Kai Jones hosts his first ever 1 Up Cup
By JONATHAN BURROWS
Bahamian NBA player Kai Jones hosted his inaugural 1 Up Cup basketball tournament this past Saturday at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium, bringing together young talent from across the island nation.
The one-day tournament followed a one-game elimination format featuring six teams. The rosters were set during a combine-style
draft held Friday evening where players were evaluated on their skills before being selected. The format gave participants a chance to showcase their abilities while also promoting teamwork.
“I’m so glad that everyone is getting an opportunity to play, God has blessed us to be able to come together and play like this and I’m so blessed to be able to give back and help,” said Kai.
The inspiration for the 1 Up Cup came from a tournament participant Jaylen Fernander who was a camper at the Mirror Mirror programme held at A.F. Adderly Gymnasium in July where Kai served as a mentor to at-risk kids.
“We were working at the gym, and Jaylen Fernander asked me if I could please come home and do something like this and we were talking about it and I was looking forward to doing something like this when I was ending the season,” said Kai.
Jaylen Fernander would be named the player of the game for the first game of the tournament for team Skywalker in a win against team Tito, scoring 15 points with five steals. It would be team GOATs who would win the entire tournament, defeating team Infinity in the final round with a score of 62-47. The tournament’s most valuable player went to Damarion Ellis of team GOATs, and the defensive player of the tournament would go to Sidney Higgs also of team GOATs. With the success of the inaugural edition, Kai hopes to make this tournament an annual event to expand its reach and impact.
Over the next 5 days heading into the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, The Tribune’s Sports will be running a series of profiles, highlighting the 15-member team that will represent The Bahamas. The championships will run from September 13-21. The profile continues today with hurdler Devynne Charlton and long jumper/sprinter Anthaya Charlton
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
BASKETBALL
BBSF TOURNEY THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation’s 2025 Basketball Tournament is scheduled for the weekend of September 26-27 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium for the 12-and under and open divisions. Each team will consist of 12 players. Trophies sponsored by AID will be distributed to the champions and runners-up in
BAHAMIAN NBA player Kai Jones, shown above, hosted his inaugural 1 Up Cup basketball tournament at the Kendal G.L. Issacs Gymnasium on Saturday, bringing together young talent from across the island nation.
Photo: Jaheim Pennerman
World Athletics Championships -
Devynne Charlton
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
SHE is a two-time World indoor 60 metre champion and world record holder. But the one thing that has eluded her glaring career so far is a medal on the global stage outdoors in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Could this be the year that the Bahamian national indoor and outdoor record holder mounts the medal dias at the World Championships?
“I’m excited about competing in Tokyo,” Charlton said. “I’m looking forward to another opportunity to represent The Bahamas on the world stage.”
This will be Charlton’s fifth appearance at the championships - the biggest track and field competition outside of the Olympic Games - and once again she will be joined by her younger sister Anthaya Charlton.
This year’s championships will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13-21 and Devynne Charlton said she’s taking it in stride just as she did in hurdling over the previous one.
“The approach to the championship is the same as always, show up, give my best effort and let my performance speak for itself,” said a confident Charlton.
She has seen a constant improvement after not making out of the preliminaries in her first debut in 2015 in Beijing, China, placing 27th overall, to 13th in the semifinals in 2017 in London, England and making the final ever since with seventh in Eugene, Oregon in 2021 and fourth in 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.
With the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations taking a slightly younger team than in the norm in the past where the veterans dominated the list, Charlton fits in as one of the elder stateswomen. She is coming off her second consecutive sixthplace finish in the 100m hurdles at her two appearances at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021 and Paris, France, last year. But with all of the experience she has gained as
the oldest female and the second oldest member on the team going back to Tokyo behind high jumper Donald Thomas, who is 41, the 29-year-old Charlton cautioned the others, including her 22-year-old sister, Anthaya. “I would advise the younger members of the
team to just treat this track meet as if it’s any other, not to make it anything more than what it is and just go out there, compete and have fun,” Charlton said. Charlton, who lowered her Bahamian national record to 12.44 at the 2023 Worlds on August 22 in Budapest, goes into the
Devynne Charlton, 29
Parents’ names: Laura and Dave
Siblings: Lauren and Anthaya
Schools attended: Sts. Francis and Joseph, St. Augustine’s College
What year you started track: 2003
Club affiliated with: Star Trackers
Coach: Rolando Greene
Event: 100 metres Hurdles
Personal best: 12.44
Favourite colour: Grey
championships with the 14th best time posted this year with her season’s best of 12.52 in Letzigrund, Zurich, on August 26. But while she trails in the list led by her training partner American Olympic champion Masai Russell, who did 12.17 in Miramar, Florida back on May 2, Charlton said she always likes her odds.
