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Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

The World Aquatics Championships, held in Singapore from July 11 to August 3, produced three world records and 15 championship records in swimming events. Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh shone with four gold medals and one bronze. China's breaststroke specialist Qin Haiyang claimed two golds, one silver and one bronze, finishing as the only Asian swimmer in the gold medal standings. Then-12-year-old Yu Zidi earned bronze with China's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team, becoming the youngest swimming medalist at the worlds. This file photo taken on Aug. 1, 2025 shows Qin Haiyang of China competing during the men's 200m breaststroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo by Wu Zhizun/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

The World Aquatics Championships, held in Singapore from July 11 to August 3, produced three world records and 15 championship records in swimming events. Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh shone with four gold medals and one bronze. China's breaststroke specialist Qin Haiyang claimed two golds, one silver and one bronze, finishing as the only Asian swimmer in the gold medal standings. Then-12-year-old Yu Zidi earned bronze with China's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team, becoming the youngest swimming medalist at the worlds. This file photo taken on Aug. 3, 2025 shows Yu Zidi of China competing during the women's 400m individual medley final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo by Xue Yuge/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

The World Aquatics Championships, held in Singapore from July 11 to August 3, produced three world records and 15 championship records in swimming events. Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh shone with four gold medals and one bronze. China's breaststroke specialist Qin Haiyang claimed two golds, one silver and one bronze, finishing as the only Asian swimmer in the gold medal standings. Then-12-year-old Yu Zidi earned bronze with China's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team, becoming the youngest swimming medalist at the worlds. This file photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows Summer McIntosh (top) of Canada competing during the women's 200m butterfly final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo by Xia Yifang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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World Top 10 Athletes In 2025

7. Summer McIntosh (Canada, swimming) McIntosh broke world records in the women's 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley at Canada's national trials in June. At the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, McIntosh dominated by claiming golds in the women's 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly events. This file photo taken on July 31, 2025 shows Summer McIntosh of Canada waving to the spectators during the awarding ceremony for the women's 200m butterfly final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo by Xue Yuge/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Collboni Presents the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit to Pau Gasol - Barcelona

Family photo during the presentation of the Gold Medal for sporting merit to former basketball player Pau Gasol, on May 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Pau Gasol is considered the best basketball player in the history of Spain, with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA where he won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a six-time All-Star. With the Spanish national team, he won 11 international medals, including the 2006 world gold medal and three European golds, in addition to being MVP in several tournaments. He also shined at FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB Leagues and two Copa del Rey, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Collboni Presents the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit to Pau Gasol - Barcelona

Former basketball player Pau Gasol, receives the Gold Medal for sporting merit, on May 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Pau Gasol is considered the best basketball player in the history of Spain, with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA where he won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a six-time All-Star. With the Spanish national team, he won 11 international medals, including the 2006 world gold medal and three European golds, in addition to being MVP in several tournaments. He also shined at FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB Leagues and two Copa del Rey, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Collboni Presents the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit to Pau Gasol - Barcelona

The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni (left), during the presentation of the Gold Medal for sporting merit to former basketball player Pau Gasol, on May 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Pau Gasol is considered the best basketball player in the history of Spain, with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA where he won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a six-time All-Star. With the Spanish national team, he won 11 international medals, including the 2006 world gold medal and three European golds, in addition to being MVP in several tournaments. He also shined at FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB Leagues and two Copa del Rey, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Collboni Presents the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit to Pau Gasol - Barcelona

The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni (left), during the presentation of the Gold Medal for sporting merit to former basketball player Pau Gasol, on May 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Pau Gasol is considered the best basketball player in the history of Spain, with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA where he won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a six-time All-Star. With the Spanish national team, he won 11 international medals, including the 2006 world gold medal and three European golds, in addition to being MVP in several tournaments. He also shined at FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB Leagues and two Copa del Rey, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Collboni Presents the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit to Pau Gasol - Barcelona

Former basketball player Pau Gasol (right), receives the Gold Medal for sporting merit, on May 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Pau Gasol is considered the best basketball player in the history of Spain, with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA where he won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a six-time All-Star. With the Spanish national team, he won 11 international medals, including the 2006 world gold medal and three European golds, in addition to being MVP in several tournaments. He also shined at FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB Leagues and two Copa del Rey, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Collboni Presents the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit to Pau Gasol - Barcelona

Former basketball player Pau Gasol (right), receives the Gold Medal for sporting merit, on May 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Pau Gasol is considered the best basketball player in the history of Spain, with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA where he won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a six-time All-Star. With the Spanish national team, he won 11 international medals, including the 2006 world gold medal and three European golds, in addition to being MVP in several tournaments. He also shined at FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB Leagues and two Copa del Rey, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Photo by Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Japanese athletes return home from Paris

Yuka Kagami (front, L) and Kenichiro Fumita (front, R), who won wrestling golds at the Paris Olympics in the women's freestyle 76-kilogram and the men's Greco-Roman 60-kilogram, respectively, pose for photos at Haneda airport in Tokyo upon their return from France on Aug. 13, 2024.

