Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Desert Pines High School, Las Vegas, NV.
The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.
See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.
Sports
NFL Players from Desert Pines H.S. (Las Vegas, NV)
Continue Reading
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Arkansas Racing Commission unanimously approved FanDuel and DraftKings for sports wagering vendor licenses for Arkansas sports betting. Arkansas sports betting has been legal since 2019, with Arkansas online sports betting launching in 2022.
National sportsbooks initially stayed away from Arkansas, largely due to apprehension about a revenue split that forces third-party operators to give more than half their revenue to its in-state partner. However, DraftKings and FanDuel have accepted that split, as DraftKings partners with Oaklawn Casino, while FanDuel partners with Southland Casino Hotel to take over their Arkansas sports betting apps. Click here to create your DraftKings Arkansas account:
Arkansas Sports Betting (March 2026 Updates)
| New Arkansas sports betting apps launch date | March 20, 2026 |
| New Arkansas sportsbooks | DraftKings, FanDuel |
| Arkansas sports betting regulator | Arkansas Racing Commission |
| Last updated: | March 30, 2026 |
History of Arkansas sports betting and latest news
- May 2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, allowing states to legalize sports betting.
- November 6, 2018: Arkansas voters pass Issue 4 (Amendment 100), which authorized casino gaming and legal sports betting at licensed casinos.
- July 1, 2019: The first legal sports bet is placed in Arkansas, a $5 wager on the Dallas Cowboys at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Read more on this here.
- April 2021: House Bill 1942 is passed, setting the framework for online sports betting.
- December 30, 2021: The Arkansas Racing Commission approves the 51% revenue-sharing rule, meaning 51% of revenues from third-party operators, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, goes to the in-state partner, with the other 49% going to the third-party operator.
- February 22, 2022: Arkansas Legislative Council accepts and finalizes the 51% revenue-sharing rule. Read more on this here.
- March 5, 2022: Southland Casino launches Betly for Arkansas online sports betting.
- May 10, 2022: Saracen Casino’s BETSaracen app launches.
- August 2022: Oaklawn Sports mobile app goes live.
- Sept 24, 2024: Arkansas sportsbooks clear $1 billion in total handle
- February 26, 2026: DraftKings and FanDuel are granted sports wagering vendor licenses from the Arkansas Racing Commission. Read more on this here.
- March 20, 2026: FanDuel and DraftKings launch sports betting operations in Arkansas.
New users can claim the Arkansas FanDuel promo code here, which gives new users $300 in bonus bets if their first $5 bet wins:
Arkansas sports betting apps and promos
FanDuel
- FanDuel is one of the nation’s most popular and highly rated sportsbooks. It offers thousands of spreads, money lines, totals, props, and more for professional sports, both domestically and internationally, as well as college sports. FanDuel is known for its easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing blue-and-white interface, competitive odds and wide market options.
- The Arkansas FanDuel promo code offers new users $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins.
- Alternatively, higher stakes players in Arkansas can get a VIP offer of a Bet Reset of up to $5,000 with a minimum deposit of $2,000.
- The FanDuel Sportsbook app can be downloaded on both Apple and Android systems.
- FanDuel offers a variety of ways to deposit and withdraw, with most withdrawal methods paying out in less than a day. Users who withdraw via debit card, PayPal and Venmo are paid out within 24 hours. Online banking may take up to five days. Mailed checks arrive within 10 business days of being mailed.
Sign up with the Arkansas FanDuel promo code, which offers new users $300 in bonus bets if your first wager of $5 or more wins:
DraftKings
- DraftKings got its start as a daily fantasy sports platform before evolving into one of the most recognized sportsbooks in the country. That DFS DNA shows in its interface, as DraftKings leans into stats, player data, and same-game parlays in a way that appeals to more engaged, research-driven bettors.
- New users in Arkansas can take advantage of the DraftKings promo code, which delivers $300 instantly in bonus bets after placing a first bet of just $5.
- The DraftKings Sportsbook app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices.