“I always bet on myself and so I’m not concerned about where I stack up against the competition,” she quipped.
“The only thing that matters is how well I can execute my race when the time comes.” Rolando “Lonnie” Greene, the Bahamian head coach at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky where he trains both Russell and Charlton, said he expects Charlton to represent The Bahamas to the best of her Yahweh given ability.
“It is mine, like every coach who has an athlete at these upcoming World Championships, to podium,” said Greene, who will be in Tokyo to monitor the progress of both competitors. “I think she is ready to accomplish the
goals she has set for herself this 2025 season.
Her preparation going into these World Championships has been great. I am excited to see how it unfolds.” Greene, a former sprinter, assured the public that anything can happen on any given day in competition because that is the reason why it is called competition.
“My hope and prayer is that she exceeds all expectations including her own,” he summed up.
And once she’s done, Charlton said she plans to turn her focus onto her Barrier Breakers Foundation where her team is now planning to host her first track meet next year when she intends to bring a lot of the athletes competing in Tokyo to The Bahamas.
“I’m very excited about that,” said Charlton, who has done a whole lot of charity work off the track since the launch of her foundation in December, 2024.
The Legends Track and Field Devynne Charlton Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium.
‘Jazz’ and Yankees win 4-3, close within two games of AL East-leading Blue Jays
By LARRY FLEISHER Associated Press
Aaron Judge saved a run with a diving catch and scored the go-ahead run as the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 yesterday and closed within two games of the AL East leader. Making his second appearance in right field right elbow, Judge took a few steps and sprawled to catch George Springer’s Nathan Lukes at second and protect a one-run lead. Judge had three walks, including in the third when he stole second and came home on Bellinger’s double off the right-centre field wall.
throw to second on Ernie run second.
league lead in wins. Seeking its first AL East games against the Yankees this year and hold the tiewon its second straight over Toronto after losing leads for the top AL wild card.
in his last four starts after over five outings when he returned from a blister on his pitching hand. Toronto closed in the second on Isiah KinerLuke’s sacrifice fly. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had eight hits in the series, had a tying double in the third following shorterror, most among AL shortstops, on an errant grounder.
NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm
right, reacts after stealing second base during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. (AP Photo/Heather
back a day after back stiffness last weekend, gave up four runs and four hits in 4
Key Moment
single by Lukes, who was caught stealing second byliams stranded two in the eighth.
Key Stat his last four starts.
Up Next Blue Jays: Host Houston Tuesday.
3.87) in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
By JONATHAN BURROWS
the New York Liberty beat
Stadium. Jones struggled in this matchup, scoring just two points with two reboundsutes of action. Jones was in foul trouble for much of the night which contributed to her limited play time.
The Liberty trailed at halftime but turned things around in the second half, holding the Storm to just limited playtime, Jones still contributed particularly as a facilitator as two of her three assists came during crucial times in the second half that led to the comeback.
Her limited play created opportunities for her teammates like Breanna Stewart
Jones is currently a for the season. With the Liberty already viewed as contenders, Jones’ play could determine just how far New York goes in thegle may have slowed her impact, but her presence remains a key factor in the Liberty’s journey toward a championship run.
CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN ELEUTHERA TENNIS ASSOCIATION’S JUNIOR TOURNEY
THE Eleuthera Tennis Association (ETA) held its Back to School Jamboree and junior tennis tournament last weekend. According to a press release yesterday, the events were a huge success. The ETA crowned the following champions -
Jr.,
Khalifa)
Jones, Colts snap 11-game opening-day
winless streak, beating Dolphins 33-8
By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Daniel Jones ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, and the Indianapolis Colts snapped the NFL’s longest active opening-day winless drought at 11 with a 33-8 rout of the Miami Dolphins yesterday.
The Colts are 1-0 for the first time since 2013 and did it in Jones’ first game with the team. He went 22 of 29 for 272 yards, including a career-high 197 yards in the first half, as Indy scored on all seven possessions.
