Del Toro returns to the podium after a masterful sprint
He finishes second in the rugged stage 19
Del Toro returns to the podium after a masterful sprint
The tricolor cyclist had a moment of great emotion when he overtook the Ecuadorian Carapaz and entered behind the Frenchman Prodhomme.
▲ Del Toro retained the pink jersey as leader, while Carapaz (center) continues to hunt the Mexican in the title fight. Photo AFP
From the Editorial Staff and AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 31, 2025, p. 9
Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro produced one of the most thrilling moments of the 2025 Giro d'Italia yesterday in the competition's queen stage, after making a masterful overtake in the final sprint to snatch second place on the podium from Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz, whose first place was occupied by Frenchman Nicolas Prodhomme, thereby also managing to retain the overall leader's pink jersey for the tenth consecutive day.
In the final stretch of the grueling 19th stage, one of the most challenging, featuring a grueling mountainous route with vicious climbs and a high finish in Champoluc, the Ensenada, Baja California native held onto third place. However, in the final 400 meters, he pushed himself to the limit to make history again: he drew on his astonishing leg power and accelerated at full speed to launch a ferocious attack and overtake the South American, who remained in third place and who had previously feinted twice, both of which the Mexican was able to resist with the steadfast composure that has characterized him in this competition.
The spectacular feat allowed the 21-year-old Mexican rider to extend his lead in the overall standings to 43 seconds over Carapaz, thanks to the bonuses he earned. Meanwhile, Briton Simon Yates, third overall and seventh in the stage, pulled away from both of them, finishing one minute and 21 seconds behind the Mexican.
"It's incredible, I can't believe it. Everyone in my country is starting to see this sport and realize how tough it is. I still can't believe what I'm representing for Mexico
," Del Toro declared at the end of the competition.
He also thanked his UAE Team Emirates teammates for their support. "As a team, we always try to be there. The guys are incredible. We, without two riders, are still very strong, and they always try to give me all the confidence they can; it's incredible. It's the least I can do for them. I realize I'm this kid, and I can't believe it. It's such a great feeling
," he commented.
Regarding Friday's surprising feat, he said: "I just tried to react. On the last climb, he (Carapaz) tried to go harder and with full speed, because it wasn't that steep, but I had the legs to keep up with him. Today (yesterday), we played more to secure the bonus and not crash. I can't take more risks, but today was incredible, to be honest
."
With two stages remaining in the Italian tour, Del Toro stated that he doesn't feel like a favorite to be crowned champion and become the first Mexican to win the Giro. "No, no, no. The same as I said before. I think I have the same chance of winning as the competition before. I just want to be a normal guy
," asserted the cyclist, who, during one section of the route, was encouraged by a Mexican man waving a tricolor flag who proudly shouted at him: "They can't beat you, mi'jo!"
Upon seeing the video of the emotional moment, the Baja California native responded: I stuck out my tongue, but it made me very proud and happy to see the flag. Greetings!
On the grueling alpine route, Prodhomme, of the Decathlon-AG2R team, was part of the early breakaway and pulled away solo with 28 kilometers remaining.
The Frenchman remained in the lead to the finish line to claim his second victory of the season, following a stage win last month in the Tour of the Alps.
I wanted to win this stage. I've been waiting a long time for a win, and now I've achieved two in one month, so I'm very happy
, he said.
This Saturday's stage, number 20, will be the decisive one in the fight for the Giro title. Once again, the hilly stage includes the fearsome Colle delle Finestre in its final section.
Del Toro, who wore the pink jersey in the ninth stage in Siena, will face a fierce duel with Carapaz there, before a final stage on Sunday that will determine the champion upon arrival in Rome.
However, the Mexican shouldn't be complacent about his advantage, as Finestre already claimed a famous victim in 2018, when Yates lost more than 38 minutes while wearing the leader's jersey , in a memorable stage in which Chris Froome completely changed the course of that Giro.
That was an incredible day back then. We'll see how I do this Saturday. It could be something magical
, said an excited Del Toro.
Divers Olvera, Celaya, and Estudillo secure tickets to Singapore
From the Editorial Staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 31, 2025, p. 9
Olympic divers Osmar Olvera and Juan Celaya secured their spot yesterday at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore by finishing first and second, respectively, in the three-meter springboard final of the national competitive tournament.
