Author: AsiaOne

In the Superbet rapid and blitz chess tournament, Wei Yi of China increased his lead by a significant 2.5 points, while R. Praggnanandhaa of India scored another impressive win over Magnus Carlsen.

On the first day of the blitz, Yi scored seven victories and an amazing 20.5 points, putting him in the lead to win the first leg of the Grand Chess Tour. With only eighteen points, Carlsen is well behind, mainly because Praggnanandhaa keeps winning against him.

A fierce competition for the crown is anticipated as Praggnanandhaa maintains a solid 14.5 points.

Arjun Erigaisi (14 points) and Duda Jan-Krzysztof (13 points) are not far behind. With 12.5 points, Nodirbek Abdusattorov is in sixth place. Carlsen’s claim that his nervous system gave out after his defeat by Praggnanandhaa serves to further emphasise the tension of the situation.

Wei Yi only gave up a draw to Carlsen throughout the day after coming back from a defeat to Gukesh. Unfortunately, Gukesh had difficulties and only managed to get 2.5 points. Arjun continued to be a strong competitor, winning matches against Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa.

With 20.5 points, Wei Yi continues to lead the quick segment, ahead of Carlsen (18), Praggnanandhaa (14.5), and Arjun Erigaisi (14.5).

France’s Leonie Periault triumphed at the Yokohama World Triathlon Championship Series, securing her Olympic spot with a commanding win. Periault finished 36 seconds in front of American competitor Taylor Knibb in second place and 40 seconds ahead of fellow Frenchwoman Emma Lombardi, who took home the bronze.

In the series, 29-year-old Periault won her second gold medal of her career with a winning time of 01:52:28. She and 22-year-old Lombardi will proudly represent France at the next Games.

Knibb had already guaranteed her place after finishing in the top eight of the Paris test event the previous year. Kirsten Kasper took fifth, but Taylor Spivey was unable to qualify for the Olympics after finishing in fourth place.

Double world champion Gwen Jorgensen placed fifteenth, while Flora Duffy, the current Olympic champion, miraculously recovered from an injury to take seventh place.

Knibb moved quickly through the water, and Duffy fought through the cycling part even after Maya Kingma had a puncture. However, Periault’s unmatched performance on the track was what really won her the race; Lombardi managed to keep up the longest before eventually losing ground.

Alejandro Tabilo of Chile stunned world number one Novak Djokovic with a stunning 6-2, 6-3 victory in just 67 minutes to secure a career-defining win at the Italian Open. Following a water bottle blow to the head two days earlier, six-time tournament champion Djokovic appeared off balance.

Tabilo took advantage of Djokovic’s out-of-character performance, breaking him four times while preserving an unbreakable defence and not giving up a break point.

After Fernando Gonzalez defeated Roger Federer in 2007, Tabilo became the first Chilean to defeat the world’s top player. Tabilo, who ranked 32nd overall, expressed shock and joy at the accomplishment and called the experience “unreal.”

Djokovic hasn’t made it to a single final this year, so this setback adds to a streak of unsatisfactory performances in 2024. There are questions over the Serbian’s form going into the French Open due to his troubles on clay courts.

Djokovic made it to the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals, but his early withdrawal in Rome raises questions about whether he will be ready for Roland Garros, which hosts the second Grand Slam event of the year on May 26.

Rudy Gobert had an incredible season with the Wolves and matched a record by winning his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year title. Due to the birth of his child, he was unable to attend Game 2 against the Nuggets. However, he was present as his team won 106-80, their fourth straight playoff road game.

Gobert emphasised the importance of being present for his son’s birth while expressing gratitude for his team’s performance and support. He clinched the prestigious title with 72 first-place votes, sharing the record for most victories with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace.

The 31-year-old Gobert has been an integral part of the Wolves’ successful defensive approach throughout the playoffs. His influence goes beyond the floor; Wolves coach Chris Finch attributes the team’s defensive culture to him. Despite early doubts about his 2022 acquisition, Gobert’s impact and Finch’s coaching helped the Wolves rise to the top of the defensive standings.

Gobert acknowledged the team’s belief in him and emphasised the squad’s resilience amidst challenges. He also praised the teamwork needed to succeed. He looks optimistic as he looks ahead, stressing the value of tenacity and cooperation in reaching greatness.