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Curtains drawn on 13th African Games as Egypt dominates

STORY: Curtains drawn on 13th African Games as Egypt dominates SHOOTING TIME: March 23, 2024 DATELINE: March 25, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:41 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the closing ceremony of the 13th African Games 2. various of the 13th African Games 3. various of the handing over of the flag to Egypt STORYLINE: The 13th African Games concluded on Saturday in Ghana's capital Accra, with Egypt emerging top of the medal table. Egypt took 101 gold medals at the Games, while Nigeria and South Africa followed with 47 and 32 golds respectively. Host nation Ghana took 19 golds to place sixth in the medal table. Closing the Games, Ghana's president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo congratulated and commended all participating athletes for their dedication, valor, and personal sacrifice to win laurels for their respective countries. He said Africa would take a cue from the athletes' sportsmanship and camaraderie to harness the power of sports for positive change, promoting peace,

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Hungarian legendary gymnast Agnes Keleti turns 103

STORY: Hungarian legendary gymnast Agnes Keleti turns 103 SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 9, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 10, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Budapest CATEGORY: SPORTS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Hungarian): ADAM SCHMIDT, Hungarian Secretary of State for Sports 2. various of Agnes Keleti STORYLINE: Hungarian legendary gymnast Agnes Keleti celebrated her 103rd birthday in Budapest on Tuesday. This remarkable milestone not only marks her longevity but solidifies her status as the world's oldest living Olympic champion. Her athletic prowess led her to win five Olympic gold medals - a testament to her skill and dedication. She first captured gold in Helsinki in 1952 and followed with an astounding four golds in Melbourne in 1956. This incredible feat made her the most successful Hungarian female Olympian in history and firmly established her as a national treasure. However, Keleti's story extends beyond her Olympic glory. Surviving the horrors of World War II, she exemplified resilience and strength, attrib

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TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of international sports news in 2023: The 19th Asian Games was held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. With breakdancing and esports making their debuts as official medal sports, the Hangzhou Asian Games featured 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 481 events, with participation from over 10,000 athletes from all 45 Olympic Council of Asia members. China clinched 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals, finishing atop the medal tally and bettering its previous best record of 199 golds at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou. The 4th Asian Para Games took place in Hangzhou from October 22 to 28, with China winning 214 golds and 521 overall to top the medal tally for the fourth consecutive time. This file photo taken on Sept. 23, 2023 shows a view of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east Ch

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TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of international sports news in 2023: The 19th Asian Games was held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. With breakdancing and esports making their debuts as official medal sports, the Hangzhou Asian Games featured 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 481 events, with participation from over 10,000 athletes from all 45 Olympic Council of Asia members. China clinched 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals, finishing atop the medal tally and bettering its previous best record of 199 golds at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou. The 4th Asian Para Games took place in Hangzhou from October 22 to 28, with China winning 214 golds and 521 overall to top the medal tally for the fourth consecutive time. This file photo taken on Oct. 22, 2023 shows artists performing during the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xin

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TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of international sports news in 2023: The 19th Asian Games was held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. With breakdancing and esports making their debuts as official medal sports, the Hangzhou Asian Games featured 40 sports, 61 disciplines and 481 events, with participation from over 10,000 athletes from all 45 Olympic Council of Asia members. China clinched 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals, finishing atop the medal tally and bettering its previous best record of 199 golds at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou. The 4th Asian Para Games took place in Hangzhou from October 22 to 28, with China winning 214 golds and 521 overall to top the medal tally for the fourth consecutive time. This file photo taken on Sept. 23, 2023 shows flag bearers carring the Chinese national flag into the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium during the opening ceremony of

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TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of Chinese sports news in 2023: On September 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Hangzhou Asian Games open. Over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions competed in the Games which ran through October 8. China won 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals at the Hangzhou Asiad, breaking the 200-gold mark in the continental multi-sport event for the first time. It was also the 11th consecutive Asian Games at which China topped the medal table. At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games from October 22 to 28, China also sat atop the medal standings, with 214 golds and 521 overall. This file photo taken on Sept. 23, 2023 shows delegation of China parading into the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)

