Sports
Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda lead India’s World C’ship debutant quartet | Other Sports News
Ayush Shetty has always had dreams of competing in the BWF World Championships. Now, that dream will turn into reality for the 21-year-old rising star as India is hosting the badminton’s biggest event after a hiatus of 17 years.
The Karnataka shutter realises how special an occasion this is for him.
“To make my debut at the World Championships, and to do so when India is hosting the event after 17 years, is incredibly special,” Ayush, one of four Indians who will make their first appearance in the tournament, told PTI.
Ayush, however, has been handed a tough draw in the August 17-23 tournament as he is set to take on defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in the men’s singles’ opening round.
Joining him are women’s singles prospect Unnati Hooda and women’s doubles pair Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam, all of whom have earned their places through impressive performances on the international circuit.
While the spotlight will naturally remain on established stars such as two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the tournament also offers the young quartet an opportunity to announce themselves on the biggest stage in the sport.
Among the four debutantes, Ayush arrives with perhaps the strongest recent credentials. He won bronze at the 2023 BWF World Junior Championships before announcing himself on the senior circuit, clinching the US Open Super 300 title in 2025.
This year, he became the first Indian men’s singles player since Dinesh Khanna in 1965 to reach the final of the Badminton Asia Championships.
Along the way, he defeated former world champion Li Shi Feng, former Asian champion Jonatan Christie and Paris Olympics silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn before finishing with the silver medal.
“Growing up, the World Championships was one of the tournaments I always looked forward to watching. Like every young badminton player, I dreamed of one day earning the chance to compete on that stage…,” he said.
“I’ve worked hard to be here and I want to make the most of this opportunity. Competing against some of the best players in the world is the ultimate challenge, and I’m looking forward to testing my game, embracing the occasion and giving everything I have on court. Having home support behind me will make it even more memorable,” he said.
At 17, Hooda has already established herself as one of India’s brightest young talents. She became the youngest Indian to win a BWF World Tour title when she captured the Odisha Open Super 100 crown in 2022 at the age of 14.
The Haryana shuttler has continued her steady progress, highlighted by a memorable victory over former world champion PV Sindhu at the 2025 China Open Super 1000.
She will meet Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzar in the opening round.
“This is one of the biggest moments of my career so far. Making my first World Championships is something I’ve worked towards for a long time, and to have that opportunity in India makes it even more special,” said Unnati, who won the Polish Open this year.
“As a young player, competing against some of the best athletes in the world is a challenge I’m really looking forward to. Events like these are where you learn the most about yourself and your game, and I want to make the most of every opportunity.
“Having the support of family, friends and Indian fans around me will make this experience even more memorable.”
In women’s doubles, Simran and Kavipriya have quietly built promising partnerships.
Simran trained under Uday Pawar at Mumbai’s Goregaon Sports Club, the academy that also nurtured World Championships medallist Chirag Shetty, while Kavipriya emerged through Tamil Nadu’s competitive domestic circuit.
They will open the campaign against Spain’s Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez. The pair has steadily climbed to a career-high 38 in world rankings, and has featured regularly on the BWF World Tour.
Sports
Alex Eala finds extra fuel in cheers of loud crowd

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates a point against United States’ Caty McNally during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Alex Eala’s loyal and roaring followers have been the center of an ongoing debate over what constitutes proper tennis etiquette. The Filipino superstar has largely kept her voice neutral in that conversation.
But for one moment, after winning a key point in a testy three-setter that she said she really “wanted,” Eala made it clear what she wanted from her supporters.
Get louder.
“[I]n that point specifically … I was hyped. So, I wanted to kind of like share that with the crowd and obviously also try to take in their energy,” Eala said on Saturday (Manila time), when asked what was going through her mind as she encouraged the crowd to cheer on.
“I wanted that point.”
She needed that point—and every bit of energy the crowd could share with her.
The emotions that overtook Eala at the end of her 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory over American Caty McNally in the National Bank Open in Toronto made the result seem like more than just a ticket to the fourth round.
And perhaps it was. The 21-year-old Filipino superstar entered the night duel in the middle of a hectic fortnight, one where she won her first WTA title. She was also coming off a string of six straight victories and had to deal with more than just the compounding weight of expectations.
She also did not want this magical run to end.
