Upday’s weekend sport round-up
Hamilton, Joshua, England U17s and Wozniacki reign supreme
Lewis Hamilton wins his fourth Formula One world title
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton secured his fourth Formula 1 World Driver’s Championship despite a ninth-place finish in Mexico.
A chaotic start to the race saw eventual winner Max Verstappen get the jump on pole leader Sebastian Vettel at Turn One to take a lead which he would never relinquish. Vettel then smashed into the back of Hamilton sending both into the pits and to the back of the grid. Vettel raced manfully to keep his title hopes alive but a fourth place finish wasn’t enough to deny the Briton who came into the race with a 66-point championship lead.
Hamilton’s teammate Valteri Bottas came in second with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen rounding out the race podium in Mexico City.
Josh is the Boss in Cardiff
British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was made to work for a controversial tenth round stoppage of game challenger Carlos Takam.
Takam — who took the fight at twelve days notice after Kubrat Pulev pulled out less than a fortnight before the bout–was irate about the stoppage, feeling he was the aggressor late on as Joshua began to feel the pace. The French-Cameroonian was gracious afterwards if a little perplexed, “I respect the champion and the UK fans, they are great fans and I am happy to box here. I don’t why they stopped it.”
What next for the heavyweight king? A period of reflection to fix his broken conk before a unification against either US slugger Deontay Wilder or the pedestrian Kiwi Joseph Parker — previously taken the distance by Takam.
On the undercard, Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor defeated Anahi Sanchez to become the first Irish woman to hold a professional world title — landing the WBA lightweight strap on points after a gruelling 12 rounds.
England U17’s inflict World Cup final pain on Spain
England’s long-suffering football fans can almost taste the prospect of jam tomorrow. The Under 17’s completed in incredible year of success for the age group football sides coming for behind against Spain to win the World Cup final 5–2.
The Three Lions were spearheaded by a double from man of the match and player of the tournament Phil Foden of Manchester City. Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster also headed in his eighth goal of the tournament — a feat which secured him the golden boot.
The success in India means England’s age-group sides are world champions at U17 and U20 level and European champions at U19 level (The U21s lost their European Championship semi-final on penalties). The women also reached the World Cup semi-final earlier this year.
Caroline Wozniacki wins the WTA Finals
Caroline Wozniacki bested Venus Williams in straight sets to win the WTA World Tour Finals in Singapore. Wozniacki’s 6–4, 6–4 victory wasn’t quite a straightforward as it seemed, with the Dane holding off the American as Williams found her rhythm and serve in the second set with some devastating forehands.
As ever a Williams had made the final of a WTA tennis event. However on this occasion Venus didn’t have enough to prevent Wozniacki landing the biggest win of her career.
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup got underway in Australia with the familiar sight of the hosts engaging in their favourite pastime of ‘Pommie bashing’ in Sydney.
In a tight affair with just four tries scored, the Kangaroos withstood a second-half onslaught by England before stretching their 10–4 halftime lead with a Josh Dugan try to take the opening matchup 18–4.
Elsewhere the home nations had contrasting fortunes. Ireland beat Italy 36 -12 but Wales and Scotland were handed out near-identical drubbings losing 50–6 and 50–4 against Tonga and Papua New Guinea respectively.
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