With R. Praggnanandhaa out of contention, focus has shifted to his sister R. Vaishali, who enters Round 11 of the Women’s Candidates tournament as the sole leader, boosting her chances of sealing the title when play resumes on Saturday after the rest day. Vaishali, on six points, faces Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina in the next round, aiming to extend her lead and strengthen her bid for the title, which would earn her a shot at reigning world champion Ju Wenjun later this year.

With four rounds remaining, Vaishali has been the standout among the three Indian players, ahead of her younger brother R. Praggnanandhaa, who is competing in the Open section, and Divya Deshmukh.

She holds a half-point lead over Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk and China’s Zhu Jiner. The trio of Kateryna Lagno, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva are tied for fourth on five points, while Divya Deshmukh is another half-point behind.

Former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi sits in last place with 3.5 points.

Vaishali has been in the spotlight for her bold, attacking play, with three wins and just one loss so far. The Indian has shown strong intent, balancing ambition with calculated risk-taking.

After her clash with Goryachkina, she still has games against two Chinese players and Kateryna. With four rounds left, the tournament remains wide open, and a strong finish could still secure the title and a shot at world champion Wenjun later this year.

The ‘Open’ section has turned into a one-sided race, with Sindarov in commanding form on eight points out of 10. The Uzbek has been relentless, scoring six wins alongside four draws, and is now well placed to secure a shot at India’s D. Gukesh in this year’s World Championship match, barring a dramatic collapse in the final rounds.

Sindarov remains firmly in control, with the closest challenger Anish Giri trailing by two points and needing a near-miracle to stay in contention for the title.

Such has been Sindarov’s dominance that third-placed Fabiano Caruana is a further point behind Giri and effectively out of the race. Hikaru Nakamura, Wei Yi, and Matthias Bluebaum share fourth place on 4.5 points.

Praggnanandhaa is in seventh spot with just four points to his credit after a promising start, while Andrey Esipenko, on 3.5 points, is in the last spot.

A win for Sindarov against Caruana in the next round could virtually settle the title in his favour, while even a draw would move him closer to glory.

Giri faces Andrey Esipenko and will look to cut into the gap if he wins, while Praggnanandhaa takes on Bluebaum, who has shown solid form throughout the event.

In another Round 11 encounter, Nakamura will aim to improve his standing against Wei Yi.

Pairings (Round 11): Fabiano Caruana (USA, 5) vs Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb, 8); R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 4) vs Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 4.5); Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 4.5) vs Wei Yi (Chn, 4.5); Anish Giri (Ned, 6) vs Andrey Esipenko (Rus, 3.5).

Women: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus, 5) vs R Vaishali (Ind, 6); Tan Zhongyi (Chn, 3.5) vs Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz, 5); Kateryna Lagno (Rus, 5) vs Anna Muzychuk (Ukr, 5.5); Zhu Jiner (Chn, 5.5) vs Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 4.5).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season

Not everybody representing the red, white and blue sounded necessarily ecstatic about doing so in the Olympics.

Freeskier Hunter Hess said he had “mixed emotions” representing the U.S. in Milan, while skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she wanted to represent her own “values” in Milan, and it was “tough to reconcile” violence in America while “competing for medals at an Olympic event.”

But for two-time gold medalist Jordan Stolz, there were no problems.

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Gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the U.S. celebrates after the men’s 500-meter speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Ben Curtis/AP Photo)

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the speedskater who won gold twice in Italy, Stolz said he paid no mind to any other athletes’ comments.

“I didn’t really pay attention to it, but I’m always happy to represent the USA,” Stolz said.

“I think we’re the best country.”

It was not just winter Olympians who shared unease about representing the United States on the grandest stage. In an interview with Fox News Digital months before the 2024 Summer Olympics, Noah Lyles said representing the U.S. was “bittersweet” and came with a “heavy heart,” saying Black people in America have “a lot to deal with.”

Noah Lyles of the United States poses after winning the gold medal in the men’s 200 meters final at the World Athletics Championships. The event took place in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025. (Matthias Schrader/AP)

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST DISCUSSES BALANCE BETWEEN CELEBRATING ONE VICTORY WHILE VYING FOR OTHERS

Hess said it was “a little hard” to represent the United States, because “there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.” Those comments prompted President Donald Trump to call him a “real loser.”

“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S. I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here,” Hess said in February.

Shriffin said, “I think there’s a lot of hardship in the world globally, and there’s a lot of heartbreak. There’s a lot of violence. It can be tough to reconcile that when you’re also competing for medals at an Olympic event.”