“These past two weeks, I’ve been feeling emotions so extremely because of the circumstances, which is a great thing,” she said of her current streak. “I think I’m quite a sentimental person.
“To play in front of you guys, it’s amazing, so the motivation to come here and play another match—everything just becomes so much more emotional,” she added.
It showed in the final point as Eala looked on the verge of tears after McNally sent her return long and handed the world No. 20 a seventh consecutive victory.
“Obviously, today was really close,” Eala said.

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts as she clinches a win over United States’ Caty McNally during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
She also had to deal with a forward-charging opponent and a second-set mishap where she took a medical break after rolling her ankle.
Things started looking bleak when McNally refused to wilt, fighting off Eala’s attempt to serve out the match in the second and forcing the grueling decider in a match that lasted two hours and 39 minutes.
“I am as tired as one can be at this stage,” Eala admitted. “You can imagine a lot of matches, but, you know, that’s the job.”
“I needed to push a lot.”
And she also needed every bit of energy the crowd could give her, judging by how spent she looked after the match.
She next faces Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic, who advanced after an even more lung-busting three-setter. Bencic needed three hours and 24 minutes to dismiss American Taylor Townsend, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4.
“[I]t’s going to be the first time that I’m facing her,” Eala said. “And of course, Belinda has accomplished so much in tennis.”
There will be concerns about her ankle, but Eala brushed them off.
“Luckily there’s nothing wrong with it. No serious problems,” she said. “I think I have a great team who’s going to help me recover.”
And, should she need it again, Eala is also expected to have another good crowd providing her with an energy boost. INQ
Sports
Sky’s DiJonai Carrington ejected for foul on Fever’s Sophie Cunningham
Aug 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington (7) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images The Chicago Sky’s DiJonai Carrington was ejected in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever for a hard foul on Sophie Cunningham.
Late in the opening quarter, Cunningham was on a fast break and attempting a layup when Carrington ran down the play and fouled Cunningham across the left side of the head with her left arm. The players went face-to-face while being separated by teammates.
The play was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 2 foul on Carrington, which carries an automatic ejection.
Carrington came off the bench to score eight points, on 3-of-3 shooting while making her only free-throw attempt, in four minutes. –Field Level Media
Sports
UFC Fight Night predictions, odds, card for Mateusz Gamrot vs. Quillan Salkilld
Quillan Salkilld could be the next big thing at lightweight. Already a rapidly rising Oceanic name, Salkilld’s first UFC Fight Night main event is a launching pad into the wider MMA consciousness. His rise feels inevitable, but Mateusz Gamrot has other plans.
Salkilld (12-1) is well on his way to “speed running” the lightweight division. It’s a gamer term for completing a video game as fast as possible. Salkilld’s game of choice is far more treacherous. Salkilld is 5-0 since his Octagon debut last year, finishing four opponents.
He made a memorable early impression, earning CBS Sports’ 2025 Knockout of the Year against Nasrat Haqparast and most recently KOing perennial title contender Beneil Dariush. Well on his way to accomplishing a challenging goal in the sport’s deepest division, a win over Gamrot puts Salkilld in the top 10 exactly 18 months after his UFC debut.
Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs. Salkilld for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
“I don’t want to cherry-pick my way to the top. I want these hard fights,” Salkilld told CBS Sports. “I respect Gamrot a lot and respect his skillset. I think his most dangerous attribute is just his ability to push his wrestling pace for the whole fight. He’s going to be nonstop on the attack with the grappling.
“This test is why I specifically called him out. I want these tough moments and these tests. I want to gain a lot of respect after this one.”
Gamrot (26-4, 1 NC) knows the feeling of lofty expectations. He looked like a future title challenger after defeating Arman Tsarukyan, who recently booked a co-main event slot at UFC 331, after five rounds of the most exciting grappling exchanges in MMA history. Unfortunately, he’s struggled against the very best. Losses to former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Dariush, the latter of whom was on the cusp of a title shot at the time, have kept him just shy of elite status. Saturday’s main event is a crucial opportunity to crush Salkilld’s ascent and prepare for his own climb.
“I understand the politics. The most important thing is finishing the fight. I cleared my mind. I’ve changed my style a little bit. I am patient,” Gamrot told CBS Sports. “I took two of the biggest prospects before. I finish this guy. I have another big name in front of me. Quillan Salkilld has a lot of hype, but, bro, I don’t care. I know what I bring to the table. I’m ready to rock and roll.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, veterans Diego Ferreira and Billy Quarantillo are set to battle it out with both men in need of a victory. Ferreira has lost his last two outings after a pair of knockout wins before that, and Quarantillo has gone 1-3 since 2023.
