Alice Kinsella has become the first British artistic gymnast to return to elite competition after giving birth, finishing fourth on the beam at the British Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

The 25-year-old welcomed her son, Parker, last September and took just four weeks away from training.

Her remarkable comeback culminated in an unexpected appearance in Sunday’s apparatus final.

“I kind of expected just to do Saturday, but making the final was nice,” she admitted.

I am doing it for my little boy, so being able to finish and look up to him in the crowd is an amazing feeling.

A rare physiological challenge

Resuming top-level gymnastics after pregnancy is incredibly uncommon due to the severe demands placed on the body.

Pelvic floor and core strength are severely compromised during gestation, making the high-impact nature of the discipline physically daunting.

The athlete’s journey is so unique that it is currently the focus of a university research paper.

“It’s nice to be back out on the floor,” added the Tokyo 2020 team bronze medallist.

Building towards full fitness

The highly decorated competitor admitted feeling anxious before her initial qualification routine.

“I thought I was going to bomb it but Sunday wasn’t so bad,” she explained.

“I was excited, I wasn’t nervous at all, I just wanted to get on and off.”

She has been restricting her training load to three days a week to protect her recovering physique.

“It’s not enough to feel super confident but I’m starting somewhere,” she noted.

“After this, I’m upping it to four so we’ll just see how it goes.”

Medical guidance for postnatal return

Current National Health Service advice recommends that new mothers who experienced a straightforward delivery can begin gentle exercise immediately.

However, medical professionals generally advise waiting for a six-week postnatal check before resuming high-impact activities.

Elite competitors who maintained rigorous routines before giving birth are sometimes granted clearance to start earlier under expert supervision.

Gennaro Gattuso will attempt to end Italy’s 12-year absence from the World Cup when his side faces Northern Ireland in a crucial play-off semi-final on 26 March.

Since lifting the iconic trophy in 2006, the Azzurri have endured a dismal record on the global stage, failing to qualify entirely for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

The four-time world champions have not featured at the finals since 2014, a staggering drought for a nation with such a rich footballing pedigree.

Now, the responsibility falls to a legendary former midfielder to restore his country to the sport’s biggest stage.

A calculated gamble by the Italian federation

Gattuso was appointed in June 2025 following the sudden dismissal of Luciano Spalletti just one game into the qualifying campaign.

The 47-year-old boasts a nomadic managerial resume, having taken charge of 10 different clubs across 12 years without ever staying beyond a second season.

Despite his volatile club record, technical delegate Gianluigi Buffon reportedly championed his former 2006 World Cup-winning team-mate for the top job.

Italian football journalist Daniele Verri believes the appointment was a calculated risk born out of necessity.

“Gattuso has the charisma, the popularity and is a known face as a world champion.”
“He doesn’t bring that much experience for a national team like Italy, but they took a man who has the right motivation to do well.”

Moving on from the Spalletti era

The transition to a new regime became unavoidable after players reportedly grew confused by the tactical overload demanded by the former Napoli manager.

Spalletti’s departure paved the way for a more pragmatic approach, with the new coaching staff tasked with instantly reviving the squad’s morale.

The current boss has made an impressive statistical start, securing five victories from his first six matches in charge.

However, that brief resurgence was not enough to secure automatic qualification for the finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The play-off path to North America

The upcoming clash against Northern Ireland represents a make-or-break moment for the current generation of Italian talent.

Should the former AC Milan enforcer successfully navigate his first major hurdle, a final showdown awaits on 31 March.

Victory in the semi-final will set up a decisive winner-takes-all fixture against either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

For a nation desperate to banish the ghosts of recent qualification failures, nothing less than a ticket to North America will suffice.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has reached the last 16 of the Miami Open by beating American Caty McNally in straight sets to continue her pursuit of the ‘Sunshine Double’.

The defending champion extended her current winning streak to eight matches with a commanding 6-4 6-2 victory in Florida.

Having already lifted the Indian Wells title earlier this month, the Belarusian is aiming to become only the fifth woman to win both prestigious tournaments in the same calendar year.

The players exchanged breaks of serve twice in a competitive opening set before the top seed seized control to edge ahead.

She then dominated the second set, winning four consecutive games from 2-2 to secure her progression.

Zheng awaits in the next round

Next up for the powerful baseliner is a Monday clash with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.

The Chinese star claimed her first victory over a top-20 opponent since undergoing elbow surgery in July by defeating American 15th seed Madison Keys.

However, history heavily favours the world number one, who has emerged victorious in seven of her eight previous meetings with Zheng.

Rybakina and Pegula advance

Third seed Elena Rybakina also booked her place in the next round, cruising to a comfortable 6-3 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.

The Kazakhstani player will now face Australian qualifier Talia Gibson, who continued her impressive run by knocking out 18th seed Iva Jovic 6-2 6-2.

