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Reigning Olympic triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas has suffered a devastating blow to her career, as she has torn her Achilles tendon and will miss the Paris 2024 Games. The 28-year-old Venezuelan underwent surgery in Madrid on Thursday after sustaining the injury during a training jump in Spain.Rojas, who won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, expressed her heartbreak in a statement on social media. "My heart is broken and I want to say sorry that I will not be able to take part in Paris 2024," she wrote.The injury occurred as Rojas landed from a training jump, causing intense pain. The diagnosis confirmed a tear to her left Achilles tendon. Rojas is also the world record holder in the event with a jump of 15.74m in 2022 and was voted the World Athlete of the Year for women's field events last year.The news has sent shockwaves through the athletics world, as Rojas was a hot favorite to retain her Olympic title in Paris. In Venezuela, she is a national heroine, with her face adorning frescoes and commercials. She is the only woman and the only track and field athlete to win Olympic gold for her country.Fellow Venezuelan athletes and officials have expressed their support for Rojas. Ruben Limardo, a fencing gold medalist in London 2012, said, "Yuli, every step we take, we will do so in thinking that you are with us in body, soul, and heart. Warrior, you can rise and fly again."Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also offered his support, saying, "All my love, my solidarity, my support. We love you and we know your commitment and your discipline. You are a warrior of life, an example for young people."Rojas's injury is a reminder of the fragility of athletic careers and the challenges that athletes face in pursuing their dreams. Despite the setback, Rojas remains an inspiration to her fans and her country. Her determination and resilience will undoubtedly guide her through this difficult time.

Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer, has made history once again at the Masters Tournament. Despite enduring numerous injuries and a devastating car accident, Woods has extended his record-breaking streak of consecutive cuts to 24.On Friday, Woods faced a grueling day at Augusta National. He completed the final five holes of his opening round, which was delayed by storms, and then played another 18 holes. Despite the challenging conditions, Woods managed to shoot an even-par 72, ensuring his place in the weekend rounds.Woods' performance was particularly impressive considering his limited preparation. He has played just one less hole in the past three months than he did on Friday. However, Augusta National seems to bring out the best in him."I'm tired," Woods admitted. "But Lance (Bennett, his caddie) and I really did some good fighting today, and we've got a chance."Woods' determination and resilience were evident throughout the round. He made several clutch chips and putts to keep his score above the cut line. His accuracy off the tee was also impressive, hitting 25 of 28 fairways.Despite facing a daunting deficit, Woods remains confident in his chances of winning the tournament. "I'm right there," he said. "I don't think anyone is going to run off and hide right now."Woods' performance has inspired awe and admiration from fellow golfers. Stewart Hagestad, an amateur who missed the cut, said, "The guy has barely played at all in the last calendar year, and he's 1 over. That's alien stuff. That's unbelievable."Max Homa, who is tied for the lead, was impressed by Woods' composure on the 18th green when strong winds whipped up sand. "He's standing there like a statue and then poured it right in the middle," Homa said.Woods' record-breaking streak and his determination to win his sixth green jacket are a testament to his greatness. He remains a force to be reckoned with at Augusta National, and his presence in the weekend rounds is sure to add excitement to the tournament.

Detroit's Mark Canha ignited the offense with a solo homer in the first inning, setting the tone for the Tigers' 8-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Tarik Skubal's impressive five-inning outing, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five, provided a solid foundation for the Tigers' success.The Tigers' offense came alive in the middle innings, with Spencer Torkelson and Matt Vierling each contributing two hits and two RBIs. Detroit's six-run surge from the fourth to the sixth inning put the game out of reach for the Twins.Minnesota's offense struggled mightily, managing only six hits and batting a league-low .184. Their lone runs came in the ninth inning, courtesy of Kyle Farmer's RBI double and Edouard Julien's run-scoring single.A notable disappointment for the Twins was the performance of Michael Tonkin, acquired from the Mets to bolster their bullpen. In his first appearance for Minnesota since 2017, Tonkin allowed two runs, two hits, and two walks in two innings.The Tigers, aiming to break their decade-long playoff drought, have now won two straight games for the first time since their 5-0 start. The Twins, on the other hand, have lost seven of their last nine games, casting doubt on their ability to repeat as AL Central champions.

