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Wheels come off Mbappe’s Madrid amid dressing-room fights, fan fury

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Real Madrid have never been a club built to celebrate individual statistics over collective supremacy. Even I, as a fully-pledged Culer, can admit that at the Santiago Bernabeu, goals matter, but trophies matter more.

Harmony matters more. Authority matters more. That is why the Kylian Mbappe era, despite its staggering numbers, increasingly feels less like the beginning of a dynasty and more like a slow-burning identity crisis at football’s grandest institution.

There is an old proverb in Turkish, “Bir palyaço saraya taşınırsa kral olmaz, saray sirk olur,” which translates to, “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king. The palace becomes a circus.”

It is harsh, provocative, and perhaps unfair to direct entirely at a player of Mbappe’s extraordinary caliber. Yet as Real Madrid stagger through another turbulent, trophyless campaign in May 2026, the phrase hangs uncomfortably over the club.

Mbappe arrived in Madrid in the summer of 2024 as the most anticipated free transfer in modern football history.

He was supposed to complete the perfect superteam, joining Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and a squad designed to dominate Europe for years. Instead, two seasons later, Real Madrid are drowning in noise.

(L-R) Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham line up before the La Liga match against Real Betis at Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain, April 24, 2026. (Reuters Photo)

(L-R) Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham line up before the La Liga match against Real Betis at Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain, April 24, 2026. (Reuters Photo)

The French forward has done almost everything expected of him individually. His goal returns remain elite. He has scored with the elegance, explosiveness, and ruthlessness that made him the heir to football’s global throne. On paper, his numbers resemble those of a Ballon d’Or winner.

But Real Madrid do not live on paper.

This is now a second straight season in which the club has failed to secure the major prizes that define its identity. The Champions League campaign ended in disappointment, reportedly against Bayern Munich. The Copa del Rey collapsed early.

Barcelona sit ahead in La Liga entering the decisive stretch of the season. Minor trophies such as the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup have done little to ease the growing unrest around the Bernabeu.

What makes the situation more alarming is not simply the absence of silverware. It is the atmosphere surrounding the squad.

The season has spiraled into a public spectacle of frustration, division, and emotional collapse. A petition demanding Mbappe’s sale reportedly attracted millions of signatures, an unimaginable scenario for a player once welcomed as the club’s future king. His image suffered further after reports emerged of a yacht holiday in Sardinia with actress Ester Exposito while recovering from a hamstring injury suffered against Real Betis.

For many supporters, it reinforced a growing perception that the superstar aura surrounding Mbappe has become disconnected from the suffering of a team in decline.

Behind closed doors, matters appear even worse.

Training sessions have reportedly become battlegrounds. Mbappe himself allegedly clashed with a member of interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s coaching staff after being flagged offside during a training exercise, reacting with angry and insulting language. Reports claiming he escaped punishment only intensified resentment within the dressing room.

The fractures did not stop there.

Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly involved in a heated confrontation that escalated into a physical altercation severe enough to require intervention from teammates.

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde (L) and Aurelien Tchouameni chat during the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoff match against Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain, Feb. 19, 2025. (Reuters Photo)

Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde (L) and Aurelien Tchouameni chat during the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoff match against Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain, Feb. 19, 2025. (Reuters Photo)

The tension allegedly continued into the locker room, where emotions boiled over further. Valverde reportedly required stitches after suffering a facial cut during the incident, with disciplinary procedures opened against both players.

Federico Valverde has been ruled out of Sunday’s crucial El Clasico, while Tchouameni’s fate hangs in the balance too.

Antonio Rüdiger also reportedly crossed the line during another training-ground dispute, slapping teammate Alvaro Carreras during an argument.

Although the German defender later apologized and attempted to restore unity by organizing a team lunch, the damage had already exposed a squad cracking under pressure.

These are not isolated moments of frustration. They are symptoms of a deeper institutional breakdown.

Reports of players refusing to communicate with Arbeloa, tensions between Mbappe and Vinicius, and the growing division between player groups have painted the image of a dressing room fractured by ego, instability, and uncertainty. Mbappe is said to have grown closest primarily to the club’s French-speaking contingent, while wider squad relationships have deteriorated.

On the pitch, the imbalance has become equally visible.