- DraftKings supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, with payout timelines varying depending on the option selected. Common withdrawal methods include PayPal, debit card, online banking, and mailed checks.
Sign up with the Arkansas DraftKings promo code, which offers new users $300 in bonus bets instantly with a $5 bet:
When will Arkansas online sports betting expand?
On Feb. 26, the Arkansas Racing Commission approved Oaklawn Casino’s partnership with FanDuel and Southland Casino Hotel’s partnership with DraftKings. FanDuel and DraftKings can launch sportsbook promos and betting sites immediately.
Oaklawn Sports, an Arkansas betting app that operated under Oaklawn Casino’s license, will no longer be operational and will instead use the FanDuel app “powered by Oaklawn Sports.”
DraftKings operates under Southland Casino Hotel’s license, which was previously used by Betly, for Arkansas online sports betting.
Saracen Casino Resort did not enter a licensing partnership with a national sportsbook and continues with its BETSaracen app.
Southland Casino Hotel, Oaklawn Casino and Saracen Casino Resort, Arkansas’ three commercial casinos, can each operate two sportsbook apps. All Arkansas betting apps must operate under a 51%-49% revenue split, which favors in-state casinos, and that’s unchanged by the FanDuel and DraftKings partnerships.
These Arkansas betting apps can launch immediately. These new partnerships do not include prediction markets, only online sports betting.
Click here to create your FanDuel Arkansas account:
Who regulates Arkansas sports betting?
The Arkansas Racing Commission regulates racing, casino betting and sports betting, both in-person and online, in Arkansas. It operates under the authority of the Arkansas state government and is made up of appointed members. The Arkansas Racing Commission offers online services at its website (www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/racing-commission), as well as correspondence in person, on the phone, or through email.
| Address | 1515 W. 7th Street Ste. 505, Little Rock, AR, 72201 |
| Phone | 501-682-1467 |
| racing.@dfa.arkansas.gov |
Where does Arkansas sports betting tax revenue go?
According to the National Conference of State Legislators, 55% of the tax Arkansas sportsbooks pay goes to the state general fund, 27.5% goes to the city and county where the casino is located, and 17.5% goes to the Arkansas Racing Commission for deposit into its Purse and Awards Fund. Arkansas sportsbooks pay a 13% tax rate on the first $150 million in gaming revenue, then 20% on all revenue above $150 million. According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the state collected $7.229 million in tax revenue from sports betting between January and October 2025.
Responsible gambling in Arkansas
Arkansas has multiple problem gambling helplines, including the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET and the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council at 501-403-2321.
FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas sports betting has been legal since 2019, with online sports betting launching in 2022.
Will new Arkansas sportsbooks have promo codes?
Historically, FanDuel, DraftKings and many major sportsbooks have offered promo codes when launching in new states. Both FanDuel and DraftKings are offering lucrative welcome promos to new users in Arkansas.
Is DraftKings legal in Arkansas?
Yes, after the Feb. 26 decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission, DraftKings Sportsbook is legal through Southland Casino Hotel’s license.
Is FanDuel in Arkansas yet?
Yes, after the Feb. 26 decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission, FanDuel Sportsbook is legal and is “powered by” Oaklawn Sports.
Can I use Caesars Sportsbook in Arkansas?
No, and there’s no current momentum for that to change soon. However, there are available Arkansas sports betting licenses if Caesars or other sports betting apps become interested.
Do I need to be a resident in order to bet in Arkansas?
No, you do not need to be an Arkansas resident to use Arkansas sports betting apps. However, you do need to be physically located in the state when Arkansas sports betting.
Which sports can I bet on in Arkansas?
Arkansas has no restrictions on traditional professional sports or college sports, in-state or out-of-state, for Arkansas online sports betting. This allows Arkansas sports bettors to wager on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball and more. However, you can not wager on eSports or prediction markets.
What is the legal age for sports betting in Arkansas?
Users must be 21 to participate in Arkansas sports betting.
