Gerwyn Price produced a clinical display to beat Ross Smith 16-12 in the World Matchplay quarter-finals, setting up a meeting with Gian van Veen in the last four.

The Welshman looked to be in control of the last-eight tie at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens before Smith fought back from 12-8 down to draw level.

However, Price was able to raise his game again to seal victory with a 102.78 average as he bids to reach the final of the tournament for the first time.

“Ross played a decent game as well, so it’s nice to play well when someone is playing well. It gives you a bit of confidence going into the next round,” Price told Sky Sports.

“For him to get back to 12-12, I thought ‘here we go again’, but thankfully I rode off four legs on the bounce.”

Price will play Van Veen of the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Saturday after the Dutchman chalked up a 16-13 win over spirited James Wade.

Van Veen seized the upper hand early on and had a three-leg cushion at 11-7, only for Wade to battle back and get on level terms at 11-11.

Englishman Wade kept pegging Van Veen back until the third seed produced a 118 checkout to break Wade’s throw to go 14-12 up before he wrapped up victory.

“It was a tight battle, but I’m glad I got the job done,” Van Veen said.

“I was so lucky James wasn’t scoring as well and my finishing got me through. Hopefully in the semis I will be a lot better.”

Defending champion and world number one Luke Littler faces unseeded Dirk van Duijvenbode in the other semi-final, after they won through on Thursday.

Follow live coverage of the semi-finals on the BBC Sport website and app from 19:30 BST on Saturday.

Errol Spence Jr suffered the first defeat of his career at the hands of Terence Crawford and opted not to take a rematch despite it being on the table.

Though the undisputed welterweight contest, which took place in July 2023, was viewed as a pick ’em contest by many, Crawford dominated, dropping Spence three times before forcing a stoppage in the ninth round.

Spence did activate his contractual rematch clause, which had been agreed to take place at welterweight again, but the time limit on the option lapsed, and Crawford moved on. He vacated his four belts at 147lbs to move up to super-welterweight and defeat Israel Madrimov before a further jump to super-middleweight to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez before announcing his retirement.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Spence was asked directly why he didn’t force the second fight.

“When was the rematch gonna be? Within a year? I wouldn’t have been ready, so how would I take a rematch if I’m not gonna be ready?”

The former unified world champion ends three years of inactivity this weekend in Sydney, Australia, when he faces Tim Tszyu.

Buoyed by new trainer Ronnie Shields, Spence has promised fans that he feels rejuvenated and ready to return at 36. His return will answer many questions about his future in the sport, and whether a world title push at super-welterweight or middleweight is on the cards.

Tszyu, however, plans to spoil any plans the American has, vowing to send him into retirement.

Sha’Carri Richardson is once again a national champion.

Richardson won the women’s 100 at the 2026 USA Track and Field Championships on Friday, July 24.

Richardson crossed the finish line with a time of 10.77 to win. Her time equaled a season best. Kayla White ran a 10.90 to place second and Tamari Davis posted an 11.00 to take third.

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Running out of lane five, Richardson got a decent start. She pulled even with the field around 40 meters, surged passed the other sprinters and crossed the finish line with a comfortable victory.

“It feels phenomenal to be back in a better place. Healthy, physically, mentally and emotionally,” Richardson told NBC Sports after the race. “It shows that hard work pays off.”

Richardson came in with the top time in the U.S. this year (10.77). She had the fastest time (10.78) during the semifinal round but it was wind-aided.

Richardson was the heavy favorite to win the women’s 100 after her training partner and main U.S. rival Melissa Jefferson-Wooden decided to focus just on the women’s 200 at this year’s U.S. championships. Jefferson-Wooden edged Richardson in the 100 at the Prefontaine Classic earlier this month.

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Richardson is the second woman to win three U.S. 100-meter titles since 2000. The 26-year-old sprinter also won a world championship title in the event in 2023. She was second in the 100 at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley scored doubles as 12-man Wakefield ran in nine tries to demolish shell-shocked West Yorkshire derby rivals Castleford 52-14.

The hosts looked to be in trouble at the DIY Kitchens Stadium when they trailed 10-6 after Matty Storton’s early dismissal, but they turned in a rampant display to clinch a sixth successive Super League win.

Wakefield were ahead inside 45 seconds of kick-off when Johnstone found space down the left and drew his man before slipping the ball inside to Storton to cross before Max Jowitt added the conversion.

Cas had to fight for their lives amid an early onslaught, but they were back in it with 16 minutes played when Tom Weaver pounced after a deflected grubber kick fell nicely into his path, the half-back converting his own try to make it 6-6.

The Tigers’ evening took a further turn for the better within six minutes when Storton was dismissed for a high tackle on Alex Mellor, and they swiftly made their numerical advantage count when winger Jason Qareqare blasted his way over in the left corner.