The Masters Tournament, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, is renowned for its picturesque setting and challenging course. However, beneath the surface of its timeless beauty, Augusta National has undergone significant changes over the years, particularly in its length.When Tiger Woods claimed his maiden Masters title in 1997, the course measured 6,925 yards. Fast forward to 2023, and Augusta has stretched to an impressive 7,555 yards, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of the game.This gradual lengthening has been driven by several factors. Advances in golf technology, such as improved clubs and balls, have allowed players to hit the ball farther and more accurately. Additionally, the desire to maintain the course's challenge for the world's top golfers has necessitated adjustments to its layout.The most significant changes have occurred on the par-5 holes. The 13th hole, once a reachable par-5 for long hitters, has been extended to 510 yards, making it a more strategic challenge. Similarly, the 15th hole, known as "Firethorn," has been lengthened to 550 yards, requiring players to carefully consider their approach shots.While the lengthening of Augusta National has presented new challenges for golfers, it has also preserved the course's reputation as one of the most demanding tests in the sport. The ability to navigate the course's increased length and hazards requires a combination of power, precision, and strategic thinking.As the Masters Tournament approaches, the world's best golfers will face the daunting task of conquering the ever-evolving Augusta National. The course's increased length will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining the outcome, adding an extra layer of intrigue to one of the most prestigious events in golf.

The New York Mets snapped the Kansas City Royals' seven-game winning streak on Friday night, securing a 6-1 victory at Citi Field. Pete Alonso's solo homer in the eighth inning capped off a strong offensive performance for the Mets, who have now won six of their last eight games.Luis Severino earned his first win for the Mets, allowing just one hit and four walks in five innings of work. The two-time All-Star struck out four batters, including Bobby Witt Jr. with two runners on base in the fifth inning. Four relievers combined to finish the three-hitter for New York.The Mets scored all five of their runs off Royals starter Michael Wacha with two outs. Brett Baty's two-run double in the fifth inning extended the lead to 5-1. Jeff McNeil led the Mets' offense with three hits, while Brandon Nimmo and DJ Stewart each drove in a run.The Royals' lone run came on a solo homer by Salvador Perez in the second inning. Perez's homer was the only hit Severino allowed in his outing.The Mets' victory snapped the Royals' longest winning streak since 2017. The Royals, who had won seven straight games coming into the series, were looking for their first eight-game winning streak since July 2017.The Mets will face the Royals again on Saturday in the second game of the three-game series. Sean Manaea will start for the Mets, while Alec Marsh will take the mound for the Royals.

Major League Baseball (MLB) has witnessed a significant decline in batting average and an increase in game duration during the first two weeks of the 2023 season. The batting average has plummeted to .242, a seven percentage point drop compared to the same period last year. This decline comes despite MLB's implementation of restrictions on defensive shifts in 2022, which initially led to a rise in batting average.The average time of a nine-inning game has also increased by two minutes to 2:39, primarily due to the introduction of a pitch clock in the previous season. The clock, which limits the time pitchers have to throw and batters have to be ready, has been met with mixed reactions. While it has reduced the number of pitch clock violations, it has also been blamed for a series of pitcher injuries.The decline in batting average is attributed to several factors, including the increasing velocity of fastballs and the emergence of younger pitchers with less experience against batters. The average four-seam fastball velocity has reached 94.2 mph this season, up from 94.0 mph last year. Additionally, the number of pitches thrown at 100 mph or more has skyrocketed from 1,107 in 2017 to 3,880 in 2022.The impact of the pitch clock on game duration is evident in the gradual increase in average game time throughout last season. However, the number of pitch clock violations has decreased significantly, with an average of 0.34 violations per game compared to 0.84 in the first two weeks of last season.Despite the challenges faced by batters, stolen bases have remained steady at an average of 2.4 per game. However, the success rate has declined slightly to 78.6% from 81.2%. This follows a sharp increase in steals last year, which reached 3,503, the highest since 1987.