How many online sportsbooks are in Arkansas?
Three — FanDuel (Oaklawn), DraftKings (Southland) and BETSaracen (Saracen Casino). All three casinos can partner with a second sportsbook, though.
What betting markets are available in Arkansas?
Arkansas online sports betting allows spreads, money lines, futures, props, and more for professional and college sports. You can also wager on awards, such as the MLB MVP or NFL Coach of the Year, which isn’t allowed in every state with online sports betting.
Will DraftKings and FanDuel be able to bring prediction markets to Arkansas?
No, the February 26th decision only allowed FanDuel and DraftKings to operate in a sports betting capacity in Arkansas.
L-R: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma
An emotional subplot will headline Monday’s IPL clash as Sanju Samson faces Rajasthan Royals for the first time after leading them for over a decade. Now with Chennai Super Kings, Samson — RR’s former captain and all-time leading run-scorer — returns in top form following a stellar T20 World Cup campaign, where he struck three successive half-centuries.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!His move, part of a high-profile swap that saw Ravindra Jadeja rejoin Rajasthan, adds further intrigue. With MS Dhoni sidelined due to injury, Samson will share leadership duties with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top.CSK appear in transition, bolstered by emerging talents and a varied bowling attack. Meanwhile, Rajasthan begin a new era under Riyan Parag, with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the batting alongside Shimron Hetmyer.While RR boast explosive batting options, concerns linger over their bowling consistency. Both sides, coming off underwhelming 2025 campaigns, will view this clash as a chance to reset and rebuild momentum.
Top 5 players to watch in RR vs CSK clash
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15 years old)The Rajasthan Royals opener enters his second IPL season carrying significant expectations after a sensational debut year. At just 14, he scripted history by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket, hammering 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. His century came off just 35 deliveries, making it the second-fastest in IPL history. Across seven matches, he piled up 252 runs at a staggering strike rate of 206.55, underlining his fearless approach at the top. Against Chennai Super Kings last season, he scored a brisk 57 off 33 balls, including four sixes and four fours. His explosive powerplay batting makes him a key figure for RR once again.Riyan Parag (24 years old)Riyan Parag begins his first full season as Rajasthan Royals captain following Sanju Samson’s exit, taking charge at his home ground. One of the youngest captains in IPL history, Parag has steadily grown into a central figure for the franchise since his debut in 2019. In IPL 2025, he led the side in eight matches and scored 393 runs, emerging as RR’s second-highest run-getter with a strike rate of 166.52. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he amassed 573 runs in 16 matches at an average of 52.09. Overall, Parag has 1566 runs from 84 games at a strike rate of 141.84. Against CSK, he has scored 122 runs in eight matches, with a highest score of 47.Sanju Samson (31 years old)Sanju Samson will be in the spotlight as he turns out in Chennai Super Kings colours for the first time after being the face of Rajasthan Royals for over a decade. Having played 11 seasons with RR, he remains their all-time leading run-scorer with over 4000 runs. Overall, Samson has accumulated 4704 runs in 177 IPL matches at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04, including three centuries and 26 fifties. He comes into the season in excellent touch after a Player-of-the-Tournament performance in the T20 World Cup 2026. His first outing against RR adds emotional weight, making him one of the biggest attractions in this contest.Kartik Sharma (19 years old)Kartik Sharma is a young wicketkeeper-batter, known for his power-hitting abilities. He became the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL auction history when Chennai Super Kings signed him for Rs 14.2 crore. After being part of CSK’s wider squad in IPL 2025, he has now broken into the main squad for the 2026 season. If included in the playing XI, Sharma could make his debut, bringing with him the reputation of an aggressive young finisher.Ayush Mhatre (18 years old)Ayush Mhatre, another exciting young talent, enters his second IPL season after making a strong impression in 2025. He scored 240 runs in seven matches at an average of 34.28 and a remarkable strike rate of 188.97, including a high score of 94. Initially unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, Mhatre earned a mid-season call-up to Chennai Super Kings due to an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad and made an immediate impact. Against Rajasthan Royals, he struck 43 off 20 at a strike rate of 215, showcasing his aggressive batting style.