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TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of Chinese sports news in 2023: On September 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Hangzhou Asian Games open. Over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions competed in the Games which ran through October 8. China won 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals at the Hangzhou Asiad, breaking the 200-gold mark in the continental multi-sport event for the first time. It was also the 11th consecutive Asian Games at which China topped the medal table. At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games from October 22 to 28, China also sat atop the medal standings, with 214 golds and 521 overall. This file photo taken on Sept. 23, 2023 shows a view of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting)

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TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2023

(231228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the 10 most significant pieces of Chinese sports news in 2023: On September 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Hangzhou Asian Games open. Over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions competed in the Games which ran through October 8. China won 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze medals at the Hangzhou Asiad, breaking the 200-gold mark in the continental multi-sport event for the first time. It was also the 11th consecutive Asian Games at which China topped the medal table. At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games from October 22 to 28, China also sat atop the medal standings, with 214 golds and 521 overall. This file photo taken on Sept. 23, 2023 shows flag bearers carring the Chinese national flag into the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

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TOP 10 WORLD ATHLETES OF 2023

(231227) -- BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting year draws to a close, here is Xinhua News Agency's selection of the world's top 10 athletes in 2023: 3. Kaylee McKeown (Australia, swimming) The Australian backstroke specialist excelled among the women at the Fukuoka World Championships, winning golds in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events. The 22-year-old also set new world records in the 50m and 100m at the World Cup in Budapest, becoming the first female swimmer to simultaneously hold the world record in all distances in backstroke. She was named as the Best Female Swimmer of the Year 2023 by World Aquatics. This file photo taken on July 29, 2023 shows Kaylee McKeown of Australia celebrating after winning the women's 200m backstroke final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

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TOP 10 CHINESE ATHLETES/TEAMS OF 2023

(231226) -- BEIJING, Dec. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- As the sporting calendar draws to a close, Xinhua News Agency has selected the top 10 Chinese athletes/teams for 2023: 7. Zhang Yufei (female, swimming) In 2023, Zhang claimed 23 gold, four silver and two bronze medals at the World Aquatics Championships, FISU World University Games, Asian Games and World Cup series. At the Fukuoka World Championships, she won her first world title in the women's 100m butterfly. The 25-year-old was named women's MVP at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a haul of six golds. This file photo taken on July 30, 2023 shows Zhang Yufei of China posing with her medals after the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)

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China dominates 16th World Wushu Championships

STORY: China dominates 16th World Wushu Championships SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 20, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:52 LOCATION: FORT WORTH, U.S. CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of athletes 2. various of awarding ceremony 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YE XIANG, Champion in 95 kg Sanda 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TANG SISHUO, Champion in 52 kg Sanda 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): GEORGES EID, Athlete from Lebanon 6. various of Wushu performance STORYLINE: The 16th World Wushu Championships (WWC) came to an end Monday in Fort Worth, Texas, with China topping the gold medal tally with 15. Athletes from China garnered seven golds in Taolu and eight golds in Sanda in various weight categories. Vietnam and China's Macao finished joint second with five golds each, plus three silvers and three bronzes for Vietnam, and two silvers and four bronzes for Macao, China. China also topped the overall medal tally with 15, followed by Vietnam, China's Macao, Malaysia and Indonesia each on 11. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YE

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Asian Games: Cycling track

Japanese track cyclists pose for a photo after winning golds in the men's and women's team pursuit events at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

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Ballet competition in U.S.

Sayako Toku (R), 21, from Kobe in western Japan, and Ryo Sasaki, 24, from Osaka Prefecture, pose for a photo after winning senior division golds at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 23, 2023.

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Ballet competition in U.S.

Sayako Toku (R), 21, from Kobe in western Japan, and Ryo Sasaki, 24, from Osaka Prefecture, perform in a gala for the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 23, 2023. They both won senior division golds.

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Portugal, Czech Republic win golds as shotgun World Cup wraps up

STORY: Portugal, Czech Republic win golds as shotgun World Cup wraps up DATELINE: May 7, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:07 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of awarding ceremony of the 2023 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shotgun World Cup 2. various of athletes competing during the trap men's medal match 2. various of athletes competing during the trap women's medal match STORYLINE: Portuguese shooter Maria Ines Coelho De Barros claimed the title of women's trap shooting after an impressive victory on Thursday as the 2023 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shotgun World Cup concluded in Cairo. Coelho De Barros, who is turning 22 in a couple of months, managed to dominate the medal match and hit a total of 30 clay pigeons out of 34, finishing with a "golden hit" to affirm victory without even waiting for the 35th bird. Lin Yi-chun of Chinese Taipei came second and earned the silver medal while Wang Xiaojing from China came third to win bronze. Wang's bronze is the

