Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara produced a stunning free skate to win pairs gold for Japan, recovering from a significant short programme error to top the podium.

The Japanese duo had initially been left languishing in fifth place following the opening segment of the competition.

A failed lift during that first routine had threatened to completely derail their title hopes.

Fighting back for gold

However, the pair stormed back into contention with a flawless performance in the decisive free skate.

Their routine was hailed as "stunning" as they vaulted past their rivals to claim the top spot.

It marked a dramatic and emotional turnaround for the skaters, who secured the gold medal despite the earlier setback.

Germany slip to bronze

Germany, who had been well-placed to challenge for victory, saw their advantage slip away under pressure.

The German pair were ultimately dropped to third place following the excellence of the new champions.

This victory cements Miura and Kihara’s status at the pinnacle of the sport following a resilient display.

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are reportedly set to meet in a surprise exhibition contest in the Congo on 25 April.

Reports indicate the unexpected showdown will take place in central Africa, marking a shock return to the ring for both boxing legends.

While the country is not a typical modern destination for major fights, it famously hosted the iconic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974.

Exhibition rules and format

Details emerging regarding the format confirm the exhibition is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds.

The event is being promoted by CSI Sports, who have predicted the broadcast numbers will shatter economic records set by the heavyweight veteran in 2024.

Despite the promoter having no prior experience with a card of this magnitude, they insist the bout will captivate global audiences.

Tyson’s return to action

The former undisputed heavyweight champion is preparing for his first appearance since a points defeat by Jake Paul in November 2024.

Despite widespread concerns regarding his performance in that bout, the New York-born slugger insists he is ready for the challenge.

“This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable – and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health.”

Tyson recently reaffirmed the status of the bout, stating that he accepted the challenge after being approached.

Mayweather defending a legacy

Mayweather retired from professional boxing with a flawless 50-0 record but has remained active on the lucrative exhibition circuit.

The five-division world champion, who previously faced Logan Paul in a similar spectacle, remains confident that his reputation is untouchable.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” Mayweather said. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big, and it’s going to be legendary. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”

Tyson Fury believes heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will be “begging” for a trilogy fight by the end of the year despite losing their previous two encounters.

The British heavyweight suffered points defeats in both meetings with Usyk, the second of which took place in December 2024.

Those losses prompted a brief retirement, but the former world champion is convinced his financial drawing power remains essential to the division.

“He’ll be begging for a trilogy by the end of the year. There’s no one for him to fight to make any money,”

“There’s only the GK [Gypsy King], the big man. I’m the man, with or without belts.”

‘The biggest fish in the pond’

Fury continues to dispute the judging in their previous bouts, comparing the decisions to being “robbed in broad daylight”.

However, he insists that his status in the sport makes a third contest inevitable regardless of the championship landscape.

“With or without money, I’m still the man. With or without belts, I’m still the man,”

“You know – why? Because I’m the biggest fish in the pond.”

Comeback trail begins in London

Before looking toward a third bout with the Ukrainian, Fury must navigate a comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov.

The pair are scheduled to meet on 11 April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Makhmudov represents a dangerous obstacle for the Briton’s return, currently holding a number six ranking with the WBA.

“Big, dangerous man and someone I have to respect or else I’ll get knocked out,”

Victory in London is viewed as a necessary step for the 37-year-old to position himself for another world title challenge.

Respect shown to Joshua

While a domestic showdown with Anthony Joshua has long been discussed, Fury insisted now is not the time to pursue that rivalry.

Joshua is currently recovering following a car accident that resulted in the tragic loss of two close friends.

The Gypsy King offered his condolences and stated he would not call out his compatriot while he mourns.

Elana Meyers Taylor has claimed her first Olympic gold medal at the age of 41 after victory in the women’s monobob at the Milan Cortina Games.

The American rallied in the fourth and final heat to secure the title with a combined time of three minutes 57.93 seconds.

It ends a long wait for the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, who had previously won three silvers and two bronzes.

Germany’s Laura Nolte took silver, while Meyers Taylor’s compatriot Kaillie Humphries Armbruster secured bronze.

Record-breaking success

Meyers Taylor is now the oldest American woman to ever stand atop the podium at the Winter Games.

The victory brings her total Olympic medal haul to six, tying speed skater Bonnie Blair for the most by a US woman.