New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo also had a splashy debut as the Colts came within 6 1/2 minutes of delivering their first shutout since December 2021. Nothing went right for the Dolphins as their Week 1 winning streak ended at four.
While they had 43 total yards in the first half, Indy ran 43 plays. Miami finished with just 211 total
yards and needed De’Von
Achane’s strong effort on a screen pass on fourthand-goal from the Colts 11-yard line with 6:21 left to avoid getting shut out for the first time in four years. A 2-point conversion pass made it 30-8. That was it for the Dolphins.
Tagovailoa went 14 of 23 for 114 yards with two interceptions and lost a fumble on one of his three sacks.
The Dolphins ran for 78 yards while Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for eight receptions and 70 yards.
Colts rookie Tyler Warren caught seven passes for 76 yards and converted his only run into a first down. Michael Pittman Jr. had eight catches for 60 yards and a score, and Jonathan Taylor ran 18 times for 71 yards.
Irsay tribute The Colts honoured their late owner Jim Irsay, who died in May, by inducting
him into the team’s Ring of Honour.
Twelve of the previous 18 inductees attended the ceremony, including Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James. Manning
spoke before Irsay’s three daughters, who are now in charge of the team — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson — were introduced.
He noted Irsay always said “yes” when it came to
what the franchise needed to win. Jim Irsay took over as owner following the death of his father, Robert, in 1997. Under Jim Irsay’s leadership, Indy won two AFC titles and the Super
LAWRENCE AND ETIENNE DELIVER
AS JAGUARS OPEN NEW REGIME WITH 26-10 WIN OVER PANTHERS
By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
(AP) — Trevor Lawrence threw a touchdown pass, Travis Etienne ran for 143 yards and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Carolina Panthers 26-10 to give their new regime a debut victory yesterday.
Brian Thomas Jr. also ran for a score for Jacksonville, which controlled both lines of scrimmage and kept Lawrence upright all afternoon.
The game was delayed 1 hour, 16 minutes because of nearby lightning strikes. The Jags led 10-3 when players and coaches headed to locker rooms and did much of the scoring after it resumed.
Jacksonville’s revamped defence contributed as much as Lawrence and the offence. Newcomers
Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray made several big plays, with Lewis’ pass breakup leading to a firsthalf interception for Foye Oluokun.
JAGUARS cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) tackles Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) in the first half yesterday. (AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack)
Bowl following the 2006 season.
“We miss you Dad, we honour you, we wish you were here,” Irsay-Gordon said before the Beatles song “Here Comes the Sun” played.
Following the game, the words “Won For Jim” appeared on the scoreboard and all three daughters received game balls.
Injuries
Dolphins: Right guard James Daniels left with a pectoral muscle injury on Miami’s third offensive play and cornerback Storm Duck went to the locker room on a cart late in the first half with a left ankle injury. Both were ruled out.
Colts: Indy cornerback Jaylon Jones suffered a non-contact injury to his left hamstring in the first half and did not return.
Up next
Dolphins: Play their home opener next Sunday against New England.
Colts: Host Denver next Sunday.
RAIDERS THWART PATRIOTS 20-13
By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Geno Smith opened his stint with the Raiders by throwing for 362 yards and a touchdown, rookie Ashton Jeanty rushed for his first career touchdown and Las Vegas rallied to beat the New England Patriots 20-13 in their season-opener yesterday.
Tight end Brock Bowers had five catches for 103 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Jakobi Meyers added eight catches for 97 yards.
Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce also added sacks to help give Pete Carroll his first victory as the Raiders’ coach.
It was the third time in as many years that Young struggled in an opener. He had a combined four interceptions in blowout losses the past two seasons.
The complementary play created rave reviews for first-time head coach Liam Coen, first-time general manager James Gladstone and first-time executive vice president Tony Boselli. Throw in first-time offensive and defensive coordinators, and there was no telling how the Jaguars would handle their season opener. They were much better than the Panthers, who turned the ball over twice in the first half and turned it over on downs twice in the second. Bryce Young turned in another season-opening stinker. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 154 yards, with a TD pass to Chuba Hubbard, two interceptions and a fumble. He also made a head-scratching throw out of the back of the end zone on a fourthand-1 play from the 5-yard line.
