(Mar 21-23) – World Indoor Championships, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
MAR 22 – Spanish long jumper Fátima Diame secured her second consecutive bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, leaping 6.72 meters. Overcoming injury setbacks and a recent fourth-place finish at the European Championships, she adapted her technique after a bone edema forced her to switch take-off legs.
Despite the challenge, Diame’s strong opening jump put her in contention, though American Claire Bryant’s 6.96m secured gold, while Switzerland’s Annik Kälin took silver with 6.83m. Battling nerves in the final rounds, Diame held onto third place, embracing her achievement: “It’s a medal—I’m not complaining.”
Her success adds to Spain’s growing dominance, with Ana Peleteiro also winning bronze in the triple jump. With her resilience and adaptability on full display, Diame now sets her sights on the outdoor season.
MAR 22 – Italy’s Zaynab Dosso secured the silver medal in the 60 meters at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, clocking a time of 7.06 seconds. Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji claimed gold, while Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van der Weken took bronze.
In the 60m hurdles, Lorenzo Simonelli narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. The gold medal was won by American Grant Holloway, with France’s Wilhem Belocian taking silver in 7.54 seconds, and China’s Liu earning bronze with a time of 7.55.
Liverpool have been handed a major boost in their bid to keep Mohamed Salah, with reports confirming he is not currently in talks with Saudi Pro League clubs.
The 32-year-old, whose contract expires this summer, remains a top target for Saudi chiefs after Liverpool rejected a £150m bid from Al Ittihad in 2023. However, it now appears the Middle Eastern league is losing confidence in securing his signature, believing he prefers to stay in Europe.
Despite being offered a lucrative three-year deal worth over £160m per season—one of the biggest contracts in football—Salah has prioritised discussions with Liverpool over a new deal.
The Egyptian forward is enjoying a sensational season, leading the Premier League in both goals and assists. With 27 goals and 17 assists so far, he is closing in on historic records, needing just three more assists to match the single-season record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
While Salah’s future looks promising for Liverpool, the club is set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. The 26-year-old academy graduate has finalised a five-year deal with the Spanish giants, worth over £220,000 per week, after turning down Liverpool’s renewal efforts.
2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships (March 6-9) – Medallists
60m:
J. Azu (GBR) – 6.49 sec.
Mouhamadou Fall (FRA)* – 6.52 sec.
F. Tortu (ITA) – 6.55 sec.
400m:
A. Molnár (HUN) – 45.25 sec.
Ó. Husillos (ESP) – 45.31 sec.
J. Watrin (BEL) – 45.59 sec.
800m:
T. Diepen (NED) – 1:44.88
E. Crestan (BEL) – 1:44.92
M. English (IRL) – 1:45.46
1500m:
J. Ingebrigtsen (NOR) – 3:36.56
Azeddine Habz (FRA)* – 3:36.92
I. Nader (POR) – 3:37.10
3000m:
J. Ingebrigtsen (NOR) – 7:48.37
G. Mills (GBR) – 7:49.41
Azeddine Habz (FRA)* – 7:50.48
60m Hurdles:
P. Martinot-Lagarde (FRA) – 7.43 sec.
A. Martínez (ESP) – 7.45 sec.
D. King (GBR) – 7.50 sec.
High Jump:
G. Tamberi (ITA) – 2.34m
A. Protsenko (UKR) – 2.29m
T. Potye (GER) – 2.29m
Pole Vault:
P. Lisek (POL) – 5.90m
V. Lavillenie (FRA) – 5.85m
B. Broeders (BEL) – 5.80m
Long Jump:
M. Tentoglou (GRE) – 8.13m
T. Montler (SWE) – 8.12m
F. Heinle (GER) – 8.12m
Triple Jump:
P. Pichardo (POR) – 17.71m
M. Raffin (FRA) – 17.43m
M. Hess (GER) – 17.19m
Shot Put:
K. Bukowiecki (POL) – 21.27m
D. Storl (GER) – 21.04m
F. Mihaljević (CRO) – 20.75m
Heptathlon:
M. Uibo (EST) – 6,558 pts
K. Mayer (FRA) – 6,506 pts
K. Kazmirek (GER) – 6,388 pts
4x400m Relay:
Netherlands – 3:04.95
Spain – 3:05.18
Belgium – 3:05.18
Women’s Events
60m:
