Category: Sports

A fitness enthusiast from Australia has made headlines by completing a staggering 7,079 pull-ups within 24 hours, setting a new Guinness World Record.

As per the details, the extraordinary achievement, which is nearly double the previously recognised record, comes from Kandy Cummins of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, who set the new record between May 29 and May 30.

Her relentless effort showcased exceptional physical strength, mental toughness and determination.

Although Australian lifeguard and Ironman Cain Eckstein had completed 7,620 pull-ups back in 2016, his attempt was never officially recognised by Guinness World Records. This left the officially acknowledged record much lower, which Kandy successfully surpassed.

To achieve this feat, Kandy underwent months of rigorous training, discipline, and strategic planning. “This wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was a mental and emotional battle, too,” she said while talking about her journey.

“It wasn’t just for me. I wanted to show girls and women that they too can achieve some of the toughest physical feats in the world,” Kandy added.

The record-setting performance stands not only as a personal triumph but also as a powerful milestone in the global recognition of women’s fitness and determination.

The feud between former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal and Muhammad Azam Siddiqui, the father of master batsman Babar Azam, has gone up a few notches after Siddiqui’s recent Instagram post appeared to take a personal dig at Akmal. 

The dispute began when Kamran Akmal said on a podcast that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should now focus only on Test cricket and be phased out of T20Is and, eventually, ODIs. Akmal said that both players are more suited to the longer format and questioned their place in the white-ball setup.

In response, Babar Azam’s father shared an old photo of himself with Babar and Kamran Akmal, along with a caption that indirectly addressed Kamran’s criticism. He reminded Akmal of a past match where Babar scored a century and Kamran was dismissed for zero, implying that those who talk behind the backs of successful people do so out of failure. He also referenced a Turkish proverb comparing brothers to the biblical story of Abel and Cain, further intensifying the tone of the message.

Now, Kamran Akmal has replied by posting the same photo on his Instagram story and writing down a stern warning. 

“May Allah bless you with even more success and respect. Being silent is not an option every time, especially when false narratives are being spread,” he wrote.

He urged Babar’s father to be cautious with his words, adding, “I kindly ask that you think twice before speaking or posting about me without facts. My parents have taught us never to be jealous of anyone, and Alhamdulillah, I’ve proudly represented my country and performed with dignity.”

Kamran also drew a line, stating, “There are clear boundaries, and you’ve crossed them more than once; stay within your limits. Don’t lose your respect by continuing down this path.”

He concluded with a reminder that cricket should remain performance-based and not personal, saying, “Cricket is about performance, not personal agendas. And if you’re going to hint at someone, be clear: truth doesn’t hide in shadows. Pakistan humesha Zindabad.”

The final of the ATF South Asian Under-12 Tennis Championship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was called off due to rain, resulting in both teams being declared joint champions. Both teams were awarded gold medals.

The title clash was held in Colombo, where the Pakistani team remained undefeated throughout the tournament. In the first match of the final, Pakistan’s Rashid Ali defeated Sri Lanka’s V. Vithanurine in straight sets, winning 5-4, 4-0.

The second match was underway between Pakistan’s Mohammad Shayan Afridi and Sri Lanka’s Amara Singhe. Both players had won one set each when rain interrupted play, making it impossible to continue the match.

With no result possible, the organizers decided to declare both Pakistan and Sri Lanka as joint winners of the championship.

Pakistan had a dominant run in the tournament, securing victories against Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and arch-rivals India on their way to the final.

Pakistan has also qualified for the upcoming ATF Under-12 Asian Championship, which is scheduled to be held in Singapore in August.

The long-standing tension between former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and senior sports journalist Dr. Nauman Niaz has once again intensified.

Dr. Niaz has issued a legal notice to Akhtar following a controversial remark made by the former cricketer during Episode 31 of The Dug Out, a cricket show streamed on Tamasha on May 25, 2025.

While speaking on the show, Shoaib said, “Yeh Dr. Nauman Niaz hamarey bag uthata tha, humney issey bag uthaney ke liye rakha hua tha,” suggesting that Niaz once worked as someone who carried his bags. Dr Niaz’s legal team has deemed this comment false, insulting, and damaging to his reputation.

The legal notice, sent on May 29 by lawyer Qazi Umair Ali, says Shoaib’s statements have repeatedly hurt Dr Niaz’s image and caused emotional and professional damage. It also points out Dr Niaz’s long service in sports journalism, his high-level roles in the Pakistan Cricket Board, and his Tamgha-e-Imtiaz award.

