To celebrate International Women’s Month this year, ONE Championship paid tribute to its top-notch female fighters by sharing on social media some of the craziest knockout finishes they have fashioned.
ONE uploaded a 13-minute video on its official YouTube channel featuring impressive KO performances and the unparalleled heart of women warriors in the promotion’s history.
Leading the video package is double world champion Stella Hemetsberger’s opening-round KO of Polish opponent Vanessa Romanowski in their Muay Thai battle at ONE Friday Fights 104 in April last year. Midway into the first stanza, the Austrian sensation set up a crisp combination, which she capped with a clean head kick that instantly dropped her opponent unconscious.
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The win continued her impressive run in ONE Championship‘s Friday Fights series before ascending to the promotion’s main roster.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex’s second-round KO of Alyse Anderson of the United States at ONE Fight Night 10 in May 2023 also makes the video package. The former three-sport world champion introduced herself to a wider American audience in the Denver, Colorado event, when she stopped Anderson with a crushing body kick that rendered the latter unable to continue.
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Atomweight kickboxing world champion Phetjeeja’s successful return to Muay Thai at ONE Fight Night 38 in December is spotlighted as well. ‘The Queen’ pummeled Polish striker Martyna Dominczak with powerful punches for an opening-round TKO finish.
Jackie Buntan, too, is also part of the video feature with her first-round demolition of Australian Diandra Martin at ONE Fight Night 10. The Filipino-American striker showcased her punching power with a solid combination to the body and head from which her opponent could not recover from.
Other female fighters whose KO finishes are included in the feature are ONE atomweight world champions Allycia Hellen Rodrigues (Muay Thai) and Denice Zamboanga (MMA), Burmese star Vero and retired former ONE world champion Janet Todd.
Check out ONE Championship’s video post below:
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Stella Hemetsberger adds her name to ONE Championship’s stellar female champions
Austrian striker Stella Hemetsberger has been with ONE Championship for one-and-a-half years and has been unstoppable. She punctuated it by becoming world champion in her last two matches.
The 27-year-old Phuket Fight Club affiliate became the ONE strawweight Muay Thai queen in her fourth fight in the promotion. She vied for the vacant belt and dominated Jackie Buntan in their five-round championship fight at ONE Fight Night 35 last September to win by unanimous decision.
She then followed it up with another world title win last month at ONE Fight Night 40, taking Buntan’s strawweight kickboxing gold. While Buntan put up a tougher stand than in their first encounter, Hemetsberger stayed the course and held on for the split decision victory.
Hemetsberger is thrilled with how things have panned out for her in ONE Championship, but said she is not yet done going for greater heights.
The FIFA World Cup has always been marketed as football’s biggest celebration, a global festival where fans from every corner of the world gather to support their national teams. However, the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is increasingly raising concerns that the tournament is drifting away from its core supporters.
Rising ticket prices, dynamic pricing models, tournament expansion to 48 teams, and the logistical complexity of a three-country hosting format are creating a situation where the very fans who give the World Cup its identity may be priced out of the experience.
Ticket Prices: A Growing Barrier for Supporters
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One of the biggest controversies surrounding the 2026 tournament has been the pricing of tickets distributed through national football federations, known by FIFA as Participant Member Associations (PMAs).
These tickets account for roughly 16% of the total allocation and are traditionally reserved for the most loyal supporters that are the fans who regularly travel to watch their national teams in qualifiers and international friendlies.
However, prices initially ranged from $180 to $700 even for group-stage matches are sparking significant backlash from fan groups across multiple countries. After criticism intensified, FIFA introduced a limited $60 ‘entry tier’ ticket, but this covers only about 10% of the PMA allocation, which equals roughly 1.6% of the total tickets available.
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For many supporters, the move felt less like meaningful reform and more like damage control.
Dynamic Pricing and the Commercialization of the World Cup
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Another major factor behind the surge in prices is FIFA’s growing reliance on dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing allows ticket costs to fluctuate depending on demand, a strategy widely used in entertainment and professional sports markets. While the system can maximize revenue, it also creates unpredictability for fans planning months or even years in advance.
In practical terms, it means that high-demand matches could see prices increase dramatically, potentially making World Cup tickets comparable to premium entertainment events rather than accessible sporting experiences.
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For passionate supporters who already invest heavily in travel, accommodation, and merchandise, these price fluctuations add another layer of financial pressure.
Why FIFA Is Pushing for Higher Revenues?
