American-Nigerian driver Ugo Ugochukwu has been crowned champion of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship after a composed and consistent performance during the final weekend of the series at Highlands in New Zealand.
Ugochukwu entered the last two races knowing that a points finish would be enough to secure the title. Although he placed seventh and ninth in the final races, his earlier race victory proved crucial and allowed him to maintain a clear advantage over his closest challenger, Freddie Slater.
The American-Nigerian managed his lead well and finished the season ahead of the British driver. Slater won the rescheduled opening race of the weekend but struggled in the remaining events, failing to find his usual rhythm and finishing 16 points behind the champion.
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Ugochukwu’s title success marks a significant improvement from last season, when he faced difficulties during his first campaign at that level. Since racing in New Zealand, he has shown renewed confidence and strong pace, raising expectations ahead of the new season with the Campos team.
The final rounds also produced race wins for Kenato Le and Zack Scoular, while James Wharton and Jin Nakamura featured among the podium finishers. The championship served as important preparation for Formula 3 for many of the young drivers.
The season ended without Kalle Rovanperä, who missed the final weekend due to illness. The Finnish driver will now turn his attention to Super Formula as the Formula Regional Oceania campaign comes to a close.
NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill issued a worrying update on his neck injury despite returning to action during IPL 2026 Match 14 between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. Delhi Capitals chose to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, continuing their strong start to the season.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals RR dressing room mood after third straight win
While DC came into the game with two wins, Gujarat Titans were still searching for their first victory. The match also marked the return of GT captain Shubman Gill after he missed the previous game due to a muscle spasm.
Gill’s injury concern and return
Gill’s comeback was a boost for Gujarat, but his update on his fitness raised some concern. When asked about whether it was the same recurring injury he picked up during India’s home series against South Africa, he admitted, “It’s much better, thank you. Yes, it’s something similar.”This suggests the neck problem he faced earlier could still be lingering, even though he is fit enough to play.
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DC vs GT news
At the toss, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel explained the decision to bowl first, pointing to pitch conditions and recent success while chasing.“We will bowl first. We’ve chased well in the last two matches and this is a fresh wicket. It’s been raining; there could be some moisture. Bowl first, have a look at the wicket, restrict them and chase down the score,” he saod.Delhi have looked strong so far with back-to-back wins, while Gujarat Titans have struggled, losing both their matches. With Gill back in the lineup, GT will be hoping to turn things around and get their campaign on track, but concerns over his fitness could remain a talking point going forward.
NEW DELHI: The Diamond League athletics meet in Doha has been postponed by six weeks due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with organisers prioritising safety amid regional tensions. The event, which was originally scheduled for May 8, will now take place on June 19. The decision comes even as a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been announced, reflecting continued uncertainty in the region.The Doha leg holds special significance for Indian fans, as it was at last year’s event that Neeraj Chopra achieved a major milestone.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals RR dressing room mood after third straight win
The Tokyo Olympic champion breached the 90-metre mark for the first time with a throw of 90.23m, though he finished second to Germany’s Julian Weber. His performance was widely seen as a landmark moment in Indian athletics.
Event changes and safety concerns
Organisers made it clear that the postponement was driven by concerns over the safety of athletes, officials and spectators.“In the interests of athlete and spectator safety, a decision has now been taken to postpone the meeting. Should conditions allow, it will now be held on June 19,” they said in a statement, as quoted by AFP.In addition to the date change, the venue has also been shifted from the Qatar Sports Club to the Khalifa International Stadium. The move is aimed at tackling extreme weather conditions, as the stadium is equipped with temperature-control technology and has previously hosted major global events like the World Athletics Championships and FIFA World Cup matches.
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Wider impact on sports
The disruption is not limited to athletics. The ongoing conflict has already forced the cancellation or postponement of several high-profile sporting events across the region. Formula One races in Bahrain and Jeddah were cancelled, while football’s Finalissima clash and other competitions like MotoGP and gymnastics events in Qatar were also affected.Despite this, some events have gone ahead, including a high-profile horse racing meet in Dubai. Meanwhile, the Diamond League season will now begin in Shanghai on May 16, as organisers adjust the calendar to navigate the uncertain situation.
CM Punk opened this week’s WWE RAW and delivered the kind of promo that made him famous, one that blurred the lines between reality and kayfabe. The Second City Saint is set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42.
