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Deadspin | UCLA’s championship win drew 3rd-highest rating for women’s final  The UCLA Bruins celebrate their 79-51 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks to claim the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.   UCLA’s romp to the Women’s NCAA Tournament championship against South Carolina on Sunday, despite the one-sided score, drew the third-highest rating for a women’s title game, ESPN announced on Tuesday.  The Bruins’ 79-51 victory over the Gamecocks drew an average of 9.9 million viewers with a peak of 10.7 million viewers. That was a 15% gain on the 2025 final in which UConn downed South Carolina 82-59.  The record for a women’s championship game was set in 2024 when 18.9 million viewers on average and 24.1 million at its peak saw South Carolina defeat Iowa. The 2023 final, in which LSU topped Iowa, attracted 9.92 million on average, with a peak of 12.6 million.  Both the 2023 and 2024 games featured popular Iowa star Caitlyn Clark.  As a whole, this year’s Final Four was the second-most watched since ESPN became the broadcaster in 1996. The three games this year drew an average of 6.7 million viewers.   South Carolina took down top overall seed UConn 62-48 in the semifinals, with 5.4 million tuning in on average, peaking at 7.7 million. The rating was up 47% from the corresponding game last year.  In the other semifinal, UCLA beat Texas 51-44 in another matchup of No. 1 seeds, drawing 5 million viewers on average with a high of 5.2 million. The game saw a 19% viewership increase from the corresponding 2025 contest.  This year’s two semifinals were the fourth- and fifth-most viewed semis in the ESPN era.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #UCLAs #championship #win #drew #3rdhighest #rating #womens #final

Deadspin | UCLA’s championship win drew 3rd-highest rating for women’s final
Deadspin | UCLA’s championship win drew 3rd-highest rating for women’s final  The UCLA Bruins celebrate their 79-51 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks to claim the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.   UCLA’s romp to the Women’s NCAA Tournament championship against South Carolina on Sunday, despite the one-sided score, drew the third-highest rating for a women’s title game, ESPN announced on Tuesday.  The Bruins’ 79-51 victory over the Gamecocks drew an average of 9.9 million viewers with a peak of 10.7 million viewers. That was a 15% gain on the 2025 final in which UConn downed South Carolina 82-59.  The record for a women’s championship game was set in 2024 when 18.9 million viewers on average and 24.1 million at its peak saw South Carolina defeat Iowa. The 2023 final, in which LSU topped Iowa, attracted 9.92 million on average, with a peak of 12.6 million.  Both the 2023 and 2024 games featured popular Iowa star Caitlyn Clark.  As a whole, this year’s Final Four was the second-most watched since ESPN became the broadcaster in 1996. The three games this year drew an average of 6.7 million viewers.   South Carolina took down top overall seed UConn 62-48 in the semifinals, with 5.4 million tuning in on average, peaking at 7.7 million. The rating was up 47% from the corresponding game last year.  In the other semifinal, UCLA beat Texas 51-44 in another matchup of No. 1 seeds, drawing 5 million viewers on average with a high of 5.2 million. The game saw a 19% viewership increase from the corresponding 2025 contest.  This year’s two semifinals were the fourth- and fifth-most viewed semis in the ESPN era.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #UCLAs #championship #win #drew #3rdhighest #rating #womens #finalThe UCLA Bruins celebrate their 79-51 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks to claim the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.

UCLA’s romp to the Women’s NCAA Tournament championship against South Carolina on Sunday, despite the one-sided score, drew the third-highest rating for a women’s title game, ESPN announced on Tuesday.

The Bruins’ 79-51 victory over the Gamecocks drew an average of 9.9 million viewers with a peak of 10.7 million viewers. That was a 15% gain on the 2025 final in which UConn downed South Carolina 82-59.

The record for a women’s championship game was set in 2024 when 18.9 million viewers on average and 24.1 million at its peak saw South Carolina defeat Iowa. The 2023 final, in which LSU topped Iowa, attracted 9.92 million on average, with a peak of 12.6 million.

Both the 2023 and 2024 games featured popular Iowa star Caitlyn Clark.