Plus, Darren Elkins gets a send off fight when he takes on Yadier Del Valle at featherweight. “The Damage” has lived up to his nickname throughout his UFC career, which dates all the way back to 2010. Elkins will look to end his career on a high note against Del Valle, who suffered his first pro defeat in his last appearance.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the fight card with the latest odds from DraftKings before getting to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.
UFC Fight Night card, odds
UFC Fight Night viewing information
Date: Saturday, Aug. 8 | Start time: 8 p.m. ET (Main card) | 5 p.m. ET (Prelims)
Location: Meta APEX — Las Vegas
TV Channel: Paramount+ (subscribe now for as low as $8.99 per month)
Prediction
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Quillan Salkilld: Salkilld achieved the expected result in his last fight. Beating Dariush is a feather in Salkilld’s cap, but it must be acknowledged that Dariush is damaged goods. Dariush, once on the verge of a title shot, has suffered first-round knockouts in four of his last five appearances. Even in that fight, Salkilld showed imperfections. Dariush dropped him with a jab and took him down twice. Salkilld showed composure against a savvy veteran, but such growing pains make his sprint to the top more difficult.
Gamrot isn’t perfect either. He’s widely considered one of the best wrestlers in the division, but Oliveira submitted him and Dariush out-grappled him. Against Dan Hooker, a striker he was widely expected to beat, Gamrot lost via split decision. Gamrot’s slow potential decline and Salkilld’s explosiveness are what make this so intriguing. Salkilld has many tools at his disposal: superior striking, a savvy submission game and great takedown defense. But Gamrot is a seasoned professional who probably has two more good years in him. I’d favor Salkilld in a three-round fight, but Gamrot can probably run the clock and wear him down over 25 minutes. Pick: Gamrot via unanimous decision
Who wins Gamrot vs. Salkilld, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since May 2018, and find out.
Sports
AFA, Barcelona mourn death of Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi | Off the field News
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Saturday offered its condolences to Lionel Messi and his family following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68.Jorge Messi had been receiving treatment at a clinic in Rosario.Following his death, the AFA posted a message on X offering its support to Lionel and his family.“Stay strong, Leo Messi and family. We are with you in this difficult moment. We send you our most heartfelt embrace,” the AFA said.FC Barcelona, where Lionel Messi played from 2004 to 2021, also expressed its condolences to Jorge Messi’s family. The club acknowledged Jorge’s role in allowing Barcelona to be part of the early and successful years of Lionel’s football career.“The President and the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona express their deepest condolences on the passing of Jorge Messi, father of former Barca player and legend Lionel Messi, and, on behalf of the entire Barca family, extend their condolences to the Messi family. FC Barcelona thanks Jorge Messi for his commitment to our Club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career. May he rest in peace,” FC Barcelona said in an X post.Jorge Messi was also closely involved in his son’s football career. After Lionel’s career took off, Jorge became his agent and strategic adviser. Before that, he had worked for years as a supervisor at a steel factory.He was involved in Lionel’s early years at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. When Lionel was 13, Jorge helped arrange his move to Spain to join Barcelona’s youth academy.Barcelona also paid for the treatment of Messi’s growth hormone deficiency, a condition that affected his physical development.Jorge was married to Celia Cuccittini and had four children: Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol.
Sports
Football gossip: Rodri, Romero, Diomande, Torres, McNeil, Johnson, Ruggeri
Barcelona increase Rodri bid, Cristian Romero wants to join Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are set to sign Ousmane Diomande.