From FIFA’s perspective, the financial logic behind these decisions is straightforward. The men’s World Cup is the organization’s primary source of income, generating billions of dollars through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales. These revenues fund a wide range of FIFA activities, including:
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Women’s tournaments
Youth competitions
Development programs in smaller football nations
Financial support for many of FIFA’s 211 member associations
With the 2026 edition expected to be the largest World Cup ever, FIFA sees an opportunity to significantly increase its earnings.
However, critics argue that maximizing profit should not come at the expense of the tournament’s most dedicated supporters.
The 48-Team Expansion: Bigger Tournament, Bigger Costs
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The 2026 World Cup will also mark the first edition with 48 teams instead of 32, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 games.
While the expansion is intended to make the tournament more inclusive by giving more nations a chance to participate, it also introduces several challenges:
More travel between venues
Greater logistical complexity
Higher operational costs
Longer tournament duration
These factors inevitably feed into the rising price of attending matches. For fans hoping to follow their teams through multiple rounds, the financial commitment could be significantly higher than in previous tournaments.
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A Three-Country World Cup and the Travel Burden
The 2026 tournament will also be the first World Cup hosted by three countries simultaneously – the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While the joint hosting arrangement allows FIFA to use a vast network of stadiums and infrastructure, it also creates enormous travel demands for supporters.
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Matches could be spread across thousands of kilometers, forcing fans to take multiple flights or long-distance journeys if they wish to follow their teams throughout the competition.
When combined with already expensive tickets, the cost of attending multiple matches could become unrealistic for many traditional supporters. For example, if a fan wants to watch the defending champions Argentina, he will have to travel from Kansa City to Arlington (8-8.5 hour drive) for the 2nd match and then make the return trip to watch Messi’s final group game in Kansas again. The trip however, short will cost them money and time along with other accomodation expenses.
Also if teams like Mexico and Canada make it to the final of the tournament, they will have to travel all the way to New Jersey in USA in order to see their team play which would add the flights expenses into the list as well.
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The Atmosphere Problem
Ironically, pricing out dedicated fans could ultimately harm the product FIFA is trying to sell. The World Cup’s global appeal is not built solely on the football played on the pitch. It also comes from the vibrant atmosphere created by traveling supporters, the singing, chanting, colorful displays, and emotional energy that fill stadiums.
If ticket prices push these fans out of stadiums, there is a risk that the tournament could increasingly resemble a corporate event dominated by sponsors, VIP guests, and casual spectators.
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Fans Still Hold Influence
The backlash against ticket pricing has already shown that supporters can influence decisions when they organize and speak collectively.
FIFA’s introduction of a lower-priced entry tier, even if limited suggests that fan pressure can still push the governing body toward adjustments.
The 2026 Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s flgaship event, goes down this week at TPC Sawgrass, and Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy top the betting favorites. Here is everything you need to know about the Players Championship odds and other betting favorites to start the week.
Players Championship betting favorites
As Players Championship week begins at TPC Sawgrass, the two most recent winners are atop the pre-tournament betting odds. They also happen to be two of a small handful of pros who have won two Players titles in their careers.
Those players, of course, are Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
Closing out the top 5 in the pre-tournament betting odds are fellow PGA Tour stars Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele, all at +2500 odds-to-win.
You can see the top 20 and ties in the 2026 Players Championship betting odds as of Monday morning below, or download the Fanatics Sportsbook app to see the full list of odds and bets for this week.
NEWSLETTER
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Scottie Scheffler (+350) Rory McIlroy (+1200) Collin Morikawa (+2500) Tommy Fleetwood (+2500) Xander Schauffele (+2500) Ludvig Aberg (+3000) Cameron Young (+3250) Si Woo Kim (+3500) Hideki Matsuyama (+4000) Chris Gotterup (+4500) Russell Henley (+4500) Akshay Bhatia (+5000) Brooks Koepka (+5000) Matt Fitzpatrick (+5000) Patrick Cantlay (+5000) Shane Lowry (+5000) Viktor Hovland (+5000) Jake Knapp (+5500) Min Woo Lee (+5500) Rickie Fowler (+5500) Robert MacIntyre (+5500) Sepp Straka (+5500)
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Kevin Cunningham
Golf.com Editor
As senior managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. A former two-time intern, he also helps keep GOLF.com humming outside the news-breaking stories and service content provided by our reporters and writers, and works with the tech team in the development of new products and innovative ways to deliver an engaging site to our audience.