However, Trinity were back in front on the half-hour when replacement Caius Faatili forced his way over and Jowitt added the two points before himself darting over from dummy half and converting his own score to make it 18-10 at the break.

Wakefield extended their lead further within three minutes of the restart when Isaiah Vagana collected Jake Trueman’s lofted kick and exchanged passes with Cameron Scott before touching down, and Johnstone snatched a quick-fire double with Jowitt adding all three kicks to leave the score at 36-10.

Corey Hall muscled his way over the line and Walmsley added his name to the scoresheet after Vagana had tapped down Trueman’s up and under before doubling his tally after Qareqare had succumbed under another aerial assault from Truman, Jowitt taking his tally to 20 points before Qaraqare’s late consolation try.

Asked about his side’s end-of-season prospects, Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell told Sky Sports: “We just keep ticking along and doing our jobs, stay consistent – we’ve got a tough away trip at Catalans next week – just keep doing what we’re doing, don’t get too carried away.

“We’ve been saying that, but I think we should be excited as a team. We play some smart stuff and the boys are tuned in with each other. It’s a pleasure to play the game when you feel like that – I remember those times – and as a coach, you’ve got a team you can trust, which is awesome.”

Disappointed opposite number Ryan Carr said: “How we started the game is how we wanted to play the game, and then we didn’t touch the ball for the next 65 minutes pretty much after that through our own doing.

“Unfortunately, you can’t win if you don’t have the ball, and you won’t have the ball unless you want to make tackles. It’s a simple game.”

Simone Biles was back in a hospital recently to undergo a “procedure” more than a month after she “almost” died.

Biles shared a selfie of herself and her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, on her Instagram Story, praising him for taking her to her procedure on his birthday.

Biles was sporting a hospital gown and cap with Owens by her side as the couple smiled for the photo.

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Simone Biles reacts after competing on the beam on day three of the gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games on Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports)

The gold-medal gymnast posted white hearts and happy-crying emojis with the picture.

Biles has not released specifics about what caused her “medical emergency” that resulted in her going to the hospital last month, but said only that it “could have ended very differently.”

Simone Biles of the United States poses with her three gold and one silver medal after day three of the gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 5, 2024. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)

SIMONE BILES FIRES BACK AT INSTAGRAM USERS WHO MOCKED HER NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE, REVEALS MEDICAL EMERGENCY

“This was one of, if not the scariest experience of my life, especially since Jonathan was in [Indianapolis] for practices. I’ve been in bed resting this week. I’ll explain sooner or later, but [shoutout] to my close circle who reached out, checked in, visited & or sent flowers,” she wrote at the time.

Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, is a safety for the Indianapolis Colts. The couple has been married since 2023, though Owens’ NFL career has occasionally forced them to spend time apart. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018, he has played for five different teams.

Simone Biles (left) and Jonathan Owens pose on the ESPYs red carpet at the Dolby Theatre on July 16, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

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The two met while Owens was with the Houston Texans in 2019. Biles lives in Texas, where the couple has built a massive home together. Since his time in Houston, Owens has also played for the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears and now the Colts.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty becomes the latest to face the latter situation on Saturday – in the 100m breaststroke final at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games, shortly after 21:00 BST.

The greatest breaststroker the world has seen is on his own journey – one which he hopes ends with a third individual gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in two years’ time.

Manoeuvring into his slipstream is 18-year-old Filip Nowacki.

Master meet apprentice.

Not only has Nowacki started to pick off Ramsay-Peaty’s age-group records, he is part of the 31-year-old’s AP Race stable – the programme set up to develop the next generation.

Ramsay-Peaty has spoken of wanting to mentor and pass on advice to his young pretender. Last year, Nowacki repaid him by breaking his 100m breaststroke junior British record.

Ramsay-Peaty, who is chasing a 33rd major gold of a glittering career, appeared in no mood to hand over the baton in Friday’s semi-finals.

There is uncertainty around a broken finger suffered in June but, side by side in lanes four and five, Ramsay-Peaty built an early lead and held off the youngster in the second length. Nowacki was close but never quite close enough.

“I saw his front wave, but at the same time that is what I train for,” Ramsay-Peaty said.

“I know I am a sprinter. I know I can go out fast.”

Nowacki, who competes for Jersey here having learned to swim under the tutelage of Nathan Jegou on the Channel Island, is arguably best in the 200m event – a distance Ramsay-Peaty does not race.

In this shorter contest, it is the youngster who should stay stronger for longer.

And when they spoke afterwards alongside each other, Ramsay-Peaty, all chest and tattooed muscle, towered over his young rival – so much so you would be forgiven for thinking the pair compete in different sports.

Nowacki appeared wary of Ramsay-Peaty but there is a cheeky confidence within.

“Course I do,” he laughed when asked if he believes he can win.