Travis Hunter plays both sides of the ball Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the second overall pick in the NFL draft, was more active on offence while playing both sides of the ball in the season opener. Hunter played 39 offensive snaps and caught six passes for 33 yards. He played just six snaps on defence, where he worked as an outside cornerback in passing situations. He looked like he might have a touchdown catch late in the second half, but Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn made a leaping, one-handed snag for an interception.
Brotherly rivalry begins Travis Etienne has family bragging rights for at least a year. He got a win in his first meaningful game against his younger brother, Trevor.
Travis Etienne ran 16 times and topped the century mark for just the second time in his last 28 games. Both came against the Panthers. His 71-yard scamper in the second quarter set up a touchdown.
Trevor Etienne served as Carolina’s backup running back and primary punt and kickoff returner. He totalled 47 all-purpose yards.
Key injuries Panthers: Defensive end Turk Wharton, who left Kansas City to sign a three-year contract worth $45 million in free agency, was ruled out in the second quarter with a knee injury. Wharton was previously evaluated for a concussion but ultimately cleared to return. Carolina linebacker Pat Jones left with an ankle injury. Jaguars: Right tackle Anton Harrison left the game late with a back injury.
Up next The Panthers play at Arizona next Sunday.
The Jaguars play at Cincinnati the same day.
Las Vegas outscored the Patriots 13-3 in the second half. New England got within seven points on a 44-yard field goal by rookie Andy Borregales, but its ensuing onside kick rolled out of bounds. New England was just 4 of 14 on third down in coach Mike Vrabel’s debut. Drake Maye was 30 of 46 for 287 yards and a touchdown but also had an interception that led to the Raiders’ go-ahead score. Kayshon Boutte finished with six catches for 103 yards. Jaylinn Hawkins had an interception and a sack.
Up next Raiders: Host Chargers on Sept. 15.
Patriots: At Miami next Sunday.
HERBERT OUTDUELS MAHOMES TO HELP CHARGERS BEAT CHIEFS 27-21 IN BRAZIL
By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer
JUSTIN Herbert finished off the Los Angeles Chargers’ season-opening victory in style, sliding for a first down that effectively ended the game.
The quarterback earned style points for his scramble and sideline slide that capped a 318-yard, threetouchdown performance in a 27-21 victory over the Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night in Sao Paulo. Herbert had 32 yards rushing, too.
Los Angeles’ first win over the Chiefs since Sept. 26, 2021, snapped a sevengame skid against the team that has dominated the AFC for nearly a decade.
“It’s monumental,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “September 5th will go down in some Charger lore, in my opinion. It was a big win.” The NFL’s second game South America was streamed on YouTube, with Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar in attendance. Newly engaged pop superstar Taylor Swift wasn’t there to watch fiancé Travis Kelce and see Colombian singer Karol G perform at halftime. Herbert became just the third quarterback in Chargers history with 300 yards and three TDs in a season opener. His 19-yard run on third-and-14 dashed any comeback hopes the Chiefs had with 2:21 to play. He
finished 25 of 34 and was sacked three times.
“We knew it was going to be a dogfight, so we showed up today with our best effort,” Herbert said. “It was fun to see.” Mahomes was 24 of 39 for 258 yards, one touchdown and two sacks.
“This will be a big lesson for us,” Mahomes said. “They definitely came out with more energy than we did. We got to get better from the start.”
Herbert’s 23-yard TD pass to Quentin Johnston extended the lead to 26-18 with 5:02 remaining in the fourth. They hooked up for a 5-yard TD on the Chargers’ opening drive of the game.
Chased by Khalil Mack, Mahomes threw incomplete
to Marquise Brown on first-and-goal at the LA 9. Two more incomplete passes brought on Harrison Butker, whose 27-yard field goal cut the deficit to 27-21 with 2:34 remaining. The Chiefs closed to 20-18 on Mahomes’ 37-yard TD pass to Kelce early in the fourth. The 2-point conversion failed as Mahomes’ pass was incomplete to Noah Gray.
“Multiple times we shot ourselves in the foot,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said. Injuries
The Chiefs were already down two receivers to start the game, with Rashee Rice suspended to start the season and rookie Jalen Royals out with a knee injury.
They lost another one three snaps into the game.