Barcelona are in continued talks with Manchester City over signing Rodri and have made an increased bid of £51.4m for the Spain midfielder, 30. (Sport – in Spanish), external
Cristian Romero would like to join Arsenal, but Tottenham have no intention of allowing the 28-year-old Argentina centre-back to move to their north London rivals. (Sun), external
Romero is also an option for Barcelona, who are set to let Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo, 27, join Liverpool on loan. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external
Nottingham Forest are set to sign Ivory Coast centre-back Ousmane Diomande, 22, from Sporting for £34m. (Athletic – subscription required), external
Spain forward Ferran Torres, 26, has told Barcelona he wants to join Paris St-Germain after agreeing personal terms with the European champions. (ESPN), external
Everton and Crystal Palace have held talks over a potential swap deal involving English winger Dwight McNeil, 26, and Palace’s Wales winger Brennan Johnson, 25. (Times – subscription required), external
Tottenham have held advanced talks with Manchester City over signing Brazil winger Savinho, 22, with a package worth £60m believed to be enough to complete a deal. (Football Insider), external
Aston Villa are closing in on a full agreement to sign Italian left-back Matteo Ruggeri, 24, from Atletico Madrid. (Athletic), external
Southampton’s Shea Charles could still move to Leeds if they offer more than Fulham‘s current £30m bid for the Northern Ireland midfielder, 22. (Football Insider), external
Niclas Fullkrug has agreed terms with Venezia but the move has been blocked because of West Ham’s asking price for the Germany striker, 33. (Bild – in German), external
West Ham have reached an agreement in principle to sign Israel winger Manor Solomon, 27, from Tottenham. (Athletic), external
Fenerbahce are set to finalise a deal to sign Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 33, from Napoli, who will owe Chelsea a sell-on fee. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external
Sports
Brees, Fitzgerald, Kuechly, Vinatieri and Craig enter Hall of Fame
CANTON, Ohio — Drew Brees stood on stage next to his bronze bust, in front of Who Dat Nation, and took his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Getting benched three times in the NFL helped him get there.
“Marty Schottenheimer, one of the greatest coaches and motivators to ever coach this game and who belongs here in Canton,” Brees said Saturday. “Marty was my biggest fan. He would tell me all the time, even as he benched me three times and made me fight for my job every year with two greats, Doug Flutie and Philip Rivers.
“The first two times I got benched, I deserved it. The third time, I still don’t think I deserved it, Coach. But nonetheless, it lit more than a fire. It forced me to access a place in my mind and heart that I had not yet been. The adversity was not expected, but very necessary. I would never have reached the heights I did without it. I knew I needed to play better, but more importantly, I knew he believed I would play better.”
Brees eventually left the San Diego Chargers and joined the New Orleans Saints, where he won a Super Bowl playing for coach Sean Payton and became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, to the delight of fans who filled the Superdome with chants of “Who dat?”
Payton took time off from coaching Denver to introduce Brees on stage.
Brees got emotional thanking Payton.
“You always had a plan and vision for every player you coached,” Brees said. “I’m not sure if this is how you envisioned my journey or how big a role you would play in it, but I love you for it.”
Brees has the second-most yards passing (80,358) and touchdown passes (571) in league history, behind only Tom Brady. He was a first-ballot selection and joined a class that includes Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.
“I often ask myself how in the world did I play 20 years in the NFL,” Brees said. “Yes, it was for the love of the game. Yes, it was a relentless attempt to master my craft. Yes, it was the grind and challenge of preparation and the thrill of game day. But you want to know what it really was: for the love of my teammates. I would wake up every day with a burning desire to commit, sacrifice and command in a way that would give them everything they deserved.”
Fitzgerald was the first player to have his bronze bust revealed on stage Saturday at Tom Benson Stadium.
The 11-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, who played his entire 17-year career for the Cardinals, was introduced by the oldest of his three sons, Devin.
He finished his speech with a message to his boys that’s applicable to everyone.
“Don’t just pursue excellence for yourself,” Fitzgerald said. “Help other people pursue it, too. That’s the part of this story that matters the most. Not the likes. Not the fame. But the people you travel with. The values you uphold. In the end, it’s not just about the excellence. It’s about the people who help get you there.”
Being drafted No. 3 overall in 2004 by Cardinals coach Dennis Green reunited Fitzgerald with the man who was Minnesota’s coach when he was a ball boy for the Vikings.
“When coach Green hired me as a ball boy, I grew up watching legends being built right in front of me,” Fitzgerald said. “Hall of Fame players like John Randle, Chris Doleman, Randall McDaniel and Warren Moon, who taught me what it means to demand more of yourself than anyone else ever would. Plus, they saw me.”
Fitzgerald thanked Hall of Fame receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss for their influence on his career during his time working for the Vikings as a kid. He singled out former Cardinals teammates Emmitt Smith and Kurt Warner for showing him how to be a professional.