On the second day of the competition, which took place at the National Center for the Development of Sports Talents and High Performance, the silver medalists at the 2024 Paris Games secured their spots at the World Championships by recording scores of 505.15 (Olvera) and 466.65 (Celaya).
In the women's event, Olympian Alejandra Estudillo and Abigail González also qualified for the Singapore competition by taking first and second place, respectively, in the 10-meter platform final.
The Paris 2024 competitor took the top spot on the podium with 335.60 points, while González, just 15 years old, achieved 299.55.
This is Estudillo's second ticket to the world championships, having won the women's synchronized 10-meter platform final with Gabriela Agúndez on the first day of the competition last Thursday.
We can improve
We're very happy because we've crossed that goal off our list; we've already qualified for the most important competition of the year. I honestly think we can improve. We still have a month and a half to prepare for the World Cup, and I know Ale and I are going to perform very well for that competition
, Agúndez said.
For Olvera, it was also her second trip to the World Championships, after winning the 1-meter springboard final on the opening day. In the same event, but in the women's category, junior Mía Cueva took first place to secure her ticket to the international tournament.
Kevin Berlin and Randal Willars will also represent Mexico in Singapore after finishing first in the men's synchronized 10-meter platform final.
Today marks the third day of the national competition for the World Championships, where the tricolor delegation will seek to surpass the four medals won at Qatar 2024.
▲ The Guadalajara-born boxer, who is participating in a golf tournament bearing his name, will return to the ring on September 13 in Las Vegas. Photo @torneonogolfnolife
Alberto Aceves
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 31, 2025, p. a10
Saúl Canelo Álvarez walks around the golf course with a smile plastered on his face. He takes in every detail of the opening round, the technical details, the difficulty of each shot. He also observes some holes as if they were paintings in the Louvre. A member of his team hands him caps and gloves with the words "No Golf No Life" written on them. It's the purest game, the routine of every photo shoot that awaits him throughout the day. The undisputed champion in the super middleweight division says that one of the most valuable lessons this sport has taught him is learning that wins and losses aren't forever, just like money.
At the private Bosque Real club, where the grassy areas separate two municipalities—Huixquilucan and Naucalpan—the Guadalajara fighter is celebrating the fourth edition of the tournament that bears his initials. He believes the last fight in Saudi Arabia against Cuban William Scull, which resulted in a unanimous decision victory, simply no longer exists. To have a good dance, you need two partners. It's the same in boxing. If an opponent doesn't feel the need to win and only goes out to survive, it's very difficult. "I don't need to keep fighting for money, because it's never enough
," he says of the event in Riyadh, a fiasco for almost everyone in attendance.
Boxing brings out all its wild nature. Canelo and his team are aware of the ruling issued Thursday by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) regarding a type of prohibited substance—exogenous metabolites of testosterone—in former super welterweight world champion Jaime Munguía, who defeated Bruno Surace on the same card on May 3. Munguía has 10 days to request analysis of the B sample. If VADA upholds the positive doping test, the fighter trained by Eddy Reynoso will lose the fight. "Only Jaime knows what happened
," he says, considering the possibility that he faces a suspension of between six months and a year.
“People are attacking Eddy, but he doesn't feed him. I told him a while ago that when he took on a fighter, he had to give him everything—food, supplements—so these things wouldn't happen to him. Now they're blaming Team Canelo , of course, they're not stupid, but we believe in Munguía. He'll surely clear this up soon,” he adds. Álvarez's voice is resonant. He's spent part of his time in this field alongside sports figures such as former professional golfer Lorena Ochoa, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaimán, and former World Cup goalkeeper Jorge Campos.
"Dressed like that, you don't even look like someone
from Guadalajara," jokes the Guadalajara champion when he looks at the attire worn by Campos, famous in the '90s for his brightly colored uniforms and now a fashionable golfer. Before he sets his sights on the game, what follows is the announcement of his highly anticipated fight against Terence Crawford in Las Vegas, on September 13. "I told you I don't fight on Fridays. It will be on a date that is one of the most important for all Mexicans (Independence Day). I hope it's a different story. If there aren't challenges ahead in a sport, it means it's not worth it
."
