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The New York Liberty have completely bounced back  For a moment, it appeared that the New York Liberty might be the next WNBA team that boasted a great roster on paper, but with a roster that didn’t meaningfully translate to on-court success. The Liberty began the season with a 3-4 record, dropping two of their first three games against the Portland Fire, the league’s new expansion team.While the roster wasn’t fully available — Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Leonie Fiebich all missed significant time — for a moment, the slew of offseason moves that initially appeared to catapult the Liberty into title favorites resulted in lackluster play.But things have since dramatically changed. New York hasn’t lost a game since May 25th, rattling off seven straight wins. Some of those victories have come against bottom-feeders — they beat the Phoenix Mercury twice and Connecticut Sun once — but on Thursday, they put together perhaps their most impressive win of the season, a 14-point beatdown of the Atlanta Dream, who were 8-3 entering the game.In that one, Breanna Stewart, who has been New York’s most consistent and available player, led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Satou Sabally (19 points), Marine Johannes (17 points), Pauline Austier (16 points), and Jonquel Jones (16 points) were all major contributors.Three days later, the Liberty put together a 22-point beatdown of the Washington Mystics, and Stewart recorded a career-high 7 blocks.The Liberty are 7-0 with Fiebich in the lineup; the 26-year-old missed the start of the WNBA season as she finished her season with the Spanish club Valencia Basket. Fiebich is averaging 7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game but has a +8 +/- rating, the fifth-best in the WNBA. The Liberty now have the second-best plus-minus in the league (a +7), trailing only the Lynx (who have outscored opponents by an average of 11.7 points per game).They’ve yet to face the two best teams in the league — the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces — but they’re right on track among the best teams in the league.Stewart, who is 31, is having another MVP-caliber season. She’s averaging 19.9 points (the 6th-most in the league) and 9 rebounds (the 7th-most in the league), along with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks. Alongside her, Jonquel Jones (13.8 points, 9.2 rebounds) has held down the frontcourt, while Marine Johannes (11.6 points, 3.2 assists) and Pauline Astier (11.3 points, 3.9 assists)Satou Sabally, the Liberty’s biggest offseason acquisition, has averaged 10.1 points in just 16 minutes off the bench. Johannes (43.4%), Austier (45.8%), and Sabally (41.9%) have all been scorching-hot from three.All of this success has come with Sabrina Ionescu, a franchise cornerstone, appearing in only two games thus far. Ionescu missed time to begin the season with an ankle/foot injury, and was later sidelined for seven games with back soreness.Ionescu averaged 15.7 points per game last season, and should return to her All-Star caliber play again at some point this season.For now, the Liberty already look like one of the best teams in the league, their sloppy start a distant memory.  #York #Liberty #completely #bounced

The New York Liberty have completely bounced back

For a moment, it appeared that the New York Liberty might be the next WNBA team that boasted a great roster on paper, but with a roster that didn’t meaningfully translate to on-court success. The Liberty began the season with a 3-4 record, dropping two of their first three games against the Portland Fire, the league’s new expansion team.

While the roster wasn’t fully available — Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Leonie Fiebich all missed significant time — for a moment, the slew of offseason moves that initially appeared to catapult the Liberty into title favorites resulted in lackluster play.

But things have since dramatically changed. New York hasn’t lost a game since May 25th, rattling off seven straight wins. Some of those victories have come against bottom-feeders — they beat the Phoenix Mercury twice and Connecticut Sun once — but on Thursday, they put together perhaps their most impressive win of the season, a 14-point beatdown of the Atlanta Dream, who were 8-3 entering the game.

In that one, Breanna Stewart, who has been New York’s most consistent and available player, led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Satou Sabally (19 points), Marine Johannes (17 points), Pauline Austier (16 points), and Jonquel Jones (16 points) were all major contributors.

Three days later, the Liberty put together a 22-point beatdown of the Washington Mystics, and Stewart recorded a career-high 7 blocks.

The Liberty are 7-0 with Fiebich in the lineup; the 26-year-old missed the start of the WNBA season as she finished her season with the Spanish club Valencia Basket. Fiebich is averaging 7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game but has a +8 +/- rating, the fifth-best in the WNBA. The Liberty now have the second-best plus-minus in the league (a +7), trailing only the Lynx (who have outscored opponents by an average of 11.7 points per game).

