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‘Old’ June Mar Fajardo nearing end of Gilas Pilipinas career

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June Mar Fajardo Gilas PilipinasJune Mar Fajardo Gilas Pilipinas

Gilas Pilipinas center June Mar Fajardo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo confirmed that the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers could be his last for Gilas Pilipinas.

Age and health have prompted Fajardo to take into consideration the possibility of ending a national team career that began in 2013 when Gilas secured qualification to the World Cup.

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“Matanda na ako (I’m old),” the 36-year-old Fajardo said during Monday’s press conference at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Cone: June Mar Fajardo ‘wanted to retire’ from Gilas before return

Fajardo actually had intended to hang up his Gilas jersey after the third window last month, with coach Tim Cone even recalling that the nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player gave an impassioned speech after facing Australia.

But Fajardo was convinced to suit up once more for Gilas, with Friday’s match against Jordan and Sunday’s game with Iran potentially his swan song before the home fans.

The San Miguel Beer star made his national team debut in 2013 when Gilas qualified for the World Cup by making the finals of the Fiba Asia Championship at home.

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He would be a Gilas fixture for the next six years under coaches Chot Reyes, Tab Baldwin and Yeng Guiao before being able to return to the national team following a career-threatening injury.

READ: June Mar Fajardo still in driver’s seat in PBA MVP race

“I’m just blessed to be able to return to basketball after I broke my tibia,” Fajardo said, recalling his injury in 2020. “I thought that I wouldn’t be able to return to basketball.

“That was my lowest of lows. But I was able to return, did all my therapy, did what the doctors told me to do. I did my rehab right and I was given a second chance.”

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He was part of Gilas’ historic run to the gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 that ended the country’s 61-year drought.

“I’m so blessed because I was able to win a gold medal in the Asian Games and was able to play another World Cup after my injury.”



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But Fajardo is beginning the process of passing the torch to the younger guys, with the upcoming window the perfect avenue.

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4 arrested in killing of former boxing champion

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Former boxing champion Zolani TeteFormer boxing champion Zolani Tete

FILE – South Africa’s boxer Zolani Tete celebrates his victory over Omar Andres Narvaez after their WBO Bantamweight Championship of the World bout in Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 21, 2018. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP, File)

JOHANNESBURG — Four suspects in the killing of former world champion boxer Zolani Tete were arrested, South African police said Monday.

Tete was in his car outside his home last week when men wearing balaclavas opened fire, police said. A woman who was in the vehicle was injured and has since been hospitalized.

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READ: After taking Zolani Tete’s WBO title, Casimero eyes sweep of bantam belts

The shooting took place at Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, according to the police. Tete was arriving at his residence and waiting for the gate to open when he was ambushed by two armed suspects.

Police said one of the suspects arrested two days ago was expected to appear in court on Monday, while the other three would appear on a later date.

Tete held the World Boxing Federation flyweight title from 2007 to 2008 and the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.



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Terem Moffi Joins Hamburger SV, Targets Bundesliga Records

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Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has completed a permanent move to Bundesliga club Hamburger SV from French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.

The Nigeria international will wear the No. 9 shirt as he looks to help Hamburg stay in the Bundesliga following their promotion to Germany’s top flight.

Moffi spent the second half of last season on loan at Portuguese club Porto, where he scored twice in 15 competitive appearances.

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The 27-year-old joined Nice in January 2023 and scored 24 goals in 72 appearances for the French club. He has also scored six goals in 23 senior appearances for Nigeria.

Hamburg will begin their Bundesliga campaign away to Borussia Dortmund after their DFB-Pokal first-round match against Verl.

The move gives Moffi the chance to make his mark in Germany, with several records within his reach.

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Records Moffi Can Target at Hamburg

Most goals by a Nigerian in one Bundesliga season

Moffi can target Taiwo Awoniyi’s record of 15 Bundesliga goals in a season. The Nigerian striker scored 15 times in 31 games for Union Berlin in the 2021/22 campaign.

Moffi would need 16 goals to set a new Nigerian record.

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Most Bundesliga goals by a Nigerian

Jonathan Akpoborie holds the record for the most Bundesliga goals by a Nigerian, with 61 goals in 144 appearances for Hansa Rostock, Stuttgart and Wolfsburg.

Moffi has yet to score in the Bundesliga, meaning he would need 62 goals to break the record. It is a long-term target that would require several successful seasons in Germany.

Most Bundesliga goals by an African player in one season

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang holds the African record with 31 Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund in the 2016/17 season.