One of the endgame activities, Pure Fiction, has received a new cycle in Honkai Star Rail 4.1. With that, players now get fresh challenges with brand-new enemy lineups. Since the activity is quite tough to beat, players are compelled to build top-of-the-line teams to get all the rewards it offers.
This article lists the best teams for the Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the author’s opinions.
Exploring the best teams for Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction, Virtual Made Manifest
Let’s take a look at all the buffs you can use in Honkai Star Rail 4.1’s Pure Fiction:
- Memory: When Surging Grit gets triggered, it regenerates 3 Skill Points and all enemies take 30% more damage from DoTs.
- Streets Abuzz: While Surging Grit is active, all allies deal 50% extra Follow-Up ATK damage. When an allied character unleashes a FUA, the entire team gains a Resound stack.
- Commotion: During Surging Grit, all allies’ SPD gets boosted by 35%. When an allied unit consumes Resound, a Skill Point will be replenished.
Node 1
While the enemy lineup in every stage of the Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction is different, they somewhat share the same weakness types. However, the first three stages aren’t that challenging compared to the last one. The first Node of Stage 4 features Argenti, the Knight of Beauty. Here are some teams you can use to clear the first Node:
- Sparxie, Yao Guang, Sparkle, and Dan Heng Permansor Terrae
- The Herta, Anaxa, Tribbie, and Dan Heng PT
- Phainon, Cerydra, Sunday, Dan Heng Permansor Terrae
Since Argenti is weak to the Fire and Physical Elements, we have recommended the Sparxie Elation and Phainon hypercarry compositions. Both teams are exceptionally powerful and are capable of dealing damage to multiple enemies simultaneously.
On the other hand, The Herta team can be used in this Node as Anaxa can place weakness types on the enemies. Hence, you can easily use this composition in both nodes. Since there is not much difference in these teams, you can just use the Commotion buff.
Node 2
As for Honkai Star Rail 4.1 Pure Fiction’s Node 2, you will fight Sam, alongside some others. The Stellaron Hunter is weak to Quantum, Lightning, and Imaginary Elements. The following section lists some teams that can help you clear Virtual Made Manifest:
- Kafka, Black Swan, Hysilens, and Huohuo
- Ashveil, Sunday, Tribbie, and Dan Heng Permansor Terrae
- Archer, Sparkle, Yao Guang, and Dan Heng PT
The Kafka DoT team is quite strong in this particular cycle, as the Memory buff can boost the entire team’s damage output by a substantial amount. Since Kafka wields the Lightning Element, she can easily deal toughness as well as DoT damage to Sam.
Moving over to the Archer and Ashveil teams, both work differently because of their unique playstyle. However, their damage output is exceptionally high, and they specialize in defeating one enemy at a time. Like the Kafka team, these two also deal consistent damage throughout the fight.
For more articles related to this turn-based gacha title from HoYoverse, Honkai Star Rail, check out the following section:
Are you stuck on today’s Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
Edited by Argha Halder
Horner, who led Red Bull to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, and Wolff endured a rivalry for much of the past decade.
In January Alpine said Horner was among “multiple interested parties” to have discussed investment with the team.
Wolff and Mercedes are also looking at buying private investment firm Otro Capital’s 24% shares in Alpine.
Wolff said there is “no connection” with Horner in regards that investment and it would be “quite sad” if that was a consideration.
“I am in two minds about it [Horner returning to F1]. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport,” Wolff said.
“I said to [Ferrari team principal] Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.
“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don’t think so.
“But even when I had the biggest frustration, and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend, so there must be some goodness.
“If there wasn’t that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have had hung with him over dinner and a had a laugh.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won four consecutive drivers’ titles from 2021 to 2024, ending Mercedes’ dominance with Lewis Hamilton, who was controversially denied five straight titles.