What is the latest on the Iran women’s football team?
After their Asian Cup campaign ended on Sunday in Australia, the Iran team bus was surrounded by hundreds of protesters chanting “save our girls.” The players onboard were reportedly seen making SOS signs and photographing those outside. The bus went back to the team hotel on the Gold Coast but on Monday, there are widespread reports that five players escaped the hotel.
“Our understanding is that the players are currently staying in a hotel under heavy monitoring,” Zaki Haidari, on the scene for Amnesty International, told DW moments before the first reports of escape emerged.
“Their communications appear to be restricted, which has made it very difficult for human rights organizations, human rights lawyers and the media to make contact with them.”
FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, the union that represents players in the region, also say they have not been able to contact the Iranian players, with the organization’s president, Beau Busch, saying this was “incredibly concerning.”
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The worries come after the players faced criticism for failing to sing the national anthem in their opening match against South Korea last week. They went on to sing the anthem and salute in their last two group-stage games. Most observers put the change down to pressure on the players from the Iranian regime.
The scenes of public support on Sunday are indicative of hopes in Australia and beyond that the players, coaches and support staff may be able to stay in the country rather than returning to Iran. But with the players unable to speak publicly, it’s unclear what they, individually or collectively, want.
After the match, Iran team manager Marziyeh Jafari said: “we are impatiently waiting to return. Personally I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family.”
But human rights organizations say it’s entirely possible that this is what she had to say in the situation.
Are the Iran women’s team in real danger?
They also say that those seen to oppose the supreme leader, now the slain Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, can expect serious reprisals, with women being in particular danger.
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“We are deeply concerned for their safety if they return to Iran,” Haidari said. “They have been labeled ‘wartime traitors’ on national television simply for peacefully expressing their views. In Iran, that kind of public accusation can expose people to serious punishment by the Iranian authorities.”
The case of Navid Afkari, one of Iran’s highest-ranked wrestlers, who was executed in 2020 after being convicted of what many believe to be trumped up charges of murdering a security guard during anti-establishment protests, is one warning for the Iran squad. Many athletes were reportedly also killed in protests earlier this year.
Women’s Uprising In Iran – A Struggle in Exile
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran who enjoys the support of some Iranians outside of the country, shared his fears on X.
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“As a result of their brave act of civil disobedience in refusing to sing the current regime’s national anthem, they face dire consequences should they return to Iran,” he wrote.
Could the Iran women’s team stay in Australia?
There is no easy answer but Haidari said Amnesty International are “calling on the Australian government to ensure the players have the opportunity to seek asylum if they wish to do so… Australia is a signatory to the UN 1951 Refugee Convention and has an obligation to protect people who fear persecution in their home country.”
The Australian government has so far expressed support without committing to a course of action.
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“We stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran, and particularly Iranian women and girls,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the country’s national broadcaster ABC on Sunday, ahead of the team’s third match.
“Obviously this is a regime that has brutally cracked down on its people.”
The opposition Liberal party’s shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, called on the Labor government of Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to provide asylum to those players who want it, and “not turn a blind eye to the danger these women face.”
Busch, from FIFPRO, said that the Australian government, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) should “ensure that every bit of pressure is applied” to protect the players’ human rights.
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But with the players’ positions, and in some cases whereabouts, unclear, it’s a tangled knot.
“It’s important to remember the enormous pressure the players are under. Their country is at war, they are worried about their families, and they are facing pressure from Iranian authorities because of their peaceful protest. Despite this, they have shown remarkable courage and have received strong support from the Australian community,” Haidari said.
The Asian Cup continues without Iran but what happens to the eliminated team has become the most important story of the tournament.
LONDON — Manchester City midfielder Rodri was fined 80,000 pounds ($107,000) but avoided a ban on Monday for comments he made after a Premier League game where he questioned the integrity of a referee.
After City’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Feb. 1, Rodri said: “We won too much and the people, they don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. And for me, honestly, it’s not fair, it’s not fair.”
The Football Association said Rodri admitted at an independent hearing to a charge that he “acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official and/or match officials.”
As well as the fine, Rodri — who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or — was warned as to his future conduct.
It has now officially been announced that Max Verstappen is set to race at the 54th edition of the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring, which will take place from 14 to 17 May this year. This will mark his first-ever 24-hour race after the driver already made his endurance racing debut in the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie last year.