The partnership between Mbappe and Vinicius has often looked uncomfortable rather than devastating. Questions about defensive work rate, pressing intensity, and tactical sacrifice continue to shadow the team. At times, Madrid reportedly appeared more cohesive without Mbappe during periods of absence, a reality almost unthinkable considering the magnitude of his talent.

That is what makes this situation so fascinating and so dangerous for Real Madrid.

Mbappe is not failing in the traditional sense. He is producing. He is scoring. He is delivering moments worthy of a global superstar. Yet football history is filled with brilliant teams that collapsed because talent alone could not sustain unity.

Real Madrid’s greatest eras were never powered solely by celebrity. Cristiano Ronaldo entered a functioning machine and elevated it into an empire. Zidane brought elegance without disturbing hierarchy. Even controversial and expensive signings eventually submitted themselves to the club’s culture of sacrifice and winning.

Mbappe’s arrival, fairly or unfairly, appears to have shifted the balance in the opposite direction. The institution now feels reactive rather than commanding. The dressing room feels political rather than united. The Bernabeu feels tense rather than invincible.

And in Madrid, perception becomes reality quickly.

Perhaps the harshest symbol of the chaos came in reports claiming Mbappé laughed while leaving training amid the fallout from the Valverde-Tchouameni altercation. Whether innocent or misunderstood, the image perfectly captured the widening disconnect between the club’s internal crisis and the image projected by its biggest star.

The Frenchman remains one of football’s defining talents. That much is undeniable. But Real Madrid have never judged greatness by numbers alone. They judge it by control, leadership, sacrifice, and titles lifted under pressure.

Right now, the palace does not look like a kingdom preparing for another era of dominance. It looks like a club wrestling with itself in public view.

The final weeks of the season may determine more than trophies. They may determine whether Mbappe can still become the transformational leader Madrid believed they were signing, or whether this project will be remembered as a glittering experiment that produced spectacle without stability.

Because at Real Madrid, brilliance alone is never enough. The badge demands order. It demands authority. Above all, it demands victory.

And until those return, the circus accusations will continue to grow louder.



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Alcaraz recovers from shaky start to punch Japan Open final ticket

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Carlos Alcaraz overcame serving struggles to defeat fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 Monday, reaching the Japan Open final as he seeks his first singles title since returning from a wrist injury.

He will face Czech Jiri Lehecka in Tuesday’s ​final.

Defending champion Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam by ​capturing ⁠the Australian Open title in February but suffered the injury two months later and only came back at the U.S. Open, where a quarterfinal run hinted at a swift return to form.

The 23-year-old, who moved through the gears during Team Europe’s triumphant Laver Cup campaign last month, looked comfortable against qualifier Munar in Tokyo at 5-4 before gifting him the opening set with two shaky service games.

“I don’t ⁠know ⁠what happened in the first set,” said top seed Alcaraz, who dropped 16 consecutive points at the end of it.

“I started the match well, got a break and was serving for the set, but I don’t know what happened. It seems like I’m struggling every first set.

“But the way that I come back every time, I ⁠think I’m just really happy about it. Jaume’s a pretty tough player and these conditions suit him pretty well. I just tried to stay ​there as much as I could.

“I made a couple of ​breaks that helped a lot to get a bit of confidence, then I started to play more aggressively.”

After ⁠a ‌sluggish ‌start to the second set, Alcaraz raised his ⁠level to force a decider ‌and the seven-times major champion wore world number 49 Munar down with ​stunning shot-making to book ⁠a title clash with Lehecka Tuesday.

Lehecka ⁠beat eighth seed Valentin Vacherot 6-4 6-2 to make the ⁠final and stay ​on course for his first trophy of the season.

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Portugal sail into Nations League last 8, Greece frustrate Germany

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Portugal became the first team to reach the Nations League quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Norway Sunday, while Jürgen Klopp’s Germany was held to a draw by Greece.

The Portuguese showed they did not need Cristiano Ronaldo, who walked out of the camp Wednesday when coach Jorge Jesus relegated him to the bench.

Goncalo Ramos secured victory in the 86th minute after Joao Cancelo’s powerful finish had leveled Kristoffer Ajer’s stunning opener from outside the penalty area for World Cup quarterfinalists Norway.

After the game, Jesus said he was prepared to allow 41-year-old Ronaldo to return to the national team – but that it would have to be the player’s decision.

“If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team … we can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who’s going to decide,” Jesus told reporters.