Gibson’s giant-killing streak in Miami follows a significant second-round victory over former world number one Naomi Osaka.

Meanwhile, fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula required just 66 minutes to dismiss Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-2.

Ostapenko survives three-set battle

Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko was forced to dig deep to defeat Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 5-7 6-2 7-5.

The 2018 tournament runner-up advances to face American world number 45 Hailey Baptiste.

Baptiste secured her own spot in the last 16 with a 6-3 7-5 upset over Ukrainian ninth seed Elina Svitolina.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is prepared to sacrifice star talent for squad harmony as he finalises his 23-man roster for the upcoming World Cup in North America.

The German tactician is currently hosting his final international camp before naming a preliminary group for the tournament.

He faces the difficult task of whittling down a 55-man longlist, knowing that sheer individual quality will not guarantee a seat on the plane.

The former Bayern Munich boss previously stated that social skills and a willingness to accept supporting roles are paramount.

“It’ll be very important that we don’t select just for talent, but also for what we need from a player,” Tuchel said.

The danger of an unbalanced bench

International history is littered with managers who destabilised their own campaigns by packing their squads with demanding superstars.

Friction inevitably surfaces when elite competitors are forced to sit on the sidelines for their country during major finals.

This dilemma is particularly acute for the Three Lions, who currently boast an incredible depth of attacking midfield talent.

Keeping multiple world-class playmakers content while they undergo more training than competitive action will severely test the head coach’s credentials.

Lessons from historic failures

Former defender Christian Ziege witnessed exactly how an overabundance of egos can derail a campaign during the 1998 tournament in France.

His national side arrived brimming with natural ability but suffered an underwhelming 3-0 quarter-final exit against Croatia.

“We had so many leaders in that team, or at least too many players who thought they were leaders, who had to be in the first XI and had to play,” said the ex-Tottenham Hotspur full-back.

He explained that selecting two elite individuals for the same position inevitably poisons the dressing room atmosphere if one is left frustrated.

Ruthless high-profile omissions

Similar concerns drove Glenn Hoddle’s infamous decision to axe Paul Gascoigne from his travelling party ahead of that same 1998 campaign.

While the iconic playmaker possessed undeniable genius, the intense media circus and potential disruption of utilizing him as a fringe option proved too great a risk.

France head coach Didier Deschamps adopted the exact same ruthless approach when he omitted Samir Nasri from his 2014 squad.

The French World Cup winner noted that the ex-Manchester City midfielder’s unhappiness at not starting was palpable and toxic to the wider group dynamic.

Maintaining a unified camp across several weeks abroad will ultimately define whether this current generation can end decades of tournament heartbreak.

A jersey worn by Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani during the World Baseball Classic has sold for a record-breaking $1.5m at auction.

The two-way sensation wore the shirt during Japan’s comprehensive 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome on 6 March.

Over a seven-day period, the number 16 jersey attracted 298 bids before eventually fetching $1,500,010 via MLB Auctions on Sunday evening.

It marks the highest amount ever paid for a piece of apparel belonging to the revered athlete.

Dominant performances on the international stage

The 30-year-old delivered a spectacular performance in the March fixture, hitting a grand slam and driving in five runs.

Across the entire tournament, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player recorded a remarkable .462 batting average alongside a 1.842 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Despite his individual brilliance, the 2023 champions were ultimately eliminated by eventual winners Venezuela in the quarter-finals.

Soaring demand for memorabilia

Appetite for items connected to the global sporting icon has surged dramatically in recent months.

This latest sale represents a massive increase from a previous MLB auction, where a shirt from his 2023 pool play match against Australia secured $126,100.

Furthermore, two highly coveted trading cards featuring game-worn patches and autographs have recently eclipsed the $2m mark.

A unique Topps Chrome card commemorating his achievements sold for $3m just before Christmas, while a dual-featured card alongside New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge went for $2.16m in March.

Ongoing legal battles

These astronomical sums follow the historic sale of the ball from his 50th home run of the 2024 season.

That historic artefact, which cemented the first 50-50 campaign in Major League Baseball history, was purchased by Taiwanese investment firm UC Capital for a record $4.39m.

However, those funds currently remain locked in escrow as ownership litigation continues ahead of a scheduled jury trial in Florida this July.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has warned of potential “political knives” as his team looks to extend their perfect start to the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Silver Arrows have dominated the opening rounds of the new regulatory era.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have secured a victory apiece to deliver consecutive one-two finishes in Australia and China.

These early results have established a commanding lead for the Brackley-based squad in the Constructors’ Championship.

However, Wolff anticipates off-track challenges as rival teams look to close the performance gap.

“Let’s see what kind of political knives are going to come out in the next few weeks and months,” Wolff said.
“But at the moment it’s a car that is capable of winning.”

Leclerc concedes Mercedes are ‘big favourites’

The Monegasque racer admitted the Italian outfit faces a significant challenge to catch their rivals.