Horner, who has said he has “unfinished business” in F1, was last year overlooked to take over at Aston Martin.
“Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them,” Wolff said.
“I don’t know if he is finding his way back, and in which function. I certainly don’t wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit. There are not many team principals who have done what he has done.”
The Minnesota Vikings will add at least nine new players from the 2026 NFL Draft, barring trades, a significant jump from the number last year, when the purple team had just five picks entering the event. And because nine newcomers are on the way, some existing players may be demoted sooner rather than later.
Several Vikings could lose ground when the rookie class arrives.
Here’s a look at the players hoping to avoid demotions, listed in alphabetical order.
Current Minnesota Players Facing the Most Draft Pressure
Job security is at risk.
Blake Brandel | C
Ryan Kelly retired a few weeks ago, and the Vikings signed zero center replacements in free agency. For now, the starting job appears to belong to Brandel, though third-year center Michael Jurgens might contest that this summer.
But if the Vikings draft one of these men in the draft’s first four rounds, Brandel could be back to his do-everything OL role:
- Connor Lew (Auburn)
- Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
- Jake Slaughter (Florida)
- Logan Jones (Iowa)
- Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
It’s worth noting that Brandel improved each week last season at center in relief of Kelly.
Tai Felton | WR
Felton played 46 offensive snaps as a rookie, used primarily as a special teamer, which is fine, but most onlookers thought a 3rd-Round wideout would be used on offense. No cigar.
The Vikings didn’t re-sign Jalen Nailor, as the speedster vamoosed for Las Vegas, his hometown, to be the Raiders’ WR1 or WR2. That leaves Felton in a league of his own at WR3. There is no other wide receiver on the depth chart to even remotely compete for the WR3 job.
Still, if Minnesota drafts one of these men, Felton could be on notice, at least as far as the WR3 job is concerned:
- Makai Lemon (USC)
- Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
- Denzel Boston (Washington)
- Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)
- Chris Bell (Louisville)
- Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)
- Germie Bernard (Alabama)
- Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
- Antonio Williams (Clemson)
- Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
- Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
- Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
- Skyler Bell (UConn)
- Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
- Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
- Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)
Minnesota met with Hurst from Georgia State this week.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DT
Like Nailor leaving for the Raiders, Ingram-Dawkins’s DT teammates, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, found new homes with the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
But just like Felton, if the Vikings draft one of these defensive tackles next month, Ingram-Dawkins may remain a reserve commodity:
- Peter Woods (Clemson)
- Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
- Caleb Banks (Florida)
- Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
- Christen Miller (Georgia)
- Domonique Orange (Iowa State)
- Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
- Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State)
- Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
- Zane Durant (Penn State)
- Zxavian Harris (Mississippi)
- DeMonte Capehart (Clemson)
- Chris McClellan (Missouri)
- Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana)
- Tim Keenan III (Alabama)
Ingram-Dawkins saw defensive action on roughly 250 snaps as a rookie, a worthwhile amount for a late-round rookie.
Zavier Scott | RB
Scott probably has the shakiest job security on the list. By trade, he’s a practice squader who was promoted to the active roster last year. That may not last long.
Minnesota has 31-year-old Aaron Jones back for another run, and Jordan Mason is tentatively expected to fill the RB1 job. Most fans agree that Kevin O’Connell’s team needs an early-round running back from the draft for the first time since the Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison days. All signs point to Minnesota acquiescing to the fans’ request.
If you see the Vikings draft one of these tailbacks, that could be the end of the road for Scott on the 53-man roster:
- Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
- Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
- Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
- Jonah Coleman (Washington)
- Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
- Nick Singleton (Penn State)
- Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest)
- Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
- Kaelon Black (Indiana)
- Seth McGowan (Kentucky)
The Vikings have formally met with Washington Jr. and Johnson via pre-draft visit.
Jay Ward | S
If Harrison Smith retires — he probably would’ve announced that by now, so most assume Smith will be back for Year No. 15 — Ward’s job security will rocket to the heavens. Ward was surprisingly effective in 2025, even snatching Theo Jackson’s starting job in December.
