BASKETBALL:
The Opals wrapped up their two game series against China on Friday night, finishing with two big 28 point victories over the 2022 World Cup silver medallists. After the series, the 12 player squad for the Paris Olympics was named. It includes nine players from the bronze medal 2022 World Cup team, with Alanna Smith returning for a second Olympics, while young guns Jade Melbourne and Izzy Borlase will head to Paris alongside five time Olympian Lauren Jackson.
The 3X3 Gangurrus finished their 12 game series with China undefeated, and the core four of Anneli Maley, Lauren Mansfield, Marena Whittle and Lauren Mansfield were officially named for Paris.
Locally, Opal Shyla Heal had an incredible weekend playing for Sydney Comets in NBL1, recording back-to-back games of 51 points and 52 points together with double figure rebounds in both games.
In the WNBA, the two standout rookies of the season so far both made history over the weekend. Caitlin Clark became the youngest player in the league’s history to achieve a triple double (19pt/13ast/12reb), while Angel Reese’s 17pt/14reb for Chicago on Monday morning gave her the record for the most consecutive double double (double figures in two categories) performances, with her 13th straight game. Elsewhere, US team star A’ja Wilson became the all time leading scorer for the Las Vegas Aces.
ATHLETICS:
It was a huge night at the Diamond League in Paris, with two world records broken, and Australians won silver in both of those historic events.
Jess Hull smashed five seconds off her own previous best in the 1500m, to set a new Australian record of 3:50.83 behind Faith Kipyegon’s incredible new world record. Fellow Aussie Linden Hall ran a personal best in the same race.
In the high jump, Ukrainian Yaroslava Majuchikh broke the 37 year old world record to clear 2.10m, with Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers taking silver with a jump of 2.01m. Eleanor Patterson equalled her season best of 1.95m to place 5th.
NETBALL:
It was an exciting second last round of Super Netball in First Nations Round, featuring two epic one goal finishes which may have an impact on finals spots.
The Mavericks came to Sydney and defeated the Giants by one goal in the final minute to keep their finals hopes alive, while the West Coast Fever knocked the Melbourne Vixens off top spot with a tight win at John Cain Arena.
A strong win by the Lightning in the Queensland derby saw them hold onto fourth spot, while the defending champions Adelaide moved to the top of the table by defeating the Swifts.
The battle for fourth will come down to next weekend, and both hopefuls have a tough away game - Lightning must travel to Adelaide, while the Mavericks take on West Coast in front of the green army.
RUGBY UNION:
The Wallaroos recorded their first win of 2024 in emphatic style, with a 64-5 thrashing of Fijiana in Sydney. After conceding the first try of the game, the Australian team responded in dominant fashion, with winger Desi Miller crossing for four of the Wallaroos’ 10 tries, becoming the first Australian to score four tries in a test match in 18 years.
SOFTBALL:
The Aussie Spirit warmed up for next week’s World Cup Finals with a quarter finals appearance at the Canada Cup. Some strong performances, including wins over Greece, Chinese Taipei and Phillippines, saw them progress to the knockout stage before being defeated by Mexico 5-2. Third base Shaylan Whatman was named in the Team of the Tournament.
The team will now finish preparations for next week’s World Cup Finals in Italy.
ARTISTIC SWIMMING:
The Paris-bound Australian team had some excellent results at the World Cup Super Final in Budapest over the weekend.
There were a couple of best ever performances from both the Team Free and Technical Team as they finished fourth, with the Acro Team also just missing the podium.
TENNIS:
With losses over the weekend to the top two seeds Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, just two of the top ten seeds remain heading into the quarter finals. New Zealand’s Lulu Sun had the biggest win of her career to make it through to the final eight, defeating local British hope Emma Radacanu in the round of 16.
INDOOR CRICKET:
It was a good weekend for Queensland, with the Senior women claiming another national title with victory over hosts Victoria in the final, having only lost one game during the regular fixture. Dulane Yohey had bowling figures of 3/8 for the winners. Queensland also won the Under 22 title.
AUSSIE RULES:
In two closely fought State league Grand Finals, South Adelaide prevailed over Norwood by five points in the SANFL women’s decider, while in Western Australia, the epic recent rivalry between Claremont and East Fremantle continued, with Claremont claiming a three point win in the third straight grand final between the two teams.
HIGH DIVING:
Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland won the Marmeeting High Diving Championship in Port Flavia, Italy.
TRIATHLON:
At the World Triathlon Cup in Hungary, Kira Hedgeland placed 15th, one place ahead of fellow Aussie Emma Jeffcoat in the final.