From a physical standpoint, age isn't an issue for Canelo . He's 34 years old and has been the top dog in the super middleweight division since 2021. My body is fine, I can keep fighting for several more years, but you have to be aware of things
, he admits about his plans to end his career in 2028. "37 is the age I plan to retire, not boxing retiring me. I've achieved everything in this sport; there's nothing higher than that. I said 37, and that's how it will be
."
For that final stage, the Mexican intends to work with Turki Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia's minister and president of the General Authority of Entertainment by Royal Decree. "He can give me the opportunity to fulfill my dream and fight for the first time in Japan
," concludes the holder of the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight belts, imagining what his life would be like after the ring. "This golf thing started with the idea of observing what would happen. Let's see how far we can go; there are no limits
."
World Boxing announces gender testing app
AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 31, 2025, p. a10
Paris. World Boxing, the new IOC-recognized International Boxing Federation that will organize the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games tournament, announced that it is making gender testing mandatory for participation in its competitions.
The organization said in a statement that it made this decision due to concerns about the safety and well-being of all boxers, including Imane Khelif
, the Algerian Olympic champion in Paris 2024 and embroiled in a high-profile case.
In the future, all boxers over the age of 18 who wish to participate in a competition organized by or endorsed by World Boxing will be required to undergo a PCR genetic test to determine their birth sex and eligibility to compete, the body added.
World Boxing also indicated that it informed the Algerian Boxing Federation of this measure and that Khelif will have to undergo a gender survey if she wants to participate in the Box Cup in Eindhoven, Netherlands, scheduled for June 5-10.
The African boxer was accused of being a man fighting against women
.
National federations will be responsible for gender screening and must confirm the sex of their athletes when they are registered for competitions, providing a certificate of their chromosomal sex.
The PCR test used is a laboratory technique that allows for the detection of genetic characteristics, including the presence of the Y chromosome, the indicator of biological sex. The test can be performed using a nasal or oral sample, or using saliva or blood.
Khelif's case was not the only one that caused a stir in Paris, where Taiwanese Olympic champion Lin Yu-ting also experienced a similar episode.
McLaren reigns supreme in free practice for the Spanish GP
AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 31, 2025, p. a10
Montmeló. Formula 1 World Championship leader, Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren), led the second free practice session yesterday at the Montmeló circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of Britain's George Russell (Mercedes) and Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull). Piastri posted the best time, but just shy of Russell, after finishing fifth in the first session, in which his title rival and teammate, Englishman Lando Norris, was fastest. Reigning four-time world champion Verstappen was third in the second session, three-tenths behind and firmly ahead of Norris, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes). On the other hand, Mexicans Santiago Ramos (Van Amersfoort Racing), Noel León (Prema Powerteam), Jesse Carrasquedo Jr (Hitech Pulse-Eight) and José Garfias (AIX Racing) completed yesterday's qualifying test for the Spanish Grand Prix in Formula 3. In a weekend that will be memorable for national motorsport, due to the participation of such a large number of drivers, Ramos finished in eighth place, while León (14), Carrasquedo (26) and Garfias (25) were left behind on the circuit. F3 is the prelude to Formula 1 and promotes the best profiles of each team every year.
Sabalenka, Swiatek and Zheng shine at Roland Garros
AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 31, 2025, p. a10
Paris. World number one Aryna Sabalenka, four-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek, and Paris Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen cruised to the round of 16 of the French Open yesterday. Sabalenka defeated Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3, keeping her hopes of winning her first French Open alive. Her next opponent will be American Amanda Anisimova. Fifth-seeded Swiatek defeated Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 7-5 and must defeat Yelena Ribakina to secure a place in the next round and defend her title. Meanwhile, Zheng, the Paris 2024 gold medalist, continued her good form by defeating Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, Mexican Renata Zarazúa and her partner Alexandra Eala fell 6-1, 6-3 to Olga Danilovic and Anastasiya Potápova in the women's doubles. In the men's draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the round of 16 after defeating Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-4, 4-6 (7), 6-4.
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