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The Toronto Blue Jays extended their winning streak to seven games on Monday night, defeating the Kansas City Royals 5-3 at Kauffman Stadium. The victory marked the Royals' third consecutive home loss after a nine-game winning streak.Bo Bichette played a pivotal role in the Blue Jays' triumph, driving in three runs with a bases-clearing triple in the third inning. Daulton Varsho added to the lead with a two-run homer in the sixth.Yusei Kikuchi started for Toronto and was effective early on, allowing only one baserunner through the first five innings. However, he encountered trouble in the sixth, surrendering a two-run homer to Maikel Garcia. Tyler Duffey, who was called up from Triple-A Omaha earlier in the day, provided two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three batters.Jordan Romano closed out the game for the Blue Jays, allowing a solo homer to Kyle Isbel in the ninth but securing his third save of the season.Brady Singer took the mound for the Royals and allowed five runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out five batters but also walked three, all of whom eventually scored. Singer became the 19th Royals pitcher to reach 500 career strikeouts, tying Steve Busby as the fastest to achieve the milestone.In the third inning, Singer's walks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez loaded the bases for Bichette, who capitalized with a triple to score three runs. Varsho's homer in the sixth extended the Blue Jays' lead to 5-0.The Royals attempted a comeback in the sixth inning, but Kikuchi managed to escape further damage by retiring Nelson Velázquez on a grounder.The four-game series between the Blue Jays and Royals continues on Tuesday, with Kevin Gausman scheduled to start for Toronto and Michael Wacha taking the mound for Kansas City.

The Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to seven games with a dominant 7-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, powered by a stellar pitching performance from Ranger Suárez and a timely home run from Kody Clemens.Suárez continued his impressive run of form, allowing just two hits in seven shutout innings. The left-hander has now thrown 22 consecutive scoreless innings and has won his last four starts. He struck out five batters and walked one, showcasing his pinpoint control and ability to keep hitters off balance.The Phillies offense provided ample support for Suárez, scoring runs in each of the first four innings. Bryson Stott drove in two runs with a sacrifice fly in the second and a groundout in the fourth, while Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto added an RBI each in the third and fifth innings, respectively.Clemens, who was promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day, put the game out of reach with a three-run homer off Casey Legumina in the ninth inning. The 26-year-old son of former Cy Young winner Roger Clemens made an immediate impact in his first start for the Phillies.Hunter Greene started for the Reds and pitched well, allowing four runs on seven hits in seven innings. However, the Phillies' offense was too much to overcome, as they collected 10 hits and drew five walks.The Reds were shut out for the first time this season, as Gregory Soto and Jeff Hoffman combined with Suárez to complete the two-hitter. It was Philadelphia's fourth shutout of the year, tying them with Cleveland for the most in the majors.The Phillies will look to extend their winning streak to eight games when they face the Reds again on Tuesday night. Cristopher Sánchez will start for Philadelphia, while Andrew Abbott will take the mound for Cincinnati.

Edwin Moses, the legendary hurdler, revolutionized athletic training with his pioneering use of biomechanics. Drawing upon his scientific background, Moses devised innovative methods that pushed the boundaries of human performance.At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Moses claimed gold and set his first world record of 47.64 seconds. His relentless pursuit of excellence led to further record-breaking performances: 47.45 seconds (1977), 47.13 seconds (1980), and 47.02 seconds (1983). His record stood unchallenged for nine years.Moses's scientific approach extended beyond training. He employed computers and heart rate monitors, technologies unheard of at the time. His data-driven approach allowed him to optimize his performance and gain an edge over his rivals.Despite the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games, Moses remained dominant, winning his second Olympic gold in Los Angeles in 1984. His superior stride pattern and technical prowess kept his competitors at bay.Moses's unbeaten streak in the 400m hurdles spanned 10 years, during which he won 122 consecutive races and 107 finals in a row. His legacy as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time remains unchallenged.While technology has advanced significantly since Moses's era, he believes that the sport of track and field has not truly progressed. Despite faster times and cutting-edge equipment, he argues that the fundamental principles of biomechanics remain the same."Times are faster because now they have shoes that react to the track, give you feedback that would have been illegal," Moses says. "So, the technology is helping and times are a lot faster. It seems like the sport is progressing but I don't think it really is."Moses emphasizes that fast times are not for everyone and that it takes exceptional individuals to achieve world-class performances. He cautions against unrealistic expectations and stresses the importance of recognizing the unique abilities of each athlete.

