Marco Bianchi 
World champion marathon runner Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after a pre‑Sydney Marathon drug test returned a positive result for the performance‑enhancing substance EPO. The Kenyan athlete, who won the 2026 Sydney Marathon in 2:18:31, faces a potential ban pending further investigation.
Samoa’s women’s team produced a record‑breaking performance at the Rugby League World Cup, overwhelming Wales with 14 tries and a 76‑0 victory in Sydney. Debutant Tyra Ekepati scored a hat‑trick while several players added multiple tries, securing Samoa’s dominant position in the pool.
Ethiopian marathon champion Ruti Aga received a six‑year suspension after testing positive for the steroid methylprednisolone and then attempting to explain the result with a fabricated prescription from a family member. The Athletics Integrity Unit said the prescription came from a non‑existent clinic and the family member had no medical registration, leading to an additional four‑year ban for tampering with evidence.
Swansea City have suffered a blow as in‑form winger Ronald will miss six to eight weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against West Ham United. Coach Vitor Matos said the club will use the squad to cover his absence and hopes Ronald returns stronger, while the injury opens a chance for on‑loan teenager Jeremy Monga to feature.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former coach of Carlos Alcaraz, told Spanish outlet AS that if he were to coach Jannik Sinner, Spanish fans might feel upset, viewing it as a slight to Alcaraz. He emphasized his desire to grow as a coach while respecting his former pupil, and noted that other coaching options for Sinner remain uncertain.
Professional rugby returns to St Helen’s as Ospreys and Dragons meet in a derby, each side loading up with Wales internationals ahead of the Nations Championship. The sold‑out fixture will be the first home game of the season for Ospreys at their newly refurbished ground.
Neve Jones will earn her 50th cap for Ireland as the team prepares for a WXV Global Series test against South Africa in Cape Town. The lineup sees the return of full‑back Stacey Flood and lock Dorothy Wall, with Erin King captaining the side.
Henri Schoeman, the 2016 World Series Grand Final champion, opened up about the viral victory that saw him beat Jonny Brownlee in Cozumel, Mexico, and the subsequent decade of online abuse he and his family have faced. He emphasized that despite the win being a career highlight, the negative backlash has long shadowed his achievements.
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk withdrew from the Ningbo Open after a wrist injury resurfaced, ending her hopes of qualifying for the 2026 WTA Finals. The injury also forced her earlier withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, and the spot went to Karolina Muchova. Kostyuk remains optimistic about returning for the next season.
Wales defender Dylan Lawlor has been ruled out of the national team’s final two Nations League fixtures after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Cardiff City. Coach Brian Barry-Murphy said the setback is disappointing but will allow Lawlor to complete his rehabilitation without rush.