4th Koh Larn Cup Football Tournament Kicks Off in Pattaya

TORONTO: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to rediscover her best form as she begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto, with the top ranking and momentum ahead of the US Open at stake. The Belarusian has enjoyed an outstanding hard-court season, winning 23 of her 24 matches on the surface in 2026. Her only defeat came against Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. Despite her dominance on hard courts, Sabalenka struggled to produce similar results during the clay and grass-court seasons. She was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the French Open before suffering a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon against Japan’s Naomi Osaka. The Toronto tournament could have a significant impact on the WTA rankings. Sabalenka risks losing the world No. 1 position if she fails to reach the round of 16 and Rybakina goes on to win the title. Although Sabalenka has never progressed beyond the semi-finals at the Canadian event, she believes she is mentally refreshed after taking a short break following Wimbledon. The 27-year-old spent several days on the Greek island of Mykonos before returning to training with renewed motivation. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sabalenka said the time away from tennis allowed her to recover physically and mentally. She admitted that some adjustments made during the clay and grass seasons did not deliver the desired results but expressed confidence that returning to her usual approach would help her regain consistency. The tournament draw presents another tough challenge for the top seed. Sabalenka leads the upper half, which also features two-time champion Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova and Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who is looking to bounce back after an early Wimbledon exit. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina heads the bottom half of the draw alongside Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Noskova, who recently captured her maiden Grand Slam title, enters the tournament with growing confidence and could face rising Philippine star Alexandra Eala in the third round. Several notable players will miss the tournament. Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova remains unavailable while recovering from minor surgery, while defending champion Victoria Mboko is also sidelined with the knee injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon.

Fauzia Haimani has done it again. The Pakistani athlete, who is based in Canada, has completed her fourth full Ironman triathlon. This latest finish came at the Ironman event held in Ottawa, where she once again showed off her fitness and endurance. The Ironman is widely considered one of the toughest challenges in endurance sports. It is not a single race. It is three gruelling events combined into one long day. Athletes start with a 3.8-kilometre swim. From there, they move straight into a 180-kilometre cycling stretch. The event then wraps up with a full 42.2-kilometre marathon. All three legs happen back to back, with no rest days in between. Completing all three takes serious physical and mental preparation. Fauzia finished the entire course in 15 hours, 22 minutes, and 35 seconds. Her swim alone took 1 hour and 45 minutes. She then moved on to cycling, completing that portion in 7 hours and 7 minutes. The final stretch, the marathon, took her 6 hours and 11 minutes to finish. This is not new territory for her. Fauzia has completed the full Ironman challenge three times before this latest finish. She first did it in 2021. She returned to complete it again in 2024, and once more in 2025. That makes this her fourth full Ironman overall. Her endurance résumé does not stop there. Alongside the full Ironman races, Fauzia has also completed the half Ironman challenge five separate times. Together, these accomplishments paint the picture of an athlete who has built real consistency in one of the most demanding sports out there. Events like these require months of training. Long swims, long rides, and long runs all need to be built up gradually. Athletes also have to manage nutrition, pacing, and recovery carefully to make it through such a demanding single-day event. Fauzia’s latest finish adds another achievement to her growing list. It also reflects the kind of discipline and determination it takes to keep coming back to one of the hardest physical challenges an athlete can attempt. Her continued participation in international endurance events also highlights the presence of Pakistani athletes on demanding global sporting stages, even outside more commonly covered sports.

Italian football icon Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game and a legendary captain of AC Milan, has died at the age of 66. The club confirmed the heartbreaking news on Friday, paying tribute to a player whose legacy shaped one of the most successful eras in its history. In a heartfelt statement, AC Milan expressed its grief over the passing of one of its most celebrated figures. The club said Baresi’s leadership, integrity and commitment would remain an enduring part of Milan’s identity, just as his iconic number six shirt continues to symbolize excellence and loyalty. Baresi enjoyed an extraordinary career with AC Milan, spending nearly two decades with the club and becoming one of its most influential players. As captain during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he led the Rossoneri to remarkable success, winning three European Cups and six Serie A titles. His defensive brilliance, tactical intelligence and calmness under pressure made him a cornerstone of one of football’s greatest backlines. Regarded as one of the finest sweepers the sport has ever produced, Baresi was admired for his exceptional reading of the game, precise tackling and outstanding leadership. Alongside fellow defensive stars Paolo Maldini, Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta, he formed a legendary defensive unit that frustrated some of Europe’s most dangerous attackers. Born in Lombardy in May 1960, Baresi joined AC Milan’s youth academy in 1974. After progressing through the ranks, he made his senior debut in 1978, shortly before turning 18. His talent quickly earned him a regular place in the first team, and by the age of 22 he had been named club captain, a role he carried with distinction for many years. Baresi remained loyal to Milan throughout his playing career, retiring in 1997 after making 719 appearances for the club. At the time, it was the highest appearance total in Milan’s history, a record later surpassed only by Paolo Maldini. His remarkable consistency and devotion made him one of the most respected figures in Italian football. On the international stage, Baresi represented Italy 81 times. He was part of the squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play a major role during the tournament. He later became one of the national team’s key players and captained Italy to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final in the United States. Despite his outstanding performances, Baresi experienced heartbreak in major tournaments. He missed the 1986 World Cup after a disagreement with the national team coach. Italy also suffered painful defeats in penalty shootouts during the 1990 World Cup semi-final and the 1994 World Cup final, denying him another global triumph. In August 2025, Baresi underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule. Following the procedure, he expressed optimism about his recovery, saying it would take some time to regain his strength. No official cause of death has been announced. Following his retirement, Baresi remained closely connected with AC Milan and was appointed the club’s honorary vice-president in 2020. His influence extended beyond the pitch, inspiring generations of players and supporters with his professionalism, loyalty and passion for the game. Franco Baresi leaves behind an unforgettable legacy as one of football’s greatest defenders, a symbol of AC Milan’s golden era and an icon whose achievements will be remembered for generations.