent. However, he lost to an Iranian opponent in the semi-final.

Pakistan’s second wrestler, Abdul Rehman, will compete for bronze after losing to an Iranian fighter with a score of 3-0.

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Ahead of the event, the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) conducted a two-month national training camp in Gujranwala, focusing on technique, endurance, and mental conditioning under the supervision of coach and secretary general Inam Butt.

For the unversed, Pakistan has sent a 53-member contingent to the Asian Youth Games 2025, which are being held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.

The country has already secured a bronze and silver medal in Kabaddi and Volleyball, respectively.

Notably, the Asian Youth Games 2025 mark the third edition of the multi-sport event, featuring young athletes from across the continent competing in a wide range of disciplines.

READ: WATCH: Pakistan wrestlers shine in Beach Wrestling at Asian Youth Games

Bahrain: Pakistan’s emerging wrestling stars Hasan Ali and Abdur Rehman delivered impressive performances in the Beach Wrestling event at the Asian Youth Games 2025, held at Sama Bay, Bahrain.

Competing in the 70kg category, Hasan Ali beat Jordan’s R. Munafi, whereas Abdur Rehman crushed his Saudi Arabia counterpart Kim S. in the 80kg category.

With this victory, the wrestlers advanced to the next round of the event, aiming to bring home medals for Pakistan.

Ahead of the event, the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) conducted a two-month national training camp in Gujranwala, focusing on technique, endurance, and mental conditioning under the supervision of coach and secretary general Inam Butt.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For the unversed, Pakistan has sent a 53-member contingent to the Asian Youth Games 2025, which are being held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.

The country has already secured a bronze and silver medal in Kabaddi and Volleyball, respectively.

Notably, the Asian Youth Games 2025 mark the third edition of the multi-sport event, featuring young athletes from across the continent competing in a wide range of disciplines.

READ: Pakistan wrestlers gear up to shine in beach wrestling at Asian Youth Games