Just a swift check of Athanatos’s history alerted Kerrin McEvoy that he held a real shot in the $500,000 The Coast, proven correct as the interstate challenger proved too tough to pass.
The elite rider had not previously partnered the four-year-old gelding, but his near-two-length defeat when runner-up to fourth against Transatlantic in last spring’s Toorak Handicap (1600m) suggested to McEvoy that repeating it would secure a placing at worst.
“I was pretty confident when I got the booking and looked at his runs,” McEvoy said.
“I gave ‘Stokesy’ (trainer Phillip Stokes) a call yesterday and he backed it up. He said, ‘he’s in good form’. “
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“I got confidence out of the fact the last time he went to the mile was in the Toorak, and as we know it’s a competitive handicap, a Group One, and he wasn’t beaten far.”
Starting from midfield on Saturday, McEvoy kept Athanatos ($11) close to the speedsters, with the gelding powering home in the final stages to beat front-runner Sarrismo ($2.90 fav) by a length.
Grand Omaha ($51) filled third, half a neck adrift.
At Morphettville for the Goodwood program, Stokes explained how connections selected Saturday’s The Coast (1600m) at Gosford as a key trial en route to the Five Diamonds (1800m) in Sydney later in the year.
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“Next prep we’re going to aim up for that,” Stokes told Racing And Sports.
“This was a big prizemoney race, and the owners will be wrapped.
“I’m getting a bit of a handle on Sydney now. It’s something we want to explore more and have more of a presence up there, so it’s important to identify horses to send up.
“He might be a horse we now have to look at Brisbane with.”
The Indianapolis Colts selected former Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 53rd overall pick. The franchise posted a clip of the 21-year-old working out at rookie camp on Saturday.
“CJ in motion,” the caption read.
Thanks for the submission!
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Fans flocked to the comment section to share their reaction to the video.
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“I seen dads at a cookout move faster,” a fan said.
i seen dads at a cookout move faster
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“Dude moving like a Amazon package handler,” one fan commented.
“10 and 11 personnel going to have CJ in hell,” another fan added.
“he is still just as slow fjejxbjanxjzjd,” one fan posted.
“Did he just learn how to run today?” Another fan said.
“Delete this bro looks 40 years old,” one comment read.
As the Colts’ rookie minicamp got underway on May 8–10, 2026, Allen’s athleticism was a major talking point. Throughout the 2026 draft process, many scouting reports labeled the linebacker as an average athlete. Reports suggested he had slow lateral speed and slow change of direction.
Many argued that he often looked split-second late on film when reacting to zone passes or chasing down fast ball carriers.
CJ Allen reveals the story behind wearing No. 53 with the Colts
After wearing No. 3 throughout his standout career at Georgia, CJ Allen needed a new number in the NFL because Colts kicker Spencer Shrader already wore it.
Indianapolis assigned Allen No. 53, and at first, he saw it as a standard linebacker jersey. Later, he was selected with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after the Colts traded down from No. 47.
The jersey also holds major franchise history as former Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard wore No. 53 during his dominant run with the team. He won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and earned three first-team AP All-Pro selections while wearing the iconic number. Allen now hopes to create his own legacy in Indianapolis.
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The former Georgia star appeared in 41 games with 30 starts from 2023-25, recording 205 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
His impressive 2025 campaign included 88 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, helping him earn First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC honors.
‘DDD’ had previously held the IBF crown, where he notably claimed a fifth round knockout win over Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium back in September 2024.
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Posting on social media, Fury has now compared those two fights, believing that the performance from Dubois against Wardley, along with some of his other recent outings, raise question marks about the chin of Joshua after he was dropped several times by ‘DDD.’
“Well, I’ve just been sat here thinking after Dubois’ unbelievable fight last night. Dubois fought Big Baby Miller, stopped him but never put him down.
“Then he fought Hrgovic, stopped him but never put him down. He fought Wardley last night in an unbelievable fight, stopped him and never put him down. He hit Usyk with some big bombs, never put him over. But yet he fights Anthony Joshua and pummels him to the floor five times.