Xavier Worthy and teammate Kelce collided on a third-down pass. Worthy had to be helped off the field and was later ruled out with a right shoulder injury. Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman didn’t return after leaving with an ankle injury in the third.
Rookie miscue Chargers running back Omarion Hampton made a rookie mistake late in the first half. The first-round draft pick got a handoff on 3rd-and16 in the final minute when the Chiefs had no timeouts left. Instead of staying in bounds and letting the clock run, Hampton ran out of bounds. That stopped the clock and the Chargers got
a 36-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker for a 13-3 lead. Mahomes then moved the Chiefs within field goal range and their kicking unit rushed on the field.
Butker hit a 59-yarder with the 40 seconds to go, leaving the Chiefs trailing 13-6.
Take that Kelce shoved Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart, who responded with a blow to Kelce’s helmet in the third quarter. Tart was penalised for unnecessary roughness, but wasn’t thrown out because he used an open hand.
Up next Chiefs: Host Philadelphia on Sept. 14 in a Super Bowl rematch. Chargers: At Las Vegas on Sept. 15.
INDIANAPOLIS Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins yesterday in Indianapolis.
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Alcaraz beats rival Sinner for 6th Slam title, No. 1 ranking
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz reasserted his superiority over Jannik Sinner with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory yesterday in the U.S. Open final — the third Grand Slam tournament in a row where these elite, young rivals met to decide the champion — for his second trophy at Flushing Meadows and sixth overall at a major.
President Donald Trump sat in a sponsor’s suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium and received a mix of cheers and boos when he offered a wave beforehand and again when he was shown on videoboards after the first set.
The match’s start was delayed by about a halfhour because thousands of fans were still outside in line, trying to get through the extra security measures in place because of the presence of a sitting president at the tournament for the first time since Bill Clinton in 2000.
Perhaps the extra wait got the No. 1-seeded Sinner, who was the defending champion.
Right from the beginning under a closed roof because of rain earlier in the day, No. 2 Alcaraz was better as he sought to reverse the result from when they met at the All England Club less than two months ago.
He did just that, putting his leads over Sinner at 10-5 in their head-to-head series, 6-4 in major trophies, and 2-1 in U.S. Open championships.
Plus, this win allowed Alcaraz, a 22-year-old from Spain, to take away the No. 1 ranking from Sinner, a 24-year-old from Italy.
These two guys are so, so much better than the rest of men’s tennis at the moment.
They have combined to collect the past eight Slam trophies in a row, and 10 of 13. Novak Djokovic, whom Alcaraz eliminated in Friday’s semifinals, took the other three in that span. Sunday’s showdown represented the first time in tennis history that the same two men played each other in three consecutive Slam finals within a single season. This hard-court matchup followed Alcaraz’s victory over Sinner after erasing a trio of match points on the French Open’s red clay in June, and Sinner’s victory
over Alcaraz on Wimbledon’s grass in July.
Both Sinner, who had won his past 27 hard-court matches at majors, and Alcaraz offered glimpses of why they are so good, although it was rare that both were at their best simultaneously on this occasion.
Alcaraz was elite in the first, third and fourth sets, Sinner’s top efforts arrived in the second. In sum, Alcaraz was better and for longer, ending up with twice as many winners, 42-21.
Since the start of the 2024 U.S. Open, Sinner had won 33 of 34 matches at the majors and Sunday was his fifth straight final at those events.
The loss?
To Alcaraz at Roland-Garros.
Indeed, over the last two seasons, Sinner is now 1-7 against Alcaraz and 109-4 against everyone else.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, has won 37 of 38 contests since May. The loss? To Sinner at the All England Club — also Alcaraz’s lone defeat in a Slam final.
In 2025, Alcaraz now has more tournament titles (a tour-leading seven) than losses (his record is 61-6, also the best in men’s tennis).
During his defeat in Wimbledon’s final, Alcaraz was caught by a camera telling his team about Sinner in Spanish: “From the back of the court, he’s much better than me.”
So perhaps that’s why Alcaraz was aggressive Sunday with his sledgehammer of a forehand — and on-target, too. Whenever even the smallest opening
presented itself, Alcaraz tried to barge on through with that shot, going big early in points, which worked, either for an outright winner or forcing mistakes from Sinner.