They’ve yet to face the two best teams in the league — the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces — but they’re right on track among the best teams in the league.

Stewart, who is 31, is having another MVP-caliber season. She’s averaging 19.9 points (the 6th-most in the league) and 9 rebounds (the 7th-most in the league), along with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks. Alongside her, Jonquel Jones (13.8 points, 9.2 rebounds) has held down the frontcourt, while Marine Johannes (11.6 points, 3.2 assists) and Pauline Astier (11.3 points, 3.9 assists)

Satou Sabally, the Liberty’s biggest offseason acquisition, has averaged 10.1 points in just 16 minutes off the bench. Johannes (43.4%), Austier (45.8%), and Sabally (41.9%) have all been scorching-hot from three.

All of this success has come with Sabrina Ionescu, a franchise cornerstone, appearing in only two games thus far. Ionescu missed time to begin the season with an ankle/foot injury, and was later sidelined for seven games with back soreness.

Ionescu averaged 15.7 points per game last season, and should return to her All-Star caliber play again at some point this season.

For now, the Liberty already look like one of the best teams in the league, their sloppy start a distant memory.

#York #Liberty #completely #bounced

For a moment, it appeared that the New York Liberty might be the next WNBA team that boasted a great roster on paper, but with a roster that didn’t meaningfully translate to on-court success. The Liberty began the season with a 3-4 record, dropping two of their first three games against the Portland Fire, the league’s new expansion team.

While the roster wasn’t fully available — Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Leonie Fiebich all missed significant time — for a moment, the slew of offseason moves that initially appeared to catapult the Liberty into title favorites resulted in lackluster play.

But things have since dramatically changed. New York hasn’t lost a game since May 25th, rattling off seven straight wins. Some of those victories have come against bottom-feeders — they beat the Phoenix Mercury twice and Connecticut Sun once — but on Thursday, they put together perhaps their most impressive win of the season, a 14-point beatdown of the Atlanta Dream, who were 8-3 entering the game.

In that one, Breanna Stewart, who has been New York’s most consistent and available player, led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Satou Sabally (19 points), Marine Johannes (17 points), Pauline Austier (16 points), and Jonquel Jones (16 points) were all major contributors.

Three days later, the Liberty put together a 22-point beatdown of the Washington Mystics, and Stewart recorded a career-high 7 blocks.

The Liberty are 7-0 with Fiebich in the lineup; the 26-year-old missed the start of the WNBA season as she finished her season with the Spanish club Valencia Basket. Fiebich is averaging 7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game but has a +8 +/- rating, the fifth-best in the WNBA. The Liberty now have the second-best plus-minus in the league (a +7), trailing only the Lynx (who have outscored opponents by an average of 11.7 points per game).

They’ve yet to face the two best teams in the league — the Minnesota Lynx and the Las Vegas Aces — but they’re right on track among the best teams in the league.

Stewart, who is 31, is having another MVP-caliber season. She’s averaging 19.9 points (the 6th-most in the league) and 9 rebounds (the 7th-most in the league), along with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks. Alongside her, Jonquel Jones (13.8 points, 9.2 rebounds) has held down the frontcourt, while Marine Johannes (11.6 points, 3.2 assists) and Pauline Astier (11.3 points, 3.9 assists)

Satou Sabally, the Liberty’s biggest offseason acquisition, has averaged 10.1 points in just 16 minutes off the bench. Johannes (43.4%), Austier (45.8%), and Sabally (41.9%) have all been scorching-hot from three.

All of this success has come with Sabrina Ionescu, a franchise cornerstone, appearing in only two games thus far. Ionescu missed time to begin the season with an ankle/foot injury, and was later sidelined for seven games with back soreness.

Ionescu averaged 15.7 points per game last season, and should return to her All-Star caliber play again at some point this season.

For now, the Liberty already look like one of the best teams in the league, their sloppy start a distant memory.

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#York #Liberty #completely #bounced

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has said female athletes shall be ineligible to compete in any of its competitions from 2027 without undergoing the SRY (Sex-Determining Region Y) gene test.

In order to ensure fairness, World Athletics (WA) introduced the once-in-a-lifetime test for athletes wishing to compete in the female category at the Tokyo World Championships last year.