Punk and Reigns had been trading verbal jabs before things turned physical a few weeks ago, as the OTC put The Second City Saint through the commentary table. The World Heavyweight Champion got his lick back last week, sending the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble Match winner through the commentary table.
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Reigns was absent from this week’s episode of RAW, allowing Punk to speak his mind freely. The Best in the World not only addressed his WrestleMania 42 opponent, but he also took shots at the upper brass of the company. The controversial promo has opened up several creative opportunities for the future.
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In this listicle, we will look at five storylines that could stem from CM Punk’s pipebomb on WWE RAW:
#5. CM Punk vs. Randy Orton
During his promo on RAW, CM Punk brought up Pat McAfee’s comments on last week’s SmackDown. The Second City Saint took shots at the NFL legend for talking down on the professional wrestling business and even referred to the reports of Ari Emanuel forcefully inserting McAfee into the feud.
Whether we like it or not, McAfee is now a part of the WrestleMania 42 night one main event as Randy Orton‘s manager. With The Best in the World going out of his way to bring up the NFL legend in his promo, it opens the door for a future rivalry between Punk and Orton.
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McAfee believes The Viper will “save the business.” After The Show of Shows, Orton could be holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, and The Second City Saint may be left without a title. Following ‘Mania, Punk could move to the blue brand and feud with Orton and McAfee, which could stem from the veteran’s promo on RAW.
#4. Roman Reigns becomes TKO’s Golden Boy
CM Punk didn’t hold back in verbally attacking Roman Reigns on RAW. The Second City Saint highlighted a stark contrast between him and the OTC, claiming that he had to earn his success, while Reigns was handed undeserved opportunities.
The Best in the World brought up the corporate backing Reigns has enjoyed throughout his career due to his family, taking shots at The Rock and Vince McMahon. A possible storyline that could stem from these comments is the OTC embracing his privileges and becoming TKO’s ‘golden boy.’
Reigns could turn heel and become the corporate champion backed by The Final Boss and other higher-ups.
#3. Heroes could unite against the authority
On RAW, CM Punk continued what Cody Rhodes started on last week’s SmackDown. Following Pat McAfee’s reveal as Randy Orton’s mystery caller, The American Nightmare cut a promo targeting the NFL legend’s inclusion and challenged the company to fire him. This promo was reportedly unscripted.
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Punk also addressed McAfee’s insertion into the program and took shots at TKO for the rising ticket prices. The QB1 and The Best in the World are two of the top stars of the company, and they seem to have joined forces to stand against the upper brass.
This could lead to them forming a team down the line to battle against a corporate faction. We could see a massive Men’s WarGames Match later this year between Team WWE and Team TKO, with Punk and Rhodes leading the charge for the Stamford-based promotion.
#2. Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk
Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk could be a possibility following The Second City Saint’s promo on RAW. As mentioned earlier, they both seem to have taken a stand against the company’s upper brass for their involvement in the creative decisions.
Now, what if TKO could eliminate them both at the same time? The company could simply book Rhodes and Punk against each other. While they share mutual respect, The Second City Saint and The Best in the World are two very competitive individuals.
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If they are forced to battle each other, Punk and Rhodes may not pull their punches. Their battle against the corporation could turn into a personal war.
#1. CM Punk vs. The Rock
While calling out Roman Reigns over his family background, CM Punk singled out The Rock. The World Heavyweight Champion took shots at The Final Boss’ recent Hollywood shortcomings.
Punk has always been vocal against The Great One. Whether it was during their rivalry in 2013 or after the Hollywood star catalyzed John Cena‘s heel turn last year, The Best in the World has never shied away from taking shots at The Rock.
While it depends on whether the Brahma Bull is willing to step back into the squared circle, a rivalry between him and The Voice of the Voiceless could be a strong possibility following the latter’s promo on RAW.
Ulster have confirmed the signing of Jamie Benson on a two-year deal.
The versatile 23-year-old can play at fly-half, centre or full-back and will arrive before the 2026-27 season from Premiership club Harlequins, where he graduated from the academy system.
Irish-qualified through relatives in Belfast, Benson has represented England at U18 and U20 level, while he was selected in a wider England A squad earlier this season.
In his senior debut for Quins in 2021, Benson kicked a last-gasp conversion in the Premiership Cup against Northampton Saints.
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He made his Premiership debut in 2024, producing a player of the match performance against Saracens last season. This season, he scored his first Champions Cup try in the victory over Bayonne.