The notice warns that further legal action may be taken under Pakistan’s Defamation Ordinance 2002 if Shoaib does not issue a public apology or retract his statement.

This isn’t the first time the two have clashed. In 2021, their on-air argument made headlines when Shoaib Akhtar walked off a live PTV Sports show. Although the matter appeared resolved at the time, tensions have persisted.

An Indian national and owner of the Lanka T10 League franchise Galle Marvels, Prem Thakur, has been sentenced to two years in prison and handed a 10-year ban after pleading guilty to match-fixing charges.

According to media reports, Thakur was convicted under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports Act. He admitted to attempting match-fixing during the Lanka T10 League and was sentenced to two years in jail, fined INR 6 million, ordered to pay INR 1 million in compensation, and banned from all sports-related activities for 10 years.

The Kandy High Court also approved a request by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit to access and analyse data from Thakur’s mobile phone as part of their ongoing investigation.

Furthermore, Thakur has been ordered to leave Sri Lanka after paying the fine and compensation.

In December 2024, Thakur attempted to approach West Indies cricketer Andre Fletcher with offers of match-fixing and illegal benefits during his participation in the Lanka T10 League with Galle Marvels.

Pakistani squash star Noor Zaman has qualified for the main draw of the prestigious British Open Squash Championship after defeating Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in the final round of qualifiers.

The reigning World Under-23 Champion continued his impressive run on the professional circuit, securing his spot in one of the sport’s most esteemed tournaments. In the decisive qualifier, 10th-seeded Zaman outplayed third seed El Torkey 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 in a 46-minute contest.

Earlier in the qualifying rounds, Zaman defeated England’s Will Salter 3-1 (10-12, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3) in 42 minutes, and then edged past veteran Adrian Waller 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12) in a grueling 59-minute third-seeded battle.

This is not the first time a Pakistani player has reached the British Open main round. In 2022, Tayyab Aslam represented Pakistan in the main draw, where he faced Egyptian great Mohamed ElShorbagy. Prior to that, players like Farhan Mahboob and Aamir Atlas Khan featured in earlier editions, including 2009 and 2019.

Zaman is set to face England’s Curtis Malik in the first round on Sunday as he looks to continue what is shaping up to be a breakthrough season.

In April, the young talent claimed the Under-23 World Championship title after beatng Egypt’s Karim El-Turki in a thrilling five-game final at DHA Creek Club in Karachi.

Pakistan has a rich legacy at the British Open, with a record 30 titles, more than any other country. Squash legend Jahangir Khan alone won 10 of those titles.

Zaman’s recent form is a promising sign for the revival of Pakistani squash, as the nation aims to return to its historic dominance on the global stage.

Turkish Kung Fu champion Najmuddin Erbakan Akyüz made headlines after he threw his European gold medal into the Nile River in solidarity with the people of Palestine and as a protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

The renowned fighter, who recently won gold at the European Kung Fu Championship 2024, recorded a video message while standing by the Nile in Cairo. In the video, Akyüz declared, “All the honours I have received are not more valuable than a single drop of blood of the oppressed people of Palestine.”

Avrupa şampiyonası Ödül töreninde Filistin’e verdiği destek nedeniyle soruşturma açılan Necmettin Erbakan Akyüz tepki olarak madalyasını Nil Nehrine attı.
Sonuna Kadar izleyip, izlettirelim. pic.twitter.com/RHBxLPfXbl

— Harun Karaca (@HarunKaraca1) May 27, 2025

He further added, “When a free Palestine is established, I will come back here again.”

During the European Wushu Kung Fu Championship held in Istanbul in December 2023, Akyüz had previously waved the Palestinian flag, which led to backlash from the European Wushu Kung Fu Federation (WKFE). The federation expressed its disapproval over what it termed political gestures during the event.

The WKFE issued a statement saying, “Some athletes were seen making political moves during the award ceremony, which go against our principles. We have taken immediate steps by meeting the athletes involved and issuing protest notices.”

Responding to the WKFE’s reaction, Akyüz said, “I am proud of what I did. I have no regrets. If given another chance, I will do the same again. You can take my medals, you can punish me, but I took this step by putting my career at risk.”

Addressing Israel directly, he added, “Your precious medals are now at the bottom of the river. If you have the courage, come and take them out.”