Klopp’s Germany failed to break down a resolute Greek side in a goalless stalemate in Thessaloniki.

Germany had the ball in the net through Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jonathan Burkardt in the first half but his effort was disallowed.

Klopp’s record as new German boss now reads: lost one, won one, drawn one.

The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 thanks to Joshua Zirkzee’s winner to move top of their Nations League group.

The Manchester United forward was a second-half substitute in Eindhoven and applied the decisive touch with a tap-in from Tijjani Reijnders’ cross.

The match also marked Virgil van Dijk’s 100th international appearance.

New Netherlands coach Xavi is unbeaten after four games, with two wins and two draws.

Israel’s players wore black armbands in their 1-1 draw against Ireland to commemorate Oct. 7, after Irish players had worn them in the previous match in Hungary to protest the genocidal war on Gaza.

The simple black armbands worn by the Israelis were inscribed with the numbers “7.10” to mark the date of the attack.

Just as in last week’s first match which Ireland won 3-0, the Irish players again bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem and the teams refused to shake hands before the match in the small Serbian town of Backa Topola.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had refused to host Israel on Irish soil for security reasons, following boycott calls.

On Sunday, Troy Parrott put Ireland ahead from the penalty spot after 39 minutes after Dor Peretz fouled Jimmy Dunne.

But Peretz stabbed in an equalizer two minutes after half time, sending in from close range after a shot deflected off Ireland defender Liam Scales and into his path.

The result complicates Ireland’s qualification task as they now lie third in Group 3 of League B behind Austria and Kosovo. Israel are bottom with two points.

Wales lost again, as Rasmus Hojlund slotted in a 75th minute penalty to earn Denmark a 1-0 win in Cardiff.

Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward had kept the Danes at bay with a string of saves but he conceded the penalty when he fouled Denmark midfielder Gustav Isaksen.

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Turkish engineer, swimmer Özkol navigates high seas, energy markets

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Whether navigating turbulent ocean currents or analyzing the intricacies of global power grids, Turkish engineer and open-water swimmer Nazife İdil Özkol relies on a unified philosophy: read the data accurately, adapt to changing conditions and persevere.

Özkol’s dual career path recently gained international recognition when she received the “Future Leader” award at the Talented Woman in Modern Industry 2026 awards in Russia.

Her athletic pursuits matched her professional achievements as she earned a third-place podium finish at the X-Waters open-water swimming race in Moscow.

Educated in electrical engineering and energy at Technical University of Sofia and Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Özkol focuses on the intersection of energy economics, artificial intelligence and infrastructure.

“Engineering taught me how to think and sports taught me how to apply that thinking under uncertainty and pressure,” Özkol said.

“Engineering taught me how to build a system, and sports taught me how to adapt when the system doesn’t work as expected,” she added.

Özkol’s journey in athletics began in her youth after a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) prompted her to channel her energy into structured discipline.

Moving from modern pentathlon and biathlon into open-water swimming, she competed in major domestic events, including the Iznik and Bosporus races.

Turkish engineer and open-water swimmer Özkol relies on a unified philosophy: read the data accurately, adapt to changing conditions and persevere. (Photo Courtesy: Nazife İdil Özkol)

Turkish engineer and open-water swimmer Özkol relies on a unified philosophy: read the data accurately, adapt to changing conditions and persevere. (Photo Courtesy: Nazife İdil Özkol)

“In the pool, everything is controlled,” Özkol said. “In open water, waves, currents, temperature, and wind change. You continuously read the environment and re-evaluate your direction and pace.”

That analytical approach proved decisive during the X-Waters competition in Moscow, where Özkol represented Türkiye among competitors from around 12 countries in what organizers dubbed a world championship event.

“When I finished the race, I didn’t even know I had finished third,” Özkol said. “Long-distance racing is primarily a mental battle. Reaching the podium in an international event as a Turkish female athlete was a source of great pride.”

Özkol’s dual career path recently gained international recognition when she received the

Özkol’s dual career path recently gained international recognition when she received the “Future Leader” award at the Talented Woman in Modern Industry 2026 awards in Russia. (Photo Courtesy: Nazife İdil Özkol)

Beyond athletics, Özkol’s professional research concentrates on industrial energy efficiency and the dual nature of emerging digital infrastructure.

She noted that while artificial intelligence offers optimization and grid management solutions, its operation generates substantial energy demand.