“Kurt, when you demanded that I elevate my preparation, consistency and accountability, you dragged me to the winner’s circle,” Fitzgerald said. “The timing couldn’t have been better for an impressionable kid, and I continue to aspire to be the kind of man you are.”
Fitzgerald is second on the NFL’s career list in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). His 121 touchdown catches are sixth.
Vinatieri became only the third full-time placekicker to be inducted into the Hall, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.
He may have a new career in comedy.
Vinatieri drew plenty of laughs and cheers with jokes about Bill Belichick, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
“And Peyton, thank you for generously donating your forehead for today’s teleprompter,” Vinatieri cracked. “A gigantic forehead means big brain and your football IQ is unmatched.”
Manning nodded his head with a smile from his seat among the Hall of Famers.
Vinatieri retired with NFL records of 2,673 career points and 599 field goals. Only George Blanda (26) and Andersen (25) had longer NFL careers than Vinatieri’s 24 seasons.
“When people hear the word greatness, they usually think about the biggest names on the biggest stages,” Vinatieri said. “But greatness isn’t created under bright lights. Greatness is built on empty practice fields when it’s below zero. Greatness is sacrificing temporary fun for meaningful outcomes. Greatness is turning doubt into belief. Preparation matters. Character matters.
“And to all the doubters, thank you. Your criticism became fuel. Your doubt became motivation. You helped make me better.”
Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon introduced Vinatieri, who won his fourth Super Bowl with Indianapolis after earning three championship rings in New England.
At 35, Kuechly became the second-youngest player inducted into the Hall. Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers was 34 when he was inducted in 1977.
Introduced by his father, Tom, Kuechly was inducted on the same field where he led St. Xavier High School to a state championship in 2007.
Known for his intense study habits, Kuechly was a five-time All-Pro linebacker, the 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2013 AP Defensive Player of the Year during his eight-year career with the Carolina Panthers. Kuechly decided to retire in part to preserve his brain health after suffering several concussions.
“This game teaches you a lot if you’re willing to observe and listen,” Kuechly said. “It’s taught me resilience, consistency, toughness, the value of communication, how to find common ground, and most importantly how to enjoy it along the way cause often times the best moments are the ones you are in.”
Craig, who revealed in a video speech that he has vascular dementia, became the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have done it since.
“You spend your whole life trying to prove you belong and one day you’re told you’re one of the all-time greats. Man, it’s overwhelming,” Craig said.
Sports
Fantasy football rankings 2026: Busts per model that nailed Terry McLaurin’s down season
The Hall of Fame Game is now in the books, and the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The time has come for Fantasy football owners to begin draft preparations. Veterans like Josh Allen, Jonathan Taylor and Puka Nacua all headline the 2026 Fantasy football rankings, and will likely be among the top players on most Fantasy football draft boards. Meanwhile, running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are among those hold-ins angling for new contracts. Regardless, the key to fantasy success remains finding sleepers and rookies who outperform their Fantasy football ADP, and avoiding drafting players that end up being Fantasy football 2026 busts.
Who should you target in your fantasy football draft strategy, and which players should fall on your list of potential 2026 Fantasy football busts? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last year, the model accurately predicted that Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin would fall well short of his top-50 ADP. The result: A season after piling up nearly 1,100 receiving yards and a career-high 13 touchdown catches, McLaurin had career lows in receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (3). Injuries were a factor, but his per-game averages were down across the board as well, so anybody who avoided him in Fantasy drafts dodged a major headache.
The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021 and correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017.
Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2026 Fantasy football busts
One of the 2026 Fantasy football busts the model is predicting: New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. He’s going off the board around pick No. 35, but SportsLine’s model doesn’t even have him as a top-15 receiver. In fact, it has players such as DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins and Zay Flowers above him.
Nabers isn’t a lock to be ready to at the start of the season after tearing his ACL last season and then undergoing a follow-up procedure in the spring. The Giants are also expected to lean heavily on the run game under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, making Nabers a risky pick in the second or early third round. See more busts at SportsLine.
Another bust that SportsLine’s Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: Bills running back James Cook. Cook is going off the board with an ADP around No. 12 overall and is the fifth running back being taken on average. SportsLine’s model, however, ranks him as RB No. 10, behind players such as Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, saying that he should be more of a late-second or even third round pick.