Verstappen has long spoken about his dream to compete in endurance racing, specifically the 24-hour event at the Nurburgring. Now, this is all set to become a reality. The 28-year-old has announced he will race for his own Verstappen.com Racing team, driving the Mercedes AMG GT3.
Red Bull Motorsports announced this news with a creative ad featuring Verstappen and professional skydiver Max Manow. The team for the entry has also been confirmed, as Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer will team up with the 4x F1 world champion.
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Last year, Max Verstappen completed 14 laps of the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a Porsche Cayman GT4 as part of the process to obtain the licence required to race on the circuit. Officials deemed his performance sufficient and granted him the DMSB Permit Nordschleife. Soon after receiving the permit, the Dutchman entered the ninth round of the NLS and secured victory in a Verstappen.com Racing Ferrari 296 GT3.
Since then, his endurance racing outfit has swapped partners, as the team now operates a Mercedes AMG GT3. Motorsport fans will have the unique opportunity to witness the Red Bull driver drive a Mercedes in May this year.
Verstappen will also race in the second round of the NLS for preparation, which is scheduled for March 21. This was moved ahead a week to avoid clashing with the F1 Japanese GP, so Verstappen could compete in it.
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Max Verstappen “thrilled” to be making Nurburgring 24 Hours debut
Max Verstappen at the Australian Grand Prix – Source: Getty
Max Verstappen has said that he is “thrilled” to be racing at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring in 2026. The F1 star explained that this will tick off one of the things on his bucket list, having been there for a long time.
Speaking following the official announcement of the major update, Verstappen shared his excitement about the event. [via Formula1.com]
“The Nurburgring Nordschleife is a special place, there’s no other track like it. The 24h Nurburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now,” said Verstappen.
“Last year, I was able to get my DMSB Permit Nordschleife and participate in NLS9, that we won. That preparation is very valuable, as we have learned a lot that we can take into our programme this year with NLS2 and the 24-hour race,” he added.
Max Verstappen hence faces a busy schedule, travelling to Germany between the Chinese GP on March 13-15 and the Japanese GP on March 27-29 to compete in NLS2 on March 21. Later in the season, he will go from the Miami GP on May 1-3 to the Nurburgring 24h on May 17-19 before returning to Montreal for the Canadian GP on May 22-24.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Last week, the possibility of a Jonathan Greenard trade picked up steam, and days later, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged as a potential trade partner.
Philadelphia checks some boxes as a team to watch if Minnesota seriously explores a trade for Greenard.
Greenard earns $19 million per season, and a counterpart at OLB, Micah Parsons, brings home $47 million, prompting Greenard to seek a premature contract extension this offseason. If Minnesota cannot oblige the request due to a skimpy budget, Greenard could be traded.
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Philadelphia Might Make Sense in a Jonathan Greenard Deal
Look out for the Eagles as a Vikings trade partner.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) lines up on defense during an NFC Wild Card playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Jan. 13, 2025. Greenard crouches near the line of scrimmage preparing for the snap as Minnesota’s defense readies for a crucial postseason play. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Eagles Poking around Greenard Trade
Greenard trade smoke is real, and the Eagles could be his next employer if the rumor mill has it right.
NJ.com’s Cayden Steele wrote Sunday, “The Eagles have inquired about Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard as they prepare for the possibility of losing Jaelan Phillips, according to ESPN. Philadelphia is trying to re-sign Phillips before free agency begins on Monday, but they are ready to pivot in case it falls through. The Vikings have made Greenard available this offseason and want a Day 2 pick in return, according to ESPN.”
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“Greenard recorded 12 sacks in 2023 and 12.5 sacks in 2024, but he had a down year this past season and only finished with three sacks. Missing five games with a shoulder injury caused his lack of production. He’s still a good player and could re-gain his status as one of the league’s best pass rushers next year.”
The Vikings should be wary of doing any business with Philadelphia; Eagles boss Howie Roseman usually comes out on top.
The Eagles’ EDGEs under Contract
Heading into free agency, the Eagles have these OLBs under contract:
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Nolan Smith Jr.
Jalyx Hunt
Jose Ramirez
For a proud franchise — one that won the Super Bowl in 2024 — that is a comically low amount of quality EDGE defenders. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is set to lose these outsider linebackers to free agency:
Jaelan Phillips
Azeez Ojulari
Brandon Graham
Joshua Uche
Ogbo Okoronkwo
It’s also worth noting that the Eagles generally have tremendous roster depth — everywhere. Trading for Greenard while letting Phillips walk could be just the start of its offseason plan at OLB.
