Sports
7th Presidential Int’l Yacht Races wrap up with Bosporus spectacle
The seventh Presidential International Yacht Races concluded in Istanbul with a spectacular finale on the Bosporus Sunday, as more than 650 sailors competed in the Republic Cup during Türkiye’s 103rd Republic Day celebrations before the season’s top-performing teams were honored at a ceremony at Fişekhane.
The four-day Republic Cup, held from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, brought the season to a close with a demanding contest on the Bosporus.
Starting in front of Dolmabahçe Palace, the race offered striking views of Istanbul as competitors battled rainy weather, strong currents and challenging sailing conditions.
Sailors from Türkiye and abroad had competed throughout the season in several major events, including the Çanakkale and Coast Guard stages, the May 19 Liberation Cup, the Aug. 30 Victory Cup and the Republic Cup.
After points from the various stages were combined, the leading teams received their awards at the closing ceremony, with ENKA emerging as the overall champion.
The championship was organized by the Istanbul Offshore Yacht Racing Club under the auspices of the Turkish presidency, with support from the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry, in cooperation with the Istanbul Governorship and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.
Season-ending ceremony
The awards ceremony at Fişekhane brought together senior government and military officials, representatives of the business and sports communities, and prominent figures from Türkiye’s maritime and sailing sectors.
Among those attending were Istanbul Deputy Gov. Mustafa Asım Alkan, Northern Naval Area Commander Vice Adm. Ramazan Özoğul, Naval Academy Commander Rear Adm. Erhan Gezginci, Çanakkale Wars Gallipoli Historical Site President Ismail Kaşdemir and Turkish Sailing Federation President Özlem Akdurak.
Opening the ceremony, Ekrem Yemlihaoğlu, chairman of the Presidential International Yacht Races Organizing Committee, said the competition had completed its seventh year while maintaining the enthusiasm that had defined the event since its launch.
He said the races had provided a platform for sporting competition, friendship and memorable experiences at sea, while thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, government ministries and local authorities for their support.
Yemlihaoğlu also announced plans for the 2027 season, which will feature several established competitions and a new event.
The calendar will open with the National Sovereignty Cup on April 23, followed by the Atatürk and Youth and Sports Cup on May 19. The inaugural Conquest Cup is scheduled for May 29, while the Anafartalar Cup will also feature in the program.
The Neon Sailing Cup is planned for Aug. 28, alongside the Victory Cup later that month. The Oct. 29 competition will continue under the Republic Cup title. Organizers are also considering introducing a Cyprus Cup for the following season, depending on preparations.
Progress in Turkish sailing
Turkish Sailing Federation President Özlem Akdurak said the championship had strengthened its position through growing participation, an increase in the number of yachts and greater international involvement.
She praised Turkish sailors for their performances at European and world competitions, highlighting the achievements of younger athletes as evidence of the sport’s growing potential.
Akdurak particularly pointed to an achievement in which three Turkish female sailors shared the European podium, taking first, second and third place.
She said their success offered encouragement for the future of Turkish sailing and reflected the progress being made by athletes competing internationally.
Kaşdemir emphasized the historical connection between the championship and Çanakkale, describing the city as a defining location in Türkiye’s independence struggle.
He said the event brought sporting competition together with the country’s historical heritage, adding that preserving the spirit of Çanakkale and passing it on to future generations remained a shared responsibility.
ENKA claims overall gold
ENKA secured the season’s overall title after competing across all stages aboard Cheese IV under skipper Levent Peynirci.
Unilever Sailing Team, led by Engin Özgen, finished second in the overall ORC 0 standings, while TSK Spor Gücü-DHO Ariva, skippered by Murat Yavuzcan, took third.
The championship also recognized leading teams across the ORC 1, ORC 2, ORC 3 and ORC 4 divisions, as well as Sports Boats, Cruiser Class and International categories.
In the Republic Cup, ENKA repeated its success in ORC 0, with Unilever Sailing Team finishing second and Kafkas Kestane Şekeri Hero Sailing taking third.
The final competition also featured a broad range of classifications, including women’s sailing teams, university crews and support categories, reflecting the championship’s reach across different levels of the sport.
The winning teams and top-performing sailors received their awards during the ceremony. Members of overall champions ENKA were also presented with watches by Jacques Philippe.
Galatasaray will look to extend their four-game winning streak across all competitions and strengthen their Champions League position when they host unbeaten Stuttgart Tuesday, with Victor Osimhen’s scoring form driving their recovery from a difficult European start.
The first UEFA meeting between the clubs brings together teams whose European campaigns have followed different paths. Galatasaray are rebuilding after two heavy defeats, while Stuttgart arrive with two victories and a draw from their opening three matches.
