The Orioles may be playing out the string in a season that’s fallen far short of expectations. But darned if they aren’t still capable of playing some mighty entertaining baseball from time to time.

Tonight’s extra-inning affair against the Mets was one of those classic, bizarre, “how the heck did the Orioles win this?” kind of games. On an evening that was a pretty boring slog for the first eight innings, the excitement ramped up drastically in the ninth when Pete Alonso delivered his long-awaited 300th homer — a dramatic, game-tying shot — in front of the Mets faithful, and the weirdness reached new heights when Coby Mayo circled the bases on a go-ahead, three-run, inside-the-park home run in the top of the 11th.

Advertisement

What a memorable night of baseball. Exhausting, but memorable.

Let’s cut right to the chase. There’s one reason and one reason only that fans have flocked to CitiField this week, and it’s not because they’re riveted by Orioles/Mets mid-September baseball. Fan-favorite ex-Mets slugger Pete Alonso returned to his old stomping grounds just one shy of his 300th career homer, and the constant standing ovations and celebratory handmade signs among the crowd have made it clear: Mets fans want to witness the Polar Bear’s historic blast, even against their favorite team.

Tonight, they got their wish, despite it directly robbing the Mets of a victory. The dramatic moment came in the top of the ninth with the Orioles trailing, 3-2, and two outs away from defeat. Alonso, who at that point was 0-for-3 in the game and 0-for-6 in the series, stepped to the plate against Mets closer Kodai Senga. Senga, the forkball specialist, missed with his first two pitches. Then he hurled another forkball that hung right down the middle of the plate, and Pete didn’t miss.

SMASH. Alonso clobbered one to deep left and instantly knew he’d gotten it, flinging his bat toward the O’s dugout and raising his hands in triumph. A cool 414 feet later, the ball landed among the Mets fans, most of whom were in a full-throated cheer, not caring that they’d just blown a ninth-inning lead. Honestly, good for those fans. These games don’t matter to the already eliminated Mets, so why not celebrate the historic achievement of one your franchise’s all-time greats?

Advertisement

View Link

A pumped-up Alonso, after exchanging intense high-fives with his O’s teammates, came out of the visiting dugout for a curtain call, doffing his cap to the crowd. Alonso got to enjoy a milestone individual achievement that also rescued his team, and the fans got to share a special moment with their longtime hero. A good time was had by all. Well, maybe not Senga.

After all the festivities, though, there was still a baseball game to finish playing. And boy, did it get weird. Two other former Mets, Rico Garcia and Josh Walker, combined to escape the bottom of the ninth with the winning run in scoring position, and off to extras we went. That’s when both teams wasted opportunities to take control.

In the top of the 10th, a Gunnar Henderson single moved the free runner, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, to third base with nobody out. The next three Orioles then had three of the worst at-bats you’ll see: Jeremiah Jackson twice failed to bunt and struck out looking, wasting the Orioles’ ABS challenge in the process; Heston Kjerstad struck out looking on a fastball right down the middle; and Leody Taveras grounded out to the pitcher. Fortunately, a Daniel Duarte wild pitch during the Jackson at-bat allowed Encarnacion-Strand to score the go-ahead run.

Advertisement

The lead didn’t last long. In the bottom half, Marcus Semien‘s one-out double off Alex Hoppe plated the Mets’ free runner, knotting the score at four. But with two aboard and Hoppe clearly struggling with command, Christopher Morel inexplicably swung at a 3-0 pitch and grounded out, short-circuiting the Mets’ rally.

On to the 11th, where the Orioles took the lead in a way that absolutely nobody could have expected. With two on and two out — after Alonso struck out, failing to hit his 301st homer — Coby Mayo pounced on an 0-2 cutter from righty Jonathan Pintaro and crunched it to deep center field. A.J. Ewing made a sprawling, Colton Cowser-esque leap at the wall, but the ball barely eluded his glove and deflected off the fence while Ewing crashed hard into it. By the time the other Mets outfielders could rush over to back up the dazed Ewing, a hustling Mayo had hurtled all around the bases for his first career inside-the-park home run. Wow!