“I’m not saying Anthony Joshua’s chinless, but they’re the facts. Take it as you wish and as you will. Everybody else never went over, not a singular person, Big Baby Miller, Hrgovic, Usyk or Wardley but Joshua goes down five times. Chinny!”
To the surprise of many, including UFC president Dana White, middleweight rivals Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev embraced in a moment of sportsmanship in the immediate aftermath of their back-and-forth 25-minute title fight at UFC 328.
The pair of popular-yet-polarizing pugilists exchanged insults and threats online and in person in the months, weeks and days leading up to their anticipated clash, and Chimaev even kicked Strickland two days before the event at a press conference.
But unlike when Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team attacked Conor McGregor and his team following their UFC 229 lightweight championship grudge match in 2018, or when Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs brawled in the hospital after already fighting for three rounds in the cage in 2006, Strickland and Chimaev buried the hatchet.
Once Strickland’s name was read aloud by UFC in-cage announcer Bruce Buffer following a split-decision result, the men who used to train together on occasion before their heated rivalry shook hands and embraced.
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Chimaev kissed Strickland on the forehead, their respective teams exchanged pleasantries, and Chimaev even wrapped the belt around Strickland, who is now a two-time UFC middleweight champion.
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“What an awesome display of sportsmanship by Khamzat to put that belt around your waist,” Joe Rogan said to Strickland before their post-fight interview.
White was asked about Strickland’s and Chimaev’s post-fight conduct, which was the opposite of what fight fans had witnessed all week leading up to UFC 328.
“I was ready for the exact opposite,” White told reporters after the event in Newark, N.J.
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At one point during the height of his stardom, McGregor notoriously yelled into the microphone after one of his victories that he wanted “to apologize…to absolutely nobody!” for the way he had been conducting himself.
Strickland, on the other hand, was apologetic for some of the comments he made about Chimaev and some members of his fan base.
“I just want to apologize to my American fans, to my Muslim fans and my Christian fans,” Strickland said after he was crowned champion a second time. “I went too (expletive) hard. I’ll admit it. I respect all you guys. Chechnya (where Chimaev is from) has great fighters. They’re savage. He’s a (expletive) savage.
“I should be a better (expletive) example but I try to sell these fights for you (expletives). I appreciate you.”
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The 35-year-old from California did later clarify that all the contentiousness between he and Chimaev, 32, was real and not manufactured in the moment as it was happening.
After the fight, however, was different.
“When you go and fight another man, your soul is just exposed,” Strickland said at his post-fight media availability. “When you’re (expletive) bleeding, and he’s bleeding, and like I want to quit, he wants to quit. We don’t want to be there. You just have this level of respect for one another that it like transcends race, religion, nationality, country. After, you kinda become someone’s brother after you and him try to die, win or lose.”
There have been 13 different men to wear the undisputed title in the UFC’s 185-pound division over the years, but Strickland became just the second two-time middleweight champion, joining his old rival Israel Adesanya.
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Strickland first became a UFC champion in September 2023 when he upset Adesanya at UFC 293 in Australia. His first reign didn’t last long as he lost two decisions to Dricus Du Plessis, who couldn’t defend the title against Chimaev at UFC 319 last summer.
Wins over Paulo Costa and Anthony Hernandez put Strickland back in a position to fight for the title again and he took full advantage.
“That (expletive) would not go back,” Strickland said while complimenting Chimaev’s durability shown in absorbing 118 significant head strikes. “I’m hitting him with everything and he just keeps coming forward. Crazy.”
The final round of the match ultimately decided the winner.
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All three judges scored Round 1 for Chimaev, Rounds 2 and 3 for Strickland and had Chimaev evening things up after four. Two judges gave the fifth round to Strickland with one seeing it for Chimaev, who fell to 15-1 in mixed martial arts after suffering his first defeat.
Strickland improved to 18-7 in the UFC with the win. This was the ninth time Strickland, who leads all active UFC middleweight in average fight length, has gone the distance in a five-round fight since 2022. He is 6-3 in those contests.
Although the UFC 328 headliner and judges’ decision were extremely close, it does not appear an immediate rematch will be an option.