Ahead of the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper, who played for Team USA, said it was “crazy” to not fully embrace wearing the Stars and Stripes.

United States Bryce Harper celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against Venezuela, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

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The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman said no matter where one may stand politically, it is always the greatest honor to represent the United States.

“Obviously, there’s things that are going on in the country that, you know, aren’t good or people don’t believe in or whatever, right? Politics aside, for me, when you’re going and representing your country, you’re representing your country, man. Like, block all that out. It’s sports.

“We want to put something on the TV that is happy and good and just great for everybody to watch, right? So, representing your country, there’s nothing greater than representing your country. There’s really nothing at all.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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The Minnesota Vikings have five selections after Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and one of those late picks might be used on Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels.

Minnesota is still digging into wideout help ahead of the draft’s middle rounds.

Daniels flew into the Twin Cities this week for a pre-draft visit, a decent indicator that the franchise has a keen eye on the Hurricane.

Daniels Brings Production, Experience, and Midround Upside

The Vikings are widely known for drafting productive wideouts.

Daniels to MIN for Pre-Draft Visit

Daniels showed up in Eagan on Wednesday, and NFL writer Dave Holcomb noted, “The Minnesota Vikings will again feature a potential top wide receiver duo with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison next season. But that doesn’t mean the Vikings won’t add a receiver in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Should that happen, Minnesota targeting a potential sleeper such as CJ Daniels could make a lot of sense.”

“The Vikings are doing their research on Daniels two weeks ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL writer Arye Pulli reported Wednesday that the Vikings are hosting Daniels on a pre-draft visit. Pulli called the wideout a natural pass catcher and Day 3 sleeper.”

Daniels ranks No. 193 on the Consensus Big Board as of April 9th, making him a 6th-Round prospect with the draft two weeks away.

Daniels’s Scouting Report

The short story on Daniels? He’s “old” (24) and slow — but polished, technically-refined, and handsy (in a good way). He logged 50 catches for 557 yards and 7 touchdowns last year at Miami. The main knock on him, causing his late-round draft stock, is a lack of speed and contested-catch process.

NFL Draft Buzz‘s Wyatt Brooks on Daniels: “Here’s the deal with Daniels: he fits best in an offense that values precision over explosiveness. Concepts built around timing throws, screen packages, and route combinations that create space through design rather than pure athleticism will get the most out of him.”

“He’s not going to be a number one target at the next level, but as a complementary piece who can block, move the chains, and give you professional route running from multiple alignments, there’s genuine day-two value here. His six years of college experience and the fact that he produced at three different programs show a player who adapts quickly and earns trust wherever he goes.”

There’s actually a healthy debate on Daniels’s draft placement; some pundits peg him as high as a 3rd-Rounder. Others claim he’s an undrafted free-agent-to-be.

Brooks added, “That kind of reliability goes a long way on Sundays. Daniels is the type of receiver who probably won’t light up a room during the pre-draft process, but put his tape on and you see a guy who understands how to play the position. His route craft is legitimate.”

“He uses his lower body to deceive defenders, changes pace within his stems, and consistently wins out of breaks with quickness rather than raw speed. The savvy is real, and it shows up week after week regardless of the uniform he’s wearing.”

Age a Slight Concern

By the time Week 18 rolls around — hopefully the Vikings are competing for the NFC North crown and a playoff spot — Daniels will turn 25. Yes, a 25-year-old rookie.

Is that a death sentence? Absolutely not. But when Daniels turns 25, some wide receivers from years past would be negotiating a second contract or already have one. Or — consider this: Daniels will be 25 in January, and he hasn’t been drafted yet. Jordan Addison turned 24 this offseason.

Some draft heads hyperfocus on a rookie’s age; others don’t care. Choose your fighter.

The Need for Daniels

Tai Felton is the Vikings’ WR3 on paper right now. That might be great; it could be terrible. Minnesota drafted him in Round 3 last year, and as a rookie, he hardly played on offense, instead seeing action on special teams. Drafting WRs in Round 3 generally indicates a role on offense, not just special teams assignments.

Then, Minnesota allowed Jalen Nailor to leave in free agency one month ago. He landed with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with Kirk Cousins and Klint Kubiak in the AFC West. If Minnesota does not trust Felton as the WR3 this season, it needs an alternative, either a rookie or a free agent from the open market.

Because of Daniels’s “advanced age” as a rookie, he’s a curveball option for WR3. And the Vikings are clearly curious about him; he’s at team headquarters this week.

German boxer Julia Igel has insisted she is not frightened of Olympic champion Imane Khelif, despite telling DW that she considers her Algerian opponent to be “male” amid questions over Khelif’s eligibility for the female category.