View Link

Mayo’s chaotic sprint around the bases had given the Orioles a 7-4 lead, and this time the lead was bulletproof. Andrew Kittredge, who has badly struggled of late, was able to nail down the save in the bottom of the 11th despite a two-out RBI single by Bo Bichette. The Orioles, somehow, had escaped with their second straight win.

Advertisement

Long before the late-inning bedlam, Shane Baz‘s extremely weird year came to what may be an extremely weird end. The first-year Oriole entered the game with a league-leading 15 losses due to his well-chronicled lack of run support, and he never got a chance to add a win to his ledger tonight after an abrupt fifth-inning exit. Bo Bichette led off the inning with a scalding 105-mph liner that deflected directly off Baz’s right elbow as he tried to turn away. The ball was hit so hard that it sailed all the way into left field after hitting Baz, who kneeled on the mound and clutched his arm.

Craig Albernaz and the training staff immediately came out to check on the injured hurler. Baz gamely attempted to throw a warm-up pitch, but he sailed it to the backstop and promptly walked off the mound without argument. After the game, X-rays came back negative, but when you’re dealing with an elbow, why risk trying to pitch again this year? It’s not like these games matter for the Orioles anymore. Shut down Baz and have him get an early rest before next season.

Before the injury, Baz was having one of his rockier outings. The Mets tagged him for seven hits (including the Bichette liner) and two walks in his four innings of work, which came on a first-inning sacrifice fly, a second-inning Juan Soto RBI single, and a Carson Benge solo homer in the third.

The Orioles’ bullpen, thrust into action earlier than expected, did a nice job to keep the Mets off the board. Grant Wolfram, Luis De León, and former Mets prospect Anthony Nunez combined for four scoreless innings of relief while the O’s trailed. De León was particularly impressive by throwing a pair of shutout frames, his best outing as a big leaguer.

Advertisement

For a while, it didn’t seem like it would matter, because the Orioles’ offense was nonexistent for most of the game. Their wacky lineup against southpaw Sean Manaea included Rece Hinds (a career 3-for-55 against lefties) in the leadoff spot and Leody Taveras (.502 OPS against lefties this year) also in the lineup, while homegrown left-handed hitters like Samuel Basallo, Dylan Beavers, and Heston Kjerstad were once again benched. What are we doing here, guys?

The threadbare O’s lineup had a grand total of two good swings against Manaea. Both came in the second inning, when Encarnacion-Strand launched a solo homer to left-center, and two batters later, Jeremiah Jackson followed suit with his first dinger since June 14. And…that was the end of the Orioles scoring runs for the next seven innings. Manaea, Austin Warren, and Nate Lavender held the Mets’ 3-2 lead until the ninth.

And we know what happened after that: a hefty dose of Alonso heroics, some good luck against a bad Mets team, and, of course, a sprinkling of Orioles Magic.

Camden Chatters, who’s your Most Birdland Player for tonight?

Argentina have named Lionel Messi in their squad for a friendly against Benin in October in a match which is set to be the forward’s farewell to international football.

Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August in the wake of his country’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and after saying he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge.

The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina when they won the 2022 World Cup, said the decision to stop playing for La Albiceleste hurt him “deeply” but that he had “given it my all” and had “nothing left to give”.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who currently plays for Inter Miami, is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances.

“We made the decision to invite the best player in the world, the symbol of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves on 6 October here in Argentina,” said Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia.

River Plate’s Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, which has an 85,000 capacity, will host the game against Benin.

Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winners have also been invited to the match, which Tapia said would be an “unforgettable” occasion.

Edinburgh Leisure moves close to underlying break-even, supported by record membership

The charity’s 2025–26 Impact Report shows almost 6 million customer visits during the year

It has reached an all-time high of 38,383 active members

Chief executive, Jen Holland, said it marked a turning point financially

Edinburgh Leisure has emerged from a difficult period of financial pressure to move within £18,000 of underlying operating break-even, while increasing participation and taking membership to an all-time high.