Chimaev, who previously competed in the UFC’s 170-pound division, informed White at the Prudential Center after the fight that he plans on now leaving the 185-pound division and moving up to the 205-pound weight class going forward.
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The former champion did also send the new champ a “see you soon again” message on social media, so you never know what the future of the compelling middleweight division may hold.
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees returned left-hander Carlos Rodon from his minor league rehab assignment on Sunday and reinstated him from the 15-day injured list.
Rodon is expected to make the start on Sunday in Milwaukee as New York attempts to avoid a sweep in the three-game series.
In a corresponding move, the club optioned right-handed reliever Kervin Castro to Triple A-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Rodon, 33, had loose particles removed from his left elbow in addition to the reduction of a bone spur on Oct. 15, just days after the Yankees’ season ended.
He set a career high with 33 starts in 2025, posting a record of 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA. He earned All-Star accolades and finished 10th in MLB with 203 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.05.
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According to Inside Edge, his batting-average against at home was .154, best in MLB.
He did struggle in a pair of postseason starts, allowing nine runs in 8 1/3 innings.
Rodon made three minor league rehab starts without a decision and put up a 3.38 ERA. That ERA ballooned after his final tune-up for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, when he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings in an 83-pitch outing. He walked two and struck out four.
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“This being probably my third time through a lengthy rehab process, I have some experience, although most people don’t want to really say that,” Rodon told the New York Post on Saturday. “Just (leaning) back on those times and working on the craft and trying to get back here and help the team.”
Rodon is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in five career starts vs. Milwaukee. He has beaten the Brewers in his lone start against them each of the last two seasons, allowing a combined two runs on six hits in 11 1/3 innings.
Rodon enters his 12th major league campaign and fourth with the Yankees.
A three-time All-Star, Rodon has a career record of 93-72 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. In 231 appearances (226 starts), the Miami, Fla. native has fanned 1,409 batters and walked 477 in 1282 innings.
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Castro appeared in only one game for New York, allowing one earned run in two innings in the 6-0 loss to Milwaukee on Friday.
Robert Lewandowski is only on the bench for Barcelona as Marcus Rashford starts
Barcelona XI: J. Garcia; E. Garcia, Curbasi, Martin, Cancelo; Pedri, Gavi; Torres, Olmo, Fermin; Rashford.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 18:57
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Team news – Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr leads Real Madrid from the left of the forward line.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo, Vinicius Jr.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 18:55
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England manager is ‘the impossible job’ – but is it the dream role for a German?
The World Cup, of course, is looming ever larger into view. Have you got your ears around Copa Independent, our NEW football podcast, yet? No? Why not? In the latest episode, Miguel Delaney, Lawrence Ostlere and Kieran Jackson dig into why being England manager is just so hard…
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 18:45
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Arsenal v PSG is a battle of contrasts, with a much deeper significance
We’ll get back to the build-up to tonight’s Clasico in a moment, but it’s been a big week in Europe. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will meet in a Champions League final of contrasts, as Miguel Delaney explains.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 18:35
Hansi Flick insists Barcelona are focused on themselves
Speaking on Friday, Hansi Flick insisted that Barcelona will not be preoccupied with matters in the opposition camp and must focus on their own game.
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“The only thing we have to focus on is our own display,” he said. “We’ve had a fantastic season as a team. We want to play our game, with our style and as a team.“It’s important for the supporters, for the players and also for us, the staff. We want to win the title, the second in a row. Nothing else matters. We’re fully focused on that.”
(Reuters)
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 18:22
Best wishes to Hansi Flick
We must send our condolences to Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who lost his father this weekend.
“FC Barcelona and the entire blaugrana family wish to send all our love to Hansi Flick after the passing of his father,” the Catalan club posted on X. “We share in your sorrow and our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.”
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Real Madrid said: “Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the passing of the father of Hansi Flick, FC Barcelona coach.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to his family and all his loved ones. Rest in peace.”