“No, I wish, I’m gonna give it my best shot” was his quick addition.

Nowacki was not long out of armbands when Ramsay-Peaty won gold in this same pool at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

That was his emergence on to the global stage and two years later the Englishman won his first Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro. Nowacki was only eight years old.

“Adam is a true role model in the sport,” Nowacki said.

“I grew up watching him race at Rio, Tokyo and Paris.

“To race him and not be a random competitor but give him a race is special to me.”

The pair should compete as Team GB team-mates in LA but are also racing for their own personal ambitions on Saturday.

Despite winning an emotional silver at the Olympics in Paris two years ago, Ramsay-Peaty has not stood atop a major podium since the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.

In that meet he won the 50m crown but lost his 100m title to James Wilby. A “self-destructive spiral” amid issues with his mental health, which led to him considering his future in the sport, soon followed.

If Nowacki wins a medal it would be Jersey’s first at the Commonwealth Games for 36 years. They have only ever won one gold medal.

Australia’s Sam Williamson, who won the first semi-final, will also have something to say.

“It is going to be a good scrap, especially down that last 25m, and I do love a good scrap,” Ramsay-Peaty said.

He would never go quietly.

To begin, a tip of the cap to Matthew Berry, the top fantasy football writer on planet earth. If memory serves, Mr. Berry does a “10 things he thinks” piece (or something vaguely similar). Berry is therefore my muse in this one.

The Minnesota Vikings are walking into a pivotal season. Last year, the Vikings finished off with a 9-8 record, a humdrum win/loss total that needed a five-game winning streak to clear .500 by the end of the season. Brian Flores’ crew, in particular, deserves credit for getting to a winning record. The Vikings are now facing a pile of pressure. Check out some things I think I know about this team going into 2026.

10 Things I Know about the Minnesota Vikings (I Think)

1 — Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels Doesn’t Get the Credit He Deserves

Maybe a pile of people think Coach Daniels is excellent at his job. If that’s the case, they need to advertise that perspective more. The Sp/T coach has coaxed All Pro out of Will Reichard and Andrew DePaola. He developed Ryan Wright to a point where he became a wonderful punter. A lot of less obvious players (think gunners) have been great, too. Coach Daniels is a great coach.

2 — Tai Felton is Skating on Thin Ice

At minimum, Mr. Felton is a monster out at gunner who has potential as a deep threat on offense. Does Nolan Teasley find room on the 53-man roster for him? Whoever wins the WR4, WR5, and maybe a WR6 spot is going to have done so after winning a fierce battle. Presumably, there’s a team or two out there willing to trade for somebody who was a 3rd-Round selection in 2025, albeit at a discounted price.

3 — Rick Spielman is Still Being Felt on the Vikings’ Roster

Consider a tweet to summarize the odd reality:

The Spielman picks who remain: Brian O’Neill, Justin Jefferson, Blake Brandel, Josh Metellus, and Christian Darrisaw. Not too shabby, right?

4 — Kevin O’Connell Needs to Get Out of His Own Way by Running the Darn Football

Every so often, very smart people do dumb things. Kevin O’Connell is not somebody who lacks for brains or an understanding of the game. He may, nevertheless, overthink things. Simplify the game. Run the ball.

5 — TE1 T.J. Hockenson Isn’t a Lock for the 53-Man Roster

He’s a well-paid tight end even after getting a financial hair cut earlier in 2026. Does he still demand a spot on the final roster? Nobody from among the other tight ends can match him as a pass catcher but maybe that’s not needed. Presumably, some team out there would be willing to shuffle over a Day 3 pick to snag the 29-year-old tight end.

— READ MORE: Ian Rapoport Offers His 2 Cents —
— READ MORE: The Former Vikings GM’s Training Camp Preview —
— READ MORE: Is Kyler Murray the Answer that Justin Jefferson Needs? —

6 — Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Domonique Orange are MIN’s Top DTs in 2026

Jalen Redmond is going to be the unquestioned DT1. In 2024, he was an upside depth piece. He then proved to be better than Jonathan Allan and Javon Hargrave in 2025. The 2026 season sees him play even better as he starts getting noticed around the NFL instead of just within Minnesota’s borders. What’s missing: Caleb Banks, who has missed valuable on-field time due to injury.

7 — Dallas Turner Will Struggle to Replace Jonathan Greenard

Mr. Greenard is a great player (check out a piece from Tyler Dunne to get a sense of why the former Viking works so hard). Injuries are a problem, but when he’s out there he’s equally excellent at walloping passers and shutting down the run. Does Turner prove so formidable? I haven’t seen it yet.

8 — LG1 Donovan Jackson Turns into a Complete Bulldozer Who Makes the Old GM Look Smart

The 1st-Round selection from the 2025 NFL Draft had a solid rookie season. Solid, not sizzling. Rather than a sophomore slump, Jackson proves to be a great player who makes a dent in the line of scrimmage on a weekly basis.