M. Kambundji (SUI) – 7.01 sec.
G. Lückenkemper (GER) – 7.02 sec.
D. Neita (GBR) – 7.06 sec.
400m:
F. Bol (NED) – 50.38 sec.
J. Święty-Ersetic (POL) – 50.45 sec.
N. Yeargin (GBR) – 50.99 sec.
800m:
A. Wielgosz (POL) – 2:02.09
C. Liberman (FRA) – 2:02.32
A. Horvat (SLO) – 2:02.52
1500m:
L. Muir (GBR) – 4:03.50
C. Bobocea (ROU) – 4:04.20
E. Bello (ITA) – 4:05.10
3000m:
S. Healy (IRL) – 8:53.67
M. Courtney-Bryant (GBR) – 8:54.22
S. Afonso (POR) – 8:55.10
60m Hurdles:
N. Visser (NED) – 7.83 sec.
D. Kambundji (SUI) – 7.89 sec.
E. Herman (BLR) – 7.92 sec.
High Jump:
Y. Mahuchikh (UKR) – 2.00m
M. Demireva (BUL) – 1.97m
L. Spencer (LCA) – 1.94m
Pole Vault:
A. Moser (SUI) – 4.75m
H. Bradshaw (GBR) – 4.70m
Ni. Guillon-Romarin (FRA) – 4.65m
Long Jump:
I. Vuleta (SRB) – 6.94m
M. Bekh-Romanchuk (UKR) – 6.88m
Malaika Mihambo (GER) – 6.85m
Triple Jump:
A. Peleteiro-Compaore (ESP) – 14.37m
D. Zagainova (LTU) – 14.15m
P. Mamona (POR) – 14.05m
Shot Put:
A. Dongmo (POR) – 19.34m
F. Roos (SWE) – 19.10m
A. Dubitskaya (BLR) – 18.85m
Pentathlon:
A. Sułek (POL) – 4,870 pts
Nafissatou Thiam (BEL)* – 4,850 pts
K. O’Connor (IRL) – 4,700 pts
4x400m Relay:
Netherlands – 3:28.40
Great Britain – 3:29.15
Poland – 3:29.80
CRICKET
Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal has expressed deep gratitude to doctors for their “incredible” care in his first public statement since suffering a cardiac arrest.
The 36-year-old collapsed during a domestic T20 match in Dhaka and is currently recovering in hospital. A record-breaking run-scorer for Bangladesh in one-day internationals, Tamim experienced chest pains while playing for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Dhaka Premier League against Shinepukur on Monday.
Initially, plans were made to airlift him for treatment, but as his condition worsened, he was rushed to the nearer KPJ Specialized Hospital for urgent medical attention. Doctors performed an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery, and he is expected to remain under observation for another 48 to 72 hours.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Tamim shared an emotional message on Facebook, “Our heartbeat is what keeps us alive, yet we often take it for granted. Did I have any idea what was coming when I started my day yesterday? With the infinite mercy of Allah and the prayers of my loved ones, I have been given another chance. I was fortunate to have incredible people around me who worked tirelessly to pull me through this crisis. Moments like these remind us how fragile life is. Please keep me and my family in your prayers. I, Tamim Iqbal, am nothing without your love.”
Between 2007 and 2023, Tamim played 391 matches across all formats for Bangladesh, amassing 15,249 runs and cementing his legacy as one of the nation’s greatest cricketers.
Photo: Bangladesh cricket legend Tamim Iqbal expresses gratitude after surviving a cardiac arrest. A reminder of life’s fragility, he thanks doctors & fans for their support. (Credit: WikiCommons)