As a whole, this year’s Final Four was the second-most watched since ESPN became the broadcaster in 1996. The three games this year drew an average of 6.7 million viewers.

South Carolina took down top overall seed UConn 62-48 in the semifinals, with 5.4 million tuning in on average, peaking at 7.7 million. The rating was up 47% from the corresponding game last year.

In the other semifinal, UCLA beat Texas 51-44 in another matchup of No. 1 seeds, drawing 5 million viewers on average with a high of 5.2 million. The game saw a 19% viewership increase from the corresponding 2025 contest.

This year’s two semifinals were the fourth- and fifth-most viewed semis in the ESPN era.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #UCLAs #championship #win #drew #3rdhighest #rating #womens #final

The UCLA Bruins celebrate their 79-51 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks to claim the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.

UCLA’s romp to the Women’s NCAA Tournament championship against South Carolina on Sunday, despite the one-sided score, drew the third-highest rating for a women’s title game, ESPN announced on Tuesday.

The Bruins’ 79-51 victory over the Gamecocks drew an average of 9.9 million viewers with a peak of 10.7 million viewers. That was a 15% gain on the 2025 final in which UConn downed South Carolina 82-59.

The record for a women’s championship game was set in 2024 when 18.9 million viewers on average and 24.1 million at its peak saw South Carolina defeat Iowa. The 2023 final, in which LSU topped Iowa, attracted 9.92 million on average, with a peak of 12.6 million.

Both the 2023 and 2024 games featured popular Iowa star Caitlyn Clark.

As a whole, this year’s Final Four was the second-most watched since ESPN became the broadcaster in 1996. The three games this year drew an average of 6.7 million viewers.

South Carolina took down top overall seed UConn 62-48 in the semifinals, with 5.4 million tuning in on average, peaking at 7.7 million. The rating was up 47% from the corresponding game last year.

In the other semifinal, UCLA beat Texas 51-44 in another matchup of No. 1 seeds, drawing 5 million viewers on average with a high of 5.2 million. The game saw a 19% viewership increase from the corresponding 2025 contest.

This year’s two semifinals were the fourth- and fifth-most viewed semis in the ESPN era.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #UCLAs #championship #win #drew #3rdhighest #rating #womens #final

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Divya vs Vaishali LIVE: FIDE Chess Candidates 2026 Round 9 updates <div id="content-body-70838272" itemprop="articleBody"><p>In the tournament’s second all-Indian clash, Divya Deshmukh will face R. Vaishali in the ninth round of the FIDE Candidates in Cyprus on Wednesday.</p><p>In the first meeting between the two, which was in the second round, a draw was played out.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/fide-candidates-round-9-results-vaishali-beat-divya-deshmukh-praggnanandhaa-sindarov-chess/article70839680.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vaishali beats Divya to go joint-lead, Sindarov held to second straight draw – Match Report</a></b></p><h4 class="sub_head">Divya Deshmukh vs R. Vaishali board updates</h4><h4 class="sub_head">Where to watch Candidates 2026 live?</h4><p>Candidates 2026 will be streamed LIVE on FIDE’s YouTube channel.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #Divya #Vaishali #LIVE #FIDE #Chess #Candidates #updates