The 41-year-old dropped to her knees in tears as the result was confirmed on a frosty night in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Having twice returned to elite competition following the birth of her children, the gold medal completes a glittering resume that already included World Championship and World Cup titles.

A dramatic finale

Nolte held a 0.15-second advantage heading into the decisive final run, with Meyers Taylor sitting in second place.

However, the German slider could not maintain her lead under pressure, eventually finishing behind the American veteran.

Humphries Armbruster, who won the inaugural monobob gold in Beijing four years ago, finished in 3:58.05 to ensure two Americans reached the podium.

Following her run, the bronze medallist celebrated immediately, knowing she had secured her fifth career Olympic medal.

History makers

The event marked a significant milestone for longevity in the sport.

Meyers Taylor and Humphries Armbruster became the first women in their 40s to medal in Olympic bobsleigh history.

Both athletes have now medalled in all five of their Olympic appearances.

Kaysha Love, the reigning world monobob champion for the USA, struggled in her second and fourth runs to finish in seventh place.

Tom Curry has urged England to mount an immediate response against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday following the end of their 12-match winning run against Scotland.

Curry rues slow start at Murrayfield

The Sale Sharks flanker admitted his side were “fighting with one hand behind our back” during the 31-20 Calcutta Cup defeat in Edinburgh.

That result ended a significant winning streak for Steve Borthwick’s side, with discipline issues proving costly during a difficult first half.

“Maybe that first 25-30 minutes let us down,” Curry told Sky Sports.

“You’re fighting with one hand behind your back, really. But credit to Scotland, they put on a really good performance, they were accurate and clinical.”

England trailed 24-10 at the break, leaving them with too much to do in the second period despite a spirited effort.

‘Individual responsibility’ required for Twickenham test

Attention now turns to the visit of Andy Farrell’s Ireland, who arrive in London fresh from a nervy 20-13 victory over Italy.

Curry emphasized the need for personal accountability as the squad attempts to bounce back immediately.

“Coming in this week you just be better, you have to do it,” the experienced back-rower added.

“It’s an individual responsibility, get yourself right and then you attack together.”

The squad spent Sunday processing the disappointment of the loss but have now turned their focus entirely to the upcoming round of the championship.

“We had a good afternoon, physically and mentally you get yourself right, and then come the meeting you’re ready to listen and that’s the important thing,” Curry explained.

Arundell faces disciplinary hearing

Much of the damage at Murrayfield was self-inflicted, with wing Henry Arundell receiving two yellow cards which equated to a sending off.

The Racing 92 back faces a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday for the incidents involving a tackle in the air and failure to release.

Curry revealed he has been offering support to his team-mate alongside head coach Borthwick.

“He’s been very level headed, he’s a very measured bloke,” Curry said of the 23-year-old.

“It’s annoying, he’ll be alright. It’s one of Steve’s many strengths, the emotional side of it.”

“He was great with me, and just knowing you’re already feeling down so it’s helping out.”

London 2012 rowing gold medallist David Smith has revealed he has been given just months to live after being moved into palliative care.

The 47-year-old Scot used voice-activated technology to share the devastating update from his hospital bed.

Smith, who won gold in the mixed coxed four at the home Games, is now paralysed following a long battle with cancer.

He confirmed that a spinal tumour has spread to his brain, leading to the terminal prognosis.

‘My time is coming to an end’

The Dunfermline-born athlete told the Strathspey Herald that he fears he may never return to his home in Aviemore.

“On Thursday, I was moved to palliative care… and told that I have four months to live.”

Despite the severity of his condition, the former rower expressed a determination to keep going for as long as possible.

“I’m going to fight with every will in my body, but I’m also aware my time on this planet is coming to an end.”

Smith communicated the news using an electronic decoder, acknowledging that his message might contain errors as he battles the illness.

A career of resilience

The multi-sport athlete has faced a series of severe health challenges throughout his distinguished sporting career.

Born with a club foot, he underwent numerous procedures in his youth to reset his bones before finding success in elite sport.

In 2010, Smith underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his spinal cord which caused temporary paralysis.

Remarkably, he recovered to win Olympic glory just two years later at London 2012.

He was later forced to withdraw from the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where he planned to compete as a cyclist, due to the recurrence of a tumour.

