ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: Turkmenistan’s first-ever Olympic medallist, weightlifter Polina Guryeva, was gifted an apartment, a car and $50,000 in cash for her exploits at a ceremony in the Central Asian country’s capital Ashgabat on Saturday.
Guryeva, 21, won silver for Turkmenistan at this summer’s Games in Tokyo in the women’s 59 kg weightlifting competition. It was the ex-Soviet country’s only medal at the Games and the first in its history.
Turkmen shooter Marat Niyazov previously won a silver medal representing the Soviet Union at the 1960 Games in Rome.
The celebrations of Guryeva’s victory were led by Honoured Coach of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the 39-year-old son of the country’s hard-line leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
At the ceremony in Ashgabat, the younger Berdymukhamedov handed Guryeva, who is ethnic Russian, three white-lacquered wooden boxes.
One contained keys to a three-room apartment in the capital city, the second held keys to a white Lexus SUV and the third $50,000 in cash.
“I cordially congratulate you on this significant event, testifying to the growth of the authority of independent Turkmenistan in the international sporting space,” Berdymukhamedov told Guryeva.
He said her victory “increased the world fame, prestige and authority of the sovereign homeland and the Turkmen people.”
“I dedicate this medal to our president and the Turkmen people in honor of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan,” Guryeva said.
Turkmenistan, a gas-rich nation of around six million people famous for its outlandish displays, gained independence from former master Moscow in 1991.
The secretive country is regularly cited by rights groups as one of the world’s worst abusers of civic, religious and press freedoms.
The younger Berdymukhamedov has received a number of promotions this year making him the second most powerful figure in the country after his father and fueling speculation he will eventually replace the elder as leader of the autocratic country.
First-ever Turkmen Olympic medallist gifted car, apartment, cash
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First-ever Turkmen Olympic medallist gifted car, apartment, cash
- Polina Guryeva, 21, won silver for Turkmenistan at this summer’s Games in Tokyo in the women’s 59 kg weightlifting competition
- Guryeva was awarded a three-room apartment in the capital city Ashgabat, a white Lexus SUV and $50,000 in cash
Gauff into fifth successive French Open quarter-final
- Coco Gauff reached a fifth successive French Open quarter-final on Monday as the world number two brushed Russian 20th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova aside 6-0, 7-5
Gauff raced through the opening set backed by three breaks of serve. Alexandrova put up more of a fight in the second set but Gauff eventually closed out victory in 82 minutes.
The 21-year-old Gauff will play reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys or unseeded Hailey Baptiste in an all-American quarter-final.
Max Verstappen blames frustration for a ‘move that was not right’ after colliding with Russell
- Verstappen says in a post on Instagram that “our tire choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fueled my frustration” before the incident
Max Verstappen said Monday that frustration caused “a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened”, a day after he initially seemed unrepentant over his collision with George Russell at Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen had been asked by his Red Bull team to give up a place to Russell following an earlier incident between the two drivers when he hit Russell’s Mercedes.
The race stewards ruled Verstappen had “suddenly accelerated” before the collision and Russell said it “felt very deliberate”. The stewards gave Verstappen a 10-second penalty which dropped him from fifth to 10th and left him 49 points off standings leader Oscar Piastri, who won Sunday’s race.
“We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out. Our tire choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fueled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened,” Verstappen wrote on Instagram.
“I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you (at the next race) in Montreal.”
Initially in the aftermath of Sunday’s race, Verstappen had said that “next time I will bring a tissue”, responding to Russell claiming he set a poor example for young drivers.
A series of setbacks
The collision followed a series of setbacks for Verstappen, who had been in third and pressuring the two McLaren drivers in front before the safety car came out.
Red Bull decided to bring Verstappen into the pits for fresh tires, even though the only ones he had left were slower hard-compound tires, a type that no other driver used.
At the restart, Verstappen lost grip and was overtaken by Charles Leclerc, whose Ferrari made contact with Verstappen’s Red Bull. Neither driver was ruled at fault for that.
Verstappen then went off the track while defending against Russell and Red Bull asked Verstappen to give up the place to Russell, apparently because the team expected Verstappen would be given a penalty. The stewards later ruled they wouldn’t have taken action against the Dutch driver for that incident.
Risking a suspension
Verstappen needs to be careful in the next two races because the penalty for the collision with Russell also brought him penalty points on his license, taking him to 11 in the last 12 months. Drivers get a one-race suspension if they hit 12 points in a year.