Starting with the Federation meet in Ranchi last month, the AFI also began testing female athletes in domestic competitions. The cost is borne by the AFI, and the test is done by a recognised lab.

READ: Indian Athletics Series-11: Sanjivani Jadhav edges Harmilan Bains to win women’s 5,000m

Ahead of the 65th National Inter-State meet in Bhubaneswar later this month, the AFI, through its latest circular, has asked female athletes to carry requisite documents, their passport and AFI UID card, for the test.

The AFI alerted the athletes about the consequences of skipping the test this year. “With effect from next year, no athlete shall be eligible to participate in any competition organised by the AFI without undergoing the SRY gene test,” said the circular.

It said the SRY gene test must be conducted only by MedGenome Labs Ltd., the laboratory accredited and authorised by the AFI, and an athlete must seek a letter from the AFI prior to the test.

Published on Jun 16, 2026

#AFI #SRY #gene #test #mandatory #women #athletes">AFI to make SRY gene test mandatory for women athletes from 2027  The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has said female athletes shall be ineligible to compete in any of its competitions from 2027 without undergoing the SRY (Sex-Determining Region Y) gene test.In order to ensure fairness, World Athletics (WA) introduced the once-in-a-lifetime test for athletes wishing to compete in the female category at the Tokyo World Championships last year.Starting with the Federation meet in Ranchi last month, the AFI also began testing female athletes in domestic competitions. The cost is borne by the AFI, and the test is done by a recognised lab.READ: Indian Athletics Series-11: Sanjivani Jadhav edges Harmilan Bains to win women’s 5,000mAhead of the 65th National Inter-State meet in Bhubaneswar later this month, the AFI, through its latest circular, has asked female athletes to carry requisite documents, their passport and AFI UID card, for the test.The AFI alerted the athletes about the consequences of skipping the test this year. “With effect from next year, no athlete shall be eligible to participate in any competition organised by the AFI without undergoing the SRY gene test,” said the circular.It said the SRY gene test must be conducted only by MedGenome Labs Ltd., the laboratory accredited and authorised by the AFI, and an athlete must seek a letter from the AFI prior to the test.Published on Jun 16, 2026  #AFI #SRY #gene #test #mandatory #women #athletes

Indian Athletics Series-11: Sanjivani Jadhav edges Harmilan Bains to win women’s 5,000m

Ahead of the 65th National Inter-State meet in Bhubaneswar later this month, the AFI, through its latest circular, has asked female athletes to carry requisite documents, their passport and AFI UID card, for the test.

The AFI alerted the athletes about the consequences of skipping the test this year. “With effect from next year, no athlete shall be eligible to participate in any competition organised by the AFI without undergoing the SRY gene test,” said the circular.

It said the SRY gene test must be conducted only by MedGenome Labs Ltd., the laboratory accredited and authorised by the AFI, and an athlete must seek a letter from the AFI prior to the test.

Published on Jun 16, 2026

#AFI #SRY #gene #test #mandatory #women #athletes">AFI to make SRY gene test mandatory for women athletes from 2027

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has said female athletes shall be ineligible to compete in any of its competitions from 2027 without undergoing the SRY (Sex-Determining Region Y) gene test.

In order to ensure fairness, World Athletics (WA) introduced the once-in-a-lifetime test for athletes wishing to compete in the female category at the Tokyo World Championships last year.

Starting with the Federation meet in Ranchi last month, the AFI also began testing female athletes in domestic competitions. The cost is borne by the AFI, and the test is done by a recognised lab.

READ: Indian Athletics Series-11: Sanjivani Jadhav edges Harmilan Bains to win women’s 5,000m

Ahead of the 65th National Inter-State meet in Bhubaneswar later this month, the AFI, through its latest circular, has asked female athletes to carry requisite documents, their passport and AFI UID card, for the test.

The AFI alerted the athletes about the consequences of skipping the test this year. “With effect from next year, no athlete shall be eligible to participate in any competition organised by the AFI without undergoing the SRY gene test,” said the circular.

It said the SRY gene test must be conducted only by MedGenome Labs Ltd., the laboratory accredited and authorised by the AFI, and an athlete must seek a letter from the AFI prior to the test.

