Ten things to know from last week: June 28-July 4, 2022 included: British Grand Prix, US and Chinese Aquatic domination, a Brazilian final in Surf, etc.
- ¡Vamos, Carlos! After a few weeks that could have dented his confidence, Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP, Ferrari) took his breakthrough F1 win at the British Grand Prix. The second was Sergio Pérez (MEX, Red Bull), who came back from last on track after the first lap to pass and then hold on Lewis Hamilton (ENG, Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (MCO, Ferrari), who followed him. Max Verstappen (NED, Red Bull) led the first part of the race until hit debris, which slowed him. He finished 7th. The race was red-flagged after the first lap due to an accident by Zhou Guanyu (CHN, Alfa Romeo), who went over the tire barrier. He was uninjured. In the US, Scott McLaughlin (NZL, Penske) inherited the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio from Patricio O’Ward (MEX, McLaren), who led every lap until a power issue. In NASCAR Cup, Tyler Reddick (USA) took his maiden win, at Road America.
- Prodigal son. Armand Duplantis (SWE) flew 6.12 meters to post the highest ever outdoor pole vault mark, at home in Stockholm’s 1912 Olympic Stadium Wanda Diamond League meet. Dominic Lobalu (SSU), who lives in Switzerland, became the first former member of the Refugee Team to win a Diamond League meet, as he won the men’s 3000 meters competition. In the 400m hurdles, Alison dos Santos (BRA) and Femke Bol (NED) posted the year’s world-leading times.
- Aquatics Worlds. Once again, China dominated Diving at the FINA World Aquatics Championships, grabbing every single gold medal available. Wang Zongyuan (CHN) won three golds. Open Water had thrilling competitions, with five of the six competitions being defined by less than a second. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) won the women’s 5k and 25k, in which Lea Boy (DEU) and Sharon van Rouwendaal (NED) also touched the goal within 3 tenths. The Dutch swimmer won the 10k. Both China and the US grabbed 18 gold medals at the Championships but the US had more silver medals.
- Thrilling Derbies. Several countries held their national horse racing derbies and had thrilling races. One of them was the 153rd Deutsches (German) Derby, won by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev (KAZ) riding Sammarco (IRL) on the line, ahead of Andreas Helfenbein (DEU) riding Schwarzer Peter (DEU), and Frankie Dettori (ITA) riding So Moonstruck (DEU). In the Magyar (Hungarian) Derby, President (DEU) won ridden by Stanyslav Georgiev (BGR). The British G1 Eclipse Stakes was also exciting. Vadeni (FRA) -a 4th generation double inbred of Northern Dancer (CAN)- won with Christophe Soumillon (FRA). The Kazakh Elite Stakes had a dead heat between two of its three lone contestants: Man Of Piece (IRL) and Kambarkhan (USA).
- Upsets in boxing; not in UFC. Incumbent Cruiserweight Champion Maris Briedis (LVA) brokeJai Opetaia’s (AUS) broke in two early in the fight but the Australian charged through and won a unanimous decision to take the IBF and The Ring Cruiserweight World Titles against the man who was the best in the division. In the Minimumweight, Daniel Valladares (MEX) beat Rene Mark Cuarto (PHL) to capture the IBF World Title, in Monterrey. In the UFC, Alex Volkanovski (AUS) clearly dominated Max Holloway (USA) to retain the men’s featherweight title, while Israel Adesanya (NGA/AUS) beat Jared Cannonier (USA) to retain the middleweight title. His next rival might be Alex Pereira (BRA), who won by KO in the undercard.
- USA’s domination. The US won their fourth consecutive Women’s Water Polo World Championship and seventh overall, which increases their status as the best team ever. Several team members have been part of the four World title successes. Maggie Steffens, the all-time highest scorer at the World Champìonship, has even been part of the three last Olympic gold medals, in 2012, 2016, and 2021. The USA beat Hungary 9-7 for the gold medal. On the men’s side, Spain beat Italy in a penalty shootout for their third world title.
- Yet another gold. Tove Alexandersson (SWE) now has 17 gold medals in the Championships, which places her second of all time in the history of the Championships, after winning the first-ever Knock-Out Sprint world title, ahead of Megan Carter-Davies (WAL), who won the sprint title.
- Wildwater freestyle. Dane Jackson (USA) cemented his status as the winningest freestyle paddler of all time, by taking his seventh world title between canoe and kayak. He won the Men’s kayak competition for a fourth time, although this time he did not make the double, as Philip Josef (DEU) won gold. 55-year-old Clay Wright (USA) won the men’s squirt for the third time in a row. Ottilie Robinson-Shaw (ENG) had a more impressive Championship, as she won the three women’s competitions: kayak, canoe, and squirt, with a World Record in squirt. This was the first-ever women’s canoe freestyle World Championship. The competition was held in her training ground, in Nottingham (ENG).
- Home support. The World Surfing League had its stage in Brazil with the Oi Rio. 50,000 fans saw Filipe Toledo win for the third time, this time beating rookie Sammy Pupa in the first All-Brazilian final since 1963. On the women’s side, Hawaiian Carissa Moore beat Johanne Defay (FRA) for the win.
- A presage? The Tour de France started in Denmark and will enter France this week. Wout van Aert (BEL) leads the Tour after three stages in second place. The Giro Donne is also underway. Elisa Balsamo (ITA) leads. Marianne Vos (NED) won the third stage.