Two of those points expire at the end of the month, but until then Verstappen needs to get through the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix without any further penalty points.
MENA clubs back Ben Sulayem for second term as FIA president
- Regional officials say he has shown ‘integrity, innovation, and courage’ in driving positive change on the world stage
DUBAI: National motor sport and mobility authorities from across the Middle East and North Africa region have delivered another major vote of confidence in Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s leadership of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile and urged him to seek re-election as president.
The 29 FIA member clubs have written to Ben Sulayem saying that his tenure “has brought vital reforms across mobility and motorsport, marked by enhanced transparency, governance, sustainability, and inclusivity.”
Backing him for a second term in office, they expressed confidence that this will “further strengthen and modernize the organization for the benefit of all its members and stakeholders.”
In a letter of support to Ben Sulayem, the clubs said: “Your vision has helped bridge gaps, inspire unity, and empower regions like ours to contribute more meaningfully to the global FIA mission.
“We now feel equal as members of the FIA regardless of our size or location. We are proud to stand behind a leader from our region who has shown integrity, innovation, and courage in driving positive change on the world stage.”
Among the senior regional officials to sign the letter were MENA FIA Vice President for Mobility Essa Hamza Al-Failakawi from Kuwait, MENA FIA Vice President for Sport Abdulla bin Issa Al-Khalifa from Bahrain, and President of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdulla Al-Faisal.
The clubs told Ben Sulayem: “The modernization of our institution and the strong emphasis you have placed on member engagement and regional development have greatly benefited our clubs and the communities we serve.”
Ben Sulayem responded, saying: “I am deeply grateful for the trust and encouragement shown by the 29 sport and mobility member clubs from across the MENA region.
“This support holds special meaning for me, given my close connection to the region. I’ve seen firsthand the exceptional talent, commitment, and ambition that define the MENA community, and it is a true honor to have this backing.
“The work being done by clubs in both sport and mobility across the region reflects the core values of the FIA — from grassroots initiatives like the MENA Karting Cup to ongoing efforts in road safety and sustainable mobility.
“Together, we will continue to shape a stronger, more dynamic FIA — one that truly represents the strength, diversity, and potential of every region we serve.”
The overwhelming support for Ben Sulayem from his home region quickly follows another powerful endorsement of his achievements as president, delivered in a letter of support from 36 FIA member clubs across the Americas.
South Korea coach says Son won’t be pushed too hard in 2026 qualifiers
- The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach
South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday.
South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later.
The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach.
Son has been dealing with the injury for the past two months and was restricted to a substitute’s appearance in Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final.
“He and I have not yet discussed exactly how much he will play. But my staff and I already know all about his drive and his desire to play,” Hong told reporters.
“Since we have two matches coming up (to try to qualify for the World Cup), I will not push him too hard. Once we get to Iraq, we will decide which of the two matches we will focus on.”
The 56-year-old said Son’s experience would be invaluable in Iraq even if he does not play.
“We will probably play in a hostile environment in front of partisan fans,” he added.
“We have some players who have had experience playing in these situations. It’s something we should keep in mind going into the stadium for this match.”
Australia’s two-time World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell retires from one-day international cricket
- Two-time World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell is retiring from one-day international cricket in a bid to play a role in Australia’s push for a Twenty20 world title next year
- Australia’s selection chairman George Bailey says Maxwell is one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players and “his level of natural talent and skill is remarkable”
MELBOURNE:Two-time World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell is retiring from one-day international cricket in a bid to play a role in Australia’s push for a Twenty20 world title next year.
Cricket Australia confirmed Maxwell’s decision Monday. The 36-year-old Maxwell played 149 ODIs for Australia in an enduring career that is memorable for his unbeaten double-century in the 2023 World Cup, his unconventional shot-making and his brilliant fielding.
Maxwell said the physical toll of the ODI game, which can take up to eight hours and be played on short turnarounds, was beginning to impact on his fielding ability and he didn’t think he’d make it to the 2027 World Cup.
“I always said I wasn’t going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn’t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons,” Maxwell said.
The Australian selectors “are moving in such a clear direction,” he said, so the retirement confirmation “gives them the best look at what the lineup is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is.”
Australia’s selection chairman George Bailey said Maxwell was one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players and played a key role in two ODI World Cup titles. The shorter T20 format is still a good vehicle for Maxwell’s rare talents.
“His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb,” Bailey said. “What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.
“Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format.”