But like all the men on this list, Ward must dodge the draft selection of one of these safeties:
- Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
- Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo)
- A.J. Haulcy (LSU)
- Kamari Ramsey (USC)
- Genesis Smith (Arizona)
- Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)
- Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)
- Bud Clark (TCU)
Thieneman is a massive draft darling for the Vikings at the moment. After you close this article, type into Google “NFL mock draft,” and we’re willing to bet that article connects Thieneman to Minnesota with the 18th pick.
Reigning and undisputed ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion and former Muay Thai king, ‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom, is known for his powerful teep kick, which he has worked on for his entire life.
But that kick didn’t come about naturally. It was painstakingly developed over the years through repetition and practice.
Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Haggerty talked about developing his teep kick.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
‘The General’ said:
“My teeps were just part of my game from a very young age. I was building that technique from the very beginning. I was quite tall for my weight category growing up through the ranks in the UK, and using the teep was quite effective. So I just continued building it brick by brick. Why stop if it’s working, you know? I just kept building what works, really.”
‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty is set to defend his ONE bantamweight kickboxing world championship against Japanese star Yuki Yoza at ONE SAMURAI 1, which will take place live at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.
Fans in the United States and Canada can visit ONE Championship’s official website for more information on how to watch the event live from their location.
Jonathan Haggerty admits that ‘getting in that ring is very scary’: “I fight better with fear”
‘The General’ Jonathan Haggerty will be the first to admit that climbing into the ONE Championship ring is one of the most harrowing ordeals a fighter can experience. But because of that fear, he says he can fight at his best.
He told the Mulligan Brothers in an interview:
“When I think of fear, I think of my body shaking, adrenaline, and like scared. To overcome it, just block it out. I just block it out. As I said, getting in that ring is very scary. It’s a lot of fear. And getting past that. I need fear to fight. I fight better with fear.”
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Jonathan Haggerty’s next fight.
Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa kicked off his campaign at the prestigious Candidates Tournament by breaking through the defenses of Dutchman Anish Giri to secure a full point and now shares the lead after the first round with American GM Fabiano Caruana and Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in Paphos. In an eventful first round, World Cup champion Sindarov showcased his excellent tactical skill to turn the tables on Russia’s Andrey Esipenko, while pre-event favourite Caruana stunned fellow American Hikaru Nakamura. The other game of the eight-player double round-robin tournament between Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum and China’s Wei Yi ended in a stalemate with both players sharing a point.
In the women’s section being held simultaneously, Indian Grandmaster and Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh drew with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk, a last-minute replacement for Koneru Humpy, while R. Vaishali survived some anxious moments before sharing the point with Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva.
It was, in fact, a day of stalemates in the womens’ section as Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina drew with compatriot Kateryna Lagno and the all-Chinese clash between Zhu Jiner and Tan Zhongyi also ended in a shared point.
Praggnanandhaa had been struggling in recent months leading up to the Candidates but has now bounced back in style, and Giri, one of the most consistent and solid players on the circuit, was simply no match for him on Saturday.
It was a battle of nerves as the Indian began with the Grand Prix Aatack to challenge Giri’s Sicilian Defense with the black pieces, and whether the opening achieved its intended effect is debatable, but it certainly gave Praggnanandhaa a valuable lead on the clock.
Giri is not used to surprises and while he was resourceful enough in the early middle game and equalised, Praggnanandhaa won a pawn in the ensuing rook-and-minor-pieces endgame.
Giri, running low on time, blundered in a lost rook-and-pawns endgame with a pawn less. The rest was easy for Praggnanandhaa.
But perhaps the most impressive game was played by Caruana who used his white pieces to perfection.
Nakamura was close to levelling the game as the middle game arrived, but the American, who is currently more active as a streamer than as a player, found himself in an opposite-coloured bishops middle game where his bishop was restricted to a passive role.
Caruana sealed the game with precise calculation in the endgame.