“Someone that might have something to do with the male gender shouldn’t be in women’s boxing,” Igel said ahead of the fight in Paris on April 23. “You can’t say you’re a woman and you feel like a woman. Just the punching power and the danger that you face when you have a male in front of you, it is different.”

Khelif is not transgender and was assigned female at birth, but has admitted that she has the SRY gene, which is found on the Y chromosome and triggers the development of male characteristics. Critics argue this gives her an unfair and dangerous advantage over other women in the ring.

Not that Igel appears bothered by the apparent additional risks.

“I’m definitely not scared,” the 25-year-old told DW at her training camp in Berlin. “And that is the best part, because when my coach asked me if I wanted to do this fight, my last thought was fear. I know my skills, I know my abilities.”

Khelif’s controversial Paris gold medal

By making her professional debut in the French capital, Khelif is returning to the scene of not only her greatest triumph, but also the biggest controversy of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her gold medal was overshadowed by accusations that she had failed unspecified sex tests in the two years before the Games.

Those tests, according to the International Boxing Association, which was expelled by the International Olympic Committee in 2023, allegedly showed Khelif and another female boxer, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, as having XY (male) chromosomes and “male levels” of testosterone. (Lin has since been “deemed to be female” by World Boxing, the body now in charge of the sport at the Olympics).

While Igel still uses the pronoun “she” for Khelif, Ikram Kerwat, the German’s coach and manager, is far more blunt.

“Ever since it came out that he has XY chromosomes, he has balls, he produces testosterone … yes, it’s a he,” said Kerwat, a four-time world champion.

Fresh in Kerwat’s mind is the case of Angela Carini. The Italian abandoned her fight against Khelif at the Paris Games after just 46 seconds, saying afterwards that she had never felt a punch like Khelif’s. “She saved herself,” Kerwat said. “He [Khelif] should go and compete with men.”

‘Put out a statement to the world’

It does all beg the question: Why then take on the fight? According to Kerwat, several other female boxers turned down the opportunity because of the questions surrounding Khelif, who hasn’t fought competitively since the Olympics.

Igel, for her part, sees no contradiction in complaining about safety, and yet not feeling scared.

“I’m here for the challenge,” she said. “I think the special thing about this fight is the reach that it has, the people talking about it. This is really something that we will do to put out a statement to the world. So this one is definitely going to take us to new heights.”

While World Boxing, the amateur body, stipulates mandatory sex testing for its events, Khelif was granted her pro license by the French Boxing Federation, with no test required.

The 26-year-old’s February admission, to the French sports newspaper L’Equipe, has added further fuel to her critics. In the same interview, though, she said that her difference was “natural;” that she had lowered her testosterone levels; and that she had sent her medical records to World Boxing but hadn’t received a response.

“If she really is 100% female, then she can go fight in the women’s sport,” Igel said. “If not, then she should stop being so loud about it.”

DW has approached Khelif for comment via her promoter and PR company.

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Igel: I can beat Khelif

In contrast to her debutant opponent, Igel has had seven professional bouts, winning five (four by knockout) and losing two, her most recent a defeat on points to the American Stephanie Simon in Los Angeles.

The former kickboxer, who took up combat sports in her Swiss hometown for a “safe space” during her parents’ divorce, has enjoyed a steady rise under Kerwat’s tutelage, after the pair met in a Berlin gym two years ago.

This is the biggest fight of Igel’s career by far, although she says Khelif will also be feeling the heat.

“It’s a lot of pressure on her, because the boxing world is not that happy to see her in pro boxing with the women,” Igel said. “So that’s just what we’re going to use, because I think we have the world on our side.”

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As part of her preparations for the bout, Khelif had a training match against French boxer Davina Michel, who competes in a higher weight category. But Igel, who is conceding eight centimeters (3.15 inches) in height to Khelif, is confident of victory.

“I’ve got it all,” she said. “I’ve got the skills, I’ve got the power, I’ve got the precision, and I have something inside of me that if I unlock it and set it free, then it doesn’t matter who’s in front of me.”

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre could face disciplinary action at The Masters after he directed a middle finger at the 15th green during a quadruple bogey.

The 29-year-old plunged towards the bottom of the leaderboard after his nine on the par-five hole, ultimately posting an eight-over par 80.

The left-hander offered the gesture after he struck his approach into the pond guarding the front of the green.

Having taken a penalty drop, his again found the water, and then his second drop flew to the back of the green.

MacIntyre also reacted angrily to his second shot on the 17th, and did not speak to the waiting media after his round.