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Asian Wrestling Championships: Nitesh bags silver in 97kg Greco Roman; Sachin, Prince add two bronze to tally <div id="content-body-70839827" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Indian Greco Roman wrestlers added a silver and two bronze medals to the country’s tally at the 2026 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday.</p><p>While Nitesh bagged the silver medal in the 97kg category, Sachin Sahrawat (67kg GR) and Prince (82kg) clinched bronze medals.</p><p>The three medals on Wednesday took India’s overall medal tally to two silver and three bronze medals on the third day of competition with two women wrestlers securing a spot in the bronze medal play-offs.</p><p>All eyes were on of the Indian contingent on Wednesday as Nitesh had had already improved on his last edition’s showing by reaching the final of the 97kg category. The 23-year-old was up against defending champion Mohammadhadi Saravi and could not weave the same magic that saw him reach the finals as he went down 1-7 in the final bout.</p><p>Earlier, Sachin opened India’s medal count when he fought back from a 3-5 deficit in the second round to beat Abdumalik Aminov of Uzbekistan 6-5 in the 67kg Greco Roman bronze medal match.</p><p><b>Also read | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/badminton/sindhu-wins-1st-round-badminton-asia-championships-2026-indian-results-lakshya-prannoy-srikanth-scores/article70837380.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Sindhu, Prannoy and Ayush reach round of 16; Lakshya knocked out</a></b></p><p>Sachin, who had defeated China’s Ji Leng in the Repechage round to make it to the bronze medal play-off scored two points in the last minute with a take down and got one for the Uzbek wrestler losing his challenge to claim victory.</p><p>Prince then added the second bronze medal of the day to India’s kitty when he registered a dominant 10-1 win over Didar Amannazarov of Turkmenistan in the 82kg Greco Roman.</p><p>In the women’s wrestling competition, Hansika Lamba (55kg) and Neha (59kg) will be challenging for the bronze medal after losing their respective semi-finals..</p><p>Hansika went down against last edition silver medallist Yuxuan Li of China 11-1 in the semifinals and will now face Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy in the bronze medal play-off.</p><p>Later, Neha came up against former Asian Champion Mengyu Xie of China and despite her spirited effort, she ended on the wrong side of the 12-5 score-line..</p><p>She will now face Bolortuya Khurelkhuu of Mongolia for the bronze medal..</p><p>Neelam could also have a shot at the bronze medal after she made it to the Repechage round in the 50kg category after Japan’s Yui Sasaki, who defeated the Indian in the quarterfinals, reached the summit clash.</p><p>Neelam will now face China’s Ziqi Feng in the Repechage round on Thursday.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #Asian #Wrestling #Championships #Nitesh #bags #silver #97kg #Greco #Roman #Sachin #Prince #add #bronze #tally

#Jalen #Brunson #injury #Knicks #star #returns #NBA #Finals #hurting #knee">Jalen Brunson injury: Knicks star returns to NBA Finals after hurting knee  Jalen Brunson limped off the floor in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs after an opposing player fell on his knee. Brunson headed to the locker room in what amounts to the worst case scenario for the Knicks.Update: Brunson returned to the game with under eight minutes left in the second quarter. He quickly hurt his ankle after returning. He stayed in the game even after the ankle injury and scored on the next Knicks’ possession.Brunson was injured when teammate Landry Shamet pushed over Spurs forward Harrison Barnes on a made three-pointer by Julian Champagnie. Barnes fell on Brunson’s right knee, and the star guard immediately signaled that he needed to come out of the game. San Antonio ended the first quarter on a 20-5 run.Watch the play where Brunson was injured here:Here’s Brunson walking to the locker room:Brunson has been the Knicks’ biggest star during this NBA Finals run. New York absolutely needs him to be at his best to win this series, and this is a terrible start. Here’s hoping Brunson can return.Brunson is back now, and we’ll continue to update you on his status as the game goes on.We’ll update this story as it develops.  #Jalen #Brunson #injury #Knicks #star #returns #NBA #Finals #hurting #knee

The Democratic Republic of Congo warmed up for ​their first World Cup appearance in more ‌than half a century with a ​0-0 draw against Denmark on ⁠Wednesday.

The clash in Belgium, where the Congolese have been preparing for the World Cup, could ‌be their only preparatory match after a planned friendly against Chile ‌in Spain on Monday was ‌cancelled ⁠by local authorities.

The mayor of La ⁠Linea de la Concepcion took the decision even though the Congolese team have been preparing ​for the tournament in ‌Belgium and almost all of their players and staff are based in Europe.

Denmark, which narrowly missed out on ‌World Cup qualification after a penalty ​shootout loss to the Czech Republic in the European playoffs in ⁠March, twice hit the woodwork with Joakim Maehle striking the post with a ‌curling shot in the 33rd minute and captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg catching the corner of the crossbar with a long-range effort early in the second half.

Congolese striker Cedric Bakambu had a chance ‌on the break in the 24th minute but ​he hit his effort straight at Denmark goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who ⁠made another sharp save to deny Joris ⁠Kayembe with the last shot of the match.