Looking ahead, Özkol anticipates a fundamental shift in global energy dynamics over the next two decades toward real-time data analysis, smart grids and demand-side management.

“The question of the future will not be ‘How much energy do we produce?’ but ‘How smartly can we manage the energy we produce and consume?'” Özkol said.

Özkol also emphasized the necessity of systemic equity for women across science, technology, engineering and sports, arguing that institutional backing must precede athletic or professional milestones.

“Support for women should not be given after success, but right at the beginning,” she said.

“Training, financial support, sponsorship and visibility are not favors; they are conditions for equality. The presence of women in science, engineering and sports is not an ‘inspirational story,’ but a matter of rights,” said Özkol.

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Ronaldo’s Portugal future enters uncharted waters after walkout

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future with Portugal has been thrown into doubt after the veteran forward left the team’s training camp after learning he would not start against Denmark for a second straight Nations League match.

The 41-year-old announced his departure late Wednesday, shortly after coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that Gonçalo Ramos would again lead the attack.

Ronaldo had been expected to train with his teammates at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium ahead of Thursday’s match but instead left the camp following a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.

“Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.

Portugal went on to beat Denmark 4-2 without its captain, producing an emphatic attacking display that added another layer to the growing debate over Ronaldo’s role with the national team.

Ronaldo had remained on the bench for the entirety of Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday. It was the first time since November 2024 that he had failed to appear for Portugal without being injured or suspended.

Jesus, who coached Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr for a year before taking charge of Portugal in July, had insisted there was no serious disagreement between them. He acknowledged, however, that Ronaldo was unhappy after being left out against Norway.

“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus said after the Norway match.

The coach later explained that Ronaldo had warmed up for 20 to 30 minutes but was ultimately not brought onto the field.

“Any player, and I was a player myself, when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no one is happy about that,” Jesus said.

Jesus said he had informed Ronaldo before the Norway match that he could be used as a substitute but ultimately decided against making the change.

“Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” Jesus said.

The situation escalated after Jesus confirmed Wednesday that Ramos would start again against Denmark.

“If I need him, he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t,” Jesus said of Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s decision to leave the camp suggested that his frustration went beyond a single omission from the starting lineup. The Portugal captain also hinted that he could eventually reveal more about what prompted his departure.

“In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated,” Ronaldo wrote.

“Now is time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”

Spanish sports newspaper Marca reported that Jesus and Proença followed Ronaldo to Copenhagen airport in an attempt to persuade him to remain with the squad before the forward boarded his private jet.

The episode also prompted an angry response from Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, who criticized the Portuguese public in a post on Instagram.

“They don’t deserve to have the best of anything,” she wrote, adding that Portugal had become “envious, scornful, and ignorant” and deserved to return to the period before Ronaldo’s emergence.

The dispute has also spilled into the streets of Lisbon.

A Portugal fan sponsored a large billboard outside the Portuguese Football Federation headquarters expressing support for Ronaldo while criticizing Jesus. The artificial intelligence-generated billboard featured images of Ronaldo and the coach.

A billboard in support of Portugal’s forward, Cristiano Ronaldo reading

A billboard in support of Portugal’s forward, Cristiano Ronaldo reading “Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo for all that you did for Portugal. You will always be our captain” mixed with an adjacent message critical against Portugal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, reading “Jorge Jesus was not up to the job” and “lack of sensitivity in managing the CR7 asset”, the fact that he “mishandled a captain” is pictured near Luz Stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, Oct. 2, 2026. (AFP Photo)

“Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, for all you have done for Portugal. You’re forever our captain,” the message next to Ronaldo read.

The section aimed at Jesus said the coach “wasn’t up to the task” and accused him of having an “inflated ego.” The billboard was quickly removed.

Fernando Maia, the fan who paid for the display, said he had no personal connection to Ronaldo or his representatives. Maia owns a billboard company and said his decision was motivated by gratitude for what Ronaldo has contributed to Portuguese football.

“I don’t know Ronaldo, I don’t know anyone on Ronaldo’s entourage,” Maia said in comments reported by Portuguese media. “I know myself, and I know something called gratitude.”

Maia also suggested that the dispute involved more than Jesus.

“Jorge Jesus was just the means for this to have happened, but there are more culprits,” he said.

He said he planned to display the same billboard outside the Estádio do Dragão when Portugal play their next Nations League match.