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Jiang wins China's first golds at Asian Weightlifting Championships

STORY: Jiang wins China's first golds at Asian Weightlifting Championships DATELINE: May 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:01 LOCATION: JINJU, South Korea CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Asian Weightlifting Championships Jinju 2023 2. various of Jiang Huihua in the women's 49kg category 3. various of Hou Zhihui in the women's 49kg category 4. various of the contestants STORYLINE: Jiang Huihua won China's first gold medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championships here on Friday, defeating her teammate and Tokyo Olympic champion Hou Zhihui on the first day of competition. Jiang showed her best form in the women's 49kg category, starting with a lift of 94kg in the snatch to beat 93kg lifted by Hou. After lifting 113kg on her second clean and jerk to win gold, Jiang tried to set a new world record of 120kg on her final attempt, but to no avail. The clean and jerk silver went to Rira Suzuki of Japan who lifted 111kg, while Hou took bronze as she failed in her third attempt at 115kg. Jiang took

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Kenya wins double golds in Jerusalem Marathon

STORY: Kenya wins double golds in Jerusalem Marathon DATELINE: March 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:04:10 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of runners and spectators STORYLINE: Kenya's Noah Kiprotich won the men's title of the 12th annual Jerusalem Marathon on Friday in two hours, 18 minutes and 13 seconds. Chakib Lachgar of Spain came second at 2:25:45, while Israel's Melkam Jamber took the bronze at 2:28:30. Kenya also grabbed the gold in the women's race as Margaret Njuguna crossed the finish line first in a time of 2:52:44, ahead of Russia's Elena Tolstykh (2:55:31) and Israel's Noah Berkman (2:59:12). The two Kenyan gold medalists Kiprotich and Njuguna won a prize of 3,750 U.S. dollars each. About 18,000 runners from 72 countries and regions competed in the event, which also included half marathon, 10km and 5km runs, as well as a 1.7km families' run and 800m communities' run. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Jerusalem. (XHTV)

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TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

(221228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Feb. 4, 2022 shows the river of images during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China. Beijing successfully hosted the Olympic Winter Games from February 4 to 20 and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 4 to 13. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening and closing ceremonies and declared both events open. China notched nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals to rank third, with the number of gold and total medals marking record highs in its Olympic Winter Games history. Sitting atop the medal standings with 61 medals, of which 18 were golds, the host nation also set new records in its Paralympic Winter Games history. The legacy of Beijing 2022 went far beyond the arena. When Beijing won the Olympic bid in 2015, China aimed to engage 300 million people in winter sports. And by October 2021, over 346 million Chinese people had participated in winter

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TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

(221227) -- BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Feb. 4, 2022 shows the Olympic delegation of the People's Republic of China parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China. Beijing successfully hosted the Olympic Winter Games from February 4 to 20 and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 4 to 13. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening and closing ceremonies and declared both events open. China notched nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals to rank third, with the number of gold and total medals marking record highs in its Olympic Winter Games history. Sitting atop the medal standings with 61 medals, of which 18 were golds, the host nation also set new records in its Paralympic Winter Games history. The legacy of Beijing 2022 went far beyond the arena. When Beijing won the Olympic bid in 2015, China aimed to engage 300 million people in winter sports. And by October 2021, over 346 mill

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Hagino named Asian Games MVP

INCHEON, South Korea - Japanese swimmer Kosuke Hagino holds a trophy as he was named the most valuable athlete of the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, on Oct. 4, 2014. The 20-year-old Hagino won medals in all seven races he entered, capturing four golds, one silver and two bronze.

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Japan cuts Olympic gold medal target as hopefuls fail

LONDON, Britain - Japanese Chef de Mission Haruki Uemura speaks at a press conference in London on Aug. 4, 2012. The head of the Japanese delegation effectively lowered the country's gold medal target for the London Olympics to more than nine -- the number won at the previous Summer Games in Beijing -- as the country's athletes had managed to win only two golds as of Aug. 3, around halfway through the competition. Before these Games, he had set a target of fifth place in the medal standings, which translates to around 15 to 18 gold medals.

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Yoshida, Nishimaki win golds at world c'ships

HERNING, Denmark - Mio Nishimaki (L) and Saori Yoshida, both from Japan, show off the gold medals they won in the women's 63-kilogram and 55-kilogram freestyle categories at the world wrestling championships in Herning, Denmark, on Sept. 24, 2009.

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Japanese female pitcher 'debuts' in Major League Baseball

SEATTLE, United States - Ayumi Kataoka, a pitcher of Japanese independent baseball league club Ibaraki Golden Golds, throws the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field in Seattle on July 6.