Published on Jun 16, 2026

#AFI #SRY #gene #test #mandatory #women #athletes
Deadspin | MLB suspends Padres RHP Ron Marinaccio 3 games for intentional HBP  May 24, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images   San Diego Padres right-hander Ron Marinaccio was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount on Monday for what Major League Baseball called intentionally hitting the Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson with a pitch.  Marinaccio filed an appeal on the suspension, which would have started with Monday’s road game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The appeals process must be completed before discipline is applied.  San Diego manager Craig Stammen, who received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for the incident in Saturday’s 9-3 win at Baltimore, will serve his suspension on Monday, the league announced.  Marinaccio recorded two outs in the ninth inning and no runners aboard before hitting Henderson on the first pitch of his at-bat.  The Orioles believed the Padres were retaliating for Baltimore starter Trey Gibson, who already had walked five batters, hitting Xander Bogaerts in the helmet on his final pitch — the rookie’s 93rd of the game — in the fifth inning.  Bogaerts left the game in the sixth with what Stammen called “a little spasm here in the neck.”  Henderson said after Saturday’s game that he was hit on purpose after dodging out of the way of two inside pitches from the Padres’ Bradgley Rodriguez in the seventh. He could not avoid Marinaccio’s offering.  “I guess they were trying to get payback,” Henderson said, “so I guess we’re even now.”  Orioles manager Craig Albernaz respected the way the Padres handled the situation.   “Trey (Gibson) hit Bogaerts in the head and their dugout didn’t like it at all. Obviously, it definitely wasn’t intentional. It was a two-seam that slipped out of his hand,” Albernaz said on Saturday. “I get there why they’re mad; the ball hit him in the head and he had to come out of the game. I’m not saying the ball to Gunnar was on purpose, but it was done the right way.  “And that’s why there was no gripes from us, and Gunnar was fine with it and just took it to first base.”  Marinaccio said afterward that the strategy facing Henderson was to pitch him inside.  “He’s a great hitter. You’ve got to make hitters like that uncomfortable at times, and I pulled a fastball a little bit too much there,” Marinaccio said. “I could understand the visual, a couple guys pitching inside earlier, but there were no warnings.”  Stammen also disagreed with the umpiring crew ejecting Marinaccio without a warning, forcing him to bring in reliever Adrian Morejon.  “They definitely thought he did it on purpose. That was not my understanding or my take from it. Ultimately, that’s why I went out and argued,” Stammen said after the game. “Just didn’t think it was warranted. It would’ve been fine if they just warned everybody. We’d have been fine and moved on from there.”  Marinaccio, 30, is 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA, 10 walks and 31 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings over 24 relief appearances this season.  For his career, Marinaccio is 7-5 with two saves, a 3.23 ERA, 75 walks and 180 strikeouts in 161 2/3 innings over 132 games, all in relief.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #MLB #suspends #Padres #RHP #Ron #Marinaccio #games #intentional #HBPMay 24, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres right-hander Ron Marinaccio was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount on Monday for what Major League Baseball called intentionally hitting the Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson with a pitch.

Marinaccio filed an appeal on the suspension, which would have started with Monday’s road game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The appeals process must be completed before discipline is applied.

San Diego manager Craig Stammen, who received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for the incident in Saturday’s 9-3 win at Baltimore, will serve his suspension on Monday, the league announced.

Marinaccio recorded two outs in the ninth inning and no runners aboard before hitting Henderson on the first pitch of his at-bat.

The Orioles believed the Padres were retaliating for Baltimore starter Trey Gibson, who already had walked five batters, hitting Xander Bogaerts in the helmet on his final pitch — the rookie’s 93rd of the game — in the fifth inning.

Bogaerts left the game in the sixth with what Stammen called “a little spasm here in the neck.”

Henderson said after Saturday’s game that he was hit on purpose after dodging out of the way of two inside pitches from the Padres’ Bradgley Rodriguez in the seventh. He could not avoid Marinaccio’s offering.

“I guess they were trying to get payback,” Henderson said, “so I guess we’re even now.”


Orioles manager Craig Albernaz respected the way the Padres handled the situation.