The Candidates is being contested in both the Open and Women’s sections to determine the challengers for the next World Championship matches against reigning champions D Gukesh and Ju Wenjun of China.
Results (round 1) Open: R Praggnanandhaa (Ind) beat Anish Giri (Ned); Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb) beat Andrey Esipenko (Rus); Matthias Bluebaum (Ger) drew with Wei Yi (Chn); Fabiano Caruana (USA) beat Hikaru Nakamura (USA).
Women: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus) drew with Kateryna Lagno (Rus); R Vaishali (Ind) drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz); Divya Deshmukh (Ind) drew with Anna Muzychuk (Ukr); Jiner Zhu (Chn) drew with Zhongyi Tan (Chn).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
By SuperWest Sports Staff
As Arizona prepares to play in its fifth all-time Final Four on Saturday, we’ve compiled a list of all such appearances by schools in the West.
The region boasts 19 Final Four teams, 12 of which have made two or more appearances, led by UCLA with 19, Arizona with five, and Utah and UNLV each with four.
But before we get to the list, for those who may be interested, a little history.
The NCAA recognizes Final Four appearances since the first tournament in 1939, even though only eight teams participated in the tournament from 1939 to 1950.
Between 1939 and 1950, there were only eight teams in the tournament, so half of the teams can claim a Final Four appearance.
However, since 1985, all have been required to play at least three games to make the Final Four.
Here is the list of participating schools from the region.
All-Time Final Four Appearances by Schools in the West
| Appearances | School | Most Recent |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | UCLA | 2021 |
| 5 | Arizona | 2026 |
| 4 | Utah | 1998 |
| 4 | UNLV | 1991 |
| 3 | Cal | 1960 |
| 3 | San Francisco | 1957 |
| 2 | Gonzaga | 2021 |
| 2 | Oregon | 2017 |
| 2 | Stanford | 1998 |
| 2 | Oregon State | 1963 |
| 2 | Colorado | 1955 |
| 2 | USC | 1954 |
| 1 | SDSU | 2023 |
| 1 | New Mexico State | 1970 |
| 1 | Seattle | 1958 |
| 1 | Washington | 1953 |
| 1 | Santa Clara | 1952 |
| 1 | Wyoming | 1943 |
| 1 | WSU | 1941 |
NEW DELHI: Former India captain Anil Kumble believes a resurgent Rohit Sharma could spell trouble for the rest of the IPL, after the Mumbai Indians opener announced his return in style with a match-winning knock against Kolkata Knight Riders.Rohit smashed a scintillating 78 off just 38 balls to power MI to a six-wicket win in their season opener at the Wankhede Stadium, ending their long-standing jinx of losing the first match of an IPL campaign.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kumble was particularly struck by the authority and ease with which Rohit dominated quality bowling, calling it a sign of a dangerous new phase in his career.“Rohit Sharma seems to have arrived in his 2.0 avatar, and his innings showed he is ready to dominate again. The way he hit the ball all around the ground reminded me of his prime,” Kumble said on Star Sports.The former India coach highlighted how Rohit made light work of a potent spin attack featuring Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, along with pacer Blessing Muzarabani.“It is not easy to hit sixes against bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Blessing Muzarabani, but he made it look easy. He has worked a lot on his fitness… when you come back after a short break, it takes time to find rhythm,” Kumble noted.“This was a fantastic innings… the six-hitting looked easy, and even though the boundaries were small, those shots were going into the stands. This knock shows that Rohit means business and this version of him will worry all IPL teams,” he added.KKR’s spin strategy under scrutinyWhile praising Rohit, Kumble also pointed out tactical lapses from Kolkata Knight Riders, particularly their under-utilisation of key spinners.“KKR are relying too much on Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, and Narine did not even complete his quota, which was surprising. The disappointing part was that Ajinkya Rahane did not bring him on in the Powerplay,” he said.According to Kumble, the delay in introducing Narine proved costly as Mumbai’s openers had already taken control.“By the time Narine came on, the damage was already done… they need to use their resources better. When you have two world-class spinners, you need to use them well,” he added.