Sinner had dropped a total of just one service game in his three matches leading into the final, but he did deal with an abdominal muscle issue in his semifinal Friday. Sinner and his coach said it was nothing serious, which might be right, but Alcaraz broke right away Sunday and five times in all. To counteract the forehand effectiveness, Sinner made a tactical switch, going increasingly after Alcaraz’s backhand when possible. That both limited Alcaraz’s opportunities to strike a point-ending forehand and drew additional mistakes off the other wing. Paid off for Sinner.
Briefly.
In the first set and third, Alcaraz’s ratios were 11 winners to two unforced errors. Truly remarkable. In the second, those numbers swung the other way: five winners, 11 unforced errors.
An hour and 20 minutes in, it was a set apiece, after Alcaraz ceded one for the first time all tournament, allowing Neale Fraser to retain his distinction as the most recent man to win every set he played at the event — all the way back in 1960.
As Sinner worked his way into things, he would celebrate just about every point he gathered by looking at the corner of the stands where his two coaches and others, including Olympic champion ski racer Lindsey Vonn, were seated and pumped his right fist. Ah, but it was Alcaraz who seemed to have more of the ticket-buyers on his side.
Sabalenka defeats Anisimova
for her 2nd consecutive
US Open title and 4th at a major
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
NEW YORK (AP) —
Aryna Sabalenka was two points away from what eventually would be a second consecutive U.S. Open title when she had what should have been a routine — easy, even — overhead smash. Instead, while backpedalling, she dumped the ball into the net, giving her opponent, Amanda Anisimova, a break chance.
After that excruciating miss Saturday, Sabalenka dropped her racquet on the blue court and smiled a rueful smile. She began to feel the sort of emotions that got the better of her during losses in the finals at the Australian Open in January and French Open in June bubble up. She tried to compose herself.
“I just let the doubt get into my head,” Sabalenka explained. “But then I turned around and I took a deep breath in, and I was like, ‘OK. It happens. It’s in the past. Let’s focus on the next one.’”
So everything was fine from there? Well, no. “She broke me,” Sabalenka said with a loud laugh. “I was like, ‘OK. ... Reset.” It took another 15 minutes to complete the job, but the No. 1-seeded Sabalenka did reset, unlike at those earlier title matches in 2025, and was able to kneel on Arthur Ashe Stadium’s court while covering her face with her hands after beating Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3). That made Sabalenka
the first woman to earn the trophy at Flushing Meadows in consecutive years since Serena Williams in 2012-14.
“I truly really admire her,” said No. 8 seed Anisimova, a 24-year-old American who heard raucous support from the 24,000 or so spectators. “She puts in a lot of work, and that’s why she’s where she is.”
Sabalenka, a 27-year-old from Belarus, earned her fourth Grand Slam trophy — all on hard courts — and avoided becoming the first woman to lose three major finals in a season since Justine Henin in 2006.
Sabalenka was the runner-up to Madison Keys at Melbourne Park and to Coco Gauff at Roland-Garros.
Those defeats helped on Saturday.
“After the Australian Open, I thought that the right way would be just to forget it and move on. But then the same thing happened at the French Open,” said Sabalenka, who showed up at her postmatch news conference with a bottle of Champagne and a pair of dark goggles atop her head. “So after French Open, I figured that, OK, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and to look at those finals and to maybe learn something, because I didn’t want it to happen again and again and again.”
As Anisimova kept making things close again, and the crowd kept getting loud, Sabalenka reminded herself to focus on herself.
It worked. When Anisimova trailed Sabalenka 2-0, 30-love as Saturday’s match began, some fans might have wondered: There’s no way there’s going to be a repeat of the Wimbledon, right? That’s because Anisimova’s first major final, in July at the All England Club, ended with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout against Iga Swiatek.
But Anisimova grabbed the next four points to break back, capping the game with a backhand winner and a forehand winner. That got folks on
their feet, shouting, and Anisimova exhaled as she walked to the sideline. Soon, she led 3-2. That was another moment that could have thrown Sabalenka. Nope. She took the next four games and that set.
It began pouring before the match, so Ashe’s roof was shut and its artificial lights were on. That was a problem from Anisimova, who said she had a hard time seeing the ball during serve tosses. The setup also created windless conditions, ideal
for two ball-strikers who really can bring the power with good contact. And that’s what they both did. Some exchanges were breathtaking — to them, certainly, and to those in the stands who gasped at the power during longer points. The rewards can be huge, as can the risks, and Anisimova was seeking the lines with full cuts off both sides.