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Japanese female pitcher 'debuts' in Major League Baseball

SEATTLE, United States - Ayumi Kataoka (R), a pitcher of Japanese independent baseball league club Ibaraki Golden Golds, is photographed with Seattle Mariners star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field in Seattle on July 6. Kataoka threw the ceremonial first pitch before the game.

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Matt, McIvor win ski cross golds at freestyle worlds

INAWASHIRO, Japan - Austria's Andreas Matt (L) leaps ahead of his rivals during the men's ski cross final on the first day of the freestyle world championships in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture on March 2. Matt won gold in the race, his first world title.

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Matt, McIvor win ski cross golds at freestyle worlds

INAWASHIRO, Japan - Canada's Ashleigh McIvor strides to victory in the women's ski cross final on the first day of the freestyle world championships in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture on March 2.

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Matt, McIvor win ski cross golds at freestyle worlds

INAWASHIRO, Japan - Austria's Andreas Matt pumps his fist in the air after finishing first in the men's ski cross final on the first day of the freestyle world championships in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture on March 2.

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Kuitunen grabs title in women's 30-km classical at Nordic world

SAPPORO, Japan - World Cup leader Virpi Kuitunen of Finland kisses her ski after winning the women's 30-kilometer cross country classical at the Nordic ski world championships on March 3. It was Kuitunen's fourth world championship medal in Sapporo, adding to her golds in the team sprint and 4x5-km relay as well as a bronze in the individual sprint.

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Japan wins 3 golds in karate

DOHA, Qatar - Japan's Tomoko Araga holds up her gold medal after winning the women's kumite under-53kg final of the karate event at the Asian Games in Doha on Dec. 12.

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Japan wins 2 kata golds in karate

DOHA, Qatar - Nao Morooka of Japan competes in the women's individual final of the karate event of the Asian Games in Doha on Dec. 12.

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Japan wins 3 golds in karate

DOHA, Qatar - Japan's Tomoko Araga (L) hits Ma Marna Pabillore of the Philippines during the women's kumite under-53kg final of the karate event at the Asian Games in Doha on Dec. 12. Araga won the gold.

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Japan wins 2 kata golds in karate

DOHA, Qatar - Japan's Tetsuya Furukawa competes in the men's individual final of the karate event of the Asian Games in Doha on Dec. 12.

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Japan wins 2 kata golds in karate

DOHA, Qatar - Japan's Tetsuya Furukawa (R) and Nao Morooka hold up their gold medals after winning the kata events of the Asian Games karate competition in Doha on Dec. 12. Furukawa beat Malaysia's Ku Jin Keat 5-0 in the men's final while Morooka prevailed over Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Ngan with the same score in the women's gold medal match.

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Japanese women win 3 wrestling golds

DOHA, Qatar - Kaori Icho, the Athens Olympics champion, overpowers India's Geetika Jakhar (L) to defend her title at 63 kilograms, the first of three wrestling golds Japan's women won at the Asian Games on Dec. 11.

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Japanese women win 3 wrestling golds

DOHA, Qatar - Saori Yoshida (red jersey) overpowers Olga Smirnova of Kazakhstan in the 55 kilograms to successfully defend her title, one of three wrestling golds Japan's women won at the Asian Games on Dec. 11. The victory extended Yoshida's her winning streak to 100 consecutive matches.

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Japanese women win 3 wrestling golds

DOHA, Qatar - Chiharu Icho dismantles South Korea's Kim Hyung Joo (R) to claim the first gold at 48 kilograms, the first of three wrestling golds Japan's women won at the Asian Games on Dec. 11.

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'Kinchan' retracts decision to disband amateur baseball club

NIIGATA, Japan - Comedian Kinichi Hagimoto (C) said in Niigata Prefecture on July 22 he has had second thoughts about disbanding his amateur baseball team, the Ibaraki Golden Golds, in the face of petitions from thousands of his fans hoping for the team to go on.

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Thorpe settles for 5 golds

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Australian Ian Thorpe (C) falls short in his bid to capture six gold medals as the United States battered Australia to win the gold medal in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay by setting a new world record in the Pan Pacific swimming championships being held in Yokohama on Aug. 29.

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Shimizu golden again at speed skating World Cup meet

CALGARY, Canada - Hiroyasu Shimizu (C) reigns supreme on the rink again March 4 as the Nagano Olympic gold medalist snared back-to-back golds in the 500 meters on the final day of a speed skating World Cup meet in Calgary, Canada. Jeremy Wotherspoon of Canada (L) won the silver medal while Japan's Toyoki Takeda (R) took bronze.