Okan Buruk’s players lost 3-1 to Sporting and 4-1 to Barcelona before reviving their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Lille. That result lifted the Turkish champions to 23rd in the standings with three points, while Stuttgart sit sixth with seven.
With the league phase approaching its halfway point, another victory would give Galatasaray a stronger footing in the race for the knockout rounds.
The Top 8 teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth through 24th enter the knockout playoffs. Teams placed 25th through 36th are eliminated, leaving Galatasaray with little room to relax despite their improvement against Lille.
Four straight wins
Galatasaray have responded to their Barcelona defeat with four consecutive wins across all competitions, combining improved results with a productive attack.
They beat Gençlerbirliği 1-0 before overcoming Lille 4-2, defeating Istanbul rivals Fenerbahçe 2-1 and dispatching Konyaspor 4-0.
Those results have produced 11 goals while Galatasaray have conceded three, giving Buruk’s players momentum before another demanding European assignment.
The victory over Lille was particularly important after Galatasaray conceded seven goals in their opening two Champions League matches. They now face opponents who have allowed only two in the competition.
Stuttgart share the lowest goals-conceded total after three matches with Arsenal and PSV, presenting a test of whether Galatasaray can sustain their recent attacking output against one of the league phase’s most effective defenses.
Osimhen leads attack
Osimhen has been central to Galatasaray’s success, scoring 10 goals in 10 competitive appearances this season.
The Nigeria striker has played eight Süper Lig matches and two Champions League games, recording nine goals domestically and one in Europe.
His return amounts to a goal per appearance, making him a key threat as Galatasaray seek a second consecutive European victory.
Aleksey Batrakov, meanwhile, has also become increasingly influential for the Lions.
The 21-year-old Russian has scored three goals in his last five competitive appearances, earning supporters’ approval for his passing accuracy and ability to direct the attack as well as his finishing.
His recent contributions have given Galatasaray another scoring option alongside Osimhen, whose movement and finishing will be tested by Stuttgart’s European defensive record.
Buruk also has experienced players familiar with German opposition in İlkay Gündoğan and Leroy Sane.
Gündoğan faced Stuttgart seven times while playing for Nuremberg and Borussia Dortmund, appearing in six Bundesliga matches and one German Cup game. His teams recorded five wins and two draws, with the 36-year-old scoring once.
Sane, 30, played against Stuttgart 14 times in the Bundesliga during his spells with Schalke and Bayern Munich. His teams won 10 of those matches, drew two and lost two, while he scored once.
No injury concerns for hosts
Galatasaray have no injured or suspended players heading into Tuesday’s match, giving Buruk access to his full eligible squad.
Five players remain unavailable because they were not included in the squad submitted to UEFA: Kaan Ayhan, Kazımcan Karataş, Arda Ünyay, Eyüp Aydın and Can Armando Güner.
Stuttgart, by contrast, have several significant injury absences.
German midfielder Angelo Stiller, Slovak winger Leo Sauer and German defender Josha Vagnoman will miss the match, restricting coach Sebastian Hoeness’ options as his players attempt to maintain their unbeaten European start.
Stiller’s absence removes an important midfield option, while Vagnoman’s injury reduces Stuttgart’s defensive choices against an attack that has scored four goals in two of its last three matches.
Contrasting campaigns
Stuttgart have been more consistent in Europe than in the Bundesliga.
They opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Norway’s Viking before beating Slovakia’s Slovan Bratislava 3-0. A 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid followed, leaving them unbeaten through three rounds.
Their domestic record has been less convincing.
Stuttgart finished the Bundesliga’s eighth round in 11th place with nine points, having recorded three wins and five losses. They scored 14 goals and conceded 15 during those eight matches.
Their latest result, however, was an encouraging 4-2 victory at Bayer Leverkusen, providing an attacking boost before the trip to Istanbul.
Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Ermedin Demirovic poses a particular threat to Galatasaray.
He has scored four goals in the opening three Champions League matches, sharing the competition lead with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, Sporting’s Luis Suarez and Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi.
His scoring record gives Stuttgart a threat to match their defensive efficiency, while Galatasaray must show they can contain a productive European attack after conceding nine goals in three league-phase matches.
For the hosts, Tuesday offers an opportunity to turn their recent revival into a more secure position in the standings. For Stuttgart, victory would preserve their unbeaten record and strengthen their pursuit of direct qualification for the round of 16.
The match, to be officiated by English referee Chris Kavanagh, will kickoff at 8:45 p.m. Istanbul local time.
Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba broke a seven-year course record to win the 48th Istanbul Marathon Sunday, while Ethiopia’s Kasanesh Ayenew Baze led a sweep of the women’s podium in a race linking Asia and Europe.
Kipchumba completed the 42.195-kilometer (26.2-mile) course in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 44 seconds, taking exactly a minute off the previous record set by fellow Kenyan Daniel Kibet in 2019.
Ethiopia’s Sufaro Woliyi Kebeto finished second, followed by Kenya’s Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh in third.
Kipchumba said a late push helped him secure victory on his second racing visit to Istanbul.
“First, I want to thank Istanbul and the organizers. I was the fastest, and I am thankful for that. I pushed myself in the final section and finished first,” he said.
“This is my second time in Istanbul. My first race was in 2020, I think; it was a half-marathon. I must have finished in 62 or 64 minutes then. Now I have finished first,” he added.
Organized by Spor Istanbul, a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the marathon started 250 meters (820 feet) behind the July 15 Martyrs Bridge on the city’s Asian side. Runners crossed the Bosporus into Europe before finishing at Sultanahmet Square.
Known as the world’s only intercontinental marathon, the event traces its origins to the inaugural Asia-Europe Run on April 1, 1979. It later became the Intercontinental Eurasia Marathon before adopting the Istanbul Marathon name in 2013.
Ethiopian women take Top 3
Baze won the women’s race in 2:24.40, finishing seven seconds ahead of compatriot Azmera Abreha Gdey. Diribe Hirko Alemu completed the Ethiopian sweep in 2:25.00.
The first three women finished within 20 seconds of one another, with Baze securing victory in what she said was only her fifth marathon.
“I am very happy to have won; I feel very good. This is my fifth marathon, but I am very glad I won despite it being a difficult marathon,” Baze said.
“God willing, my goal is to represent my country at the Olympics and become a record-holder. I am very happy and proud to be here. I thank the organizers for having me here,” she added.
Her Olympic ambitions were echoed by Türkiye’s leading finisher, Hüseyin Can, whose hopes of challenging for an overall podium place were frustrated by the pace and weather conditions.
Can leads Turkish runners
Can finished 11th in the elite men’s race in 2:17.53, narrowly missing another Top-10 finish after placing among the first 10 last year.
Mert Girmalegesse followed in 12th in 2:18.47 while Halil Yaşın placed 14th in 2:19.31, ahead of Ahmet Alkanoğlu, who finished 15th in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 38 seconds.
Yavuz Ağralı completed the race in 16th place in 2:21.44.
Can said competing in Istanbul carried particular significance for him, pointing to his sustained success among Turkish runners at the event.
“I thank all the athletes and spectators. I hope we gave them a good race to watch. Running here has a special significance for me,” Can said. “Except for 2022, I have been the Turkish champion here for the past five or six years, since 2019.”
“To be honest, I came here aiming for the top three this year. Unfortunately, I had to slow down because of the fast pace and the weather conditions. We are continuing to pursue our goals. Our goal is the Olympics. God willing, I believe we will achieve even better things.”
Growing field, Turkish ambitions
Turkish Athletics Federation President Ahmet Karadağ said participation had surpassed 8,400 for the first time, compared with 5,900 last year.
He highlighted the event’s role in promoting Istanbul internationally and said the presence of foreign diplomats at the start reflected its growing appeal.
“It is the only event in the world connecting two continents. It was a very big event. For the first time, participation exceeded 8,400. Last year, it was 5,900,” Karadağ said.
“Major events like this are very valuable for promoting the city. There were many foreign diplomats at the start today; we have begun attracting them, too. We are doing everything we can to make this race better.”
Karadağ also credited work carried out under Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with helping the marathon develop.
“There were efforts we undertook under the leadership of our esteemed president to bring the marathon to this level,” he said.
“This has become a course everyone is familiar with and a record was broken today. Our Turkish athletes did not run badly either, but my dream is for a Turkish athlete to become champion here. God willing, we will achieve that in time.”
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will continue to be held every two years after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed its controversial decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle, citing the financial and developmental interests of African football.
CAF’s Executive Committee Thursday unanimously approved the return to the traditional biennial format, less than a year after announcing plans to reduce the tournament’s frequency and introduce a new continental competition to fill the gap.
AFCON has traditionally been staged every two years, but CAF announced in December 2025 that it would move to a four-year cycle, with the proposed CAF Nations League taking its place as the continent’s biennial national team competition.