“I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today,” said Anisimova, who buried her face in a towel after the match.
the
Of Sabalenka’s first 13 points, just one came via her own winner. The others? Six unforced errors and six forced errors by Anisimova. By the end, Anisimova had nearly twice as many winners as Sabalenka, 22-13, and nearly twice as many unforced errors, too, 29-15.
“There was two moments where I was really close to lose control,” Sabalenka said later, “but ... I told myself, ‘No, it’s not going to happen. It’s absolutely OK.’”
ARYNA SABALENKA, of Belarus, holds her trophy aftyer defeating Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, after
women’s finals of the U.S. Open tennis championships on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/ Yuki Iwamura)
CARLOS ALCARAZ, of Spain, stretches as he attempts to return a shot against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships yesterday.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
Prosa, Gale and Wagner hope
‘to get
some redemption’ at the ISA World Surfing Games
SURFING - from page E1
14.34. The trio, coached by Tom Glucksman, are expected back for their redemption races. Both Gale and Wagner will be back in action today, while Albury is still waiting on the date for his next race.
In the meantime, Glucksman said with the butterflies out of their systems, he’s anticipating that the three competitors would improve on their performances.
“They all had to work out the butterflies during round one, especially Joey and Lili,” Glucksman said. “Luke as a youngster tends to stay a little looser.
“I’d say the way they all rose to the occasion and got waves against top level competition at elite-level waves was something that we were all proud of. We are expecting with the butterflies worked out that they surf even better in their repechage heats.”
For Wagner, her first race was quite an experience.
“I am extremely proud of myself. To have the opportunity to represent The Bahamas and to be able to bring light to the potential for more Bahamian women to get involved in the sport,” she said.
Before the passing of her father, noted surfer Robert Wagner, she said she was encouraged to get involved in the sport, along with her brother Peter Wagner.
She attended the Tom Glucksman surf camp when she was 15 in Eleuthera and has been travelling the world surfing for the last two years before she got the opportunity to compete in the ISA event this year after she closed her shark diving company in Eleuthera.
“It’s been amazing down here competing in the El Salvador waves, which have been pumping,” she said. “I got my first heat out of the way.
“I came last but the fact that I surfed a clean heat and got one good wave in, with just 20 minutes, I’m super proud of my efforts.”
Wagner said she’s looking forward to competing in the repechage race today when she’s hoping that she will get a chance to redeem herself.
Gale, 24, hails from Hope Town, Abaco. He is making his second appearance in the ISA World Games.
Since the last games, Gale has graduated from college and has won his first Bahamas sailing regatta.
“I had a tough first day today, my surfing was up to par but unfortunately my wave selection and overall strategy is something I need
to work on,” Gale said. “I was only able to catch two waves, and made a priority mistake, giving a wave to the Japanese surfer. “I have my next heat tomorrow and I’m hoping to advance through to the next round.” Albury, 19, is also from Hope Town, but he’s now in his sophomore year at High Point University studying international relations. He started competing in surfing with his father at the age of nine and has surfed in different countries around the world.
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to hold its second annual Season Tip-Off Basketball Tournament from September 24-28 at the DW Davis Gymnasium.
The starting time is 4pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. The tournament is designed for junior and senior boys’ basketball teams.
The registration fee is $250 per team. Prizes and giveaways will be presented. For more information, persons are asked to contact coach Lamont “Redhead” Armaly at 826-8306.
BASKETBALL
NPACBO OFFICIAL
REFEREES
IF you are interested in becoming a basketball referee, the New Providence Association of Certified
Basketball Officials is looking for you. The NPACBO is inviting all interested persons to sign up to become a certified basketball referee and a certified table official. All you have to do is call 242-808-6839 or 242-423-0328 for email npcobahamas@gmail.com for more information.
TRACK
& FIELD
CLASSIC
TRACK
INVITE
THE Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation is scheduled to hold the Legends Track and Field Devynne Charlton Invitational on January 24, 2026 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event, which is expected to bring in a number of top athletes from around the world, will be held in honour of Charlton for her achievement as the world indoor two-time 60 metre hurdles champion and world record holder.