Jesus, meanwhile, sought to shift attention back to Portugal’s performance after the 4-2 victory over Denmark, stressing that the team’s result mattered more than the controversy surrounding its captain.

“This Portugal team scored four goals and put in a performance which, in my opinion, was of a very high standard,” Jesus said. “Of course, this is more important than anything else that has happened.”

But he also made clear that Ronaldo’s reputation would not exempt him from selection decisions.

“There are players with status. That much is crystal clear,” Jesus said. “But I’ll say it again: The rules are the same for everyone.”

The comments underline the difficult balance facing Jesus as he manages a player who has been central to Portugal’s identity for more than two decades.

Ronaldo recently indicated that this could be his final year in professional football. He is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances.

His international career began in 2003, when he made his debut at 18. He subsequently played in the Euro 2004 final on home soil, reached the 2006 World Cup semifinals and captained Portugal to its first major international title at Euro 2016.

He has also represented Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus at club level while establishing himself as one of the most prolific scorers in football history.

Now, with Ronaldo approaching the end of his career, his relationship with Portugal has entered an uncertain chapter.

His decision to leave the training camp, followed by his promise to eventually explain his reasons, has raised questions over whether Thursday’s absence was simply a protest over his role or the beginning of a much larger break with the national team.



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Marked by teen stars, marred by mishaps: 2026 Asian Games end

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The Asian Games in Japan closed Sunday after two weeks marked by record-setting young stars but marred by mishaps, mediocre crowds and accusations of mismanagement.

More than 17,000 athletes and officials, a number exceeding that of the Olympics, descended on Nagoya and Aichi prefecture for the continent’s premier sporting event.

Yu Zidi, a 13-year-old Chinese swimming sensation, impressed with three gold medals, all in Games-record times. She is expected to be a major medal threat at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The young swimmer was named a Games MVP to cap an extraordinary showing that saw her win gold in the 200-meter butterfly and complete the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley double.

Despite her success, the shy teenager said: “I don’t think I am what people describe as a prodigy.”

Also in the pool, Shin Ohashi, a 17-year-old Japanese swimmer, set a men’s 200-meter breaststroke world record to delight the home crowd.

In athletics, where rain fell over several days, 20-year-old Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson won the 100-meter and 200-meter double and was named men’s MVP.

On a dry evening, a colorful closing ceremony saw Japan hand over hosting duties to Doha, Qatar, for the 2030 Games.

General view of the athletes' parade during the closing ceremony of 2026 Asian Games, Nagoya, Japan, Oct. 4, 2026. (Reuters Photo)

General view of the athletes’ parade during the closing ceremony of 2026 Asian Games, Nagoya, Japan, Oct. 4, 2026. (Reuters Photo)

“Tonight we close the Games that will shape the next generation of Asian sport,” said Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

‘Failure grade’

Top officials were on the defensive up until the last minute.

Husain al-Musallam, OCA director-general, said “numbers are facts,” pointing to 50 world records at the Games after they opened Sept. 19.

“Athletes cannot perform if they do not sleep well or have adequate transportation,” he said.

This 20th edition of the Games, first contested in 1951, lacked a traditional athletes’ village to save money. Instead, participants were housed in wooden temporary units, on the cruise ship Costa Serena and in hotels.

Organizers said this was a template for future multi-sports events. But problems arose, with some teams complaining units were too cramped and beds too short. The ballooning number of athletes and officials resulted in a shortage of beds for everyone.

A Thai Olympic official said it was “like musical chairs” to find a place to sleep.

A performer rides a horse with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Oct. 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Members of the Japan contingent enjoy a performance during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games, in Nagoya, Japan, Oct. 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)

The sport, including a popular cricket final won by India against archrival Pakistan, sometimes shone through.

North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum, 140 centimeters (4 feet, 7 inches), set three world records in one day to win gold.

But problems persisted, including organizers playing North Korea’s national anthem for the South Korean hockey team. Buses for athletes did not arrive as scheduled, or did not arrive at all.

Two teams were sent to the wrong venue, delaying a volleyball match.

Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, said, “If I were to give them a grade, it would be an F.”

Games organizers also faced scrutiny over attendances, as the opening ceremony drew thousands of empty seats. Only 998 spectators attended a women’s soccer semifinal between host Japan and South Korea in a 50,000-seat stadium.

Boy history-maker

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Japanese Olympic Committee, admitted “many problems” and said the country wants to host more international events and will learn from the experience.