The decision drew an unfavorable response, particularly among stakeholders concerned about the tournament’s importance to African football and the financial implications of replacing one of the continent’s most valuable sporting properties.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had already indicated that the governing body was reconsidering the arrangement during its strategy conference in Cape Verde earlier this month, where he signaled that the Executive Committee would review the proposed changes.
The financial sustainability of African football emerged as a central consideration in the reversal. CAF acknowledged that the proposed Nations League would take several years to generate sufficient revenue to support the development of football across the continent and provide the financial resources needed by its 54 member associations.
AFCON remains one of the confederation’s most important commercial assets, generating substantial income through broadcasting rights, sponsorships and other commercial partnerships. Replacing it with a new competition would therefore have created uncertainty over revenue during the years required for the Nations League to establish itself.
Motsepe said restoring the two-year cycle was intended to protect the interests of African football and its member associations, as well as players representing clubs outside the continent.
“The decision by the CAF Executive Committee to reinstate the organization of the AFCON every two years aims to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football and the 54 CAF Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing for clubs outside the continent,” Motsepe said.
The decision also preserves a regular platform for African national teams to compete for continental honors, while ensuring that member associations continue to benefit from the tournament’s commercial opportunities.
Under the revised schedule, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 edition, marking a significant moment for East African football. The three countries will be followed by tournaments in 2028, 2031 and 2033.
There will be no AFCON in 2030, as CAF will maintain its practice of avoiding a tournament in a FIFA World Cup year.
The return to a biennial schedule also means African players based in Europe and other overseas leagues will continue to face the scheduling challenges associated with AFCON.
The tournament has frequently coincided with the European domestic season, forcing clubs to release players during important stages of their campaigns. The proposed four-year cycle had offered a potential way to reduce those disruptions, but CAF’s latest decision places greater emphasis on the financial stability of African football and the interests of its member associations.
The proposed Nations League, meanwhile, remains part of CAF’s longer-term plans rather than an immediate replacement for AFCON.
Lewis Hamilton has shifted his focus from the drivers’ championship to helping Ferrari secure second place in the constructors’ standings, acknowledging that another Formula One title is beyond his reach this season.
Finishing as runners-up would mark an improvement on Ferrari’s performance last year and provide a stronger foundation heading into the 2027 campaign.
With five races remaining on the 2026 calendar, including this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, Hamilton sits third in the drivers’ standings with 241 points, just one behind Mercedes’ George Russell. Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli leads with 365 points and is closing in on the title.
However, Hamilton says overtaking Russell is not his priority, with the seven-time world champion more concerned about Ferrari’s efforts to maintain second place behind championship leader Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.
“Second place is not something I focus on. Winning the championship is the only thing I care about,” Hamilton said Thursday.
After a 12-year stint with Mercedes, where he won six of his world titles, Hamilton joined Ferrari last year with the goal of returning the Prancing Horse to the top. The team finished fourth in 2025.
“There’s a good vibe and more energy this season,” he said. “Last year wasn’t much fun for any of us. We’ve come a long way.”
Ferrari now holds a 119-point lead over Red Bull and McLaren in the battle for second place, thanks to strong performances over the last three races. Hamilton finished third at the Bahrain Grand Prix, while his teammate Charles Leclerc claimed third-place finishes in Singapore and the United States.
“In the constructors’ championship, both drivers have reached the podium over the last three races. Between Charles and me, we’ve come a long way,” Hamilton said. “And this is just the beginning. There’s more to come.”
Ferrari has had 16 world champion drivers and won 15 constructors’ championships. However, its most recent drivers’ title came with Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, while its last constructors’ championship was in 2008.
“My sole focus is making sure we secure second place in the constructors’ championship. The team deserves it,” Hamilton said. “It’s a huge improvement over last year and something we can build on for next year.”
Following the Mexico City Grand Prix, Formula One is scheduled to race in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“After this weekend, I will use the races as a test for next year’s championship, looking at how we can improve the car,” Hamilton said. “That is my sole focus: ensuring we have the right brakes for next year and confirming that our engine outperforms the others.”
More than 650 sailors battled rain, wind and strong currents on the Istanbul Bosporus on Thursday as the Republic Cup, the fourth stage of the 7th Presidential International Yacht Races, brought Republic Day celebrations to the iconic waterway.
The race started in front of Dolmabahçe Palace on Oct. 29, marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923. More than 65 teams took part, with yachts decorated in Turkish flags creating a striking spectacle along the strait.
Organized by the Istanbul Offshore Yacht Racing Club under the auspices of the Presidency, the event received contributions from the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry, in cooperation with the Istanbul Governor’s Office and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).
Despite rainy weather and challenging sailing conditions, competitors navigated the Bosporus’ shifting winds and currents in a race that tested their strategy, tactical judgment and endurance.