Moffi would need 32 goals to break the record. While that would be a huge challenge, a strong first season could put him on the path towards becoming one of Africa’s leading scorers in the league.

Most Bundesliga goals by an African player

Aubameyang also holds the African career record with 98 Bundesliga goals.

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Moffi would need 99 goals to move ahead of him. That would require a long and successful career in Germany.

Most goals by an HSV player in a Bundesliga season

Hamburg legend Uwe Seeler holds the club’s record for most Bundesliga goals in a single season. He scored 30 goals in 30 matches during the 1963/64 campaign.

Moffi would need 31 goals to break the record.

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Most Bundesliga goals by an HSV player

Seeler also holds Hamburg’s record for most Bundesliga goals, having scored 137 times for the club.

Breaking that record would require Moffi to remain at Hamburg for many years and maintain a high scoring rate.

Most Bundesliga goals in a season by an HSV foreign player

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Former England star Kevin Keegan scored 17 Bundesliga goals for Hamburg during the 1978/79 season.

Moffi would need 18 goals to beat Keegan’s record for the most goals by a foreign HSV player in a Bundesliga season.

For Moffi, the immediate priority will be to settle quickly in Germany, score goals and help Hamburg avoid relegation.

If he can stay fit and find his scoring form, the Nigerian striker could begin his Bundesliga career by challenging some of Hamburg’s long-standing records.

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‘My Team Would Not Even Have MS Dhoni’: Ex-India Star Picks Asia Test XI

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A visionary captain and an even better leader, Imran Khan is widely considered Pakistan’s greatest-ever cricketer. In 1992, he led Pakistan to its first Cricket World Cup title at the age of 39, becoming the oldest captain to lift the coveted trophy. Fast forward to 2026, and Imran is currently in prison. After serving as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022, the 73-year-old received multiple prison terms following his removal from office.

Amid concerns over his health, several former cricketers and Imran’s associates have written to the Pakistan government, urging it to ensure proper medical treatment for the legendary all-rounder.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former India batter Wasim Jaffer said that if he had to pick an Asia Test XI, he would choose Imran Khan as the captain of the side. He also named Sachin Tendulkar as the vice-captain.

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However, Jaffer grabbed the spotlight by picking Rishabh Pant ahead of the legendary MS Dhoni as the wicketkeeper in his team.

“For a Test match, my captain would be Imran Khan. My vice-captain would be Sachin Tendulkar. MS? I think my team would not even have MS Dhoni. For me, Rishabh Pant would get into the team,” said Jaffer.

Jaffer also backed the appeal by 22 former international cricket captains to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking proper medical treatment for Imran.

“Giving him better treatment is basic; he’s a source of pride for Pakistan. He won them the World Cup; he was a great player, captain, and leader. He could have easily gone and settled in England or somewhere else, but he stayed and fought to improve things for his country. It’s the right initiative. He was a fantastic cricketer and a role model. Even today, the players from the 90s rate him as one of the best leaders in world cricket. The way he bowled, batted, and led his team was exceptional. He was an Oxford Blue, an educated man, and he’s done so much for his country,” he added.

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Jaffer also recalled his only meeting with Imran, praising him for his work as Pakistan’s prime minister.

“I got to meet him in 2006, and we also visited his cancer hospital, the Shaukat Khanum Hospital. It’s an amazing facility where poor people get treatment for free or at very low cost. He’s done so much for Pakistan… He was a great leader, a visionary. It’s just Pakistan’s misfortune that he was not the Prime Minister for a long time,” said Imran.


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Norris wins Dutch Grand Prix after daring pass on Antonelli

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F1 Lando Norris Dutch Grand PrixF1 Lando Norris Dutch Grand Prix

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain wins the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort , Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands  — Lando Norris had a clear message for his Formula 1 rivals after a spectacular race-winning pass on standings leader Kimi Antonelli. Write off his title defense at your peril.

“This fight is still on,” Norris said over team radio after winning the Dutch Grand Prix for back-to-back F1 victories and a trophy presented by the King of the Netherlands.

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Norris asked his McLaren team to “just keep bringing upgrades (to the car), just keep bringing performance please” as he eyes an 83-point gap to Antonelli.

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READ: F1: Lando Norris clinches pole for Dutch Grand Prix

Max Verstappen nearly reeled in a similarly vast lead last year as Norris held on by just two points. Now the British driver is the hunter.

“There’s still plenty of things we can do better and need to do better if we’re going to fight for a championship,” Norris added.