Cook has stacked two impressive seasons and was the RB6 a year ago, so it’s understandable why he’s getting first-round consideration in many drafts. He did fumble at a higher rate last season, however, and he’s not an elite target out of the backfield. Also, Josh Allen always looms as a touchdown vulture for Buffalo, as these factors are why the model is leaning to other high-end backs early. See which other Fantasy football busts 2026 to pick here.
How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings
SportsLine is also fading one of the first five receivers off the board in early 2026 Fantasy football drafts. The model ranks this player barely inside the top 10 and is calling for him to be one of the biggest busts in the league this year. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.
So which 2026 Fantasy Football busts should you be steering clear of, and which high-end WR should you completely fade? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that helped managers avoid a disastrous Terry McLaurin season in 2025.
2026 Fantasy football ADP
(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.46)
2. Bijan Robinson (1.83)
3. Ja’Marr Chase (4.11)
4. Puka Nacua (4.51)
5. Jonathan Taylor (5.63)
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.20)
7. Christian McCaffrey (7.00)
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (8.77)
9. De’Von Achane (11.00)
10. James Cook (12.17)
Sports
Kamaljeet’s second sporting life: From injury setback to Asian Games glory | Other Sports News
An injury on the athletics track brought one sporting dream to an abrupt end for Kamaljeet. But instead of walking away from sport, the youngster found a new path in the shooting range.
The 22-year-old from Rewari took up pistol shooting in 2019 and has since emerged as one of India’s leading 50m Pistol shooters. His journey, however, has been far from straightforward, involving financial struggles, family sacrifices and a complete transition from track and field to shooting.
Now, Kamaljeet is preparing for the biggest opportunity of his young career, representing India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The shooting competitions are scheduled to be held from September 17 to October 3 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery.
Family Sacrifices Kept His Shooting Dream Alive
Kamaljeet’s journey into competitive shooting came with significant financial challenges. Coming from a middle-class family, he had to find ways to fund course fees and international competitions during the early stages of his career.
There were moments when continuing in the 50m Pistol event seemed almost impossible.
“We are a middle-class family, but my parents never let me quit shooting. I had to manage my own expenses for course fees and international matches early on, and there were times I thought I wouldn’t continue in the 50m Pistol event. It took me two to three years to earn that money back, but my family never asked questions, they gave me whatever I needed to keep going.”
A Coach From His Own Village
Moving from athletics to shooting meant starting almost from scratch. Kamaljeet found stability through a coaching relationship that extended beyond the shooting range.
His only coach was from his village, creating a bond that Kamaljeet describes as almost familial.
“I have only one shooting coach who taught me everything from scratch. He is from my village, so our relationship feels like family. Between my coach and my uncle at home, I’ve had the strongest foundation throughout this journey.”
That support system helped him navigate the technical and mental demands of a sport in which consistency and composure can be as important as raw ability.
SAI and NRAI Support Ease Financial Pressure
As Kamaljeet’s performances improved on the domestic circuit, institutional support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) helped remove one of the biggest obstacles from his path.
The financial pressure that had once forced him to worry about basic expenses gradually disappeared, allowing him to focus entirely on training and competition.
“Earlier, I used to struggle a lot just to manage basic expenses, but having sponsorship and support from SAI took a huge weight off my shoulders. Once I could focus purely on my sport, the pathway became very clear because of how transparent NRAI’s selection process is.”
For Kamaljeet, the selection system has also provided clarity over what is required to break into the national team.
“My place in the national squad came strictly on merit, based on the ranking points I accumulated across the ranking events. When you know the system is entirely performance-driven and every point you earn counts, it gives you complete confidence to just step onto the lane and shoot your best without any second thoughts.”
The availability of international-standard equipment and ammunition has further allowed him to concentrate solely on performance.
“On top of that, NRAI provides us with top-quality equipment and ammunition, the exact same standard we use in international competitions. That takes away any worry about our gear on the global stage so we can stay fully focused on performance.”
Junior World Champion to Asian Games Debut
Kamaljeet’s rise has already included significant international success.
He won gold in the Men’s 50m Pistol Junior event at the 2023 ISSF Junior World Championships and recently added a silver medal at the Asian Championships in New Delhi.
His recent World Cup experience, meanwhile, has provided another layer of preparation ahead of his Asian Games debut.