The Price for Greenard in PHI Deal?
New Baltimore Ravens EDGE Maxx Crosby just fetched two 1st-Rounders in a trade between Baltimore and Las Vegas. Greenard won’t command that much capital, and most agree that the Vikings can pry a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder away from the Eagles or another team.
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman walks along the sideline before Super Bowl LIX between the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 9, 2025. Roseman surveys the field during pregame activities as Philadelphia prepares for the championship matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.
Over the weekend, DT Jalen Carter was mentioned by NFL media as a trade piece. After the Vikings cut ties with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargve, Carter to Minnesota in a deal for Greenard could make sense.
Iggles Blitznoted on a possible Carter trade: “Jalen Carter’s name was mentioned as part of some trade discussions. This may or may not mean anything. First, 31 other teams can call and ask about a player. That doesn’t mean he’s being shopped. The other thing to remember is that the Eagles get talked about a lot because of Howie’s reputation as a deal-maker. Not every report that comes out is true.”
“Agents and other teams leak info to help create a market at times. It is possible that the Eagles talked to other teams about Carter. If someone made a huge offer, Howie might be tempted. You’d rather not give up a special DT, but economics are a factor. The Eagles will have to extend Carter sometime soon. And he won’t be cheap. Always consider your options.”
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One must wonder, though, why the Eagles don’t want Carter long-term? What does Roseman know that the Vikings do not?
Greenard in 2025
Greenard’s 2025 season was underwhelming in the sack column. Limited to 12 games due to injury, he recorded only 3 sacks, which projects to roughly 4 over a full 17-game season. It was a disappointing figure for a starting EDGE defender, especially after his Pro Bowl performance in 2024.
However, his pressure statistics tell a different story. Despite missing five games, Greenard ranked 17th in QB hurries and 31st in total pressures, demonstrating a significant impact. Vikings fans often lamented “almost sacks” throughout the season, as Greenard consistently disrupted the pocket and troubled offensive tackles, but he didn’t convert those pressures into sacks as frequently as the previous year.
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates after recording a sack against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Nov 24, 2024. Greenard reacts with excitement after bringing down the quarterback during the NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images.
The Vikings face a straightforward decision. If they believe Greenard can rebound from his 3-sack season and return to double-digit sack production, they should compensate him accordingly. Conversely, if they doubt his ability to do so, they might consider trading him — perhaps for the aforementioned Day 2 pick — while simultaneously expanding Dallas Turner’s role and seeking another rotational EDGE rusher, such as A.J. Epenesa.
Championship-caliber teams typically seek a deep rotation of pass rushers. Generating consistent pressure on the quarterback is essential for success, and defenses become vulnerable when that pressure diminishes. In that vein, getting rid of Greenard feels upside down. The Vikings must weigh Greenard’s low sack total in 2025 against his continued ability to pester opposing offenses throughout the season.
For what it’s worth, Greenard could be traded at any minute.
Other trade partners for Greenard? Perhaps the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, or San Francisco 49ers.
The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to bolster their defensive line with an intriguing trade involving the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
The Cowboys agreed to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rashan Gary for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick, according to multiple reports. The deal comes as the team lost out on trying to acquire Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. He was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens last week.
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025.(Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)
The Packers selected Gary with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Michigan. He improved dramatically over the course of seven seasons as he started out as a defensive end, moved to linebacker and then back to the defensive line.
Gary was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 when he had 7.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games. In 2025, Gary played in 16 games. He had 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary celebrates after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024.(Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images)
He signed a four-year contract extension with the Packers during the 2023 season. He will be owed $18 million in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Dallas was 7-9-1 in the first season with Brian Schottenheimer as the head coach. The team’s defense was shaken up before the season began when they traded Micah Parsons to the Packers.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer before the game against the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 26, 2025.(Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 08: Race winner Ugo Ugochukwu of United States and Campos Racing (2) celebrates on the podium during the Round 1 Melbourne Feature race of the Formula 3 Championship at Albert Park Circuit on March 08, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/LAT Images)
Young American driver Ugo Ugochukwu claimed a major victory in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, winning the Feature Race during the Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne.
Driving for Campos Racing, the 17-year-old produced a fantastic performance to take the chequered flag and secure one of the biggest wins of his young career.
The Melbourne Feature Race is the main race of the Formula 3 weekend and often plays a key role in shaping the championship standings. Ugochukwu’s victory marked a strong start to the season and highlighted his growing reputation as one of the sport’s most promising young drivers.