The fleet transformed the waterway into a sea of red and white as sailors carried the Republic Day celebrations onto the water. Residents gathered along the Bosporus shoreline to watch the competition and share in the national holiday festivities.
Ekrem Yemlihaoğlu, president of the Istanbul Offshore Yacht Racing Club, said holding the Republic Cup on the Bosporus on such a significant national occasion gave the event special meaning.
“We are proud to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our Republic in the unique atmosphere of the Istanbul Bosporus, with sails coming together under our star and crescent flag,” Yemlihaoğlu said.
He said more than 650 athletes had brought the spirit of Republic Day to the sea, adding that the Turkish flags flying across the fleet symbolized the country’s independence and republican heritage.
Yemlihaoğlu also paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, and those who helped establish it, while extending his Republic Day greetings.
Season title still up for grabs
Thursday’s Republic Cup was the fourth and final stage of the 2026 series, with the overall championship determined by points accumulated across the season.
Teams were competing not only for honors in the Bosporus race but also for the season title, which will go to the crew with the highest cumulative score across all stages.
The championship has featured several competitions throughout the year, combining offshore and inshore sailing with national commemorative events.
The Republic Cup brings the series’ competitive program toward its conclusion, with additional buoy races and island courses scheduled for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
The remaining competitions will feature different sailing categories, including ORC, IRC, Sportsboat and cruising divisions.
Winners will receive their trophies at an awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, at Fişekhane in Istanbul.
After more than a decade of disappointment, controversy and injury, Alexander Zverev will now rise to world number one for the first time in his career when the rankings are updated on Monday.
The 29-year-old German won his first two Grand Slam titles this year. He was sure to finish the year as number one after Jannik Sinner, who won the season-ending ATP Finals last year, ended his season prematurely because of injury.
Zverev completed the job early, however, as he secured the points he needed by beating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor on Thursday to book his spot in the quarterfinals at the Vienna Open.
“(It is) very special. To have the feeling to be on the top of the world is amazing,” Zverev said.
“It is different than winning a tournament or a title, but it’s such a special feeling to know that the No. 1 is going to be next to your name when the new rankings come out.”
Zverev became the 30th man to hold the No. 1 spot since the rankings were first published in 1973. Only John Newcombe, who was aged 30 upon his ascension in 1974, was older when he first rose to the top.
Zverev was born in Hamburg, but his mother and father had both played tennis to a high level in the old Soviet Union.
“For me, my family is everything and I owe them a lot for helping me to become the tennis player that I am today,” Zverev has said.
He was tipped for stardom from his youth, but his path has been anything but smooth. He lives with diabetes and in 2022 suffered a career-threatening ankle injury at the French Open.
He also plays in the shadow of domestic violence allegations by two former partners, Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, which he has strenuously denied.
The ATP Tour investigated one claim and found insufficient evidence to punish Zverev.
The case involving Patea, the mother of his daughter, led to a 2023 penalty order and fine from a German court.
Zverev appealed and the two reached a settlement in June of 2024 – hours before he was due to play in the French Open semi-finals.
Highs and lows
Zverev, who idolized Roger Federer growing up, made his first Grand Slam final in 2020 at the U.S. Open, agonisingly losing in five sets to Dominic Thiem after being 2-0 up.
“That was exactly the time when I had real struggles with my serve and my second serve,” he said of that match.
“I knew that my serve could break down at any moment. That’s one difference that I do feel now, luckily for me.”
His seemingly unstoppable rise was temporarily halted when he tore ankle ligaments while playing Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros semis two years later and he underwent surgery.
Returning in January 2023, Zverev captured a 20th career title in Hamburg before having a fine 2024 season, in which he powered into the French Open final and surged to world number two, dispelling concerns that he was mentally frail.
“In the life of a professional athlete, you will have the highest highs and the lowest lows,” said Zverev.
“Getting caught up in the lows is the biggest mistake that you can make.
“You shouldn’t try to evaluate everything when times are tough, you should try to find ways to get better when you’re on a high.”
A third Grand Slam final defeat followed at the 2025 Australian Open, in straight sets to Sinner.
There were successes along the way, the most notable a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he stunned Novak Djokovic before taking down Karen Khachanov in the final.
But doubts about whether or not he would break his Grand Slam duck resurfaced as Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominated men’s tennis by winning nine consecutive majors between them.
Zverev says he never lost faith that he could break through.
“I believed in it. I believed that it’s possible,” he told reporters after winning his second Grand Slam of the year in New York in September, adding with a laugh: “I think not many of you guys did.”
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