Daniel Ricciardo's hopes of securing his first points finish of the 2023 Formula 1 season were dashed in a frustrating incident at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Australian driver was running in a promising position when he was taken out by Lance Stroll's Aston Martin.As the race approached its halfway point, Ricciardo was running in 11th place, just outside the points-paying positions. He had been showing strong pace throughout the weekend and was confident of making a move up the order. However, his race came to an abrupt end when Stroll's car collided with the rear of his Red Bull.The impact sent Ricciardo's car spinning into the gravel trap, damaging its diffuser and floor. The Australian was forced to retire from the race, leaving him bitterly disappointed."It's frustrating," Ricciardo said after the race. "We had a good car today and we were making progress. I was just trying to stay out of trouble and get some points, but it wasn't to be."Stroll was handed a five-second time penalty for the incident, but Ricciardo was not impressed."It doesn't really make up for it," he said. "I'm just disappointed that we didn't get to finish the race."Ricciardo's retirement was a major setback for Red Bull, who had been hoping to score points with both cars. The team's other driver, Max Verstappen, finished the race in second place, but the result was overshadowed by Ricciardo's misfortune.

Two-time Asian Games gold medalist Saurav Ghosal has bid farewell to professional squash, marking the end of an illustrious career that saw him reach the pinnacle of the sport. At 37, Ghosal has decided to step away from the grueling professional tour but remains committed to representing India on the international stage.Ghosal's journey on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour began 22 years ago, and he has since etched his name in the annals of Indian squash history. He holds the distinction of being the only Indian to break into the top 10 of the PSA world rankings, reaching a career-high of world No. 10 in April 2019. Ghosal maintained this ranking for an impressive six months.Throughout his career, Ghosal has amassed an impressive collection of 10 PSA titles, with his last victory coming at the Malaysian Open Squash Championships in November 2021. He has reached 18 finals in total and boasts a remarkable win-loss record of 281-511 on the PSA tour.In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Ghosal expressed his gratitude for the journey and the memories he has made along the way. "This sport has been my passion, my livelihood, and my identity for so many years," he wrote. "So, with a heart filled with pride and a tinge of sadness, I announce my retirement from the PSA."Ghosal's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian squash, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players. His unwavering determination, exceptional skill, and dedication to the sport have made him a role model for aspiring athletes across the country.

Toto Wolff and Christian Horner's verbal sparring over Max Verstappen has reignited following Wolff's latest comments hinting at a potential move for the three-time world champion.Verstappen's future at Red Bull has been the subject of speculation after his father, Jos, expressed concerns about the team's stability under Horner's leadership. Horner has denied any wrongdoing and an internal investigation cleared him of misconduct.Despite Verstappen's public commitment to Red Bull, Wolff's remarks after the Chinese Grand Prix have stirred the pot. Wolff suggested that Verstappen's future is uncertain and that Mercedes would be interested in acquiring his services."Everyone is waiting to see what he (Verstappen) is going to do," Wolff said. "There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining."Wolff's comments drew a sharp response from Horner, who questioned Wolff's focus and suggested that Mercedes should prioritize their own team's performance."Why would you want to leave this team?" Horner said. "Mercedes are third behind their customers (McLaren and Aston Martin). His time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market."Horner emphasized that Verstappen's future with Red Bull is secure. "I can assure you that there is no ambiguity about where Max Verstappen will be next year," he said.Wolff's interest in Verstappen stems from the impending departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari next year. Verstappen's dominance in recent seasons has made him an attractive target for Mercedes, who are eager to maintain their competitive edge.However, Horner's confidence in Verstappen's loyalty to Red Bull suggests that Wolff's pursuit of the Dutchman may be futile. The ongoing verbal jousting between the two team principals adds another layer of intrigue to the Formula 1 season.

Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh, India's national record holders in women's and men's 20km race walk, respectively, have secured an Olympic berth for India in the newly introduced marathon race walk mixed relay. The duo finished 18th at the World Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya, Turkey, on Sunday, earning one of the 22 Paris Olympics spots available.The mixed event, which will make its Olympic debut this summer, involves male and female walkers alternating in distances of 12.195km, 10km, 10km, and 10km. Priyanka and Akshdeep clocked 3:05:03, placing them among the top 22 teams."It was a good performance considering we were doing this for the first time," said Priyanka. "We have a greater chance in this relay event at the Olympics to aim for a higher finish."Akshdeep, who set a new national record in January, and Priyanka, a 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, held their own in a world-class field. They were placed 20th around the halfway mark before moving up to 18th and remaining there at the finish.Both Indians found the stop-start format of the race challenging. "It's a new event for us," said Akshdeep. "After my first leg, I had a 45-minute break where my body had cooled down quite a bit. Now that we have experienced this, we can train accordingly and do even better at the Olympics."In addition to the mixed relay qualification, Priyanka and Akshdeep have also made the cut for the individual 20km event in Paris. Servin Sebastian produced the best finish by an Indian in the individual 20km races, placing 20th with a time of 1:21:39.

Defending an Olympic title is a daunting task, as Neeraj Chopra will discover when he steps onto the runway in Paris with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. The Indian javelin thrower, who won gold in Tokyo in 2021, will be aiming to become only the second man in history to successfully defend an Olympic javelin title.Michael Johnson, the legendary American sprinter who won four Olympic gold medals and eight world championships, knows what it takes to defend an Olympic title. He successfully defended his 400m title in Sydney in 2000, despite battling injuries in the lead-up to the Games."It is very difficult when you are the defending champion," Johnson said. "It comes with its own pressure. Sometimes when an athlete is not expected to win, it's easier to do than when they are expected to win."Chopra will be carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders in Paris. But Johnson believes that the Indian star has the mental strength to handle the pressure."He has the whole of India wanting him to win," Johnson said. "Not all athletes have done it. I was able to do it and it can be done. It comes with an advantage that you know that you can win. You have done it before. You also carry the champion's confidence."Chopra has been in impressive form since his Olympic triumph. He is the reigning world champion and has consistently medalled in major meets. Johnson believes that Chopra is capable of great things in Paris."He is flying high," Johnson said. "Going by his performances in the last two years, he has been spurred by his sensational Tokyo Olympics gold."Johnson also stressed the importance of managing expectations."Expectations will always weigh on you," he said. "It's just about how you manage it. You have your own expectations, fans have expectations, and the whole country has its expectations. Trying to pretend that it's not there and doesn't exist is a mistake. The key is to manage those expectations, especially in the moment when you are preparing to focus on only the things you can control."Johnson is looking forward to some good performances in the Paris Olympics, especially with the energy of the fans coming back after the Covid-restricted Tokyo Games."Lot of athletes told me that they missed the energy of the fans in the stadium," he said. "The thing about the Olympics is that all events are thrilling because the stakes are high. These are your best athletes at their best. They have all trained for this moment. Everybody wants to be the champion but only one will get the gold medal. So, there will be last minute drama. You are going to have athletes trying to show up in Paris not believing they can win gold and they can leave Paris with a gold medal. It's an amazing story when that happens."

Viswanathan Anand's remarkable victory at the 2014 Candidates Tournament stands as a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. After a crushing defeat to Magnus Carlsen in the 2013 World Championship, Anand faced doubts and skepticism about his ability to compete at the highest level.Despite his initial reluctance, Anand was persuaded by Vladimir Kramnik to participate in the Candidates. With minimal preparation, he entered the tournament as an underdog. However, Anand's detached mindset and low expectations proved to be his secret weapon.In the first round, he stunned tournament favorite Levon Aronian, setting the tone for his dominant performance. Anand remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, securing his victory with a round to spare. His triumph earned him a rematch against Carlsen, although he ultimately fell short in the World Championship.Anand's 2014 Candidates victory is widely regarded as one of his greatest achievements. It showcased his ability to overcome adversity and regain his peak form. His legacy continues to inspire Indian chess players, as evidenced by the recent success of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, and Humpy at the 2022 Candidates Tournament.