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 18:05
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Kylian Mbappe hits back at critics over injury recovery ahead of El Clasico
Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, is the subject of significant ire from Real Madrid supporters, who feel he isn’t exactly rushing back from a hamstring injury with the World Cup around the corner. The France forward insists otherwise:
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 17:47
Alvaro Arbeloa urges Real Madrid to ‘channel anger’ against Barcelona
Alvaro Arbeloa has urged his Real Madrid players to show the right kind of fight in Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.
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A turbulent week could end in the most miserable way possible for Real, with bitter rivals Barca needing just a point to clinch the title in La Liga with three games to spare.
The Catalan outfit are currently 11 points ahead of second-placed Real, who are lurching from crisis to crisis.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 17:40
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Kylian Mbappe absent again due to hamstring injury
Kylian Mbappe will be missing for Real Madrid today, again, as he is not in the travelling squad. With little left to play for, perhaps it is not worth the risk to rush him back before the end of the season?
Harry Latham-Coyle10 May 2026 17:30
Trio hoping to impress as battle for World Cup spots heats up
Three players will have a chance to impress on the biggest stage this evening, with Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcus Rashford still fighting for places – and potentially even a starting berth – in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
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While Jude Bellingham has marked himself out as a near-certain starter in midfield for the Three Lions, both Alexander-Arnold and Rashford have more work to do to be included in the squad, let alone to secure a spot in the starting XI.
England boss Thomas Tuchel seemingly does not have a lot of confidence in Real Madrid full-back Alexander-Arnold, with the German previously criticising the defensive aspect of his game. However, his hand may be forced by the injury to Tino Livramento, who could miss the rest of the season with a back problem.
Rashford could benefit from a similar situation, though more due to a general lack of competition in the left-wing position. While Anthony Gordon should also be on the plane to the USA, Rashford could benefit from the Newcastle man’s recent lack of form as the pair fight to start on the left in England’s opener against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June.
Such a large part of scoring well comes from hitting short-game shots close to the pin. From both personal experience and working with students, I’ve seen how common it is to leave these shots short, making the putt much harder to convert.
Here are some common reasons why this happens and how to improve.
1. Using your most lofted club
It’s easy to assume that the most lofted club should always be used around the green, but this often leads to shots coming up short. The more lofted the club, the larger the swing required to get the ball to the pin. Especially when there is more green to work with or a longer overall distance, consider using a lower-lofted club instead.
2. Inconsistent contact
High, lofted pitch shots require solid technique and confidence. Proper posture and grip play a huge role in making consistent contact.
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Because pitch shots often require a larger swing, it’s important to maintain good posture by bending forward from the hips and allowing the arms to hang naturally. This helps deliver the club to the ground properly and promotes center-face contact.
3. Wedges lack enough bounce
Bounce is the rounded sole on a wedge that helps the club glide through the turf rather than dig into it. When the club interacts properly with the ground, you can swing more confidently and strike the ball more consistently.
If a wedge has enough bounce, even slight contact with the turf before the ball can still produce a respectable shot because the club continues to glide instead of digging.
When players occasionally skull a wedge shot because the club digs too much, they often become hesitant to make a full enough swing, which can lead to approach shots consistently coming up short.
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4. Pitching when you should be chipping
This may be the simplest adjustment you can make to get the ball all the way to the pin.
When there is more room for roll than required carry, it is usually safer and more efficient to hit a lower-running chip shot instead of a high pitch shot. Because the motion is smaller, even slightly imperfect contact can still produce a very good result.
5. Not using lower-lofted clubs
The smaller the stroke, the smaller the chance for error. Using a lower-lofted club — such as an 8- or 9-iron — can be a smart option when you have plenty of green to work with and a back pin location.
Let the club selection help the ball travel the distance rather than trying to force a larger swing. Lowering your scores can be as simple as calibrating your short game, including both chipping and pitching.
A sub for Arsenal now as Saka comes off for Noni Madueke.
Odegaard slips in a beautiful diagonal pass to Havertz in the box, but his cutback is cleared.
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:14
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West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
West Ham are looking dangerous now and they win a another free-kick, but Mavropanos can’t direct a header towards goal.
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:12
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West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
SAVE! Oh what a chance this is for West Ham! The biggest of the game so far.