Sports
Terence Crawford trainer ‘BoMac names’ the one fighter everyone should avoid: “Stay away from him”
Terence Crawford‘s long-term trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre believes there is one man that all other fighters would be wise to avoid sharing the ring with.
For many years Crawford was a fighter who appeared to be avoided himself, before finally landing the big fight he craved when he took on Errol Spence in an undisputed welterweight title showdown in July 2023.
Crawford dominated that bout and claimed a ninth round stoppage win, and that was seen as the biggest win of his career until he stepped up to 168lbs and dethroned Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super-middleweight champion in September.
That looks set to be the final time ‘Bud’ will step into the ring as he hung up the gloves in December, paving the way for a new fighter to take Crawford’s place and emerge as a superstar of the sport.
Crawford’s well-respected coach BoMac appears to found someone who possesses the skills to do just that, as he told Fight Hub TV that other fighters should avoid Shakur Stevenson due to the skill level of the unbeaten star.
“Shakur has got a great boxing mind. That’s just it. Once he put his mind to it he gets the job done. You probably want to stay away from that kid man.”
BoMac also heaped praise on Stevenson for the performance he produced in his recent victory over Teofimo Lopez to become WBO super-lightweight champion.
“He looked so smooth, calm and relaxed. It was a boxing lesson. The future young guys in the amateurs just turning pro, watch that, it was beautiful.”
That win saw Stevenson become a four-weight world champion, and at just 28-years-old, it certainly appears he can go on to achieve plenty more within the sport.
Politics10 seconds ago
Protest scheduled outside ‘ludicrous’ trial of movement leaders
NewsBeat4 minutes ago
Trump says he has ‘no problem’ with Russian oil tanker bringing relief to Cuba
Business5 minutes ago
USA: Discount Opens Up, Creating A 'Buy' Opportunity (Upgrade)
-
NewsBeat5 days agoManchester United reach agreement with Casemiro over contract clause amid transfer speculation
-
News Videos4 days agoParliament publishes latest register of MPs’ financial interests
-
Sports7 days agoGary Kirsten Accuses Pakistan Cricket Board Of ‘Interference’, Mohsin Naqvi Responds
-
Sports7 days agoRemo Stars and Kano Pillars Strengthen Survival Hopes in NPFL
-
NewsBeat3 days agoThe Story hosts event on Durham’s historic registers
-
Business4 days agoInstagram, YouTube Found Responsible for Teen’s Mental Health Struggle in Historic Ruling
-
News Videos7 days agoCh 9 Financial Management Part 1 | Detailed One Shot | Class 12 Business Studies Boards 2026
-
NewsBeat5 days agoTesco is selling new Cadbury Dairy Milk bar and people can’t wait to try it
-
Entertainment7 days agoCynthia Bailey Dishes on ‘RHOA’ Season 17, Discusses Kandi
-
Tech7 days agoSamsung will soon let you control smart home devices from your car’s dashboard
-
Entertainment1 day agoLana Del Rey Celebrates Her Husband’s 51st Birthday In New Post
-
Business6 days agoMore women enter wealth management, but few in advisory roles: study
-
NewsBeat7 days agoColombian military plane with 110 soldiers onboard crashes following takeoff
-
Fashion6 days agoDoes It Matter What You Wear When You’re Laid Off and Looking?
-
Fashion7 days agoFringe Bags for the Season
-
NewsBeat6 days agoEntrepreneurs Forum survey reveals optimism in North East
-
NewsBeat6 days agoNASA Artemis II Astronauts enter 14-Day quarantine as moon rocket reaches launchpad
-
Business6 days agoLate-paying firms face multimillion-pound fines under new crackdown
-
Politics7 days agoHow Media Platforms Balance Performance and Accessibility in Image Delivery
-
Crypto World6 days agoBTC gives up $70,000 level as markets mull higher interest rates
You must be logged in to post a comment Login