9 — The Eric Wilson Contract Ages Poorly

Opting for Leo Chenal, young and with great size, would have been better. These LBs went for very similar deals but Minnesota went with the in-house option on the wrong side of 30. That ends up being a mistake as the late-career breakout ended up being unsustainable.

10 — J.J. McCarthy Starts More Games than Kyler Murray

For a little while, I’ve had an educated guess. Kyler Murray is the starter in Week 1 but J.J. McCarthy starts more games in the 2026 season. I’ve yet to be convinced that isn’t a correct take. Doesn’t mean I’ve hit the bullseye, folks. Rather, that’s a guess based off what I’ve observed.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has rewarded the players of Nasarawa Amazons with cash gifts, a new 38-seater coaster bus and other incentives following their victory in the 2026 Women’s President Federation Cup.

At a reception held at the Government House in Lafia on Friday, Governor Sule praised the team for bringing honour to the state after defeating Heartland Queens 6-5 on penalties in the final.

The governor announced a 2026 model 38-seater coaster bus for Nasarawa Amazons and made several cash donations to the players and officials.

Women’s FA Cup Most Valuable Player Hembafan Ayatsea and Best Goalkeeper Udoka Unachukwu each received $1,000, while the other 34 registered players were rewarded with $500 each.

The state government also approved ₦25 million for the team’s 36 registered players, ₦15 million for the management and technical crew, and ₦5 million for the supporters’ club.

Governor Sule also announced the immediate allocation of a hostel for the players and officials, as well as an official vehicle for head coach Christopher Danjuma to improve his mobility.

Nasarawa United also benefited from the governor’s generosity, receiving a new 38-seater bus and ₦10 million after finishing sixth in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League and reaching the semi-finals of the President Federation Cup.

The club’s feeder team and the Nasarawa State Football Association each received ₦10 million, while Nasarawa United Media Director Eche Amos was honoured with $500 for his outstanding contribution to sports journalism in the state.

Governor Sule said the Amazons had made the people of Nasarawa proud, adding that sport remains a powerful force for unity regardless of tribe or religion. He also commended the players, coaches and supporters for their commitment and success.

President Donald Trump has weighed in on one of basketball’s biggest debates: Who is better, LeBron James or Michael Jordan?

For Trump, the answer is easy. The president is all in on Jordan.

“Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine, play golf with him. He’s a really good guy. And I think LeBron is, maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump, I don’t know. But I only like people that like me. So, I would say Michael Jordan all the way,” Trump said at the Oval Office on Friday.

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President Donald Trump speaks at Wheeler High School on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Marietta, Ga. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Trump was asked the James vs. Jordan question because James announced Friday that he plans to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. He will sign a two-year, $8 million contract, according to ESPN.

Jordan played in the NBA for 15 seasons, winning six titles in his career, all of which came with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan retired twice during his career, as he played baseball after the Bulls’ first three-peat during the 1993-94 season.

He returned during the 1994-95 season, and the Bulls began their second three-peat a year later during the 1995-96 season. Jordan then retired again, this time for three seasons, and spent the final two seasons of his career with the Washington Wizards.

In his career, Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game, the most in NBA history, along with 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists. The Basketball Hall of Famer made the All-Star team 14 times, won five MVPs, six NBA Finals MVPs, was a 10-time scoring champion, and made the All-Defensive Team nine times.

LEBRON JAMES MAKES NBA FREE AGENCY DECISION, ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SIGN WITH 76ERS

Michael Jordan holds up six fingers for each Bulls championship as he addresses the crowd at the Petrillo Music Shell at Grant Park on June 16, 1998, in Chicago. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

James is heading into his 24th season, his first with the 76ers. He spent the first seven years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then signed with the Miami Heat to create “The Big 3” with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

James won the first two of his four NBA titles with the Heat in 2011-12 and 2012-13. After four seasons with the Heat, James returned home to Cleveland.

In his second stint with the Cavaliers, James led the Cavaliers to the title in 2015-16, completing a 3-1 series comeback over the Golden State Warriors. After four more seasons in Cleveland, James departed for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In eight seasons with the Lakers, James won one NBA title during the 2019-20 season. That championship was won in the bubble in Florida because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

James is the NBA’s leader in games played, points, most All-Star selections and All-NBA selections. He is the only player in NBA history to score more than 43,000 points and has the most 30-point games (700) of all time.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks toward his bench after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of Game 1 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on May 5, 2026. (Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)

He has won the MVP award four times, is a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time Finals MVP and a six-time All-Defensive Team member.

In his career, he has averaged 26.8 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Both James and Jordan have incredible résumés, which has led to one of the most contentious debates in sports. But even with James’ résumé still growing, Trump’s answer is clear: Jordan all the way.

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