The charity’s 2025–26 Impact Report shows its additional one-off support from the City of Edinburgh Council fell from £4.2m in 2024–25 to £1.868m in 2025–26, with no further additional support expected during the current financial year.

This funding is separate from the £8m annual management fee Edinburgh Leisure receives from the council to deliver leisure services across the city.

Jen Holland, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Financially, 2025–26 marked an important turning point. Through careful management, innovation and the dedication of colleagues across the organisation, we closed our financial gap and entered the new year on a more stable footing.

“Being financially stronger helps us keep doing what matters most: opening up more opportunities for people across Edinburgh to be active. As a charity, every step towards sustainability means we can better support our communities now and plan with confidence for the future.

“Behind every number is a person: someone learning a new skill, feeling stronger, meeting familiar faces or taking a step towards better health,” said Holland. “The challenge now is to build on this progress, so more people across Edinburgh can access the support, spaces and opportunities they need to be active.”

The charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £2.315m before actuarial pension losses. After adjustments for non-cash pension accounting, sinking-fund treatment and expenditure from designated funds, it recorded an underlying operating deficit of just £18,000 – broadly equivalent to break-even.

The improved position was supported by rising participation and stronger operational income. Customer visits increased by 4.2 per cent, from 5.7 million to 5.976 million, while active membership reached an all-time high of 38,383.

IMPACT REPORTING

• Unrestricted income from leisure facilities was 5 per cent ahead of budget and membership income increased by around 11 per cent, driven largely by full fitness and golf memberships.
• Edinburgh Leisure’s Community Access to Schools programme also returned to surplus, generating £447,000 and returning £415,900 to the council.
• During the year, Edinburgh Leisure supported 15,764 people facing barriers to physical activity – an increase of 16 per cent – through programmes addressing low income, poor health, social exclusion and other inequalities.
• A total of 9,846 people on low incomes accessed free or subsidised activities, while 3,351 people made 36,204 visits through the Community Access Programme.
• The organisation also received 9,415 health and exercise referrals from primary care, health and social care and charity partners. Healthy Active Minds supported 979 people experiencing mental health challenges, while tailored activities for people with additional support needs were used by 50 families each week. Ageing Well sessions reached 674 older adults a month.
• The charity expanded its falls-prevention work with the launch of Balanced Life, delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership. The programme increased its weekly classes from 34 to 65, with annual participation rising from 1,152 to 2,232.
• Edinburgh Leisure also invested almost £1m across five projects. These included a £329,000 indoor cycling studio at Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre, a £261,000 upgrade of the Tumbles soft-play facility and café at Portobello and a £138,000 café redevelopment at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
• A further £196,000 was spent resurfacing the Meadows tennis courts and installing LED lighting and a smart-access system, while Craiglockhart received a £55,000 Trackman golf simulator.
• Environmental measures resulted in a reported 13.7 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and an 8 per cent reduction in electricity use. The charity also diverted 20 tonnes of waste and reported £30,000 in waste savings.

A much-changed Liverpool side knocked Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup to continue their winless start to the season under Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs named a strong team, started well and should have taken a first-half lead when a cross fell to the feet of Lucas Bergvall in the box, but goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a stunning stop to deny him.

Liverpool then almost cut through Spurs as Rio Ngumoha found Lewis Koumas, only to be denied by Martin Dubravka, before Alexis Mac Allister fired the opening goal with a first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Tottenham had not come from behind to win in 47 previous attempts and their task became even harder when Cody Gakpo cut inside from the left and slammed Liverpool into a two-goal lead shortly after the break.

Conor Gallagher belatedly scored Tottenham’s first goal of the season to set up a frantic ending, but Dominik Szoboszlai’s late rocket sent Liverpool through to the fourth round.