Recent health battles

In 2018, the Paralympic hero was warned that further surgery on his spine could leave him paralysed from the neck down.

Last year, he underwent emergency brain surgery after doctors discovered three tumours.

He had initially attributed symptoms including blurred vision and headaches to watching television while recovering from a broken rib.

Doctors subsequently confirmed the presence of benign tumours and fluid accumulation on his brain.

Smith is currently receiving radiotherapy to treat the remaining growths while in palliative care.

England back Tommy Freeman has revealed he struggled to recover mentally from the “hangover” of last year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

The 24-year-old featured in all three Tests against the Wallabies during a gruelling campaign down under.

That series concluded a marathon season comprising 34 matches for both club and country.

Fatigue has often plagued national squads in similar circumstances, with England failing to win a Five or Six Nations title immediately following a Lions tour since 1963.

‘I struggled without realising it’

Freeman, who is one of 13 Lions included in Steve Borthwick’s current squad, admitted he underestimated the psychological toll of the schedule.

“My body felt good, but my mental state wasn’t in the best spot,” said the Northampton Saints star.

“You go on a big Lions tour, off the back of 34 games or so. It’s a lot of rugby.”

The versatile back suggested that his downtime was not utilised effectively.

“I locked myself in and it might have been a bit of built-up anxiety,” he explained.

“I could probably have managed my off-time better and not gone on as many rollercoaster rides and things like that, probably just sat in the sun.”

“Coming back, you’re adjusting and going through that routine again. Without realising it, I think I was tired.”

Intervention by Saints coaches

While Freeman initially insisted he was fit to play, Northampton coaches Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty intervened to ensure his welfare.

“I had probably been in denial and was saying ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’, but they pulled me from bits here and there,” he added.

“Saints did really well at noticing that and giving me the time. England as well, picking that up and getting me back into the games in the right way.”

The recovery process required an additional fortnight away from full intensity.

“It was just two weeks to make sure your mind is rested and relaxed, and maybe the body did need a bit more time too.”

Adapting to a midfield role

Following his return to fitness, the natural winger has been deployed in the centre during the current Six Nations campaign.

He started at number 13 during the recent defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield, having also partnered club team-mate Fraser Dingwall in midfield against Wales.

“There’s loads to learn still,” Freeman admitted regarding the positional switch.

“I’ve got that versatility now. Like you saw at Scotland when I went out onto the wing, you’ve got to adjust as quickly as that, and I’m happy to do that.”

Charley Hull has become the highest-ranked Englishwoman in history after climbing to world number three following her victory at the PIF Saudi Ladies International.

The 29-year-old climbed two places in the standings released on Monday to surpass the previous best mark by a compatriot in the system’s 20-year existence.

She leapfrogged major champions Minjee Lee and Miyu Yamashita to sit behind only Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda in the global pecking order.

Season-opening success in Riyadh

Hull’s historic rise follows a dramatic one-shot victory at the Ladies European Tour (LET) season opener on Saturday.

A final-round 65 secured the title ahead of Japan’s Akie Iwai and South Africa’s Casandra Alexander.

It marks a fifth title on the European circuit for the consistent ball-striker.

The victory adds to a rich vein of form that saw her win the Kroger Queen City Championship on the LPGA Tour in September.

Powered by potatoes

Hull was three shots off the lead after 54 holes but charged up the leaderboard on the final day.

Her round included an eagle and seven birdies, with a significant surge on the back nine attributed to an unusual mid-round snack.

After nine holes I ran into the toilet and also got some mashed potatoes, so I don’t know if that gave me a bit of power for the back nine.

Charley Hull, World Number Three

The English star noted that her off-season preparation had paid immediate dividends.

“I worked really hard this off-season, so it’s nice to get a result pretty much straight away and it’s one of the bigger events on the LET,” she said.

English contingent rising

Hull has not finished outside the top 21 in any event since early June, a run that includes a runner-up spot at the AIG Women’s Open.

She is joined in the world’s top 10 by compatriot Lottie Woad, who sits at number eight following a breakthrough maiden season as a professional.

With house renovations nearly complete, Hull is now eyeing further success to close the gap on world number one Thitikul.

“My house renovation is pretty much done, so I needed that win,” Hull added.

“I’m looking forward to getting settled into my house in a couple of weeks when it’s all done and celebrate my birthday.”