It comes from a slick passage of play with some one-touch passes that sees Fernandes played clean through.
He’s close to Raya and the angle is tight but take nothing away from the save, with the Spaniard getting down brilliantly and waiting for the perfect time to stick a leg out to keep his side level!
(Getty)
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:11
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West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
A yellow card for Saka now as a trailing leg clips Summerville. The Hammers will have a chance to put the ball in the box from deep.
Diouf’s ball in is poor though, and the chance goes begging.
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:09
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West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
A chance for West Ham now as Bowen’s cross is flashed towards goal and forces Raya to tip it wide.
The Arsenal ‘keeper does well to punch out Bowen’s cross from the corner too.
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:08
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West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
A superb pass from Rice to pick out Saka in the area but he’d strayed just offside.
Arsenal are starting ti play as if they know time is running out!
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:07
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West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
A swift West Ham corner sees the ball spread wide to Diouf, who produces a great early cross targeting Pablo.
It’s a great effort but Rice does so well to track back and prevent the Brazilian striker making clean contact.
(AP)
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:04
West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
It’s another good delivery from Rice and it causes some pinball in the box as Pablo falls on it before it’s poked goalwards and cleared off the line!
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Arsenal want a penalty as Pablo falls and appears to handle the ball when he’s on the floor, but it would be harsh as there was nothing he could do. It’s quickly overturned.
Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:03
West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
Todibo is the next player in the book as he shoves over Gyokeres on the left wing. Another dangerous set-piece for the Gunners!
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Chris Wilson10 May 2026 18:00
West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
A change for West Ham now as Pablo comes on for Taty Castellanos at striker.
Arteta responds with a double change of his own, Eze and Zubimendi making way for Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Manchester United have not confirmed their plans for the end of the season, with Michael Carrick still uncertain on his future at the club when his contract ends at the end of the season
Manchester United risk Michael Carrick opening talks with other teams if they wait any longer to offer him a permanent job at Old Trafford, according to former defender Jaap Stam.
The 44-year-old was appointed until the end of the season, but his future has yet to be made clear, and no Manchester United manager has been confirmed for the summer. For his part, Carrick has insisted he remains calm about the uncertainty surrounding his future.
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Stam reckons the moment is approaching where Carrick will want to plan for the summer, whether that be at United or elsewhere. The Dutch giant believes the former midfielder has done enough to earn a deal at the Theatre of Dreams.
“He’s had a great spell now, he’s done very well, so I think you need to do that [give him the contract],” Stam said via ComeOn. “I cannot imagine there are no talks going on now or starting because if he wants to go on as a manager, he needs to have a look at other clubs now himself if he wants to change that somewhere else, if he wants to bring in players somewhere else.
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“So this is the time to make decisions, and after this success by getting into the Champions League, I can’t imagine not talking to him now and saying, ‘OK, we want to go and give you a contract for maybe for the next season or the next two seasons and see how it goes.’
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
“And there are always talk with fans, or people are always saying when they’re not successful, ‘OK, then it’s the lack of experience or he’s too young or we should have brought in this manager.’
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“But he knows the club very well. And I think it’s very positive that he knows what happened before, maybe the new owners came in, and how the club needs to be run and what needs to be done and what the feeling is as a United manager or as a United player.
“He can bring that feeling to the players, and I think that’s already what he’s been doing. And together with great people on the board, people who are very committed and want to make changes, I think you can help a young manager like him in making that next step or to become very successful for the club.”
United have been one of a number of clubs linked to making a move for Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. The Spanish coach has already confirmed he will make his departure from the Cherries at the end of the season.
“I will not talk about my future. I’m fully focused on trying to finish this season with a reward, something tangible for the [Bournemouth] players and supporters.” He added: “It was not an easy decision [to leave] but once it is made you feel relief.
“I feel we have used it in a positive way. Since that day, we’ve had great results but also the mood.
“Everyone is clear, the relationship is so clean and honest. Okay, this is going to happen, next season Marco Rose will be our manager.
“Everyone knows what’s happening. We are in good place and can use this in a positive way.”