Here are how the players rated at Anfield

Liverpool

Giorgi Mamardashvili, 8: Liverpool’s No 2 goalkeeper made an excellent early stop to deny Lucas Bergvall when the tie was goalless, and another from Omar Marmoush later on. But he looked weak from the corner that led to Tottenham’s goal.

Jeremie Frimpong, 5: Both of Tottenham’s big first-half chances came down his side while, in an attacking sense, his final ball from the right was poor once again. But stuck to his task against the lively Mathys Tel.

Ronald Araujo, 7: The only player to keep his place from Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham. He displayed authority in the backline in another promising display from the on-loan Barcelona centre-back.

Joe Gomez, 6: Perhaps some rust would have been expected as the injury-prone defender made his first start of the season, but he slotted in well enough in a 45-minute showing and had a role in Mac Allister’s goal.

Milos Kerkez, 6: Solid enough defensively, with some bright bursts going forward too. An excellent recovery challenge to deny Omar Marmoush in the box was his highlight.

Alexis Mac Allister, 8: Delivered another big Anfield goal on a night where Liverpool needed his experience and he showed up. Showed his class at times.

Trey Nyoni, 7: Deployed in the deep-lying midfield position, the 19-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong once he had adjusted to the pace of the game and Tottenham’s fast start.

Rio Ngumoha, 7: Produced a wonderful turn and pass to set up an early chance for Lewis Koumas and also had a hand in Mac Allister’s opener. The 18-year-old continues to adjust to the right side of attack.

James McConnell, 7: A very bright showing, full of energy, and led the hugely improved Liverpool press that rather set the tone for the night. Like Nyoni, didn’t look out of place.

Cody Gakpo, 8: Continued his superb start to the season with a trademark finish while coming inside onto his right foot. Brought incision to Liverpool’s attack and scored while wearing the armband, too.

Lewis Koumas, 7: Didn’t stop running all night and worked his socks off, despite playing in an unfamiliar position. Had an excellent chance to open the scoring after making a peeling run but was denied by Dubravka.

Substitutes

Jeremy Jacquet, 7: Made an excellent recovery challenge on Marmoush in the second half.

Ryan Gravenberch, 6: Liverpool actually lost some control after he replaced Nyoni.

Dominik Szoboszlai, 7: Wowzer. What a way to seal victory – and after wasting a late chance to put the game to bed.

Bradley Barcola, N/A: Showed some electric pace on the counter-attack, but Frimpong couldn’t find him.

Alexander Isak, N/A: Led a very late breakaway but could not find the target.

Tottenham

Martin Dubravka, 6: Made a good save to deny Koumas early on but was well beaten on the three Liverpool goals.

Archie Gray, 5: One of Tottenham’s better performers in the first half but allowed Gakpo onto his right foot far too easily.

Tosin Adarabioyo, 5: Looks to be Tottenham’s fourth-choice centre-back and hardly suggested he deserves to be any higher.

Marcos Senesi, 4: Caught out on the ball on a couple of occasions when playing out from the back.

Destiny Udogie, 5: Showed up well in his battle with Ngumoha and offered a couple of moments from threat from left back.

Rodrigo Bentancur, 4: Looked slow on the ball and off the pace. Blitzed by Liverpool’s young midfielders at times.

Lucas Bergvall, 6: Produced a couple of bursts forward but spurned a brilliant chance to open the scoring.

Mohammed Kudus, 6: Wasted a glorious chance to equalise from under the crossbar but brought some flashes on his first start of the season.

Conor Gallagher, 4: Scored Tottenham’s first goal of the season, at long last, but he was wasteful on the ball at times and guilty of some loose touches in midfield.

Mathys Tel, 5: Crafted a couple of opportunities for others on the left wing, but brought off in the second half without having made enough impact.

Omar Marmoush, 6: Similarly, had bright moments. Struggled leading the line but then was denied by an excellent Mamardashvili after fashioning a chance for himself coming off the left.