At the World Cup, ‌DR Congo opens its Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17.

DR Congo vs Denmark player ratings:

DR Congo: Dimitry Bertaud (7.5/10), Gédéon Kalulu (6.9/10), Chancel Mbemba (7.4/10), Henoc Inonga (7.1/10), Arthur Masuaku (7.0/10), Charles Pickel (6.7/10), Samuel Moutoussamy (6.8/10), Théo Bongonda (6.5/10), Gaël Kakuta (6.6/10), Yoane Wissa (6.9/10), Cédric Bakambu (6.3/10)

Subs: Joris Kayembe (6.4/10), Meschak Elia (6.1/10), Fiston Mayele (5.9/10), Noah Sadiki (6.0/10)

Denmark: Filip Jörgensen (7.4/10), Alexander Bah (7.1/10), Joachim Andersen (7.3/10), Jannik Vestergaard (7.2/10), Joakim Mæhle (7.6/10), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (7.8/10), Morten Hjulmand (6.9/10), Christian Eriksen (7.0/10), Adam Daghim (6.5/10), Rasmus Højlund (6.2/10), Jonas Wind (6.6/10)

Subs: Gustav Isaksen (6.2/10), Morten Frendrup (6.0/10), Victor Kristiansen (6.1/10), Yussuf Poulsen (5.9/10)

(With inputs from Agencies)

Published on Jun 04, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #warmups #Congo #Denmark #player #ratings #report #Leopards #held #draw">FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-ups: DR Congo vs Denmark player ratings, report, Leopards held to a draw  The Democratic Republic of Congo warmed up for ​their first World Cup appearance in more ‌than half a century with a ​0-0 draw against Denmark on ⁠Wednesday.The clash in Belgium, where the Congolese have been preparing for the World Cup, could ‌be their only preparatory match after a planned friendly against Chile ‌in Spain on Monday was ‌cancelled ⁠by local authorities.The mayor of La ⁠Linea de la Concepcion took the decision even though the Congolese team have been preparing ​for the tournament in ‌Belgium and almost all of their players and staff are based in Europe.Denmark, which narrowly missed out on ‌World Cup qualification after a penalty ​shootout loss to the Czech Republic in the European playoffs in ⁠March, twice hit the woodwork with Joakim Maehle striking the post with a ‌curling shot in the 33rd minute and captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg catching the corner of the crossbar with a long-range effort early in the second half.Congolese striker Cedric Bakambu had a chance ‌on the break in the 24th minute but ​he hit his effort straight at Denmark goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who ⁠made another sharp save to deny Joris ⁠Kayembe with the last shot of the match.At the World Cup, ‌DR Congo opens its Group K campaign against Portugal on June 17.DR Congo vs Denmark player ratings:DR Congo: Dimitry Bertaud (7.5/10), Gédéon Kalulu (6.9/10), Chancel Mbemba (7.4/10), Henoc Inonga (7.1/10), Arthur Masuaku (7.0/10), Charles Pickel (6.7/10), Samuel Moutoussamy (6.8/10), Théo Bongonda (6.5/10), Gaël Kakuta (6.6/10), Yoane Wissa (6.9/10), Cédric Bakambu (6.3/10)Subs: Joris Kayembe (6.4/10), Meschak Elia (6.1/10), Fiston Mayele (5.9/10), Noah Sadiki (6.0/10)Denmark: Filip Jörgensen (7.4/10), Alexander Bah (7.1/10), Joachim Andersen (7.3/10), Jannik Vestergaard (7.2/10), Joakim Mæhle (7.6/10), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (7.8/10), Morten Hjulmand (6.9/10), Christian Eriksen (7.0/10), Adam Daghim (6.5/10), Rasmus Højlund (6.2/10), Jonas Wind (6.6/10)Subs: Gustav Isaksen (6.2/10), Morten Frendrup (6.0/10), Victor Kristiansen (6.1/10), Yussuf Poulsen (5.9/10)(With inputs from Agencies)Published on Jun 04, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #warmups #Congo #Denmark #player #ratings #report #Leopards #held #draw

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