THE Baptist Sports Federation is slated to hold its 2025 Track and Field Classic during the Baptist month of activities on Saturday, October 25 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Odd distance events will be staged for competitors in the under-7, under-11, under-15, under-17, under20, under-40, under-60 and 60-and over categories for men and women. There will also be a Pastors/Ministers category. And trophies will be presented to the divisional champions and medals to the top three finishers in each event. Interested persons can contact Ann Thompson at ann87609@gmail. com or call 425-3667 or Brent Stubbs at stubbobs@ gmail,com or call 426-7265 for more information. LEGENDS
LILI Wagner after her first race.
LILI Wagner in action. JOEL Gale in action. LUKE Prosa in action.
Anthaya Charlton
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
FOR the second time this year, the talented Charlton sisters are in the centre of the spotlight for Team Bahamas at the World Championships.
Devynne and Anthaya Charlton first emerged on the global stage at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, as the first sibling tandem to compete in a major global competition.
Now, they’re back for an encore as the first family duo to appear at the outdoor World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13-21.
Devynne Charlton, coming off her repeat gold medal and world recordbreaking performances in the women’s 60m hurdles in Nanjing, will be leading the charge for Team Bahamas in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Anthaya Charlton, the 22-year-old collegian, has emerged as a double threat in the women’s 100m and the long jump where she’s been one of the top contenders all season long.
However, Anthanya Charlton will only be competing in the 100m at the championships.
Tokyo is expected to be the same as Nanjing where Devynne did the 60m and Anthaya was entered in the long jump. Nothing much will change in their preparation for the championships, according to Devynne.
“She’s doing her own thing and getting ready for the 100m while I get ready for the hurdles,” said the 29-year-old Devynne Charlton. “We’re still there to encourage each other during practice and maybe film a few reps.” For Anthaya Charlton, 22, the expectation is just for them to go out and do
their best. Anything after that is the icing on the cake as they celebrate their achievements.
Like they have at so many of their meets in the past, whether it was at the junior level, college or the
pro ranks, their parents Laura and David Charlton will be in the stands.
“As parents, we are filled with immense pride and joy as our daughters prepare to represent The Bahamas and compete at the 2025 Tokyo
World Athletic Championships,” they said.
“This would be the second Global Championships they would be competing at together. We thank God for their talents and favour in their lives.”
Anthaya Charlton, 22
Parents’ names: Laura and Dave
Siblings: Devynne and Lauren
Schools attended: Sts. Francis & Joseph, St. Anne’s, St. Augustine’s College
What year you started track: 2008
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite food: Curry Chicken
Favorite movie: My Girl
Favourite book: Ugly Love
Hobbies: Doing Nails
Role models: My sister Devynne
What stands out among the Charlton sisters is their dedication, hard work and perseverance, which has made their parents even more proud of their achievements.
“As their biggest supporters, the entire family will be in Tokyo cheering them on every step of the way and praying for their success,” they claimed.
“We wish them all the best and hope they showcase their talent and bring honour, not only to themselves but to the entire country. We can’t wait to see them make us all proud.”
While Charlton has the 14th best performance so far this year in the women’s 100m hurdles with her season’s best of 12.52, well off her national record of 12.44, Anthaya Charlton has come into her own as a bonafide sprinter. Anthaya Charlton clocked 10.87 on June 12 to place her second on the alltime Bahamian list behind Chandra Sturrup with her national record of 10.84 she set on July 5, 2005 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
But in the long jump, she soared (6.98m) on January 31 in Fayetteville, Arknasas to erase Bianca Stuart’s previous national record of (6.83m) that she did on June 26, 2015 at home in The Bahamas. Anthaya’s time has placed her in a four-way tie for eighth place on the women’s 100m list with American JaMeesia Ford, Nigerian Favour Ofili and Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith. American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden heads the list with 10.65. And in the long jump, Charlton’s leap of 22-10 3/4 (6.98m) has her pegged at number six with American Olympic and defending world champion Tara Davis-Woodhall out front wirth 23-4 1/2 (7.12m). But the latter will only be a topic for discussion as she will not line up in the field that will go simultaneously with the 100 metres over the first two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday.
So Charlton has decided to put her focus of attention on the 100m in her global outdoor debut.
The Countdown
OVER the next 5 days heading into the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, The Tribune’s Sports will be running a series of profiles, highlighting the 15-member team that will represent The Bahamas. The championships run from September 13-21.
With Brent Stubbs...