The first WWE Premium Live Event post-WrestleMania 42, 2026 Backlash in Tampa, is officially in the history books. The card had five blockbuster bouts: two title bouts, two singles matches, and one tag team contest.
The major attraction on Saturday night was Roman Reigns‘ first title defense as WWE World Heavyweight Champion against his own real-life Bloodline member, Jacob Fatu. But the only women’s contest on the card, a singles match featuring Asuka and IYO SKY, also stood out and became one of the highlights for this year’s Backlash.
Thanks for the submission!
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The Genius of the Sky and The Empress of Tomorrow have been engaged in a feud over the last several months. Their bad blood gradually turned personal. Kairi Sane was also a major part of the saga, but she was shockingly released from the company a few days back. This was a major shocker for the fans.
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Despite the massive personal setback, Asuka and SKY locked horns in a singles matchup at WWE Backlash 2026. The former Women’s World Champion proved that it’s her time now by beating the 44-year-old star clean. Fans were highly entertained by the level of the match between the two Japanese female stars and rated it highly.
However, that wasn’t the shocker. Following the bout, Asuka broke character and burst into tears. In a passing-the-torch moment, she hugged SKY, kissed her on the cheeks, lifted her hand, and bid farewell to the crowd, potentially hinting at retirement.
In this listicle, we will explore four potential reasons why The Empress of Tomorrow lost to SKY at Backlash 2026.
#4. Asuka leaving WWE
A WWE superstar breaking their heel character is a rare sight that fans do not see often. The Empress of Tomorrow is known for keeping kayfabe. At Backlash, she broke down into tears and bid farewell to the fans, hinting that this might be the end of her in-ring stint with the Stamford-based promotion.
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Brock Lesnar had a similar moment at WrestleMania 42, and he retired and left WWE, as he has been placed in the alumni section on the company’s official site.
Hence, her losing the match could be her perfect departure from the sports entertainment giant. If she were to leave the promotion, a win would mean nothing to her at this point, and putting a rising star would benefit the company in the long term.
#3. Passing of the torch moment
Since Triple H took over the WWE creative team, one of the things they have been focusing on the most is building new superstars. The former Women’s World Champion IYO SKY has been one of The Game’s favorites.
Asuka has been a mentor to The Genius of the Sky throughout her professional wrestling career, and the Stamford-based promotion built their rivalry as a student versus teacher angle.
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By losing to her protégé at the Backlash 2026 Premium Live Event, The Empress of Tomorrow has passed the torch to IYO to carry the legacy she and other Japanese stars have built over the years.
A win over a veteran star like former Damage CTRL leader has elevated the former Women’s World Champion’s credibility as a superstar even more.
#2. WWE is rebuilding IYO SKY as a singles star again
It’s been a while since The Genius of the Sky has been placed into the main title picture. She last held a singles title in 2025, which she lost in July.
She then formed a tag team with Rhea Ripley and ruled the division up until early this year before dropping the Women’s Tag Team Championships to the Irresistible Forces on Friday Night SmackDown before the 2026 Elimination Chamber.
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Ripley climbed to the top quickly as she won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, punched her ticket to WrestleMania, and got a Women’s Championship match against Jade Cargill. Moreover, Mami captured the Women’s Championship, beating Big Jade at the Granddaddy of Them All, becoming a singles star once again.
Meanwhile, SKY got stuck in the mid-card mix with her feud with Asuka. By handing her a personal win over her fellow Japanese star, WWE may have begun rebuilding Ripley’s tag team partner as a singles main-event star, and she might soon enter title contention.
A Women’s World Championship match between IYO and Liv Morgan would be a major box-office attraction, as they are both stylistically dynamic and know how to grab the audience’s attention.
#1. Taking time off
Another potential reason the 44-year-old veteran may have lost to IYO is that she may be going on a hiatus from the company. Being a WWE superstar can be stressful, as the life of a star is not easy.
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They have to travel all around the world every week and compete tirelessly away from their family. Asuka is among the few workhorses who have been on television constantly grinding and working hard.
However, she may have finally decided to take some time off to spend some time with her family, as her retirement is not confirmed as of the writing of this article.
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