“It feels like a fantastic time to be joining Ulster Rugby,” said Benson.
“The team are playing an entertaining brand of rugby, which I am excited to be a part of.
“I have strong family connections to the province through my mum, who grew up in Belfast, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
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Ulster general manager Rory Best said Benson’s arrival will add further competition for places in the squad.
“We are delighted to be signing a player of Jamie’s quality as we build our squad ahead of next season,” Best said.
“He has shown a lot of potential for Harlequins, performing well when given the opportunity and making an impact at Prem level and in the Champions Cup.
“Jamie brings quality and competition to our fly-half depth, and has that added strength of bringing versatility to the back line at inside centre or full-back.
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“At 23 years old, he joins us with his best years ahead of him and we can’t wait to welcome him to Ulster this summer.”
Benson will become the fourth new arrival at Ulster who have already confirmed the signings of Eli Snyman, Ben Donnell and Matt Devine.
Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Jadon Sancho for a third time when his troubled spell at Manchester United officially ends.
The winger is on loan at Aston Villa this season but is available on a free transfer in the summer and Dortmund have confirmed they hope to bring him back to the Signal Iduna Park.
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Sancho is in the final months of a six-year contract at Old Trafford – though he has not played for United since the 2024 Community Shield and has not appeared for them in the Premier League since 2023 – and while they have an option to extend his deal for a year, they are unlikely to do so.
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Dortmund, who made £73m when selling Sancho to United in 2021, also re-signed him on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 season.
Now, with the chance to sign the 26-year-old without paying a fee, Dortmund are looking at Sancho as a potential replacement for his former teammate Julian Brandt, who will leave in the summer.
Managing director Lars Ricken told Sport Bild: “We’re currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them closely. We check whether they can make us better. We’re doing that with Jadon as well.
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“Of course, we are looking for an offensive player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn’t require an unrealistic transfer fee.”
Sancho has only made 83 appearances for United, scoring 12 goals and getting a mere six assists, and was not allowed to train with the first team by former manager Erik ten Hag after relations between them broke down.
While United have tried to sell him since then, he has instead had three loan spells, beginning with a return to Dortmund, who he helped reach the 2024 Champions League final.
He spent 2024-25 on loan at Chelsea, scoring in their Conference League final win over Real Betis, though the London club paid a £5m penalty clause to United when opting not to buy him.
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He joined Villa on deadline day in September and has since made 31 appearances, scoring one goal, and could reach a European final for a third successive season.
In his first spell at Dortmund, Sancho scored 50 goals and got 57 assists in just 137 games.
He became their third biggest sale ever after Ousmane Dembele’s move to Barcelona and Jude Bellingham’s transfer to Real Madrid.
The OKC Thunder and LA Clippers cross swords in a regular-season game at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday, with tipoff at 10 p.m. ET. It is the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Thunder leading the season series 2-0.
Both teams are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The Thunder thumped the LA Lakers 123-87 on Tuesday, while the Clippers cruised to a 116-103 win over the Dallas Mavericks. OKC remained in first place in the West with a 63-16 record, while the Clippers are in eighth place with a 41-38 record.
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OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction
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OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Betting Tips and Odds
Moneyline: Thunder (-258), Clippers (+210)
Spread: Thunder -7.5 (-111), Clippers +7.5 (-111)
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Total over/under o/u: Thunder o224.5 (-111), Clippers u224.5 (-111)
Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.
Betting Tips
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to score over 30.5 points.
Kawhi Leonard is expected to score under 27.5 points.
Chet Holmgren is expected to record under 8.5 rebounds.
OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Preview
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are automatic from the mid-range. They must punish the Clippers with their proven skill, especially when the Clippers are prone to playing drop coverage. OKC needs to utilize Chet Holmgren’s ability to draw big out on the perimeter, which will open driving lanes for the rest of the team.
The Thunder’s defense is as solid as it can get, with multiple players well-versed in guarding multiple positions at an elite level. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso will put pressure on Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin, forcing them into tough shots and turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Clippers should look to slow the pace against the Thunder, which wreaks havoc in transition. Attacking the rim and putting OKC rim protectors in full trouble is another strategy that can yield high returns.
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Kawhi Leonard must outplay the reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander for the Clippers to beat the Thunder. Leonard’s ability to score on all three levels and defend at an elite level will allow the Clippers to compete with OKC.
OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Starting Lineups Tonight
OKC Thunder starting lineup
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG: Lu Dort, SF: Jalen Williams, PF: Chet Holmgren, C: Isaiah Hartenstein.
LA Clippers starting lineup
PG: Darius Garland, SG: Kris Dunn, SF: Kawhi Leonard, PF: Derrick Jones Jr., C: Brook Lopez.
OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Prediction
OKC is a deeper and more disciplined team right now. While the Clippers will put on a strong fight, we expect the Thunder to pull away in the second half and win their seventh consecutive game.
Arman Tsarukyan recently shared his take on how a hypothetical fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov in his prime would go.
Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be the greatest lightweight champion in UFC history and boasts a perfect 29-0 record. The Dagestani grappling savant retired after beating Justin Gaethje via second-round submission in October 2020 and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2022.
Over the course of his storied career, Nurmagomedov beat high-profile opponents like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Al Iaquinta, and Edson Barboza. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan is considered to be among the best lightweights in the promotion today and is known for his incredible grappling prowess. Tsarukyan has a professional record of 23-3, with 15 of those wins coming via a finish.
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In a recent interview with Nawid Yosufi, Tsarukyan was asked if he could beat prime Nurmagomedov in an MMA fight. Claiming that he was more “well-rounded” than the UFC legend, he replied:
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“It’s probably a decision. [Biggest advantage is] my skills, I’m more well-rounded than him.”
Demetrious Johnson gets real about Arman Tsarukyan’s chances at UFC gold
Last month, Demetrious Johnson opened up about training with Arman Tsarukyan and shared his thoughts on the Georgian-born Armenian’s chances of becoming a UFC champion someday.
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In a video posted to his YouTube channel (via @RedCorner_MMA on X), ‘Mighty Mouse’ lauded Tsarukyan’s ability to adapt in the cage and heaped praise on his physical conditioning. He said:
“Super athletic, super strong, and very good at adapting. He would do something, then he would start to adapt to it. Well conditioned, he never gets tired, and he’s always willing to ask, always a student of the game… I was even more impressed by how good a training partner he is with the size difference… just a great f***** training partner.”
Kanye West has claimed no one can beat him in a Versus battle, leading to a multitude of reactions from netizens.
Ye was at Deon Cole’s show at the Hollywood Improv on April 7, where he was asked if anyone could ever beat him in a versus battle. The rapper believed there was no one. He was asked:
“He I don’t think that there’s anybody that can beat you in the verses, man, it’s just so anybody ever asked you that, Who? Who you’ll go against the versus?”
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West responded:
“Nobody.”
The others agreed, and said:
“Nobody could beat you, dog, for real. I know that’s crazy bunch of sh*t you didn’t do. You didn’t do go digger, bunch of songs you ain’t do. I was like this damn look. Did you know they thought she was about to come back out all them white kids. They kept running back to the curtain. They left the curtain up there like.”
Fans took to X to react to Kanye West‘s response with some claiming he is delusional. One X user wrote:
“He’s just as delusional as his fans.”
@Kurrco He’s just as delusional as his fans
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Some other reactions were as follows:
@Kurrco In Hip-Hop, Drake and Wayne got him beat ngl. Other than them 2 he’s untouchable
@Kurrco this aint the early 2000s anymore buddy, nine clears him in a verzuz
@Kurrco He seems so confident for a guy who hired ghostwriters on all of his projects.
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Meanwhile, some users also agreed with Ye’s superiority in a versus:
@Kurrco Not even Michael Jackson can beat Ye in a Versus
@Kurrco Bruh not lying. No one in hip hop can step to film he has ANTHEMS. And don’t say Drake cause most his crazy hit songs are girl songs 💯
@Kurrco He has spent the last 20 years building a discography which is untouchable.
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Kanye West hosts two sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium following the release of BULLY
Celebrity Sightings : Day Six – Paris Fashion Week – Menswear F/W 2022-2023 – Source: Getty
Earlier this month, Kanye West hosted two sold-out concerts at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, to promote his latest studio album, BULLY. The shows took place on April 1 and 3, respectively.
During the second sold-out show, Ye was joined by multiple special guests, including his collaborators on BULLY, Travis Scott and CeeLo Green. Both of them performed their respective tracks from the album alongside Ye. Scott was featured in the track Father in the album, while Green lent his voice for the title track.