Substitutes

Andy Robertsons, 6: Came on to an excellent reception on his Anfield return.

Matheus Fernandes, 7: Tottenham improved when he was added to the midfield.

James Maddison, 7: Made a real difference when brought on to No 10.

Savio, 5: Flashed a glorious late chance wide of the post.

Russian superstar Alexander Ovechkin has achieved something that seemed impossible just a few years ago; the man known as the “Great 8” has broken Wayne Gretzky’s all-time National Hockey League (NHL) regular-season record of 894 goals scored.

Goal number 895 went in a 4-1 loss in one of the final games of the Washington Capitals’ season in the US-Canadian NHL. Ovechkin was celebrated as a hero ― not just by fans of his Washington Capitals, but by ice hockey fans all over North America and beyond. There was no shortage of congratulations, including from NHL top brass, and the man whose record he is set to break, Wayne Gretzky.

“To be honest with you, when I was tying the record, I still can’t believe it,” Ovechkin said afterwards. “It was so emotional. Such a great night. But this is something crazier. I’m probably gonna need a couple of days, maybe a couple weeks, to realize what does it mean to be No. 1?

However, some are irritated or even disturbed by all this cheering. For Ovechkin is a left winger ― but only on the ice. More than three years after Vladimir Putin launched his war of aggression on neighboring Ukraine, Ovechkin’s Instagram profile picture remains a photo of him smiling beside the Russian president.

Indeed, the day after Ovechkin broke the record, Putin said the following in a statement released by the Kremlin: “This achievement has become not only your personal success, but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad.”

The NHL ‘metaphorically shrugs its shoulders’

It’s something that baffles some, like retired Canadian hockey journalist and international broadcaster Paul Romanuk.

“Just imagine for one moment if an NHL player like (Canadian superstar) Sidney Crosby’s social-media profile picture was him with his arm around Harvey Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein – can you imagine the outrage? The league would order him to take it down immediately. The pushback on social media would be off the scales,” Romanuk told DW in a recent Zoom call.

“And yet you can have this great hockey player side-by-side with a dictator waging a war on an innocent country like Ukraine ― and the NHL metaphorically shrugs its shoulders.”

The profile photo is by no means a one-off, with Ovechkin taking credit for having launched the “PutinTeam” in 2017 to support the president in his 2018 reelection campaign.

Ovechkin’s public support of Putin has indeed put the NHL in a difficult position, and for the most part the league has been closed-lipped on the issue, apart from a statement released shortly after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

NHL condemns invasion, concerned about players

“The National Hockey League condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceful resolution as quickly as possible. Effective immediately, we are suspending our relationships with our business partners in Russia and we are pausing our Russian language social and digital media sites,” the league said.

At the same time, it expressed concern about the “well-being of the players from Russia, who play in the NHL on behalf of their NHL Clubs, and not on behalf of Russia.“

The man himself has also remained tight-lipped about the invasion. DW attempted to reach out to him through the Washington Capitals for comment but received no answer. Ovechkin has only commented on it once, a day after Putin launched the invasion, on February 24,2022.

Asked by a reporter covering the Washington Capitals if he still supported Putin despite the invasion, Ovechkin replied: “Well, he’s my president.”

He did call for peace but declined to criticize Moscow’s military action.

“Please, no more war. It doesn’t matter who’s in the war — Russia, Ukraine, different countries,” he said.

In its statement, the NHL also expressed concern for its Russian players and their families, which it said had been placed in “an extremely difficult position.”

According to a 2022 New York Times article, it was concern about his family back in Russia, that made Ovechkin decide against changing his Instagram profile pic. This has been rejected by critics who argue that there has been no evidence of Putin’s regime retaliating against the families of athletes critical of the war.

Hockey Hall of Famer an outspoken critic

Since then, Ovechkin has gone on playing and putting up points, including a lot of goals for the Capitals. But the “elephant” in the room, as Romanuk calls it, has scarcely been mentioned in the North American media ― something that also sticks in the craw of Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek.