She said bad weather had deterred some spectators but emphasized that some sports drew large crowds.

About 30,000 saw South Korea beat Japan 1-0 to clinch men’s soccer gold, although the occasion was tarnished when the South Korean flag was not raised in the victory ceremony.

The hosts finished with 83 golds, a distant second in the medal standings behind China with 169.

Japan’s tally included gold for Yuki Kurihara, who won in esports at 11 years old, making him the youngest Games champion in history.

Several sports hoping to be included in the Olympics made their debut, including padel, mixed martial arts (MMA) and virtual taekwondo.

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Verstappen takes season’s 1st win in rain-hit Bahrain GP at Sepang

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen picked up his first victory this season Sunday when he outran competitions in a chaotic, rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Verstappen was the last driver to win in Sepang in 2017 before it was taken off the calendar and the Dutchman, who had also taken pole, gave Red Bull ⁠a first victory with their own power unit despite an early ⁠setback when he lost the lead before turn one.

“It’s a really nice one after the year that we’ve had and the progression that we’ve made. So I’m incredibly proud of everyone. It is super nice to win here,” said Verstappen.

Championship leader ​Kimi Antonelli was second for Mercedes and now has an 84-point lead over his closest rival ​and ⁠teammate George Russell, who was third when he retired with a suspected power unit issue with five laps remaining.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished third despite a tire gamble that had dropped the Briton down to 18th at the start of the race.

“Obviously, we had the wrong call at the beginning, which was so difficult and I could see everyone just pulling away,” Hamilton said.

“I thought that was kind of race over for us, but I just kept my head down. The guys did a great job with the pit stops.”

Antonelli held on to second from Hamilton in the closing laps.

“Today was the maximum we could have done … On our side, a lot of work to do,” Antonelli said.

“We’ve been struggling a bit more than usual, but still really happy to come away with P2.”

The last four laps were a straight shootout for podium places after a lengthy safety car period and that was when Hamilton, who had been chasing Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar for several ⁠laps, ⁠made his move.

Charles Leclerc, who had also been closer to the back of the grid at the start of the race amid the chaos of a wet track, salvaged fourth for Ferrari when he overtook Hadjar with two laps to go.

Hadjar finished fifth ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Liam Lawson was seventh while Fernando Alonso was eighth for Aston Martin, their best result of the season.

1st wet race of 2026

The season had not yet had a wet race where the 2026 cars could be tested and the rain – which had stayed away in practice and qualifying – arrived with heavy showers sweeping across the circuit, delaying the start.

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his car during the F1 Bahrain GP in Sepang, Malaysia, Oct. 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Ferrari’s British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his car during the F1 Bahrain GP in Sepang, Malaysia, Oct. 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)

After a suspended start procedure, the second start had drivers split between intermediate and slick tires but it was the former that thrived early in the race.

When the ⁠lights went out, Antonelli accelerated through the middle from third on the grid to take the lead from Verstappen while Russell shot past on the outside to move up from seventh to second.

But Verstappen’s recovery began on lap six when he attacked Russell, overtaking the Briton by diving down the inside of turn four to ​set his sights on Antonelli.

The Italian had to defend his position until lap 10 when Valtteri Bottas spun his Cadillac into the gravel, bringing ​out the safety car as Verstappen pitted while the two Mercedes cars double stacked to switch to slick tires.

Verstappen takes lead

When the safety car came in, Verstappen stayed glued to Antonelli’s rear tire before overtaking the Italian on turn three, with Russell ⁠also surging past his ‌team mate on ‌the next turn to flip the order.

Verstappen looked comfortable setting the pace up front as he ⁠set fastest laps and extended his lead over Russell to over four seconds as ‌a frustrated Antonelli informed the team that he had the pace to chase the Dutchman.

An impatient Antonelli overtook Russell on lap 21 to move up to second while behind ​them Hamilton had quietly been chipping away on ⁠his ageing soft tires to move up to fifth behind Hadjar.

But Antonelli missed his braking point at ⁠turn 15 and went briefly off track, hitting the pit lane bollard and costing him valuable time as Verstappen extended his lead to ⁠eight seconds.

When the second safety car ​came out towards the end for Alex Albon’s Williams that was stuck in the gravel, Russell suddenly parked his car on the main straight and shook his head as he got out of the car with a suspected power unit issue.

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