Masters organisers are known for their strict rules and MacIntyre could be in further trouble after his outward nine of 39 effectively ended his chance of tournament victory.

The 29-year-old left-hander was picked out by some observers as a potential contender after finishing fourth at the recent Players Championship.

He lead after the third round at the Texas Open last week, but was overtaken by JJ Spahn to finish as runner-up.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy and American Sam Burns posted five-under par 67s to lead The Masters after the first round.

Spring Football is coming to a head with intrasquad games and showcases throughout the West.

After another wild offseason of recruiting and transfers, the games represent the first opportunity for fans and media to see the new players and units.

Here is a list of all of the region’s known spring games and showcases, sorted by date and time (All times PT).

The events begin with Montana on April 10th and conclude with San Diego State on May 2nd.

After news that Max Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is leaving Red Bull for McLaren went viral, rumors of McLaren team principal Andrea Stella moving back to Ferrari have gained traction, especially after comments made by Williams Racing driver Carlos Sainz resurfaced online, linking Stella to Ferrari.

MotorBiscuit reported Lambiase’s exit from Red Bull, set to happen at the end of 2027, as he joins the Papaya outfit in 2028 in a multi-million dollar deal. This comes less than two years after Lambiase became the head of racing at Red Bull during an internal restructuring in 2024.

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Lambiase’s McLaren signing has led to speculation about a potential change in McLaren’s leadership structure, especially amid rumors of Stella moving back to Ferrari, a team where he worked for 15 years as a performance engineer for Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen, before becoming a race engineer for Räikkönen and eventually for Fernando Alonso.

Stella joined McLaren in 2015 as head of race operations and became team principal in December 2022. According to a report by F1 Oversteer, Stella is heading to Ferrari in the future, and as a result, Lambiase has been poached from Red Bull to potentially fill his role.

Read More from MotorBiscuit:

The report quoted F1 reporter Jacky Martens, who stated that Stella has already “signed a pre-contract with Ferrari.” But it remains to be seen who Stella replaces at the Italian team if the rumor turns out to be true. Could it be Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur?

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Amid Stella’s Ferrari rumors, Sainz’s statements from his time with McLaren resurfaced, in which he said he wished to take Stella and other key members with him to Ferrari.

The Spaniard joined McLaren in 2019 but left after the 2020 season to join Ferrari. Appearing on F1’s Beyond the Grid Podcast last month, Sainz acknowledged Stella’s expertise, naming him among the McLaren figures he would bring to Ferrari. Sainz said:

“I remember telling my team when we were leaving McLaren, ‘This team is actually a very good race team. These people are going to go up, they’re going to keep climbing.’

“I know how good Andrea Stella is, I know how good [technical director] Pete Prodromou is and I remember leaving that team and having two, three or four names that if I could have taken them with me to Ferrari, I for sure would have taken them.”

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He added:

“I knew they were doing things well and they were really good people that I enjoyed working with a lot.”

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Finn Allen (R) walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket.

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Rovman Powell did not hold back after his side’s heartbreaking last-ball defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, pointing to an umpiring “blunder” while also admitting that conditions at Eden Gardens played their part in the result.Defending 181/4, KKR seemed in control when LSG slumped to 128/7 after 16 overs. But a sensational late onslaught from Mukul Choudhary, who smashed an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, turned the game on its head as LSG sealed a three-wicket win on the final delivery.‘Maybe it was a blunder’The flashpoint came earlier in the innings when Finn Allen was dismissed in controversial fashion. His top-edge was caught at deep third man, but replays suggested the fielder may have brushed the boundary rope. Despite the close call, on-field umpires chose not to refer the decision upstairs.“Definitely more angles should have been looked at,” Powell said. “We thought we had seen in the IPL that umpires have gone upstairs for lesser things, and not as close as that.”“Maybe it was a blunder on their part, but we’re not going to say that is what cost us two points tonight,” he added, stopping short of placing full blame on the officials.‘Not a 220-wicket’Powell also highlighted the nature of the Eden Gardens surface, saying it was far from the high-scoring tracks typically associated with the venue.“It’s not that classic Eden Gardens wicket where you just go and blast. It was not a 220-wicket; there was a little bit in it for the bowlers, especially with slower balls,” he explained.Despite the loss, Powell credited Mukul’s composure under pressure. “You want to make Eden Gardens your fortress… but credit to the youngster, he batted really well,” he said.KKR’s struggles continue, with just one point from four matches so far. However, Powell remains optimistic.“If you see the history, winners build momentum in the middle and back end. It’s not easy when you don’t start well, but our destiny is still in our hands. We still have 10 games left,” he said.