“The World Cup was a valuable learning experience. While my performance wasn’t exactly what I wanted, it motivated me to refine my preparation. This will be my first Asian Games, and having gained international match exposure, I feel much more confident entering the range in Japan.”
Rather than viewing the World Cup result as a setback, Kamaljeet has used it to identify areas that need improvement before the continental showpiece.
From Practice Scores to Match-Day Belief
Perhaps the biggest transformation has been mental.
Kamaljeet says he once struggled to reproduce his practice performances when the pressure of competition arrived. That, he believes, has changed with experience.
“Earlier, I used to shoot good scores only in practice, but now I have the belief that I can deliver the same performance under match pressure. One lesson has stayed with me through every phase: if it doesn’t happen the way you wanted, it will happen in a better way than you imagined.”
That belief will be tested on one of the biggest stages of his career in Japan.
At the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, Kamaljeet will compete in the Men’s 50m Pistol event, the discipline that began as an unlikely second chapter after an injury ended his athletics journey.
What started as a sporting setback has now taken him to the Asian Games.
And for Kamaljeet, the journey from the athletics track to the shooting range may have been unexpected, but it has ultimately brought him closer to the biggest sporting opportunity of his career.
Sports
US heavyweight in negotiations to face Murat Gassiev for world title
According to Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, Murat Gassiev is currently in negotiations for hi first defence as sole WBA heavyweight champion.
The Russian, who holds the ‘regular’ belt with the sanctioning body, became a bona fide two-division world champion in June, with Oleksandr Usyk’s splintering of the belts meaning there no longer a ‘super’ champion.
Gassiev then ended up retaining his championship status last month, stopping late replacement Peter Kadiru in six rounds after Tony Yoka was forced to pull out of their contest with an injury.
Since then, the 32-year-old has expressed his interest in a unification match, hoping to replicate his success at 200lbs by merging two of the four major belts.
Before that, though, Gassiev may need to defend his strap against Jarrell Miller who, as per Hearn’s latest comments on the matter, is now being steered towards a WBA title shot.
This follows the WBA’s admission to mistakenly naming ‘Big Baby’ as its mandatory challenger, despite having Moses Itauma as the leading contender in its rankings.
With Itauma now facing Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF title, however, it could be that Miller will emerge as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger after all.
Either way, Hearn has told IFL TV that Gassiev must defend his title against the American.
“There’s a little bit of confusion with the WBA [belt]. Gassiev is the champion. He’s got to fight Jarrell Miller, our guy, which we’re negotiating at the moment.”
Given his previous failed doping tests, Miller remains a controversial fighter but is seemingly on the cusp of another major opportunity.
Sports
Terence Crawford names the man who will give Jaron Ennis his toughest fight: “He’ll be in his face”
Terence Crawford believes Jaron Ennis could encounter his toughest test against a non-champion, rather than in a unification match against Sebastian Fundora or Josh Kelly.
‘Boots’ became a two-division unified champion in June, dethroning Xander Zayas with a seventh-round stoppage for the WBO and WBA super-welterweight titles.
As a result, many now view Ennis as the top dog at 154lbs, or at least superior to remaining world champions Fundora and Kelly.
It could be argued, however, that Fundora and Kelly claimed their respective WBC and IBF belts against more proven champions than Zayas, who seemingly has a bright future but lacks world-level seasoning.
Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev, on the other hand, had already proven themselves against several worthy contenders by the time they respectively fought ‘The Towering Inferno’ and ‘The Pretty Boy’.
But while Fundora, in particular, is seen as a genuine threat to Ennis’ supremacy, Crawford has suggested that Vergil Ortiz Jr represents the American’s most formidable rival.
Speaking with ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT, ‘Bud’ explained how Ortiz’s attributes are typically more effective than those of Fundora.
“They both are [tough opponents]. But, for me, I’ll say Vergil [is tougher]. Fundora leaves the door open to getting caught.
“Fundora is definitely getting better but Vergil – he’s going to be in your face; he’s going to have his hands up; he’s going to be jabbing you with a stiff jab, going to your body.”
“With Fundora, he wants to get on the inside. He’s tall but he don’t want to fight you on the outside.”
While Fundora, despite standing at 6ft 6in, does have a tendency to trade in the pocket, he did show signs of genuine improvement while boxing at range against Keith Thurman in March.
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