The Candidates tournament, a grueling chess competition where only the winner qualifies for a shot at the World Championship, has reached its halfway point. With seven rounds played and seven more to go, the tournament has witnessed a mix of surprises, disappointments, and memorable moments.Overperformers:Two Indian teenagers, Gukesh D and Praggnanandhaa R, have defied expectations with their impressive performances. Gukesh remained undefeated until Round 7, while Praggnanandhaa has showcased his exceptional opening preparation and aggressive play. Both are now in joint second place, just half a point behind leader Ian Nepomniachtchi.Underperformers:Hikaru Nakamura, the world No. 3, and Alireza Firouzja, the crown prince-in-waiting, have struggled to live up to their billing. Nakamura has managed only one win in seven rounds, while Firouzja has suffered three losses. Firouzja's dismal performance has been attributed to his poor time management and a series of online blitz games he played before his Round 7 match.Move that Shook:Praggnanandhaa's 4...f5 against Vidit Gujrathi in Round 3 was a bold and unexpected move that caught the chess world by surprise. The Delayed Shliemann in the Ruy Lopez is a hyper-aggressive line with a somewhat dubious reputation, but Praggnanandhaa played it with confidence and precision.Time Trouble:The time control at the Candidates has been a source of controversy. With 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, players have often found themselves in time trouble, leading to rushed decisions and costly mistakes. Gukesh, in particular, has suffered from this time pressure, losing a game to Firouzja in a mad time scramble.Post-Game Press Conferences:Post-game press conferences have provided moments of levity and intrigue. Nepomniachtchi was asked about the contents of his thermos, revealing that it contained tea purchased from a gift shop in Canada. Firouzja, after his first win, admitted that he needed to play risky chess and win all his remaining games to have a chance of qualifying.Round 7 Results:* Open: Nakamura drew with Nepomniachtchi, Caruana drew with Praggnanandhaa, Abasov drew with Gujrathi, Firouzja defeated Gukesh* Women: Lagno drew with Salimova, Goryachkina drew with Tan, Muzychuk drew with Humpy, Lei defeated VaishaliRound 8 Pairings:* Open: Nakamura vs. Caruana, Nepomniachtchi vs. Abasov, Praggnanandhaa vs. Firouzja, Gujrathi vs. Gukesh* Women: Lagno vs. Goryachkina, Salimova vs. Muzychuk, Tan vs. Lei, Humpy vs. Vaishali

Bryson DeChambeau's relentless assault on Augusta National Golf Club continued in the opening round of the 88th Masters Tournament. The enigmatic golfer unleashed a near-perfect performance, carding a seven-under 65 to seize the solo lead.DeChambeau's dominance was evident from the outset, as he unleashed a barrage of 12 drives exceeding 300 yards. His Krank driver and Avoda irons, unique to his arsenal, proved to be formidable weapons. Despite swirling winds, he hit 15 out of 18 greens in regulation.The world No. 210, who has been rapidly descending in the rankings since joining LIV Golf, displayed his recent resurgence. After a challenging period last year, he has notched two victories on the breakaway tour. His sizzling form has carried over to the Masters, where he opened with three consecutive birdies and closed with five more in his final seven holes.DeChambeau's performance was not solely attributed to brute force. He showcased deft long-range putts and remarkable recovery shots. His sliced second shot from the pine straws on the par-5 15th, which nearly resulted in an eagle, drew gasps from the patrons.Known as "the Scientist" for his scientific approach to golf, DeChambeau has recently become obsessed with robotics. His pursuit of a repeatable swing, the cornerstone of a great golf swing, was evident throughout his round.However, DeChambeau acknowledged the challenges posed by the ever-changing conditions. "Trying to be a robot is always something I've tried to do, but it's not feasible in this game," he said. "This wind out here just makes it diabolical."Despite his polarizing nature, DeChambeau remains a passionate advocate for the game. He has recently embraced content creation on YouTube, aiming to inspire and grow the sport.

India's dismal performance in Australia continued as they suffered a 1-3 defeat in the fourth Test of the five-match men's hockey series. Despite an improved display, the Kookaburras proved too strong, securing their fourth consecutive victory.The match, delayed by lightning, saw all four goals scored from penalty corners. India took the lead through skipper Harmanpreet Singh in the 12th minute, but Jeremy Hayward's brace (19th, 47th) and Jack Welch's strike (54th) handed Australia another win.India had been decimated 1-5 in the opening Test and lost the second and third Tests 2-4 and 1-2 respectively. However, they showed signs of improvement in the fourth Test, matching Australia in the first quarter.Mandeep Singh had an early chance for India, but his shot was saved by the Australian goalkeeper. The Kookaburras responded with back-to-back penalty corners, but veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made twin saves to deny them.India used the midfield more effectively than in previous games, building attacks with fine ball transfer. They secured their first penalty corner in the 10th minute, but Jugraj Singh failed to convert.Australia earned their third and fourth penalty corners, but the Indians defended stoutly. India took the lead when Harmanpreet converted their second penalty corner with a low and hard flick.The Kookaburras responded quickly, with Hayward converting their fifth penalty corner. Rajkumar Pal's reverse hit hit the post for India, and Australia secured their sixth penalty corner, but reserve goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made a brilliant save.The second half saw India secure another penalty corner, but Harmanpreet failed to breach the Australian defense. Australia earned back-to-back penalty corners in the final quarter, with Hayward converting the second.The hosts kept up the pressure, securing two more penalty corners but failing to utilize them. Welch scored Australia's third goal from another penalty corner six minutes later.India had chances in the form of three penalty corners in the last four minutes but wasted the opportunities. The final Test of the series will be played on Saturday.