“Russia is committing the most terrible crimes, including genocide against Ukrainian children,” Hasek, a former Czech national team goalie, told DW in a written statement.

“And since every citizen is an advertisement for the actions of his country, this Russian citizen Ovechkin is currently a huge advertisement for the aggressive Russian war and other Russian crimes.”

Popular with the fans

Many fans, though, seem to be willing to give Ovechkin the benefit of the doubt. When DW asked a random group of North America-based fans for their thoughts, support for the hockey player, who is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats, was unanimous.

Most said that in a particularly troubled world they just wanted to enjoy watching their favorite sport, unencumbered by politics. One noted that in the United States, the war in Ukraine seemed an awfully long way away. Another pointed to the fact that beyond Ovechkin’s Insta profile photo, as far as he knew, the player hadn’t actively publicly supported Putin’s war.

“As long as the NHL chooses to celebrate The Great 8 for his accomplishments, so should we. Putin is responsible for Putin, not Ovechkin,” he said.

The player vs. his political views

Hasek, for one, certainly won’t be celebrating whenever Ovechkin does break the record.

“If I applauded the record in any way, I would be contributing to this advertisement for a war that is responsible for a huge number of human lives [lost],” Hasek said.

Romanuk can’t say enough about Ovechkin’s skills and career.

“The hockey fan in me has great admiration for his accomplishments as a player. I do believe he is the greatest pure goal scorer in the history of the game,” he said.

But like Hasek, the former broadcaster, who called hundreds of NHL and international hockey games over his career, won’t be raising a glass whenever Ovechkin gets that record-breaking goal.

“The short answer is no. I have no respect for the person and his political views and who he chooses to align himself with. I’ll be shaking my head and (thinking) I still don’t understand why the NHL has stood by and given a collective shrug of the shoulders to the Ukrainian people and the elephant in the room, which is Alexander Ovechkin’s support of Vladimir Putin.”

Jonathan Crane contributed to this article. This article was updated after Ovechkin broke the record on April 6.

Edited by: Matt Pearson

Ryan Garcia is only a few days removed from his latest win and he’s already plotting his return.

Garcia made an emphatic defence of his WBC welterweight title on Saturday as he stopped Conor Benn inside two rounds at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Attention has already turned to what ‘King Ry’ may do next, with a unification clash with WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez initially seeming to be the frontrunner option.

It is believed that Cinco de Mayo weekend in May is the targeted date for that clash, and therefore Garcia has revealed his intention to fight before then, looking at a potential battle against the man that has been dubbed as ‘mini Mike Tyson.’

Speaking to The Ariel Helwani Show, Garcia discussed a possible match-up with former world champion Isaac Cruz.

“I kind of want to get in the ring either December or January. That’s kind of where I’m looking at. There’s a lot of people out there. You’ve got Pitbull Cruz, I wouldn’t mind rumbling with him… I won’t call it a tune up but I don’t want to get caught off guard.

“I don’t want to wait until May to fight. Why do I have to wait until May? I have no bruises, I have no hits to the head, why can’t I fight? So I’ll give the fans a little treat.”

Cruz won the WBA super lightweight title in March 2024 with a stoppage win over Rolando Romero, before losing the belt in his first defence in a split decision defeat to José Valenzuela.

He has since become WBC interim super lightweight champion with a win over Omar Salcido, and was held to a draw with Lamont Roach Jr in his last outing, so a clash against Garcia could be an interesting spectacle before a showdown with Lopez.

On Saturday, Conor Benn was halted by Ryan Garcia with ease, stopped inside two rounds of his maiden world title bid, and now a two-division world champion has labelled Benn as ‘terrible’ at world level and says that he didn’t belong in the same ring as Garcia.

Garcia and Benn had all of the necessary build-up of a super-fight, but those anticipating a gruelling slugfest or technical chess match were left short-changed as Garcia closed the show in less than five minutes of action to retain his WBC welterweight title.