Apart from the collaborators, West’s eldest daughter, 12-year-old North West, also performed alongside her father. Ye shares North with his former wife, Kim Kardashian. They have three other children and have a co-parenting relationship for them.
Another notable surprise appearance was that of Lauryn Hill, who performed with Kanye West for the first time. Hill lent her voice to the 2004 hit All Falls Down that was originally inspired by one of her own songs, Mystery of Iniquity. She also sang along Ye’s Believe What I Say that included a sample of her song Doo Wop. For a few other tracks, Lauryn Hill was also joined on stage by her sons, Zion and YG Marley.
The release of BULLY marks Kanye West’s first solo studio album release since 2021’s Donda 2. The rapper has since collaborated with TY Dolla $ign on Vultures 1 and 2 but has not released a solo album until BULLY. This album comes after Ye faced major controversy for his anti-Semitic comments online, while also releasing a track titled Heil H*tler last year.
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BULLY, released on March 28, debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200. 16 of the album’s 18 tracks featured on the Billboard Hot 100 list. It is available on all streaming platforms.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are keeping Konnor Griffin in town. The 19-year-old shortstop has signed a nine-year extension that locks him up through 2034, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is worth $140 million with no options or deferrals, according to the New York Post. Awards escalators can take the contract up to $150 million.
This marks the largest contract the Pirates have ever handed out, surpassing Bryan Reynolds’ $106.75 million extension in 2023.
“Since joining the organization, Konnor has consistently demonstrated the traits we want in a Pirate — a daily commitment to improvement, a team-first mindset and a strong desire to win,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said in a statement. “He has met every challenge in front of him, and we are excited to watch him continue that growth alongside his teammates in Pittsburgh. We are thrilled he will be with a Pirate for a long time.”
The news comes just days after Griffin’s major-league debut, which made him the first teenager to appear in the big leagues since Elvis Luciano and Juan Soto in 2019. The No. 9 pick in the 2024 Draft skyrocketed through the minors last season, slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 steals while climbing from Low Class-A to Double-A. Griffin is 7 for 16 (.438) with three doubles in five Triple-A games this year.
The rap on Griffin during his amateur days was that he had every tool but the hit tool, the most important of the bunch. It was encouraging, then, to see him ease concerns about his swing-and-miss during his first pro season. He connected on more than 75% of his attempts while showing off the power (he cleared the 114 mph threshold) and speed (he stole 65 bases) combination that gave him a high ceiling. Griffin even kept his strikeout rate under 24% during a 21-game stint in Double-A, suggesting that he wasn’t just feasting on younger pitchers or those with less raw talent. Knowing when to adjust priors is one of the trickiest parts of evaluating players. Given everything about Griffin’s year, it would be silly to ignore how much higher his chances of reaching his star ceiling are now than they were 365 days ago.
Robert Griffin III wore a few different jerseys during his NFL career as he’s spent time with the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens in eight seasons.
Griffin is hoping to don three more colors by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics roll around – red, white and blue.
ESPN college football and NFL analyst Robert Griffin III reacts on the sidelines before the 2024 AFC divisional round game between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 20, 2024.(Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports)
The one-time Pro Bowler received an invitation last month to Team USA flag football training games as the squad prepares for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships later this year. The first round of training camp will be held April 16-19 and the second round will be held May 21-24.
“That is the goal, and we’ve already taken the first step in that process,” Griffin told TMZ Sports of making the Olympic team. “It’s 2026. What we’re all fighting for is to be a part of the 12 that goes to Germany and plays in the IFAF 2026 World Championships. Team USA, since (Darrell Doucette III) has joined the team, has not lost a game. I think they’re the five-time reigning IFAF world champions. They are doing this at a high level and all I’m trying to do is add to that greatness.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 1, 2016.(Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports)
“But in 2028, I’ve already put that and said that is the goal. I want to go for gold with Team USA and I’m just going through every single step to make that happen and respecting these guys and respecting the flag football community along the way.”
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Following the final training camp, a selection committee will trim the list of possible players from 24 to 18 for a third camp in June. The committee will then take the best 12 players for the world championships, taking place Aug. 13-16.
Team USA quarterback Darrell Doucette III carries the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 21, 2026.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Darell Doucette III has already proven to be one of the best flag football players in the world, as he led Team USA to victories in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic against NFL players.
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