Great Manchester Run – Manchester, May 18: Medina Eisa delivered a standout performance at the Great Manchester Run, claiming a dominant win in the women’s 10km race with a time of 30 minutes and 42 seconds.
The 20-year-old Ethiopian pulled away from the field to secure a comfortable victory ahead of American Emily Sisson, who finished second in 31:11. Fellow Ethiopian and world marathon champion Gotytom Gebreslase took third.
Eisa’s win capped a strong day for Ethiopian runners, with Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega also taking victory in the men’s race in 27:49, ahead of Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe and Kenya’s Vincent Ngetich Kipkemoi.
British representation in the women’s top ten included Amy-Eloise Neale in seventh and Verity Ockenden in ninth.
Olympic stars Keely Hodgkinson and Dame Kelly Holmes were in attendance to start the men’s 10km and half marathon events, adding star power to one of the UK’s premier road races.
Basketball
NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown played through a partially torn right meniscus late in the season, ESPN reported. Sources say Brown began receiving knee pain injections in March and will be evaluated this week to determine if surgery is needed.
Brown’s injury adds to Boston’s concerns following their playoff exit and Jayson Tatum’s recovery from Achilles surgery. Despite the injury, Brown averaged 22.1 points and 7.1 rebounds over 36.5 minutes per game during the postseason, which ended in a 119–81 Game 6 loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“Losing to the Knicks feels like death,” Brown said. “But I was always taught there’s life after death. We’ll be ready for what’s next.”
He closed with optimism: “It looks gloomy now with JT out and the season ending, but there’s a lot to look forward to. This is not the end.”
Cricket
Upcoming cricket matches between India and Pakistan are in serious doubt following last month’s deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has reignited political tensions between the two nations.
India is scheduled to face Pakistan at the Women’s World Cup later this year, and their men’s teams could meet at the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, India men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly opposed any fixtures with Pakistan under the current circumstances.
“Absolutely not,” said Gambhir, when asked if matches should proceed. “There should not be anything between India and Pakistan” until the situation is resolved.
His comments come after 26 civilians were killed in an attack that India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants — an accusation denied by Islamabad. Gambhir was speaking on Tuesday, just before Indian airstrikes were launched on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
While the International Cricket Council (ICC) controls fixtures at global tournaments such as World Cups and the Champions Trophy, bilateral matches are arranged by the respective national boards. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2013, and their most recent clash came in the Champions Trophy earlier this year in Dubai, after India declined to play in Pakistan.
Moeen Ali, one of England’s most distinguished all-rounders, has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the Club announced on May 15.
Ali, who retired from international cricket in 2023, represented England in 68 Tests, 138 One-Day Internationals, and 92 T20 Internationals, amassing 6,678 runs and taking 366 wickets across formats. He was part of England’s Ashes-winning sides and both 50-over and T20 World Cup victories, and holds the national record for the fastest T20 half-century.
A highlight of his career came at Lord’s in 2017, when he claimed 10 for 112 against South Africa, earning a place on the Honours Boards and the Player of the Match award. He also achieved a rare Test hat-trick and was renowned for his flair and composure in all formats.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be awarded Honorary Life Membership of MCC,” said Ali. “To be listed alongside so many cricketing greats is truly humbling. I always enjoyed playing at Lord’s—it was an incredible feeling to walk out at such a historic venue.”
Also honoured is former Australia captain Meg Lanning, who led her country to five World Cup titles and Commonwealth Games gold before retiring in 2023.
Claire Taylor, Chair of the MCC Cricket Committee, said: “The list of Honorary Life Members includes many of the greatest cricketers to have played the game, and this latest cohort are no exception.”
Ali’s recognition follows that of Sir James Anderson, who was presented with Honorary Life Membership during his final Test at Lord’s in July 2024.
Football
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has been awarded the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, recognising him as the best African player in France’s Ligue 1.
The 26-year-old right-back played a key role in PSG’s league title win and their run to the Champions League final. The prize, jointly awarded by FRANCE 24 and RFI, was announced on May 12.
Hakimi finished ahead of Nice forward Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast) and Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra (Senegal) in the final vote. He succeeds Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, last year’s winner while at Marseille.
In first place for the Marc-Vivien Foé Award, Achraf Hakimi has now totaled 364 points, ahead of Evann Guessand (165) and Habib Diarra (43).
The award honours the memory of Marc-Vivien Foé, the late Cameroon international who died on the pitch during a match in France in 2003.
Mixed Martial Arts
UFC Vegas 106, Las Vegas – May 17: Uzbek middleweight Nursulton Ruziboev overcame an early knockdown — caused by an accidental headbutt — to earn a unanimous decision victory over American Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC Vegas 106.
Ruziboev recovered with sharp striking and ground control to take the bout on the judges’ scorecards: 30–27, 29–28, and 29–28.
After the fight, the 6ft 5in fighter used his mic time to call out rising U.S. star Bo Nickal, hinting at a future showdown in the UFC’s stacked middleweight division.
Squash
PSA World Championships 2024–25, Chicago – May 16: Egypt reaffirmed its squash supremacy at the World Championships, as Nour El Sherbini and Mostafa Asal claimed the women’s and men’s singles titles in Chicago.
In a landmark moment for the sport, El Sherbini secured her eighth world title, matching the all-time record held by Malaysian great Nicol David. The 29-year-old defeated fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy 11–5, 11–9, 4–11, 11–7 to seal the victory in her 10th consecutive World Championship final.
“It’s amazing. I never thought I would win eight,” said a visibly emotional El Sherbini. “Everyone was talking about Nicol’s record, and I never believed I’d reach it. I’ve had a really tough season, and winning this means so much — for my team, my family, and myself.”
In the men’s final, Mostafa Asal delivered a commanding performance to overpower four-time world champion Ali Farag in straight games, 11–7, 11–8, 11–3. The win capped off a flawless run in Chicago, where Asal did not drop a single game throughout the tournament.
“Emotionally, I feel out of this world,” said Asal. “There was so much going on this week mentally, but I managed to regroup. To be both World No.1 and world champion — it’s amazing.”
The all-Egyptian finals not only showcased the nation’s dominance in global squash but also marked a historic double triumph on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Photo: Achraf Hakimi proudly holds the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé Award after being recognised as the best African player in France’s Ligue 1. (Credit: WikiCommons)