“Trey (Gibson) hit Bogaerts in the head and their dugout didn’t like it at all. Obviously, it definitely wasn’t intentional. It was a two-seam that slipped out of his hand,” Albernaz said on Saturday. “I get there why they’re mad; the ball hit him in the head and he had to come out of the game. I’m not saying the ball to Gunnar was on purpose, but it was done the right way.

“And that’s why there was no gripes from us, and Gunnar was fine with it and just took it to first base.”

Marinaccio said afterward that the strategy facing Henderson was to pitch him inside.

“He’s a great hitter. You’ve got to make hitters like that uncomfortable at times, and I pulled a fastball a little bit too much there,” Marinaccio said. “I could understand the visual, a couple guys pitching inside earlier, but there were no warnings.”

Stammen also disagreed with the umpiring crew ejecting Marinaccio without a warning, forcing him to bring in reliever Adrian Morejon.

“They definitely thought he did it on purpose. That was not my understanding or my take from it. Ultimately, that’s why I went out and argued,” Stammen said after the game. “Just didn’t think it was warranted. It would’ve been fine if they just warned everybody. We’d have been fine and moved on from there.”

Marinaccio, 30, is 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA, 10 walks and 31 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings over 24 relief appearances this season.

For his career, Marinaccio is 7-5 with two saves, a 3.23 ERA, 75 walks and 180 strikeouts in 161 2/3 innings over 132 games, all in relief.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLB #suspends #Padres #RHP #Ron #Marinaccio #games #intentional #HBP">Deadspin | MLB suspends Padres RHP Ron Marinaccio 3 games for intentional HBP  May 24, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images   San Diego Padres right-hander Ron Marinaccio was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount on Monday for what Major League Baseball called intentionally hitting the Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson with a pitch.  Marinaccio filed an appeal on the suspension, which would have started with Monday’s road game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The appeals process must be completed before discipline is applied.  San Diego manager Craig Stammen, who received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for the incident in Saturday’s 9-3 win at Baltimore, will serve his suspension on Monday, the league announced.  Marinaccio recorded two outs in the ninth inning and no runners aboard before hitting Henderson on the first pitch of his at-bat.  The Orioles believed the Padres were retaliating for Baltimore starter Trey Gibson, who already had walked five batters, hitting Xander Bogaerts in the helmet on his final pitch — the rookie’s 93rd of the game — in the fifth inning.  Bogaerts left the game in the sixth with what Stammen called “a little spasm here in the neck.”  Henderson said after Saturday’s game that he was hit on purpose after dodging out of the way of two inside pitches from the Padres’ Bradgley Rodriguez in the seventh. He could not avoid Marinaccio’s offering.  “I guess they were trying to get payback,” Henderson said, “so I guess we’re even now.”  Orioles manager Craig Albernaz respected the way the Padres handled the situation.   “Trey (Gibson) hit Bogaerts in the head and their dugout didn’t like it at all. Obviously, it definitely wasn’t intentional. It was a two-seam that slipped out of his hand,” Albernaz said on Saturday. “I get there why they’re mad; the ball hit him in the head and he had to come out of the game. I’m not saying the ball to Gunnar was on purpose, but it was done the right way.  “And that’s why there was no gripes from us, and Gunnar was fine with it and just took it to first base.”  Marinaccio said afterward that the strategy facing Henderson was to pitch him inside.  “He’s a great hitter. You’ve got to make hitters like that uncomfortable at times, and I pulled a fastball a little bit too much there,” Marinaccio said. “I could understand the visual, a couple guys pitching inside earlier, but there were no warnings.”  Stammen also disagreed with the umpiring crew ejecting Marinaccio without a warning, forcing him to bring in reliever Adrian Morejon.  “They definitely thought he did it on purpose. That was not my understanding or my take from it. Ultimately, that’s why I went out and argued,” Stammen said after the game. “Just didn’t think it was warranted. It would’ve been fine if they just warned everybody. We’d have been fine and moved on from there.”  Marinaccio, 30, is 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA, 10 walks and 31 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings over 24 relief appearances this season.  For his career, Marinaccio is 7-5 with two saves, a 3.23 ERA, 75 walks and 180 strikeouts in 161 2/3 innings over 132 games, all in relief.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #MLB #suspends #Padres #RHP #Ron #Marinaccio #games #intentional #HBP

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