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Born in the United States with Nigerian heritage, Ugochukwu first gained attention in karting, where he won several major international titles. His performances earned him a place in the McLaren Driver Development Programme, which supports young talents aiming to reach Formula 1.
Since moving into single-seater racing, Ugochukwu has steadily progressed through the junior ranks. His win in Melbourne is another important milestone as he continues building experience in Formula 3.
Many current Formula 1 drivers previously used Formula 3 as a stepping stone to the top of the sport.
2 min read Last Updated : Mar 09 2026 | 5:28 PM IST
Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is taking on a “bucket list” challenge as he prepares to tackle his first 24-hour sportscar race at the historic Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.
Verstappen and his sportscar racing team said Monday that he plans to take on the storied endurance race in May, sharing a Red Bull -liveried Mercedes-AMG GT3 car with teammates Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer.
“The Nurburgring Nordschleife is a special place. There’s no other track like it,” Verstappen said. “The 24h Nurburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now.”
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Running nearly 13 miles (20.8 kilometers) through wooded German hills, with more than 150 corners and barriers often close to the track, the Nordschleife layout at the Nurburgring is known for high-risk thrills. F1 hasn’t used it since 1976, when then-reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash.
Verstappen made his debut at the circuit in September in a slower GT4-specification car in a four-hour race which served as his test to get a full permit to race faster cars on the circuit. He returned and won another race in a GT3 Ferrari later that month.
Verstappen’s team says he plans to also enter a race there March 21 to prepare for the 24-hour challenge, fitting that appearance in between this week’s Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29. The 24-hour race starts at 3 p.m. local time on May 16 and ends the following day, a week before the Canadian Grand Prix.
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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leading hoop James McDonald piloted his fourth stakes winner of the Royal Randwick fixture as Generosity swooped late to pip Marhoona in a dramatic Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) on Saturday.
From gate to post, the weight-for-age feature was full of thrills, highlighted by short-priced Raging Force suffering issues at the start and retired by jockey Tommy Berry shy of the corner.
Concurrently, veteran Mazu surprised with sharp early foot, dictating terms ahead of Marhoona and Generosity, as Giga Kick, the 2022 The Everest hero, dropped back early.
The turning point came courtesy of McDonald’s skill, detaching from Marhoona’s slipstream late to outlast the previous Golden Slipper winner by the barest margin.
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McDonald said all three placegetters “fought it out really well”.
“Take nothing away from the second horse (Marhoona), I didn’t think I was going to get there, she’s a very good filly in her own right,” McDonald said.
“Generosity looked great in the parade ring and although I wasn’t intending to be there early, she jumped so well.
“Then she presented like the winner and jogged up to them. She’s a bonny little mare.
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“Chris (Waller, trainer) was pretty confident before the race and you always get so much confidence when you get legged onto his horses because they’re primed and ready to go.
“She’s Group 2 placed (3rd in The Shorts) from memory but The Galaxy down in the weights is the perfect race for her.”
Generosity ($10) nosed out Marhoona ($9.50) by a short half head in the nailbiter, with Mazu ($8.50) a mere head adrift in third.
Her time for the 1000m stood at a swift 56.63s, underpinned by a scorching 32.59s closing 600m that sealed the deal against those positioned rearward.
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Giga Kick ($3.20) produced a late surge to fill fourth, beaten by 1.5 lengths.
These three contenders are likely to cross paths again in the Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21, while Giga Kick eyes the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 4.
Preceding victories for McDonald came via Pinito (Group 3 Aspiration Quality), Beadman (Listed Fireball Stakes) and Chayan (Group 2 Reisling Stakes), rounding out his quartet.
An atypical move from trainer Chris Waller involved three trials to peak Generosity for the Challenge Stakes.
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“Generosity needed to be fit and fresh to win this race,” Waller said.
“I didn’t lose faith in this mare, she’s got very good form in Perth and she’s a talented mare
“She was ready to go a month ago and then we thought, where are we going to run her?
“We know she is good fresh and we couldn’t find the right race so we put her on the treadmill for a week.
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“Then we gave her a third trial as she had to be very fit and fresh for this race. She is a lovely horse to worth with, she is mentally mature now.
“So, we will go to The Galaxy on our home track at Rosehill now and could even look at the Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.”
Discover top racing odds on the Challenge Stakes follow-up across leading betting sites.
 "Max Verstappen to race in 24-hour race in Germany")