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Norris seizes chance

Norris started on pole but was overtaken by Antonelli’s Mercedes at a restart after the race was stopped for a heavy crash by home hero Verstappen, who was unhurt, shortly after the start.

Norris reeled in Antonelli before passing him around the outside of the first corner in a daring move on lap 54 of 72, then took the lead from Ferrari’s Hamilton before the lap was over.

The defending champion held on with old tires to take the win. “This fight is still on,” he said over team radio.

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“The move (to pass Antonelli) was good. I knew I was not going to get many chances. Every lap I spent behind him my chances got lower and lower,” Norris said. “Well played from my part…I probably had one chance.”

READ: F1: McLaren boss glad of ‘harmony’ between Norris, Piastri

Antonelli was second after his Mercedes teammate George Russell was ordered to move out of his way, following a failed gamble on a tire change by Antonelli. Russell clung on to finish third ahead of Hamilton.

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Antonelli’s standings lead grew to 59 points over Russell and Hamilton, who are now level. Norris moved ahead of Charles Leclerc for fourth.

Antonelli, Russell question Mercedes strategy

There was tension at Mercedes as both Antonelli and Russell criticized the team’s decisions over the radio.

Antonelli called his team’s strategy “too risky” when the team congratulated him on second place, while Russell earlier seemed to object to being asked to give way to his teammate.

“Is he fighting for the win? Or is he planning to catch Norris?” Russell questioned, at a point where Norris was far ahead of both.

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Russell relented after the race and said he felt Mercedes had made the right decision to avoid the two battling for position as Hamilton closed in behind.

Antonelli “would have overtaken anyway so it was the right decision,” said Russell, who won the sprint race Saturday. “It’s been a strong weekend overall so I’ll take the positives.”

Verstappen’s big crash, Hülkenberg’s big save

There was a half-hour delay after Verstappen slammed into the wall on a damp first lap, stopping the race and ensuring a nightmare end to his last home race in the Netherlands for the foreseeable future.

READ: F1: Max Verstappen signs new Red Bull contract until 2030

Just a couple of seconds later, there would have been another huge collision if not for lightning reactions by Nico Hülkenberg. As his Audi teammate Gabriel Bortoleto span across the track, the German swerved around him through a cloud of tire smoke.

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“It was crazy with Gabi, I almost T-boned him,” Hülkenberg said over team radio.

The Dutch Grand Prix is dropping off the schedule after this season and the many orange-clad Dutch fans who turned up to support Verstappen instead saw Norris and his orange McLaren take the win.

Verstappen said he simply misjudged his speed on the damp track after pre-race rain.



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Charles Leclerc was fifth on another disappointing day for Ferrari ahead of its home race in Italy in two weeks’ time. Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri was sixth after running in the top three early on, and Liam Lawson salvaged seventh for Red Bull after being called in to replace the injured Isack Hadjar.

Hulkenberg was eighth for Audi, with Fernando Alonso ninth in the best result of an otherwise-disastrous 2026 for Aston Martin. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten.

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WWE Legend Returns After 221 Days; TNA Wrestling Sees Huge Comeback

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A WWE legend made a return after 221 days and this happened at TNA Lockdown. This was a huge comeback and the fans would have been shocked at what they saw.

The legend in question is none other than Candice Michelle. Michelle is one of the most well known female stars of all time. She had a memorable time during her stint in WWE before she left in 2009. After all those years, in 2026, she signed up with TNA Wrestling to work as a producer and agent.

She was last seen as a part of the audience for the premiere episode of TNA Impact on January 15th, 2026. She has since been working backstage until last night where she showed up to speak with the panel at TNA Lockdown.

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Candice admitted that she was happy to be back and that she couldn’t wait for all the stars to be involved in the show.

WWE legend Candice Michelle reveals what is missing in women’s wrestling

Candice Michelle was one of the main trailblazers in the 2000s who helped WWE gain more fans. Thanks to her natural ability to reel fans in, she was seen as an integral part of the locker room.

She recently sat down for an interview with TMZ Sports’ Inside The Ring when she revealed what is missing in today’s era of women’s wrestling. She said:

“I think what we are missing is a little bit more of the femininity. What I mean by that is we have pushed so hard, ‘Oh, women are equal to men,’ like we get equal time, equal pay, and yeah, there is a part of that. But like by the end of the day I want the men to be a little bit more masculine.”

It will be interesting to see if anyone in the wrestling world will pay heed to what Candice has to say and make changes where necessary.

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