“Mercedes are very strong in general,” Leclerc noted.
“I said it multiple times that this year will all be about development, but the Mercedes is extremely strong.”
“They are, for sure, the big favourites. If we manage to turn that situation around, it will be very impressive.”

Development race and engine regulations

Rival manufacturers could receive a lifeline through Formula 1’s new Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system.

Teams possessing an internal combustion engine deemed to be at least two per cent behind the class leader will be granted extra development time.

The first evaluation point is scheduled to follow the Monaco Grand Prix in June.

The paddock is also fiercely debating the impact of the 2026 power units, which feature an equal split between electric and combustion power.

This heavier reliance on electrical deployment has led to a divisive, yoyo-style pattern of overtaking on track.

Protecting F1’s newest race winner

Alongside managing paddock politics, Wolff remains focused on nurturing his 19-year-old sensation.

Antonelli made history in China by becoming the youngest pole-sitter in the sport’s history before converting it into a maiden victory.

Despite this remarkable triumph in only his second top-flight campaign, the Austrian team boss insists the teenager still requires protection from the intense media spotlight.

Hyo Joo Kim secured a wire-to-wire victory at the LPGA Founders Cup on Sunday, holding off a fierce challenge from Nelly Korda at Sharon Heights to win by a single stroke.

The 30-year-old carded a closing one-over-par 73 to finish the tournament in California at 16 under par.

Despite seeing her initial five-stroke advantage wiped out after just 10 holes, the South Korean showed remarkable resilience to regain the lead.

“I don’t think I was necessarily shaken up or my emotions were all over the place,” Kim said through an interpreter.

“I was just trying to keep my focus on my shots and what I was doing.”

Korda falls short after late miss

American star Korda mounted a phenomenal comeback on the front nine, carding six birdies in an eight-hole stretch to tie the lead.

However, the momentum shifted decisively on the par-three 17th hole.

While Kim executed a brilliant flop shot from deep rough to save par, her playing partner missed a crucial three-foot putt to card a costly bogey.

“Obviously, something like 17 stings, so it is what it is,” Korda reflected.

“It’s golf. It’s a quick turnaround. There is next week. So, just going to take all the positives.”

A second Founders crown for Kim

The dramatic finale handed the eight-time LPGA Tour winner a two-shot cushion heading down the 18th hole.

That buffer allowed her the luxury of a closing bogey to safely seal the title.

This triumph marks her first victory since claiming the Ford Championship exactly a year ago.

It is also her second Founders Cup crown, having previously won the event when it was staged in Phoenix in 2015.

World number one finishes outside top 10

Elsewhere on the leaderboard, Sei Young Kim and Jin Hee Im shared third place at 11 under par.

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul finished further back in a tie for 14th after a closing 73.

The Founders Cup tournament began in Arizona in 2011 as a tribute to the 13 original founders of the LPGA.

Alvaro Folgueiras hit a decisive three-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining as Iowa stunned defending national champions Florida to secure a 73-72 victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Tampa.

The dramatic triumph sends the top-seeded Gators out of March Madness, making them the first number one seed to be eliminated this year.

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Ben McCollum, the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes have reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015.

Hawkeyes recover from blown lead

Iowa had initially squandered a 12-point advantage in the second half but displayed immense resilience to rally in the closing stages.

Florida appeared poised for victory when Xaivian Lee executed a driving layup to put his side 71-68 ahead with under two minutes on the clock.

However, Bennett Stirtz quickly responded with a crucial floater, slicing the deficit to a single point heading into the final minute.

A frantic sequence followed as Thomas Haugh missed from beyond the arc for the Gators, before Isaiah Brown secured a vital rebound after Stirtz failed to convert a running layup.

Brown subsequently extended Florida’s lead to 72-70 by converting his second free-throw attempt with just 8.9 seconds remaining.

Folgueiras delivers the decisive blow

Faced with full-court pressure, the resilient Hawkeyes seamlessly broke through the defensive press to find Folgueiras completely unmarked in the corner.

The forward made no mistake, sinking the three-pointer to instantly silence the predominantly orange and blue crowd inside the Benchmark International Arena.

Florida failed to even register a shot before the final buzzer sounded, with a desperate drive from Lee ending in a mishandled pass by Haugh.

Tempers flare in physical encounter

The tension of the high-stakes encounter was evident midway through the first half when a skirmish erupted over a loose ball.

Alex Condon and Folgueiras tangled on the floor, prompting Florida coach Todd Golden to sprint onto the court to restore order before both players received technical fouls.

Tavion Banks spearheaded the scoring for the victorious outfit with 20 points, while Folgueiras contributed 14 and Stirtz added 13 despite a challenging shooting night.

Condon led the scoring for the vanquished title holders with 21 points, but it was not enough to prevent a stunning early exit for the reigning champions.