As a result, many fighters and critics have shared their disappointment at Benn’s display, believing that the challenger was massively overmatched and undeserving of a shot at Garcia’s throne.

Speaking to Pro Box TV, former welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi branded Benn as a ‘terrible boxer’ in comparison to other world-level combatants.

“Conor Benn is, by the standards of world-class boxing, terrible. Terrible boxer.”

Malignaggi then went on to say that Benn should have pursued the belt when Mario Barrios was the WBC welterweight champion, rather that his fights with Chris Eubank Jr, believing that to have been the best chance that ‘The Destroyer’ will ever get to capture world honours. 

“I’m not sure he could have [beaten Mario Barrios]. I think maybe on hunger and determination, Conor is a hungry kid, I will give him that. He is a determined kid and Barrios is a bit gun-shy, a bit high-guard and doesn’t throw enough punches at times. 

“There was an opportunity there possibly, because Barrios sucked as a world champion as well, to tell you the truth. There was an opportunity [for Benn] to out-hustle Barrios and possibly sneak in a world championship. It would definitely have been his best chance ever.”

“Last night was a shot against a world champion of his generation, it looked like they were doing two different sports. It looked like he didn’t belong in the ring.”

Advertisement

Benn is set to move up to either middleweight or super-middleweight following the first stoppage defeat of his career, with a potential trilogy with Eubank Jr. now on the horizon.

UK fitness and leisure operators are using National Fitness Day 2026 to attract new customers, engage local communities and showcase the role their facilities can play in supporting the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Now in its 15th year, National Fitness Day 2026 takes place today (Wednesday 16 September), with the theme ‘Powered by you’ returning for a second year.

Coordinated by UK Active and delivered by its members, National Fitness Day celebrates the role of physical activity in supporting physical and mental health, with an average of 10 million people taking part each year.

Cameron Saunders, CEO of UK Active, said: “National Fitness Day is about showing the nation that physical activity is for everyone, regardless of age, background or experience.

“It’s a chance to come together to celebrate being active and also the brilliant work of our local gyms, pools, leisure centres and sports clubs. We encourage all our members, partners and organisations across the UK to get involved and help power National Fitness Day in every community.”

Across the country, operators are using the day to open their facilities to new audiences, with free gym, swimming and fitness sessions featuring prominently.

Better is offering free gym, fitness class and pool sessions across its estate, while Kore is providing free gym access, classes, EGYM inductions, meet-the-PT sessions and racket bookings. Everyone Active is also offering free activities and taster sessions, alongside family swimming and wellness classes. Your Space and BH Live are opening their facilities to the wider community with free gym, class and swimming access.

Several operators are extending their activity beyond National Fitness Day itself. Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust is running a week-long campaign, including a free seven-day trial and a network-wide challenge to generate one million Power Points. Tees Active is also offering a week of free gym access, alongside day passes for its gym, swimming and sauna facilities. 

Challenges and health initiatives are another common theme. Tees Active is offering free health checks, including blood pressure and BMI checks, group exercise classes and a Technogym Moves Challenge, with a free month’s membership as the prize. In Kent, TM Active is running a programme extending into the following week, featuring a 1k swimming challenge, free Tanita assessments and mini gym challenges.

Meanwhile, operators are also using the campaign to create more localised activity. Horizon Leisure is taking an event-led approach with a 90s Sporting Heroes theme, activities, classes, challenges and family sessions across its centres.

Anytime Fitness is partnering with Apple Fitness+ for a morning event at Battersea Power Station, featuring a panel discussion involving UK Active, an optional HIIT workout, breakfast and networking.

Total Active Hub is collaborating with Les Mills Born to Move to bring world-leading youth fitness content to the Total Active Hub platform. Designed for children and young people aged two to 16, Born to Move combines fun, age-appropriate movement with the physical, social and emotional benefits of regular activity. The partnership reflects a shared commitment between Total Active Hub and Les Mills to remove barriers to participation and create more opportunities for young people to be active in the environments where they learn, play and socialise.

Previous campaigns suggest the initiative can generate significant footfall. Better recorded 128,523 visits across its 240-plus leisure facilities on National Fitness Day 2024 and issued 4,300 free one-day memberships.

National Fitness Day was first organised in 2011 by Energie Fitness founder, the late Jan Spaticchia, who gifted it to UK Active to run on behalf of the nation. UK Active subsequently created a Jan Spaticchia award in his honour.

Kieron: Kilmarnock could have won by three or four and it wouldn’t of flattered them. Hibs were so poor tonight. David Gray’s position is hanging by a thread.

Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.

Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.

Chris: Question the tactics. Thought for long time long ball is desperate and lacks ambition. Pressure indeed on David Gray.

Lee: If we end the game two points off bottom spot then it’s surely time up for the Hibs manager. It’s not a run and recovery from a bad position needed, it’s deliver and results from the get go the support demands for a club of our size.

Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as David Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.

Paul: Long balls to no-one as usual from Hibs and as usual our keeper is a weak link. Gray has to go even if we win as this is awful football. Bring in Neil Lennon or Steve Clarke asap before our season drifts to nothing as usual.

Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.

Brian: Worst backline in Scotland, midfielders trot about like headless chickens, feel sorry for strikers. Gray clueless. No plan. No tactics. Blah, blah, blah after game as usual but won’t resign. Board have to act.

SMcDhfc: David Gray has lost the team, it was obvious tonight. As an attacking force, we were shocking, lots of huffing and puffing but not one real effort on target. The players should be embarrassed after that display, but they will get the result they are after, Gray sacked.

Craig: I like Gray but believe it’s time he goes. He has one formation. It’s just not good enough. But, if he goes, Malky MacKay [director of football] should go too. His signings have been terrible.

Kai Rooney models his game on a former Premier League star and one‑time Manchester United rival

Kai Rooney has modelled elements of his game on former Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli as he continues his development at Manchester United, following in the footsteps of his father Wayne. The teenager has risen quickly since joining the club in 2020.

This summer marked a major milestone, with the 16‑year‑old signing a scholarship deal and declaring: “Work starts now.” His progress stalled in March when an injury brought his season to an early end, ruling him out of a potential appearance in United’s FA Youth Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

The young forward has shifted from playing centrally, like his father once did, to operating out wide, where he can cut inside onto his left foot as he moves through United’s youth ranks.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

His reference point in that role is Martinelli, the former Arsenal winger who left the Emirates for Al Hilal in a £60million move after making 278 appearances for the Gunners.

“If I’m playing right wing Martinelli but more like him as a striker. I’m not like a hold up striker, I’m more running behind,” Kai told TikToker Gabrielvpool during an interview.

Martinelli highlighted the impact Futsal had on his development during an interview with club media in November 2024.

He said: “Futsal was really important in my growth in football. You play in a smaller pitch or court and you have to think quicker.

“How you control the ball is different. You don’t have much space so it helps you a lot.”

Kai has been part of United’s academy since returning at the age of 11 and took another significant step last month by signing his first‑year scholarship contract.

The deal allows him to continue his education while progressing through the academy, having recently passed all his GCSEs.

His mum, Coleen, marked the achievement with a message on social media. Coleen wrote: “GCSE results day! ! Super proud @kairooney.10 ….Great results especially with a busy schedule, all passed and a place in 6th form!! We love you.”

The next major milestone will come when he turns 17 and becomes eligible to sign a professional contract.

Wayne has previously said he prefers to step back, letting Kai play freely without interference, and avoids putting any added pressure on the teenager.

“I think it’s very unfair for anyone to expect him to go and do all kinds,” the Reds icon said. “He’s just playing, he’s a 15-year-old boy playing his football, enjoying it.

“Of course he gets different attention to a lot of his team-mates but I think he handles that really well.”